FIRESIDE CHAT
August 26, 2016
Fireside Elementary
845 W. Dahlia St.
Louisville, CO 80027
Principal
Christa Keppler
FIRESIDE MOMENTS
Back to School!
Main office: 720-561-7900
Attendance: 720-561-7902
Fax: 720-561-7901
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 31
Parent Information Night
5pm-7:30pm
September 5
No School &
Louisville Labor Day
Parade
September 14
Kindergarten Welcome
Coffee 8am
September 9
Jog-a-Thon
September 20
PTO Meeting
6pm-7:30pm
September 21
Parent Coffee 8am
1st & 3rd grade
September 23
Student Picture Day
September 30
Community Potluck
5:30pm-7:30pm
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NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
Dear Fireside Families,
What an exciting start to our school year! Students are adjusting to their routines, meeting
new friends and getting reaquainted with returning to school. As I’ve been reading to classrooms and discussing the “Innovator’s Mindset” with students, I see how some of the characteristics are already ingrained in our kids and how the idea of “empathy”- listening with your
heart- is an essential part of Fireside Elementary.
As we “walk the talk” with bringing the Innovator’s Mindset to Fireside, we’re letting students take the lead with being “creators” and making our monthly school communication
more student-centered. Beginning next month, thanks to Mr. Millard and his film crew, 5th
graders will report about Fireside via the Fireside Falcon News.
Our continued commitment as a school is to keep our families well informed. We hope the
monthly Fireside Chat and Friday blog capture “Fireside Moments” as well as pertinent information to support you as a parent. Additionally, we will be launching grade level teacher
webpages, which will be shared with families during next week’s Parent Information Night. In
addition to electronic communication, I encourage parents to come to our PTO meetings and
the Principal Coffees hosted this fall. As always, parents are welcome to schedule an appointment with me to share ideas, ask questions, or connect by contacting my assistant, Michele
Giggey ([email protected]).
A big “shout out” to our dynamite PTO and committees for planning the Ice Cream Social,
as well as the staff welcome back brunch. Our PTO and volunteers make a significant difference in our school and community. This year, we aim to have fewer fundraisers. Ms. Rosquist
and the PTO are partnering to kick off the first ever Fireside Elementary Jog-a-thon fundraiser. It’s an opportunity to promote wellness while benefitting our students and school. Last
year the Fireside PTO raised $51,760. As a result, teachers were able to purchase materials
and extra instructional para hours, TAG tutor hours, attend field trips, host the Science Fair,
maintain the School Garden and much more. This school year, the PTO is introducing the
Raise It or Write It Jog-A-Thon. We welcome families to come out and cheer on students,
September 9th!
Thank you for your partnership in learning. I look forward to the year ahead and seeing
you all at next week’s Parent Information Night.
Yours in education,
Christa Keppler, Principal
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From the Art Room with Ms. Webster
Welcome to Fireside!! We’re so glad you’re here! I am Ms. Webster, your child’s art teacher here at Fireside Elementary! I’ve been here all 26 years (since we opened) and am staring my 32nd year in BVSD! Wow, what a blast
my job is!
Art Clubs will be coming out soon. I will be sending out the information for sign up in an email this year; so you’ll
be able to sign up on line rather than in the big long line that usually goes out the building! Because of the great
demand, please sign up for just one or two classes as soon as the email goes out or you may have to wait until
Spring art clubs. Wish I could be about 4 people! The first two art clubs are the painting of the plow by a small
team of 5th graders. These snow plows will be plowing the streets of Louisville once winter hits! Please look for at
least one Louisville plow designed by a local school at the Parade of Lights in Louisville.
My only fundraiser is the Original Works: Product Design program. Your child will be making an artwork in September that will be sent home with options to order that art on a variety of products: ie. Mugs, shirts, mouse pads
etc. The products will be delivered back at school in time for the holidays! I love this program because I can work
the Art curriculum right into the program and it teaches kids the idea of being a product designer; so goes right
along with artist careers! Info will be coming home in a few weeks. If you can help with the program, please let
me know or sign up on PTO volunteer sheets! It’s really fun!
For new families, “WELCOME!”…and for your information, I save all art work for the halls, local and district art
shows and for our own Fireside Art Show (late February). All artwork will come home in the 3 rd trimester in handmade art folders! 3D work on their own wrapped inside paper bags. If you see drawings or cards and free buildings, these are what your child may make once their art project is completed in class. Your child (1-5) has art for
50 minutes every 3 days. Kindergarten has an introduction to Art for 30 minutes once a week!
We are so excited for cooler days, our great new staff and creative children!! Happy Fall!! Ms. Webster
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G.Y.M. NEWS
Fireside Mileage Club Information 2016-2017
Please read all information and return the sign up sheet to your classroom teacher only if you plan to join.
What is mileage club? Physical activity is very important for youth and adults. This is the 10th year I have offered
a walking/jogging/running club after school to help us stay fit. I hope many students will join as well as adults from
the community. It will be a fun way to get in those extra miles and meeting as a group will help people stay with the
program.
Who can join? Students in Preschool – 2nd grade may join if they have an adult join with them! One adult may
watch up to three children. If your child will be walking with another adult it is your responsibility to list that name
on your sign up sheet. Students in grades 3 – 5 may sign up without an adult. If you have a child in grades 3 -5 and
you want them to walk with your younger child in K-2 make sure they are willing to stay with that younger child and
go their pace. Some students will want to jog or run at times and that is why we need adults to stay with the younger students.
When and where will we walk? We will meet right after school at 2:30 in the gym, rain or shine. If the weather is
bad we will walk around the gym or do some type of activity depending on how many students and adults we have in
the gym. We will have mileage club On Sept. 6 – Oct. 12th and March 20th – May 3rd. (Mondays, Tuesday and
Wednesday only) We walk/jog different routes off school grounds. The students will also cross streets (Preschool 2nd must have an adult with them when they cross!)
What time should I pick up my child? Right now I plan on meeting back in the gym at 3:05 so the students can fill
out their mileage cards for the day. Please pick up your child at 3:10 each day. Thank you for being on time!
Free Program!! There is no cost involved but students are encouraged to wear gym shoes. Hats, sunglasses, sun
screen and water bottles may also come in handy. Students will earn one toe token for every 5 miles that they walk.
A toe token is a small foot that they can either place on a 24”chain to wear around their neck or a 6” chain to hook
onto their backpack. Students must keep track of their miles and be honest. Adults will help K-2 keep track of laps
and record results.
What day does the program start? Sept. 6th and March 20th at 2:30 in the gym. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays this year!! Your child can come on any day as long as they have a permission slip on file. There is no need to
tell me which day they can make it. All students will sign in each day on a clip board.
Volunteer’s Needed The more the merrier! Send me an email or just show up with your child on the first day.
Questions? You can email me at school, leave a voice mail or call my cell phone.
[email protected]
School phone 720-561-7900 ext.7933
Mrs. Rosquist’s cell phone 720-839-0646
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HELLO FROM THE GYM!
Parents thank you for sending your child with their gym shoes on the
correct day.
I know the new schedule can be a little confusing at first but we will all
get the hang of it soon.
The first few days of PE were filled with high expectations for behavior
and safety. Assessments have included: walking, gallop, slide, hop,
jump, skip, leap and the underhand throw. I am very pleased with
Firesides results so far. The students have also played Pac Man Tag,
Noodle Tag, Sponge Bob Tag, Spot Challenge, Teasure Island and Pig
Relay Races! These game help students work on body control, following rules, fitness, relationships, fair play and responsible behavior.
We are off to a wonderful start and I look forward to a terrific year in
the gym.
Click on link or scan QR code to see Pig Relay races in Gym!
https://youtu.be/w1MLabRpfmU
Mrs. Rosquist
Music News
FIRE CHOIR
Fire Choir is our awesome extra curricular choir for 4th and 5th grade students that practices Tuesdays and
Thursdays at 7:10 a.m. The first practice is Tuesday, September 20. See Mr. Haley for a Fire Choir registration
form if your child is interested in participating in Fire Choir this year! Forms are due no later than September
16.
GUITAR RECITALS
We are going try something new this year with our rotating Art/Music/PE schedule and invite 4th and 5th grade
parents to school during music classes on September 28, 29 and 30 to hear students play songs on the guitar.
There will be a combination of group and solo performances. Please visit the Fireside website calendar for specific dates and times for your child's class' performance.
NO BITS OF BROADWAY
We will not be doing the traditional 5th grade "Bits of Broadway" performance this year. Our new Art/Music/
PE schedule has many advantages for our school, such as increased time for students in Art, common planning
periods for classroom teachers, and a consistent schedule for students throughout the week, but the nature of
the schedule means that it is not possible to hold combined rehearsals for all of our 5th grade classes at the
same time. Those combined rehearsals, in the past, were how we were able to pull off the large group performance, and with the new schedule, when one class is in Music, the other classes are in Art or PE. Mr. Haley is
hoping that 5th grade students who are interested in performing will consider joining Fire Choir, Instrumental
Music, or getting involved with one of our local music theater groups!
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. . . . from the TAG Office . . . .
For the school year 2016-17, the Fireside TAG program will be piloting a new approach to support advanced math learners in grades 1-4. Based on results from each unit pretest, eight students
per grade level who excel on the pretest will be given an opportunity for a pullout class. The purpose
of these classes is to provide extension and enrichment for higher ability students, this is in addition to
enrichment they will also be receiving in their classrooms. These classes will be directed by Mrs. Fitzgerald, Fireside Talented and Gifted Educational Advisor, and planned in collaboration with grade level
teachers. The emphasis of these classes will involve project-based approaches and provide opportunities for hands-on learning and extensions of concepts taught in class. The students will meet twice a
week for the duration of the unit.
Fifth grade pullout will continue to be a TAG-identified-only enrichment group.
Please feel free to email [email protected] with any questions.
Fireside SAC Parents
Alex Thoele
SAC Supervisor
Please remember to inform Alex and his staff of any changes in your child's schedule such as a playdate or a pick up
at 2:30 from the classroom. If you have not received an email from Alex Thoele, Fireside SAC Supervisor, please
contact him so your email can be added to his email list.
Fireside SAC closed on September 5th.
First Full day at Coal Creek on Assessment Day, September 19th. Contact Alex with any questions.
Contacts:
Fireside SAC Phone #- 720 561 7959
Alex Thoele- [email protected]
Beth Poorman (Fireside Assistant Supervisor)- [email protected]
Deborah Liskey (SAC Registrar)- [email protected]
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Library News
We Value Our Volunteers...
Interested in volunteering during the 2016-17 school year? Please complete either the fingerprint or online
background check process. The 3-Page Volunteer Application is required on an annual basis for both processes.
 Fingerprint Process:
CBI/Fingerprint Information Sheet
 Remains valid as long as you have a student in BVSD
 $40.00 fee to BVSD (cash or check)
 6-8 week turnaround for clearance. You will be notified via email by the Legal Office when your background has been cleared.
 Online Background Screening:
TClogiQ Background Screening
 Remains valid for 1 school year
 $17.00 fee to TClogiQ (card only)
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Fireside PTO Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
As the Fireside PTO gears up for our first-ever Jog-A-Thon and Raise it or Write it
campaign, with an ambitious goal of $40,000, we welcome and invite your involvement and questions. Here are answers to some questions you may have at this point.
What is PTO?
What is Raise it or Write it?
Fireside is a public school. Why are our taxes not enough?
How does the PTO decide what to spend money on?
How did Fireside arrive at the donation amount per child?
Can grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends give also?
How does this compare to other Louisville schools?
How do I give to Raise it or Write it?
Why is Raise it or Write it in September and not later in the year?
If I still have questions or would like to help, who should I contact?
Our first PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 20 at 6:00 PM in the
school library. Please join us to hear all the exciting things we have planned for the
year.
Come out and cheer on your students at the
Jog-A-Thon!
Friday, September 9, 2016
Remember to wear your Jog-A-Thon T-shirt and turn your money in!
3rd Graders: 8: 10 - 9:00
4th Graders:
9:05 - 9:55
AM Kindergarten & AM Pre-school: 10:00 - 10:30
5th Graders: 10:35 - 11:25
PM Kindergarten & PM Pre-school: 12:10 - 12:40
1st Graders: 12:45 - 1:35
2nd Graders: 1:40 - 2:30
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Fireside P.R.I.D.E
Students are recognized school-wide for exercising positive behavior and making good choices
with Falcon Feathers and, new this year, the Fireside PRIDE Award. This award may be given by
any staff member to students in Preschool-5th grade who exemplify personal growth that goes
“above and beyond” and demonstrates one or more of the P.R.I.D.E. attributes. The student
makes a special trip to Mrs. Keppler’s office, phones a parent or grandparent to celebrate the
achievement, and the student's photo is taken and displayed in the hallway. Please join me in
congratulating recipients of the P.R.I.D.E. Award for August:
Nadia Wolfe
Benjamin Sehnert
Roger Blanco Pernudiz
Aiden Swett
Principal Coffees
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents, come together as a community,
and connect with Mrs. Keppler and the PTO. We invite parents to join us for the following Principal coffees:
Sept. 14, 8am Kindergarten Welcome Coffee (please note date change from Sept. 8 to
14)
Sept. 21, 8am grades 1, 3
Oct. 7, 8am grades 2, 4
Oct. 21, 8am grade 5
What is the School Accountability Team?
This is a statutory requirement for every school in Colorado. The purpose of this committee is to provide opportunities for parents, staff, and community members to be
involved in the planning and evaluation of the school improvement goals and the
school’s instructional programming. The committee meets on Thursdays from 5:307:00. 10/6, 11/10, 1/12, 3/9, 4/13, 5/11. We welcome new parents and returning to
participate on the committee. If interested, please contact Christa Keppler:
[email protected]
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Please KEEP Reloading your Grocery
Cards!
Don’t have a card yet? We will get you a new card,
and remember...5% comes back to the school, at
NO cost to you!
Box Tops For Education
This is another “no cost to you” program. Collect Box Tops
from hundreds of products, turn them in, and Fireside receives
a check. Last year, Fireside Box Top clippers collected $1,400!
Class contest information coming soon.
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