While state testing provides valuable information about your student’s academic achievement and growth, Colorado statute does allow parents to exempt their students from testing without consequences to the student, school, or district. If you plan to exempt your student from state testing, please use the following link https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Page/14853 for Exemption Directions.

Students who are exempted from CMAS AND stay home on their designated testing days will need a parent to call the attendance line at 720.886.7717 to excuse their student from school. Exempted students who come to school will be in an academic setting during the day and expected to read or complete school work. Students will not have access to any technology while at school during the CMAS testing period. All computers and computer chargers will be collected, regardless of exempt status, on April 5th. If you have any questions about how to exempt your student from CMAS testing, please contact Kellie Lutzka-Boivin at 720.886.7745.

https://sites.google.com/cherrycreekschools.org/fcmsliterarymagazine/submissions

After School Clubs

Monday

Math League

Arab Girls Leadership

Tuesday

Robotics Club

Creative Writing Club

Girls Who Code

Wednesday

Yearbook Club

Book Club

Steel City Coders

Latina Girls Leadership

Thursday

Arab Boys Club

Black Girls Leadership

Open Gym is back this school year and is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 8:40 a.m.

Extended Learning is offered Monday thru Thursday from 3:45 - 4:45 in the Innovation Center. All students are welcome!

Please visit the calendar on our school website for more details.

https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Page/98#calendar51/20220914/month

https://my.hazel.co/patient/signup

April 6 - Indigenous Parent Action Committee Meeting

April 10 - Board of Education Meeting

April 13 - Parents' Council

April 13 - Special Education Advisory Committee

We have passed spring break, so we know that warmer weather and summer are fast approaching! Today we will review some warm weather safety tips.

1. Sun and heat exposure – When any of us are spending time outside, especially in the spring and summer, it is essential to use sunscreen. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US, and our risk can be avoided by taking some basic steps. If we are spending time outside, it is important to wear sunscreen, even if it is cloudy out. If you or your kids are outside for an extended period of time, follow the manufacturer’s advice and reapply the sunscreen as needed (usually every 2 hours). It is also important to know that sunscreen does expire – so check the dates on your sunscreen at the beginning of the season. Most only last for 2-3 years. It is important to try and avoid sunburns, as that means we damaged the top layer of our skin and increase the risk for skin cancer down the road. We can also protect ourselves by wearing hats, sunglasses, wearing long sleeves and taking breaks in shady areas or taking breaks inside.
2. It is also important to avoid becoming dehydrated during the hot summer days. Stay well-hydrated during the hot weather and make sure your kids are drinking plenty of water throughout the day, especially when they are more active.
3. Water Safety – When spending time at the pool or around other bodies of water, be aware if there is a lifeguard on duty or not. Keep an eye on your kids. Drownings can happen very quickly. If you are at a lake or at the beach, always keep an eye on your kids. There can be tricky currents and riptides that can pull people under unexpectedly, or drag them out too far from the shore.
4. Concussion awareness – Our kids are often more active during the summer, which can lead to an increase in possible concussions. Make sure your kids are wearing a helmet when they are riding their bikes, scooters, skateboards and roller skates. Falls will happen, but helmets can help protect their skulls and their brains. If they are playing sports, they should follow any recommended safety guidelines. Know the signs and symptoms of concussions.
5. Concussion Definition (from the CDC): A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.

6. Symptoms kids may complain of:

• Headache or pressure in the head

• Nausea or vomiting

• Balance problems or dizziness

• Double or blurry vision

• Being bothered by light or noise

• Feeling sluggish or groggy

• Having trouble concentrating or any memory problems

• Just “not feeling right”

• Signs that others may notice:

• They can’t remember events before or after the injury

• They appear dazed or stunned

• They forget instructions or seem confused

• Appear unusually clumsy

• Slow to answer questions

• Have any change in mood, behavior or personality

• More concerning signs and symptoms (have them evaluated ASAP)

• Drowsiness or inability to wake up

• Headache that gets worse or won’t go away

• Slurred speech, weakness or numbness

• Repeated vomiting or nausea

• Increase confusion or agitation or seizures

• Passing out or being knocked out – even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously

• One pupil larger than the other

• If there are concerns, remove your child from any sports or activities until they can be evaluated by their doctor.

• Things to remember:

• Most concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness.

• Even minor injuries can result in a concussion. It all depends on what happened to the brain and the chemical reaction that occurs after the injury.

• Kids recover from most concussions in 1-3 weeks.

• Treatment is generally resting as needed (often they need a lot more sleep than usual), taking breaks when symptoms occur or when they worsen, and avoiding another injury during the recover time. Their doctor may recommend further restrictions as well.

• If students receive a secondary injury when they are still recovering from an initial head injury, that can prolong their recovery and occasionally cause more long-term complications.

• Finally, if your child has been diagnosed with a concussion, be sure and notify your school nurse. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, they may need some accommodations at school during their recovery. This could include:

• postponing tests and quizzes until their concentration and memory issues resolve

• Decreasing their workload or giving extra time while they are recovering

• Excusing missing assignments during their recovery

• Allowing them to rest and take breaks as needed

• Sitting out of PE and school sports.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!

Glenda Kauffman, MSN, RN, NCSN - Falcon Creek School Nurse

(720) 886-7767 mailto:gkauffman2@cherrycreekschools.org