If you were to look up what a SAC does for any school, you would likely find that a SAC is a mandated legislative, parent-lead committee that each school must have to assist in the preparation and evaluation (developing and evaluating) of the results of the school improvement plan and to assist the principal with the annual school budget.  Given this information, most people may falsely predict SAC meetings to be pretty dull and unappealing.  

The reality is that SAC meetings are where you go to find the "pulse" of the school as a whole.  At every meeting, there are updates given directly from staff about what each grade is currently focusing on.  There are updates given directly from Katie Lynch, the principal, on specific details about the school- (i.e. accomplishments,  test scores,  yearly goals, and areas of opportunity for growth).  PTA and DBC representatives both offer information on upcoming events and current status.  The meetings are full of information for sure, but, in true NRE style, the meetings have many moments of laughter and passionate conversations.  All participants are encouraged to engage during the meeting and to offer personal feedback on extremely impactful topics. We encourage you to come to our next  meeting and see what SAC is truly about!

Our next meeting will be held on Friday, February 10th at 7:30am.  Our meetings, as always, are open to all NRE community members and we hope you will consider attending even if you have not done so in the past. Feel free to bring along your kiddos, and if they are NRE students- send them off to class once the morning bell rings.  We think attending  SAC meetings is one great way to demonstrate and encourage your children get  involved and speak-up and out in areas that are important to them. 

Hope to see you there!

Dear NRE Community - 

We survived the week coffees and teas to keep us warm! It looks like the weather is going to stay cold for another week so please continue to send your children dressed in layers and with their jackets. Brrr!!!

We had a busy week this week but before we jump into that, let's talk about an event that took place last weekend. Last weekend we sent a team to compete at The Optimist Brain Bowl. The Optimist Brain Bowl is an academic trivia competition that brings in teams at the sixth, seventh and eighth grade from all over Colorado, to compete in head to head 'battles'.  Northridge has had teams compete at this competition for many years.  Battles consist of a head to head competition, with each team having the opportunity to buzz in to answer a series of 20 academic questions.  Questions from math, current events, science, literature and other academic areas.  About 15 teams from each grade level across Colorado and Wyoming attend this fun and exciting event!  This year, Northridge had one team that competed last Saturday.  The team has been meeting and practicing before school on Fridays since the beginning of the year.  Team members Jace and Jaxon Kozal, Brandon and Caleb Weaver, Wynslett Paschell, Ivy Breslin and Alexander Porter competed and took first place overall at the competition.  They will be headed on to the Finals on Feb. 11th!  We are so proud of you all and we wish you luck in the finals!

We had Harry Potter Club this week and the students works on their book of monsters. Below you will see lots of pictures of the kids creating their books. Students love this club each year and Mrs. Peck and Mrs. Caren are always so creative with the new activities and projects they do. Sometimes they make wands, books of monsters, learn about the houses etc. What a fun way for kids to explore this imaginary world!

We had a great turnout for our STEM Fair last night! Over 200 students and parents came to explore the sciences. A special thank you to Ms. Harvey and Mrs. Spillan for running the event and to Mrs. Peck and Mrs. Kast for doing the Star Lab in the Library. Kids and parents alike love this event and so do I! I appreciate all the work that goes into it. We had lots of different science labs throughout the hallway including some of our NRE students standing with their experiments to share with others. We had HRHS with the Society of Women in Engineering students, Kim from the DCSD Sustainability, and Matt Allen with Orion. Thank you to all who participated in the science and came to the evening.

Next week on Thursday, February 2, Mountain Vista High School students will be doing a Miracle Minute after school. Miracle Minute is essentially where the high school students will collect money in the car loop after school for Make a Wish. If you have spare change, a dollar or two or more to spare, they will take it. The more money we can donate to this the more Make a Wish wishes that will be donated. Make a Wish will be the following week after next and we will update you next week with our dress up days and other opportunities with the high school to make this a success.

Lastly, I need to address a safety issue with traffic. We are having cars using the BUS loop during drop-off and pick-up, make u-turns on Southpark, and turn left into oncoming traffic. Why is this dangerous? There are students crossing the bus loop and streets and someone is going to get hit. We have redirected traffic many times, sent reminders through email, and we must continue to address the issue to keep our kids safe. I would hate to have someone hurt and I'm sure you would too. PLEASE take the extra minute or two and use the car loop to drop your child off. If you are wanting to turn your car around to go east, please go either to Broadway or down a couple streets and use the neighborhood to swing back around, you do not need to do u-turns. Next week we will have extra people out there to remind drivers of the safety rules of not crossing double yellow lines, not u-turning over double yellow lines, and not using a bus lane when you are not a bus. Please be mindful of children and put safety first.

Sincerely,

Katie Lynch

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