Dear Families,

As another school year comes to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our families a very happy, fun-filled summer! The days are warmer and longer, and there are plentiful opportunities to be outside and enjoy all the benefits of living in Western Colorado.

We would like to point you to a few LOCAL resources to help you make the most of your summer:

• May 2023 Parachute Library Programs Handout

• Garfield County Outdoors

• Parachute and Battlement Mesa Park and Rec District

• Park and Rec Newsletters

• Town of Parachute TOP Adventures

• Town of Parachute Summer Events

• Summer Programming with the Garfield County CSU Extension

Bell Schedule for next year: Students start at 7:35

Students are released at 3:15

On a housekeeping note, please ensure that we have up-to-date contact information for your family as most school communication happens through email, text, and the school app.

Communication with classroom teachers will continue through Tuesday Folders next year.

We are all very proud of your children and would like to congratulate them on completing another successful school year. You can be very proud of them and how they represent you, their families and their school on a daily basis.

We will look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall. We will run assessment days on August 15th and 16th. Please look for a letter from the school with scheduled times and dates.

On Thursday August 17th we will begin another school year full of educational activities and learning opportunities.

Mrs. Frees

Principal

Summer trips can provide unforgettable memories and experiences. However, trips can be stressful, time consuming, and expensive. Weather is an added factor to consider with outdoor events such as hiking in a National Park. One alternative to packing lunches, loading the family vehicle, and buying gas/tickets is a virtual field trip. These online explorations can awaken your child’s love of history, science, nature, etc. Virtual field trips also provide a way for your child to explore places that may be inaccessible.

If you want to add adventure and learning your summers, take a look at these virtual field trips in Colorado. If time and resources allow, follow-up with an in-person trip to explore in greater depth and detail!

To add engagement to a virtual fieldtrip, consider having your student journal about the Virtual Trip! You can download a free Field Trip Journal from this site.

Colorado Virtual Educational Field Trips

ART

Denver Art Museum (Denver)

Fred Harman Art Museum (Pagosa Springs)

Fremont Center for the Arts (Canon City)

Magic Town (Michael Garman Gallery - Colorado Springs)

Kirkland Museum (Denver)

HISTORY

Amache National Historic Site (Granada)

Bent's Old Fort (La Junta)

Museums of Western Colorado (Grand Junction)

History Colorado (Denver)

Ute Indian Museum (Montrose)

University of Northern Colorado Virtual Fieldtrip Library (Greeley)

• Georgetown’s Historic Houses (Georgetown)
• Georgetown’s Historic Stores Georgetown)
• McBroom Cabin (Littleton)
• Bemis House (Littleton)
• Larimer Square (Downtown Denver)
• Denver’s Historic Downtown (Union Station and Downtown Denver)
• The Lebanon Silver Mine (Georgetown and Silver Plume)
• Denver’s Historic Civic Center (Denver)
• Denver’s Historic Uptown District (Denver)
• Colorado Indians Tour One (Montrose)

Hovenweep National Monument (near Cortez)

Old Spanish Trail National Historic Trail (multiple sites in Colorado)

Pony Express National Historic Trail (Northeastern Colorado)

Mesa Verde National Park (near Cortez)

Sand Creek Massacre Historic Site (near Eads)

Sante Fe Trail National Historic Trail (Southeastern Colorado)

Yucca House National Monument (near Cortez)

California Gold Rush National Historic Trail (Various locations in NorthEastern Colorado)

SCIENCE

Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)

Denver Zoo (Denver)

Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park)

Castlewood Canyon (Franktown)

Roxborough Park (Roxborough)

Rifle Falls (Rifle)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Montrose)

Great Sand Dunes National Park (Mosca)

Colorado National Monument (Grand Junction and Fruita)

Curecanti National Recreation Area (Gunnison)

Dinosaur National Monument (Dinosaur)

Florissant Fossils Beds National Monument (Florissant)

Colorado State Fish Hatcheries (Rifle and across Colorado)

Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Denver)

SOCIAL STUDIES

Colorado State Capitol (Denver)

The Money Museum (Colorado Springs)

US Mint Denver (Denver)

Some information taken from Year Round Homeschooling with Misty Leask: Colorado Virtual Field Trips, which uses affiliate links to Virtual fieldtrips across the State of Colorado.

In addition to Virtual Field Trips, here are some other great ideas for your summer!

Colorado's Scenic and Historic Byways

26 scenic byways in Colorado connect the dots between historic sites and acres of majestic scenery that span red-rock canyons, the peaks of the Rocky Mountains and sun-kissed prairies. Colorado's Scenic Byways provide great adventures for family road trips during summer months with unparalleled vistas and views! Load up your family for a family road trip and explore Colorado!!

FIND A BYWAY HERE

Virtual By-way Brochure

Colorado is full of things to do, from major attractions, scenic beauty and outdoor adventure to museums and historic sites.

Colorado's National Parks, Monuments, Heritage Sites, and Outdoor Adventures Galore

From plains to peaks and mesas, national parks and other federal lands span Colorado's vast and varied landscape. Make a checklist to experience as many of them as you can during your summer!

• SUPER COOL: Google Earth Tours of 3 Colorado National Parks!

• Guide to Colorado's National Parks
• Guide to Colorado's National Monuments
• Guide to Colorado's National Heritage Areas
• 10 Magical Outdoor Adventures in Colorado
• 8 Unforgettable Summer Activities in Colorado

• BLM Programs for Children - Colorado Programs
• Every Kid Outdoors Program (free National Park Passes for 4th Graders)
• Forest Service Kids Pages

Colorado has several special train rides to choose from. Maybe consider doing one a summer with your family as a unique experience!

Complete Guide to Colorado Train Trips

www.colorado.com

Colorado train trips will take you back in time through Rocky Mountain wilderness areas, steep canyons and other beautiful settings, including the California Zephyr, Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Georgetown Loop Railroad, Royal Gorge Train.

Enjoy an Outdoor Adventure in one of Colorado Many State Parks!

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

cpw.state.co.us

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs.

In addition, Colorado Parks and Wildlife partnered with Agents of Discovery, an educational mobile gaming platform, to create virtual reality trail missions at 13 state parks.

• Find out more about Colorado State Park Virtual Trail Missions here!

• Activities for Kids in Colorado State Parks

• Sign Up for a Hunter Education Program with your Kids

• Turn an ordinary hike into a learning adventure! Activity Backpacks are available for check out at select state parks