Audubon News
October 1, 2021
School Year Falling Into Place
Hello Audubon Families,
I hope this message finds you well and now that we are well into the school year things have settled in well for you and your children. Here at school we are starting to find our groove and get our schedules solid to support kids during the day. It was this time last year that we were first transitioning back to in-person learning while still balancing online learning and quarantines. Having been fully in-person has helped us launch the year in a much more successful way.
The month of October is full of events and some days that students don't have school. Make sure you read through the newsletter fully to make sure you have all the information you need as we continue through the school year.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out and we will do our best to answer them for you. You can always reach me at aaron.ford@d11.org or 719-328-2602.
Wishing you health and wellness,
Aaron Ford
Principal, Audubon Elementary
No School for Students
Friday, October 15th - Teacher Work Day
Monday, October 18th - School Data Collaboration Day
Thursday, October 28 - Conferences
Friday, October 29 - Conferences
Updated COVID Protocols (as of 10/1/2021)
The district continues to monitor the COVID-19 number in El Paso County and will inform families of any changes to protocols as they come.
As of October 1, 2021 the district has made the decision to continue to require masks for all students, staff and visitors until the end of the first semester (December 17) at which time they will again review where things are at.
Parent/Teacher/Guardian Conferences 2021
As of now we are planning to hold conferences in-person with a virtual option if you are not able to make it in. Should COVID protocols change and we have to move to a virtual setting we will let you know and make the necessary arrangements.
You can also navigate to the Audubon website at www.d11.org/audubon to sign-up.
Social Media Challenges in Schools
Audubon families - there is a message below from our district about ongoing issues with students that are impacting schools and students ability to learn. We have had minimal impacts at Audubon at this point of the year, but we do want to share with you the messaging that was sent to families a few weeks ago to make you aware of the "challenges" that students are being encouraged to participate in while at school. If you have any questions after reading the message below please do not hesitated to reach out.
We are aware of several unfortunate trends among youth appearing mostly on the social media app, TikTok. [Monthly] trends depict students all over the country participating in activities like theft, vandalism, assault of school staff members, and other inappropriate and often illegal behaviors.
Please know [these behaviors] may carry stiff consequences, up to and including criminal charges. You are encouraged to help us by having a conversation with your student about not only these challenges, but any social media challenges that may come up in the future. Anything that is harmful to our buildings and the people who enjoy them is unacceptable. We thank you for your help and partnership.
PTA/School Events in October
Chuck-E-Cheese Night - October 14
We are having our second ever Chuck-e-Cheese night on October 14 as kids head into a four day weekend. This is a fun time to come out, let the kids have some fun, and enjoy some time with fellow Audubon families. The great part of the evening is that Chuck-e-Cheese donates 20% of sales back to the school for the night.
Click here to see the informational flier for the Chuck-e-Cheese event.
Trunk or Treat - October 22
The Audubon PTA is hosting our first annual Trunk or Treat for the community on Friday, October 22nd. This will be a fun event for kids and families of all ages. It will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on that evening. There will be food trucks, Kona Ice, and many vehicles that families can visit for a safe "Trunk or Treating" experience. We hope to see you on the 22nd for this great event!
Book Fair - October 25-29
Monster Mash Dance/Costumes - October 27
To make the day complete, students and staff are welcome to dress up for the day in a fun outfit or costume. A few asks for the event is that students do not wear costume masks (we still will have to wear cloth masks), that students/staff do not have face paint, and that costumes that are school appropriate.
Boo at the Zoo
Spirit Gear - Apparel Drive
School Accountability Committee Meeting and Information
The October meeting will be focused on reviewing our beginning of the year academic data, how we are supporting students as we continue to navigate the pandemic, and how we plan to recognize and honor student during the 2021-2022 school year. We hope you can join us for this one hour meeting and share your thoughts and feedback on how the school year is going.
Click here for the WebEx link to join the meeting on October 21st at 4:00 p.m.
PTA Information
- Audubon Apparel Drive - October 1-14
- Trunk or Treat - October 22
- APEX Fun Run/Turkey Trot - November 18
We would love to have you join us and participate in what you can. If you would like to join the PTA you can do so by clicking the link below and submitting your PTA dues for the 21-22 year. Click here for the link.
There will be a full membership meeting on October 19th in the library with dinner and childcare available. Dinner starts at 5:30 and the meeting at 6:00. You can also join us live via WebEx for the meeting by clicking here.
Quarantines and Remote Learning
Quarantines
- If a student is quarantined due to COVID-19 they will be able to complete work daily via Schoology or Seesaw.
- Those students in quarantine will be able to meet with their teacher via live WebEx each day of their quarantine (teachers will share the time with families as it may be different for each teacher due to their daily schedule).
- If work is completed and turned in, the student will be counted as present for the school day in the attendance system.
Remote Learning
- Remote learning is if an entire class has to be quarantined due to COVID-19 or potentially for inclement weather situations.
- Teachers will have a daily schedule that students should follow from home that will include live sessions and off-line work time.
- This type of learning would be temporary.
Upcoming Dates and Events
October 2 - Community Clean-up Day
October 14 - Chuckie Cheese Night
October 15 - Teacher Work Day; No Students
October 18 - Data Collaboration Day; No Students
October 19 - PTA Meeting @ 5:30
October 21 - SAC Meeting @ 4:00
October 22 - Trunk or Treat @ 4:00
October 25 - Book Fair
October 28/29 - Parent/Guardian/Teacher Conferences; No Students
November 9 - Individual Picture Day Makeup
November 11 - Veterans Day
November 11 - SAC Meeting @ 4:00
November 22-26 - Thanksgiving Week; School Closed
November 29/30 - Health Screening
December 6-10 - Holiday Shop
December 14 - PTA Meeting @ 5:30
December 17 - School Movie @ 8:30
December 20-Jan 2 - Winter Break; School Closed
January 3 - PD/Work Day; No Students
January 4 - Work Day; No Students
January 13 - SAC Meeting @ 4:00
January 17 - MLK Day; School Closed
February 10 - SAC Meeting @ 4:00
February 11 - Movie Night @ 5:30
February 15 - PTA Meeting @ 5:30
February 21 - Presidents Day; School Closed
February 28-March 4 - Dr. Seuss Week and Book Fair
March 7 - Teacher Work Day; No students
March 8 - Data Collaboration Day; No students
March 10 - SAC Meeting @ 4:00
March 21-25 - Spring Break; School Closed
April 1 - Chuckie Cheese Night
April 14 - SAC Meeting @ 4:00
April 18-22 - Volunteer Appreciation Week
April 19 - PTA Meeting @ 5:30
April 22 - John J. Audubon Birthday Celebration
May 2-6 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 12 - SAC Meeting @ 4:00
May 20 - Students Last Day
Audubon Elementary
Email: aaron.ford@d11.org
Website: www.d11.org/audubon
Location: 2400 East Van Buren Street, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-328-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudubonElementary
Twitter: @Audubon_D11