FIRESIDE CHAT
October 28, 2016
Fireside Elementary
845 W. Dahlia St.
Louisville, CO 80027
FIRESIDE MOMENTS
Principal
Christa Keppler
Main office: 720-561-7900
Attendance: 720-561-7902
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 31
Halloween Parade
8:15am
November 9
Vision/Hearing Screening
November 10
Report Cards Sent Home
November 10
SAC Meeting,
5:30-7pm
November 11
Veterans’ Day
No School
November 14
Open Enrollment Tour
9-10am
November 15
PTO Meeting
6-7:30pm
November 16
Picture Retakes
November 21-25
Thanksgiving Break
No School
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NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
Dear Fireside Families,
My hope with my weekly communication is for families to have food for thought as together we
navigate how best to support and raise our children, and, of course, some topics of discussion for the
dinner table. This week I attended a training on “cultural proficiency,” which encouraged me to reflect on how we, at Fireside, include newcomers into our Fireside family. We’re fortunate to have a
community of students representative of close to 17 different nationalities
When living overseas at the age of 16, I still remember what it was like stepping into a foreign
country where I didn’t speak the language or relate to the social norms. What gave me strength during the challenges were the patient and compassionate people who took time to help me transition,
especially the Spanish family I lived with. Some of our students also
experience similar culture shock when moving into a new school setting - some from different countries - others from neighboring districts. How as a community, do we recognize our commonalities and
integrate our differences to best support this transition for our newcomers?
Much of this stems from the all important characteristic of teaching empathy - one of the characteristics of the Innovator’s Mindset. Empathy requires us often to step outside of our comfort zone,
reach out and learn from another or offer a helping hand.
How do we teach our children this essential trait? Simply put, we
model it. During this divisive election season, where the need to be
heard is emphasized, how do we step back and encourage our kids to
listen first to understand before interjecting their point of view? Students who visit my office - yes,
some for P.R.I.D.E phone calls (which I’m absolutely loving), others, who need re-teaching or support with listening have learned that the circle table in my office represents the “Table of Truth.” This
is where students sit to talk, listen, and demonstrate the essential value of empathy - listening first to
understand. I use a restorative approach with students when resolving conflicts with the intent of
teaching them skills to resolve their own conflicts in other settings. I’m quite honored to work at such
an exceptional school where students are open to learning, parents are receptive to partnering and
teachers share similar values about teaching and modeling empathy. It sure makes learning easier for
kids when we are aligned with this value.
I encourage your family to take a moment to view the video below - shared by Mrs. Mahoney,
and as we move forward during the election of a new president and into the holidays, what ways will
all of us embrace empathy?
The Adaptable Mind
As always, thank you for your partnership in learning.
Sincerely,
Christa Keppler, Principal
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Art with Ms. Webster
Hi all! Happy breathtaking Fall!
I’m hoping you were able to come view the halls for your child’s incredible artwork!...and to
view all artists together for quite an impressive effect!
The 3rd grade Kinetic (moving) Calder inspired Turtles are NOW dangling to welcome you into
our lobby. Look Up!
Each grade level studied an artist of that grade level curriculum and adorned their pop out turtles in that theme of technique or style! They are hanging on ribbons just to the right of the
lobby. Kindergarten turtles are down by the art room!
The incredible painted flower display is showing from the lobby on down to the art room!
Once again, I’m trying to use the 6 conference nights of the year for families to come view art
rather than the Annual Art Show of the past. ..but look anytime that it’s convenient for your
family!
Original Works Art Fundraiser orders are due by Nov. 1st! More order forms inside the art room
door as needed!
The art clubs are in full swing. Remember to let me know asap if your child (if signed up) can
not attend! That way another student on the waitlist can be called. Remember, in the Spring
there will be a whole new set of art clubs for those who could not attend the Fall workshops!
Enjoy the color! Make something everyday!!!
Ms. Webster
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G.Y.M. NEWS
Hello from the gym,
The students had fun kayaking through eight different stations. We also had a jump rope assembly which kicked off
our jump rope unit. Students jumped single ropes and long ropes turned by others. Students rotated through 8 different jump stations and played mass indoor soccer. We had a professional Diabolo performer teach the students how to
spin the yo-yo, toss and catch. Students enjoyed watching all the tricks Mr. Reid Belstock could do. We do have diabolo yo-yo’s for sale in the PE office for two weeks. They are $20 if your child is interested no pressure to buy we are just
making them available.
It does require good eye-hand coordination so it is an excellent skill for developing the brain.
Kayaking Video below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwQGOLIOdf06dUFMalRSN3o4Mm8/view?usp=sharing
Kayaking Video below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwQGOLIOdf06UVdSUkNDM2t0dGs/view?usp=sharing
Jump Rope Assembly Video below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwQGOLIOdf06aVFvY3dQdGNyQ0k/view?usp=sharing
Jump Rope Assembly Video below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwQGOLIOdf06ZzdCVXB1OVhsVlU/view?usp=sharing
Diabolo (Chinese yo-yo) video below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-_AjHdSFiiAazFFQllUUmdnU3c/view?usp=sharing
Music News
Fire Choir
Our 4th and 5th grade Fire Choir is having fun and working hard toward the concert that we will perform on Thursday, De-
cember 8 at 1:00, 1:45 and 6:30 p.m. in the amphitheatre. The entire Fireside community is invited and admission is free.
iPads
Recently, our Art, PE and Music classrooms each received 4 new mini iPads. 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students have been using
the iPads in music class to practice names of the notes on the treble clef staff and bass clef staff ("StaffWars", "Treble Cat HD"
& "Flashnote") and also have created compositions with an app called "Moozart". These are apps that you can download at
home if your student wants more fun and practice. Other recommended apps include "Rhythm Cat", "LoopsequeKids",
"FingertipMaestro", "mynotegames", "Piano Free with Songs", and "Masterpieces". Some are even free!
iPod or iPad Donations
If you have an older model iPod or iPad that you are no longer using but still works, please consider donating it to the Fireside
music department. Mr. Haley uses these older iPods in his listening centers and two of them that had previously been donated were irrepairably damaged when a soap dispenser in his classroom malfunctioned and released all of its contents onto the
countertop. And if we had a few more iPads, we could have more students using some of our great new apps.
Many thanks!
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Fireside Library/Scholastic Book Fair Results
As always, we were delighted and overwhelmed by our Fireside community’s demonstration of generosity and love of reading during the 2016 Scholastic Book Fair. Our total sales in 2015 were $11,300.
This year, we exceeded that by a substantial amount, with a total of $12,292.64 in sales, and this is
before our Online Book Fair profits have been calculated. We receive a portion of all Book Fair profits,
so every increase in sales results in an increase in the services and materials the Fireside Library Program is able to offer.
We would like to thank everyone who was able to support our library program by shopping at the
book fair, so we can get more high-quality and high-interest books into the hands of all of our students, free of charge.
We would be remiss if we didn’t send out a HUGE wave of appreciation to our amazing volunteers,
who set up and tore down the book fair with speed, artistry, and humor, as well as those who
cheerfully manned the cash registers during our impressive sales surges. Fabulous volunteers, we
literally couldn’t have done it without you!
If you weren’t able to purchase all of the books you wanted during the book fair, please enjoy this
15% discount on future purchases from The Scholastic Store.
To ensure that we are providing Book Fair access to all families, please take a moment to respond to
this one question scheduling survey, so we can plan for next year: Book Fair Survey
If you didn’t get the chance to weigh in on potential technology trainings for parents, here is the link
to that survey again: Parent Technology Training Survey Thus far, we have only four responses.
Thank you again, Fireside community, for consistently supporting the Fireside Library Program and
our efforts to foster a lifelong love of reading and learning in all of our students.
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Vision and Hearing Screening
November 9, 2016 - Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5
December 2, 2016 – Pre School
Dear Fireside Community:
Your child’s health is a very important part of their education. Many vision and hearing issues are brought to
parents’ attention through school screening programs. Boulder Valley School District’s screening program
includes all elementary students with the exception of 4th graders. If you would like to have your 4th grade
student screened, please call Barb Lorenz in the health room at 720-561-7907.
If your student is currently under care from a hearing or vision specialist, and you would like to have your
child waived from the screening process, please contact Barb in the health room at your earliest convenience.
In order to make this year’s program a success, we need the help of many parent volunteers during the school
day on November 9, 2016.
We happily welcome grandparents or other family members to help with vision and hearing screening. Volunteer applications and approval are NOT necessary for this event only.
Two shifts are available for parents and grandparents to help with screening:
8:00 AM– 10:45 AM
11:45 AM -1:30 PM
Volunteers can register by clicking on this link:
Vision and Hearing Volunteer Registration November 9, 2016
Please note: Background checks are not required for volunteers participating in this one-time event.
Note to Parents of Preschool Students
Please let me know if you are available to help with the preschool screening on Friday, December 2, 2016.
We would like to have 2 parent helpers from each pre-school class to assist with the screening process.
Barb Lorenz 720-561-7939
[email protected]
Work/Life Balance: Balancing Care Giving with Work
Count on it: Your child is going to get sick. For many parents, it means time away from work and
lost pay. A little advance preparation can go a long way in reducing stress when illness befalls a
child during the school day. Before illness strikes, try to find people who can help with care giving.
Ask grandparents, friends, neighbors to be available in times of illness. Many illnesses require
more care than can be given in the Health Room. We also understand that it is difficult to get away
from work on short notice, but is important that your child be picked up as soon as possible.
Please be pro-active and create an action plan in the event that your child becomes ill and needs
to leave school early. (Make sure you identify key people on your student’s emergency card at
school.)
Remember that your child may need to stay home the next day as well. If your student has had a
fever or has been vomiting, she/he should stay home for 24 hours after the last episode. Staying
home allows adequate recovery time and prevents the spread of illness among students and staff
at school.
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THANKSGIVING BREAK CAMP
Fireside @ Coal Creek Elementary
11.21 - 11.22 - 11.23
TREMENDOUS, TRI-PLEX OF TRIPS...
X-ARENA
SPORTS AUTHORITY FIELD at MILE HIGH
BRONCOS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM
COAL CREEK BOWLING - RAPTOR SUMMIT
Adventure Camp Days
Located:
Coal Creek Elementary
801 W Tamarisk St, Louisville, CO 80027
Coal Creek Supervisor: Cara Hall (720-561-4518)
Fireside Supervisor: Alex Thoele (720-561-7959)
Traveling, Trekking, Touring
Don’t Miss Out…
Sign up today @ Fireside SAC parent table
THANKSGIVING BREAK CAMP
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Talented and Gifted (TAG) FAQ
Q. Who can nominate a student for TAG testing?
A. Although it is usually a teacher who will nominate a student based on classroom work, a parent, the student or other staff member may nominate.
Q. What does it take to be identified as TAG?
A. The TAG tutor is responsible for gathering a minimum of 6 pieces in a “Body of Evidence”, three of which must be at
or above the 95th percentile and a least one must be a nationally normed assessment. At Fireside this typically means a
Naglieri NNAT2 online nonverbal test, three batteries of the Cognitive Abilities test (CogAT), a Scales of Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS) form filled out by classroom teacher and inventories from parents, specialists and outside instructors. Classroom work and other assessments (i.e. state assessments like CMAS) may be included, as well. The “Body of
Evidence” is then presented to the Fireside TAG Committee for review. The committee is comprised of two teachers, a
specialist and, very often, the classroom teacher is included for endorsement of the student.
Q. My student recently was assessed by a psychologist and has an impressive Full Scale IQ. Does that make my student TAG?
A. The results of an outside assessment may be used as one of the qualifiers in the “Body of Evidence”.
Q. My student was tested two years ago, but seems to have improved academically. Can I have my student retested?
A. Per the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), a student may be re-tested after 12 calendar months.
Q. My child was identified as Talented and Gifted. Now what?
A. Your student will receive an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) with classroom programming and accountability listed,
along with personal goals. Teachers differentiate in the classroom based on a student’s ability. Regardless of TAG
identification, higher ability students are given opportunities for extension or enrichment. In grades 1-4, Challenge
Math groups are pulled twice a week and in 5th grade there is a TAG-only enrichment group.
Q. Will my student need to be retested in middle school?
A. No, a TAG identification stays with your student throughout his/her career at BVSD.
Q. We just moved from another district in Colorado where my child was identified. Does that carry over to BVSD?
A. The CDE guarantees “portability’ within the state of Colorado, so, yes, your student would be considered TAG in
BVSD. Per CDE, portability is not necessarily guaranteed for students coming from out-of-state.
Q. Where can I find out more about TAG?
A. Fireside has a TAG webpage at http://fie.bvsd.org/classes/pages/tag. BVSD also has information at www.bvsd.org/
tag. There are local organizations like Boulder Valley Gifted and Talented (BVGT) at www.bvgt.org and at the state level, the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT) www.coloradogifted.org .
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Janine Fitzgerald, Fireside’s TAG Tutor .
(720) 561 – 7918 [email protected]
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Please take a moment to watch 5th grades’
October Falcon News video!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3AI86fiauRVdXg5aVhwSzIzVUU/view
Open Enrollment Dates
Open Enrollment window: November 7-January 9
Open Enrollment tour dates: November 14 9:00-10:00 am
December 7 1:00-2:00 pm
Kindergarten Information Night: J anuar y 5 6:00-7:00 pm
Beginning November 1st, parents will be able to access schools' open enrollment event
schedules http://bvsd.org/openenrollment/Pages/schoolEvents.aspx
There will also be a link on the front page of bvsd.org directing people to information about
Open Enrollment. The opening page of the OE subsite is at http://bvsd.org/openenrollment.
DreamBox
So far students have completed approximately 21,000 lessons since the start of the
year, and 40% growth, on average, in the short time since we implemented it. Teachers are continuing to learn about the benefits of how this adaptive Math tool is complementing their teaching and student's learning.
If you wish to read the parent letter and learn how to sign into the parent dashboard,
click below for directions.
https://drive.google.com/file/
d/0B3AI86fiauRVUmVwclRYc1Y2QnJBV2Z2ZDQyYkxtWFNiLUpR/view?usp=sharing
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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 October:
Fernando Lopez
Lina McComb
Noah Huckstep
Zoe Wiant
Quniten Ortega
Jackson Beasley
Diego Chavira
C.J. Buch
Lucas Diaz Navarro
Ben Willcutt
`Helping Haiti
By Sierra Colvin
Dear Fireside Community,
On Friday, November 4th after school, I am having a bake sale! All Fir eside
students, teachers, and parents are invited. The bake sale will have Lamar's donuts and
baked goods (including, dairy free and gluten free options) that will be donated by fellow Fireside families. Please join me in front of Fireside on November 4th, so that you
can buy donuts and delicious home baked treats (including cookies, pumpkin bread
and cupcakes) in support of the children of Haiti. All of the money raised, every last
penny, will go to Community Health Initiative of Haiti to help with medical costs. If
you are concerned about the people of Haiti and want to help bring them medicine and
health care, come buy our delicious baked goods on November 4th after school!
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October PTO News
The PTO’s fundraising goal for the 2016/2017 school year is $71,000. The Jog-A-Thon results
(about $48,000) put us ahead in reaching this goal, and smaller fundraisers/events such as restaurant nights and grocery cards throughout the year will make up the difference. Here is how the
PTO plans to spend this money throughout the school year.
The largest piece to this pie is additional paraeducator hours. But what exactly is a paraeducator
and how does that benefit your child? A
paraeducator is also known as a teacher's aide or classroom assistant.
Fireside has four paraeducators who
are partially-funded by our PTO and
they are responsible for specialized or
concentrated assistance for students.
They work under the supervision of
teachers in every grade level. Their jobs
are instructional in nature, but they also
provide indirect support to teachers and
classrooms through clerical work, freeing up time for teachers to focus on instructional planning.
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Here are some specific ways paraeducators are helping our children at
Fireside:
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Working with small groups within the classroom.
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Supporting students one-on-one with differentiated projects.
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Helping students who have been absent.
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Administering assessments as needed.
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Creating learning materials and making copies.
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Leading passion pursuit groups (choice research projects for 4th graders)
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Providing math interventions
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Putting up and taking down bulletin boards
The consensus from the teachers is, “they do anything they can to help make our jobs easier.” Thank you, Fireside paraeducators!
Save the Date:
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Thursday, November 10: SAC Meeting, 5:30 to 7 pm
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Friday, November 11: Veteran’s Day - No school for students
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Tuesday, November 15: PTO Meeting - School Library 6:00-7:30pm
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Wednesday, November 16: Student photo retake day
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November 21-25: Thanksgiving break - no school
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Grocery Card Reloader WINNERS!
Keep on reloading, you awesome reloaders!! We had another stellar month and have
earned $2,639 so far this year through the grocery card program. That is 32% of our yearly goal and we're just getting started!
We drew two names at random from the reloaders - congratulations to Lee Hamilton and
Lynn Brummer, they’ve each won a $10 gift card to the Louisville business of their choice.
Don’t have a King Soopers or Safeway grocery card? Email Tanja ([email protected])
and ask for one!
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“Stories of the Land,” a performance by master storyteller, Odds Bodkin, for adults and
kids (age 7 and up)
Wed., Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at Angevine Middle School in Lafayette
Stories from all over the world that reveal connections between land and people will be
featured. Elizabeth Applebaum, Apple Tree Editor for the Detroit Jewish News says “With
nothing more than his guitar and voice, he manages to paint a scene more captivating
than much of what you see on the big screen.” This will be an evening you will never forget! Tickets are $10 / special rate of $38 for families of 4-6 members. $12 and $42, respectively, at the door if available For more info and to purchase tickets to any Odds
Bodkin events, visit http://www.parentengagementnetwork.org/odds-bodkin
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!
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