Spark! Discovery Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) – Believe Fundraiser Information
Last week the PTO sent home information in your child’s Friday folder regarding fundraising opportunities. With your help, we will be raising funds to support the following types of activities throughout the school year:
- Babysitting for events and meetings (various events throughout the year)
- The cost of hosting the Spring 2026 school-wide carnival
- Ice-Cream Social
- The PTO pays for Ms. Mimi (an outside professional dancer/consultant) also taught drama / theater classes to all students in preschool during the Dance & Movement STEM unit and the Drama & Theater STEM unit.
- The PTO pays for Ms. Mimi (an outside professional dancer/consultant) to teach dance and movement with families, called “FAMILIES MOVING TOGETHER” three times a year.
- Support for our Positive-Behavior Intervention supports (prizes for each classroom prize box, games, fun games, stickers, bubbles, chalk, etc.)
- Staff appreciation activities, snacks, etc.
- We helped fund the start of the Book Exchange at Spark!, so that even if you aren’t bringing in a book to exchange, there would be a book available to bring home!
- Conference meals for staff throughout the school year at night
- Friday folders for each student
- We also contribute to the school garden when items each year.
- School spirit prizes
- Materials for a Wellness Room for staff including aromatherapy, a water feature, a yoga/stretching area, music, lamps, and really just an overall area to take a moment for themselves.
- We have put together special “Thank You bags” for the wonderful substitute teachers that step in for our teachers when they are absent.
- Teacher grants for new and innovative ideas – fall and spring
- A school basket for the Education Foundation Innovation Gala auction
- We have helped to sponsor many items in our Family Resource Center at the front of the school including games, birthday bags, etc.
- We have purchased long-lasting and interesting play materials for our school’s Makerspace and Library, called Make/Hack/Play.
Online orders are shipped directly to your home in a relatively short amount of time. Orders using the paper forms sent last week, as well as any frozen items, are delivered to the school and will need to be picked up by families in person (the date is TBD). Order forms and packets can be turned in to the office or your child’s teacher. All orders, both paper order form or online (linked here), are due Monday, October 6th, by 3:30 pm.
Sincerely — Paige Gordon, Principal and member of the PTO
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Meet The Teacher: A message was sent out via Infinite Campus on Monday, September 8, which contained information about our first round of Family/Parent/Teacher conferences. Conferences will be held on the following days Tuesday, 9/23, Thursday, 9/25, Monday, 9/29 and Wednesday,10/1, in the evening (3:30 -7:30 pm). This message included directions on how to sign up for conferences with your child’s preschool teacher using the program/application called “Meet the Teacher.” Should parents need support in getting a conference time set, please contact Stacey Petering, Principal’s Secretary, at 720-652-7906. Please know that you are welcome to ask for a conference/meeting at any time with your child’s teacher — these meeting times are to specifically talk about progress/growth and to conduct a check in. We will also hold similar conferences in late January / early February.
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PTO Fall Spirit Week — Mon, Sept 16 – Friday, Sept 19 (Thanks to all staff and families who attended the PTO meeting in August for deciding on these ideas):
- Monday, Sept 15: School Spirit Day (red, yellow, black) or a Spark! t-shirt.
- Tuesday, Sept 16: Superhero Day (no makeup or weapon-based accessories),
- Wednesday, Sept 17: It’s Wacky Wednesday — KIDS CHOICE! (It could be a favorite character day, they could match with someone at home or a friend at school, a favorite sports team, a favorite color, etc.)
- Thursday, Sept 18: CRAZY HAIR DAY (check out many excellent ideas from the internet!)
- Friday, Sept 19: Tie-Dye Fri-Dye (wear Tie-dye)
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Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) Volunteer Form at Spark 25-26 school year.
Dear Spark! Discovery Preschool Families: Parents and extended-family members (such as grandparents) are welcome in our school, and your support and assistance are sought in many ways to assist with activities with the PTO. Please understand this survey is not related to volunteering in the classroom when students are present. On Wednesday, 9/10/25, we sent a message out on Infinite Campus with an optional form with different ways families can volunteer through our PTO. As many families have multiple people that want to be involved, we have included two places for both more than one person to be represented. If you shared contact information on this form, you should know and agree to it being shared with the PTO board members. All in-class volunteers must attend a 90 min. training, which is required by the Colorado Dept. of Health & Human Services for preschool.
With respect — Paige Gordon, Principal (on behalf of the PTO)
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HELP THE PTO WITH CONFERENCE MEALS FOR TEACHING STAFF
We love to support our teachers during late night conferences. We are seeking the following donations of the following store-bought items, to supplement the meals that will be provided…..
Drinks: Iced tea (plain) in Jugs, Diet and Regular sodas (cans), Lemonade (jug), Sparkling water, Poppi (cans), Snapple, and Juices.
Dessert ideas: Cookies (with or without nuts), Brownies (with or without nuts), Gluten free Oreos (all flavors), Gluten and Dairy free candy, Chocolate candy, fresh cut fruit, cupcakes, and pie.
Drop Off Details– Please drop off all donations at the school’s front office by Friday, Sept 19, at 4:00 pm, as conferences begin the following week. We are working to serve approximately 30 people for four nights of fall conferences.
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Counselor’s Corner – From Amanda Dawson
What does a school counselor do exactly?School counselors provide support to all students through classroom instruction on a variety of topics that support students academic, attendance, and behavioral success. Some examples of classroom lesson topics are emotional regulation skills, communication skills, and character development that align with our school’s monthly traits. In addition, school counselors offer additional services for students who need more support. These services can include small group counseling; individual counseling: collaboration of consultation with parents/guardians, teachers, or professionals working outside of the school; and referrals for services outside of the school.
Individual Counseling: Individual counseling is when the counselor meets one-on-one with the student. Counseling is brief and solution focused. School counselors work to collaborate with guardians and teachers to maximize progress.
Small group counseling: Small groups are offered on a variety of topics to help address concerns that are impacting students at school, such as anxiety or friendships. Groups can be a powerful way to help students meet their goals. Groups often have 3-5 students with similar goals.
Consultations & Collaborations: School counselors frequently consult and collaborate with teachers parents/guardians, and other professionals to help students maximize their potential.
Referrals: School counselors assist families in connecting them with services outside of the school, such as individual or family therapy, neuro-feedback or other helpful resources.
How do students qualify for counseling services? All students receive support from school counselors through classroom lessons and collaboration with teachers. If students are demonstrating additional concerns that are affecting their ability to participate in school, they can receive additional counseling services at school Students can be identified as needing additional services either through an individual, such as a teacher or parent/guardian contacting the school counselor, or other markers, such as attendance rates.
I have a concern about my child. What should I do? We believe in a strong partnership between families and our school. If you have a concern, please reach out to us. We can schedule a time to talk with you in person or over the phone to discuss your concern and discuss potential options for your child with you.
In the classroom: All of our students have had their first classroom counseling lesson for the school year. Ms. Amanda read “In My Heart” by Jo Witek and students learned the names for different feelings. Students also had the opportunity to sing about their feelings.
Resource section: Did you know that Colorado offers a free Early Childhood Mental Health Support line to connect parents and caregivers of children under 6 with mental health supports they may need. For more information, click here.
Have a question/concern? All parents/caregivers can request a phone call or meeting with the school counselor, Amanda Dawson, for help with their question/concern. Click here to request a phone call/meeting.
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Important Dates Sept 15 – 19, 2025
- 7 TRAITS FOCUS – Self-Control
- FUNDATIONS weekly focus for PK: Ee and Ff
- The Big Ideas of Early Mathematics for August: Starts in September — SETS and SORTING
Monday, Sept 15
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
- Spirit Day- School colors day: Red, Yellow, and Black.
- AM and PM preschool: Ms. Mimi will be teaching in classes
Tuesday, Sept 16
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
- Spirit Day- Superhero
- General Health Appraisal Form (GHAF) are due for students who started Preschool on August 18th.
Wednesday, Sept 17
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
- Spirit Day- Wacky Wednesday (mismatch)
Thursday, Sept 18
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
- Spirit Day- Crazy Hair
- PTO meeting- 6:00 – 7:30pm at the Cafeteria/babysitting provided
Friday, Sept 19
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
- Spirit Day- Tie-dye Fri-dye
Saturday, Sept 20
- Miner’s Day Celebration- Town of Frederick
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Important Dates Sept 22-26, 2025
- 7 TRAITS FOCUS – Self-Control
- FUNDATIONS weekly focus for PK: Ee and Ff
- The Big Ideas of Early Mathematics for August: Starts in September — SETS and SORTING
- STEM Units start throughout Preschool:
- *Danielle, Marie, and Amy: Ooh-Ahh Science STEM unit
- *Tori, Polly, and Kiersten – Transportation STEM unit
- *Noreen and Miranda – Drama and Theater STEM unit
- *Kelli and Kaylee – Animals STEM unit
- *Danielle, Marie, and Amy: Ooh-Ahh Science STEM unit
Monday, Sept 22
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
- Volunteer Training with Principal, Paige Gordon, at the Cafeteria, from 8:30 – 10 am.
Tuesday, Sept 23
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
- Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:30 – 7:30 pm (here is the link to schedule conferences https://sparkdiscovery.meettheteacher.com/ Here is the parent guide on booking appointment Spark! Meet the Teacher Parent Guide or Spark! Conozca la guía para padres y maestros)
Wednesday, Sept 24
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
Thursday, Sept 25
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
- Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences (here is the link to schedule conferences https://sparkdiscovery.meettheteacher.com/ Here is the parent guide on booking appointment Spark! Meet the Teacher Parent Guide or Spark! Conozca la guía para padres y maestros
Friday, Sept 26
- PTO Believe Fundraiser
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Health Services Update from Sophia Yager, our SVVSD lead Nurse
From The New York Times: Five Things School Nurses Want Parents to Know
School Nurses and School Attendance Teams: A Collaborative Approach to Addressing School Health
In the educational system, ensuring the well-being of students is paramount. A critical aspect of this is maintaining regular school attendance, which directly correlates with academic success. However, various health-related issues can impede a student’s ability to attend school consistently. This is where the collaborative efforts of school nurses and school attendance teams come into play, working together to identify, address, and mitigate the health barriers that contribute to chronic absenteeism.
The Role of School Nurses — School nurses are frontline healthcare providers within the educational system. Their primary responsibility is to manage and care for the health needs of students, ranging from acute illnesses and injuries to chronic conditions that require ongoing management. School nurses serve as a bridge between healthcare providers, families, and the school, ensuring that students receive comprehensive care both at school and at home.
One of the significant roles of school nurses is to monitor health-related issues that might affect attendance. This includes recognizing patterns of illness or other health conditions that could lead to frequent absences. For example, a student with asthma may miss school frequently due to poorly managed symptoms. By identifying such issues, school nurses can intervene early, working with families and healthcare providers to manage the condition more effectively, thus reducing absences. There is a large body of research demonstrating the positive impact nurses have to reduce chronic absenteeism.
Collaboration Between School Nurses and Attendance Teams — The partnership between school nurses and attendance teams is crucial in addressing health-related attendance issues. School nurses bring a holistic nursing approach to address behavioral and physical health factors that may be contributing to a student’s absenteeism, while working with attendance teams who have a broader context of the student’s overall situation.
Key roles of the school nurse:
- Identifying students whose health conditions may be contributing to chronic absenteeism.
- Developing individualized health plans
- Providing health education
- Continuous monitoring and follow-up with families
- Care coordination with healthcare providers
- Identifying non-specific physical symptoms that may be related to anxiety and depression and collaborating with school teams to connect students to support.
When school nurses and attendance teams work together effectively, the impact on student health and attendance can be profound. Students receive the care and support they need to manage health issues, leading to improved attendance and, consequently, better academic performance and outcomes. Families also benefit from a coordinated approach, as they receive consistent messages and support from both health and education professionals.
Resources:
- Managing Chronic Health Conditions in Schools: The Role of the School Nurse. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/chronic_conditions/pdfs/2017_02_13-factsheet-roleofschoolnurses_final_508-002.pdf
- Chronic Absenteeism, School Nurses – An Integral Member of the School Team Addressing – National Association of School Nurses. www.nasn.org. https://www.nasn.org/nasn-resources/professional-practice-documents/position-statements/ps-absenteeism
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Registrar/Attendance news – Amy Yanez
Did you know that missing just 2 days a month or 10% of school can make it harder for students to:
– Gain early reading and math skills
– Build Relationships
– Develop good attendance habits
The routines your child develops early will continue throughout their school years. Attending school on time, every day on a regular basis helps students feel better about school and themselves. Start building this habit early in preschool so they learn right away that going to school every day is important. Acceptable attendance, as reported to and mandated by the state, is being present 90% or more of the time. The minimum requirement of teacher-pupil instructional contact time per The State of Colorado and St. Vrain Valley Schools is 968 hours for elementary students during a school year. This equates to 174 school days.
Our goal at Spark! Discovery Preschool is to establish an environment conducive to the very best learning, and it’s the hope that parents will help promote faithful attendance, an excellent work ethic, good habits and responsibility. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college. If you know in advance that your child will be absent from school, please contact Amy Yanez, at 720-652-7906 to excuse your child.
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Health Clerk – Amanda Rivera
If you receive a letter regarding the General Health Appraisal Form, this could be a notice that it is OR will be expiring soon. If you have not turned this form in yet, it is due Tuesday, September 16th. These forms are required by state licensing, and lapse or lack of this form may cause a disruption in attendance. Here are some questions that I get throughout the year:
~ I turned that in at the beginning of the year. Can you check and make sure you have it? At the bottom of the page there is a box. I will indicate in that box if it is expired, will be expiring, or if I do not have it at all. There are also dates written for when the form will be expiring or had expired.
~I turned my child’s health documents in to the registrar before the start of school. Why am I getting this again? Registration requires an immunization record. This is NOT the same as the General Health Appraisal. Some offices have their own version of the appraisal form. I can accept those as long as it looks similar to the form provided. It must show the date of the most recent appraisal, be signed by the provider and contain the office stamp with location and contact information.
~I sent that to the doctor and turned it in this year. I saw that it was signed by the doctor in August, so why am I getting this again? The form is valid for 1 calendar year from the date of the last exam. In the center of the form, where the physician fills out information, a date is written for the last exam. The expiration is 1 calendar year from that date. Please note that it is valid for 1 calendar year and not for the school year.
~I can’t get an appointment for another month or 2 because that is my student’s birthday and insurance/ or the doctor won’t make the appointment until then. Is that ok? I completely understand how insurance companies and annual exams are scheduled and dictated based off the last exam. I try to get notices out with time to schedule before the form expires because I also understand doctor offices (and life in general) can get busy.
~ I already got this form and I have an appointment scheduled, why did I get another one? Please give me a call or send me an email with the date of the appointment so that I can make note of it and save sending you another form.
I work to get notices to families before the form expires with plenty of time to schedule an appointment. Please call or email me with any questions or concerns you may have.
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Campus Supervisor news – Kara Mahan
Colorado weather can be unpredictable this time of year. Please continue to apply sunscreen to your children at drop off or just before leaving the house for school. We encourage our students to get outside and enjoy our playspaces multiple times a day. If the temperature is above 20 degrees and below 90 degrees we will most likely go out to play. It is recommended that children dress in layers or have a seasonally appropriate spare outfit available to them while away from home. In addition to being comfortably outdoors, layered clothing options provide the students the opportunity to practice dressing themselves. Please take some time to support your children by teaching them to dress independently when possible. Staff are available to assist students, especially when snow boats and mittens are in season. Speaking of all the “extra accessories,” our school has a family resource room filled with supplies if you are ever in need. It is located across from the front office and is open daily.
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2025 Superintendent’s Town Hall Meetings
St. Vrain Valley Schools invites parents, teachers, staff, and community members to join Superintendent Dr. Jackie Kapushion, for one of our upcoming Superintendent Town Hall meetings. These annual open forums in each of our geographic areas provide an opportunity for Dr. Kapushion and other district leaders to listen to our community’s questions and suggestions, share our many successes, and discuss our bold vision for the future.
Dates and Locations:
- Monday, September 15, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Frederick High School
- Monday, September 29, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Erie High School
- Tuesday, September 30, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Skyline High School
Spanish interpretation services will be available at each event.
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Check us Out on-line here:
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