Gold Rush Elementary

Principal's Message - May 2, 2025

“Foster Growth by Challenging Critical Thinkers to Take Risks,

Honor Differences & Care for Others”

MATH MODEL ENSURES ENRICHMENT & SUPPORT

At Gold Rush Elementary, we are committed to providing every student with the academic challenge and support they need to thrive, especially in math. Our instructional model ensures that all students are appropriately challenged, starting as early as kindergarten.

If a student demonstrates the need for more advanced learning through both qualitative and quantitative data, they have the opportunity to accelerate in math. Students who require additional support have access to interventions through the classroom teacher, our Response to Intervention (RTI) program and/or special education services. This multi-tiered K-5 model ensures that every learner gets the help and enrichment they need to succeed.

Accelerated Math: A Model for Others

This week, we had a special visit from six math teachers from Rocky Heights Middle School, who observed our accelerated math classrooms. They had the chance to see over 60 of our talented fifth-grade students currently engaged in either sixth or seventh grade math. The visiting teachers were blown away by the students' ability to engage in thoughtful discourse and their creative approaches to solving problems.

Our students demonstrated an impressive ability to explain their thinking, as well as apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems—skills that are vital for success in both math and life. The visiting teachers also left with new ideas for pushing students’ thinking using the Envision math curriculum.

We Are Proud of Our Students' Growth Mindset

We are incredibly proud of the growth mindset and critical thinking skills our students are demonstrating in all classrooms in math. Their ability to challenge themselves, think creatively, and work collaboratively is a testament to their hard work and the strong foundation we are building together.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students reach their full potential!

WELCOMING FUTURE STUDENTS

Gold Rush Elementary had the pleasure of welcoming our future kindergarten students to the school this past Thursday for our Kindergarten Orientation. It was an exciting day as both students and their families had the chance to meet our amazing kindergarten team and some of their new classmates.

The students also enjoyed hearing from current kindergarteners in a special video, where they shared their favorite things about being in kindergarten. It was a great way to give our future students a glimpse of the fun and learning that awaits them!

The visit concluded with a self guided tour of the school, where families had the opportunity to meet our specials teachers, including those who teach art, music, physical education, Spanish, STEM, Library and more. It was an exciting day filled with smiles and anticipation, and we cannot wait to welcome these little learners to Gold Rush Elementary next year!

Enroll Your Future Kindergartener Today!
If you have a child who is ready to enroll in kindergarten for the upcoming school year and have not yet completed the enrollment process, please contact Shala Goehl at Shala.Goehl@dcsdk12.org and click here to begin the enrollment process.

We look forward to seeing your child join the Gold Rush family!

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK: MAY 5-9

Next week, we are excited to celebrate our incredible staff who work tirelessly every day to ensure that each student's academic, social, and emotional needs are met. Our teachers and staff are truly dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where students can thrive and grow, and this is the perfect time to show our appreciation for all they do!

We invite you to join us in celebrating our amazing educators and staff. Please take a look at the attached flyer for various ways your family can help show appreciation to our teachers next week. Whether it's through a small note, a thoughtful gesture, or participating in one of our planned activities, your involvement will mean the world to our team.

Thank you for your continued support, and let's make next week a memorable one for those who work so hard to make our school a special place!