Upcoming events:
Wednesday, October 4th - Walk to School Day
Friday, October 6th - Jump Rope for Heart assembly 3:30 Gym
October 9th-13th - No school Fall break
Discovery Program:
The Discovery Application Process for the 2018 -2019 school year is now open.
The application process may be initiated by a teacher or other professional, parent, or student. The application deadline for the 2018-2019 school year is November 17, 2017. For applications submitted after that date, students identified for the program are placed on a space availability basis. The Discovery Program is a self-contained, center based, magnet program for highly gifted learners located regionally at four elementary school sites in Douglas County. The program is intended for those students who require intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from the regular school gifted programming.
Due to the intensive nature of the Discovery Program, a body of evidence is needed to determine the best match between student and programming. Information considered includes documented cognitive ability, standardized achievement data, classroom performance data, student, parent, and teacher input. Three major criteria for placement are
1) Exceptional intellectual/cognitive ability
2) Documented above grade level performance in multiple content areas, and
3) no below grade level performance in any content area.
Multiple criteria will be considered in the placement process to provide evidence of the best match between student academic need and the rigorous environment of the program.
Please visit the DSCSD Gifted Education Webpage linked HERE for more information and application materials.
PTO:
Hi Flagstone Families! Thanks again for all of your hard work earning pledges for the Stampede to Read. We still need your help collecting all of the pledges. You can log on to your Fun Run accounts to see what is still outstanding! We are currently at 87% collected. Please help us get to 100%! Thank you for your support!
From the Student Council:
All Student Council representatives that are running for an officer position will be giving a short speech at tomorrow's assembly, beginning at 3:30. Parents are welcome to come watch their student deliver their speech to the student body. Student voting will occur the following week and all newly elected officers will be announced at the Friday, October 6th assembly.
BOX TOPS for EDUCATION
Please continue to send in any Box Tops for Education that you may find on select food packages. Last year the Student Council was able to collect over $1,000 just by clipping box tops! We want to earn even any more this school year. Thank you for your support of the FSE Student Council. Questions? Contact Karen Allen, Aly English, or Kristi Swen.
Prevention Curriculum
Dear Flagstone Families,
As we work towards promoting student wellness in all areas, we want students in Douglas County to not only accept and appreciate themselves, but also accept and appreciate the uniqueness of others. For elementary school children, factors such as physical appearance, cultural traits, and disabilities begin to be recognized and can potentially impact relationships. When we learn to value each other for who we are, then we are less likely to engage in negative coping mechanisms. Based on students’ development levels, we have explored these topics in the classroom with our students:
- Students are being introduced to differences from the angle of “All of us are unique.” The students will deepen their understanding of how to recognize, respect, and embrace such differences.
- Students learned about Safe2Tell, a program to help students learn what to look for, listen for, and what to report.
- Students learned about Tattling vs. Telling/Reporting.
- Students learned about Bullying vs. Normal Conflict and how to report that.
We will survey students in 3rd and 5th grade to ensure we have a base line data point to drive our work in empowering our young people. Survey questions are only about knowing “when they need help and where to get help” and are taken anonymously.
We encourage you to support our efforts by discussing this month’s topic of Acceptance & Appreciation of Ourselves and Others. Check us out next month when we explore: How to Help Friends and Family Members in Need.
Remember that if your child shares thoughts or behaviors that concern you there are many resources available to you at your student’s school (counselor, mental health provider, teacher) and in the community. Your child’s safety is of the utmost importance, and we at Flagstone will do all we can to support every student’s well-being. Please consider the resources offered on the PREVENTION and SCHOOL CULTURE (https://www.dcsdk12.org/prevention-and-school-culture) website if you would like to learn more about this topic.
In Partnership,
Gerri Dionisio, School Psychologist
Kristi Swen, School Interventionist
Kelli Smith, Principal
Meg Jacques, Assistant Principal
And of course, All Staff at Flagstone
