Weekly Family & Community Update

Hello SGS Families!

Over the last few months, our teams have studied our data, tested ideas, and written a plan for the next two years at Sleeping Giant. Our Building Leadership Team ranked what the data told us and dug into why some students are not catching up. Our School Literacy and Math Teams tested our reading, writing, and math goals against what teachers see in classrooms every day. Our MTSS Committee looked at how we support students who need extra help. The Climate and Culture Committee studied how students feel at school, and our Mental Health and Wellness Teams made sure the plan includes the adults who care for them. Parents and staff on our School Accountability Committee reviewed our priorities in September and the final draft in October.

Then our whole staff weighed in. Earlier this month, they studied these ideas on posters, debated each action step, and voted with colored stickers on what matters most. Those votes completed our new Unified Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan.

Every public school in Colorado writes a Unified Improvement Plan, or UIP, and submits it to the state each year. We went further and built a two-year Strategic Plan. It names our priorities, the steps we will take, and the goals we will hold ourselves to. We take it seriously. Once the state approves our plan, you will be able to read it on the Colorado Department of Education website and on the Sleeping Giant website.

We are building on a strong foundation. Sleeping Giant opened five years ago, and since then our students have grown faster than most students in Colorado. When the state measures how much students learn in a year, Sleeping Giant ranks ahead of 93% of schools. This fall, the state gave us its highest rating. And in survey after survey, 95% of students can name an adult at school they trust. Our teachers built those results together with a shared picture of great teaching, regular time to look at student work, our BEARS values, and a habit of supporting each other and our entire school community.

The data also showed us something we need to address. Our students are growing, but too many of the students who start behind are not catching up fast enough. That finding shaped three priorities:

1. Get more students to grade level in reading and math. Teachers will plan strong lessons together, check often on how each student is doing, and give extra help in small groups to students who need it. A new Math Team will bring the same focus to math that we have built in reading.
2. Increase writing proficiency, K-8. Students will write more often and for real audiences, and every grade will use the same expectations for good writing. Teachers will look at student writing together a few times a year to see what is working and where students need help.
3. Increase student and staff voice, belonging, and trust. We will check in regularly on how students feel at school and follow up with any student who does not feel known. Students will have more say in their school, and we will invest in the adults who care for them every day.

This plan shows what it looks like to be All In: Every Child, Every Adult, Every Day. We are proud of what our students have done in five years, and we believe we can all do more. I am confident in our teachers and staff, and I look forward to sharing our progress with you along the way.

Go Bears 🐻

Joe Laliberte
Principal, Sleeping Giant School

Students are welcome to wear costumes to school on Friday, October 30. It is still a full school day, and our Halloween parade starts at 2:30 PM. Families are welcome to watch from the south end zone of the football field.

Costumes need to follow the dress code and be respectful of everyone at SGS. Full masks, weapons, weapon-like accessories, and costumes that are overly scary are not allowed. If a costume becomes a distraction, we may ask your child to remove that piece so classes can keep running.

If you would prefer your child not take part in the celebration for any reason, please contact the front office. We will have an alternative activity ready.

Thank you for helping make this a safe and fun day for every student. Our staff does a great job with this parade every year, and I look forward to seeing the costumes.

Dear Sleeping Giant Families,
This is the final weekend to donate to our annual school fundraiser, we are just $500 shy of our $20,000 goal. Did you forget to donate? Been procrastinating on reaching out to grandparents? If so, you still have time! The donation link will be open through the weekend. Please drop off any checks by the end of the school day, Monday 10/26.
As a reminder we have some amazing prizes for our top fundraisers, including:

- A 4-ticket gift card to the Crooked Key
- Certificate for 2 hours of bowling for 6 (including shoe rental) at Snow Bowl
- 4 bumper car/skate vouchers from Howelsen Ice Rink
- Open Gym/Punch cards from Excel Gymnastics

We also have gift cards for Old Town Hot Springs, Steamboat Fun and Games, local restaurants, tickets to Wildhorse Cinema, and more!

Thank you to all who have donated we are so grateful for your support. We are so close! Any contribution helps us get to our goal!

Please remember that our immunization compliance deadline is Monday, October 26. If your student is not in full compliance they will not be able to attend school on October 27.

To be in compliance, your child needs to be current on their vaccinations, or you need to have watched the vaccine exemption video (see link below).

https://360.articulate.com/review/content/d3484b03-90e5-4760-b1bb-af310dea65d8/review

Please feel free reach to Josie Freschi, SGS School Nurse directly at (970) 871-7516 if you have any questions.

Our Girls Basketball and Combined Nordic season are quickly approaching! Please see the Athletics Page on our website for more information and to sign up.

The BEARS Sideline Store is offering 20% off right now!

Use code PLAYOFF20 during checkout

Winter Carnival Button Submission

Button Contest Information

Thriller Dance Workshop
Thursday, October 29th
5:30–7:00 PM
Steamboat Montessori Cafetorium
$25 per person
All ages welcome—kids and adults!
No dance experience necessary

Steamboat Girls Lacrosse
America's Oldest Team Sport
SGL Fosters Teamwork, Confidence, Hard Work, Sportsmanship, Healthy Mindset & Fun!
Register Now!

Email: jlaliberte@ssk12.org
Website: https://sgs.steamboatschools.net/en-US
Location: Sleeping Giant School, Giant View Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO, USA
Phone: (970) 871-7599