Good News Bulletin
January 31, 2025
WISH KID BRODERICK GETS HIS WISH THANKS TO ELIZABETH COMMUNITY
What a send off!
Today wraps up our Wish Week and it was done in the best way, full of excitement, celebration, support and surprises.
Our Wish Kid Broderick and his family loved every minute of it! The fundraising part of it is still going on, but once we hit one of our goals, the teachers were forced to do a dance in front of everyone. There was also a blow up costume relay race with the teachers that was very entertaining to watch.
Also included in today's assembly, musical chairs with Broderick and representatives from each grade level. For the big send off, Broderick was celebrated at the front entrance and hopped on a special ride provided by Elizabeth Fire Department.
Broderick and his family will soon be on his way to Disney World! A special thanks to the entire Elizabeth community for all of the support, as you always do.
Photo Courtesy: Olivia Wagner, ESD Communications Intern & Maegan Winegar
ELIZABETH SCHOOL DISTRICT MAKES APPEARANCE AT STATE CAPITOL DOWNTOWN
Experience through school choice.
Superintendent Dan Snowberger spoke at the State Capitol for School Choice Week and talked about what he has witnessed about offering choices to families over his nearly four decades in education.
He made points about charter schools, offering transportation to students and talked about the effectiveness of school choice. The event at the Capitol was a great opportunity to showcase Elizabeth School District and what is offered to our community.
EHS CONCERT BAND PERFORMS AT STATE CAPITOL FOR SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
Proud moment alert!
The EHS Concert Band performed two songs on the West Steps of the State Capitol as part of School Choice Week. Our students did an outstanding job and were truly a highlight from the event.
They performed The National Anthem and later in the program, they performed You're A Grand Old Flag and America The Beautiful.
A big crowd was gathered there for the event, including state representatives, the Governor, school choice advocacy groups and students and staff from various Colorado public schools and charters.
Way to make an impression!
SPECIAL EDITION SUPERINTENDENT MONTHLY REVIEW FROM THE STATE CAPITOL
On location!
This month's Superintendent Monthly Review is being brought to you from the State Capitol in Downtown Denver.
Superintendent Dan Snowberger gives his thoughts on all of the action from School Choice Week including the awesome performance from the Elizabeth High School Concert Band.
Some of the guest speakers at the event included Deborah Flora, Founder of Parents United, Lori Gimelshteyn, Executive Director of Parents United and Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, Dan Snowberger, Superintendent of Elizabeth School District, Colorado Governor Jared Polis and more.
SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH: SPOTLIGHT ON JON WALLER
As we continue our ESD Board Member spotlights for School Board Appreciation Month, we get to know more about Jon Waller, who was appointed to the board two years ago and then won his seat during the election.
Jon spent his career in law enforcement and in retirement, has focused on giving back to the community. He says there could not be a better opportunity than having a position as a school board member to help shape young minds and ensure that they have a solid foundation in the classroom.
Jon raised five kids of this own, participated in the Elbert County Planning Commission and also has worked with the Republican Party in Elbert County for many years.
He says that when he moved to Elbert County a decade ago, he saw an immediate opportunity to get involved and has not looked back since. Thank you Jon for all that you do for Elizabeth School District!
SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH: SPOTLIGHT ON HEATHER BOOTH
As we continue to celebrate January as School Board Appreciation Month, we turn the spotlight on Heather Booth.
Heather moved to Elbert County back in 2002 and immediately became very involved in the schools because of her kids. She helped run the PTCO at Running Creek Elementary for a decade and loved doing it.
From there, she began attending ESD school board meetings and eventually someone recommended to her that she run for a local position. She says it made sense for her to do that because she had already committed so much time as a volunteer.
In 2021, she had the opportunity to run for a spot on the ESD School Board and won. From that point on, she was all in. During the busy times, Heather says she was putting in about 60 hours per week on the phone, not even counting how much time went to creating policy and all of the other things that go into being a school board member.
She says the number one thing she wanted to get involved with was improving the school district's safety and security. Now, each school has armed staff and is made up of a very experienced team.
Sadly, this past month, Heather had to resign from the board due to personal health struggles that she is facing. We wish you the best Heather and thank you for all that you have done for Elizabeth School District!
FEBRUARY 11TH: DINNER IS ON US!
EHS TRI-M CHAPTER IS STARTING A CLOTHING DRIVE
Attention ESD Community!
The EHS Tri-M Chapter (Music Honor Society), is beginning a clothing donation drive ending with a Dress to Impress event on February 7th. The clothing donation drive started this week and will be picked up on February 5th.
Additional note: The EHS Concert Band is performing for the National School Choice Week at the Denver Capitol Building on January 28th. Be sure to show your support of our band for what will be an awesome presentation and representation of Elizabeth High School!
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION NIGHT FOR 2025-2026 IS COMING UP
ESD CHILDCARE HAS NEW HOURS
YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO GIVE YOUR INPUT ON THE PROST MASTER PLAN
The Greater Elizabeth area is in the process of developing a Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) Master Plan which will set the groundwork for the long-term health, connectivity, and sustainability of the area and its communities.
Your voice is the most important piece of this process, so we invite you to participate in a 10-15 minute online survey by scanning the QR code or visiting the link below. Don’t miss your chance to get involved—the survey closes on February 28th, 2025. Hard copies are available at Elizabeth Town Hall.
A HEADS UP TO PARENTS ABOUT CMAS TESTING FOR SPRING 2025
ESD officials are hoping for a good turnout this year for Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS). The CMAS testing happens each year and the data that comes from the testing is vital for the school district to determine the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction.
Last year, certain grade levels across the school district saw a lower turnout than hoped for.
While school officials respect the option that parents have to opt out of their student(s) taking CMAS, we wanted to convey the importance of the data. If there was a good turnout this year for CMAS, it would greatly assist Elizabeth School District with crucial data surrounding curriculum.
CMAS will take place in April and we appreciate your cooperation!
NEW LAW IS IN EFFECT FOR CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING
A Colorado law (C.R.S 42-4-239) recently changed, effective January 1, 2025, which prohibits all cell
phone use while driving.
This law prohibits holding or using a cell phone while driving on public roads. This includes texting,
calling, Snapchatting, or watching TikTok’s, even on speakerphone.
Exemptions: You may use a cell phone ONLY in emergencies (e.g., reporting car crashes or other
imminent safety hazards).
What could this cost? Fines start at $75 for the first offense and can go up to $250 for repeated offenses.
Serious injuries or deaths caused by using a cell phone while driving could result in more severe
consequences (such as arrest).
Will EPD be enforcing this new law? YES, especially in the school zones!!
Remember, keep your hands on the wheel, not the phone! Drive safe!
Sincerely,
Officer Steven Herbel
School Resource Officer, Elizabeth High School
Elizabeth Police Department
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE UPCOMING BOOK FAIR
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE UPCOMING KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP
Upcoming Events
Feb 3rd - EHS Cardinal Club Meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Feb 4th - EHS Boys Basketball JV vs. Mitchell 4:00-5:00 p.m.
EMS Athletics: EMS Wrestling HOME vs. Discovery Canyon 4:00-6:00 p.m.
EHS Girls Basketball Varsity Game vs. Mitchell 5:30-6:30 p.m.
EHS Boys Basketball Varsity vs. Mitchell 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Feb 6th - EMS Athletics - 6th, 7th, 8th grade Wrestling Match - EMS HOME vs. Chinook 4:00-5:00 p.m.
**Reminder to all parents: Be sure to check the websites of your individual schools for more information about upcoming events.
Elizabeth High School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/EHS
Elizabeth Middle School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/EMS
Singing Hills Elementary School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/SHE
Running Creek Elementary School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/RCE
Elizabeth Education Foundation corner
The Elizabeth Education Foundation partners with Elizabeth School District in numerous ways throughout the year to support students and teachers. This volunteer-led, independent fundraising foundation provides scholarships for graduating seniors, classroom grants for teachers, and the STARS Awards for outstanding citizenship among students.
Learn more about the EEF at its website.