February 14, 2025

 

D4/5 sledding on Winter Voyage this week.

News from Ms. Trena:

Dear REMS Families, 

At Renaissance, we believe that learning is not just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about sparking curiosity, fostering creativity, and cultivating a lifelong love for discovery. Every day, we see our students engaged in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences with their crews that inspire them to explore, ask questions, and challenge themselves. Many thanks to our awe-inspiring teachers for creating these opportunities for students.  

The Power of Joyful Learning
When children experience joy in their learning, they become more motivated, confident, and resilient. Whether it’s through Expeditionary Learning projects, Adventure Education activities, or collaborative problem-solving, our students develop the skills they need to thrive both academically and personally. 

Here are just a few ways REMS makes learning joyful:

📖 Engaging Expeditions – Students are diving into project-based learning, exploring real-world topics that connect to their passions and interests. Ask your child about their latest expedition!

🎨 Creative Expression – From art to physical education to music to storytelling, students are embracing creativity in all forms. Creativity sparks joy, and we love seeing our students' imaginations come to life.

🌿 Outdoor Adventures – Learning extends beyond the classroom! Whether through nature walks, science experiments, or adventure-based challenges, students are discovering the world around them in exciting ways.

🤝 Community Connections – Through service projects and partnerships, students are seeing the impact of their learning in the community. Learning feels more meaningful when it connects to something bigger and students see that their efforts make an impact! 

How You Can Support Joyful Learning at Home
🔹 Encourage curiosity by asking open-ended questions.
🔹 Read together and discuss books that inspire wonder.
🔹 Celebrate effort and progress, not just results.
🔹 Provide opportunities for play, exploration, and creativity.

We are grateful to partner with you in creating an environment where learning is filled with joy and purpose. Thank you for being part of our REMS crew! 

Important Dates: 
2/17: President’s Day- no school
2/19-2/21: 3rd grade Voyage, 2/24 DOR 
2/24-2/26 2nd grade Voyage, DOR 
3/10-3/21: Spring Break

In Crew, 

News from Our Crews:

Ms. Hillary D4/5- Winter Voyage:
Check out all of the fun that D4/5 had at Keystone Science School on Winter Voyage!

D2/3- Winter Voyage:

 

2nd Grade Crews- Football Friday:

2nd Grade participated in their annual Football Day, which is the Friday before the Super Bowl. Students got to engage in a number of fun football activities during the day, including a football throw and football themed reading and math!

Ms. Amanda- Gifted and Talented:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February).

2nd Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in February.  This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates.  These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.  
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process. 

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Gifted Identification Referral Testing 

• If your child is in K or 1st  grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.  

• NOTE:  Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification. 

• Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.

• Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.

3rd Grade Crews- The BEAT:
3rd grade crews lead this week's BEAT where they shared about all the things they love about REMS. Friends shared about teachers and staff that they love, about our Core Values, and about our growth zones. 

Valentine's Day Fun:
Take a look at all the Valentine's Day fun that was had on Thursday!

News from Parent Crew:

Ubergrippen Camp Opportunities 
Get your climber ready for an unforgettable adventure at CampGrippen this summer! Our camps aren’t just about climbing – they play games, crate stack, king swing, & fun all day long! Let us help you get your kids off their devices and worn out!
President’s Day Weekend: Friday Feb 14th & Monday Feb 17th
Spring Break: Friday March 14th - Friday 21st
Summer Camps: May 27th - August 13th
Ages:
For kids: 7 to 13 years of age
1/2 Day Camps: 5 & 6 year olds
Times: 8:30am to 5pm (extended hours available).
Lunch & snacks included.

Great Divide Spirit Night

Mark your calendars for February 17th, 18th, and 19th and get ready for a fun-filled, family-friendly fundraiser supporting Renaissance! The best part? February 17th is a no-school day, so it’s the perfect time to come out, relax, and enjoy some time together while giving back to our amazing school community.

Here’s how it works:

When: February 17–19, all day!

Where: Great Divide Brewery

What: 10% of sales from Renaissance families will be donated back to the school!

To make sure your purchase counts toward the fundraiser, simply mention Renaissance to your server, and they’ll flag your ticket to go toward the proceeds. Every meal, drink, or snack helps make a difference!