This newsletter can be automatically translated into 108 different languages. If you open this newsletter on your phone, look for the "Accessibility Icon" for language options. Press the "translate" button, and select your language.

To translate from a laptop or computer, please watch this short informational video in English or in Spanish:

How to translate Smore Newsletters (English) or Cómo traducir boletines informativos de Smore (Spanish)

We are excited to host Halloween parties in our classrooms. On Tuesday, October 31st, from 2:10 - 3:10 p.m, classes will have the opportunity to celebrate with class parties. Changing into costumes for the party will occur at the beginning of the parties about 2:10 p.m. We ask that costumes are not worn all day, that they are super easy to take on and off, and as always - no blood, gore, or weapons.

If you are planning on attending you will need to complete a quick background check with our Raptor System. This process may take time, so we encourage you to please stop by before this event with your ID so you are in the system. This will expedite the wait time/process to ensure you get to enjoy all the party time!

Please remember that we can only serve packaged/store purchased foods to ensure health and food safety. We cannot serve food prepped/cooked at home. Also, if you would like to check your student out early, please follow the normal routine of contacting the office for early checkout.

Early checkouts are recorded in our attendance system (infinite Campus). If your child is working towards perfect attendance for the month of the October, an early checkout will automatically exclude them in the system. The attendance reporting system is limited to what it can pull and any absences will exclude them in the end of month report when we pull it out of Infinite Campus for our monthly Perfect Attendance Awards.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher and/or the BUE Office at (970)285-5703.

Date: October 31, 2023

Time: 5:00 -7:00 p.m .

Trick or Treat Street will be in BUE, starting at the front office and walking down the specials hallways to the playground area.

Trunk or Treat will be on the BUE blacktop and can be entered by the south gate.

Hotdogs with chips and water will be served for the community, while supplies last.

Dessert is via the Trick or Treat!

We hope you can join us!

We are using PTCFast.com to make signups as convenient as possible this year. Please click on the link below to register for a time slot with your child's teacher:

https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Bea_Underwood_Elementary_School

You will create a log in, choose your child’s teacher and select your time preference. You will get a time confirmation paper the week before conferences.

Thank you in advance for your participation in the Fall 2023 Parent Teacher Conferences.

We sent home PTC Letters in backpacks 2 weeks ago. Here is a link to read the letter in case it has been lost/misplaced:

Parent Teacher Conference Letter in English and Spanish (pg 2)

G16 has a tradition of Student Led Conferences, where students lead the discussions around progress reports and grades based on their strengths and areas for growth. Over the years, parents have advocated for a return to a more traditional system of Parent Teacher Conferences (similar to the request to return to a traditional grading system).

Effective educational systems utilize both processes!

Parent Teacher Conferences are very important providing teachers and parents with an opportunity to have open conversations on student progress. Likewise, Student Led Conferences provide a much needed opportunity for students to take ownership in their learning.

G16 has listened to parent feedback regarding Parent Teacher Conferences and Student Led Conferences and will transition to a system that provides both opportunities for parents and students.

Fall and Spring Parent Teacher Conferences:

November 6 - 7, 2023 - at the end of 1st Qtr to discuss progress reports

• November 6: appts from 12:00 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. (conferences end at 8 p.m.)
• November 7: appts from 8:00 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. (conferences end at 5:00 p.m.)

April 1, 2023 - at the end of 3rd Qtr to discuss progress reports

• times TBD

Spring Student Led Conferences:

May 6 and May 13, 2023 to allow students to discuss their learning for the year!

• times TBD

We invite you to join us for our Annual Veteran's Day Program at BUE.

This year's program will feature our choir singing 3 songs, a Fallen Soldier Table, student speaking parts, and the honor guard.

We hope you can join us.

Who: Community Event

What: Veteran's Day Program

When: November 10 @ 2:30 p.m.

Where: BUE Gym

No School November 20 - 24

We wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving Break

BUE will host our Fall/Winter Book Fair November 28th - December 1st

SHOP ONLINE DURING NOV 27 – DEC 10 TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL!

Bring on the Bookjoy—25% of every online purchase during the Fair directly benefits our school!

WE'RE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!

Please sign up to volunteer with our Book Fair using this link:

Volunteer Sign Up Link

PREVIEW BOOKS FROM THE FAIR

Watch book trailers with your child in our interactive book flyer for a sneak peek of our upcoming Fair.

EXPLORE DIGITAL FLYER

Set up an eWallet by Friday, Dec 1 so your child can shop the Fair without cash. Shoppers can set up and manage funds from: Nov 6, 2023 → Dec 1, 2023 from our Scholastic Book Fair Homepage

Our nation is facing a crisis in early literacy: fully two-thirds of U.S. fourth graders are not reading proficiently, national assessments show.

The numbers are even more dire for students from low-income families: 80 percent of them haven’t reached proficiency.

Amid the search for solutions — whether through better instruction, improved curriculum or third-grade retention policies — educators and families often overlook the potential to raise achievement by improving student attendance. Most recognize that students don’t learn as much when they miss too much school, but few realize how many students are at risk academically in the early grades due to absenteeism or how quickly absences can add up to too much lost instructional time.

A growing body of research documents how many youngsters are chronically absent, meaning they miss 10 percent or more of the school year due to excused or unexcused absences. The research also shows how these missed days as early as preschool translate into weaker reading skills.

• One in 10 kindergarten and first-grade students nationally are chronically absent, missing nearly a month of school. Emerging research shows even higher rates among preschoolers.
• These early absences correlate with reading difficulties and poor attendance patterns in later years. One California study found that only 17 percent of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64 percent of those with good attendance.
• The effects of poor attendance are particularly pronounced among low-income children, who need more time in the classroom to master reading and are less likely to have access to resources outside of school to help them catch up. Unfortunately, low-income children are four times more likely to be chronically absent.
• Students can begin to reverse their academic difficulties if they improve their attendance. • Parents are often unaware of the corrosive effects of absenteeism and how quickly absences add up to academic trouble in the early grades. Some face challenges with health, transportation or housing that contribute to absences.

October was National Bus Safety Month

Students participated in lessons and activities that taught about Bus Safety, appropriate behavior on buses, and respecting their fellow bus riders and bus drivers.

The safety of students on our school buses is a top priority. State law requires very specific safety precautions by bus drivers, students and family members as they meet their child's bus each day.

Students should arrive at the designated place of safety for their bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time.

Family members should:

• Review the safety rules with their children and explain why the safety rules are important.
• Dress children in light-colored clothing or jackets on dark mornings. Check clothing and backpacks for safety: Draw strings and key chains can catch on objects on the bus and create potential safety hazards.
• Help children to be ready at the stop before the bus is due to arrive.
• If necessary, take turns with friends and neighbors supervising children at bus stops.

Important Bus Safety Rules

• Avoid the danger zone around the bus. The danger zone for a school bus is the entire area up to 10 feet around the bus. The two most dangerous places are the front of the bus and the right rear tire area.
• Never try to pick up dropped objects near the bus. The bus driver may not be able to see you. If it is something important, let the bus driver know.
• Remember that some motorists fail to stop for a stopped school bus.
• Be careful getting on and off the bus.

We need your help!

Multiple students have reported cussing, unsafe behaviors, bullying, and meanness happening on buses. As a school, we have been combatting this with Mrs. Clark riding busses each week, lessons, teaching, consequences at school and unfortunately we have had to kick some children off the bus who are exhibiting inappropriate behaviors on the bus or at bus stops. We have also been informed that some parents are now involving our local PD as bus stops have gotten out of control. Please help everyone by speaking to your children about appropriate behaviors both at bus stops and on the bus.

We will continue to teach and train students at school, and we need you help to reinforce these expectations at home.

Bus Rules:

1. Keep legs and feet out of walkway

2. Do not throw things

3. No bullying

4. No eating on the bus

5. Keep hands to ourselves

6. No cursing

7. No fighting

8. Do not steal

9. Stay in seat when bus is moving

10. Listen to all directions from bus driver

Safety Concerns

Report incidents to school administration when:

• When you feel someone else is not safe on the bus

• When you don’t feel safe on the bus

How to Report Concerns

• Email Mrs. Clark or Mrs. Scott (aclark@garfield16.org or ascott@garfield16.org)

• Write a statement in the office (who, what, when, and where, drop off at office)

• Tell a staff member before school, during lunch, or after school immediately

Consequences (any of the following may be a consequence for inappropriate behavior)

1. warning for minor incidents and parent(s) notified

2. consequences at school and parent(s) notified

3. suspension from bus for one week to one year depending on incident

Automatic Suspension from Bus (no warnings)

• Use or possession of tobacco products, vape pen, drugs or alcohol

• Use or possession of lighter, matches or flammable material

• Using laser/pointers on bus

• Throwing items in or out of the bus

• Fighting/Physical Contact

• Exiting through Emergency door without permission

BUE teachers send home large white envelopes every Tuesday with important information. Please check back packs each week and review the information in these folders. They will include school, classroom, and possibly community information each week. This is also a great way for you to send a note back to your student's teacher.

Please also check for homework!

Make sure to send Tuesday Folders back to school the following day.

Important Note: BUE will complete a Fire Drill and Safety Lock Down each month. We do not post dates and times of drills for safety reasons.

October 31:

• 2:15-3:15 p.m. Classroom Halloween Parties at BUE
• 5:00-7:00 p.m. Trunk or Treat and Trick or Treat Street at BUE

.

November 6th:

• NO SCHOOL - BUE Parent Teacher Conferences. Sign up with this link: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Bea_Underwood_Elementary_School

November 7th:

• NO SCHOOL - BUE Parent Teacher Conferences. Sign up with this link: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Bea_Underwood_Elementary_School

November 8th:

• Hearing and Vision Screening at BUE

November 10th:

• Picture Retakes at BUE
• 2:30 p.m. BUE Veterans Day Program - All community members are invited to join us.

November 17th:

• Hat hat Fundraiser for Yearbook - Students may wear their hat all day for $1
• 2:30 p.m. All School Crew to Celebrate Terrific Kids and Attendance Awards

November 20th - 24th:

• No School - Thanksgiving Break

November 28th - December 1st

• Scholastic Book Fair at BUE
• Volunteer Sign Up

Click this link for more information.

https://www.garfield16.org/page/volunteer-visitor-and-background-check-procedures

We are a four (4) day school week

Tuesdays to Friday

1st Morning Bell rings at 7:30 a.m.

End of Day bell rings at 3:15 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding transportation, please call the our Transportation Director, Steve Gardener, at the Transportation office (970) 285-5700 ext. 5130.

Here is a bus registration form.

Here are the updated bus routes.

Transportation Website

Our free breakfast and lunch program is a yearly grant process. Our district has qualified again for a free breakfast and lunch program for SY 2023-2024.

• Breakfast Program: All students can receive breakfast free of charge. It is important that your child arrives at school on time as breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m.

• Lunch Program: All students can receive lunch free of charge. If your child brings lunch from home, please make sure it does NOT need to be heated in a microwave as there are no microwaves available.

Please do not send soda pop in your child’s school lunch. We ask that you send a healthier choice such as juice, water, or milk.

Parents wishing to eat lunch with their child may do so, however to be in the school during the school day requires a background check (see the section above on school safety).

Please call the school office by 9:00am if you would like to order a hot lunch. The charge for an adult lunch is $4.25 and for a visiting child it is $2.75. Please remember that the school only accepts cash or a check for payment.

Menus can be found on our school district Nutrition Website.

Meal Prices for Visitors:

Student Lunch $2.75

Milk $0.70

Adult Lunch $4.25

If you are ever looking for the breakfast and lunch menus, please visit our district Nutrition Department Website where you can link directly to each month's menus.

Please keep in mind that menus have the potential to change A LOT depending on staffing issues, and product availability. Our Nutrition Department does their best to honor the posted menus, however they can be heavily impacted for a variety of reasons. If you ever have any questions, please call 285-5701 ext. 4180 with any questions or email jwilliams@garfield16.org

Our School Based Family Resource Center does a great job connecting Garfield16 Students and Families with resources. Please check out their Facebook Page and Website for for information about programs and resources, which may benefit you and your family.

FACEBOOK

WEBSITE

Please do not hesitate to reach out to our School Based Family Resource Center for more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Claudia Flores Cruz

Center Coordinator

970-285-5262

cflorescruz@garfield16.org

G16 Dress Code Policy JICA

Dressing for school in an appropriate and respectful manner is important to limit distractions, encourage kindness among classmates, and enhance school safety and sense of belonging for everyone. The following items are deemed disruptive to the classroom environment or to the maintenance of a safe and orderly school and are not acceptable in school buildings, on school grounds, or at school activities:

• Shorts, dresses, skirts or other similar clothing shorter than three inches above the knee cap

• Sunglasses and/or hats worn inside the building

• Inappropriately sheer, tight or low-cut clothing (e.g., midriffs, halter-tops, backless clothing, tube tops, garments made of fishnet, mesh or similar material, muscle tops, etc.) that bare or expose traditionally private parts of the body including, but not limited to, the stomach, buttocks, back and breasts

• Tank tops or other similar clothing with straps narrower than 1.5 inches in width

• Any clothing, paraphernalia, grooming, jewelry, hair coloring, accessories, or body adornments that are or contain any advertisement, symbols, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that:

• Refer to drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons

• Are of a sexual nature

• By virtue of color, arrangement, trademark, or other attribute denote membership in gangs which advocate drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior

• Are obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, or legally libelous

• Threaten the safety or welfare of any person

• Promote any activity prohibited by the student code of conduct

• Otherwise disrupt the teaching-learning process

Hats:

• Hats may only be worn outside the building (except for special dress-up days)

Shoes:

• Wheelie tennis shoes MUST have the wheels removed

• Sandals are ok but you must have tennis shoes for PE

• Flip flops are discouraged as they tend to get broken at school. Children trip and fall in them often getting hurt on the playground or going up and down stairs.

Students who wear inappropriate clothing will be required to change clothes (BUE keeps freshly washed options in the office) or they can call home for parents to bring a change of clothes. Please don’t allow children to wear excessive make-up, as it is a distraction in school and has resulted in students being unkind to each other.

Email: aclark@garfield16.org
Website: http://bue.garfield16.org/
Location: 0741 Tamarisk Trail, Parachute, CO 81635
Phone: 970-285-5703
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Garfield-County-School-District-No-16-216528061787894/