Feb. 17

Dear Families,
     Another exciting week here at Fireside Elementary. Thanks to our parents for attending the first round of conferences, they will continue into next week on February 21st and 23rd. Teachers sure appreciated the conference meals provided by our parents. 
     Be sure to check out: Fireside Elementary ranked #4 among top 25 schools in the Denver Metro area This is a tribute to our amazing staff, strong PTO board, and cohesive community. We truly provide an exceptional learning experience for all!
     Don't forget to join us on Monday, February 27th at 8:10am in the Amphitheater to kick-off our Literacy Week with a parent presentation co-presented by myself, our district literacy coach and in collaboration with Fireside teachers.  Learn about our Fireside reading beliefs, practices, and resources we're using to support readers and find out ways you can support your readers at home. We're excited about this year's Literacy Week theme emphasizing Empathy:  Read a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes. Please RSVP by signing up here
     Interested in learning more about tech in BVSD? Take a peak at: District Technology Advisory Committee Update (Feb 2017) Educational technology resources and the opportunities afforded through these tools are forever expanding and changing. As a district we have seen an increase in digital devices and resources to enhance teaching and learning. 


As always, thank you for your partnership in learning.

February 10

Dear Fireside Families,

Fireside has spirit!

We're excited to see you at conferences Feb. 15, 21 and 23!

Here are a few words from Ms. Pazour:

If your child hasn't already shared with you the exciting technological devices, applications, programs, and projects that they've worked with this year, please ask them to tell you all about them. Different grades have differing levels of time with technology, increasing with the students' progress through the grade levels. We will be sending home a student-password card for you to explore some of the cloud-based programs that your child is able to access. Also, please visit the Fireside Elementary Library website for school-wide programs and application subscriptions, such as Typing Pal, WeVideo and Wixie. During conference evenings, the computer lab will be available for student-led technology tours of programs, projects, and websites. Feel free to drop by and explore.

Homework Survey: 

Thanks to our 111 respondents who took time to respond to our homework survey. For a summary of the data please view our SAC notes from the January 12th meeting here. We reviewed the data as a staff and will continue to engage in discussions to consider revisions to our policy for next school year.

As always, my door is always open. Thank you for your partnership in our exceptional school!

February 3

Dear Fireside Families,

      It's been a spirited week at Fireside! Thanks to our Student Council for selecting a different theme each day for spirit week as we celebrated each student's individuality. Other news...Ms. Fitzgerald hosted the annual Spelling Bee. I applaud all of our risk-takers who participated in the event and congratulations to Trey Chance as he was this year's finalist and will represent Fireside at the regional competition.
     We hosted our C.A.P. staff and parent workshops this week in preparation for the student workshops which will begin next week. The motto for C.A.P. is keeping kids safe, strong and free, which aligns well with our school motto- safe communities = safe schools. I continue to value everyone's part in supporting the safety of our school and students.


What's the status of educational funding in Colorado?
Please take a moment to view the links below to help stay informed about the status of funding in Colorado.

Trey Chance, Spelling Bee finalist

The Colorado Did You Know? video is available here.  The first video from 2015-16 described K-12 school funding in Colorado: history of where we have been / where we are now, the impact of the negative factor on Colorado's school districts, and how money matters to districts and students.The Colorado School Finance Project (CSFP) created a second video in our Colorado Did You Know? series describing the school finance situation in Colorado in 2017.  

Colorado: Did You Know 2017? provides additional details on the impact of Colorado’s K-12 funding on our students, districts and ultimately our state.
                         
     Please join us on Monday, February 27th at 8am in the Amphitheater to kick-off our Literacy Week with a parent presentation co-presented by myself, our district literacy coach and in collaboration with Fireside teachers.  Learn about our Fireside reading beliefs, practices, and resources we're using to support readers and find out ways you can support your readers at home. We're excited about this year's Literacy Week theme emphasizing Empathy:  Read a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes. Please RSVP by signing up here

As always, thank you for your partnership in learning!