Cougar Community Connection
A Newsletter From Your Principal, Shannon McPherson
A Letter From Shannon 9/16/2022
What a fantastic week we had together at Cougar Run this week. We kicked the week off celebrating THE Highlands Ranch High School's homecoming week, having them join us for a pep rally. Our kids enjoyed seeing Cougar Run alumni students who are a part of the band, cheer team, volleyball team, football team or student senate. The high school kids led our students in songs and cheers getting the kids excited about the homecoming game tonight against Roosevelt High School at 7pm at Halftime Help Stadium, formerly known as Shea Stadium. It was also week one of parent/ teacher conferences. Thank you to those of you who were a part of round one the past Wednesday night. The weather didn't exactly cooperate for the "Cougar Run Conferences Cafe" for dinner, but we made it work inside in the Learning Commons and still were able to provide dinner from Jimmy Johns. We look forward to seeing the rest of you Thursday, September 22nd from 4-8:00. PTA is providing pizza for sale by the slice during conferences for our "Cougar Run Conferences Cafe" that night as well. We ended the week with a super fun field day put on by Mrs. Hinkle, our new PE teacher. The kids were engaged in fun games and activities all in the name of movement and team building. Our kids worked together, supported each other and had loads of fun. Thank you to all of the volunteers that made this year's field day a GREAT success.
#CRUNFamily
PTA Updates
Today is the last day for logging reading minutes in our FIRST MAJOR FUNDRAISER of three! We are still $3000 away from our goal of $13,000. We are raising funds to cover the cost of iReady. The state covers the diagnostic portion of the program, but all of the practice sessions are extra. This program is used at all grade levels, and does an amazing job at tracking progress. Please help!
READ-A-THON Dates:
- Friday, September 16: Last Day to Log Reading Sessions --> REGISTER and LOG READING
- Monday, September 19: Class WINNER for most minutes read will get a certificate for an extra recess and an additional prize.
- Sunday, September 25: LAST DAY TO REDEEM $$$ AT THE PRIZE STORE & DONATE! If your student doesn't care about the prizes, then consider asking your teacher if they would like items for their prize box in class. DONATE!
- Monday, September 26: Class WINNER for most donations will get an extra recess and a prize for the whole class!
- Early to Mid-October: PRIZES will be delivered to students.
Friday DJ is BACK! Would your student like to choose the song for the Friday dance party in the morning announcements? All Fridays for the school year are ready to be claimed. Friday DJ Link
- Early to Mid-October: PRIZES will be delivered to students.
There are still a few spots left for our Parent-Teacher Conference POTLUCK!
Let's provide a yummy taco bar for our hard-working teachers! Sign-Up HEREHaving an after-school conference and getting dinner on the table can be hard. The PTA will be providing easy dinner options on the two conference nights with a cute, outdoor cafe.
JOIN US FOR THE PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE CAFE:
- September 22: Papa John's Night - Pizza by the slice ($2) - You can also order pizza at home. CRun promo code coming soon!
SAVE THE DATE November 5th!!! The Cougar Run Parent's Night Out & Auction is BACK and IN-PERSON!
If you have an item, service, or experience that you would like to donate towards the auction, then please email crunpta@gmail.com or call Megan at 303-519-6538. We are offering new advertising opportunities based on the value of the donation.
Spotlight On~ Mrs. Simmons: Administrator, PLS, GT
Green Team
There are two weeks left in our USAgain Battle of the Schools competition. Bring in any old towels, sheets, blankets or other textiles including shoes and purses to earn money for our school and plant trees. Last year Cougar Run helped plant 55 trees and clothe those in need.
DCSD Calendar Survey
DCSD Academic Calendar Feedback Survey: 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 School Years
Dear DCSD Families and Staff,
Thank you to our calendar committee, composed of DCSD parents, students, leaders, teachers, and classified staff members, who have been working since January 2022 to develop four possible academic calendar options for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. Now, we welcome feedback from our entire community (including parents, students, and staff members) on four calendar options for each of the above-mentioned school years. Here’s how you can participate.
Take a few minutes to complete our Calendar Feedback Survey (English and Spanish) (Mandarin Survey, Russian Survey) You will be ranking the options for 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years separately.
The feedback collected from the survey will be used to help the Calendar Committee select the calendar that will be presented to the DCSD Board of Education for approval and adoption.
Please complete the survey by Monday, September 19 at 11:59 p.m.
Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Douglas County School District
Cougar Run Choir is Back!!!!
Art Contest Opportunity
Does your kiddo like to draw in their free time at home? Does your kiddo have a piece of artwork that you think is amazing? The CASB (Colorado Association of School Boards) is hosting their annual student art contest and exhibit. All submissions are due by Friday, October 14th. Please contact Lindsay Barlow (lbarlow@dcsdk12.org) if your kiddo is interested in participating and would like more information.
Parent/Teacher Conference Sign Up/ Cougar Run Cafe Night
Cougar Run Cafe-
During Parent/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, September 14th and Thursday, September 22, we are excited to offer our "Cougar Run Cafe" night where families can join each other out front of the school where we are creating a "cafe atmosphere" for our families. A boxed dinner for purchase (8.00) will be available from Jimmy Johns on September 14th. There will be a sandwich, chips, pickle and a cookie in a boxed dinner allowing families to come to conferences and not have to cook dinner afterward!! They are also serving pizza by the slice on Thursday, September 22.Thank you PTA for making this possible for our families.
November 8th Bond/MLO
As you may know, the Douglas County School District is considering an initiative to help address funding challenges in our school district. Additional funding would be critical for us here at Cougar Run. Our staff is amazing and absolutely dedicated to our students and they deserve pay that is more competitive with other school districts - this will help us retain the amazing teachers and support staff that work with your kids every day. Additional funding would also enable our school to continue to make necessary upgrades and repairs to provide your student with a comfortable and safe learning environment.
Please watch this video and share it on your own social media page(s) so others can understand how schools such as ours are funded. Talking to our taxpayers in Douglas County will take all of us working together!Upcoming Important Dates
September 22-4:00-8:00 Parent/Teacher Conferences
September 23--NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS District Professional Development Day
September 28- Watch Dog Dads Safety Night (Time to be Determined Soon)
October 7-7:30-8:25 Donuts with Dads
October 17-21-Fall Break
October 28-Halloween Parties/ Outdoor Costume Parade
October 31-NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS-District PD Day
November 5-Parents Night Out and CRUN Auction
November 8-CRUN Restaurant Night
November 14- CRUN Book Fair
November 21-25-Thanksgiving Break