Cougar Community Connection
A Newsletter From Your Principal, Shannon McPherson
A Letter From Shannon 8/26/2022
It's been another great week here at Cougar Run. Our CRUNFamily has been busy this week getting our kids' beginning of the year diagnostic assessments started. Our literacy assessments are mostly complete and we will be knocking out the math diagnostic next week. We use this data to help us get to know where are students currently are when it comes to reading and math domains. This helps us make instructional decisions for each of our kids ensuring we are meeting them where they are in order to grow them forward. This data will be shared with you at conferences and teachers will be able to share insights as well as answer questions you might have about your child's data. We believe in a body of evidence of data that showcases academic growth and progress, but our iReady data is a great place to start.
#CRUNFamily
PTA Updates
It's time for the Cougar Run Read-a-thon!
Read-a-thon promises to be a fun, exciting journey that starts Friday September 2, 2022. We will get your children excited about reading.
We know you have limited time but want the best education for your child. That’s why we hope everyone will activate their reader's account as soon as possible. This is where you can record and view your reader's progress.
We encourage you to activate your reader’s account today by clicking on https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/xIRrxF/1 and following the simple instructions.
Check out the registration video HERE.
Thanks so much,
Cougar Run PTASpotlight On~ Our New Music Teacher
Parent/Teacher Conference Sign Up September 14th and 22nd
Parent-teacher conferences are an opportunity to celebrate our kids and establish strong partnerships to support their academic and social/emotional growth. Please sign up with your child's teacher for a conference to review the progress that your child is making at school. Fall conferences are scheduled September 14th and 22nd. Please use this LINK to sign up!
Homework Club
Counselor's Corner
Dogs Walking On Campus
CRUN App Disabled
Kindies Starting "Kiss and Go" on Tuesday, August 30th
Updates From Green Team
Attention all 4th, 5th & 6th grade students! Would you like the opportunity help raise environmental awareness and make a difference at our school? If so, become a member of the Cougar Run Green Team! Together, we’ll engage the CRUN community, teach everyone about what it means to reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink our effects on the world around us. Click on the link , answer a few simple questions, and apply to become a Green Team member by Monday, August 29th!
We’ll meet after school from 3:30 to 4:30 on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Our first meeting will be on Sept. 13th.
Next Thursday, September 1st is the beginning of the Back-to-School Challenge with USAgain green recycling bins that are located in our parking lot by the mobiles. Bag up those gently used clothes and shoes as well as household textiles (towels, blankets, sheets etc.) where we will not only help our planet but also people in need. Not to mention giving Cougar Run a chance to win the challenge! You have the whole month of September to drop off your items for this challenge. Thanks for your support!
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Tomlin at whitney.tomlin@dcsdk12.org
Clothing Choices for Students
*Bellies and bottoms need to be fully covered.
*Any messages on clothing should be positive.
*Alcohol, nicotine or drug references (even if innuendo) on apparel should be saved for home.
Thank you so much for your help with ensuring that our kids are dressed and ready for success at school each and every day.
A few reminders about drop-off and pick-up safety:
As a pedestrian, PLEASE be sure to wait for the crossing guard when you are crossing Venneford Ranch Rd (in any direction). They are here to help everyone get to and from school safely, so please follow their directions and wait for them to safely cross.
Only cross through the parking lot at the designated crossing areas. There is a lot of traffic during drop-off and pick-up, so PLEASE do not cut through where cars are not expecting you!
Volunteers Needed in Art Class
We need your helping hands in Art Class! Mrs. Barlow is asking for volunteers to help our younger grades complete a fun project in her class over the next few weeks. You are needed to help paint, spell and be creative!! For more information and to sign up, click HERE!
Elementary Band and Orchestra Program (EBOP)
Our Elementary Band and Orchestra Program for 5th and 6th grade students starts September 6. Band instrument instruction is available to students on flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and drums/percussion. Orchestra (String) instrument instruction is available to students on violin and cello. Students will receive instruction weekly throughout the school year on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:15-8am at HRHS. To enroll your student in EBOP, complete the registration form on the EBOP website (http://hrebop.blogspot.com/).
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 2-Read A Thon Kick Off-(More details to come.)
September 5-Labor Day Holiday- No School
September 7-9- 6th Graders At Outdoor Ed
September 9- 11:30 PTA Meeting (Virtual and In Person)
September 13-CRUN Restaurant Night
September 14-4:00-8:00 Parent/Teacher Conferences
September 22-4:00-8:00 Parent/Teacher Conferences
September 23--NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS District Professional Development Day
October 7-7:30-8:25 Donuts with Dads
October 17-21-Fall Break