Meeker Elementary School ~ 3600 W 22nd St . ~ Greeley, CO ~ 80634

School Office(970) 348-2000

School Website Click HERE www.greeleyschools.org/meeker September 2019

Dear Meeker Families,

We have successfully completed our first month of the 2019-2020 school year at Meeker!

Each year following the results of the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, CMAS, and the Colorado Department of Education rates every school and every district on their performance. We are excited to share with you that Meeker was rated at Improvement, missing a performance school rating by 4%! As you know Meeker received a rating of a Priority Improvement School the prior 2 years. We know the last 2 years have been challenging years with displacement for staff and students and reentry into a redesigned building. The students and staff will continue to work very urgently and intensely on ensuring we have the best instruction for all students to ensure achievement and growth moves us to a performance rated school. We will continue to focus on two major improvement strategies; providing quality first instruction, and creating a safe learning culture and climate. Some of the action steps that will be taken is that staff will receive professional development in trauma informed instruction, restorative justice practices, and The Leader in Me. Staff will continue to use the instructional data team process by Relay, continue to receive training in use of high yield pedagogical practices, and to be observed and receive feedback by using the Observation Feedback Protocol from Relay. We welcome parent input and feedback in this process and you are welcome to join us each trimester at our

School Accountability Committee meetings. If you would like to hear updates, attend our Meeker School Association meetings, or set up a meeting with us to have conversations around this work.

We would like to remind you that school does begin at 7:45 but our students are welcome to enter the building at 7:30 as we have an early entry routine to ensure our students are successful in focusing on being a learner for the day. If your child does arrive earlier, he/she will be sent home with a note asking not to arrive prior to the 7:30 time. Thank you for assisting us in ensuring your child’s safety!

We are looking forward to parent teacher conferences on September 30th from 12:00-8:00 and October 2nd from 3:30-7:30. This is a wonderful opportunity to continue building your relationship with your child’s teacher and to hear your child’s successes and areas of growth. Our goal is to have 100% of our parents attend conferences as we can only be successful in reaching goals by having you supporting your child in reaching his/her goals. Please do not hesitate to ask questions and share any concerns at this time.

We appreciate all your positive feedback in our first several weeks of school and we are looking forward to a year filled with achieving grade level goals and watching your child grow as a leader!

Cathy Nelson Alison Ferguson

September Meeker Elementary School Newsletter Page 2

Dates to remember:

September 30: no school parent/teacher conferences 11:30-8:30

October 1: MSA meeting 3:30 pm

October 2: Student Count Day be sure to be here

October 2: Parent/teacher conferences 3:30-7:30 pm

October 9: Day of Awesomeness 1-3 pm

October 10: Picture retakes

October 11: No school for students

October 14: No school

October 2nd is a very important day.

It is called Count Day for District 6 at all

schools. Please make sure to have your

child here and schedule doctor

appointments on a different day if you

can. If your child is sick, please remember

to call the main office. All students that

are here on count day will receive a

special treat!

Walk to School day is October 2, 2019! • Students have the option to walk to

school, or walk laps around the field. Students who participate will receive a prize and will get to sign the Walk to School Day banner!

• The class with the greatest participation in Walk to School Day will receive the Golden Shoe award.

Please be wise: when dropping off or picking up your child from school, U-turns are not allowed in the middle of the road. There are signs stating no U-turns and you might be ticketed from the Greeley Police Department. Teach your children good habits by using the crosswalk at all times when crossing the street.

With winter coming soon, make sure to call the main office if your child is sick. If they are gone for 3 days or more, we request a doctor’s note. On cold days, please send your child with warm coats and gloves. Boots are to be worn if they want to play in the snow at recess.

September Meeker Elementary School Newsletter Page 3

Meeker is proud to partner with Weld Schools Credit Union to display student artwork. The work will be on display throughout the month of October.

Stop by to see the art and check out their savings programs for kids. WSCU is located at 2555 47th Avenue in Greeley.

This month’s featured artist are:

Ingredients: 1/4 cup instant pudding mix 1 cup corn starch 1/3 cup warm water Directions: 1. Add instant pudding mix and 1/2 cup of your

cornstarch to a mixing bowl.

2. Add 1/3 cup water and stir until slime begins to form, it will be sticky at this point.

3. Slowly add the other 1/2 cup cornstarch, stirring

as you go. When slime thickens and is hard to stir with a spoon, finish kneading by hand.

4th Grade Claire B. Zach D. Jenny L. Alliyah M. Angelo M. Melanie M. Rachel R.

Hunter S. Skyler S. Elliana V. 3rd Grade Layni B. Leah C. Matilda H.

2nd Grade Zuriel B. Piper D. Corrine L. Ethan L. Mariana O. Ariana P. Michael R.

1st Grade Leah A. Haley K. Anthony R. Zoey W.

September Meeker Elementary School Newsletter Page 4

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups chicken stock 4 cups cooked shredded chicken 2 cans (15 ounces) Great Northern beans, drained 2 cups salsa verde 2 teaspoons ground cumin

Optional toppings: diced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Stovetop Method: Add chicken stock, shredded chicken, beans, salsa and cumin to a large stockpot, and stir to combine. Heat over medium high heat until boiling, then cover and reduce heat to medium low and simmer for at least 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings.

2. Slow Cooker Method: Add chicken stock, chicken, salsa and cumin to a slow cooker, and stir to combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. Add the beans during the last half hour of cooking. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings.

3. Instant Pot Method: Add chicken stock, chicken, salsa and cumin to an instant pot pressure cooker, and stir to combine. Close lid securely and set vent to “sealing.” Press “manual”, then press “pressure” until the light on “high pressure” lights up, then adjust the +/- buttons until time reads 8 minutes. Cook. Once

the soup has cooked, very carefully turn the vent to “venting” for quick release, and wait until all the steam has released and the valve has dropped. Remove lid, and stir in the beans. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings.

4 cups shredded chicken is equivalent to approximately 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can use raw chicken breast in the slow cooker method, then shred them once the soup and chicken is fully cooked.

DIFFICULTY: EASY CATEGORY: GLUTEN FREE INGREDIENTS

https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/5-ingredient-easy-white-chicken-chili-recipe/

This delicious and easy white chicken chili recipe can be made with just 5 ingredients in 15 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Monthly Recipe

Every month we will profile a great recipe. Tell us if you’ve tried it! Part of our student wellness program with District 6 is to promote nutrition.

This year we will be sending home a healthy recipe to try with your family on the last Friday of the month.

5-ingredient Easy White Chicken Chili