Raptor News
Learning to RISE...the Stuart way!
Message from Principal Velez
I wanted to take a minute to remind our community that school is NOT shutting down. We are not going anywhere. We are simply moving to REMOTE ONLY. This means that your Raptors will continue to learn from the same teachers, at the same time, in the exact same manner they have been learning so far. This time, however, they will do so virtually.
I understand that these news might have been upsetting for many of you. It was upsetting for many of us as well. I can promise you we did our best to stay open for as long as we could. Unfortunately, while the rate of transmission at our school was low to non-existent, the world around us continued to suffer from this pandemic. It became more and more challenging to stay open. The restrictions due to COVID infections meant that students and teachers had to stay at home for up to 14 days; making it impossible for us to stay open from a logistical standpoint. We kept on fighting and continued to provide high quality instruction for our Raptors until the very last minute.
We are committed to providing a high level of new learning for our Raptors. We planned for a possible closure from day one. We knew this could happen so we created an instructional model that would allow us to transition seamlessly between in-person and remote. We are confident that, while it will not be the same, our Raptors will continue to learn. We are eager and ready to see our Raptors again in person starting January 12th. For now, we will do our best to keep them engaged and learning every day.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we transition to remote only learning. I want to stress the importance of communicating to your Raptors that school is still here. Their teachers, their peers, school as we know it is still happening. We are moving to remote only temporarily until we are told it is safe to come back. Remind your Raptor that nothing changes on their end. Same teachers, same classes, same time, same classmates...but now we are doing it remotely.
I am thankful for you and the opportunity we had to have our Raptors in-person for as long as we did. They are our inspiration and our reason for being. I am proud of their resilience and strength. They are amazing children who are fighting to learn and stay connected. Thank you for allowing us to support them.
Stay strong Stuart. Together, we will continue to RISE.
Principal Velez
Important To-Know and To-Do Information
To Know:
- Stuart is organizing The Giving Tree again. We are looking for families to contribute.
- Last opportunity to change learning format starting January. Deadline is December 1st.
- District IT Department will be providing IT support at Stuart on Wednesdays from 12pm-5pm.
- Free grab n' go meals are available for any student enrolled in 27J schools.
To Do:
- Email Ms. Mink at mmink@sd27j.net if you 'd like to "adopt" a family for the holidays.
- Fill out THIS form to receive free meals.
- Fill out THIS if you are planning on having your child change learning format.*
- Fill out THIS if you'd like to have your Raptor COVID tested at no cost.*
*Additional information below.
The Giving Tree
Mrs. Mink, our Choir Teacher, is running our Stuart Holiday Giving Tree again this year. Teachers and staff identify families who might need additional support during the holidays with presents. Our community then "adopts" these students and buy them gits for the holidays. The need this year is greater than ever due to COVID. If you are interested in purchasing gifts for a Stuart family in need, there are still many "virtual" tags left on our Giving Tree. Please email Mrs. Mink at mmink@sd27j.net if you can help out with the Giving Tree this year. Thank you!!!
RISE up!
Technology Support
Wednesday 12pm-5pm
Reunion, Second Creek, Stuart, Turnberry
Stuart Middle School
15955 E 101st Way, Commerce City
FREE Grab N' Go Meals Available
The USDA has extended several waivers through as late as June 30th 2021. The waivers allow school nutrition programs to serve free meals to all students the entire SY 20-21. This unprecedented move will help ensure-- no matter what the situation-- children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting Sept. 1st, all reimbursable meals are free of charge for students.
Click on link below to access form:
Last Chance to Change Learning Format
As you know, the 27J Schools Return to School Plan released in July included a provision for families to switch learning environments for the second semester. Second Semester in 27J begins January 5, 2021. DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 1ST.
If you'd like your Raptor to switch at 2nd semester from in-person to remote or from remote to in-person, please fill out THIS form no later than December 1st. We ask that your child remains in the same format until the end of the year as we are not able to accommodate changes mid-way.
At Stuart, your child will remain in their current learning environment unless you contact us to change. If you do plan to change, we need to know by December 1st so that we can make the appropriate scheduling adjustments. Please fill out THIS form ONLY if you are requesting a change. If your child is staying in the same format, there is no need to fill out THIS form.
Form: https://forms.gle/TXHGZA1va3mFjWgU9
Como ya saben, el Plan de Regreso a la Escuela de las Escuelas 27J entregado en julio incluía una provisión para que las familias puedan cambiarse de formato de aprendizaje en el segundo semestre. El segundo semestre comenzará el 5 de enero del 2021.
Si a usted le gustaría que su estudiante se cambie el segundo semestre de en-persona a remoto o de remoto a en-persona, por favor llene ESTA forma para el 1ro de diciembre. Le pedimos que su estudiante se quede en el mismo formato hasta finales de año ya que no podemos acomodar cambios una vez que empiece el segundo semestre.
En la escuela Stuart, su estudiante permanecerá en el mismo formato de aprendizaje a menos que usted nos contacte para hacer el cambio. Si usted planea hacer un cambio, necesita dejarnos saber para el 1ro de diciembre para que podamos hacer los cambios necesarios. Por favor llene ESTA forma SOLAMENTE si usted desea que se haga un cambio. Si su estudiante va a permanecer en el mismo formato, usted no necesita llenar ESTA forma.
New COVID Testing Option for 27J Students!
If you’d like to get your 27J student tested you can use COVID Check Colorado. You must register and make an appointment, no walk ups available. A parent or guardian must accompany 27J students.
Registration link for pediatric testing for 27J:
https://www.primarybio.com/r/brighton?registration_type=student
And the registration code:
MRK9BTML
Mountain Range HS
Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
North High School
Monday - Wednesday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Thursday - Friday 11:30 am - 5:00 pm
Raptor News - Journalism Club
What Are You Thankful For? by Kamber Seymour - 6th Grade
Local Veterans by Arielle Freeman - 8th Grade
Veterans day is on the 11th of November. For Veterans Day, I have done interviews with a teacher in our own school, and a parent whose kids go to our school to get their opinion on how it feels to be a Veteran. Before I show you my interviews, here is a brief history of Veterans Day. Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day'' on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1954 it became known as “Veterans Day.” Veterans Day often gets confused with Memorial Day (Honoring those who died fighting for our country.) Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, living or dead. It gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime because they deserve some credit as well.
Now here’s my interview with Mr. Miller, the downstairs 7th-grade social studies teacher.
Question: What made you want to join the military?
Response: Serve my country. Help me pay for college.
Question: How long were you in the military?
Response: 10 years
Question: What was your military rank/position?
Response: E-6 TSgt/Technical Sergeant
Question: Did you ever regret joining the military? If you answered yes, what at that moment made you regret it.
Response: No I do not. There were times that were difficult and uncomfortable, but being in the military helped me be the man I am today.
Question: How did you feel about being in the military?
Response: I felt privileged to have served with some amazing Men and Women. The one thing I miss is the close-knit bond you have in a deployed environment.
Question: What are some words of advice you would give to people wanting to serve our country?
Response: Visit and talk with every branch. Every branch has a specialty and will fit different people's personalities differently so make sure the branch is a good fit for you! If you ever want to talk about what life was like in the military, my door is always open!
Good advice! Now here is my second interview with Jeremiah Seymour. He is a parent to Kailey and Kamber Seymour, two 6th grade students here at Stuart!
Question: What made you want to join the military?
Response: When I first joined the military I joined to be a pilot, and to serve our country.
Question: How long were you in the military?
Response: I have been in the military for 22 years so far and still going.
Question: What was your military rank/position?
Response: I am a Sergeant First Class.
Question: Did you ever regret joining the military? If you answered yes, what at that moment made you regret it.
Response: I have never regretted joining the military.
Question: How did you feel about being in the military?
Response: I have felt blessed being in the military because I have met some of the best people, and have accumulated stories that I will tell my kids and grandkids one day.
Question: What are some words of advice you would give to people wanting to serve our country?
Response: Know what you want going in and don't let anyone tell you that it isn't possible, everything is possible with hard work and determination.
Well said guys! Happy Veterans day!
Grateful Poem by Dylan O'Connor - 7th Grade
Grateful
Invite
Visit
Enjoy
Together
Helpful
America
Nice
Kind
SmileOtho E. Stuart Middle School
Website: https://www.sd27j.org/stuart
Location: 15955 East 101st Way, Commerce City, CO, USA
Phone: (720) 685-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stuartmiddleschool