May 29, 2019

Celebrations, Transitions and Wonderings...

We like to keep the energy high and the focus on learning up until the very last dismissal bell! It's busy around here! The best part - it's all about celebrations! One thing that keeps people connected, and a community thriving, are rituals and celebrations. And celebrate we will, it was an awesome year!  Woot!  Woot!


If you happened to be driving by the school today, you would have taken a second look, because kids came pouring out of the building from various doors, running, and re-entering the building with music pulsing outside! What a blast we had practicing and filming our all school dance! No easy feat with 400 students! It was great for the kids to observe the staff problem solving - literally on the run! We can't wait to share it with you...next Wednesday!

Next Wednesday is our All School Drum Circle, first viewing of film of All School Dance, last day of school and send off for our 6th graders. A great day for sure!

This is also the time of year that families are making their own plans for summer and asking us questions about next year. 

Frequently asked questions this time of year:

When will I know who the teacher is for next year?
You will receive an email from your current teacher letting you know the class assignment for next year. If you are a new family to Renaissance, you will receive an email from the front office. That email will go out after 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 6th.

Will we hear from the new teacher over the summer?
Yes, teachers will reach out with introductions and a link to sign-up for a Listening Conference on August 5th and 6th.
(This is a 20 minute conference with the teacher for PARENTS. This is YOUR chance to make that important connection, share your hopes, dreams, stories...This not only helps the teacher make that first initial connection with you, and it gives teachers valuable information about your child - as you know them best! We ask that you not bring your student, or siblings, as this is an important time for adult conversations!)

Have you hired new teachers?
Yes! See introductions from our new staff below.

Which teachers are leaving?
Ms. Teresa, Ms. SamAntha and Ms. Ella.  


When do we get Elementary Progress Reports?
These will go live at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 7th, and can be accessed through Parent Portal.

What are the Fall Voyage dates?
These are still being finalized and will be posted on the school website.

Are there changes to the Fall Voyages?
Yes, some. Second grade will stay an additional night at Camp Elim (3 days, 2 nights).
Fifth grade plans are still being finalized.

What happened with transportation for Voyages?
We will not be able to purchase a yellow bus. 
We are in negotiation to see if we can upgrade the two white buses that we have - which are proving to be unreliable and missing a few features (automatic chains, etc.) that we have learned are important.
Meanwhile...REA had reserved the $40,000. allocated for a bus.
Here's what is shaking out....
* Due to having to hire transportation from a charter company, and the rising costs of the program, the school is $21,000.00 over budget for our Adventure Education program.
 I saw that coming. 
I saw that it was likely we were going to need to increase our school fee to cover the increasing costs. District leadership communicated that absolutely no school could increase fees this coming year. 
So...REA voted to allocate 20 thousand of the 40 thousand reserve to the overage on Adventure Education for the 2019-2020 school year, with the understanding that SAC and myself would approach the Board of Education with a fee increase for Renaissance the following year. 
(Important to note that you will likely see an increase to your Renaissance fee in the 2020-2021 school year of $150.00)

The other 20 thousand dollars is still being reserved to see what we can do to upgrade our two white buses.

Registration for Voyages?
This will look a bit different. We are removing it from My School Bucks where you register each year - and it will come to you in a google doc form. 

Do we take our drums home at the end of the year?
No. Only students leaving in 6th grade, or students moving away from Renaissance would take their drum home.

Is the school office open in the summer?
Yes and no! The office staff comes in intermittently during the summer. You can reach me by email over the summer, and you can reach out to all staff this way. Keep in mind that if you do email, it could be a week or more before you get a response. It's important that we 'unplug', so email is not checked daily.

What is the first day of school for kids?
Wednesday, August 7th.

Teacher Appreciation

Talk about setting the climate for celebration!
Thank you volunteers for creating such an atmosphere of celebration!

The attention, food, decorations...all of it was so very appreciated by myself and the staff.
Your kind gestures - okay, spoiling us - means so very much to all of us, and is the boost we need to finish the year 
with enthusiasm and joy!
Thank you so very much!

Art Walk

Thank you Renaissance Artists!
Our building is glowing with the gorgeous art 
that you have created!
This is the very best time of year to walk through the halls!
Thank you Ms. Pam!

Thank you Staci for all your help -
the displays are stunning!

Addams Family Musical

The Musical was superb!
Thank you to all of you in our community who
sacrificed time and contributed your talent to support
this amazing production!

Bravo Mr. Josh!

Archery

Renaissance students were State Champions

 in the Elementary and Middle School Divisions!!

Second Place in Elementary, as well!

98 Renaissance Student Participated-

 More Renaissance students participated than any other school!

Four Students represented Renaissance in Utah last week, 

at the National Tournament.

Tournament is open to all students, every year, and Mr. Doug is already looking forward to next year!

Practice starts in December during PE class,

 and tournament is in January.

These three trophies, join four other trophies, 

 from the past two seasons!

* Look for summer opportunities for archery, badmitton and pickle ball on June 8th.

Showcase Celebrations of Learning

Third Graders celebrating the completion of their Showcase!
Sixth Grade Showcases today!
A very heartfelt thank you to all of our community members who
served on our Showcase Panels.
Having an authentic audience means everything to the kids!!

Our Eco-Warriors have been busy!

4th grade has been working on sustainability passion projects. Students are committed to making a difference, changing behaviors and having a positive impact on their school, community, and world.  Currently, students have procured a USAgain bin to help recycle textiles and are launching this with a clothing drive through May 30th. Crews are collecting clothes and shoes in the hopes of keeping over 500 pounds of textiles out of the landfill.

We have also written a grant and received new recycle bins. All classrooms now have a recycle bin. The students felt strongly that we needed a bin, with a lid,  for the playground and our grant got us one.

Students are also working on revitalizing our school gardens.  They have cleaned the beds, started seedlings and will be planting this week. Students hope to make salsa for the school in the fall and also sell produce at a Renaissance Maker, Craft, and Garden sale.

Students currently are running two worm composter and putting together plans to build 4-barrel compost tumblers.

Many students are using their persuasive pieces to convince the district to put a hydration station in our cafeteria and are working through several options to cover the cost of the station.

Also in the works and hopefully coming soon are a pilot run of mess kits, installation of a milk dispenser, and removal of plastic cups to reduce our cafeteria waste.

Renaissance Educational Allisance (REA)

Welcome Allie Waltee to the REA Board!
Thank you to all who ran for office!

 School Accountability Committee (SAC) :

Members:

 

Riann Benfer-Parent Representative

Charlene Johnson- Parent Represent

Josie Adler- Community Representative

Malissa Stahl- Parent Representative

Jenny Henry - Teacher Representative 

Staffing for the 2019-2020 school year:

Welcome Ms. Rachel to Fifth Grade!

I am thrilled to be kicking off my teaching career in 5th grade at Renaissance next year! I recently graduated from Benedictine College in Kansas where I student taught 5th grade.

Who Am I?

Where I've Lived: Montrose, CO; Frisco, TX; Telluride, CO; Atchison, KS
Pets: Super smart Havanese from Cortez, CO
Siblings: Two sisters (I am in the middle!) 
Favorite Color: Rainbow (I can't choose just one!)
Favorite Candy: Peach Rings
Favorite Season: Autumn

Favorite Outdoor Activities: Hiking and Skiing 
Silly Facts: 1) I am prone to clumsiness. 2) My dog's name is Telluride (T-Ride for short).  

What happened to Ms. Billie???
You'll find her in third grade!

Partnering up with...

Welcome Ms. Makayla  - to our Third Grade Team!

My name is Mikaela Sanders and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to teach third grade at Renaissance.  For the last two school years I’ve been a part of the REMS community as a parent/crew parent. I have loved every moment of my son’s fifth and sixth grade years at REMS and didn’t want my connection to this school to end just because he was moving on.  It is my goal to instill a love for learning in my students, to inspire, and to challenge them each day. I strive to teach with enthusiasm and make learning exciting and engaging. I also enjoy the inspiration the students provide me with; I find myself constantly learning from them.  

I was born in Minnesota but moved around quite a bit as a child.  I graduated from Towson University, just outside of Baltimore, MD in December of 2001. During the years that followed, I taught first, fourth, and fifth grades in both public and private settings in the Baltimore area.  My husband, Will, and I visited CO a few times and fell in love with so many things this great state has to offer; we knew we had to move. In the Fall of 2014 we packed up and made our way to Castle Rock. After our move, I enjoyed a couple years at home with our son, Mason, and dogs, Disco (a mini Goldendoodle) and Olive (a Terrier mix), but was missing the thing I’m most passionate about- teaching!  For the last three years I’ve taught at a charter school as a second grade teacher, for one year, and a literacy interventionist for the last two years. The 2019-2020 school year will be my 16th year of teaching!

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors hiking, camping, or simply reading a book on our deck.  I also enjoy gardening, learning new things (currently learning to sew), and trying new restaurants and foods.

I am looking forward to a year of growing, learning, and having fun!  

 Welcome Ms. Maria - 2/3 Discovery Teacher - 

"I am so excited to become part of Crew."

I am known as the Rubik's Cube Queen with a personal record of solving the cube in 27 seconds.  

Maria has 22 years of experience in education, with 15 as Gifted Education Facilitator. She holds a Masters in gifted education and is certified by National Alliance of Mental Illness as a NAMI family educator.

"I love creating moral and responsible thinkers.  I teach students to find their answers not ask for the answer.

I've taught tons of exploratory classes.  My favorites are; gardening, building Rubik's Cube, drawing, Chess Club, Magic Club, Spy Club and History with American Girl Dolls.

I have three sons that are young adults and a husband of 37 years.  I am energetic filled with smiles and enthusiasm." 

Have a fun-filled summer!
We will see you in August!
Warmly,
Deborah