Grand Peak Academy

Happy New Year! We hope the 2024 year is off to a great start for you and that you have recently found some time to rest and rejuvenate. Thank you for taking the time to read through our first newsletter of the new year. Thank you for choosing GPA as your school of choice!

We won! We have received 1st place for the 3rd year in a row for the Care and Share food drive that took place in November. Awesome job to all of our families! Thank you for being so generous again, again, and again. GPA Proud!

We’ve made it to the Best of the Springs ballot in 4 categories (Elementary School, Middle School, Preschool, and Elementary School Educator - Michelle Wendt).

We have some voting to do!

1) Visit https://thebestofthesprings.com/

2) Click on “Vote Now”

3) Click on “Family and Health”

4) Scroll to each of the above 4 categories listed and vote for us! (You only have to enter your email address 1 time - not each time you vote.)

*You can only vote for us 1 time, so we must share!

*The ballot is open until January 14!

Feel free to bring a friend who is not a GPA family member who may be interested in our school. This event will be on January 9th at 8:30am in the cafeteria. This is an informal time to bring ideas, thoughts, or questions that you may have about GPA. Coffee and breakfast treats provided!

Sign up here so that we can properly prepare —> https://forms.gle/c6D8oV7rAnwQS39BA

Our largest fundraising event of the school year is coming soon! Not only do we raise money, but we also have the Fun Run Event Staff here daily to motivate, encourage, and teach our students character lessons. The event runs over a span of 2 weeks with the actual run happening on February 7th.

While it is our passion to retain the families that we have, we also want to become more known to other families in our community that may not know about us yet. We would be honored if our current families would “Like” and “Follow” us on Facebook. Facebook is also a way for our families to see what’s happening at GPA! If you haven’t already, we’d love to see you on our Facebook page. You can also follow us on Instagram and leave a review for us on Google. Thank you for helping us get the word out about how great GPA really is!

The only GPA approved sites are:

• Grand Peak Academy

• Official Grand Peak Academy Parents Group

• Grand Peak Academy CEC

Did you know we have a GPA app? We do! Download it now! The GPA app is the only way you will receive text message alerts such as for early release, snow days, indoor release, etc. We also send this information through email and post it on Facebook, but the app is the only way to receive the text message alert. When you sign up for the app, make sure you have your notifications turned on!

In April 2024, 3rd through 8th grade students at Grand Peak Academy will be involved in taking the Colorado Measures of Academic Success assessment, otherwise known as CMAS. Grand Peak Academy teachers, administration, and board members have created goals for our school related to our overall academic growth and achievement as shown through data from the yearly CMAS assessment. Our teachers are working diligently to review overall CMAS data trends from the last school year as they relate to the Colorado Academic Standards and identify where our students are meeting or exceeding the state standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. In addition, teachers are reviewing this same data to identify any academic areas that are in need of improvement for those same content areas and implementing those adjustments in their curriculum this year while maintaining fidelity to both the Colorado Academic Standards and Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence.

Colorado Measures of Academic Success

What are the Colorado Measures of Academic Success assessments?

The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) is the state’s common measurement of students’ progress at the end of the school year in English language arts, math and science.

Students in grades three through eight take the CMAS tests in math and English language arts. Students in fifth, eighth and 11th grades take the CMAS science assessments.

Who developed the CMAS assessments?

These assessments are developed collaboratively by the Colorado Department of Education, Pearson (the assessment contractor) and Colorado educators.

What grade levels and content areas will be assessed by the CMAS assessments in spring 2024?

• English language arts and math: Students in grades three through eight.

• Science: Grades five, eight and eleven.

It’s great to see the students back at school! As I continue to teach the social emotional learning (SEL) lessons from our SecondStep program, I wanted to share some free resources for parents brought to you through their nonprofit organization, Committee for Children.

Mind Yeti is a library of research-based guided mindfulness sessions that help kids and their adults calm their minds, focus their attention and connect to the world around them. Visit Mind Yeti videos at:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiaUKiwbiHMQDQLCXoPaMMYotldKlUQCw

ParentTeen Connect is designed by social-emotional learning experts as an at-home, family-engagement resource. This online experience is loaded with videos, resources, and useful advice to help teens and the adults in their lives address hot-button topics. The site complements the Second Step® Middle School Program both as a stand-alone parent resource and in connection with Middle School Program classroom activities.

Visit Parent Teen Connect at: https://www.parenteenconnect.org/ and https://www.parenteenconnect.org/learn-more/

Did you know that we have a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) at GPA? Mrs. Candice McDonald is our MFLC and supports our military students. We share her with two other schools so she works with GPA students on Tuesdays and Fridays. The MFLC’s role is to assist our students in navigating the day-to-day stressors associated with military life. This program is open to all branches of active duty, Reserve, Guard, Gold Star members, and recently retired (within 180 days) service members along with their families. There is no assumption that military students have problems and need formal counseling. The MFLC program is designed to be a positive and proactive program to help strengthen resiliency skills and provide supports if needed. Mrs. McDonald is also available to you as parents, as well as school staff to consult about student concerns, identify helpful resources, and ultimately support your efforts to encourage your student. If you are interested in your child seeing Mrs. McDonald, she can be reached by email at candice.mcdonald@grandpeakacademy.org or by phone at (719) 831-6116.

Below are several community resources for food, clothing, shelter and other programs. Please contact me at lisa.gilmore@grandpeakacademy.org or 719-495-7360 if you have any questions or need more information. Thank you for sharing your kids with us!

Lisa Gilmore, M.Ed., NCC, School Counselor

For all District 49 Families (Community Resource Center):

Free Community Clothing and Food Pantry. Free produce, non-perishable food items, eggs, meat, cheese and snacks. Clothing by appointment only.

January 4th and 18th at Horizon Middle School from 4-5pm

Crossfire Ministries (No cost groceries):

Crossfire’s newly remodeled 25,000 square foot grocery store, thrift store and care services are now open. Brighter and with more room to shop, the food is displayed in safe and modern refrigeration and freezer aisles. You’ll appreciate the abundant parking and inviting reception area. Store location is at 3975 N. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80917, 719-447-1806. *Pre-registration is required on their website: https://www.crossfireministries.org/

The Salvation Army R.J. Montgomery Family Hope Center:

The Salvation Army Family Services, Feeding Services, Sheltering and Supportive Housing, and Emergency Assistance services are available to people of all ages. In addition to addressing the immediate symptoms of food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness, our programs are designed to help identify and treat its root cause. This approach focuses on meeting the physical, mental and spiritual needs of each person and helps move many from hungry to fully healed. For more information, contact their office at (719) 636-3891. For more information on ANY of their programs:

https://coloradosprings.salvationarmy.org/colorado_springs_corps/provide-shelter/

Goodwill Voucher Program

Goodwill serves individuals in need by providing emergency clothing vouchers issued through local social services agencies. For more information: https://goodwillcolorado.org/services/voucher-program/

For voucher requests in Colorado Springs, please contact one of their agency partners:

Mercy’s Gate
719-277-7470 ext 105, 4360 Montebello Dr., Colorado Springs,CO 80918

Reach Pikes Peak
719-358-8396, P.O. Box 2468, Colorado Springs, CO 80901

TESSA
719-633-1462, 35 Gold Pass Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

The Independence Center
719-471-8181, 729 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Urban Peak
719-630-3223 x2827, 423 E Cucharras Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Westside Cares
389-0759 x101, 2808 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Mental Health Support for Everyone:

Text to Talk to 38255 or 1-844-493-8255 (A provider of Colorado Crisis Services)

There is no wrong reason to call (Available 24/7/365).

January: National School Board Month

January 9th: 8:30am Coffee with the Principal

January 10th: 3:30pm School Accountability Committee Meeting Room #201

January 15th: No School - MLK Jr. Day

January 22nd: 5:00pm Board Meeting

January 25th: 1:45pm Middle School Character Trait and Q2 Honor Roll Assembly

January 26th: 8:30am 3rd-5th Grade Character Trait and Q2 Honor Roll Assembly

January 26th: 9:15am K-2nd Grade Character Trait and Q2 Honor Roll Assembly

January 31st: Free Dress Day (notified from teacher)

January 31st: Progress Reports