October 2013
Aurora Frontier K-8
Principal’s Letter
Dr. Starla Pearson, Principal
Inside this Issue:
Sept. 2013
Aurora Frontier K-8
3200 S. Jericho Way
Aurora, CO 80013
303-693-1995
PRINCIPAL’S LETTER
1
POPS
SAVE THE DATE
2
FALCON SCOOP
3
FALCON SCOOP
4
5TH GEAR NEWS
5
2ND ANNUAL TURKEY
TROT
6
HEALTH NEWS
7
Our School Performance Framework indicates that Aurora Frontier remains at the Performance level,
which is the highest level on the School Performance Framework (SPF).
COMMUNITY NEWS
8
Our students exceeded district in all areas and state performance in most areas except:
UPCOMING EVENTS
8
Dear Frontier families,
While it seems like we just began our school year, I realize that we are almost one-quarter of the way
through. I am always so amazed at the amount of positive energy our students bring to their learning and our teachers bring to their teaching, and I truly believe that’s a key to our school’s success. Here is a brief look at how our
students performed on TCAP (Transitional Colorado Assessment Program), both in achievement and growth:
Overall, we saw a 3.4% decrease in the percentage of students scoring Proficient or Advanced with 67% of
3rd-8th grade students scoring Proficient or Advanced in reading, writing, math, and science (5th and 8th
grades). This, in part, reflects a significant decrease in 7 th grade math. A plan is in place to move our current 8th grade students ahead in math to reduce this gap.
3rd grade math (state 72% P/A; Aurora Frontier 67% P/A)
5th grade reading (state 70% P/A; Aurora Frontier 68% P/A)
5th grade science (state 48% P/A; Aurora Frontier 41% P/A)
7th grade reading (state 68% P/A; Aurora Frontier 66% P/A)
7th grade writing (state 61% P/A; Aurora Frontier 50% P/A)
7th grade math (state 55% P/A; Aurora Frontier 34% P/A)
Our students showed remarkable growth in 4th and 8th grade reading, writing, and math and in 6th grade
math.
Aurora Frontier meets or exceeds academic achievement and academic growth in reading, writing, math,
and science on the SPF.
I, alongside teachers, monitor each student’s progress throughout the school year. We want to make sure
each student has what he or she needs to continue to learn whether it is a student struggling with content, a student
who is showing advanced understanding of content, or a student who is right at grade level in his or her understanding.
We have a few new members of the Aurora Frontier staff. Celi Leggett joins the administrative team as
Assistant Principal along with Scott Searle, who is serving as Dean of Students; Courtney Gibbens is teaching 2nd
grade, replacing Scott Searle; Cheryl Rebik is teaching 7th grade math, replacing Chad Tritz; Elizabeth Doi is serving our Students with Disabilities, replacing Angela Hanson who took a position in a district middle school; and
Shayna Royston is our para-educator, replacing Arlem Sanjuan, who took a position in the superintendent’s office.
Please join me in welcoming our new staff.
Respectfully,
________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________
Introducing
P.O.P.S.
Parents On the Playground
___________________________________________________________
Dear Frontier Families,
If you would like to spend some extra time with your child and you have some flexibility in your schedule,
please consider joining us during lunch and recess. The schedule for lunch is listed below so that you can visit
when your child is in the cafeteria and enjoying recess. By checking in at the office and spending as little as
15-20 minutes with us each week, you will help ensure the safety of your child and others. It will almost
certainly become one of the highlights of your child’s day, and yours!
-- Aurora Frontier P-8 School
Grade
7th-8 th
1 st
Lunch/Recess
11:20-11:55
11:50-12:25
Grade
Kinder
5th-6th
Lunch/Recess
11:30-12:05
11:55-12:30
Grade
3rd
4th
Lunch/Recess
11:35-12:10
12:10-12:45
Grade
2 nd
Lunch/Recess
11:40-12:15
When you check in at the front office, please be sure to mention that you are a P.O.P.S. volunteer!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Join us for 2 outstanding upcoming opportunities!
Thursday, January 9
5:00-7:00
Math, Literacy, and Showcase of Learning Night
Thursday, January 30
6:30-8:00 (following conferences)
RISK Presentation (Real-Life Internet Safety for Kids)
Open to all parents and pre-teen and teen students
Page 2
THE
Aurora Frontier P-8
Aurora, CO
Sept emb er 20, 2013
FALCON
SCOOP
MEATBALLS!!
Vol u me 1, Issue 1
Edi tor s in C hi ef: C assi dy
M iller, L o ch lo n Weaver,
Camero n Jakob , Jaid en
Coff ee
Fast Falcons
By Zahira Alvarez, Khadeeja Khan, Kelsey Thompson, and Miquela Stapleton
Coming Thursday, October 17 from 5:00-7:00 pm will be the 4th
annual Spaghetti Dinner. Students are making plates in their art classes, and
they will be sold for $10. This price will include the plate and the dinner
(spaghetti, bread sticks, meatballs, and dessert).
The proceeds from the spaghetti dinner will go towards the 8 th
grade scholarship. According to Mr. McCauley, our art teacher and organizer of the spaghetti dinner, “For the last six years we have been giving a
scholarship to at least one deserving 8th grader of $1300. Last year, six students got a scholarship.” The spaghetti dinner helps to fund this wonderful
opportunity for our students.
The spaghetti dinner also provides a way for our community to
come together. It will bring the families of Aurora Frontier together and
gives them a way to eat a delicious meal, interact with other families,
Do you ever wonder what happens at the track meets? What do
and have fun.
the coaches think about the team? How does the track team do at the
events? You can find all of this and more, all in one special article about
girls’ track.
Kids from 6th - 8th grade can join track, and the girls' meets are
on Mondays. On August 26, the girls ran hard and did very well. “We
have some very strong distance runners (800m and 1600m),” said Coach
Graff. For example, on September 9, Maia Sandoval came in 1st place,
Lauren Graff came in 2nd place, and Jasmine Johnson came in 3rd place in
the 1600m (one mile) run.
“We also did well in several field events,” Coach Graff commented. Field events include long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot
put, and discus. Isabelle Kinney said, “Long jump takes work, but it’s
fun—even if you get sand in your shoes!”
By Hailey Glenn and Brandon Rolfe
The girls track team has a great time and do their best at the
track meets. Wish them luck as they go on to the City Meet
on September 21!
The Frontier Falcon swimmers are doing outstanding. Lauren
Graff, Jasmine Johnson, Makayla McWilliams, Serena Jefferson, and
Enkhsanaa Enkhbayar have been placing in many events. For example, they
By Matthew Johnson, Paul Sweeney, and Jared Garcia
have excelled in the medley, the 50 yard butterfly, and 100 yard freestyle
race. These girls have placed almost every time they’ve swam.
The Boys at Aurora Frontier are doing stupendous this year in track. Here
are some of the boys’ track results. Cole Brimmerman placed 4 th in the 110
Some impressive things have happened thisswim season. For
m hurdles with a time of 18.89. Julian Torres placed 2 nd in the 7th grade
th
example, a few of the 6 graders had never swum the full length of a pool
boys 1600m with a time of 6.10.51. Christian Wilson placed 3 rd in the 7th
when the season started, and now they’re swimming it in less than 50 secgrade boy’s 100 meter dash with a time of 13.77. Cole Brimmerman placed
onds. Mrs. Wonder says, “The exciting part is seeing how much the ladies
2nd in the 7th grade boy’s discus, with a distance of 66-08.75. Matthew
have improved since the first day of practice.”
Johnson placed 2nd in the 8th grade boy’s 100 meter dash with a time of
12.38. Matthew Johnson again placed 4th in the 7th and 8th grade boys
Swim meets are from 5:15-7:00 pm at Hinkley High School every
1600m with a time of 5.55.92. Andrew Hernandez placed 2 nd in the boy’s
Wednesday. The girl swimmers have been working very hard. Every swimdiscus with a distance of 64-09.25. All the athletes did all this in the rain on
mer on the Falcon team has qualified for the city swim meet, which is
September 11. If you want to see these athletes run come to the city
Saturday, September 21 at Gateway High School. Wish them luck, and
meet this Saturday at 8:00 am at Hinkley High School. Let’s go Aurora
come and cheer them on!
Frontier Falcons!!!!!
Like Fish
Run Forest, Run!
Page 3
THE FALCON SCOOP
Falcons Flying to the Finish
By Zahira Alvarez, Khadeeja Khan, Kelsey Thompson, and
Miquela Stapleton
Page 2
This Week’s Comic
by Damon Ashe Neal and Nicholas Sargent
Falcons, are you ready to run? Surprise! The run-a
-thon is coming early this year, on Friday, September 27th.
The PBIS committee is willing to take donations of any
amount to help support the SOAR assemblies to come.
However, the PBIS committee has made it possible for students to run for free.
Some people don't see the importance of the run-a
-thon. Mr. Searle, our Dean, says, “It helps us to burn calories and maintain a weight that is healthy. Running will also
help you to keep your heart and lungs in great shape. Running also offers benefits like boosting your confidence and
relieving stress.”
The courses are the same. K-4 will be taking the
shorter route from Conservatory Parkway to Hampden Avenue, while 5-8 graders will be taking the longer route passing the community pool. Don't worry there will be water
Calling All Writers
by Melanie Agsam and Ayla Davis
The Falcon Scoop would like to invite you to enter
our writing contest. We will hold several throughout
the school year. For this first round, we will be accepting third and fourth grade narratives. This contest will go through October 18th. Please give your
stories to Mrs. Budaj by this date. The journalism
students will be reviewing and judging entries based
on conventions, organization, and most importantly
creativity. On October 21, we will judge and decide
the winner of the contest. The best story will be published in the Falcon Scoop at the end of October. We
look forward to reading those great stories!
Kindergarten Days
By Aylana Hayes, Ione Dixon
Welcome fellow readers. We have interviewed
some kindergarteners at Aurora Frontier to find out what
they think of their school. Here are their responses.
Eliana Santos really likes her new school. She also
felt good on the first day of school, and says she wants to
come to Aurora Frontier because she thinks it will be fun
and exciting. Her mom works here so that’s really nice for
her. She likes Mrs.Papper a lot as her teacher.
Now let’s talk about Elijah Jones. He feels great
about his new school and had a great first day. He wanted
to come to this school because his sister is a student here.
He really likes his teacher.
Now, we are going to be talking about Ava Eltzroth.
Ava likes Aurora Frontier. She was happy on the first day of
school, and she wanted to come to this school because she
was excited.
Page 4
Upcoming Events
Track and Swimming City Meet
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Run-a-Thon
Friday, September 27, 2013
Spaghetti Dinner
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Writing Contest Entries Due
( for 3rd and 4th graders)
Friday, October 18, 2013
The Little Angels are Here
by Melanie Agsam and Ayla Davis
This year, Aurora Frontier K-8 finally opened their preschool
program. These young students with their new teacher Ms.Wong spend
the whole day in class doing different activities and go outside at certain
times.
There are exactly 32 preschoolers total, 16 in the am class
and 16 in the pm class. The AM class goes outside at 8:40 am and the
PM class goes outside around 12:50 pm.
Ms. Wong feels very excited to be at this school and she
appreciates everyone’s warm welcome. She feels that being in a new
school she has a lot to learn and is looking forward to connecting with
others. Ms.Wong expects the preschoolers to have fun and learn everyday and be prepared for kindergarten.
Ms. Wong has been teaching preschoolers for many years.
She believes it is her job to guide and teach her young students while
having fun learning and exploring.
5th Gear News
Hello Aurora Frontier parents,
I would like to take this opportunity to explain to you the 5th Gear for Kids program.
The 5th Gear for Kids program is a program for 5th graders only. It helps you practice
healthy living. You get a log and you track your fitness. You get 150 points for every day
you exercise for 60 minutes. We also go on walks around the field. Instead of walking and
talking, we walk and listen to recordings of people talking, not just about anything, but
about school subjects. We also have 5th Gear cards. We can hook them up to your King
Soopers cards. If you buy the items with a higher Nu-Val score than the average, you will
gain points. You can also gain points by visiting the 5th Gear partners like Noodles
&Company, Arby’s, and 24 Hour Fitness. Please visit www.5thgearkids.org.
Mercedes Capozzolo
2ND ANNUAL TURKEY TROT
I am running our school’s second annual Turkey Trot. We hope to once again bring the school
community and the out-of-school community together in this fun fitness event. I am wondering if you
would like to take part in our run and/or the expo that follows the fun run?
Here are the details:
Who: Aurora Frontier P-8 School and our amazing Aurora Community
What: A 2-mile Turkey Trot fun run/walk
When: Saturday, November 23 set-up at 8:30am, run/walk at 9am and an expo in the gym to follow
until 11 am
Where: 3200 S. Jericho Way, Aurora, CO 80013 (around the neighborhood and in the gym)
Why: To spend time taking care of one another, our health and our wellness!
Jennifer Ebbe Handy
Page 5
Music Notes:
Music Notes:
Music Events 2013 – 2014
*All Programs and Concerts are at Frontier K-8 at 7:00 P.M. unless otherwise noted
November 14, 2013 – 3rd and 4th Grade Program
December 11, 2013 – Middle School Band and Choir with the Soaring Singers
February 20, 2014 – 2nd Grade Program
March 20, 2014 – 1st Grade and Kindergarten Program
May 1, 2014 – Middle School Band with the Soaring Singers
May 14, 2014 – Middle School Play
Band Students
Please remember our concert attire is the Frontier Band Polo shirt and black pants or a skirt. Please wear black shoes and socks.
Check and see if you already have a polo shirt and whether or not it fits. If not or if you are new to band you will need to purchase
one. Order forms will be going home soon. Shirts cost $12. Size examples will be available in the music room.
4th Grade Recorders
4th Grade students are currently using recorders in music. Please make sure your student is bringing his or her recorder to school
every day we have music. Have them leave it in backpacks so they are prepared if they have music for specials. Everyone that was a
Frontier student last year should already have a purchased recorder. If not, please see Mrs. Mabrey. She has recorders for sale for
$5 during music specials.
Website
Please check out the music website with information about programs, what we are learning in class, Soaring Singers, band and choir
events, etc. Please check it for answers to any questions or for information. I hope it will be helpful!
https://sites.google.com/a/aurorak12.org/aurora-frontier-music/home
SOARing Singers
Soaring Singers has begun and we have close to fifty students participating! We will rehearse every Monday from 2:30p.m. –
4:00p.m. Please bring a snack for our break. Please watch for information coming home about ordering shirts. You must have
turned in a permission slip to participate.
Health News
Health Highlights:
Influenza and the Flu vaccine:
The Flu season is fast approaching. According to the Center for Disease Control, on average of 20,000 children under the
age of 5 years are hospitalized for flu related complications. Children are especially susceptible to the Flu due to their
immature immune systems and lack of understanding about disease transmission. Those children most at risk for complications include children between 6 months and 5 years old and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, seizures and
diabetes. Infants under 6 months are not able to be immunized. For children who are afraid of needles, there is an excellent
alternative in the nasal spray vaccination. Since the vaccine requires 2 weeks for a good immune response, now is an excellent time to consider getting vaccinated especially if you’ll be traveling over the holidays. Your child’s doctor and Flu.gov
are great resources to help you decide what is best for your family.
Peanut and Nut Allergies:
Aurora Frontier is seeing an increasing number of our students with life threatening peanut and tree nut allergies. Please pay
careful attention to food that is sent to the classroom. Nut free foods that are manufactured in buildings that process nut containing foods can be enough to start a reaction. Please read labels not only for contents but also for manufacturer details. A
NUT FREE table is available in the cafeteria. We all appreciate your attention to this important issue.
Vision and hearing screening:
Screening is scheduled for Friday November 8th, 2013 for 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th grade and preschoolers. Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd
were screened earlier this month. I will be rechecking any concerns and mailing referrals to families when we return from fall
break. If your child wears glasses, please check to make certain that he or she has them on screening day. Thank you for
your help.
Sick Child Reminder:
As we approach the cold and flu season, please remember that in order to return to school, a child must be FEVER FREE
without fever reducing medicine and NO VOMITING for 24 hours. This is a district policy with the intention to allow the ill
child time to recover and to help reduce the spread of illness. Please call me with any questions.
COMMUNITY NEWS
HATS OFF TO THE AURORA FRONTIER COMMUNITY
Aurora Frontier 3rd Graders are studying rocks, soil
weathering and erosion. Included in their lesson is the
Big Thompson Canyon Flood of 1976. with our current
flooding situation in Colorado they felt compelled to
help. On sept. 20th our Students AND STAFF DONATED $1.00 to
wear a hat, with the proceeds going to the red cross.
Aurora
Frontier Raised a Grand total for the
victims of the recent flooding :
$ 735.63
SIXTH GRADE NEWS
Sixth grade parents:
Did you know that Mrs. Budaj and Mrs. Dorsey have blogs? These blogs provide important
information about current assignments that students are completing, due dates and deadlines, school
events, as well as some resources that students can use both at home and at school.
Mrs. Budaj’s blog website is: mrsbudaj.blogspot.com
Mrs. Dorsey’s blog website is: mddorsey.blogspot.com.
Please check them on a weekly basis.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FALL BREAK: OCTOBER 28th– NOVEMEBER 1ST, 2013
VOLLEYBALL: NOVEMBER 18TH, 2013.
TURKEY TROT: NOVEMBER 23RD, 2013
THANKSGIVING BREAK NOVEMBER 27-NOVEMBER 29TH, 2013
3200 S. Jericho Way
Aurora, CO 80013
Phone: 303-693-1995
Fax: 303-326-1208
E-mail: [email protected]
We’re on the web at
www.aps.k12.co.us/frontier!
“Paving the Road to College… Every Aurora Frontier
Student Proficient or Beyond by 8th Grade ”