Posted April 26, 2024
 | COUGAR PRIDE Carson Elementary Principal Newsletter |  |
We are Carson!
Climate and Culture~ We provide a safe, collaborative, and inclusive community that fosters a sense of belonging and joy. We empower students to develop growth mindsets and to advocate for their social-emotional and academic needs in order to build resilience.
Professional Learning Culture~ We build and maintain trusting, collaborative relationships in order to intentionally foster the growth and well-being of students and staff.
Family & Community Engagement~We partner with our families and community to embrace diversity, nurture trust, and provide a variety of opportunities to engage with Carson in meaningful ways.
Learning and Instruction~We maintain high expectations of students while providing rigorous, engaging, authentic instruction through culturally responsive and data-driven practices to ensure student success.
April 26, 2024
Interim Principal Message
Dear Carson Community,
As my week of serving as Interim Principal concludes, I want to express what a wonderful community of students, educators/staff, and parents make up the Carson Cougars! I saw wonderful learning in the classrooms and felt the excitement of students engaging in their learning across the building in all content areas. I wish you all the best as the school year progresses, and a joyful summer vacation.
Thank you and be well,
Joanne Lander, Interim Principal
Principal Message
Hello Carson Community,
Thank you to everyone who reached out with your concern. My surgery went well and I am happily back at work.
With gratitude,
Enrollment Survey
Thank you to all who have filled out our 24-25 enrollment survey indicating your intent to return to Carson next year. If you haven’t had an opportunity to fill it out yet, please help us out with our planning for next year by completing it as soon as possible, regardless if you are planning on returning, know you aren’t, or aren’t sure yet. This information will allow us to invite students in from our choice waitlist if needed. Thanks for completing the 2024-25 Carson Enrollment Survey today!
Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) – last chance
If you haven’t already, please follow this link to complete your child’s BESS mental health screener. Our end-of-year screening window ends TODAY-Friday, April 26. Please review the BESS FAQ document to learn more about the BESS and universal mental health screening in DPS this year. Thank you so much for your participation!
3rd Grade Music PBL Update
We are so excited to update you on our third grade project based learning unit in music! Students have been learning all about different instrument families: percussion, wind and string. With that knowledge, they began working collaboratively in small groups to design and present their own instruments that could potentially be placed in our Music Garden. Please visit the links below to see what our PBL is all about and for opportunities to donate materials to our garden!
Thank you,
Sara Brunnschweiler
Denielle Nadeau
Family Wellness Fest
Come on Saturday, April 27 from 1-4 p.m. to George Washington High School for an afternoon of learning, food, giveaways and fun at the Family Wellness Fest! There will be FREE childcare, FREE food, giveaways and more! This event will run from 1pm to 4pm.
This event will include 4 sessions where families can attend and learn more about:
1. Substance Abuse Prevention
2. Social Emotional Learning: What is tSEL?
3. School Culture and Bullying Prevention
4. Restorative and Trauma-Informed Practices
There will also be a small resource fair to learn more about other resources available in DPS and Denver! For more information, check out these flyers. Families can call 720-423-3054 or email FACEHelpline@dpsk12.org for assistance.
Air Pollution Study
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Researchers from CU Boulder are doing a research project to understand the air pollution and health impacts of wildfire smoke on children at home and at school. STEM Lab School has signed up to have an air pollution sensor at the school to understand air pollution levels at school. We are looking for families from STEM Lab interested in having an air pollution sensor at their home so that we can compare the levels inside schools and homes.
In addition to needing families willing to have us sense air pollution in your home, we also need students willing to take short daily online surveys about symptoms that they may experience related to air pollution. You can get gift cards for local stores and your child is entered into a raffle to win a tablet for participating in our study.
If you are interested in learning more, please send an email to cu.wildfiresmokestudy@colorado.edu or call (303) 492-7050 and leave your name, phone number, and the name of your school. We will then follow up with you with more information on the study to see if you are interested.
Sincerely,
The Wildfire Smoke and Schools Study Team
Dr. Colleen Reid, Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Colorado Boulder
Dr. Aaron Lamplugh, Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Colorado Boulder
Carson Disco – Tonight
Resources
Reminders
Upcoming Events
4/22-5/1: Boosterthon Week
4/26: Carson Disco 6-8pm Carson Gym
5/1: Booster Fun Run ~ 8-9 Primary Run & 12:15-1:15 Intermediate Run
5/1: 2nd Grade Musical Explorers Field Trip 9:15-11:30
5/6-5/10: Teacher Appreciation Week!
5/6: 5th Grade Musical Daytime Cast Dress Rehearsal – 8:00 am – 8:45 am
5/7: 5th Grade Musical Nighttime Cast Dress Rehearsal – 8:00 am – 8:45 am
5/8: 5th Grade Musical Daytime Cast Performance – 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm
5/9: 5th Grade Musical Nighttime Cast Performance – 6:00 pm
5/15: Kindergarten Field Trip Arvada Center 8-12
5/16: PTA Meeting 6-7pm
5/17: Kindergarten Day at Robinson Park 10-11:30
5/21: Virtual CSC Meeting 5:30-6:30
5/23: Field Day- 8-10:30 Primary & 12-2:30 Intermediate
5/23: Carson Community BBQ 10:30-12:00
5/24: 4th Grade Colorado History Museum Field Trip 9-12
5/27: Memorial Day ~ No School
5/30: 5th Grade Young Ameritowne Field Trip 9-2
5/30: 3rd Grade Park Day at Crestmoor 9-1
5/30: Field Day Rain Date
5/31: Talent Show
6/3: 2nd Grade Day at Crestmoor Park 9-1
6/4: 1st Grade Day at Crestmoor Park 9-11:30
6/4: 5th Grade Continuation 1-2
6/5: Last Day of School- 11:40 Early Release
6/5: Fun Run 8-8:45
6/5: End of Year Character Ed Assembly 8:45-9:15
6/5: Students vs. Teachers Kickball Game 9:30
6/5: Report Cards Available via Parent Portal
Check out the Carson website for updates on future events.
Email Emily_Livingston@dpsk12.net at least one week in advance if you need an interpreter for any Carson events.
PTA News
Upcoming Events
Carson Disco: Friday, April 26 6:00-8:00 PM
Join us for the annual Carson Disco in the Carson Gym! This is one of the most fun events for the kids of the whole school year! There will be a DJ, pizza, and prizes for the best costume. This event is for Carson students only and a parent or guardian over 18 must be present. Please bring a water bottle and wear your dance shoes. Also, this annual event is sponsored and organized by the PTA and we still need a few volunteers to make it happen! We couldn’t host such fun events without you — thank you and look forward to seeing you there!
2nd Annual Carson/Booster Fun Run | Wednesday, May 1
The Carson PTA spring fundraiser is back this year with our Booster Celebratory Fun Run taking place on the Carson field on Wednesday, May 1. Our fundraising goal this year is $30,000, which will support a variety of ongoing needs at the School. Grades K-2 will run at 8:00am. Grades 3-5 will run at 12:15pm. Each session lasts about an hour, and family/friends are encouraged to attend to cheer on all our students.
REGISTER your kid(s) and learn more about how to support Carson at www.myBooster.com!!
Carson Barre3 Class Opportunity! | Sunday, 5/5, 11-12 am
Please join us at a private Barre3 class on Sunday 5/5 from 11-12 am, just for Carson Families.
There are only 15 spots still available, so sign up soon to get your spot. The class is $30 for a 60 minute class at Barre3 Cherry Creek on 6th Ave. All money raised will go to Carson PTA.
Reserve your spot now! Questions? Contact Michelle Virta: michelle.virta@gmail.com
From Barre3
Our efficient + effective workout combines strength, cardio, and mindfulness. When you work out with us, you’ll move through low-impact isometric moves, large-range cardio bursts, and mind-centering breath work. Barre3 instructors will challenge you to find your edge while creating space for you to define what success looks like for you in every workout. No experience required – our workout is designed for every fitness level, from beginner to expert. Bring a water bottle to keep you hydrated. We’ll provide mats and any necessary props. You can go barefoot or wear sticky socks. We hope to see many of you there!
Follow Carson PTA on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on Carson events!
PTA Board ~ Open PTA Board Positions
Want to get more involved? We are looking to fill three positions on the PTA Board for the upcoming 24/25 school year. It is a two-year commitment and a great opportunity to be more involved at Carson, make a difference at our school, and create new friendships. The open positions are Treasurer, Fundraising, and President-Elect. If interested, please contact the PTA for more information. ptacarson@gmail.com.
Staff Appreciation Week: May 6 – May 10
Teacher and Staff Appreciation week is coming! May 6-10!! To show our appreciation, we have a fun week of activities for the students and parents to participate in and also a week of treats for the teachers. Below is the sign up for the week of treats for the teachers and staff. Please choose as much or as little as you want.
Thank you to our Staff Appreciation Week Coordinators — Nicole Thrasher, Elizabeth Clark, Melissa Thomas, and Melissa Alzubaidi!
Colorado Rapids Fundraising Nights | 5/11 7:30 pm
Buy discounted tickets to cheer on the Colorado Rapids at either (or both!) of our upcoming Carson/Rapids fundraising nights! Ticket pricing starts at just $20, and a portion of every ticket sale will be donated back to the Carson PTA. The Rapids play San Jose on May 11 at 7:30pm.
PTA Meeting: May 16, 6:00-7:00 PM
Please join us for the last PTA meeting of the school year. This is an important meeting where we will vote on additional funding for next year, so please plan to attend. The meeting will take place at Carson, there will also be an option to join virtually.
Field Day and Community Barbecue: May 23
Come cheer on the students during Field Day, and join them for lunch on the playground! This is a day of fun for the kids, but it can’t happen without parent/guardian participation, so please sign up here to help with Field Day events:
More info on the Family Picnic to come!
Thank you to our Field Day Coordinators, Sylvia Brady and Hannah Sloven, and Family Picnic Coordinators, Melissa Thomas and Patricia Zymeri!
End of Year Fun Run: June 5, 8:00 AM
Come cheer on your student(s) on the last day of school at our annual End of Year Fun Run. Students will run a loop through the neighborhood — it’s lots of fun. As always, we rely on our community to help make this event happen, so keep an eye out for a call for volunteers and sign up if you can.
Thank you to our End of School Fun Run Coordinators, Grace Goodman and Ellen Stern for making this event happen!
Relive the memories of this spectacular year at Carson with a Carson Yearbook. Follow this link to purchase yours today! PURCHASE CODE: 1014879460631485
Congratulate a graduating fifth grader, recognize a hard-working student or honor an incredible teacher with a yearbook tribute. Follow this link to place your tribute, and make this year’s book even more special!
Follow Carson PTA on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on Carson events!
Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered in any capacity so far this year! Special, enormous thanks to our Character Ed Chairs, Reese Jansen and Kristin Wessell, who ran the program this year.
We will have more opportunities to get involved in some fun end-of-year events, such as Teacher Appreciation Week, Field Day, and the End-of-School Fun Run, so stay tuned for sign-ups for those events. In the meantime, we are in need of a few volunteers to help at the Carson Disco next Friday, April 26. Please see the sign-up below and thank you!
Tuesday Treats for Teachers and Staff
Help fuel Carson’s amazing teachers and staff with Tuesday Teacher Treats!
Help with hard to open lunches, cleaning up, and ensuring lunch time at Carson runs smoothly!
Don’t forget to complete your free volunteer background check!
PTA Board
Open PTA Board Positions
Want to get more involved? We are looking to fill three positions on the PTA Board for the upcoming 24/25 school year. It is a two year commitment and a great opportunity to be more involved at Carson, make a difference at our school, and create new friendships. The open positions are Treasurer, Fundraising, and President-Elect. If interested, please contact the PTA for more information. ptacarson@gmail.com.
Carson Elementary Directory
Please find the Updated 2023-2024 Carson Elementary Directory here.
Community Involvement
Clothes to Kids of Denver!
The Carson community is a proud supporter of local non-profit, Clothes To Kids of Denver (CTKD). CTKD’s mission is simple – to provide free school clothes to students in need or in crisis. Students get to shop in a warm and welcoming boutique where they can select the wardrobe pieces that meet their needs. Each wardrobe is a week’s worth of school clothes – 21 pieces – and it is all FREE! CKTD’s goal is always to reach as many students as possible. They cannot do this work without strong community support, so thank you for helping make this happen!
Want to Help?
CTKD serves students in preschool – 12th grade, so they gladly accept clean and ready to wear, gently used or new clothing size 4T up through all adult sizes as well as shoes from size 8T up to adult sizes. Bring your donations to school any time and place them in the grey and blue CTKD bin located in the front lobby.
Want to Shop?
To shop at CTKD, students must be age 3-21, live in the 11-county Denver Metro Area, and be enrolled in preschool-12th grade, or working toward a GED. No referral or proof of automatic qualification is required to shop. Click this LINK for more information. Appointments can be made to shop in CTKD’s store or to pick up clothing through CTKD’s curbside program. Make an appointment by calling 720-379-4630 or emailing appointment@clothestokidsdenver.org.
Questions? Contact Carson’s Bin Champion Lauren Stoffel at LCStoffel@gmail.com.
For more information about CTKD, visit their website http://www.clothestokidsdenver.org.
Shop at King Soopers and Give Back to Carson!
By linking your King Soopers loyalty card to the Carson Elementary PTA, you can give back to the School every time you shop at King Soopers and their family of brands (City Market, Kroger, etc.)! If you haven’t already, sign up for a loyalty card and create a digital account. Then visit our King Soopers Community Rewards instructions for steps to link your card to the Carson Elementary PTA. A percentage of all purchases linked to your cards is donated back to the School. Carson has already received over $1,700 this year, thanks to those who already support this program! (Note that this sign-up process is best completed on a computer/tablet, NOT on your phone.)
Longmont Dairy Farm will donate 5 cents for every bottle cap from Longmont Dairy-produced products. Thank you to the people who’ve been hoarding their milk caps through the summer and fall – you can finally begin dropping them off again! The drop off container is in the lobby of Carson near Norma’s desk!
Carson families can enjoy 20% off stationary and custom gifts from Minted. Use code FUNDRAISEPTACARSON and Minted will also give back 15% to the Carson PTA!
Annual School Supplies Fees
If you haven’t done so yet, please pay your annual school supply fee today. Mark something off your list!
The annual fee per student pays for school supplies, online technology, and subscriptions used in your student’s classroom. You will not need to buy school supplies. You also have the option to add in a scholarship if you would like!
Crossing Guards Needed!
Want to supplement your income for just a few hours a week? Become a school crossing guard at Carson today! This position offers ten hours per week at $19.00 per hour. Help keep our kids safe! If you’d like more information, please reach out to Norma at norma_barron@dpsk12.net. Job Posting Description More Information Here Spanish
Substitute Teachers
Become a substitute for Carson! Enjoy a flexible schedule! Join a great team! Make a difference for our school! Becoming a sub for DPS is fast and easy. The first step is to obtain your license from the Colorado Department of Education. Here’s how! Talk to Norma if you have any questions!
Carson Community Bulletin Board
Check out all of these amazing resources in our community that are updated weekly! Carson Community Bulletin Board. If you have anything for the community board please email it to jessica_compaore@dpsk12.net
This is Carson!
April
Total Enrollment: 415
Attendance: 96%
Teachers: 32
Support Staff: 22
Demographics
American Indian or Alaskan Native: 2.1%
Asian: 9%
Black: 4%
Hispanic: 7%
Multiple Races: 8%
White: 70%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0%
Free/Reduced Lunch: 14.4%
Highly/Gifted and Talented: 88 (21.2%)
Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 14 (3.4%)
Multilingual Learners: 22 (5.3%)
Special Education:41 (10.2%)
Students of Color: 29%
Parents and Guardians- please be careful and cautious at pick up and drop off. We’ve seen a few close calls with students in the crosswalk and cars turning illegally. Please DO NOT drop students off in the middle of the street or crosswalk. This is a huge safety violation. We are very lucky to have Mr. Dan and Ms. Kristen, our school crossing guards, please say thank you and hello to them next time you see them!
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