Gold Rush Elementary

Inspiring Purpose, Compassion & Excellence

In honor of the new month, our students embraced the theme of Saint Patrick’s Day as a time for reflection, celebration, and goal-setting.

Our first graders created their very own “Pots of Goals,” filling them with thoughtful ideas about how they can continue to grow as students and friends. They shared goals such as checking their work carefully, staying focused during lessons, and showing kindness to others. We were so proud of their honesty and determination to improve.

Meanwhile, our third graders reflected on the many ways they feel lucky. Their responses were heartwarming—students shared that they feel lucky for their families, pets, school, classmates, and teachers. It was wonderful to see such genuine gratitude and positivity shining through their work.

We loved witnessing both the appreciation and motivation our students displayed. Their growth mindset and thankful hearts truly make Gold Rush a special place.

We feel incredibly lucky to have such amazing students and supportive families as part of our Gold Rush community!

We truly appreciated seeing so many of you at parent-teacher conferences this week. Thank you for taking the time to partner with us in your child’s education. We are so proud of all your child has accomplished so far this year!

As we move through the remainder of the school year and begin looking ahead to summer, there are several simple yet powerful ways you can continue supporting your child’s growth at home.

Building Math Fact Fluency

Practicing math facts at home is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your child’s math skills outside of school.

• Kindergarten–2nd Grade:

  • Kindergarten: addition and subtraction facts within 5

  • 1st Grade: addition and subtraction facts within 10

  • 2nd Grade: addition and subtraction facts within 20

• Intermediate Grades:

• Focus on multiplication and division facts

Even a few minutes of oral practice in the car or at the dinner table can significantly build automaticity. When students are fluent with their math facts, they are better able to tackle more complex math concepts, including word problems and multi-digit computation. Strong foundational skills make a noticeable difference as math becomes more advanced across grade levels.

The Power of Reading Every Day

Research consistently shows that reading with or to your child has a significant impact on student achievement. Just five minutes a day can:

• Build a love of reading

• Strengthen vocabulary

• Improve comprehension skills

We highly encourage making reading a nightly part of your home routine. The benefits of consistent reading practice are long-lasting and impactful.

Using I-Ready at Home

Students can also access My Path and teacher-assigned lessons through i-Ready for both reading and math at home. These short, engaging lessons are aligned to state standards and personalized to meet your child’s individual needs.

Engaging in approximately 45 minutes of i-Ready practice per week has been shown to positively impact students’ math and reading benchmark assessments. Teachers will measure student growth again in May, and consistent practice can make a meaningful difference. If you are interested in accessing this resource at home, please reach out to your child’s teacher for more information.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can ensure a strong finish to the school year!

Last Friday, our GRE girls and their fathers enjoyed an unforgettable “Night in Paris” at the beautiful Douglas County Legacy Campus. This cherished annual dance was truly a magical evening filled with laughter, music, and special memories.

Those in attendance had so much fun dressing up for the occasion, dancing the night away, and capturing special moments together in photos. The evening also featured several Paris-themed activities, including a highlight where each pair personalized their own lock and placed it on a decorative gate — a meaningful keepsake to remember the night.

It was truly a memorable event that celebrated connection, joy, and time spent together.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible PTO and dedicated parent volunteers for their months of planning and preparation. Their hard work and commitment made this beautiful evening possible, and we are so grateful for all they do to support our Gold Rush community.

It was wonderful to see so many of you this week during our spring conferences! These meetings are such a valuable opportunity to celebrate your child’s many accomplishments and to identify goals for the remainder of the school year.

We truly believe that the partnership between home and school is essential to student success. Your involvement, encouragement, and ongoing support make a meaningful difference each and every day. Thank you for taking the time to connect with us and collaborate in support of your child’s growth.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to our amazing PTO and parent volunteers who went above and beyond to ensure our staff was well taken care of during conference week. From the delicious meals to the generous donations to “stock the fridge” with our favorite sodas and sparkling waters, every detail was appreciated. Your kindness and thoughtfulness certainly did not go unnoticed!

We are grateful to be part of such a supportive and caring school community.

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2021 South Swift Fox Way, Parker, CO, USA

303-387-7700

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