Pine Lane Updates 3/1/2024
March 1, 2024
March 1, 2024
Pine Lane Crew,
This week has been busy. Our 1st Grade students had a great visit to the Butterfly Pavilion and learned how to scientifically classify bugs. Our 3rd graders presented their Wax Museums. They worked diligently researching notable people, and creating trifolds, costumes, and speeches. I am so proud of their efforts and the final products was quite impressive. Yesterday for Leap Day, we had Kindergarteners out on the lawn hopping like frogs as they counted to 100. We wrapped up our Kid’s Heart Challenge on Wednesday with a fun event that got kids moving and continues to bring awareness for heart health. Thank you to our Healthy School’s team for leading the charge!
One thing that makes Pine Lane stand out are the opportunities we have available before and after school. It is great to see the involvement from our students and staff to create enrichment opportunities which include: Lego Club, Chess Club, Student Council, Battle of the Books, Spanish Club, Destination Imagination, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Running Club, Ukulele Club, Healthy Schools Team, and Yearbook. There are so many options for students to get involved. A couple of fun celebrations, on Saturday our Destination Imagination team placed third in their competition and have qualified for the state competition, a few weeks ago our Lego Team competed and brought home a Core Values and Coding Award, and we also had several of our choir students invited to the Colorado Allstate Choir. Thank you to all those who make these opportunities possible!
This week we also held our regular school accountability meeting. Where I shared several academic celebrations, an overview of our 2024-25 budget and staffing plan, and an update on a few other things. Linked here are a few slide decks and resources for you from the meeting: Mid Year Academic Update, 2024-25 Budget, and Agenda/Minutes. Our next meeting will be May 15th, where we will review the results of our Family Feedback Survey and End of Year iReady Data.
As we head into the final weeks of the 3rd quarter, we have a ton planned. Next week, we have Avi, author of The True Confession of Charlotte Doyle, Crispin, Poppy, and many more books, visiting our 5th graders and an in school field trip for our Discovery classes. The week before spring break we have our STEM Fair, Book Fair, parent/teacher conferences, and silent auction.
Have a great weekend!
Chris Stairs
Principal
Pine Lane Elementary
Upcoming Dates at a Glance
- March 6th - Gerren / Littrell Botanical Gardens Presentation - Register by Feb. 23rd
- March 7th - 5th Grade Author Visit - Register by February 7th
- March 7th & 8th - Horne/Kawamura Author Visit & Botanical Gardens- Register by Feb. 23rd
- March 11th - 14th
- Spring Silent Auction
- Book Fair
- STEM Fair
- March 12th - Parent/Teacher Conferences: 4:30 - 8:00pm
- March 14th - Parent/Teacher Conferences: 4:30 - 8:00pm
- March 18th -22nd Spring Break
- March 29th - Chap Wish Week Kick Off
- March 29th - StuCO KNO for Wish Week 6pm - 8pm
DCSD Transportation
Bus Cancellations
Due to DCSD Driver Shortages here are the upcoming Bus Cancellations:
- February 26th - March 1st: Bus 143, 151 & 186
- March 4th - 8th: Bus 145 & 183
- March 11th - 15th: Bus 146
- March 25th - 29th: Bus 141
- April 1st - 5th: Bus 142
- April 8th - April 12: Bus 143, 151 & 186
- April 15th - 19th: Bus 145 & 183
- April 22nd - 26th: Bus 146
- April 29th - May 3rd: Bus 141
SMART Tag - Parent App Changing
This a reminder that DCSD is launching the SMART Tag Parent App for iOS and Android devices on March 18th, which will replace the legacy web-based SMART Tag Parent Portal.
The SMART Tag Parent App has all of the information and features found on the Parent Portal, as well as a few new ones such as push notifications when Mariah scans on/off their bus, customizable time frames for SMART Alerts, and more.
- Important dates:
- March 17th -- last day to access the exisiting SMART Tag Parent Portal
- March 18th -- SMART Tag Parent App launch date. Connect student accounts beginning this date
Thank you. Please contact us using our Let''''s Talk feedback tool with any questions.
DCSD Transportation
Field Trips
Every class over the next 4 months will be participating in some type of Field Trip. This could be off campus or presentations that come to Pine Lane. Here is a list by date of our upcoming trips:
At a Glance:
- March 6th - Gerren / Littrell Botanical Gardens Presentation - Register by Feb. 23rd
- March 7th & 8th - Horne/Kawamura Author Visit & Botanical Gardens- Register by Feb. 23rd
- April 11th - 2nd Grade History Colorado Center - Register by March 28th
- April 29th - 4th Grade History Colorado Center - Register by April 15th
- April 30th - Kindergarten Denver Zoo - Register by April 14th
- May 3rd - 3rd Grade Denver Zoo - Register by April 19th
- May 13th-1st Grade Swallow Hill Music presentation @PLE - Register by April 29th
Click on the link below for specific information about our Field Trip Procedures and registration links for all upcoming Field Trips.
Volunteers needed for the STEM Fair
We need parent volunteers for the STEM fair to help evaluate the projects!
- Friday March 8, 2024
- 12 noon - 3:30 pm to help us evaluate the projects.
Book Fair - March 11th - 15th
Shop our Book Fair in our South Campus Library
Our Book Fair is in the South Campus Library
- Monday 11th: 8am-4:30pm
- Tuesday 12th: 9am-6:30pm
- Wednesday 13th: 9am-4:30pm
- Thursday 14th: 9am-6:30pm
- Friday15th: 8am-12pm
Additional Information
Our book fairs help us fund our Libraries. Our last fair netted $2,500! Thank you for supporting our Libraries!
- PLE Book Fair Page
- Explore the Digital Flyer
Volunteers Needed March 11th -15th
If you have time, please think about helping out during our Book Fair!
PLE Book Fair Volunteer Sign UpOur Book Fair is Cashless!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday March 12th & Thursday March 14th
4:30pm - 8:00pm
Below you will find all the teachers conference links!
Please select the appropriate link for your student(s).
PLEA Updates (Pine Lane Educational Alliance)
Conference Meal Set Up and Clean Up - Help Needed
We are in need of individuals that are able to assist us with setting up the staff lounges for conference meals. Please use the sign up below if you are able to help!
Dates:
- Tuesday March 12th
- Thursday March 14th
Times Requested:
- Set Up: 3:30pm - 4:00pm
- Clean Up: 7:15pm - 7:30pm
YEARBOOK ORDERS - ORDER YOURS BY APRIL 1ST
StuCO - Wish Week
Chaparral Wish Week is March 29th - April 5th
Chaparral Wish Week is and exciting event for the CHAP Feeder Area, as we unite to raise funds for Wish Week. One of our most popular events is our Kids Night Out that StuCO sponsors. All proceeds that are made for this event are used for Wish Week. Last Year PLE raised $8,700 for the Make a Wish Foundation.
We will have more details of this week's events as they are unveiled to us from Chap. In the meantime make sure you to sign up for Kids Night Out - Under the Sea below!
Friday: March 29th
6:00pm – 8:00pm
South Campus
Leave the parents at home and join us for a night of food and fun!
REGISTRATION:
- PLE Students in Kinde – 6th Grade only
- All registration and payments are to be completed online.
- REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON Monday March 25th, or when we reach our maximum registration of 200 participants
COSTS:
- $20.00 per student
- $5.00 Dinner Option (pizza and drink) MUST BE PRE-ORDERED
- $1.00 Tickets
- These are used for students to purchase items in the store such as snacks, games, etc.
- There will also be fun themed items available for purchase.
- Tickets can be pre-purchased and can also be purchased the night of the event with cash.
5th Grade Request - Need by March 6th
5th Grade is asking families and the community to gift one or more Avi novels to our classes
The fifth graders at Pine Lane have an exciting opportunity to meet with the Newbery Medal award winning author, Avi. Not only will Avi be speaking with our students about what it is like to be an author, but also about a book they have all had a chance to read.
The students will also be able to have Avi autograph a book to keep. To ensure this is a memorable experience for all students, we would like to provide each fifth grader with a new Avi book.
We are asking families and the community to gift one or more Avi novels to our classes. If you and your family are able to contribute please purchase from our Amazon wishlist and the books will be delivered to the Pine Lane fifth grade team. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sahvanna Hughes
Jennifer Taft
Ellis Wood
Stephanie Kromberg
6th Grade Families
ATTENTION: 6th grade parents - It’s your Yearbook Crew! We Need Baby Pictures
Deadline to Submit Pictures is March 1st, 2024
Last year, we put a 2-page spread with baby pictures of our 6th graders + it was such a hit that our Yearbook Crew want to make it a tradition! ????
So we need a little help from you!
- Take a moment to walk down memory lane + find your favorite picture of your 6th grader as a baby that you want to include in the yearbook this year.
- Then, scan the QR code above to upload your picture to our YB Community Uploads page
- (you will have to either create an account or log in with your Shutterfly/Lifetouch info).
- Please be sure to include your child’s name in the file title, as well as add the tag “6th grade babies” to help us keep track of everything.
Email pinelaneyearbookcrew@gmail.com with any questions!
Community/DCSD Updates
SMS is Hosting the College Funding Coach
Dear Sierra Middle School Feeder Area Parents and Guardians,
We have been working hard to provide college resources for your family. It is never too early to begin planning for your student's future education. I am excited to announce that Sierra Middle School is hosting the College Funding Coach on Tuesday, April 16th from 6:00-7:30pm for a web workshop. This event is for any family wanting to learn how to pay for college (Preschool - High School).
The College Funding Coach was founded in 2002 to help families better understand the complex strategies for paying for college and making higher education more affordable. Mark DeBord, from The College Funding Coach, is on a mission to help Colorado families pay for their children’s education. This interactive workshop, Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College, teaches parents the rules of the game when it comes to paying for your child’s education.
This is a free educational web event. Please register by clicking HERE or on the flyer attached to this email.
Peachjar Online Flyers
Douglas County School District partners with Peachjar – an electronic flyer distribution system that streamlines school-to-home information. By using Peachjar, our schools and community partners save paper, reduce costs and save time. Flyers distributed through Peachjar include approved flyers from schools, parent groups, community organizations and district departments.
- All flyers undergo an approval process and remain on our Peachjar webpage for 30 days after distribution.
- Families may unsubscribe from Peachjar at any time. (Note: you may miss out on important information about school events and opportunities for your child.)
FOUNDATION COMMUNITY EVENTS 2023
Our Community Nights with the Nuggets are:
Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 pm vs. Sacramento
Monday, March 11 at 7 pm vs. Toronto
Tickets for these games start at just $29!
Direct ticket link: https://nuggets.spinzo.com/?group=the-foundation-for-douglas-county-schools-65gg
Our final Community Night with the Avalanche is:
Tuesday, March 26 at 7 pm vs. Montreal
Tickets start at $49!
Direct ticket link: https://avalanche.spinzo.com/?group=school-fundraisers-59tn&affiliate=douglas-county-school-district-foundation-76jf
FROZEN at Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Buell Theatre
Saturday, June 22 at 2 pm
Friday, June 28 at 7:30 pm
Tickets start at only $71!
Direct ticket link: https://www.foundationdcs.org/store/disneys-frozen-dcpa-buell-theatre
Information and ticket link for all Foundation Community Events is: https://www.foundationdcs.org/community-events
Summer Camps
Hosted at PLE
Camp Invention is a summer camp that is held at Pine Lane Elementary. This year Sahvanna LLewellyn one of our 3rd grade teachers is hosting this event.
DCSD - Stone Canyon Edventures
Register your student for a summer to remember today! Energetic and attentive staff, a wide variety of activities, and the potential for lifelong friendships await you when you arrive at our beautiful 99-acre location in the Rampart Range.
We offer week-long Overnight Camps for 9-15-year-old campers and 3-day Day Camps for 6-9-year-old campers.
More information can be found at www.StoneCanyonEdge.org/summercamp