Ryan's Weekly Family Update

Dear Ryan Elementary Community,

I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2025 Back to School Night. If you were unable to attend or would like to review the presentation, your child’s teacher will be sharing the grade-level slides and information.

Last year was my second year at Ryan, and I’m thrilled to be back for another exciting year at this incredible school. One of our top priorities has been analyzing achievement data from the past four years to set meaningful goals with our staff and community. Ryan continues to excel in many areas, and we are committed to further improving reading and math achievement.

We have much to celebrate from last year! Our students made strong gains on iReady, IXL, and CMAS assessments, and we increased our School Performance Framework score by 11.1 points—the highest growth since 2018!

To learn more about our goals for this school year, please take a look at our 2025 Ryan One Pager. If you're interested in being more involved, consider joining our School Accountability Committee where we dive deeper into school improvement efforts.

Today, students will meet their STEAM Buddies for the first time this year! We’re also continuing our implementation of BVSD’s co-teaching model in math, now in its second year. This model helps support all learners, especially English language learners. Learn more here: Co-Teaching at Ryan.pdf(Spanish and English)

Did you know that Ryan’s PTA pays for all field trips and is contributing over $7,500 toward our 5th grade outdoor education trip to Calwood next week? WOW! A huge thank you to our amazing PTA!

We also have some exciting events coming up:

• PTA Fall Festival – Friday, September 19, 4:30–6:30 PM
• Rhino Stampede Fun Run – Friday, October 3 (during the school day)

We’re also thrilled to welcome two new team members this year:

• Jennifer Choy, our third kindergarten teacher

• Sarah Osborn, joining as an instructional paraeducator on the kindergarten team

It’s a great day to be a Rhino. Go Rhinos!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Jackman

Principal

In this newsletter you will find details on the following:

• Letter from Principal Jackman
• Important Dates and Events
• Individual School Photo Day Details
• Student Council Information
• Wednesday Care Registration IS NOW CLOSED DUE TO REACHING CAPACITY
• School Supplies Information
• School Accountability Committee (SAC) Information
• Attendance Letters Explained
• More Attendance Policy Information
• Arriving & Leaving Ryan Map
• Lost & Found Information
• Volunteer Instructions
• PTA Updates & Store
• Health Room Information
• Transportation Information
• Free & Reduced Lunch Application Details
• Free Dental Care Information
• Advocacy Training Program Information
• BVSD Messenger Notifications
• Calendar Links

If you have an immediate need, please call the main office at 720.561.7000

September 5th Individual Picture Day

September 10th, 11th and 12th: 5th grade students have Outdoor Education at Calwood

September 19 Fall Festival 4:30-6:30 PM

October 3 Rhino Stampede Fun Run

October 8th Bike, Walk or Roll to School Day

Fall, October Parent Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, October 7th

Thursday, October 9th

Tuesday, October 15th

Spring, February Parent Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, February 19th

Thursday, February 24th

Tuesday, February 26th

Individual School Photos are Friday, September 5th.

You may order online until September 9th.

Paper order forms went home last week with your students, if you prefer to use the paper form, the photographers have to collect them on Sept. 5th, before 12:30.

Picture retake day is October 23rd.

If you want to make a difference in your school and community while having fun and encouraging school spirit, then Student Council is the club for you! All interested 4th and 5th grade students should come to the Student Council info session held on Monday, September 8th from 2:50-3:30pm in Mrs. Lewandowski's kindergarten classroom, room 100. Parents please plan on picking up your child from this meeting right at 3:30pm. Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Lewandowski if you have any questions amber.lewandowski@bvsd.org.

Student Council Info Meeting 9/8 (2:50-3:30)

Student Council Campaign Session 9/12 (2:50-3:30)

Student Council Applications DUE 9/12

Campaign Posters DUE 9/12

Campaign Speeches DUE 9/12

Elections 9/16

1st Meeting 9/17

1st Event Fall Festival 9/19

Meetings will be held each Wednesday 2:50-3:30pm in room 100.

EVERY Wednesday morning is a Late Start, school begins one hour later, buses arrive one hour later.

LATE START CARE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED, we have reached our capacity.

Ryan Elementary provides care on Wednesdays for pre-registered Kindergarten-5th Grade students. The care is provided by two instructional paraeducators from 7:40-8:40 a.m. Students must arrive between 7:40-7:50, and must be signed in by a parent, to be part of the late start care group.

This is a one time registration for the 2025-26 school year.

The schedule is as follows:

7:40-7:50 a.m. Sign In

7:50-8:30 a.m. Recess (usually outside)

8:30-8:40 a.m. Breakfast

8:40 a.m. Students may go outside or finish breakfast in the Rhino Cafe

The school supplies for K-5 include the following for the 2025-26 School Year:

• Full Sized Backpack

• Headphones/Earbuds

• Water Bottle with name on it

• $50 Donation You can donate by clicking here or with cash or check written to Ryan Elementary

If you are in need of support with school supplies, please reach out to our community liaisons, Miriam Wright miriam.wright@bvsd.org, or Ana Lilia Lujan Castillo ana.lujancastillo@bvsd.org or call the front office.

When students in BVSD reach a certain number of absences (you can find the breakdown below), you will receive an AUTOMATED attendance letter. All absences excused or unexcused will receive these communications when the number of absences reach the particular threshold. Also please note, three (3) unexcused partial absences or five (5) unexcused tardies will equal one unexcused absence.

Letter Criteria:

• Friendly Letter after 5 days missed

• Letter A after 10 days missed

• Letter B after 15 days missed

Daily Attendance

Please help your child develop good attendance habits. Research shows that missing just two days per month severely impacts reading and math growth. To make expected academic and social emotional gains, students should be at school at a rate of 95% or more. Habits developed in elementary school often carry over into middle school and high school.

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If your child will be absent:

• Please let us know online via Infinite Campus OR call Ryan’s attendance line at 720-561-7002 by 8:05 a.m. If your student is arriving late, please note that in the comments section online. Always notify the office of an absence or late arrival, not just the classroom teacher.

• Attendance - Ryan Elementary School. Please include the following information in your voice message: your name, student’s name, grade & teacher, and the reason for the absence.

• As a safety precaution, all primary contacts of students marked as unaccounted absences will receive notification by BVSD’s automated attendance system to verify a child’s absence. Promptly calling in absences and tardies will prevent your home or workplace from being disturbed.

• If at all possible, make every attempt to schedule doctor and dentist appointments before or after the school day, as this tends to take away from a student’s learning time. If your child does have a medical appointment, providing us with documentation helps us code these absences properly.

• Automated calls are made by 9:00 a.m. for students who are marked as “unexcused absence”.

• Procedures and information about student absences are explain in the March 2024 Revised Board Policy, JH and Attendance & Engagement - Boulder Valley School District

We understand sometimes our students need to be out for an extended period of time. We ask, if you know your child will be out for more than 3 days, to please fill out this form in addition to reporting the absence through the portal or attendance line.

• If your child is planning to take the bus to school, please be at your bus stop 5 minutes early and also at the end of the day to greet your child as they are dropped off at their stop.
• If you are driving to the school to walk them up to the building, please carefully park in the hug & go parking lot or park in the neighborhood and be mindful to not block any driveways.
• Always use the crosswalk to cross the street.
• If you are staying in your car to drop off/pick up your student(s), please use this map and only use the hug and go lane, NOT the bus lane.

PLEASE remember to label your child's items, it helps us to get the items back to the owner.

Please come and check the Lost and Found bin often, items are donated monthly.

The lost and found bin is located in the vestibule outside of the office next to the Longmont Dairy milk cap collection bin.

Volunteering is a fun, simple way to get involved within the Ryan community. We have all sorts of opportunities to get involved. Whether you volunteer regularly in your teacher’s classroom, bring breakfast and coffee to teachers for late start or volunteer for the book fair, the impact can be huge. Not only does it benefit the school but it benefits your kids and families in our community as well!

bvsd.org/volunteer

Volunteers and field trip chaperones that volunteer once and are under line-of-sight supervision by BVSD staff at all times only need to go through the front office Raptor check-in process.

Individuals interested in volunteering and interacting with students on an ongoing basis under line of sight supervision of BVSD staff, complete the appropriate yearly application; ENGLISH or SPANISH. Please note, there is a $32.00 background fee due at the time of submission.

For volunteers, partners, or field trip chaperones who will not be under line-of-sight supervision of BVSD staff at all times – CBI fingerprint check is required through a third party vendor (these background checks are now valid for 5 years), paid by the volunteer or partner AND volunteer must sign a BVSD volunteer agreement (Spanish) each year.

Please see the Volunteers/Visitors Flowchart and the Volunteer/Visitor FAQ for additional details.

We are excited to start off another great year of PTA! The families and staff at Ryan Elementary School are committed to building community and creating a positive learning environment where our children can grow and thrive. The PTA is an active part of the school and the community.

Our first community meeting will be September 10th starting at 6:30 in the Library. All are welcome to join!

To join or renew your membership, please click here.

Fall fest is right around the corner! Please follow the link below to sign up to volunteer to make this event amazing!

https://bvsd.helpatschools.com/schools/16/events/16152

The Ryan PTA invites your student to participate in the National PTA Reflections Student Art Showcase for the 2025-2026 school year! In Reflections, Ryan students will submit their completed works of art in one, or all, of the available arts categories (TBD;) selected from among Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts in the following program divisions: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), and Accessible Arts (all grades welcome). The theme for the 2025-2026 program year is “I Belong!”

Reflections is a National PTA cultural arts recognition program that helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas; develop artistic literacy; increase confidence and creativity; develop critical thinking and problem solving skills; and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school, but in life. See the following short video for an introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F30WEbPSYIs

The PTA is committed to using community businesses whenever possible. In an effort to expand our reach, we've created a survey for you to share your business' information. Please fill out this interest form to let us know who you are, what you do, and if you are willing and able at this time to donate to our school. Thank you!

Local Business Survey

PTA Website

PTA Facebook

Ryan Parents Facebook

Ryan Spiritwear Store

Are you looking for some Ryan Rhino gear? Please click on the link below for tshirts, sweatshirts, mugs, etc! These items would make great gifts for your favorite Rhino.

PTA Family Store

If your child needs medication at school, Ryan's Healthroom Para, Chrystal Terhune, would be happy to receive medications and Dr. orders from a parent/guardian at the front office.

MEDICATIONS MAY NOT BE SENT TO SCHOOL WITH STUDENTS*

2025-2026 School House Letter, outlines Immunizations Policy, Medications and Health and Vision Screening, you can find that here (Spanish)

Questions? Email our healthroom para, Chrystal Terhune

For assistance with transportation inquiries, trans.helpdesk@bvsd.org or 720.561.5126

Breakfast and lunch at BVSD continue to be free at least through December 2025 (pending a state vote). Every BVSD student currently may enjoy breakfast and a hot lunch entree, which includes unlimited salad bar access each school day. Second entrees can be purchased when available with money from your student’s meal account.

Even though meals are free, we strongly encourage eligible families to apply for the Free and Reduced Price School Meal program. It may qualify families for additional services and reduced fees, and improve funding for schools. More information and directions to apply.

Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM) is a nonprofit organization that hosts a large-scale, two-day free dental clinic in a different Colorado community each year. Since 2007, COMOM has served more than 20,000 patients and provided over $18 million in donated dental services.

The clinics are open to anyone in need and are held in large venues—such as schools or event centers—that they transform into fully functional, 125-chair dental facilities. Over two days, patients receive cleanings, fillings, root canals, extractions, dentures, and ceramic crowns—all at no cost. This effort is made possible through the support of nearly 200 volunteer dentists, along with hygienists, assistants, lab technicians, healthcare professionals, and hundreds of community volunteers. Beyond relieving pain, they restore oral health and appearance—helping patients regain confidence, dignity, and even employment opportunities.

This year, the clinic will be held in Loveland at The Ranch on October 17–18. They expect to serve more than 1,600 patients with the help of over 2,000 volunteers. Because of Loveland’s proximity, this could be a valuable resource for many BVSD students and families.

Please see this flyer for more information. (Spanish)

Standing Up, Speaking Out is a free, three-part advocacy training program for parents and caregivers of K–8 students who identify as Jewish. Developed by ADL in partnership with the Boulder JCC and Jewish Family Services, this pilot initiative equips families with the tools, knowledge, and community support needed to address antisemitism in schools and advocate for more inclusive learning environments.

Grounded in research from ADL’s Center for Antisemitism Research (CAR), the course covers identity affirmation, how to respond to bias incidents, engagement with school policies, and effective communication strategies with educators and school officials. Participants will gain practical skills such as writing advocacy letters, speaking at board meetings, and promoting Jewish inclusion in curriculum and culture—all while connecting with a network of families in the community.

This is a three part program and participants are requested to participate in all three sessions.

Wednesday, August 27 and September 9 | 6:30 - 8 pm | FREE

Boulder Valley School District recently tested their emergency alert system.

The test alert included a phone call, text message and email to those opted in to receive BVSD Communications.

Users can adjust their communication preferences as desired via these instructions.

If you did not receive a text message, and would like to opt-in to receive text messages from the district and schools through SchoolMessenger, opting-in is a two-step process:

• The person's cell phone number must be in a cell phone field in Infinite Campus (students/parents) or Infor/Lawson (employees).
• They then send a text message from their cell phone to “67587” with the word “yes” in the message. They may opt-out at any time by texting “STOP” to 67587.

Learn more on BVSD's School Messenger support page

BVSD Calendar Link

Printable Calendars

• 2025-26 Parent -Teacher Printable (English)
• 2025-26 Parent-Teacher Printable Calendar (Spanish)

• 2025-26 Academic Calendar Printable (English)

• 2025-26 Academic Calendar Printable (Spanish)

• 2025-26 Preschool Calendar Printable (English)

• 2025-26 Preschool Calendar Printable(Spanish)

• Elementary ABC Specials Weekly Rotation Calendar (English)

• Calendario de clases especiales ABC (Español)

Website: https://rye.bvsd.org/
Location: 1405 Centaur Village Drive, Lafayette, CO, USA
Phone: 720-561-7000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanElemSTEAM