Northridge Elementary Weekly Blast

Dec 19 - No Students End of Semester

Dec 22- Jan 5 - Winter Break

Jan 6 - Students return to NRE

EPRs for Semester 1 will be released to parents/guardians on Saturday, Dec. 20th at 9 a.m.

As part of Douglas County School District’s commitment to providing clear and meaningful feedback on student learning, our elementary report cards have transitioned to a Standards-Based Grading (SBG) system. We want to ensure you have a clear understanding of what this shift means for your child and how to interpret their progress. In addition, the platform is a new platform for our District and will look different from past years.

What is Standards-Based Grading?

Standards-Based Grading breaks down each subject area into specific Colorado Academic Standards, the skills and knowledge students are expected to master at their grade level. Instead of one overall grade, you will see how your child is performing on each individual skill (e.g., "Fluently adds and subtracts within 20" or "Determines the main idea of a text").

The 1-4 Performance Scale (No change from prior years)

Rather than percentages, we use a four-point scale to indicate a student's level of mastery relative to the grade-level expectations for this time of year:

• A score of “Exceeds” indicates a high level of achievement; it communicates that a student has a strong understanding of the content/concepts/skills taught during the semester and can demonstrate understanding independently and with very few errors.

• A score of “Meets” indicates that a student demonstrates understanding of content/concepts/skills most of the time and with limited support. Student makes few major errors or omissions when demonstrating concepts/skills.

• A score of “Approaching” indicates that a student requires moderate support to demonstrate understanding of concepts/skills. Demonstrated understanding of concepts/skills is inconsistent or infrequent indicating a partial understanding of the content/concepts/skills. Errors or omissions in work are more frequent.

• A score of “Does Not Meet” indicates that a student seldom demonstrates understanding of concepts and skills taught during the semester. Student requires considerable support to demonstrate learning of concepts and skills and makes frequent major errors when demonstrating understanding.

This system provides a much more accurate picture of your child's strengths and areas for growth. It allows teachers to tailor instruction to exactly what a student needs and helps parents understand specifically which skills their child has mastered.

A Note About our New System

As with any significant transition, we are learning alongside our students and families. This is a new reporting system for our district, and while we have worked hard to ensure a smooth rollout, we know there may be occasional technical "hiccups" or areas where we need to refine our communication.

We kindly ask for your patience as we navigate this new process together. Our primary goal remains the success and growth of your child, and we are committed to working through any challenges that arise to ensure this tool serves our community well.

If you have specific questions about your child’s progress or the report card format, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their classroom teacher.

LINK - How to Access Elementary Progress Reports

It has been an incredibly vibrant and busy time at Northridge Elementary! As we look back on the last week, we are filled with gratitude for our students' growth, our staff's dedication, and the unwavering support of our community. Here are some of the highlights from our recent adventures and celebrations.

5th Grade Outdoor Education Adventure

At the end of last week, our 5th graders embarked on their highly anticipated Outdoor Ed trip! It was a joy to see our students immerse themselves in nature and embrace new challenges. Many of our kids truly stepped out of their comfort zones, especially when tackling the zip line! Beyond the adrenaline, students practiced teamwork, resilience, and leadership. We are so proud of the bravery and spirit they showed in the great outdoors.

A Heartfelt Community Breakfast

This week, we gathered for our Breakfast with Buddies, and it was a resounding success! While the food was absolutely fantastic, the company was even better. It was wonderful to see parents, staff, and community members connecting over a meal. These moments of connection are what make the Northridge family so special. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to those who worked behind the scenes to make it happen.

3rd Grade Native American Showcase

Our 3rd graders recently reached the summit of their Native American study. To celebrate their hard work, they hosted a beautiful Native American dance performance and a presentation of their projects. The level of detail in their research and the creativity in their project designs were truly impressive. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to share their learning with their peers and families.

Winter Party Magic

Yesterday, the halls were filled with laughter and "winter cheer" as we held our classroom winter parties! These celebrations were a massive success thanks to the many parents and grandparents who volunteered their time to help. From incredibly creative food items to engaging games and crafts, our students had an unforgettable time. Thank you to all the families who brought so much joy into our classrooms today.

On a Personal Note

The winter holidays have always been my favorite time of year. Our family has several traditions that we have carried down over the years, and one of my absolute favorites is our annual cookie decorating party. We will be decorating dozens of cookies on Sunday! On Christmas Eve, my kids will be joining us for church, followed by a festive dinner and our traditional gift exchange. I am so excited to settle in for some quality family time.

I hope that you and your families have the opportunity to celebrate your own traditions and enjoy plenty of quality time together. Wishing you all a very restful and warm winter break!

Smiles,

Erin Lehnert

I am sorry there are not more pictures from this event. I was busy talking to families and not taking many pictures!

NRE Families! Don't forget to stop by the Douglas County Libraries over Winter Break! They have a lot of fun activities going on to celebrate the holidays! The Forest of Stories is amazing! Check out this link for all the information! DCL Library Fun

Happy Holidays and Keep Reading!

Mrs. Peck

Mountain Vista High School students visited NRE to share news about Wish Wish!

How to Receive Emergency Messages from DCSD

Log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and click on the “person” icon in the top right-hand corner of the page. Navigate to “Contact Preferences” and review your contact information. If you see an incorrect phone number or email, please update it in Infinite Campus, or contact the registrar at your child’s school to request an update.

Your friendly Nutrition Services would love some additional help next week. They are still working on hiring another person and could use our help in the meantime! They know these are busy weeks for everyone, but please consider signing up for a shift...or two! :)

Thank you so much!

Lunchroom Help