Parent Post – October 7, 2016

Posted October 6, 2016

Principal Update

What another wonderful week we have had at Cory.  Who can beat a week filled with learning and laughter, starting with having Mayor Hancock and Miles the Bronco?  Be sure to “like” our Cory FB Page to scroll through all the pictures!  Special thank you to Sam Powell for her amazing organization and tenacity to make National Walk to School Day such a huge success.

You may have heard at the dinner table that we had our first lock-down drill.  I am very happy to report that everyone was able to lock down their classrooms in under 11 seconds.  AMAZING!  While it is sad that lock-downs are the new “norm” for schools, I want all of you to feel confident that we take Safety and Security very seriously and make every effort to make sure your children know what to do in an emergency.  For more information on our Emergency Procedures, please click here. Practice is key, so we make sure to complete lock-down drills four times a year.  Common questions your child may ask:

  • What is a lock-down?  There may be a time when someone unsafe may try to come into the building.  We want to make sure you are safe with your teacher, so we get as quiet as possible and hide.  The police will now when we are in a lock down and come and help us right away, so there is no reason to be scared.  We will practice this four times a year so we will know what to do (and your teacher may practice with you more).
  • Where do I go if I am in the hallway?  You go to the nearest classroom and there will be a teacher to keep you safe.
  • What do I do if I am in the bathroom?  Stay safe by going into a stall and standing on top of the toilet.
  • What if I hear the fire alarm and we are in a lock-down?  Listen to your teacher for directions and do not leave your hiding spot unless they tell you to. PARENT NOTE:  One of the tactics that someone unsafe may use is pulling the fire alarm to get the building out of lock-down, hence why we stay in lock-down even if the fire alarm goes off until we hear otherwise.

Please contact me with any additional questions.

In partnership,

Jennifer Harris

 

Friends of Cory Update-The Countdown Has Begun       

The time to make your donation is now. We are entering the final week in the Friends of Cory Annual Giving Campaign  with $23,000 left to raise and 125 families left to participate.  Whether you are able to donate $5 or $500, your donation makes a difference to Cory Elementary. The students, teachers, staff and fellow parents are relying on you to take that step and MAKE YOUR DONATION TODAY Your donation is vital to the school’s ability to keep our P.E., Library, Music and Art teachers at full-time.  Your donation is essential to providing a paraprofessional in the classroom to assist Cory’s wonderful teachers and keep our kids learning at a high level.

Your donation is integral to developing Cory into a 21st century learning environment.  This can only be achieved if you participate. You are that important!

You can walk into the school office with cash or check.  You can hand a PTA member a $5 bill.  You can go online to donate or set up monthly payments.  It all comes down to you.  MAKE YOUR DONATION TODAY!

Cory Gear

Get your Cory Gear! Our spirit drive is coming to an end! Don’t miss out! Get your Cory T-shirt now! Please go online: CLICK HERE to order Cory Spirit Gear!   The last day to order for this drive is Monday October 10, 2016.   Please contact bliss_barela@dpsk12.org if you have any questions.

PTA News

  • First Friday Coffee!  Don’t forget!  Our monthly PTA First Friday Coffee is today (Friday) at 8:45 in the Cafeteria.  Please join us right after you walk your child to class, all are welcome!  Click here for the agenda.
  • Farmer’s Market!  Ending our day today (Friday) will be a Farmer’s Market, sponsored by our Garden Committee.  Please come purchase wonderful fruits and veggies from our very own Cory Garden and enjoy a taste of fall! 3:30, on the playground.
  • Cory Dines Out!  Cory made $294 from the Garlic Knot Dine Out event last week! Thank you so much for dining out with us! Mark your calendars!  We have our next event planned for Thurs. Oct 20 at Tokyo Joe’s, and they will give 25% of sales to Cory between 4 and 8 pm. Click here for the flier:  Cory Dines Out- Tokyo Joes
  • Spooky Story Night!  The ever popular Spooky Story Night is October 26th at 6 p.m.  Come join the fun! Kids and families are invited to join us in the halls and haunts of Cory Elementary.  We will have storytelling (Spooky and not so Spooky) along with crafts, Improv theatre, games, snacks, and fun.  Costumes are welcome.  Please join us!

The Cory Elementary PTA would like to send a special thank you to all of the volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of the school to raise much needed dollars and to organize all of the amazing community building activities we have experienced so far.  You are our super heroes and Cory continues to be an exceptional school because of your extra effort.  Thank you!

The Friends of Cory Campaign is nearing its end date of October 14th.  Please support our school and make your donation as soon as you can and to the best  of your ability.  Cory depends on parent-led fundraising.  We need all families to participate in order to maintain Cory’s tradition of providing an excellent education to our kids.

Destination Imagination (DI) Parent Information Night

I am excited to see so many students and families interested in participating in Destination Imagination at Cory! 

To help me answer some of your questions, and give you a better sense of what DI entails, Minda McGurk, the DPS coordinator of Destination Imagination, will be hosting a Parent Night here at Cory on Tuesday, October 18 at 5:30.

As is often the case, there are currently more interested students than spots on teams — I am actively recruiting managers and co-managers, especially for parents of 1st-3rd graders! Please consider whether this is a possibility for you. It’s the best way to guarantee your child a spot on a team! If you choose to become a manager or co-manager, we do waive dues for your child as a thanks for taking on this important role.

Teams generally practice after school or on weekends, usually once a week for about an hour. Managers set an agenda for the meeting and collect materials as needed for Instant Challenges (more about that at the meeting), but otherwise all the work is done by the students on the team. In fact, there is a strict Non-Interference policy! Other parents can also help with snacks, bringing supplies, and anything else managers need.

Hope to see you on the 18th! If you can’t make it, but would like more information, please let me know.

Rainy LaVenture, 5th Grade Literacy Teacher and DI Representative

Music Updates from Mrs. Polete

 

Please see below for two fun music opportunities!  

  • African Children’s Choir- Looking for a fun concert-going experience for all ages? Check out the African Children’s Choir from Uganda at 7pm on Wednesday, October 19th at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Centennial (8545 E Dry Creek Rd, Englewood, Colorado 80112). Children aged 7 to 10 years old will perform their delightful African tunes accompanied by ethnic instrumentation. The program features well-loved children’s songs, hand clapping, traditional spirituals and contemporary tunes. The choirs’ mission is to generate hope, healing and justice for the innocent and vulnerable children of Africa caught up in areas of conflict and crisis, to enable these children to become ChangeMakers in Africa.  The concert is free and open to all and will be the second of Good Shepherd’s Music with a Mission Concert Series, which raises funds and awareness for mission organizations while offering outstanding musical performances to the Centennial community. Donations will be accepted at the performance to support African Children’s Choir programs, such as education, care and relief and development programs.
  • Cherry Creek Chorale- Ms. Polete will be performing with the Cherry Creek Chorale in the upcoming concert “The Road Home” on Friday, October 21st and Saturday October 22nd at 7:30pm. The concerts take place just down the road from Cory Elementary at Bethany Lutheran Church. Additional information and tickets are available by visiting the event page: http://www.cherrycreekchorale.org/event/2290-2/ Hope to see you all there!

Trick or Treat Street

The 4th Annual Trick or Treat street at Thomas Jefferson High School will be held on Monday, October 31, 2016 from 4pm-6pm.  CLICK HERE for more.

Cory Annual Auction-Save the Date for April 7, 2017

Hollywood

Lights, Camera, Auction!

Take a Leading Role to Benefit Our Kids

Get your costumes ready to dress as your favorite movie character!  This is Cory PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year and an event you won’t want to miss.  Live Auction items so far include the Wine Cellar, Bartender’s Dream, two parking spots at Cory, and a facility rental for City Hall Events Venue.

Special thanks to our corporate sponsors:  Downing Street Garage, Benson Orthodontics, Simons Pediatric Dentistry and Alpine Bank.

The parent-led auction committee is looking for Live Auction Items, Silent Auction Items and Corporate Sponsorships.  Vacations, experiences, themed baskets and alcohol are always the best sellers.   If you have a mountain residence, vacation, chef dinner, experience or other big ticket item you would like to donate to the Live Auction, contact Margit Archer at marcher006@gmail.com.

If you have a business and would like to sponsor, granting your brand access to 200+ households in the Cory Merrill-Belcaro-Bonnie Brae demographic, contact Amy Duclos at amy@coloradosearch.com.  If you have silent auction items you would like to donate-gift certificates, wine, liquor, services, etc…-contact Dana Schoonover at dschoon21@gmail.com.