Originally delivered on 3/5/2023 4:34 pm

SUBJECT: Important March News & Updates

Message from Sally Mills, Principal

Colorado Schools Testing Program: The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) will be given in English language arts (ELA) and math for students in grades 3 through 5 and science for students in grade 5. The testing will all be given in one state testing window – March 27th through April 27th. We will send home a detailed testing schedule by grade level as we get closer to the testing window.

What is CMAS? Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessments in English language arts, math, and science align with the Colorado Academic Standards and measure complex critical thinking and problem-solving.

What is the purpose?

  • Teachers, schools, and districts use the information to determine the next steps in instruction and changes in programming to support learning.
  • CMAS tests are one indicator that is used along with report cards, classroom performance, and teacher feedback to provide a complete picture of student progress.
  • Growth from CMAS results provides another dimension of performance beyond just achievement. Growth data helps identify areas of strength and areas that may need more attention and support.

Spring Break: Friday, 3/17, is a Teacher Workday followed by Spring Break the next week, March 20th - March 24th. Students return on Monday, March 27th. We hope all of you have a safe and enjoyable break with your family!

As always, if you have a question, comment, or suggestion, please call the office or email me at Sally.Mills@jeffco.k12.co.us.

Proud parent of a Mindset Master? Download a copy here.

A Note From Your President

Parents: We Need Your Help!
We have many open positions with parents who have students going on to middle school, moving, and other life changes. These programs will not continue without volunteers. Please consider the open positions below and help us out if you can, as we'll be forced to make tough decisions if left unfilled. 

Let's Load the Lounge

This month, we welcome ALL families to sign up to bring in an item(s) to help stock the lounge. Items will be due on March 6th and collected by the main doors from 8:40 am-9:00 am. Sign up here!

Talent Show | Save the Date

Save the Date for Fairmount Elementary’s Annual Talent Show!
Mark your calendars for Friday, April 14th at 6:00 pm!
Dress Rehearsal: April 12th
Tryouts: March 15th and 16th
Look for more information on how to sign up for auditions in the Messenger. 

Yearbook Orders

All families will purchase yearbooks directly through Lifetouch! You can order yearbooks at ybpay.com and use code: 9984823. 

Soccer with Fit Fun Club

Fit Fun Club will meet Wednesday, March 15th for soccer! The first half will be dedicated to skills and drills with some fun soccer-themed challenges and games. The second half, we'll split into teams for a game! 

Meet in the gym at 7:40. We'll be playing outside so please dress for the weather! Please sign up and include your child's name and grade in the comments. 

Fit Fun Club meets once a month to get kids moving with some fun-filled fitness! Each month we will have a different focus, and we're currently seeking volunteers to teach dance, Zumba, martial arts, and other classes. If you would like to volunteer, please email Laura Kaufman.

Open Positions

Current and Immediate Open PTA Volunteer Positions:

  • Co-Treasurer (board position): We are looking for two volunteers to take over the treasurer duties. You would be trained over the rest of 2023 to fully take over the position in the 2023-2024 school year. If you are interested, please email treasurer@fairmountpta.
  • Newsletter Editor: We are looking for a volunteer to organize and create the monthly newsletter using the website application within Membership Toolkit. This position will edit and proofread monthly newsletter submissions. Work can be done from home. 

Upcoming Open PTA Volunteer Positions:

  • Vice President (board position): This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would like to be involved in many ways with our board, parent volunteers, and staff. This role is responsible for advertising and filing any open coordinator positions or PTA board positions via word of mouth, newsletter and website advertising.

  • IT Coordinator: Maintain the PTA website, updating the homepage news each month and assisting in the creation of forms and fundraisers online. Work can be done from home.

  • Spirit Wear: Coordinate the Fairmount spirit wear selection and ordering process.

  • 5th Grade Continuation: Fairmount has a tradition of honoring our 5th Graders with a Continuation Ceremony and Day of Fun at School. This committee needs parents of 5th Graders to help plan the ceremony and celebration. 

  • 5th Grade Yearbook Baby Pages: Coordinate and design baby pages through LifeTouch and collect all baby page information from parents.

  • Yearbook Coordinator: Design the yearbook and pages through LifeTouch.

  • Learning Garden Coordinator: Coordinate the care of the learning garden by a committee of volunteers. The garden is planted in the Spring each year and cared for by the committee and classrooms during the school year.

  • Sponsorship Committee: contacts prior year sponsors, generates new sponsors, and gathers and distributes necessary information to and from the sponsors. 

  • Teacher Appreciation: Organize special things for the teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week, the first week of May. 

  • Fit Fun Club Coordinator: This program runs once a month, beginning in September, for fun-filled fitness. The program is typically before school. Each month we have a new focus: running, yoga, Zumba, and strength-based exercises, to name a few.

  • Ink/Electronics Recycling: Involves checking the bin in the front lobby occasionally and then sending products off in pre-paid boxes the company sends you a few times a year.

  • Mount Vista Co-Coordinator: This position coordinates the gift portion of the 5th Grade visit to Mt Vista, which typically happens on the last day of school before winter break. 

If you're interested in helping us, please contact PTA VP, Bryttani Watson for more information. 

It's restaurant night at Chick Fil A at the Colorado Mills on March 15th from 5pm to 8pm. Mention Fairmount when ordering!

On March 14, join us at Jeremiah's Italian Ice in Candelas for a sweet treat from 11am to close. Just mention Fairmount when you order. 

Help us when you shop

Have you signed up for Community Rewards with King Soopers? We also have several partnerships with businesses that generously donate money back to our PTA when you shop. 

Milk Caps for Moo-la!
Not only does Fairmount benefit by receiving 5 cents for every cap we collect, but we save many caps from going to a landfill by returning these to the dairy so they can be recycled.

Learn more about King Soopers, Amazon Smile, Milk Caps for Moo-la programs here.

Cambell Deane Scholarship

Do you know a high school senior? Please encourage them to apply!

Former Fairmount Elementary School students are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship as high school seniors. This scholarship is available to any high school senior that was enrolled at Fairmount Elementary School for three years or more, and has a satisfactory grade standing, citizenship record, and community service experiences. To apply, print the Scholarship Requirements and return your application to Fairmount Elementary School by April 14th, 2023.

Lunch Menu

View the lunch menu here. Check your download folder after clicking.

Updates from STEM

Kindergartners engineered an umbrella that was sturdy enough, big enough, and waterproof enough to protect their stuffed animal from the “rain”.

First graders learned about pill bugs (or roly-poly bugs) and designed a “Pillbot”. Using biomimicry, students copied features from the pill bug to create their own robot. First graders also learned what animals do during the harsh winter months. These engineers followed the design process and constructed animal dens based on whether their selected animal hibernates or bromates.

Second graders designed a windbreak to protect their doghouses from the wind. In learning about erosion, the objective was to stop, or at least slow down sand from blowing in the wind. Math Facts!

Third graders worked on mastering multiplication basic facts. Kahoot! quizzes provided a friendly competition among mathematicians. Memorizing basic facts will make math so much easier this year and for many years to come. Keep practicing, third-grade math masters!

Fourth graders explored circuits and literally and figuratively brightened someone’s day with a circuit valentine using copper foil tape, a button cell battery, and LED light.

Fifth graders are working through the scientific process as they prepare for the Science Fair. Students satisfied their personal curiosities about the world around them. Presentations will be given on Thursday before Spring Break.

Upcoming Events - Select Calendar(s) to be presented
Monday, April 10
King Soopers Redemption Period Begins
Sunday, April 30
King Soopers Redemption Period Ends
King Soopers Redemption Period Ends
Fairmount 5K Run/Jog
Thank You Sponsors

Please join us in thanking our 2022-2023 Sponsors. When you visit their business please let them know you are with Fairmount Elementary! Interested in sponsoring? Let us know!

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