Posted March 7, 2025
| Principal Message ✏️ 3/7/25 Hello Carson Community, This week I have two exciting pieces of information to share with you all about Carson’s programming model! Our School Leadership Team, in collaboration with our teaching staff, have decided to move to a ‘self-contained’ classroom model next year where all students will have one teacher. We also found out the incredible news that Carson was selected as a Gifted and Talented Magnet School beginning the 2026 school year! Please read below to learn more! This week I was also fortunate to have our Principal for the Day through Carson’s auction, supporting our students and staff! Principal Judah P. was a wonderful principal who made my day much easier! Here’s his take on his time as our Principal: It’s really exciting to be the principal! I first got to walk around and gather the tardy slips. Then I got to read to the kindergarten classes and went to recess to supervise them. Being the principal really helps show the importance of school and hard work that the principal has to do. Then I got to pull the fire alarm and make sure everybody got out of the building safely. Then I got to make an announcement and the decision to make if we wanted to have an outside recess or inside recess. My favorite part was pulling the fire alarm because it causes a chain reaction for everybody to leave the building. Recess duty was fun because I got to blow the whistle and tell jokes on the walkie talkie. Today was a really fun day! What an exciting week! Have a fabulous weekend! With gratitude,  Announcements 🚩 25-26 Carson Programming Model Carson’s School Leadership Team, along with feedback from our whole teaching staff, analyzed data and determined we will have self-contained classrooms in kindergarten through fifth grade next year. A self-contained classroom means that students spend most or all of their day with one primary teacher. In contrast, a platooning model, which we currently have, involves students moving between different teachers throughout the day. A self-contained classroom in an elementary school offers stability, consistency, and a personalized approach that caters well to the developmental and academic needs of young learners. By minimizing transitions and fostering strong teacher-student relationships, it creates a nurturing learning environment that benefits students, teachers, and the community. Benefits for Students: Consistent Relationships: A single teacher throughout the day allows for stronger, trusting relationships. This consistency helps the teacher understand each student’s learning style, strengths, and areas needing support. Stable Learning Environment: Staying in one room limits transitions and disruptions. The stable setting benefits young learners by reducing anxiety and helping them focus on learning rather than adjusting to new environments. Integrated Curriculum: The teacher can design lessons that connect subjects and skills throughout the day. A holistic approach makes it easier for students to see the connections between different areas of learning. Personalized Instruction: With one teacher overseeing most learning, it is easier to provide individualized attention and tailor instruction to meet diverse student needs. Benefits for Teachers: Stronger Classroom Management: A single teacher is responsible for behavior expectations and classroom routines, leading to a more coherent and predictable environment. Less Transitions: Teachers will be able to maximize time spent learning since there will not be as many transitions out of the classroom. Ease of Communication: With families interacting primarily with one teacher, there is a straightforward channel for sharing student progress and concerns. Balanced Instructional Planning: Planning lessons that build on previous knowledge becomes more fluid when one teacher handles the curriculum for the entire day, reducing potential gaps in instruction. Data Driven Instruction: Teachers will have team members to analyze data and collaborate with who teach the same subjects and lessons at their grade level. Benefits for the Community: Enhanced Support Systems: Community members and parents often find reassurance in the continuity of having one main point of contact. This improves trust in the school’s ability to support each student’s educational journey. Stronger School Community: A self-contained classroom supports a sense of belonging among students, teachers, and families, contributing to an overall positive school culture. Gifted Magnet School Letter from the GT Department and DPS Senior Leadership Congratulations! We are thrilled to officially welcome Carson Elementary back as a Gifted Magnet School—a key step in advancing DPS’s commitment to equity, excellence, and expanding opportunities for all students. Your vision for inclusive gifted programming, intentional differentiation, and strong community engagement aligns powerfully with our Strategic Roadmap and our mission to support and nurture the brilliance of every learner. Your Year 0 will begin in April 2025, and we will continue to support your team in building a strong foundation for implementation. In Fall 2026, Carson will officially launch as a GT Magnet site! We deeply appreciate your leadership and commitment to revitalizing Carson’s long-standing gifted program with a renewed focus on equity, community needs, and best practices in GT education. Your application showcased thoughtful programmatic changes and a strong dedication to expanding access and excellence, and we are excited to see your vision come to life. Along with Carson, we are also welcoming Florida Pitt Waller K-8, Beach Court Elementary, and Isabella Bird Community School as new GT Magnet sites! We look forward to fostering collaboration between existing and new Magnet sites to support diverse programming models that meet the needs of gifted learners across the district. Again, congratulations! We are excited for the future of Carson’s GT Magnet program and the incredible impact it will have on students. Collaborative School Committee Thanks for joining us for our CSC meeting this month. Here are the minutes, UIP and data presentation, and the recording of the meeting. Upcoming Events 🗓️ Get Involved with DAC Are you a parent, teacher, student, educator, school leader or community member who is passionate about improving our local schools and ensuring that all DPS students thrive? Consider applying to join the District Accountability Committee (DAC)! As an advisory body, the DAC provides feedback to DPS on decisions that impact our schools. The DAC is accepting applications for new members through March 21. The application is available in multiple languages. Learn more about the DAC and apply to become a member. ELCS Enrichment Families As you are aware Extended Learning and Community Schools (ELCS) is currently in the process of transitioning our registration platform to Arux. During this transition period, we’re learning every day and have one important update when it comes to ELCS Enrichment Summer Camp. ELCS Enrichment Summer Camp registration is open with space available in all blocks at Polaris and limited space at Merrill. See below steps to complete your registration: Step 1: Login or Create an Arux Account (if you haven’t created an account already) Step 2: Register for either the Merrill or Polaris Summer Enrichment Registration class Step 3: Receive a confirmation email with a passcode to register for the Summer Enrichment blocks/classes Step 4: Login and use your passcode (emailed to you after completing step 3) to register for the Summer Enrichment blocks/classes at Merrill and/or Polaris. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please let us know. Sincerely,The ELCS Enrichment Team enrichment_extendedlearning@dpsk12.org Merrill Summer 2025 Enrichment Camp – Course Catalog Polaris Summer 2025 Enrichment Camp – Course Catalog Community Involvement 2025-2026 Character Education Co-Chairs Needed Our Character Ed program needs your help in continuing to make a difference for our Carson students! We are looking for two co-chairs to lead the program for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Whether your interests are behind the scenes to help with organizing, planning or logistics, or on the creative side to help with activity ideas for our seven character traits, this opportunity is for you. STEP UP today to make a positive impact on your child’s experience at school. For inquiries or more information, please contact us at carsoncharactered@gmail.com. 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 Carson Vision 🎯 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 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. Social Media Channels⭐️   Previously in the Cougar Pride | Upcoming Events 🗓️ Carson Website~Details on future events 3/10: Character Ed Committee Meeting: 4pm 3/11: DPS Community Board Meeting in the George Washington High School library at 6:00pm. Here is the link to register. 3/11: 1st Grade Field trip: Museum of Nature and Science 3/12: Dine for Dollars on Wednesday, March 12 from 4-9pm at Culinary Dropout. Dine-in only. 30% goes back to Carson! 3/13: Class Picture Day 3/13: Virtual GT Family Series 3/14: PTA Meeting: 7:45-8:45 am 3/14: Character Virtual Ed Meeting: 4pm 3/18: 4th Grade Field Trip to Colorado Museum 3/19: Student Led Conferences 3-4pm at Carson 3/20: Carson Spirit Day 3/20: Kindergarten & 1st Grade Arts and PE Exhibit: 4pm 3/24-3/28: Spring Break: No School 3/31: Cesar Chavez Day: No School 4/7-4/11: 3rd-5th ELA CMAS 4/9: PTA Meeting: 6:30-7:30 pm 4/10: Virtual GT Family Series 5-6:15 pm 4/10: CSC Meeting: 5-6 pm 4/14-4/18: 3rd-5th Math CMAS 4/16: Dine for Dollars at Bonnie Brae Ice Cream! 4/21-4/25: 5th Science & 4th Social Studies CMAS 4/24: 4th &5th Grade Arts and PE Exhibit: 4pm 4/27 1pm: Carson @ The Rockies. Email Emily_Livingston@dpsk12.net in advance for an interpreter for any event. Reminders 📌 Carson Shout-Outs Character Education Volunteer Link 1st-5th grade fee payment link Kinder fee payment link When to Keep Students Home Resources 🗂️ Incoming Kindergartners – Choice Critical Information Rising 4th-8th Graders Summer Opportunities Lice Resources Gifted and Talented Slideshow Newly Identified GT Resources: Recording Slideshow Student Advocacy Team PTA Minutes 11/22/24 Student & Community Handbook Medication Agreements Medical & Non Medication Vaccine Exemptions Covid Guidelines https://safe2tell.org/ PTA Meeting Minutes Care Solace I Matter Colorado Denver Health School-Based Centers Student Resource Toolkit Family Resource Toolkit DPS Community Hubs DPS LGBTQ+ Toolkit Denver Indian Family Resource Center Showing Gratitude Does your student have a favorite teacher or staff member? Have lots of favorites? Shout them all out on our Carson shout-out link so we can recognize our amazing team of educators! We appreciate you appreciating our hardworking team! Carson Staff Favorites Are you in a giving mood? Here are some of our staff favorites!  ⭐️PTA Social Media⭐️ Carson School Directory 2024-2025 Carson Auction 2025! Believe it or not, the 2025 Carson Auction will be here before you know it! We are looking for one more volunteer to co-chair the event with Sarah Ott. If you are interested in co-chairing, or another auction volunteer opportunity, please contact Sarah at sarahaott@gmail.com. Thank you! Volunteer Opportunities Tuesday Treats for Teachers Character Ed Classroom Volunteers Character Ed Mascot Volunteers Lunchroom Volunteers Volunteer Background Check– Don’t forget to complete your free volunteer background check! Fun & Fundraising for Carson 💸 Dine for Dollars on Wednesday, March 12 from 4-9pm at Culinary Dropout. Dine-in only. 30% goes back to Carson.   Coming soon, our very own March Madness bracket benefiting Carson’s PTA. Click here to sign up for more information! Carson @ The Rockies The Colorado Rockies and Carson Elementary invite you to Coors Field tosupport your community and enjoy an afternoon at the ballpark!With active participation, partial proceeds benefit the school!Sunday, April 27th at 1:10pmvs. Cincinnati RedsPurchase tickets at rockies.com/CARSON.   Donate to PTA Carson Elementary PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. You can donate directly at https://www.ptacarson.com/why-give or through your employer’s matching program. We’re already set up with Benevity and Fidelity, making it simple to direct your company’s match to our PTA. If your employer uses a different matching platform, just let us know and we’ll get that arranged. Shop at KING SOOPERS and Give Back to Carson! Make sure your King Soopers account is linked to Carson Elementary! We receive hundreds of dollars every year through their Community Rewards program. Translations لنسخة العربية النسخا Español French 한국인 Soomaali አማርኛ |