Eagle Crest Family Newsletter
August 31st, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE
Hello Eagle Crest Families!
It has been quite an eventful week at Eagle Crest, and I wanted to take a moment to update you on some of the exciting developments.
This week, I've had the privilege of conducting classroom visits, overseeing activities in the cafeteria and during recess, and joining in the celebrations as our students demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities in areas such as responsibility, inclusivity, safety, and empathy, earning them well-deserved RISE tickets.
At Eagle Crest, the safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. In collaboration with the district, we have implemented a comprehensive range of safety systems and protocols designed to ensure a secure environment for our students. We understand that as parents and educators, safety is a constant concern, and I want to assure you that our safety procedures align with the Standard Response Protocol, which is rigorously followed throughout Colorado. For more details, please refer to the parent handout we've prepared, outlining the specific drills conducted at our school and our preparedness and response measures for various school-related situations. You can access this information on the Standard Response Protocol website at https://iloveuguys.org/.
On a lighter note, tomorrow promises to be an exciting day for our students in grades 1, 2, 4, and 5. We have a captivating schoolwide presentation titled "Our Championship Team" in store, designed to resonate with all SVVSD students from kindergarten to 12th grade. We'll tailor this presentation to emphasize our expectations here at Eagle Crest and the role of leadership within our school community. Next week, we'll also be sharing a version of this presentation with our Kindergarten and 3rd Grade classrooms.
As we approach the weekend, I hope you have a fantastic one ahead. I look forward to sharing more updates and exciting news with you as the year unfolds.
Warmly,
Amanda
PS - Please find below information regarding the code of conduct and a request to acknowledge its receipt. This document is applicable district-wide, so we kindly ask that you complete it before September. Currently, 37% of families have completed this, and our goal is 100%!
Amanda Holden
Principal
Eagle Crest Elementary School
DEAN OF STUDENT'S UPDATE
Hello Eagle Crest Families!
As we settle into the new school year, it's common to see an uptick in seasonal illnesses and visits to the Health Office. If your child isn't feeling well, it's absolutely acceptable to keep them at home to rest and recover. Here is some important information if you need to keep your child home:
Notification & Communication: To report your child's illness-related absence, contact the front office at 303-485-6073 or email our Attendance Clerk, Dinah Sherwood, at sherwood_dinah@svvsd.org. While it can be helpful to notify your child’s teacher via email, including Dinah in the communication ensures that the information reaches the office promptly and will avoid any unnecessary phone calls home.
Excused Absences: Absences due to illness are always considered excused, with no negative consequences for your child. We will ensure any missed school work is either excused or covered during class. Our priority is your family's health, allowing you to focus on well-being rather than the work your child misses.
Safety: In situations when we have not been notified about your child's absence, you can anticipate two phone calls home. Our automated calling system initiates around 9:15 am, followed by a personal attempt to reach you to confirm your child is at home and safe with you.
Your cooperation in maintaining the safety and health of our school community is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your support!
All the best,
Lindsey Cheney
Dean of Students
Eagle Crest Elementary School
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
September 4th - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
September 6th - Late Start Wednesday, 11:05 am Arrival
September 8th - Eagle Crest School Spirit Day - WEAR YOUR T-SHIRTS!
September 8th - Silver Creek Homecoming Parade, 2:30pm
September 8th - Welcome Back to School Picnic, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
September 11th - Virtual Volunteer Training, 6:00pm
September 12th - In Person Volunteer Training, 9:00am
September 12th - Virtual Volunteer Training, 10:30am
September 15th - Virtual Volunteer Training, 2:00pm
September 15th - In Person Volunteer Training, 2:30pm
September 20th - School Picture DaySCHOOL SPIRIT STORE
We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Skazma for this year's school spiritwear store. From now until September 24th, you can easily shop online and grab some new Eagle Crest gear. Simply hop over to https://skazmacustomapparel.itemorder.com/ Sale Code: ECE23.
ART CLUB - SIGN UP NOW
Learn about our new Art Club Mrs. Thompson is starting!
PTO UPDATE
Dear Eagle Crest Families,
Please mark your calendar for Eagle Crest’s annual back-to-school picnic on Friday, September 8th!
Picnic and Pizza Order
Join us on Friday, September 8th, from 5-7 PM for the welcome-back picnic. Tomorrow (at midnight) is the LAST DAY to order a $14 large Papa John’s pizza for your family’s dinner. ORDER HERE for large cheese or pepperoni pizzas. The Mwebaza Club will sell sparkling water and juice for $1, with funds going to the Mwebaza Foundation. Pack a picnic or plan on buying dinner from Cyclhops. Cool Beans dipping dots, cotton candy, and flavored popcorn will be available from our friends at Kona Ice. Bring a blanket, listen to good music, and chat with other families while the children run wild. Please consider volunteering to help for just 30 minutes. Spend the rest of the picnic relaxing with family and friends. Sign up to volunteer here! Contact Lynnette or Brandy at ecptoevents@gmail.com with questions.
Staff Gratitude Fund - August 31st - September 14th
Every Fall, PTO raises money for the Staff Gratitude Fund. Money you donate now will fund the program for this entire school year. Currently, Eagle Crest families have already raised 15% of the goal! We are SO grateful for the funds raised so far, and we encourage every family to give what they can afford; $10 per Eagle Crest student funds dinner for teacher conferences when staff stays late, supports Teacher Appreciation Week, and so much more! No amount is too small (or too big!)
Directories and Classroom News
For years, parents and caregivers have asked for other families’ contact information in order to set up playdates, confirm if tomorrow is or is not PJ day, and organize class activities. Over 50% of our families have opted in to the directory. Please sign up if you haven’t already. And if you have, please mention this resource to friends. Get in touch with Linda at ecptocommunity@gmail.com with any questions.
Volunteers
Thank you to the volunteers who helped clean, organize, and stock the staff lounge. Teachers have little time for lunch, and we want the lounge to be a cheerful and calm place for them. We welcome and encourage all caregivers to volunteer-whether you have an hour a year or an hour a week. If interested, please fill out this short form or email Linda at ecptocommunity@gmail.com
Save the Date - Laps for Leadership
Laps for Leadership is one of the best days of the year! Our fun run and fundraiser gets all students out on the track, brings us together as a community, and provides funds for field trips, movie night, and much more. This year, we are returning to our pre-Covid tradition of holding L4L in the Fall. This allows PTO to plan the yearly budget based on the amount raised. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, October 26. If we meet our fundraising goal, Principal Holden promises a 💛💜HUGE tie-dye party 💜💛, so students can make their white Eagle Crest shirts colorful and beautiful. If you have any questions, contact Lynnette or Brandy at ecptoevents@gmail.com.
Crackpots Fundraiser
Another easy (and fun) way to support the Eagle Crest community is to get crafty. Through the month of September, Crackpots (505 Main Street in Old Town Longmont) will be donating 10% of proceeds to our school for everyone who mentions Eagle Crest! In-studio and at-home kits both qualify for this fundraiser. We appreciate our sponsors so much and are thrilled to be partnering with a local small business.
For monthly updates of fun family activities, subscribe to the PTO newsletter.
Sincerely,
Katie Lancaster, PTO President
GIFTED & TALENTED REFERRALS
Each year, schools in St. Vrain Valley School District complete a process to identify students who demonstrate exceptional ability or performance in one or more academic areas and may, therefore, qualify for Gifted/Talented educational services. These students usually perform at least two years above grade level in their strength area(s), and they require additional academic challenges in order to support their continued educational growth and progress. In addition, they usually demonstrate characteristics of unique creativity and high motivation in their strength areas.
Referrals are open through the month of September and will close on September 30th. Completing a referral guarantees a review of the student profile to determine if testing is recommended for the student. The process for identification requires a body of evidence and often takes place throughout the entire school year.
The process takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. You can access the online referral process here.
Please contact Lindsey Cheney for more information.
HEALTH OFFICE DONATIONS
Throughout a typical day at school there are often situations where students need an extra shirt or pair of pants to get them through the day. We want to have enough options, so as the new school year approaches, we're looking to restock. If your child has outgrown their clothes, please consider donating them to the Health Office. We need all sizes of clothing, including socks and underwear. Also, if your child happens to need some of our clothes, please wash and return them as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER TRAININGS
Family volunteers are part of the rich tradition in our community focused school, and we are eager to welcome everyone in to support student learning at Eagle Crest!
This year, we will be offering volunteer training throughout the month of September. This training will be required for adults who would like to volunteer in our classrooms or chaperone on field trips. It will be an opportunity for us to review safety protocols, confidentiality expectations, and some of the routines and procedures in place to help everything run smoothly.
These trainings will be offered at a variety of days and times. We will include Webex Links and more information as we get closer.
September 11th, Virtual - 6:00pm
September 12th, In Person - 9:00am
September 12th, Virtual - 10:30am
September 15th, Virtual - 2:00pm
September 15th, In Person - 2:30pm
Classroom teachers will begin reaching out with their volunteer needs through their regular newsletters. When we have opportunities to help in the library, Specials classes, or other areas of the school, we will share those opportunities in this weekly newsletter.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Every year, St. Vrain Valley Schools prints an up-to-date version of the Code of Conduct for students and families to review. This important document informs students and school staff about the expectations for school conduct and the consequences for behaviors outside of those expectations. It is important that families review this information every year and acknowledge their receipt and understanding of this document.
Please click here to access an electronic version of the Code of Conduct. After you have reviewed this information, all families must sign an electronic acknowledgement that they have received, read, and understand the information contained. To sign your electronic acknowledgement, please follow the steps described here.
ANIMALS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
We just wanted to touch base with a quick reminder about our furry friends. 🐶🐱 We absolutely adore our four-legged pals, but for the safety and well-being of everyone, we kindly request that we keep our building and playground pet-free zones during school hours. 🏫🌳
Please help us out by not bringing any animals onto the school premises during the day, we really appreciate your help. We totally get that drop-offs and pick-ups can be busy times, but let's aim to leave the pet parade for another time, shall we? 🐾
Of course, there's always an exception to the rule, and that's our incredible service animals like seeing-eye dogs and police dogs. They're the real superheroes, and they're always welcome to join us.
Thanks a million for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Let's work together to keep our school a safe and happy place for everyone, kids and critters alike! 🌈🐕🐈
IPAD INSURANCE
The window to purchase iPad insurance closes on September 15th!
The district offers iPad insurance for $25/year for each student ($15 for Reduced Fee and $10 for Free Fee Students). We believe that every student at Eagle Crest should opt-in to have iPad insurance as a safety-net for any damage or loss. In order to opt into the district insurance and be covered, you must pay at least a portion of the $25 fee. You can find out more details about the coverage in the links below. The fees are available to pay online in your Infinite Campus Portal account, or you can bring payment directly to Eagle Crest.
MORE INSURANCE DETAILS (English Version)
MÁS DETALLES DE SEGURO (Versión en Español)
Please reach out if you have any questions. The best way to reach Katy Schwirtz, our school technology leader is by email schwirtz_katherine@svvsd.org, or by phone at 303-485-6073 X22379.
Thank you for your support of instructional technology at Eagle Crest!
100 MILE CLUB
100 Mile Club registration is now open! Click HERE to see the details for this year's club. Click HERE to register. If you have any questions you can email Katy Schwirtz at schwirtz_katherine@svvsd.org, or call (303) 485-6073 x22379.
LEARNNET - COST FREE INTERNET
As the Back to School season unfolds, we're delighted to introduce LearnNet—an invaluable, cost-free home internet solution now accessible to families residing in Longmont. Developed in partnership with Nextlight, LearnNet offers LTE-powered internet tailored for student use, already benefiting underserved neighborhoods with plans for wider coverage. If you know families in Longmont without reliable internet, refer them to our LearnNet form at stvra.in/internet Affordable Internet Options page. Explore our interactive map to check coverage and access equipment requests. For those beyond coverage, find alternative options, including the $30/month Affordable Connectivity Program.
APPLY FOR FREE AND REDUCED FEES
While students will no longer be charged for lunch or breakfast, we encourage all families to complete the Free & Reduced Fees Application. This not only benefits your family but also supports our school in terms of funding, staffing, and reduced fees for activities. Remember to renew this application annually for access to various benefits.
Apply for free and reduced fees today to take advantage of these opportunities!
LUNCH MENU
You can now find the monthly Lunch Menu at LINQCONNECT. This online system allows you to filter for allergens and see the Breakfast Menu. You change between Breakfast and Lunch in the upper left hand corner.
SPECIALS COLOR DAY ROTATION
Eagle Crest's specials follow a three-day rotation: RED, YELLOW, PURPLE. Every month, a new calendar is provided, outlining the rotation. This helps your family plan and ensure the right shoes are ready for PE activities.
ABOUT US
Email: holden_amanda@svvsd.org
Website: eces.svvsd.org
Location: 4444 Clover Basin Drive, Longmont, CO, USA
Phone: 303-485-6073
Facebook: facebook.com/EagleCrestES
Twitter: @EagleCrestES
QUESTIONS?
Need support in Spanish?
Contact Natalie Boggess at: boggess_natalie@svvsd.org , 303-702-7872