Article #4: Back to School safety

Dear Lopez families,

We can't wait to see you in a few weeks!  

Arrival/Dismissal Changes
The streets around Lopez can be really busy before and after school.  It is important that everyone stays safe.  With that end in mind, we've made a few changes to the drop-off and pick-up areas around the school based on conversations with PSD and a group of Lopez parents.

While some of the proposed improvements will be more long term, we are implementing a few immediate changes:

• Added a drop-off/pick-up loop in the back parking lot.  There is no visitor parking here, but families can pull through and drop off or pick up children. A few student leaders (Gavin and Domeneco, 3rd grade) made this great video about the drop-off loop:  Lopez Drop-off
• Re-designated that the loop in front of the school is for families to drop-off and pick-up children.
• Applied for a grant to get new bike racks and encourage more biking/walking to school.  See this post about tips to talk to your child about:  Walking safely to school.
• Created educational videos for students and families about safety procedures for arrival/dismissal.  Student leaders made this great video!

We will have extra staff on hand to help families know these safety guidelines.  Thank you for helping us keep children safe!



Dr. Traci Gile

Article #3: Summer @ Lopez Elementary

Summer @ Lopez

We have been making a few changes over here this summer.  One exciting change is our main office has a new look!  After 30 years, we've replaced the office furniture.  What do you think of the new look?

Class Lists

Families will receive an email from me around Aug. 10 with class placement information.  The email will include your child's teacher assignment as well as reminders about back to school dates.

Pancake breakfast at Raintree Athletic Club

Don't forget to check out the pancake breakfast and Fit Festival at Raintree Athletic Club on Saturday, August 8 at 8:00 AM.  Proceeds from the event will go to Lopez Elementary to buy new PE equipment!

Aug. 18 and 19:   Before School Assessment days

We are asking for your help and support with this.  Teachers give many required assessments at the beginning of the year.  We’d like to handle many of the assessments in literacy before school starts.  By doing this, teachers will not need as much substitute release time to complete the assessments in September and October, and we gain some more instructional time at the beginning of the year.  Students will come to school for ½ day as determined by the first letter of his or her last name.  During this time, the child’s classroom teacher will work with the student to complete the assessments.  The schedule will be:

FDK-5th grade

Time	August 18, 2015	August 19, 2015
8:30 - 11:30 AM	Students whose last name begins with A-F	Students whose last name begins with M-R
12:15 – 3:15 PM	Students whose last name begins with G-L	Students whose last name begins with S-Z

1/2 day kindergarten***

Time	August 18, 2015	August 19, 2015
8:30 – 11:30 AM	Students whose last name begins with A-B	Students whose last name begins with D-J
12:15 – 3:15 PM	Students whose last name begins with C	Students whose last name begins with K-Z

*** The schedule for ½ day kindergarten is different than the rest of the school due to the large number of students in this class whose last name ends with the letter C! 

We really need your help to get your child to Lopez on the date and time scheduled above.  Thank you so much for your support with this!  This will be a WIN-WIN for everyone!

August 20:  Ice Cream Social

Bring your child to drop off school supplies and say hello to new and old friends!

August 24:  First Day of School

School starts at 8:25 AM – 3:08 PM.  Kick off the 2015-15 school year at the PTA welcome coffee from 8:30 – 9:30 in the flex room!

Keep up with all of the Lopez News on our website and Facebook page!

Dr. Traci Gile, Principal

New Staff

Justin Hausmann-2nd grade teacher

Personal and Professional Background: 

My name is Justin Hausmann.  My family and I can’t wait to move back to Colorado from Cheyenne, where I have been teaching 1^st grade for the past 7 years. Before that, my wife, who teaches high school English, and I made a check mark on our bucket list by teaching at the American School in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.  And, before that I had taught first and second grade at Alice Terry Elementary, in Sheridan, Colorado.

My sons are also excited to go to school together and with “Daddy”.  Andrew will be in first grade and loves math, and AJ will bring love and laughter to Mrs. Brown’s Kindergarten.   

When I’m not teaching or playing the guitar while students sing, you can find me with my family, roasting marshmallows on a camp fire by a mountain that’s waiting to be climbed.

****************************************************************************************************************

Cheryl Day- 50% Assistant Principal/50% Gifted and Talented

Personal and Professional Background: 

I am so excited to be joining the Lopez team as Assistant Principal and Gifted and Talented teacher.  My educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University in Pennsylvania.  Since moving to Colorado 17 years ago, I have taught a variety of subjects and grade levels in two different districts.  Most recently, I taught 3rd grade for six years in the Thompson School District. This past spring I earned my Principal’s License through Colorado State University.     

My family includes my husband, Angus, and our two young adult children, Kelsey and Garrett.  Of course, I can’t leave out our Border collie mix, Echo.  In my free time, I love reading and am a huge Harry Potter fan.  I also enjoy solving crossword puzzles, tending my garden, biking on the great paths around Fort Collins, and working on my novice golf game. 

My favorite part of being an educator is helping students discover and develop their unique talents.  I look forward to working with you and your children this year!  

****************************************************************************************************************

Tracy Kelley- Early Childhood teacher

Personal and Professional Background: 

My name is Tracy Kelley, and I am very excited to become part of the Lopez Community!  

My family includes my husband Dan, our sons Caden (16) and Cayce (15) and our two dogs, Durango and Blue.  We have lived in Fort Collins for 14 years.  For the past 8 years I was an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in the Windsor School District.  When I'm not teaching I love to hike, bike, garden, and read.  (I even have a Little Free Library in the garden in my front yard!)  I look forward to meeting all of you!   

****************************************************************************************************************

Carol Campos- School Secretary/Health Office Assistant

Personal and Professional Background: 

My name is Carol Campos. I have a wonderful husband, Ed and have been very blessed to have three great children and four adorable grandkids, they all live here in Fort Collins!! All three of my children attended Lopez and I was very involved with the school while they were here. I have worked as a full day kindergarten para at Lopez for the past 16 years. I recently changed positions and was fortunate to fill the vacancy in the front office left by Mrs. Gilmour's retirement. I'm looking very forward to the change working in the front office will bring and working with Mrs. Farnell! I look forward to greeting all of the students and their parents when you come through the office next year!!