April K-6 Focus: Sharing Our Feelings

Mindfulness strategy: Counting backwards from 5 while breathing deeply

K-1st: Bug and A Wish ...  It bugs me when ___________. I wish ____________________. 

2nd-6th: I feel _______ when _____________________. I want _________________. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the biannual PTA/SAC meeting Tuesday night. If you missed it, here are the Google Slides and

Recording of the meeting. We will have one last meeting for the school year which will be on May 12th; we hope you can make it!

Dear NRE Community - 

Sometimes it's the littlest things that make the biggest difference in people's lives. This week on Monday on my way to school I was talking to my best friend Jodie who is a special education teacher in NY. We have been friends since 3rd grade, planned our lives and pregnancies together, and talk daily. I had ordered a vanilla chai at Starbucks and had mentioned that I wish she were with me to enjoy the moment together. It was a nice way to start the week until I got to school and spilled the entire tea down the outside of my car. Oops! About an hour later, a delivery person brought my tea to NRE by way of Jodie; she had ordered me one and had it delivered because she wanted me to start my week off right. So even though she couldn't be with me in person to drink my tea, she was with me.

The last three weeks have been crazy because we have had to change our schedule slightly for some grade levels for CMAS which made a pretty big impact on students. Not all grade levels were impacted but you could feel the energy shift in the school and then when the weather shifts from 83 degrees and sunny to 27 degrees and snowing in 48 hours, it's hard for little bodies to adjust. It worked out perfectly that today was pajama day for students and it helped keep their little arms and legs warm. We also can celebrate that CMAS is mostly finished outside of a few make-up tests for absent students. We look forward to getting back into our routine for all grade levels to finish the school year strong.

How many days do we have until we finish school? It's hard to believe but students only have 27 days of school left and we have a lot of things to accomplish in this time. We have many field trips coming up, continued learning, kindergarteners and 6th graders preparing for graduation, and meetings for successful transitions for our 6th graders to the middle school. Phew. There is a lot to do in a short amount of time. Please remind your child about finishing strong, being kind to others with actions and words, and let them know what their summer might look like; students can often be worried about the unknown so having some details about the summer is helpful for them; a little information can go a long way. 

Sometimes it's the littlest things that make the biggest difference in people's lives. I started my week with the treat of a tea from my bestie and I finished with treats from our PTA president and vice-president. The Pronghorn Express came around and treated our staff to drinks, treats, school supplies, tissues, hand sanitizer etc. and we could feel the love. Thank you for ending our week on a positive note!

I hope you all enjoy your weekend and that you have some respite.

~Katie

Mental Health Supports:

If you are concerned that your child or another loved one may be experiencing changes in their mood or have suicidal behaviors or thoughts, please remember:

• Stay with the child or person until you are sure they are safe

• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to the child or others 

• Call or text 988 for mental health crisis support

  • You can also chat with someone using the link: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-TALK (8255) 

  • Trained Crisis Counselor Hotline: (844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255

  • Chat online (open from 4:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. daily): Click Here

  • Walk-in Locations (open 24/7): Location List 

  • Information About Types of Services and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Crisis Services 

• DCSD Mental Health Intervention website

• DCSD Sources of Strength website

• Mobile apps for wellness and recovery

• Let’s Talk Colorado (Douglas County Government and Tri-County Health campaign)

Douglas County has an anonymous reporting system available at all times. Anyone with a concern for someone’s well-being or safety can use Safe2Tell (1-877-542-7233) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Below is a list of community centers in our metro area:

• Colorado Crisis Center Walk-In Locations

• AllHealth Network: 303-730-8858

• Denver Springs: 720-410-6319

• Highlands Behavioral Health System: 720-348-2800

• Peakview Behavioral Health: 888-235-9475