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FIRESIDE CHAT

April 29, 2016

Fireside Elementary 845 W. Dahlia St.

Louisville, CO 80027

Principal

Christa Keppler

Main office: 720-561-7900

Attendance: 720-561-7902

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 4

Volunteer Appreciation

7:35-8:00

May 9

5th gd. Orchestra concert-MK8

7:00 pm

May 10

PTO meeting

6:30 pm

May 12

SAC meeting

5:30 pm

May 12

Nicky/Nicki Run

2:40-3:30 pm

May 17

Field Day

May 20

Fireside Carnival

May 26

Last day of school!

FIRESIDE MOMENTS

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION!!

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NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

Dear Fireside Families, We are nearing the home stretch of the school year with plenty of exciting “Fireside Moments” yet to come. I look forward to seeing our families at our Nicky/Nicki Run on May 12th, school carnival on May 20th, upcoming music performances, and our 5th grade continuation ceremony. As of late, a topic of conversation at Fireside has been service learning and the power of students, staff and our community giving back. This was one of the themes during today’s assembly. Many examples of how we, as a Fireside family, take action to make our school and planet a better place were celebrated. Ms. Kelly Harper, one of our awesome paraprofessionals, also reminded students about the lessons of citizenry by leading them in a beautification project last week for Earth Day. Students rolled up their sleeves with rakes in hand and worked together to clean the grounds of the school. Student council and 5th graders also took the lead by participating in our traffic safety kick-off this week- holding signs and giving respectful reminders about turning off cell phones and keeping the traffic flow moving. There are many benefits that come from service learning projects: it improves students’ ability to apply what they learn in the “real world,” promotes a greater sense of personal efficacy, identity, and responsibility, and heightens students’ social responsibility and citizenship skills. At Fireside, we aim for students to take action with what they learn and find meaningful ways to contribute and give back. You might take a moment as a family this weekend and view the Pay it Forward video clip. Sometimes it’s the small acts of kindness we can teach and model for our children that make the most profound impact. Speaking of service and giving back, we are so grateful for our volunteers at Fireside Elementary and it is our time to stop and recognize volunteers for all the ways they give and contribute. We invite you to join us for our Volunteer Celebration on May 4 from 7:35-8:00 am. Childcare will be available. On that note, a big shout out to Lucia Harrop for coordinating the Bike to School event on Earth Day. It was one of the largest turn-outs to date. The 70 degree temperatures also encouraged families to seek alternative modes of transportation. Fireside even made the news in the Daily Camera and Colorado Home Weekly. Hundreds of Fireside Elementary students biked to school on Earth Day. Staffing updates: Please join me in welcoming the following staff to their new positions for the 2016-2017 school year: • Michele Giggey- Principal’s Assistant • Jennifer Rogers- 1st grade • Erin Reivich- 2nd grade • David Kaufman- 4th grade • Casey Morsberger, .5 sped, has secured a full-time position at Lafayette Elementary • Paula Haskins will be .5 literacy at our school and .5 at a different location • Mary Lynne Fernandez and Veronica Johnston will both be taking a year leave. • Carla Sanderson is retiring after 26 years of service to Fireside. Currently we have posted a support secretary position to fill Michele’s previous position. We look forward to the remaining weeks of learning. As always, I value your partnership and appreciate all the ways you serve and support our students, staff and community. Sincerely, Christa Keppler, Principal

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Will your child be absent from school?

Please call the Attendance Line by 8:30 a.m. in order for your

child’s tardy or absence to be

excused

720-561-7902

PBIS

April is about new beginnings and new growth. It’s time to clear away

winter’s remnants and make way for new growth and new opportuni-

ties. For Fireside, in addition to planting our gardens, we also want to

improve our local and global communities, animals, and our environ-

ment. Our school theme for the month is “Volunteerism” and giving

back to our community. Today we are celebrating this aspect of our

Fireside family spirit with an assembly highlighting the ways we give

back. Please view it here: Fireside Upgrades the World!is.

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What are some ways to participate and get involved at

Fireside?

Come to a SAC or PTO meeting

PTO Meetings—6:30 pm: Dec. 8, Jan 12, Feb. 9, Mar. 8,

Apr. 12, May 10

SAC Meetings—5:30 pm: Jan 14, Mar. 10, Apr. 14, May 12,

17th Annual Nicky/Nicki Run

Fireside’s 17th Annual Nicky/Nicki Run is coming up! Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 12, 2:40-3:30, to walk or run

and raise money for Children’s Hospital.

The run takes place each spring, in the field behind Fireside, in memory of Nicky Lizakowski, a Fireside student who lost his battle with cancer, and Nicole (Nicki) Haley, a Fireside stu-dent who passed away in 2013. Permission forms are in this

week’s Friday Folders.

If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Burgert, shannon.burgert@bvsd.org.

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Artist-in-Residence

Thanks to funding from the Lillis Foundation and Fireside PTO, choreographer David Reuille will be an artist-in-residence at Fireside

next week, May 2-May 6. Reuille will work daily with 5th grade students, exploring the American Revolution through movement. Reuille will also explore movement with many classes from other grade levels

throughout the week.

On Thursday, May 5, and Friday, May 6, Reuille will be available to work with students before school from 7:15 to 8 a.m. in the

amphitheater. During this time, Reuille will draw on students' imaginations to develop dance movements and phrases. Any Fireside students who are interested can attend, regardless of whether Reuille has worked with their classes. (We ask that if students would like to

participate, that they attend for the full time, starting at 7:15. Students may attend either or both days. Sign-up is not necessary.)

Co-founder and Artistic Director of Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre, Reuille is a professional teacher, choreographer, and dancer based in

Denver. Reuille's career has spanned 18 years and 7 countries, and he has taught master classes around the world, including at the

International Dance Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, the American Dance Festival, and at many other locations throughout the U.S. He has

received several awards and fellowships for his choreography, including the Montgomery County Arts Fellowship. Reuille has taught choreography and movement to children and adults of all ages. (He

often gets ideas for dances from students!)

If you have questions, please contact Shannon Burgert at shannon.burgert@bvsd.org.

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District Literary Magazine

Every year, BVSD sponsors a District Literary Magazine. Entries must be no more than 500 words, poetry or prose, and draw-

ings and photographs are welcomed.

This year’s magazine had a theme, “Taking a Break from Tech-nology”. Five Fireside students were published - all 4th graders: Samantha Harvey, Harrison Melby, Claire Payne, Sadie Schwartz

and Kelsey Wolf.

Congratulations! You did it!

SAFETY KICK-OFF

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NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION

Congratulations to Paula Haskins for joining Shannon Burgert, Amber Billington and

Elaine Rosquist in completing the National Board Certification. The National Board Certifi-

cation is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides

numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. The certification was designed to

develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and generate ongoing improve-

ments in schools nation wide. Recent independent studies in Washington State and Chica-

go public schools provide evidence that Board-certified teachers are more effective in

their instruction and there is a statistically significant impact on the achievement gains of

students taught by teachers who have achieved National Board Certification. There are

800 National Board certified teachers in the state of Colorado and 200 of those who are

board-certified are in Boulder Valley School District. This might be one of the reasons

BVSD consistently ranks among the top 3 school districts on the Front Range and why

Fireside Rocks!

Thank you for making our very 1st Earth Day beautifi-

cation a success!

With the help of 3rd and 4th grade classes and some 5th grade students, we

were able to fill the compost bin outside and then some!

I would like to thank Janine, Dan and Alberto for their time and a special

shout out to A.J. at Home Depot for lending out the rakes, shovels and

brooms!!!

Thank you everyone for your support.

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From the Art Room with Ms. Webster

Happy spring!!! …snowstorms and all!

The Spring Art Clubs are filled up completely but I still have room in my Summer Art Clubs . They

are June 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 from 10:30-12:00. Feel free to sign up in front of the office door in lobby for

the Summer Workshops. Summer clubs are $10 each for the hour and ½ session.

If your child is on the waitlist for the Mother’s and Father’s Day Surprise Art clubs May 3 and May

10 they are admitted in the class so please send them from 2:30-3:30 on those dates! If you are

unsure, please email me, Laura.Webster@bvsd.org

Dairy Center for Arts and BVSD Art Show at the

Boulder Library

BVSD High School and Art teacher show

April 29– May 13

Art Folders for (K-5) are being stuffed by yours truly as we speak and will be coming home in the

next few weeks packed with all of your child’s flat work. Please sit down with them, at your con-

venience, and go over all the incredible works together. Mighty impressive!!

We’re on the last stretch of the year. What a blast it’s been. The hall’s art is coming down

and the brown brick walls have lost their life. It is a stark contrast to the adorned walls of your

child’s visions of pattern and design. I think it’s important for students to feel the difference in the

space and, in turn, realize the value of art in our everyday…as we look forward to next year.

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS - Mrs. Rosquist

It is hard to believe April is almost over. Fourth and fifth graders enjoyed rollerblading around the gym.

All students have been working their heart by traveling through the “Heart Obstacle Course” where students get to exercise while becoming familiar with how the blood flows through the body and why it is important to eat healthy. Students have also practiced some relays that they will do dur-ing Field Day on May 17th!

Save the Date!! Field Day May 17th (with May 18th as a rain date)

Parents and friends are invited to watch the students enjoy two hours of exercise

and fun rotating through 17 different stations. Bring your camera.

More information will come home in Friday folders.

Times:

Morning Kindergarten, morning pre-school and all first graders 8:15 – 10:05 All Fourth and fifth graders 10:15 – 12:05

Afternoon kindergarten and pre-school, all 2nd and all 3rd graders 12:30 – 2:20 I have fifth graders helping with the first and last sessions but I need 20 adults to watch stations while the fourth and fifth graders enjoy their Field Day. Please email me at elaine.rosquist@bvsd.org if you can help on May 17th! You will need to report to the gym at 10:10 and you will be done at 12:05. It is an easy job and I need you! Thanks so much! It can be a parent from any grade level. The last day for Mileage club will be May 11th. We have had a wonderful turnout this year and I hope the students will continue to walk, jog, or run during the summer. 2016 Jump Rope for Heart Total = $9,454.10 Congratulations Fireside for another wonderful year of fund raising for the American Heart Association. We will have an assembly sometime in May to celebrate. Top 11:

Claire Payne $480.00 Elise Needle $425.00 Tabor Smith $310.00 Kian Smith $250.00 Joey Koglin $225.00 Cameron Ayandele $219.00 Ella Ferguson $200.00 Colin VanWolferen $185.00 Julien VanWolferen $185.00 Andrew Heestand $175.00 Lila Sannes $175.00

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2, 4, 6, 8! Who do WE appreciate? May 2-6 is National Staff Appreciation Week!

Let’s show Fireside’s fantastic teachers, paraeducators, office staff, custodians,

kitchen staff and principal how grateful we are for their dedication to our kids! Please encourage your students to draw a picture or write a note to thank two (or

more) people who work at Fireside next week. PTO is coordinating breakfast Tuesday, May 3

rd at 7:30 am

Thanks to Starbucks in Louisville for donating their coffee! We are also planning Lunch Friday, May 6

th at 10:50 am for staff.

Sign up here!

Wonder where Fireside staff like to shop?

Click here to see our Fireside Staff Favorites!

Questions? Please e-mail Lee at leehamiltonslp@hotmail.com

Who: 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Fireside students What: Are invited to learn about the amazing world of bees with Lucia Harrop, Bee Keeper and Bee Safe Neighborhood Coordinator. Where: Fireside’s outdoor classroom When: Friday, May 6th at 2:45 pm How: We will taste local honey and learn how we can help save the bees. RSVP to lu-cia.harrop@gmail.com . RSVP and permission slips are required. Click here for the permission slip.

Congratulations to the 2016-17 Fireside PTO Board

Co-Chairpersons Caroline Melby & Nicole Duster, Treasurer Allison St John,

Communications Liaison Amy Shields and Secretary Courtney Ferguson

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Have dinner with your Fireside Friends!

Monday, May 9

th from 5-9 pm

Tibet’s Restaurant and Bar 321 S. McCaslin Blvd. Suite A

Tibetsrestaurant.com/303-665-2557

25% of sales that night will go to PTO to support our students. Enjoy delicious food from their buffet or from their menu for dine-in or take-out.

Vegan, Gluten Free and Dairy Free options are available. Questions? Please contact Rachel Setzke at: rachelsetzke@gmail.com

PTO End of Year Celebration Tuesday, May 10th 6:30-8:00 pm in school library

We will have a short business meeting followed by a fun party! All parents are invited.

Free childcare is provided. Please bring a bite-sized appetizer or dessert to share!

Fireside Carnival is back on May 20th!

Pizza, popcorn, games, friends and fun! Please come out to support our school while spending family time together. Click here to sign up for your short 30 min volunteer shift today! For more information contact Caro-line Melby at: carolinemelby@yahoo.com.

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SOME NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS

Target is ending their “Take Charge of Education” program May 14th

If your Red Card is linked to Fireside, we receive 1% back on purchases. This

means NOW is the time to stock up on sunscreen, summer clothes, birthday

After 42 years, Labels For Education (NOT Box Tops For Education) has

decided to wind down their program. In this program, we accumulat-

ed points from UPC's on

Campbell's, Pepperidge Farm, Pop Secret, Pace, Swanson, etc. prod-ucts and redeemed them for free P.E., Art, and Music supplies. Please continue to drop any UPC's you have in the school lobby box through the end of this school year. They will double labels we turn in, in May, so go through your cabinets and turn in those UPC's. For more brands and information: http://www.labelsforeducation.com/ Again, the 10 cent BOX TOPS program is continuing-please keep clip-ping! Questions? Please email Kathryn Wolf at kathrynowolf@gmail.com and thanks for supporting Fireside!

Fortunately, King Soopers and Safeway continue to offer

5% back to PTO on ALL food and gas purchases.

You still get all shopper card discounts and credit card

perks. Don’t forget to re-load your grocery card EVERY

time you shop!

It is free, easy and takes less than a minute.

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With your help and Spice China’s generosity, we raised $425.18 at their restaurant April 5th.

Thanks to Kimberly Ortega for arranging this event!

WOW! We had AT LEAST 152 students Bike or Walk

to School April 22nd

Thanks to Lucia Harrop for coordinating the Bike & Walk days for Fireside!

Way to go Fireside!