September Family Newsletter
Go Lobos!
Message from the Principal
September 8th, 2022
Hello families!
We had so much celebrating the start of the school year with those of you who came to our Back to School Bash and Meet the Teacher Night last month! We hope the joy you felt was just a small taste of what is in store for the year ahead.
My name is Bridget Tiebout, and I am the Principal at Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest. We are thrilled to welcome you to our campus for the best year yet and know that this outcome is only possible by partnering together. One of the ways we plan to ensure we can have a smooth start is through open communication with you. Each month you can expect to receive this newsletter from us that will include exciting events, partnership opportunities, and important actions you can take to be on track each month.
As excited as we are to welcome you all through our doors, we also know that this new transition may bring a mix of emotions for our scholars and families. For many scholars, this may be their first experience in school, with new routines, new faces, and new expectations. For other scholars, this may be their last year at Rocky Mountain Prep, and their final step in their elementary journey. From our youngest ECE scholars to our middle-school-bound fifth-graders, and every scholar in-between, we are here for you, we see you, and we love you deeply! We promise to make this year one infused with joy, adventure, and growth! Families, we are committed to ensuring your scholar is safe, happy, and learning each and every day. We are in this together and look forward to what is to come!
Eagerly,
Bridget Tiebout
Website: rockymountainprep.org
Location: Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest Elementary Charter School, South Hazel Court, Denver, CO, USA
Phone: 720-863-8920
Facebook: facebook.com/rockymtnprepsouthwest
Twitter: @rockymtnprep
Announcements
Find out what's happening at Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest! Read below for reminders, community events, and important dates for your family!
Attendance at RMP
For almost two years, we had to learn to adapt to a global pandemic and we were forced to teach and learn in different ways than what we were used to. Inevitably, we experienced a great learning loss, creating gaps in our children’s education that we are now trying to overcome to prepare them for their future. Our big goals for students this year are:
Kindergarten through second-grade students will grow, on average, 1.25 years in math and reading. Pre-K students will grow on average 1 year.
50% of 3rd to 5th-grade students will read a million words
Third-grade through fifth-grade students taking CMAS will score an average of 45% on track for the next grade level with 10% scoring exceeds expectations.
At least 90% of students who start at RMP, stay at RMP.
How can YOU collaborate with us to achieve those goals?
You can help our children achieve these goals by making sure they are present at school every day! Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day, is important. Eventually, good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college.
Other ways you can help out:
Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Keep your scholar healthy and make sure your scholar has the required shots.
Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
Try to schedule medical appointments and extended trips during school breaks.
If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers and school counselors!
If your child must stay home due to illness, ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home.
We look forward to working alongside you this school year, thank you in advance for your partnership!
Action Items for Families
Submit your Free and Reduced Lunch Application by September 20: If you haven’t already done so, please make sure you submit the Free and Reduced Lunch by visiting https://charterchoice.strataapps.com/.
Uniforms at RMP
- WHEN: Beginning September 26, all scholars must wear their uniforms. We understand there has been a shortage in uniforms and appreciate your flexibility as this issue is being resolved. In the interim, we ask that you continue to dress your scholars in clothes that stay as close as possible to our uniform colors.
- HOW: To purchase uniforms you may visit www.rmpuniforms.com. You may also purchase the light blue polos from Walmart and/or Target, the RMP logo is not required.
- WHY: At RMP, we wear uniforms for several important reasons. We believe that our students should focus on their education and not their clothes. We also believe that uniforms reduce peer pressure/bullying, enhance school pride, promote unity/community spirit, and most of all, it keep our students safe by making them easily identifiable in a shared campus environment.
Families as Partners
Family Engagement at Southwest
This year, we are excited to be able to open our doors to our amazing families again! Please know that families are now welcome inside our school to observe classes and volunteer!
Here are just a few opportunities YOU can look forward to at Southwest this year:
Community Garden
RMP Family Focus groups and forums
Family Leadership Committee
School Accountability Committee
CEO Advisory Council
Coffee Hours
Field Trips
Family Surveys
Possip
Apply to the Family Leadership and Training Institute by September 20
Calling all family leaders! If you are interested in developing your leadership, enacting change at the local level, and creating more equitable policies, apply to Lifespan Local's Family Leadership and Institute Training. This 20-session program is FREE and meets once a week with dinner, childcare, and translation provided. Apply by September 20 at www.lifespanlocal.org/flti or contact 720-495-3214 for more information.
Resources
Review the resources below to learn more about before and after school programs for your family:
SMART KIDS
Mornings (6:30am -8:25am , cost $12 or $17 for drop in)
Afternoon (3:00pm-6:00pm, cost $20 or $25 for drop in)
Activities (support with homework, outside activities, craft and games)
Contact: Josh Mancini, 720-550-6728 or jmancini@kids-smart.com
Coming soon, we will partner with the organizations such as
Colorado I Have A Dream (CIHAD)
Boys and Girls Club
Girls Inc
Skyhawks Sports Academy Presents Denver Day of Play for FREE
Saturday, September 24th at 9am-2pm
Soccer, volleyball, tennis, baseball, flag football, golf
Lunch will be provided
Ages 6-12
Upcoming Events
September 15: First day of Hispanic Heritage Month
October 13: Fall Family Conferences begin
October 14: No School for fall Family Conferences
October 17: No School for Staff Professional Development Day
October 29th: Fall Festival