Gold Rush Elementary

Inspiring Purpose, Compassion & Excellence

If you’ve walked through our hallways recently, you might have noticed things looking a lot brighter. Our talented little artists have been hard at work transforming our school into a vibrant celebration of spring.

From the tiny legs on their colorful bugs to the bright patterns on their umbrellas and the petals of their kindness flowers, their creativity is truly lighting up the building. These masterpieces aren’t just art—they are a celebration of the new season and all the hard work our students have put into their fine motor skills and color exploration.

Our classrooms have been buzzing with the sound of pencils scratching and keyboards clicking as students dive into our latest process writing units. Whether they are crafting narratives, diving into research, or practicing analytical writing, our students are learning that their words have the power to inform, entertain, and—most importantly—persuade.

Currently, students in both primary and intermediate grades are focused on opinion writing. This unit is a highlight of the year because it allows students' unique passions and personalities to shine. Our youngest advocates are learning to convince others of their favorites! From the best video games and must-see movies to the tastiest restaurants in town, they are learning to back up their "likes" with "whys." Students are taking a more civic approach, advocating for tangible changes they wish to see within our school community. It is inspiring to see them identify problems and propose thoughtful, written solutions.

To help organize these big ideas, students are utilizing the SRSD (Self-Regulated Strategy Development) framework. This structured approach helps them identify multiple supporting ideas to build a strong foundation for their argument. It also helps them integrate powerful word choices and "voice" to keep their readers engaged. Students are also evaluating their own work to ensure their message is clear and convincing.

It takes courage to put an opinion on paper and share it with others. We are incredibly proud of the hard work, critical thinking, and heart our students are pouring into these pieces. Be sure to ask your student this week: "What is one big idea you are advocating for in your writing?" You might be surprised how convincing they can be!

We know that creating a positive, collaborative learning environment is essential to all students’ success. Creating balanced classes that meet the needs of all students is a difficult endeavor. This process involves hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators and other staff members. The school takes this responsibility seriously and considers each child.

We value parent input and welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs and learning style. We will consider all pertinent information that you share with the principal on or before Friday, April 10. While we welcome your input, we cannot honor specific teacher requests. Please share your thoughts on this google doc. Please communicate your thoughts via the google doc so we can track your input and refer back to it throughout the process.

Students in grades three through five will participate in the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessment next week. This important statewide assessment measures students’ understanding of grade-level literacy and math standards and helps us better understand their academic progress.

Please mark the test dates below on your calendar. We kindly ask that families schedule appointments outside of the testing window whenever possible, as it is important for students to be present and focused during the assessment. Consistent attendance helps students do their best and allows the testing process to run smoothly with minimal disruptions.

Thank you for your support in helping our students be prepared, well-rested, and ready to do their best!

2021 South Swift Fox Way, Parker, CO, USA

303-387-7700

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