Explorer Express
Happenings Around Dry Creek Elementary
It is hard to believe we are in the final days of 2021 and almost through the first semester of school this year. I want to extend my gratitude to the entire Dry Creek community for continuing to show why Dry Creek is such an incredible school. I am impressed every day by the hard work, positivity and strength that our students, staff, and parents have exuded in order to be the best we can be. As we step into winter break, I hope that you and your family have a restful break surrounded by the people and things you love the most. For those who celebrate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
As a reminder, there will be no school from December 20th through January 4th due to winter break! Have a great break!
Mr. Watanabe
Principal
Thank you Dry Creek Community!
A special thank you to all those who have participated and donated. Supporting the greater Denver community is one of the ways that Dry Creek stands out as an amazing school and community that cares about those beyond our walls.
Congratulations All Star Award Recipient - Elizabeth Arnal-Campos!
Winter Spirit Week
Thursday, 12/16: Multiples/Sibling Day - Dress like someone else. Make sure to be inclusive!
Friday, 12/17: Dress Up Day - Look your fanciest for our Winter Parties!
Updated Volunteer Policy
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Please see the below message regarding the new CCSD Volunteer/Partner Process. If you are currently volunteering or plan to volunteer in the future, please complete the online volunteer form. It should only take a few minutes to complete. We want to thank you in advance and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.
New Colorado legislation has prompted a greater need to screen and document volunteers in our schools. Therefore, beginning January 2022, we must ensure that every volunteer completes a brief application to support activities in CCSD schools. This information will be automatically linked to the Raptor System. The good news is they only need to complete this form once per school year, and it will meet the requirement to volunteer in all CCSD buildings.
To access the form, please click on the following link: https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NzU0OmVuLVVT
Definitions
- Volunteers are guests who are supporting students, completing tasks, and under the immediate supervision and direction of District licensed personnel.
- Visitors are guests who are solely entering the building to conduct business such as participate in a meeting, eat lunch with their student, or attend a school-sponsored activity.
The safety and security of our students and staff remain our top priority. Every person entering our buildings must have a District ID or a badge printed from the Raptor System.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Kindergarten Round-Up
https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1766
Help grow Dry Creek!
Also, there are flyers that you can pick up in the main office to provide for neighbors or friends who are looking for a school for an incoming Kindergartener or any other grade. The flyer looks like the graphic below and can also be downloaded and shared. The best way to grow Dry Creek is by personal recommendations from parents like you!
Nurse's Corner
Illness at School and Decreasing the Spread: How Can you Help?
Please keep your student/s home from school if they are feeling sick. If your student has symptoms seen with COVID-19 (regardless of their vaccination status), they should not come to school.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include ANY of the following: Feeling feverish, having chills, a temperature of 100.4 F or greater, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, loss of taste and smell, sore throat, runny nose or congestion, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
We encourage anyone with symptoms to reach out to their healthcare provider and seek out COVID testing.
No-cost COVID testing is available to anyone in the Cherry Creek community who needs a test:
· For current Cherry Creek students and staff: https://www.primarybio.com/l/cherry
· For friends, family and community members: https://www.primarybio.com/l/cdphe
The best way to prevent experiencing severe illness due to the COVID-19 virus or the upcoming seasonal flu (influenza) virus, is to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children ages 5-11, see our district vaccine page for more information:
https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=13483
Seasonal Flu vaccines will be available at most sites after October 1st, but many grocery and drug stores have them available all year.
Below is a link to a general guide for students experiencing symptoms, when they should stay home and when they can return to school. Please note, if your student has been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently experiencing symptoms this leads to an automatic 10-day isolation per (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nhgGIbakyAJY3XJ2TW44sw7btXXqISBR/view
Vaccine Information for children 5-11 years old
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children ages 5-11 after two federal agencies – the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – granted emergency use authorization and expanded vaccine recommendations to include this age group.
The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your family, our students and our community from the COVID-19 virus. The pediatric vaccine is a lower dose that has been researched and determined effective for children ages 5-11. Like the adult Pfizer vaccine, children will receive their two vaccines 21 days apart. For more information about the Pfizer pediatric vaccine, visit this CDC website. For specific questions about the COVID vaccine and your child, contact your health care provider. Please note that any absence associated with the vaccine will be excused, and that clinics will require a parent or guardian to be present with any child who is getting a vaccine.
The district has been working with our health care partners to be ready to offer clinics and other access to vaccines for families who choose to vaccinate their children. Visit our Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine webpage to find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine for your child. Check back often, as we will update the page with more resources and links to sign up for clinics as they become available.
Our first major clinic will be on Friday, Nov. 12 at Smoky Hill High School in partnership with STRIDE Community Health Center. At this clinic, we will have pediatric COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as flu shots for children and adults, COVID-19 vaccines for those 12 years and older and COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Register for this clinic here.
You can also register your child for one of the Children’s Hospital Colorado COVID-19 vaccine clinics here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/kids-vaccines.
We are excited about this opportunity to offer the vaccine to more of our students.
Early Dismissal on Wednesdays
Elementary schools will dismiss at 1:45 p.m. every Wednesday. For families who participate in after-school child care, the after-school program will be extended every Wednesday at no additional cost. For families who need care, you can register with our Explorer Club Before and After School Program. Please contact our Director, Julie Cottorone, at jcottorone@cherrycreekschools.org for more information.
Rent the Rock!
Accountability Committee
- January 27, 2022 - Virtual
- February 24, 2021 - In-person
- March 24, 2021 - Virtual
P.A.S.S. Committee
- January 12, 2021
- February 16, 2021
- April 13, 2021
Parent, Teacher, and Community Organization (PTCO)
General Meeting Dates:
- January 12, 2022 at 6:30pm
- March 9, 2022 at 8:30am
- May 11, 2022 at 6:30pm
Coffee with the Principal
Coffee with the principal begins at 8:00 am right after drop-off in the library on the following dates:
- January 25, 2022
- March 29, 2022
- April 26, 2022
- May 24, 2022
Connect with Us
Email: kwatanabe@cherrycreekschools.org
Website: https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/drycreek
Location: 7686 East Hinsdale Avenue, Centennial, CO, USA
Phone: (720) 554-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drycreekelementaryccsd/
Twitter: @DryCreekCCSD
Language Translation Resources
Families who need Dry Creek Elementary communication translated, please contact the liaison listed:
English:
Please contact Kati Brinks at kbrinks@cherrycreekschools.org for support with this resource in your language.
Amharic
እነዝህን መረጃዎችን በተመለከተ በቋንቋዎ ዕገዛን ለማግኘት ከፈለጉ እባክዎን ተሊሌን በዝህ እሜይል ያግኙዋት thirpa@cherrycreekschools.org
Arabic:
يرجى الاتصال بـ (جميعة صباحي أو جاودة العلمي) على (jsebbahi@cherrycreekschools.org أو
jdajanialami@cherrycreekschools.org للحصول على الدعم مع هذا المورد باللغة العربية.
Chinese:
如有需要,请经由ahan10@cherrycreekschools.org,与韩馥联系,以您的语言获得此资源的支持。
Korean:
귀하의 언어로 이 자원에 대한 지원을 원하시면 (리아 리) 에게 (llee6@cherrycreekschools.org) 로 문의하십시오.
Russian:
Пожалуйста, обращайтесь к Ларисе Бака по адресу: lbaca3@cherrycreekschools.org для получения поддержки с помощью этого ресурса на своём языке.
Somali:
Fadlan la xiriir Omar Nur cinwaanka emaylka-onur2@cherrycreekschools.org si aad u hesho macluumaad ku qoran luqadaada.
Spanish:
Si necesita ayuda con este recurso en su idioma, póngase en contacto con Ilse Chavez Maldonado en ichavezmaldonado@cherrycreekschools.org, Rosa Han en rhan4@cherrycreekschools.org, Helena Gognat en hgognat@cherrycreekschools.org o Milagro Nuanes en mnuanes@cherrycreekschools.org
Vietnamese:
Vui lòng liên hệ với Thuý Ngọc tại Lchung2@cherrycreekschools.org để được hỗ trợ về tài nguyên này bằng tiếng Việt.