One of the important things we know about learning is that students need to feel they belong in the school and in the classroom. One of our goals this year has been to work on student belonging. Our district middle schools participated in learning about an approach to building a healthy school culture called Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) last year. This year, GRA will be participating in this learning and process k-12. Here is a summary of CKH: "The primary focus of Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) is to develop healthy relationships between members of the school community. CKH is a framework that helps good teachers become better by equipping them with tools with which they can build meaningful relationships with their students, provide a safe environment in which students want to learn, and develop a dialogue for team-building. Teachers utilizing the CKH process are dedicated to building classrooms where trust, respect, and caring relationships flourish" (Selma Elementary School).

I do want to acknowledge our staff who has worked hard over the past years to form strong relationships with their students. Capturing Kids Hearts isn't being used to fix something that's broken. This will improve upon what we already do and give us tools we are all using to support students well-being. As students move through the grades they will become familiar with CKH approaches and help to reduce anxiety about school. We are learning lots!

This month our theme is Teamwork:We are Better Together.

Below are some more resources. There is a newsletter for this month's theme. There is also some more information about Capturing Kids Heart. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Steve States, Principal

steve.states@d51schools.org

970-254-6393

• November is National Native American Heritage Month
• 4th: Go the Distance for Children Walk N' Roll at Las Colonias, 11:00 AM
• 5th: Grand River team competes in the Lego League Challenge at Fruita Monument High School.
• 8th: School Advisory Council (SAC) 4 pm- 5 pm. In order to accommodate all families who cannot attend in person, the meeting will be virtual and can be accessed using this link.
• 10th: Parent-Teacher Conferences.
• 13th: World Kindness Day. In addition to teamwork, we will also have places where students can make kind affirmations to one another. Affirmations are part of CKH.
• 20th-25th: Thanksgiving Break.
• 28th: NWEA Testing Window Opens.
• 28th: Eighth grade Options Fair, R5 in the Harry Butler Board Room.

Children's hospital helps many children in Colorado, including those in Mesa County. Residents who need to travel to Children's Hospital often experience a financial hardship as a result. We have partnered with Children's Hospital to raise funds to help with transportation costs for families in Mesa County. Funds raised will be earmarked by Children's Hospital for that purpose. In order to raise funds we will be hosting the "Go the Distance for Kids Walk N' Roll 5K" event. It will be November 4th starting at 11:00 am at Las Colonias. You can support us in two ways: come out and walk with us or walk your 5K at another time, and donate. We appreciate your support.

Las Colonias Park

• It is important that we have up to date phone numbers, emails, and address for your family. We will need these If your child is ill, there is an emergency, or a staff member needs to reach you. Messages also go out via text message or email so making sure your information is current will help you stay current with school.
• Have your child check lost and found if you are missing a mitten, coat, etc...
• Our office is open from 7:30 am- 4:00 pm. on school days
• Please make sure that you all absences are communicated to the attendance secretary, Jenn Lasha 970-254-6393 ext. 69142.
• Parents/Guardians, looking for a community resource or searching for help with transportation for your student? GRA has a parent liaison who is here to help. Call or email Monica Castaneda: 920-970-6393 ext 69204 or monica.castaneda@d51schools.org.

What is mindset? It is what we believe about our own abilities. If we have an open mindset, then we believe that we can accomplish our goals through effort and learning from mistakes. If we have a closed mindset, we believe that ability cannot change. People with a closed mindset believe you are born with talent and can't do anything to develop it. That your either smart or not smart. Talented or not talented.

What brain-science has shown is that we can get good at things we may not think we have a talent for or we don't think we're "smart" enough. If we have an open or growth mindset we believe that we can reach our goals and develop new talents if we work at it. The brain can change and adapt throughout our lifetimes. Dedication, hard work, and learning from mistakes is a formula for success.

Grand River Academy staff wants to encourage a growth mindset. We want our students to know that hard work matters. We encourage a growth mindset at school. We want our students to know hard work matters. We know you do too. So whenever you can reinforce a growth mindset at home.

We have received many donations to our school recently. One was in the amount of $4,500 from the Fruita Thrift Store for our Online Student Senate to answer the question "How do we increase engagement at an online school?"

Our Lego League received donations totalling $1,325. Below are the businesses supporting the team:

$500

Grand Valley Bank

$100

Quality Meat Company

WD Yards

Rising Faith Construction

Gallagher's Flooring

Cookey's Mechanical, INC.

Enstrom's

$50

Timberline Bank

Pablo's Pizza

American Eagle Coins

Parent donations and involvement in coaching the team has been invaluable. Thank you.

All of our donations will help kids explore meaningful learning and will contribute to our school's positive culture. Thank you donors!

https://goo.gl/maps/5Aoqz2boEyoHrxx98

https://goo.gl/maps/E59Q1wJbbdTumUkp7

Kids Aid is here to help with extra food over the weekends so our Grand Valley kids can be kids! We serve 70 sites from preschool through college and provide up to 2,000 food bags per week. We give bags to any child, no qualifications necessary. Be sure to ask your school site coordinator, administrator, or teacher to get you signed up! (All requests are anonymous.)

Food bags contain breakfast, lunch/dinner, and snack options to cover weekend meals for one child. We do our best to offer a variety of items based on availability and cost. Families with multiple children can request a bag for each child in the household. Starting in the fall of 2021, Kids Aid will partner with Food Bank of the Rockies to include kid friendly, easy to cook recipes to encourage creative and nutritious meal preparation with items included in our weekly food bags.

If you have any questions, please visit our website for more information: www.kidsaidcolorado.org

Call or email our office directly at:

admin@kidsaidcolorado.org

(970) 210-8754

Anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, your family, or your community. Adults can make reports on their own behalf or on behalf of their child and remain anonymous. Safe2Tell does not notify the reporting party of the outcome. All outcome information is confidential.

Email: gra@d51schools.org
Website: https://grandriver.d51schools.org

Location: East (blended) Campus: 600 North 14th Street, Grand Junction, CO, USA

West (100% online) Campus 2387 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, CO, USA

Phone: (970)254-6393