Ryan's Weekly Family Update
4.27.26
Message from the Principal
Dear Ryan Elementary Community,
Wow—our community truly shows up! We loved seeing so many students wearing helmets and biking to school for Bike to School Day last week. Be sure to check out the photos below—our Rhino mascot had a great time giving out high fives and cheering everyone on!
We also had the opportunity to celebrate our incredible volunteers after school on Thursday. We are so grateful for the time, energy, and support they give to our school each and every day.
Field Day is just around the corner! Our K–5 students will participate on Friday, May 15th during their Specials time. Families are welcome to come watch their child’s events—please just remember to check in at the main office upon arrival. See below for more details, including ways to volunteer and be part of the fun.
We are excited to celebrate Staff Appreciation Week, May 4th-May 8th! Our PTA has planned a wonderful week of treats and recognition to honor our amazing team. Thank you in advance for helping us show appreciation—our teachers and staff truly make Ryan such a special place, and I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such dedicated and talented educators.
It’s hard to believe we have just four weeks left in the 2025–2026 school year. These final weeks are full of meaningful learning, celebrations, and opportunities to finish strong. We encourage all families to stay engaged, check the updates below, and join us in important end-of-year events. Together, we can make these last weeks memorable for every student.
It’s always 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
- Yearbook Ordering Information
- No Place for Hate School Certificate
- Field Day Details
- Coal Creek Meals on Wheels Summer Programs
- Summer Dance Camp at CHS
- Important Parking Instructions
- Parent Input for Classlists Opportunity
- PTA Updates & Store
- Ryan's Incoming Kindergarten Summer Playdate Information
- Kinder and Neighborhood Registration NOW OPEN!
- Preschool Registation Information
- SAC Registration Details
- Parent Portal Information
- Health Insurance Resources Available
- Attendance Policy Information
- Volunteer Instructions
- BVSD Messenger Notifications
- Calendar Links
If you have an immediate need, please call the main office at 720.561.7000
Fifth Grade Instrumental Music Concert
Fifth Grade Instrumental Music Concert, Way to go!
These student's parents won the auction item of having lunch in the office! It was a wonderful time!
Bike, Walk, Ride to School was a huge hit on Earth Day!
Look at all those BIKES!
Students signed a "bike, walk, ride to school" Banner
Rocky the Rhino Joined the Bike, Walk and Ride to School Fun
Students love hanging out with Rocky the Rhino
Rocky the Rhino loves hanging out with Students as well!
Bike, Walk and Ride to School Day
Volunteer appreciation celebration was so nice
Thank you to our volunteers for celebrating a year of hard work with our staff
Important Dates & Upcoming Events
May 4-8 Staff Appreciation Week
May 11 - FET (Families and Educators Together) 6-7:30pm
May 12 - 5th Grade Spring Musical during Specials times
May 14 - CHS Senior Walk Parade 9am
May 15 - Field Day during Specials times
May 15- Preschool Field Day on the Preschool Playground 10:15-10:45 and 12:00-12:30
May 18-21- Student Council's Ryan Spirit Week
May 21 - 5th Grade Celebration and Last Day of School
May 21st - Preschool Popsicles on the Preschool Playground 10:00-10:45 and 2:00-2:45
May 21 - PTA End of Year BBQ 5-7pm
Parent Input for 2026-27 Class List
As a reminder, if you would like to provide input to support our class list process, you may do so for each of your children enrolled at Ryan through May 2nd. After this date, the form will remain open only for newly enrolled students. While we value your input, we are unable to accept requests for specific teachers.
It's Time to order YEARBOOKS!
Please click the link below to buy a yearbook for $22
School Code: 731445
Book sales are open from 3/23/25-5/15 ONLINE.
Ryan is a No Place For Hate School!
We’re excited to share that our school has been named a No Place for Hate for the second year in a row! This recognition highlights the everyday efforts of our students, staff, and families to build a welcoming, inclusive community and stand up against bias.
We’re proud of the No Place for Hate student committee who completed 3 school-wide projects to improve our school culture and make Ryan a welcoming environment for all.
Save the Date - Field Day, FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026!
It’s that time of year again! Field Day will be on FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026! Students will follow their Specials schedule for their field time and participate in stations designed by our very own fifth graders! See schedule below. We also need volunteers to help make this event a success! Please see the volunteer link below for opportunities to help. We are looking forward to a great event!
If you plan to volunteer or observe the Field Day Festivities, you must check in at the Office PRIOR to heading to the field, thank you.
Schedule:
8:30 - 9:20 - 3rd Grade
9:25 - 10:15 - 4th Grade
10:20 - 11:10 - 2nd Grade
12:05 - 12:55 - Kindergarten
1:00 - 1:50 - 1st Grade
1:55 - 2:45 - 5th Grade
Click this link to volunteer for Field Day Station Help!
Coal Creek Meals On Wheels Kids' Summer Program
As the school year comes to a close, many families lose access to the reliable meals their children depend on during the day. Coal Creek Meals On Wheels Kids' Summer Meals Program helps bridge that gap—providing nutritious, kid-friendly meals at no cost so children can stay fueled while enjoying their summer.
For parents like Raqual, a busy single mom in Lafayette, the program makes a real difference: “It’s been very reliable, it’s something that I can lean on when times are hard." Being able to cut out the cooking time has helped a lot. “I can spend more time with my kids, and we’ve been able to go out on walks more.”
This summer, children in our community can continue to enjoy hot meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and the freedom to focus on what matters most—playing, growing, and spending time together.
Families can receive meals at no cost for the summer (90 days) with ongoing support available afterward based on income.
Need meals? Call 303-665-0566 or apply at: coalcreekmow.org/meal-application
Want to help? Your support makes this program possible—consider giving today to ensure no child goes without a meal this summer: coalcreekmow.org/kids-summer-meals-2026
Summer Dance Camp at Centaurus High School
Summer Dance Camp at Centaurus High School (Spanish)
No Parking in Bus Lanes!
The bus lane is reserved for buses only at all times!
Our school is a busy place! We have buses coming and going throughout the entire school day with Preschool pick ups and drop offs, field trips and early arrivals.
We also have the bus lane available to Emergency Vehicles, when needed.
Please use the Northeast parking lot or park in the neighborhood.
Also, do not park in the South parking lot, which is a staff parking lot, or in the Handicap parking spaces unless you have a sticker displayed in your vehicle.
Thank you for your cooperation!
PTA Update
Thank you all for such a wonderful year! See the flyer below for a summary of all the PTA has been able to accomplish this year! From field trips to books, community events and more, we are so thankful for our wonderful Ryan community!
If you enjoyed any of our events this year, please consider joining the PTA board! We currently have a full board and are looking for people to "shadow" this year and then join the board next year. If you are interested and would like more information, please email communications@ryanelementarypta.org
We hope you join!
Ryan PTA 25/26 Year in Review
Ryan PTA 25/26 Year in Review (Spanish)
Ryan PTA 25/26 Year in Review
PTA Family Store Link!
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.
New Kindergarten through 5th grade Registration is NOW OPEN for 2026-27 School Year!
Dear Ryan Families,
Do you have a child who will be an incoming Ryan Rhino next school year?
Do you have friends, family members or neighbors with a rising Kindergartener?
If so, NOW is the time to register and help us plan ahead to ensure we have staffing for the number of students starting their journey at Ryan!
To register, please click here.
Get to know our wonderful Kindergarten teaching team by checking out the Kindergarten Website!
Please reach out with any questions!
Now Enrolling Preschool for School Year 26-27!
The Universal Preschool Program (UPK) application for four year olds is now open. The pre-registration period for children returning for a second year of preschool, preschool siblings of children already attending, and parent employees closes on February 2nd. Returners will have a spot reserved for them but they must apply through the UPK website to keep it. Siblings and parent employees will be enrolled first come, first served. Apply here.
The Preschool Tuition Lottery window for three year olds closes on December 17th at 4 pm. Children must turn three by October 1st, 2026 to be eligible. Apply here.
In 2026-27 we will continue to offer half-day Preschool sessions five days a week, morning and afternoon, at all of our sites. The majority of our sites also offer Preschool Enrichment to extend the day.
Families who are paying tuition for more than one child can apply for a 15% sibling discount in either Preschool or Preschool Enrichment. A 15% discount to Enrichment tuition will be offered to parent/guardian employees. (Please note that only one discount can be applied.)
Children do not need to be potty trained to enroll in a BVSD preschool!
Email us at preschool@bvsd.org or call 720-561-5075 if you’re interested or would like to find out more.
The 2026-2027 School Age Care (SAC) Lottery Will Open From April 6-24
All applications submitted within the Lottery window will be ranked according to categories including returning SAC students and five other circumstances. Selection notifications will go out on May 1.
Schedule choices include full-time or two part-time options (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday).
All details are posted on the SAC Lottery Webpage. Families are encouraged to review the timeline and instructions in advance, and may direct any questions to the Child Care Enrollment Team (720)561-5974.
Questions? Contact Jasmine Bailon
Parent Portal Edits
Starting on January 1st, you will not be able to add/change emergency contacts for your student(s).
Please contact Jamie.Hanes@bvsd.org for assistance with adding/changing emergency contacts or updating address information.
You are still be able to update your own parent email and phone number by following these instructions.
Health Insurance Resources for BVSD families
BVSD Health Services is sharing the following information for families who may be in need of health insurance or would like to explore their options, knowing that preventive and supportive services provided through this coverage helps keep students healthy and ready to learn.
Open Enrollment for health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado is happening now through January 15, 2026. This is the time when individuals and families can find affordable health coverage for the coming year.
We’ve included helpful flyers with information about both Connect for Health Colorado and OmniSalud, a program that offers health insurance options for Coloradans regardless of immigration status.
Families who would like support can contact the Boulder County Enrollment Center for free assistance with Connect for Health Colorado, OmniSalud, Health First Colorado (Medicaid), and CHP+. The Enrollment Center provides confidential, unbiased guidance in English and Spanish, and in other languages through an interpreter.
To schedule an appointment with a Health Coverage Guide, visit boco.org/HealthCoverage, call 303-441-4530, or email HealthCoverage@BoulderCounty.gov.
Questions? Contact Joanna Harrison(joanna.harrison@bvsd.org), Resource Nurse
Volunteer Opportunities
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!
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.
Attendance Policy Information
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.
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.
Attendance Letter Communication Details
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
BVSD's School Messenger support and notifications
BVSD uses School Messenger to communicate with families as needed via email, phone call and text message to those opted in to receive BVSD Communications.
Users can adjust their communication preferences and opt-in to text messages as desired via instructions found on the BVSD School Messenger Support webpage.
BVSD Calendar Links
If you have any questions please be sure to reach out!
Ryan Elementary STEAM School
Website: https://rye.bvsd.org/
Location: 1405 Centaur Village Drive, Lafayette, CO, USA
Phone: 720-561-7000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanElemSTEAM