Classroom News!
Change in Staff
Technology Integration Specialist –
Eileen Patrick will take on a new role with RME and two other schools. She will assist teachers with using new technology for learning and production of work.
ELL Teacher –
Sherri Jewby is our new ELL teacher. Many of you were able to meet her at conferences. We’re excited to have Sherrie join our staff. Sherrie is also fluent in Spanish and assists us in Spanish translations.
ACT News
The ACT meeting took place on October 20 with 26 people in attendance. Some of the issues discussed were:
The Fall Festival that is being held on Friday, Oct. 30 from 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m.
ABC Fundraiser that took place last month. Orders will be delivered to Rocky Mountain on Monday, November 9. If you know your student has a large order, please make arrangements to pick up the order at school.
The organization and leadership for the ACT team this year.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17 at 7:00p.m.
School Leadership Team
The last meeting was held on Tuesday, October 20.
Our team met on Wednesday, October 21 with the District Review Team and presented our plan for 2009-2010. We will receive feedback sometime in November.
The discussion focused on the Colorado Growth model and Average Yearly Progress (AYP), two standards that RME is rated on in terms of student achievement.
We provided that GT programming at RME is being evaluated, studied and will move forward with new proposals.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17th at 6:00p.m. Utilizing Scholarsmart for student reports will be on the agenda.
Pumpkin Run
Finally, on October 13th, we had another successful Pumpkin Run with all students doing their best. A huge thank you to Coach James and the parents who assisted in making the event a success. 
Author Gary Hogg
Author Gary Hogg, who has published several children’s books, was here for two days. He spent time sharing his writing experiences and how to improve their own writing in school. He was motivating to students and they enjoyed his presentations.
Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 11 is Veteran’s Day. We honor those who serve our country. School is closed this day.
Thanksgiving Break
No school on Wednesday, November 25, Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving break.
Picture Re-takes
Lifetouch will be here on Tuesday, November 10 for picture re-takes. Please complete an envelope should you wish to purchase pictures taken of your student.
Corrections from the September Newsletter
These are the correct acronyms for the following programs:
SSN= Significant Support Needs
SIED= Significant Identifiable Emotional Disability
In Memory of LaVern Herman
In appreciation and memory of LaVern (Mr. Vern) Herman, who was our head custodian and friend for 20 years, we are honoring his dedication and remembering him with the placement of a plaque in the front entrance of the school.
Tuesday, October 27th was named “Mr. Vern’s Mashed Potato Day” in honor of his mashed potato making skills. 
“Mr. Vern” touched many lives and we have asked students to write a memory about Mr. Vern or another person who has touched their life.
Stop by the front entrance inside the school to see the plaque and read some of the students’ work.
Thank You to…
… our volunteers who assisted with our Vision and Hearing Screening day. We could not have done it without you!
… our workroom volunteers who make the numerous copies for our teachers and other staff. What a help you all are to us on a daily basis!
… our classroom volunteers, reading partners, and all of our ACT members who are working so hard to make this a fun-filled year!
…. to those parents who are conscientious in our school zone when dropping off and picking up students. We appreciate your attention to the safety of all students in our school zone.
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In November our literacy unit is titled All About Me. We will be learning about feelings and our bodies. Our comprehension strategy will be using fix-up strategies. These are when we use the pictures, and what we know about letters and sounds, to figure out unknown words.
We will be continuing our science unit Animals 2 by 2 that we started in October. We are learning to compare and contrast different kinds of animals. We have already been learning about fish. We will also be exploring snails and worms.
In math we will be focusing on number recognition up to 20, counting, some addition and subtraction through games, measurement, graphing, and some probability.
We have finished our handwriting journals. We learned to write all the lowercase letters because those are the letters we write the most. In November we will be making little books and continue to write in our journals. We are learning how to do “picture sketches” 
in order to get our ideas on paper, sound out our words, and put spaces between words.
It was great to see you at conferences. We look forward to all the growth your child will make in the upcoming months.
What an exciting October! Our first graders loved the Pumpkin Run and the Fall Festival – thank you to all who were able to attend.
Thank you to Westminster Fire Department and Engine 2 for coming in to talk to first grade about fire safety. Students were also able to climb aboard the fire truck, try on a firefighter’s helmet and coat. Each child received a goody bag from Westminster Fire along with safety reminders. 
Reading:
We have completed our fourth theme focus which was determining importance and have started working on synthesizing. First graders have explored word patterns with short i and u. We will also work on short e during the month of November: -en, -eg, -et and -ed. Rigby also has its own set of sight words for each theme. We are beginning to send these home. There are 10 sight words per theme and each theme is 2 weeks long. Remember that these are reading words NOT spelling words. Knowing these words automatically will help your child with reading.
Everyday Math:
We are working in Unit 3 exploring patterns, introducing students to addition and subtraction, Frames-and-Arrows routines and counting dimes, nickels and pennies. Please continue to complete the Home Links with your child. Home Links reinforce lessons taught in class.
Science:
Balance and Motion is our science unit that we are currently working on. We have been exploring what being in motion means, what is in balance and not, and how to use counterweights to balance objects.
Social Studies: We will begin our next unit It Happened in America. Students will be learning about the history of America and creating time lines.
As you can see, first graders are working hard and we appreciate your continued support.
First Grade Teachers
What are we thankful for? We are thankful for our students and their families. Thank you for your support of your children and our school!! We enjoyed meeting with you at conferences.
In writing, our second graders really took some great pointers from our guest author Gary Hogg. We have really been focusing on authors being thinkers. Ask your child about 50 point words versus 10 point words. We love those 50 pointers for word choice. Second graders are working on the trait of organization. Students are including beginnings that grab the reader, middles with LOTS of details and transition words, and endings that wrap up the story. 
Have your child identify these parts in a piece of their own writing or even a book that you read together.
In science, the kids love the solids and liquids unit. They are exploring the world of mixing solids and liquids with each other. What could you mix up at home? Don't forget to make a prediction before you try it.
In reading, you should expect your child to make connections, create images, and ask questions while they are reading. Please encourage strategies like, getting your mouth ready, sliding past the word, and finding little parts inside a word.
In math, we are focusing on place value, money, and time. Count handfuls of money at home. Let your child buy things at the store and figure out the change back. Please practice telling time on an analog clock (with hands) and compare it to a digital clock. Ask questions about how many tens or ones are in a number. Play lots of math games that are sent home.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving with your children, friends and families! What are you thankful for?
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SCIENCE: In science we are continuing to explore matter and energy in our daily science lessons. The students are enjoying 
experimenting with balances, gram weights, energy sources, and increasing their knowledge about solids, liquids and gases.
WRITING: Hopefully, your student has been enjoying their nightly writing assignments. REMEMBER, this journal is due to the classroom teacher at the end of each and every month. During class, the 3rd grade has been working on summaries, conferencing, and peer conferencing. This will continue to be a daily part of writing in 3rd grade.
READING: Thanks for reading with your child on a nightly basis for 20—30 min. It’s great to see all the signed planners and support for your child’s growth and success with reading. Continue with asking questions, making predictions /inferences, making connections. These are the comprehension strategies we have been focusing on in reading.
MATH: In math we have been working on measurement to the ¼ inch, ½ inch and whole inch. 
We have also been learning about the area and perimeter of a shape. Continue to work on your basic addition and subtraction math facts. Students need to also keep PARTIAL SUMS and TRADE FIRST fresh in their minds throughout the year.
Thank you for all the support during the Halloween festivities. The kids had so much fun and it would not have been the same without your help.
4th Grade has been working very hard on the writing process. We have learned how to borrow great phrases and ideas from other authors and put them in our own writing. Our final products for this writing unit should be done by November 6th.
In math we have been working on map scale and multiplication facts. Please practice multiplication facts with your students at home. If you need flash cards please let your child's teacher know.
Thank you for sending in the flour and salt for the salt-dough maps we will be creating in social studies.
Don't forget about the family movie day on November 7th, when we will be going to see Where the Wild Things Are!
The 4th Grade Team
Dear Friends and Family of 5th grade,
This fall we are beginning our social studies units focusing on the First Americans and Native Americans and their use of the land. Please support your child’s learning by talking about any anthropology (such as Ida) in current events.
In math we are beginning an investigation of shapes and angles. Encourage conversation about the use of geometry in daily life and discuss the property of shapes they discover for our classroom museums.
In reading we are continuing our instruction about how good readers use multiple strategies when reading. 
During your child’s nightly reading they should be predicting, questioning, clarifying and summarizing at all times. Ask them to show you a place where they used one of those skills.
For our writer’s workshop we are focusing on the skill of comparing and contrasting. The thinking involved with identifying similarities and differences will take them very far in the 5th grade learning.
Thanks for your continued support,
The 5th grade team
Ms. Emmy (Meredith) Clifford, meredith.clifford@adams12.org
720-972-3528
Ms. Diane DiMarzio, diane.dimarzio@adams12.org
720-972-3529
Ms. Deborah French, deborah.l.french@adams12.org
720-972-3527November Library News
Many thanks to all the families who stopped by during conferences to browse, say hello or buy some books. Your support of the book fair held in the library during every conference helps kids expand their reading choices both by owning a book and as well as expanding the library collection. Profits from the book fair are used to purchase additional books for the library. There will be another book fair during February conferences and then another in the spring. The last fair of the year is a buy one, get one free fair.
Many thanks to the parent group for funding the second annual CCBA (Colorado Children’s Book Award) preview by retired Adams 12 librarian, Marcie Haloin. She again did a great job book talking the titles with the kids. The students are excited to both read and listen to many of the selections. She was so effective in piquing their interest in the books that none of the titles are ever on the library shelves and I have had to order additional copies!
New books arrive in the library on a weekly basis. Check out the display “gutters” at the entrance of the library for some of the most current new arrivals. They are always available for check out by students, parents and staff.
In early November we will be hosting our first RIF distribution. RIF (Reading is Fundamental) is a federal program that provides most, though not all, of the funding to let every child in the school pick a free book three times a year. This event is lots of fun and if you are interested in helping out, please let me know!
We are also working to get Accelerated Reading up and running. This is a reading incentive program. Students select a book with a corresponding computer based comprehension quiz. After completing the book, they take the quiz to check themselves on their comprehension. It is fun and many students find it highly motivating. It is a big initial job to label all the books for which we have a quiz. If you have some extra time to assist with this project, please let Linda Martinez or myself know.
I have taken a new position in the district as a technology integration specialist. I will be leaving my job at Rocky Mountain as the teacher librarian. Mr. Knapp and a hiring committee are working hard to find a new person for the position. We all agree that finding a great fit for this school is critical and will work until that goal is achieved.
My new job involves helping teachers become even better at using technology to improve instruction and student achievement. It is a two year position, funded through federal stimulus money. I will be dividing my time between three schools, one of which is Rocky Mountain so I will not be all that far removed. It has been a complete pleasure working here in the library and I look forward to continuing to help Rocky Mountain be a great school in a somewhat different capacity.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns or comments about what is happening in the library, do not hesitate to stop by, call or send me an email!
Dear Parents,
You are warmly invited to attend our Fall Concert on Wednesday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. Our performers include Choir, Instrumental Ensemble, and First-grade dancers. Vi Haertling will accompany on piano, and Linda Haertling will accompany on flute. I look forward to seeing all in attendance. I know you will be proud of the progress and accomplishments of our students so early in the year.
Mrs. Pitcairn
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After School of Rock
Kids, would you like to try your hand at a rock and roll band? I am putting together an afterschool program for intermediate students that would like to give it a try. I will be accepting applications for 2 singers, 2 bass players, 2 drummers, 2 keyboard players and 2 guitar players. I have all the equipment needed. More details about the application will be announced in November.
Students & Parents – I am still collecting coffee cans and cardboard gift wrapping rolls for a project. Just drop them off in the art room at any time.
Please remember that in the art room we sometimes use materials that can be very messy, so always wear the appropriate clothing during the week of art.
Thank you,
Mr. Hester
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Thank you to all the parents and family members who came out and supported Rocky Mountain’s 3rd annual Pumpkin Run!!! It was great to see so many family members running with students and cheering on students during each race. A special thanks to all the parents who helped out and made our Pumpkin Run another successful day!
Current PE clubs….Wiffle ball club for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders is now full. However, morning movers club still has spots open for 1st and 2nd graders. The club meets on Wednesday mornings from 7:10-7:40. See Coach James for a signup sheet.
Upcoming PE clubs…..Students who are interested in joining kickball club will need to listen to the morning announcement the first week of December for information about joining. Kickball club is for 2nd-5th graders and will start during December.
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Clinic News
Please make sure to read the flyer in this newsletter regarding the H1N1 flu virus.
If you have any smaller sized (5-8) boys or girls pants or sweats that are in good condition, we would be able to use them in the clinic when little ones have an accident.
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