Cougar Connection
April 2022
Cactus Valley Elementary
222 Grand Ave. Silt, CO 81652
Main Line: 970-665-7850
Attendance Line: 970-665-7874
Our vision is to develop happy, high achieving students and staff
A Message From The Principal and Assistant Principal
Dear Cactus Valley Families,
“Nothing ever seems impossible in spring, you know.” -L.M. Montgomery
This quote reminded us of our CVE students, staff, and families as we transition into our final quarter of the school year. With the longer days, warm sunshine, patches of green spreading across the ground, and the birds singing, it’s much easier to see the possibilities that lie ahead for all of us at CVE! We know there is still a great amount of learning, teaching, sharing, and growing for all of us in the next few months, and we also know that it’s the connection we have with our families that helps make it possible for our students to thrive.
Here are some dates to remember for the month of April:
Thursday, April 14th at 6:00 - CVE meeting to inform our families of building reconstruction
Thursday, April 21st - CVE Art and Silent Auction
Tuesday, April 26th at 8:00 a.m. - PTA Meeting at CVE
It’s CMAS TIME for 3rd-5th Graders:
This spring our students are joining students throughout Colorado in taking the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS). CMAS assessments include Science, Social Studies (varies from year-to-year), ELA (English Language Arts), and Math.
Your child’s participation is important to us. Here are some of the ways the schools and the state of Colorado use the assessment:
We want to have a full picture of your child’s academic achievement, how he/she is progressing in meeting academic expectations for his/her grade level over time and if we have helped your child achieve at least a year’s worth of academic growth over a year’s time.
Strong participation is critical to understanding if our school is doing all it can to help our students prepare for success in college, a career and in life. Having consistent, accurate and fair testing results allows us to measure the overall academic health of our school and district.
It’s a reliable gauge for taxpayers to account for the results of their public investment.
The state of Colorado uses state testing data to create the school accountability reports. Schools may receive lowered performance ratings because not everyone took the assessment. Inaccurate ratings impact teacher and student morale and paint an inaccurate picture of a school’s achievement.
Testing will take place during the weeks of April 11th-13th for 3rd Graders, April 18-20th for 5th Graders, and April 25th-27th for our 4th Graders. Our days will continue to be full of learning along with sessions of time that will be designated for CMAS testing either in the afternoon or morning. To help your child be successful on these state assessments, as well as the learning that will continue to take place when not in a testing session, it is important your child gets a good night’s sleep and arrives at school on time.
If you have any questions about your child’s learning, please reach out to us. As always, thank you for supporting the teaching and learning that is taking place here at Cactus Valley Elementary School!
Sincerely,
Kelly Detlefsen, Principal
Simone Richardson, Assistant Principal
Counselor’s Corner
Phew! Fourth quarter has begun and we are winding down towards the end of the school year. We will be gearing up for our Caring Coins Competition coming up in May to donate money to the River Center, to help support some students in Africa to get an education, and to fund our $500 college scholarship to a former CVE student, who is a graduating senior. Be on the lookout for information coming home about the competition in late April or early May.
Here is what we are learning in Character Education this month. In 5th grade we will be talking about the transition from elementary school to middle school. 4th grade will discuss the difference between gossip and rumors and how to stop it before it gets out of hand. 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders will continue their lesson on Problem-Solving steps, and discuss the importance of calming down, naming their feelings and saying the problem without blame. These are important skills for students, to learn tosolve problems without using blaming words. Kindergarten will review their problem solving strategies using Kelso’s Choices and practice how to meet new friends.
Also, The River Center delivers 6-7 non perishable food items weekly to supplement food for families who need extra support. It is distributed on Wednesdays. If you are a family that could use the supplemental food, please contact me and I can get you signed up.
If your student needs mental health support, IMatter is a program that will provide 3 FREE counseling sessions for ANY Colorado youth. Visit the IMatter website (www.imattercolorado.org) to get your student connected with a therapist. For social/emotional or other types of assistance, please contact me, Amy Chabin, at 970-665-7764 or achabin@garfieldre2.net.River Center News: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Monthly-Newsletter-for-April.html?soid=1126729309735&aid=WPqD1BBZJuo
Fourth Grade News
Math: Students finished up working on double digit by double digit multiplication. We are currently working on word problems using division and multiplication. Before CMAS we will look at two-step word problems, and division strategies.
Science-We are pausing science until after CMAS to get extra practice in math. We are busy with our earth science unit. Students are taking the roles of geologist and exploring where fossils come from and how they are formed. We will also learn about how the three different types of rocks are formed.
Reading: We have started our second chapter book, Lunch Money. It is about a 5th grade boy named Greg who really works hard to make money. Students are really excited about it! They loved the first chapter and are already making predictions. Ask them about what is happening each day with Greg.
Writing:
Students are finishing up their research project on the subject of their choice. They get to choose how to present this information to the class. The next few weeks will be to write up their projects and create a presentation.
Important News/Dates:
4/4-4/7 Scholastic Spring Book Fair
4/5 7:15-8:00 Breakfast and Books!
4/12- 8:15-9:15 Music Performance
Be on the lookout for RIDE field trip forms.
Fifth Grade News
PE News
Just a little heads up for the end of the year, for the month of May we will not have use of the gym anymore because the construction will begin. We will be outside everyday so plan accordingly. Field Day also known as Cougar day will be at the end of May so keep your eyes out for a volunteer sign up sheet. I will also be sending home a t-shirt order form soon. These are some cool shirts that the kids can wear for field day and a little bit of the cost of the shirt will help purchase PE equipment and supplies. For a little extra money, the kids can have the option of personalizing the back of the shirt with their name or nickname and a number similar to a jersey. We have a lot of very old and dated equipment that needs to be replaced. I have some equipment that has Roy Moore Elementary 1994 written on it.....
Thanks for all your support!
Nate Barth
PE Teacher
Music Notes
Hello CVE families,
Happy Spring everyone! We have had fun creating one of a kind class plays and showcases for you to enjoy. Every class has scenes, skits, and plays that you are invited to come watch. Hope you know your kids worked very hard, and should be proud of their accomplishments. It really took every department at CVE to make this happen! We are finishing this year with showcases, and songs! The excitement to put our performance skills and musical knowledge from this year into the last quarter will be fun. Finally, this is our chance to dust off our vocal chords and let our voices be heard.
2nd grade will perform Thursday April 21st at 2:30-3:30pm
3rd grade will perform Thursday May 19th from 11-12pm
4th grade will perform Thursday May 12th from 8:15-9:15am
5th grade will be an evening performance! Tuesday May 10th at 5:30-6:30pm
1st grade classes will perform during the week of April 25-28th only during music class 2:00-2:30pm - Check your DOJO for the exact day
Kinder classes will perform during the week of May 2nd-5th only during music class 2:00-2:30 - Check your DOJO for the exact day
We need extra costume helpers and backstage hands!! If you would like to help please contact me at Jhowell@garfieldre2.net
I Hope to hear from you soon.
Musically yours,
Jennetta Howell