Good News Bulletin

As Elizabeth High School celebrated successes in fall sports at a Nov. 11 assembly, the highlight was the school's four-time Class 4-A state champion gymnastics team. The six seniors on the team have never ended a high school season without a state title. In the video above, they spoke about teamwork, the bond they've had training together and the fun times they will always remember -- even if some were also painful.

Also honored at the assembly were the 20-5 volleyball team, which put up a strong fight at regionals; the 8-2 football team which won its league for the second straight year; Piper Loeks, the lone qualifier for the state cross country meet; the two-time regional champion Cardinal Pride marching band; and the 19-4 repeat league-champion softball team, which made it to the quarterfinals at state after hosting regional playoffs for the first time in school history -- and after the season, coach Andrew Melton was named Coach of the Year.

In honor of Veterans Day, the EHS student body also recognized staff members who have served or continue to serve in the Armed Forces.

The EHS poms team finished second at the Colorado Springs Metro League competition on Nov. 8. The team will compete in the Road to State competition at the Denver Coliseum on Dec. 3 and state championships on Dec. 10.

File photo courtesy of Jeannie Seip Photography

Retired and active service members were honored with a special parade on Veterans Day at Running Creek Elementary School. Students lined the circular parking lot in front of the school, waved flags and displayed patriotic artwork for veterans as they drove the circle and waved to the children. Each year, RCE hosts this parade and, as the veterans exit the traffic circle, students give them a goodie bag with red, white and blue frosted cookies as another way to say, "Thank you for your service."

In the first two photos below, Elizabeth Middle School hosted a special lunch to honor veterans on Nov. 10. The lunch for heroes was planned and run by EMS' National Junior Honor Society chapter and their sponsor, math teacher Christy Banks. The third photo is part of the Walk of Honor along County Road 13, where EHS Student Council members placed signs with photos and information about local veterans.

Singing Hills Elementary School will host its annual breakfast for veterans on Nov. 18.

Singing Hills Elementary School leaders presented students with certificates for their application of the October Coyote Competencies: Empathetic and Collaborative. These students demonstrated mastery and application of those aspects of the district's Profile of a Graduate:

• Kindergarten: Macklin Baird, Ryan Clipp, Harlie Crockett
• First grade: Finn Capsel, Paisley Holmes, Brynley Michalek, Nevaeh Pasillas
• Second grade: Natalie Fox, Aria Hamilton, Zoe Sera Jose
• Third grade: Jace Collins, Wyatt Cunningham, Caleb Thomas
• Fourth grade: Alex Baird, Brody Mitchell, Cecillia Trujillo
• Fifth grade: Ella Conner, Colton Degenhart, Ella Guth

Several stellar students and staff members were highlighted at the Nov. 14 Elizabeth School District Board of Directors meeting.

• Senior Brady Mowbray, who is a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholar program and has never earned a grade lower than an A, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
• EMS student Bailey Barnhart was honored as a leader at her school. She is president of NJHS, a member of student council and the Principal Advisory Committee, and has a 4.0 GPA.
• The Board celebrated EHS theatre teacher Jennifer Barclay (above) for winning the prestigious Bobby G Award for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for last year's presentation of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." (Mark your calendars: Next year's musical, "Once Upon A Mattress" will hit the stage March 2-4).
• EMS computer teacher Lisa Mullins and her three yearbook leaders from last year, Keira Engle, Kylynn Love and Kami Ross, also received certificates marking their Gallery of Excellence Award for the design of the 2021-22 yearbook, "glow BIG or go HOME."

The ninth-grade representatives on the EHS Student Council are sponsoring a Coats for Colorado drive. Please send any gently used coats to EHS, EMS, Running Creek or Singing Hills. Boxes are located in each school. The drive ends on Nov. 28.

November – National Native American Heritage Month

Nov. 18 – Singing Hills Veterans Day Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.

Nov. 21-25 – NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 30 – Singing Hills Spelling Bee, 4 p.m.

December 2 – National Special Education Day

Dec. 2-3 – EMS musical "Peter Pan," 6 p.m.

Dec. 6 – EHS Holiday Choir Concert, 6 p.m.

Dec. 6 – Running Creek Holiday Festival, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 – Running Creek Spelling Bee, 3:45 p.m.

Dec. 8 – Elizabeth Middle School Spelling Bee, 4 p.m.

Dec. 12 – Board of Education meeting, 6 p.m.

Dec. 13 – EHS Holiday Band Concert, 6 p.m.

Dec. 12-15 – EHS finals week

Dec. 16-Jan. 2 – NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

EMS sports calendar

EHS sports calendar

The Elizabeth Education Foundation has organized several ways to help support students and teachers. First is a series of three Denver Nuggets games with discounted tickets, and a portion of those sales will be donated to EEF. The games are against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 22, the Utah Jazz on Dec. 10 and the Brooklyn Nets on March 12. Tickets start at $11 and can be ordered through the this link.

Those who choose to go to next Tuesday's game (and everyone else, for that matter), can stop by the Chick-Fil-A in Parker anytime on Nov. 22 for Spirit Day/Night. Mention the EEF fundraiser and a portion of your meal's price will be donated to the foundation.

For more information on either of these fundraisers, click the Announcements link on the front page of the district website. To learn more about EEF -- and to volunteer, as the organization needs more participants, visit ElizabethEF.org.