June 6, 2024

NEW! Note from Ms. Trena

Dear REMS Families,

As we close the doors on another incredible school year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the wonderful journey we have shared together. Today marks the end of a chapter, but it also signals the beginning of new adventures and opportunities for our students, staff, and families.

Reflecting on the past year, I am amazed by the resilience, creativity, and dedication demonstrated by our entire crew community. Despite the challenges we faced, we came together with unwavering determination and positivity, making this year one to remember.

Our students have not only grown academically but also personally, embracing new experiences, cultivating friendships, and discovering their unique talents. To our graduating sixth graders, as you prepare to embark on the next phase of your educational journey, remember that you carry with you the values and lessons learned as a crew. We are immensely proud of each and every one of you and cannot wait to see the incredible impact you will make in middle school and beyond.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our exceptional teachers and staff for their tireless dedication to nurturing and empowering our students. Your passion for education and commitment to excellence have truly made a difference in the lives of our children.

To our parents and guardians, thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement, and partnership in crew throughout the year. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and we are grateful for the trust you have placed in us.

As we bid farewell to another school year, let us take a moment to celebrate our achievements, cherish our memories, and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Whether you are traveling, spending time with family and friends, or simply enjoying a well-deserved break, I hope you take the time to relax and rejuvenate.

Wishing you all a safe, happy, and restful summer vacation. We look forward to welcoming our returning students and new faces on August 7, 2024 for another year of learning, growth, and success.

In Crew, 

Ms. Trena L. Hand
Proud Principal 

Announcements: 

New to the Crew- Please welcome Ms. Victoria Fenbers, our new Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper!  She has recently moved to Castle Rock with her family from Miami, FL.  Welcome to the crew Ms. Victoria! 

NEW! News from our Crews:

We wished three very special staff members Bon Voyage on Friday. Mr. Ken, Ms. Zina, and Ms. Donna are all retiring this year after many years of caring for our students and staff. We will miss you all dearly but wish you the best on your next journey. 

We are so proud of our sixth grade crew! Good luck on your next adventures!

News from Ms. Sami's Crew:

Want to get a head start on your volunteer hours for next year? We're looking for parent and child volunteers to help maintain our school garden over the summer! At minimum, we are looking for one volunteer a week; however, you can come and help with the garden as much as you/your child want. Sign up for as many days as you'd like to ensure the water is on and the beds stay moist, weed in and around the garden beds, harvest any ready produce, and enjoy the garden. Your help is greatly appreciated and important for keeping our garden thriving! Thank you for your support!

Throughout the summer if there are any issues, for example the water isn't working, please feel free to email me at sheimer@dcsdk12.org. I will be around to help with any maintenance issues. 

NEW! News from our Parent Crew:

Parent Crew Volunteering Wrap-up

THANK YOU to our amazing parent community for stepping and volunteering!
This is through chaperoning, school projects, RAD, lunch duty, Auction, and belaying... just to mention a few. Our school is OUTSTANDING and unique because of our commitment to leaning in and partnering with our staff and teachers. As a school, we have clocked in over 11,700 hours (Wow!!). And the average per person is 42 hrs!
What about Sneffels vs. Pike vs. Elbert?? We have counted the hours logged, and the team with the most hours is .... drum roll... Team Elbert! Congratulations to these crews: Ms. Madi, Ms. Summer, Ms. Julie, Mr. Zach, Ms. Annie, and Mr. Jonathan  - you made the summit to our Volunteer Expedition first. To each and every volunteer: thank you for making this year a success!

PCF Year-end Thank You's

As another school year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the journey we've shared together. It's been a year filled with growth, challenges, and countless moments of joy. As we pause to celebrate our achievements and bid farewell to this chapter, I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every member of our school community.
To Ms. Trena: Thank you for continuing to pour your heart and soul into REMS. Thank you for leading with compassion, honesty, kindness and grit! It has been a pleasure serving with you!

To our dedicated teachers and staff: Your unwavering commitment to our students' success is truly inspiring. From early mornings to late nights, rain, snow and hot days, you pour your hearts into creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive. Thank you for your passion, your patience, and your endless dedication.

We will miss Mr. Ken, Ms. Donna and Ms. Zina as they move forward in their retirement. REMS was greatly blessed by each and every one of you. I am forever grateful for the impact each of you have made on myself and my children. Thank you for being Crew!

To our students: You are the heartbeat of our school, and each day you remind us of the boundless potential that lies within each of you. Your curiosity, resilience, and kindness make our community shine bright. For trying new, hard or scary things, to leading your crewmates on new adventures and being you! You are each so special to us!  Thank you for embracing learning with open minds and compassionate hearts. We hope you enjoy your summer!

To our Crew Parents: Thank you for the endless support in promoting crew throughout the entire year! You all have worked hard and put in a lot of hours! Thank you for your dedication and always jumping in to help! I don't think there has been a better group of crew parents ever!

To our parents: Your partnership and support are invaluable pillars of our school community. Whether volunteering in the classroom, leading our events, helping with showcases, voyage chaperoning, or lending a listening ear, your involvement enriches the educational experience for everyone. Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of nurturing and guiding your families. You wonderful parents have logged over 11,700 hours of service this year!!!! We raised 100k in fundraising this year and were able to provide so much! Thank you, thank you for committing to REMS and supporting this school we love with your time and talents!

To our SAC team: Thank you for partnering with PCF on the staff grants this year. Together, 27 Staff grants, were approved and $50,000 was put back into our staff, our students and our school. Thank you for co-hosting events and being crew with us this year!

As we bid farewell to another school year, let us carry forward the lessons learned, the memories shared, and the friendships forged. Together, we have weathered storms and celebrated triumphs, and I am profoundly grateful for the privilege of being the PCF Board President, these past two years to this remarkable community. I have grown tremendously and have enjoyed the opportunity to serve our community. I am excited to announce that Leslie Bauer will be the incoming Board President! I also want to thank my current board members, Leslie Bauer, Ashley Cammack, Brooke Didomenico and Rachael Kelley. They each have worked hard this year, leading in various ways and continue to promote crew in all that they do. Our school is blessed to have each one of these amazing ladies in the leadership roles! Rachael Kelley has finished her term as Director of Communications for the Board. Thank you Rachael, for your service to us all over the past several years!  Ashley Cammack, Brooke Didomenico and Leslie Bauer, thank you for continuing to lead though service to our school and parent community. To Cheryl Johnson and Michelle Harrison, thank you for joining the Board this upcoming year! We can't wait to add your passion and expertise as you come along side our veteran board members to promote the Renaissance Mission and Vision.
Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating summer, filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments.

With deepest gratitude,
Allie Waltee
PCF Board President

Back To School Carnival
Save the date for August 16th! To learn more about Volunteering for this event, email our event lead, Ali Babcock - alisaerin@gmail.com

Expeditionary Learning at REMS
Did you know that Renaissance Elementary is getting ready to take a deep dive into Expeditionary Learning (EL) Education? Our school has always leaned into EL through informal expeditions, but most recently our teachers and staff have been working towards adopting the program more fully. 

What is Expeditionary Learning?
EL is an educational approach that takes learning beyond the classroom, and immerses students in real-world experiences. One of the key principles of EL is Habits of  Character, and Expeditionary Learning schools foster a positive school culture through a strong sense of community.
How have our crew dollars been used for this?
This past year we were able to sponsor several spots for staff to attend the EL Annual Conference,  as a professional development opportunity. Teachers came back excited, and have already begun mapping out their EL approach.
Also, we helped sponsor a contract with EL, that includes a visiting EL coach, professional development days, National Conference spots, and joining an EL leadership cohort.
All in all, that totals close to $53,000. Wow Crew! We can do great things together! None of this would be possible without the amazing partnership we have between school and parent community. Thank you!!

The Parent Crew is looking for volunteers and local organizations to share their time and interests with our students!
Got a passion for engineering? Love to create or perform? Want to inspire students to pursue their passions? We need your help! Fill out this SHORT survey for the Parent Crew Foundation to start matching volunteers to classrooms or before/after school activities! This form is open to the community, so feel free to recruit grandparents, friends and other local experts to come to our school!

Join the DLMC this summer for their 1st Annual Summer Reading Program!
Read all the details and sign up HERE.

Link your King Soopers Rewards Card to Give back to REMS!
To link your King Soopers Rewards Card to Renaissance Educational Alliance, log into your account.
Once logged in, you can search for Renaissance Educational Alliance either by name or “WR833,” and then click “Enroll.”

NEW! Community Involvement Opportunities:

Welcome to the Douglas County High School ATHLETICS Guide to Summer Camps in 2024!

Parents, are your kiddos ready for a fun and safe summer?  Douglas County High School’s Athletics Programs offer a variety of day-camps for all ages and abilities.  Our camps are designed for your kid’s enjoyment and your peace of mind that they will be learning about their sport, meeting new kids all while learning new skills.  Our high-energy coaches will develop their skills and their love for physical fitness. We know parenting can be a juggle, so we’re all about making it easy. Drop and go, knowing your kids will have a blast in safe and experienced hands.

2024 DCHS SUMMER SPORTS CAMP BROCHURE

Consider this your go-to resource for summer programming at our school.  Be sure to check out all of the opportunities available arranged by category.

We hope you choose one, two, or as many as you would like.  We hope this guide directs you to the perfect camp(s) for your child(ren).