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Garfield County School District 16 in Parachute has commissioned a survey of all residents in Garfield County about childcare needs. The information gathered in the survey will help support the school district's and the Parachute/Battlement Mesa Parks and Recreation District's partnership in launching a childcare center in the west end of Garfield County. We would appreciate your time in completing this 5 minute survey. The survey results will be shared with all stakeholders in Garfield County.

The survey will be open until February 14, 2025

English survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Garfield16Survey

Spanish survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EncuestadeGarfield16

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El Distrito Escolar 16 del Condado de Garfield en Parachute ha encargado una encuesta a todos los residentes del Condado de Garfield sobre las necesidades de cuidado infantil. La información recopilada en la encuesta ayudará a respaldar la asociación del distrito escolar y el Distrito de Parques y Recreación de Parachute/Battlement Mesa para lanzar un centro de cuidado infantil en el extremo oeste del Condado de Garfield. Agradeceríamos su tiempo para completar esta encuesta de 5 minutos. Los resultados de la encuesta se compartirán con todas las partes interesadas del Condado de Garfield.

La encuesta estará abierta hasta el 14 de febrero de 2025.

Enlace de la encuesta en inglés: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Garfield16Survey

Enlace de la encuesta en español: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EncuestadeGarfield16

Meet Lucas Cotto, a senior at Grand Valley High School. L-U-C-A-S if anyone wants to chant his name. He's been part of the community for more than 7 years now; he moved from Chicago, Illinois, to Colorado. He plays football for the Cardinals and does track and field. Things Lucas loves: conversations, old people, and a good chocolate ice cream. He's the new Public Information Intern, working alongside Nicole Loschke. His goals are to help improve public information, community events, and help high schoolers be more motivated to be part of the community.

By Lucas Cotto, G16 Public Information Intern

GVHS Leadership kicked off the year 2025 with a powerful message against cancer and the incredible support of our community. This year, during Wish Week, we had the honor of granting Jeremy's wish to travel to Alaska and go ice fishing. Jeremy, an 11-year-old from Montrose, CO, was diagnosed with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His dream is to become a wildfire officer when he grows up.

Thanks to our amazing community, we raised all the money needed to grant Jeremy his wish. We held activities like the Wish Week assembly and penny jars in each advisory, where donations were collected for the thermometer leadership created as an award system. As we hit different fundraising milestones, there were fun rewards, such as pieing a teacher in the face to shaving a teacher’s head. Two teams worked together to make the silent auction a huge success, ensuring that Jeremy’s wish became a community effort.

This is the second year of the Make-A-Wish program, which was introduced last year by GVHS Leadership. This initiative has created a new opportunity to bring our community together in support of granting a wish for a special child. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our basketball team for putting on an exciting game that captured the community’s attention. We also want to express our gratitude to everyone in our community who came out to support Jeremy. A big thank you to GVHS Leadership and the students from Grand Valley for your dedication and involvement in helping grant a life-changing wish. Thank you to our amazing community for helping make our goal a reality.

As we prepare for the winter months, these are the school closing and two-hour delay procedures. School closing, delay, and cancelation decisions are made based on the weather and road conditions in the Garfield 16 area and neighboring areas.

School Closing/Snow Day

If there is inclement weather, the District will decide to close school by 5:15 a.m., based on the conditions at 5:00 a.m.. Parents will be notified by 6:00 a.m. if there is a snow day or delayed start.

After School Activities for a School Closing/Snow Day

All after school activities will be evaluated throughout the day if the District is closed for weather or weather conditions become hazardous during the day. The District will notify staff, students, and families of after school activities cancellations by 1:00 p.m..

Two-Hour Delay

A two-hour delay will be used when the road conditions are not suitable for travel at 5:00 a.m., but are expected to improve throughout the day. The District will decide to call a delayed start by 5:15 a.m.. This will allow snow plows additional time to clear the roads. On a two-hour delayed schedule, buses will begin their routes two hours late, and all classes will begin two hours late.

Schools will operate on a modified schedule. Start times will simply be pushed back by two hours. Students will have breakfast and lunch. Students will be dismissed at the regular time.

In the event that the District has a two-hour delay and the road conditions do not improve, the District may decide to close schools for the day. The District will make this decision by 7:30 a.m. based on the conditions at 7:15 a.m.

AM Cardinal Club will be canceled on a two-hour delay day. PM Cardinal Club will continue as scheduled on a two-hour delay day. Find the two-hour delay bell schedules on our G16 Communications webpage: https://www.garfield16.org/communications/school-closure-information

Early Dismissal

In the event that weather conditions start or worsen once students are in school, the decision to have an early dismissal will be made by 10:00 a.m.

All after school activities will be canceled.

AM Cardinal Club will continue as scheduled on an early dismissal day. PM Cardinal Club will be canceled on an early dismissal day.

Communication

All families will be notified of a school closing through the district messaging system, media outlets, and social media as soon as possible.

Please be sure that your contact information is current by checking in with the secretaries at your child's school so that in the event of school closures, Garfield 16 is able to contact you.

Alternatively, you can login to your Infinite Campus account to ensure your contact information is correct.

G16 is happy to announce before/after-school childcare with Cardinal Club for the 2024-2025 School Year! Cardinal Club at the Grand Valley Center for Family Learning (CFL) and Bea Underwood Elementary (BUE) is childcare for school-aged children in grades kindergarten through 5th grade. Students must be enrolled in Garfield 16 schools.

Cardinal Club hours at CFL and BUE are:

Tuesday- Friday 6:30 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. AND 3:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The fees for the CFL and BUE Cardinal Club are per child, and reduced rates are available for eligible families. Parent/guardians may choose to pay monthly or bi-monthly. Please visit https://www.garfield16.org/parents/pagecardinal-club for the fee schedule and for more information.

Important Upcoming Events:

• GVHS Winter Sports- Find schedules by following this link: https://gvhs.garfield16.org/athletics
• GVMS Winter Sports- Find schedules by following this link https://gvms.garfield16.org/athletics
• February: CFL Bookfair
• February 7/8: Regional Wrestling- 13 3A teams to wrestle at GVHS
• February 8: Garfield Family Outdoor Day- Ice fishing at Rifle Gap (see flyer below in the outdoor education section).
• February 11: Board of Education Meeting 5:00 pm. 460 Stone Quarry Road, Battlement Mesa, CO 81635. Find agenda here: https://go.boarddocs.com/co/garfield16/Board.nsf/Public
• February 17: Learn to Ski Club at Powderhorn 4th - 8th grade
• February 17: President's Day- School-Based Family Resource Center Closed
• February 18-21: CFL Book Fair
• February 21: GVHS Sponsor Night- between girls and boys bball.
• February 24: GVHS Spring Sports- 1st Practice
• February 27 & 28: CFL1st Grade Snowshoe Trip at Mesa Lakes
• February 27: GVHS Spring Parent Athletic Meeting 6:30pm
• March 1: Grand Valley Educational Foundation Mardi Gras Masquerade Poker Night. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/AVaw6KJ24iqkFLpC6 (21+ only fundraiser event).
• March 7: End of 3rd Quarter
• March 11: Board of Education Meeting 5:00 pm. 460 Stone Quarry Road, Battlement Mesa, CO 81635. Find agenda here: https://go.boarddocs.com/co/garfield16/Board.nsf/Public
• March 12: GVMS Spring Concert
• March 17: District Accountability Committee Meeting 6:30 pm 460 Stone Quarry Road, Battlement Mesa, CO 81635. Find information here: https://www.garfield16.org/about/district-accountability
• March 24-28 Spring Break: No school, no Cardinal Club, SBFRC Closed

• April 10-12 GVHS Spring Musical- “Dr. Seussical”

• April 12: Battlement Mesa Recreation Center Easter Eggstravaganza

• April 19: GVHS Prom

• April 25 & 26: Parachute Pick-Up

• May 3: MayFest Youth Empowerment Resource Fair @ Cottonwood Park

Download our app and easily see events for all schools, or just selected schools, and add events to your device (phone) calendar!

"Coffee with the Principals" is a time for families to connect with us and learn about what's happening at school. We use this space to share updates on various school initiatives, discuss multiple platforms that support student success, and invite guest speakers from within our district. Our ultimate goal is to build strong partnerships with our families and share all the great work CFL is doing to ensure our students thrive!

24/25 Coffee with the Principal Dates:

Universal Preschool (UPK) Enrollment Information for Fall 2025

Interested in enrolling your child in preschool at CFL for the Fall of 2025? Here’s what you need to know:

Preschool Roundup At Center For Family Learning

Monday, April 21st 9-12

For All NEW 3 & 4 year olds

For 3-Year-Olds:

• Children must be 3 years old on or before October 1, 2025.
• Please call the CFL office at 970-285-5702 for enrollment information.

For 4-Year-Olds:

• Children must be 4 years old on or before October 1, 2025.
• To begin the Universal Preschool (UPK) process:
  1. Visit https://upk.colorado.gov/ and complete the UPK application.
  2. Contact the CFL office at 970-285-5702 to notify us that you’ve submitted your UPK application.

Required Documents Before Enrollment:

Once the UPK process is complete, the following documents must be submitted to CFL:

• State-Issued Birth Certificate
• Immunization Record
• Well Child Check / Health Appraisal

For more information, visit the UPK Colorado Parent Handbook:

• English Handbook
• Spanish Handbook

We look forward to welcoming your child to CFL! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us.​

Información de inscripción para el otoño de 2025

¿Interesado en inscribir a su hijo en preescolar en CFL para el otoño de 2025? Esto es lo que necesita saber: Resumen preescolar de

En El Centro Para El Aprendizaje Familiar

Lunes, 21 De Abril Ee 9-12 pm 2025

Para Todos Los NUEVOS Niños De 3 y 4 años

para niños de 3 años:
Los niños deben tener 3 años el 1 de octubre de 2025 o antes.
Por favor llame a la oficina de CFL al 970-285-5702 para obtener información de inscripción.
Para niños de 4 años:
Los niños deben tener 4 años el 1 de octubre de 2025 o antes.

Para comenzar el proceso de Preescolar Universal (UPK):
visite https://upk.colorado.gov/ y complete la solicitud de UPK.
Contacte a la oficina de CFL al 970-285-5702 para notificarnos que ha presentado su solicitud de UPK. Documentos Requeridos Antes de la Inscripción:
Una vez que el proceso de UPK se complete, los siguientes documentos deben ser enviados a CFL: Certificado de Nacimiento Expedido por el Estado de

Registro de Inmunización
Físico del doctor
Para obtener más información, visite el Manual para Padres de UPK Colorado: Manual en Inglés de

Para obtener más información, visite el Manual para padres de UPK Colorado:

Manual de inglés
Manual en español
¡Esperamos darle la bienvenida a su hijo a CFL! Si tienes alguna pregunta, no dudes en llamarnos.

CU Denver is seeking Latino/e/x parents/guardians of preschoolers. Receive a $30 gift card! Click the PDF link below for more information.
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CU Denver está buscando padres/tutores latinos de niños en edad preescolar. ¡Recibe una tarjeta de regalo de $30! Haga clic en el enlace PDF a continuación para obtener más información.

Holy Cross Energy is once again offering two travel opportunities for juniors and seniors in 2025. The first one is a week in Washington D.C. and the second is a week at a Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs. All expenses are paid by the co-op.

Here is the link with more information: Youth leadership programs - Holy Cross Energy

Winter is now in full effect here in the Garfield 16 outdoor education world. We have a robust outdoor variety for students to get outside enjoying and learning about the snow.

We have kicked off the new semester with a new ski program, Earn a Turn. This program is for middle and high school students to learn to become proficient skiers and snowboarders. Partnering with Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club through grant funds, these students have spent three Mondays so far going to Buttermilk and taking lessons with Aspen Ski Co. instructors. We have three more activity days planed and excited to see how these students progress.

We started another ski and ride opportunity for 4th-8th graders at Powderhorn with the Learn to Ski Club attending three select Mondays of lessons and shredding.

This semester has also brought new learning connections throughout the grades. Kindergarten and 1st graders at CFL have begun their animal unit. We have a regular schedule of lessons investigating animal adaptations with guest lessons.

We will culminate the unit with a series of field trips with first grade going snowshoeing at the Grand Mesa on February 27th and 28th. The Kindergarteners will be visiting animal homes throughout Silt on March 11th and 12th at a wildlife sanctuary and farm.

Starting this week we have our much anticipated 4th grade snowshoeing field trip at Mesa Lakes Lodge. The Kiwanis Club is spearheading the program by taking kids to the Mesa, gearing up in snow clothes, and investigating lessons around the Beaver Pond and beaver ecology. As well as wilderness survival. Fire Chief Jackson and former Chief Blair lead students through a day of fun, learning and snow play.

Upcoming field trips include 6th grade doing some snow science and cross also at Grand Mesa on March 6th.

We will keep you updated next month on all the winter time outdoor adventure.

We are excited to invite you and your organization/business to participate in the 1st Annual Mayfest, a youth-led community event organized by the G16 Family Resource Center with help from the Town of Parachute and other sponsors.

The event is designed to bring youth, their families, and community organizations together to learn about local resources, career opportunities, and internships, all while enjoying a day of fun activities such as a 5k Run (benefitting Suicide Prevention Coalition of Garfield County), Battle of the Bands, Show and Shine (car show), and much more.

We would love for your organization or business to set up a booth at the event. You can provide information about your organization, including resources for youth and their families, or sell your products.

If you would like to have a booth at the event RSVP by April 15th to confirm your participation as a trinket vendor or local organization/business.

We kindly ask that you bring a table, chair, and bilingual materials, and consider offering an activity or game for the youth at your booth. We ask that pop-ups/canopies be sized no larger than 10'x10'. Booths can start setting up at 9 a.m. and stay as long as you want. The event will end roughly around 10 p.m.

In addition to booth participation, there are other ways you can contribute, including making a monetary donation to the event or providing donated items for participant drawings to win throughout the day.

We would appreciate it if you shared this event with your network to help us ensure its success and maximize community attendance.

I appreciate your support, and we look forward to your participation in making this event memorable!

**Event Details:**

**Date:** May 3rd.

**Location:** Cottonwood Park - La Plata Cir, Parachute, CO 81635

**Time:** 9 am - 10 pm

Save the date, and stay tuned for more details in the upcoming months!

G16 School-Based Family Resource Center, The Lewis Foundation, the Town of Parachute, and sponsors invite you to register for MayFest's Battle of the Bands.

The competition will be held May 3, 2025 at Cottonwood Park in Parachute, Colorado 2:00pm - 7:00pm. Times subject to change based on registrations.

Please prepare for a 15-minute set. We will be in contact about performance times based on registrations.

1st Prize- Cash- up to $500 for each category (youth band and 21+ band)

Other prizes may include studio time, music shop gift cards, etc.

Register your band here: https://forms.gle/pSfi1TBwPz3kvV1t9

FACEBOOK

WEBSITE

Please do not hesitate to reach out to our School Based Family Resource Center for more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Claudia Flores Cruz

Center Coordinator

970-285-5262

cflorescruz@garfield16.org

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, we would like to inform you about the resources available for accessing information on registered offenders. At the beginning of each school year, we provide written details on where and how you can obtain this information from local law enforcement agencies. This information is also posted on the district’s website for your convenience.

We believe it is crucial for parents and guardians to have access to this information to stay informed about their community and to take any necessary precautions to protect their children. By keeping you informed, we hope to foster a safer environment for all our students.

You can find the Garfield County Sheriff's Office Offender Search here: https://www.garcosheriff.com/sex-offender-search/

Garfield 16 provides all students with counseling services through the school counselors. School counselors work with students to support their academic growth and success as well as their social and emotional development. School counselors work closely with teachers, principals, and parents to support students experiencing issues that impact their learning. These issues can be, but are not limited to, declining grades, poor work habits, organizational skills, distracting behaviors, school avoidance, anxiety, trauma, and transient personal or family issues, such as the loss of a loved one or change in family dynamic. A school counselor may work with a student on an individual basis or as part of a group. In addition, school counselors work with the administration to assess at-risk students.

At the elementary level, school counselors provide direct instruction to all students in social and emotional growth and wellbeing. Topics include social skills, recognizing emotions, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. For students who may be experiencing difficulty with social skills, regulating behaviors, or school counselors provide individual and group coaching.

At the secondary level, school counselors begin to support students with college and career planning and decision making. School counselors work with students on their Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) requirements. School counselors facilitate college and post-secondary career and workforce exploration. At the high school level, school counselors work with students to ensure they are on pace for graduation.

How to contact your school counselor:

CFL:

• Referral Form
• Email Ms. Landry
• Call 970-285-5702

BUE:

• Referral Form
• Email Mrs. Sherraden
• Email Mrs. DeMaio
• Call 970-285-5703

GVMS:

• Parent Referral Form
• Student Referral Form
• Email Mrs. Hoyt
• Call 970-285-5707

GVHS:

• Email Mrs. Paine
• Email Mrs. Largent
• Call 970-285-5705

• All students and their families.
• Fill out the referral form, found by clicking this link.
• Drew Hogan- SBFRC Counselor

Please review the attached guidance from Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment regarding when to keep your child at home due to an illness.

Did you know that we can administer medication to your students if they have a need. What we need from you is a doctor's order/care plan, that needs to be signed by the doctor and by you as the parent. Parents then need to bring in medication to the school and we have trained staff that are able to administer medications. If you have any questions please call the district nurse at 970-285-5707

Find information about G16's Health Services by clicking the link below. Information includes: recommended immunizations, what to do if your student needs medication at school or has a severe allergy, and vision and hearing screenings by grade.

Garfield County Public Health and Garfield 16 have teamed up to offer a Vaccine and Immunization Clinic in Parachute! The clinic will be offered on the first Monday of every month, as long as appointments are scheduled. Garfield County Public Health will be stationed at the School-Based Family Resource Center from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, by appointment only. Please call 970-625-5200 to schedule an appointment, stating that you would like to schedule for the Parachute clinic.

Menus can be found by following this link: https://www.garfield16.org/departments/nutritional-services

Our free breakfast and lunch program is a yearly grant process. Our district has qualified again for a free breakfast and lunch program for SY 2024-2025.

• Breakfast Program: All students can receive breakfast free of charge. It is important that your child arrives at school on time in order to have time to enjoy a meal before a long day of learning!

• Lunch Program: All students can receive lunch free of charge. If your child brings lunch from home, please make sure it does NOT need to be heated in a microwave as there are no microwaves available.

Please do not send soda pop in your child’s school lunch. We ask that you send a healthier choice such as juice, water, or milk.

Parents wishing to eat lunch with their child may do so, please call the school office by 9:00am if you would like to order a hot lunch. The charge for an adult lunch is $4.25 and for a visiting child it is $2.75. Please remember that the school only accepts cash or a check for payment.

Menus are on our District's Nutrition Department webpage: https://www.garfield16.org/departments/nutritional-services

Meal Prices for Visitors:

Student Lunch $2.75

Milk $0.70

Adult Lunch $4.25

Here are the updated bus routes.

For the 2024-2025 School Year, we will be using a software called School BusHub. This technology will allow real-time tracking. Which means parents/guardians can track their child's school bus in real-time using the School Bus Hub app. This feature provides peace of mind by allowing parents to know exactly where their child's bus is along its route. See the attached PDF for instructions on how to download the new app.

Please also note that bus routes may change based on student need. Check the website for updated routes: https://www.garfield16.org/departments/transportation

Our expectations for riding the school bus were revised.

Elementary students should have brought home a hard copy of these expectations last week. Please review this form, sign it, and return it to your student's school.

Middle school and high school parents, a copy is attached. Please review these updated expectations with your student(s). To confirm receipt and the review of these updated expectations, please fill out this google form.

*Garfield County School District #16 is not responsible for, and does not endorse, any statement, sentiment, or opinion published or expressed in this document. This document is not part of, and has not been distributed as part of the District's curricular or extracurricular programs.

All six branches of the Garfield County Libraries will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17 for staff to complete large tasks and training within the buildings. You can still browse and request books, movies, and more on our website, www.gcpld.org, during the closure. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

EPIC has a beautiful Tiny Home for sale! The Price starts at $95,000. All offers must be sent to Scott Cooper at scooper@crboces.org. Tours of the home, including virtual tours, are available.

For more information, please contact Scott Cooper at scooper@crboces.org.

For a full list of features, visit: https://drive.google.com/…/1uEsRNtYrDYXW…/view…