Cougar Roar
Canyon Rim Elementary Monthly Newsletter
Welcome to the Canyon Rim Family!
canyonrim_cougars
October 2019

The Principal's Corner
The month of October brings some fun activities to Canyon Rim. Please join us for Teach or Treat on October 29th from 5-6:30 pm. This is a free event and we love seeing our students dressed in their Halloween costumes! Speaking of Halloween, students will be allowed to dress in their costume for the entire school day on October 31st. There are some guidelines I wanted to share as your child shops for a Halloween costume.
- Costume accessories that are deemed dangerous or similar to weaponry are not permitted.
- No gore, masks/face paint or any item that will impede vision or identity
- No inflatable costumes
- Finally, all costumes should maintain the integrity of our school dress code
Please understand that these guidelines are put in place to ensure the safety of all our students. If a student’s costume is found to be inappropriate, she/he will be asked to remove the costume and parents will be contacted. Wearing a costume is considered a school privilege.
Sometimes trying to decipher all the letters and numbers on your student' report card can be confusing, so Gilbert Public Schools has created a guide to help you out! A Family's Guide to Report Cards is attached below, and you can view it for tips to understand your child's grades.
Our 2019-2020 Parent Site Council is looking for members! There are four meetings throughout the year, and you'll get to take part in discussing subjects that affect your child's education when you join (see more info. below). If you're interested, please email: monica.garza@gilbertschools.net.
Reminder to all parents/guardians: Please make sure you've completed your Annual Update in Infinite Campus by logging into your account to ensure that your students' emergency contact information is updated.
Joe Lopat
Principal


Traditional Program Enrollment Application Information - For Siblings of Current Students
The 2020-2021 Traditional Program enrollment application is available to families registering Kindergarten-age siblings of current students.
If you have friends or relatives that are interested in applying, a separate application will become available for them on Friday, November 1, 2019.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications are eligible based on the date of application and based on the following priorities: siblings of current Canyon Rim students, children of a district employee (cap of 20%), residents of Gilbert Public schools, and non-residents of the school district. Additionally, students currently on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) must submit the IEP with the application to ensure there is the capacity to provide services. All Open Enrollment students will need to complete an Open Enrollment Form.
*** Parents/guardians will also need to complete the GPS enrollment application once it is available. A reminder email will be sent once it is open.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Brianna Bartos at 480-984-3216 x301.
Click here to find out what's going on for cougars this month!
Half Days, Early Release Days, & Fall Break this month:
Half Day Early Release @ 11:55 a.m. - 10/04
NO SCHOOL - Fall Break - 10/07-10/14
SCHOOL RESUMES: 10/15
Early Release Wednesdays @ 1:55 p.m. - 10/02, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30

Teach or Treat!
Tuesday, Oct. 29th, 5-6:30pm
3045 South Canyon Rim
Mesa, AZ
RSVPs are enabled for this event.


Donate Your Halloween Costumes!
Volunteer at Lunchtime to Receive a Free Lunch!
Click on the PDF below for the October Breakfast & Lunch Menu!

Social Worker Corner: Red Ribbon Week!
Hello, Cougar Families!
This is an exciting month, as we are busy on campus with a lot of social-emotional learning! We are excited about the new curriculum we are providing our students and do hope that you as a parent will also become a part of your child’s learning experience.
Second Steps Curriculum:
We are excited to introduce our social-emotional curriculum, Second Steps! I will be providing these lessons to your child’s class one to two times per month, focusing on four areas: Skills for Learning, Empathy, Emotional Management, and Problem Solving. Please watch for an email from your child's teacher that includes additional information, as well as an access key for you to review the curriculum.
Digital Citizenship:
Although we have taught Digital Citizenship in the past, we are looking forward to bringing your students additional lessons and learning through Commensense.org. During the month of October, we will be focusing on the topic of “Media Balance and Wellness.” To review the lessons, click here for a list of all lessons according to grade levels. Please refer to the website, create a login, and enjoy the material. You may access Family Resources here, Family Tips (K-5) here, and 6th grade here. Feel free to browse the lessons and also review the other information provided. This is truly a fantastic resource!
FAFSA:
This is the time of year to complete your FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) application if you or your student is planning to attend higher education. Please click here for information about FAFSA and helpful tips to being successful in this area.
Please remember that Red Ribbon Week is the week of October 28th. This is a fantastic time to talk with your students about drug, tobacco, alcohol and even vaping awareness. We will be recognizing this week with the following Spirit Days:
Red Ribbon Spirit Week: 10/28-11/01
10/28: Wear Red (Red Alert)
10/29: Twin Day (Friends don't let friends do drugs)
10/30: Crazy Sock & Hair Day (Head-to-Toe, I'm Drug-Free)
10/31: Treat Your Body Right (Don't let someone trick you into doing drugs)
11/01: Sunglasses Day (Your future is BRIGHT without drugs)
If you would like to contact me directly, call (480) 984-3216 x306 or email me at Kerry.draney@gilbertschools.net.
Kerry Draney
School Social Worker
Butterbraids Fundraiser!
Monday, Oct. 21st, 8:15am to Thursday, Oct. 31st, 2:45pm
3045 South Canyon Rim
Mesa, AZ
Cougar of the Month Program
THE SEPTEMBER COUGARS OF THE MONTH ARE...
Kindergarten: Rhaden (MJ) Driz (Mrs. Beezhold) & Lincoln Sawyer (Mrs. Jones)
SPICE: Tiger Driz (Mr. Collier)
1st Grade: Logan Johnsen (Mrs. Kochaji), Hope Rickard (Mrs. Ferreira), &
Adam Jorgensen (Mrs. Hadley)
2nd Grade: Reese Castillo (Mrs. Alvin) & Aubrie Stratton (Mrs. Campbell)
3rd Grade: Andrue Owens (Mrs. Holmen) & Andrew Mack (Mrs. Vequist)
4th Grade: Maddy DeBolt (Mrs. Holgerson) & Jayden Corea (Mrs. Buckland)
5th Grade Team: Kabe Alvin & Rachel Castillo
6th Grade Team: Tristan Elmer & Esther McNeilis
All September Cougars of the Month will be recognized at the PRIDE Assembly on 10/04/19.
What is Cougar of the Month?
Cougar of the Month is a program at Canyon Rim Elementary that rewards students who demonstrate the “7 Habits of Happy Kids,” and academic growth or achievement. Each Cougar of the Month receives a T-shirt, recognition at a PRIDE Assembly, and a pizza party with Principal Lopat.
Spirit Days This Month:
*Every Friday is Canyon Rim spirit day, and staff and student participation is encouraged!
Red Ribbon Spirit Week: 10/28-11/01 (see info. above)