Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen

RMAE Students had a great week last week! Mrs. O'Connor's class showed off their pets and Mrs. Schied's class had bright smiles!

Fun Tips to Avoid Cabin Fever!

• Start a new book together
• Research your family history and start a family tree
• Play a board game or cards
• Do yoga
• Teach your pet a new trick

Dear RMAE families,

I know many of us expected remote learning to extend through the end of the year.  However, at least for me, it hit hard when the announcement was made on Friday.  I know the reality, but I will admit there was a part of me holding out hope that we would all be back on campus before the year was over.  Even with this disappointment, I know this is the right decision for the safety and health of our community.

It seems like forever ago when we scrambled to get belongings to go home on March 16th.  Now it is 7 days of remote learning later and we continue to reflect and refine our process.  Please know all of us are working diligently to meet everyone's needs and expectations.  

A message was sent out last week about the Google Classroom calendar.  All teachers will have assignments and zooms posted in their Google Classroom by the end of the day on Mondays.  This Google Classroom calendar is an effective tool to see assignments and zoom sessions for all classes in one place.  Think of this as the student’s virtual planner.  Directions were sent in the messenger on how to access and are included in the newsletter below.  

Since we are 100% remote, we are working with our IT company and have additional safety measures in place.  Some of the measures are behind the scenes, others the teachers will be sharing their students this week.  All students are required to use their name as their screen name in Zoom.  If pseudonym is used, the students will not be permitted to join a live zoom.  In addition, when a student signs on to zoom, he/she will be in a virtual waiting room until the teacher verifies the identity and allows access.  
Students are not required to watch or join a live zoom.  They may watch the recording at a later time.  Please understand with the increased load on the internet, downloading zoom sessions is taking several hours which means recorded sessions will not appear instantaneously in the Google Classroom.  If a zoom session is titled “Q&A” or “office hours” this is another optional time for students to get individualized help and ask questions.  On another Zoom note, the specials classes are adjusting their zoom times and office hours.  The students will see these changes in their Google Classroom calendar.  

We are receiving comments that there is too much work and not enough work, too many online sessions and not enough online sessions, too much communication and not enough communication, and many more conflicting statements.  From a systems perspective we are working to find the best compromise in order for your child to have the skills necessary to successfully complete this year. As we all adjust to our vastly different yet temporary way of life, there are challenges and unique situations.  Please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Stay healthy and enjoy the warm sunshine.

Your Proud Principal,

Dr. Ann Hudson

Virtual Learning Extended: The Remote Learning program has now been extended through the rest of the school year. Please refer to the district’s coronavirus information page  as new information becomes available from public health resources, including the CDC.   RMAE will continue to follow the district's direction as they have been coordinating with local public health agencies.

FOOD SERVICE - LOCATION UPDATES AND REMINDERS
- Sites will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from: 10:30-1:00pm
- Each MWF, 2 lunches and 2 breakfasts will be provided per student
- Meals will be provided at the curbside location through car trunk, car window or by walk-up.
- Parents or another caregiver may pick up meals for children
- Reminder: Under Stay at Home order, picking up meals is permitted. 

• Arvada K-8
• Alameda High 
• Colorow Elementary
• Edgewater Elementary
• Foothills Elementary
• Lasley Elementary
• Parr Elementary
• Wayne Carle Middle 
• Welchester Elementary 
• West Jefferson Elementary
• Wheat Ridge High

Please do not come to locations if you are sick. In case of severe weather, locations will not operate. Additional school distribution locations will be added as needed. For questions regarding this program, please call 303 982 6748.

Tomorrow is the final day to purchase your yearbook! The yearbook staff has been working since August to bring you the best yearbook our school has had. Our theme this year is "This is Us" -- highlighting and appreciating everything that makes RMAE a special place to be. To make sure that your student isn’t left out, please be sure to order early. We sold out last year! Follow the link below OR visit the RMAE website to place an order today! Order HERE.  

How can I keep my kids learning when we're stuck at home? After the extension of Remote Learning you might be wondering what the heck you're supposed to do with your kids home all day?! Common Sense Media has put together a bunch of ideas for how to keep our kids busy, entertained, and learning while they're home. Check them out HERE!

Resources for Parents from Simple Solutions Learning: check them out at Simplesolutions.org  They are also running a special promotion for their Summer Solutions program. There are a lot of parents that are concerned that their children are going to fall behind, and Summer Solutions is a fantastic way to help. Use the Code SCHOOL2020 and get 20% off your order of 3 books or more.

Ms. Best and Boosterthon have been thinking of more ways to help families at home make navigating the day a little bit easier. Here are a few ideas!

• @9am EST: Watch their Story Time each day on our Facebook page.  During this fun, interactive video session, a Booster Team Member will read a beloved children’s book aloud. You don't want to miss it!
• @Noon EST:  Join the BoostFit Fitness Break on our Facebook page each day. During this fun, high-energy video session, a Booster Team Member will lead your students through a series of fitness challenges. We encourage you to do them alongside your kids! We’ve included family dance breaks, character lessons, and some fun challenges. Just something fun and active for students and their families to do together at home.

Warmest wishes of health, vitality, and protection during this time!

Lisa Best

RMAE PE Teacher

Coronavirus - Please refer to the district’s coronavirus information page  as new information becomes available from public health resources, including the CDC.   RMAE will continue to follow the district's direction as they have been coordinating with local public health agencies as we monitor the global outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), keeping in close contact with Jeffco Public Health Department (JCPH) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) on this subject.

Mountain Backpack Program – If you are in need of a hand up to meet the nutritional needs of your family, this program can help. There are no qualification requirements and only contact information is requested. 

Mountain Backpack Program Enrollment Form

Envision Martial Arts is offering FREE Virtual Community Martial Arts Classes! They are open to everyone, no strings attached, 100% free. Classes are offered Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:00-5:15pm. All people would need is a computer/iPad/Phone with internet and a space to move around in! Classes start Tuesday, April 7th! If you’re interested, click HERE 

RMAE's own PE Teacher, Lisa Best is hosting the BEST Summer Camp this Summer. The Deadline to sign up is May 20th. See FLYER for details.

Virtual Informational meeting for 8th grade families interested in High School Football is April 14th.  See the FLYER for details.

#WeloveRMAE