C2E Weekly
November 2-6

The Principal's Post
Dear C2E Community,
I hope everyone enjoyed a restful Fall Break and has settled back into the rhythm of school. As we begin the second quarter, I want to recognize the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and families throughout the first quarter. Your efforts continue to make C2E a strong and thriving place to learn.
We ended the quarter with much to celebrate, including a successful Mammoth March that raised more than $55,000 and an “Exemplary” rating - the highest possible score - during our charter renewal site visit. Thank you to everyone who helped make these accomplishments possible!
Quarter 1 officially ended on October 23, and final grades are now available in the Parent Portal.
November brings several meaningful opportunities to connect and give back. Our annual Coat and Food Drives begin November 2, and we will gather for our Veterans Day Assembly on November 11. We encourage our community to participate as we support neighbors in need and honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Thank you for your continued support of C2E. I wish you and your families a restful and joyful Thanksgiving Break, and I look forward to a successful second quarter together.
Sincerely,
Liz Dougan
Executive Director & Principal
CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
Happening in November
- November 2-20 - November Food & Coat Drive
- November 6 - Spirit Wear and Mammoth Breakfast
- November 11 - Veteran's Day Breakfast and Assembly
- November 16 - Donuts with Dudes - 7:00 AM
- November 13 - PVA Meeting at Starbucks - 2:00 PM
- November 17 - Board of Directors Meeting - 6:00 PM
- November 23-27 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Coming up in December
- December 3 - Spirit Night @ Raising Cane's
- December 4 - Spirit Wear and Mammoth Breakfast
- December 4 - C2E's Got Talent Show - 5:00 PM
- December 11 - SAC Meeting - 8:15 AM
- December 11 - Middle School Winter Formal - 6:00 PM
- December 15 - Board of Directors Meeting - 6:00 PM
- December 18 - NO SCHOOL - Staff Work Day
- December 21 - January 1 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
QUICK LINKS
- Attendance Questionnaire (Submit for student absence)
- Before & After School Care with Innovation Learning
- C2E 26/27 Academic Calendar
- C2E 27/28 Academic Calendar (Please make note of staff workdays and holidays)
- C2E Dress Code
- C2E Website
- How to update your emergency communication notifications
- Lunch Menu
- Parent/Student Handbook
- School Supply Lists by Grade
UPCOMING EVENTS
November Food & Coat Drive
November Food & Coat Drive: Let's Give Back!
C2E's annual Food & Coat Drive is back and starts Monday, November 2! Our 8th Grade Leadership students are leading the effort to support families in our community through donations to Parker Task Force and Coats for Colorado.
Last year, our C2E community donated over 1,100 food items, filling approximately 75 boxes! Let's see if we can match or beat that incredible effort this year!
Here's how you can help:
Food Drive: Donate non-perishable food items to help stock the shelves at Parker Task Force and support local families in need. Students can drop off donation items to the boxes in their classrooms. Access the Parker Task Force needs list, HERE
Coat Drive: Have coats or jackets your family has outgrown or no longer wears? Give them a second life by donating them to Coats for Colorado! Donation boxes will be located near the office at C2E.
Donation Deadline: Friday, November 20 (morning)
All donations must be dropped off by Friday morning, as items will be picked up that day.
Thank you for helping our 8th Grade Leadership students make a difference in our community!
Veterans Day Assembly & Breakfast
Veterans Day Celebration – November 11
Join us as we honor the veterans and active-duty service members in our C2E community!
Veterans Breakfast & Assembly
Veteran and active-duty guests are invited to a light breakfast at 8:15 AM, followed by our Veterans Day Assembly from 9:00–9:45 AM. Students in grades 4–8 will attend with their classes. K–3 students will not attend with their classes but are invited to attend with their veteran guest of honor.
If a veteran or active-duty service member connected to your family plans to attend, please complete this form.
Donuts with Dudes
Join us on Monday, November 16th @ 7:00 AM for Donuts with Dudes!
Students are invited to bring their dad, grandpa, uncle or special father figure for donuts, coffee, juice, games, photos and some quality time together before the school day starts!
Cost: $12 per family
Register by November 9th!
Volunteers are needed during the event, SIGN UP HERE
CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
Winter Basketball
C2E Boys Basketball (5th - 8th grade):
- Boys Basketball tryouts are November 9th - 11th from 3:15 - 4:45pm (all days mandatory).
- Please have your student(s) bring a water bottle, athletic clothes, and ideally, basketball shoes to tryouts.
- Teams will be determined by the end of tryouts on Wednesday, November 11th (there will likely be an A-team & a B-team).
- Another email will be sent out to parents to those who make the team with information on how to register.
Construction Progress
Here’s the latest on the progress made this week and the remaining steps toward occupancy:
HVAC: Air balancing is complete. The remaining equipment and network connections are being coordinated so the system can move forward to its final inspection.
Roofing: The remaining roof work is complete and ready for final inspection.
Security and building systems: Camera and door access installation is nearly complete, with final testing waiting on network connections. Elevator testing, fire alarm monitoring, and the remaining plumbing items are also being coordinated ahead of final inspections.
Finishing work: Crews continue to address the remaining punch list and site work, including paving.
The emergency responder radio coverage system (BDA) remains the main factor affecting occupancy. Wiring is being installed, and the contractor currently expects the system’s final inspection to happen in 2-3 weeks. This is an estimate for that inspection. Occupancy will depend on completing all required inspections and receiving approval.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOW ENROLLING for 2027-2028
Spread the Word! Open Enrollment Begins November 2!
Do you know a family looking for a great school? Help us spread the word! Open Enrollment for the 2027–2028 school year begins Monday, November 2!
We encourage our C2E families to share what makes our school special with friends, family, and neighbors who may be interested in joining our Mammoth community!
Please note: Open Enrollment is for families who are new to C2E only. Current C2E families do not need to reapply.
5th Grade CogAT Testing
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th grade (November).
5th Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 5th grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of Nov 2-6. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.
Gifted Identification Referral Testing
If your child is in grades 3 and 4, and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the DCSD Gifted & Talented Referral Form.
Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
Question? Alyssa Renken, K-5 Gifted and Talented Facilitator, arenken@c2e.org
Snow Days & Delayed Starts
As we transition into fall and winter, now is a great time to review C2E’s procedures for weather-related closures and delays.
C2E follows Douglas County School District (DCSD) for Snow Days and 90-minute Delayed Starts. If DCSD calls a Snow Day or Delayed Start, C2E will follow the same schedule.
On a Delayed Start:
Elementary students: School begins at 9:30 AM
Middle School students: School begins at 9:45 AM
Staff: Report by 9:00 AM
On a Snow Day: C2E is closed for the entire day, and all before- and after-school programs and activities, including Innovation Learning, are canceled.
For the latest weather-related updates, visit www.dcsdk12.org, check 9News Closings, or call the DCSD Weather Hotline at 303-387-SNOW (7669).
Families are encouraged to have a plan in place for unexpected weather-related closures or delays.
FRIENDLY REMINDER - DO NOT BLOCK HANDICAP PARKING SPOTS
Please help us keep our parking lot safe and accessible. Handicap parking spots must remain open at all times so that staff and families who need them can access them without delay.
When dropping off your student, please stop at the line and wait until you are actively unloading before moving forward.
Thank you for helping keep our school community safe and considerate! 💙
Innovation Learning Before and After School Program
Innovation Learning offers students a safe and engaging environment with homework support, hands-on enrichment, creative activities, physical activity, opportunities to build friendships, and time for discovery and play.
Program Hours
Before School: 6:30–8:00 a.m.
After School: 3:12–6:00 p.m.
Flexible one- through five-day monthly schedules are available, along with drop-in care and vacation-day care.
A 10% sibling discount and 15% military and first-responder discounts are available.
Families can view current rates, English and Spanish school-year flyers, FAQs, required forms, and registration details here:
https://www.innovationlearning.com/locations/challenge-to-excellence-charter-school
Questions may be directed to challengetoexcellence@innovationlearning.com or 720-804-3349.
SchoolDigger 2026 Rankings Are Available and C2E Ranks Among The Best!
26-27 Yearbooks, On Sale Now!
We’re excited to invite families to purchase a yearbook for their students and preserve all of the special moments from the 2026-2027 school year.
Pricing:
Softcover: $22.78
Hardcover: $29.25
How to Order:
Visit treering.com/validate and enter our school code: 1014044015412517
Personalize Your Student’s Yearbook
Families also have the opportunity to customize two free pages in their student’s yearbook! Add photos, memories, and personal touches to make your student’s yearbook unique. Be sure to complete your customization by April 18.
If you have any questions, please contact jdesimone@c2e.org.
Have an 8th grader? Upload their baby photos for the yearbook here.
Lost and Found
Help us clear the rack! 🧥🧢👕
Our Lost & Found is collecting quite the wardrobe!
*Items with student's names in them often get returned, so make sure to label coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc!
Counselor's Corner
'Raising Kids in the Age of AI' on Wednesday, November 18 from 5:00 - 6:00 PM.
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
Regis Jesuit High School
With upcoming Experience RJ Day, and a visit to C2E for our High School Fair, Regis offers many opportunities for interested students to experience student life.
Chaparral High School
Chaparral Showcase is November 4th at 6:00 PM. Come learn about Chaps programs, clubs and what makes Chap such a special place. Click here for more information
School Tours, view details Here
Shadow Days, spend a day with a Chaparral student and get a real feel for what it's like to be a student here, view details here
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Kitchen Volunteer - Needed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 11:00AM - 1:00 PM. Sign up HERE
Recess Volunteer - Needed daily from 10:40 AM - 12:40 PM. Sign up information coming soon. Sign Up HERE
Driveline Volunteer - Needed daily during morning drop off and afternoon pick up. Sign up HERE
Donuts with Dudes - Needed during the event on Monday, November 16. Sign up HERE
*For instructions on how to log your volunteer time (for time served outside of C2E), please click HERE
PARENT VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION (PVA)
Get Involved with C2E’s PVA!
Did you know that every C2E family is automatically a member of our Parent Volunteer Association (PVA)? There’s no need to join—you’re already part of it!
Join us at our next PVA meeting and earn one volunteer hour for attending!
- November 13, 2026 @ 2:00 PM
- January 15, 2027 @ 2:00 PM
- March 11, 2027@ 2:00 PM
- April 30, 2027 @ 2:00 PM
We are currently seeking a PVA President, as well as Chairs and Co-Chairs to help lead individual events. Many opportunities require just a few hours of planning, and co-chairing is a great way to share the responsibility with another parent.
Ready to help?
Direct Giving Opportunities
King Soopers Community Rewards
Did you know you can support Challenge to Excellence at no cost to you—just by shopping at King Soopers? Simply link your King Soopers loyalty card to C2E through the Community Rewards program.
- Sign in to your King Soopers account.
- Go to My Account → Payments and Resources → Community Rewards.
- Search for Challenge to Excellence or enter our organization code: XD548
Longmont Dairy Farm
If your family receives Longmont Dairy deliveries, save your milk caps! Each cap is worth 5¢ for C2E.
Simply drop your collected caps off at the front office throughout the school year. If you don't receive Longmont Dairy, consider asking friends or neighbors who do to save their caps for your family.
Box Tops for Education
Earning for C2E is as easy as scanning your grocery receipts.
- Download the Box Tops for Education app.
- Select Challenge to Excellence as your school.
- Scan your receipts after shopping to earn money for C2E.
The app is available for both Apple and Android devices.
C2E SPIRIT WEAR
1st Place Spirit Wear
C2E families, make sure to take advantage of our Back-to-School Spirit Wear sale! Our top-selling hoodie is just $35.99 this weekend only, with the rest of our items up to 35% off! Shop now and gear up for the start of the school year! Shop Here: https://1stplace.sale/16996https://1stplace.sale/16996
Please note: Spirit wear items may only be worn on designated Spirit Wear Days and dress-down days.