April 1, 2026

The Sparrowhawk Nest

April Newsletter

There’s so much happening at Shawsheen this month! Our amazing Student Council Coin Drive raised $1,426.99 for the Shawsheen Pantry (congratulations to our First Grade pizza party winners!). Additionally, CMAS testing for grades 3rd–5th is underway. April is full of opportunities for learning, growth, and fun. Families can also look forward to Kindergarten Round-Up, our SparrowSingers concert, and exciting classroom projects from preschool through fifth grade. Be sure to mark your calendars for important dates, check out ways to support our school through King Soopers and Box Tops, and join us in celebrating the creativity, achievements, and community spirit of our students!

Important Dates in April

March 30, 2026 - May 7, 2026: 4th and 5th Grade Soccer
April 3, 2026: No School for Students
April 7, 2026 - April 21, 2026: CMAS Testing for 3rd grade, 4th Grade, and 5th Grade
April 8, 2026: Shawsheen Kindergarten Round Up - 4:30 PM-6:00 PM
April 10, 2026: April Birthday Treats (Parties are held for the last 10 minutes of class or before specials for 3rd and 5th, celebrations will be held exclusively among students.)
April 13, 2026: No School for Preschool Only
April 15, 2026: Sparrowsingers Concert - 5:30 pm
April 22, 2026: Parent Teacher Group Meeting - 5:00 PM
April 23, 2026: Special Olympics (Tentative Date)
April 27, 2026: No School for Preschool Only
April 30, 2026 - May 1, 2026: No School for ALL Students

Student Council Coin Drive Results

The Student Council organized a Coin Drive to benefit the Shawsheen Pantry! We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this initiative. As a school, we raised an impressive total of $1,426.99 for the Shawsheen Pantry! This generous contribution will be used to purchase essential items for those in need at the pantry.

A big shoutout to our awesome first graders for winning the coin competition! They earned a fun pizza party!

3rd - 5th Grade Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) State Assessments

Shawsheen Families,

Beginning Tuesday, April 7th, students in grades 3–5 will participate in the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) state assessments. Students will take one assessment per day. Please refer to the testing schedule below for specific dates.

We much appreciate your support with the following:

Please make sure your child/ren is/are well rested.
Please get your child/ren to school before 7:40 AM, so they can feel prepared and ready to do their best every day.
Avoid pulling students from school on those days.

Testing schedule:

Tuesday, April 7th - Thursday, April 9th
- 8:00 - 3rd, 4th, and 5th ELA
Monday, April 13th - Wednesday, April 15th
- 8:00 - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Math
Thursday, April 16th, Friday, April 17th, and Tuesday, April 21st
- 8:00 - 5th Science

No electronic devices besides the teacher computer and student chromebooks are allowed in the testing environment. This includes staff and student cell phones and smart watches. On the testing days, all cell phones and smart watches will be collected in a bin and kept in the office while students are testing. Items will be returned after testing is completed for the day.

Students who take all of their tests on-time and follow SOAR expectations will have the opportunity to be entered into a drawing to win some awesome prizes! One student in each testing grade level will win!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to help our students succeed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Coming Soon..... Field Day

Field Day is in May! This month, you will receive forms to order field day t-shirts for you and your family, as well as a permission slip for your student. Keep an eye out for forms coming home!

Preparing for the 2026-2027 School Year

Shawsheen families, in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year, we would like to inform you that the Annual Student Data Update (ASDU) application is now available on the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal!

We encourage you to get ahead of the game by completing this important update for all students in your household. The ASDU allows you to update information for each child, no matter their school or grade level, all at once. If you have a current student and a new incoming student (like a kindergartener for the 2026-2027 school year), you can easily add the new student within the ASDU application. This means you won’t have to complete a full New Student Application for your incoming child.

If you need assistance with your username or passwords, please let Ms. Bianca know via email bavila1@greeleyschools.org, phone 970-348-2301, or on Bloomz!

Complete the Annual Student Data Update (ASDU)

Kindergarten Registration for 2026-2027 School Year

It's time for Kindergarten Round-Up!

Kindergarten registration is now open for all Greeley-Evans School District 6 schools for the 2026-2027 school year. Children must be five years old by October 1, 2026 in order to register for kindergarten next year.

Students will be enrolled in their neighborhood schools based on parent/guardian primary address or an approved and accepted Open Enrollment application. Please note that charter schools may have different age requirements, enrollment processes, policies and timelines. If your child is attending a charter school next year, please contact that school directly for more information.

For kindergarten registration, parents and guardians must be prepared to provide:

Child's birth certificate
Child's immunization records
Proof of address (such as a recent utility bill, lease agreement, closing papers from the purchase of a home, etc.)

For assistance with the registration process, please contact the D6 Admissions Office, 970-348-6062 or email admissions@greeleyschools.org.

The Admissions Office is located at 924 11th Street, Greeley, 80631. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. The Admissions office will be closed on Fridays in June and July.

Kindergarten Open Houses & Registration Dates!

Bella Romero Academy: April 9, 2026; 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.; 970-348-1400
Centennial Elementary School: April 16, 2026; 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.; 970-348-1100
Chappelow K-8: April 3, 2026; 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.; 970-348-1200
D6 Online Academy: April 27, 206; 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.; 970-348-5600
Dos Rios Elementary: April 2, 2026; 5:15 - 6:30 p.m.; 970-349-1300
The Fred Tjardes School of Innovation: April 16, 2026; 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.; 970-348-4800
Heiman Elementary: April 8, 2026; 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.; 970-348-2400
Jackson Elementary School: April 9, 2026; 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.; 970-348-1500
James Madison STEAM Academy: April 21, 2026; 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.; 970-348-1700
Maplewood Elementary School: April 15, 2026; 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.; 970-348-3800
Martinez Elementary: April 7, 2026; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.; 970-348-1800
S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy: April 9, 2026; 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.; 970-348-1900
Meeker Elementary School: April 29, 2026; 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.; 970-348-2000
Monfort Elementary School Trailblazers: April 28, 2026; 3:45 - 5:15 p.m.; 970-348-2100
Scott Elementary School: April 20, 2026; 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.; 970-348-2200
Shawsheen Elementary School: April 8, 2026; 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.; 970-348-2300
Tointon Academy of Pre-Engineering: April 15, 2026; 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.; 970-348-4000
Winograd K-8 School: April 23, 2026; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Preschool-Round up will also be available at some school locations!

Check for Neighborhood School Based on Home Address

Shawsheen Pantry

Shawsheen has a food pantry that ALL Shawsheen families can access for free!

Hours of Operation:

Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, during school days.

Tuesday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, during school days.

Please bring a reusable bag to store your items.

What We Offer:

Non-Perishable Food Items:
- A variety of pantry staples, including tuna, chicken pouches, chicken noodle soup, pasta, cereals, peanut butter, rice, beans, and more. (Available while supplies last)
Refrigerated Items:
- A variety of pantry staples, including tuna, chicken pouches, chicken noodle soup, pasta, cereals, peanut butter, rice, beans, and more. (Available while supplies last)
- FRESH FRUIT and VEGGIES!! (Items may vary; these are leftovers from the afternoon snack.)
Freezer Items:
- Leftover cafeteria food will be stored in the freezer for families. (While supplies last)
Hygiene Products:
- We provide essentials such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and other personal care items. (Items vary monthly, while supplies last)
Other Items:
- Limited sizing options are available for clothing, jackets, shoes, and laundry detergent.
- Assistance League has generously donated Sheets and Blankets. (We will be limiting two sheets and blankets per household)

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Lizbeth at (970) 348-2303 or larcemendez1@greeleyschools.org. Thank you!

Visitors

For the safety of our students and staff, all visitors must check in through our Raptor system when entering the building. This includes joining your student for lunch, walking in a student to drop-off at a classroom, volunteering, or participating in any activity at Shawsheen.

Please bring a valid Colorado driver’s license or government-issued ID each time you sign in. Without an ID, access to the building cannot be granted.

Early Pick up

For early student pickup, the person picking up must also show a government-issued photo ID. We verify IDs to ensure the individual is listed on the student’s approved pickup list.

Volunteering

We love having families involved at Shawsheen! If you would like to volunteer in classrooms, help on field trips, or support school events, please complete our online volunteer application.

Even if you completed the application last year, you will need to submit a new application for the 2025–26 school year.
Once approved, you’ll have opportunities to support our students and school community throughout the year.

Complete the District Volunteer Application

Parent Teacher Group (PTG)

Shawsheen Families,

The final Parent Teacher Group (PTG) meeting of the school year will be this month. PTG meetings are a valuable opportunity for families, staff, and educators to collaborate on supporting student success and to receive important updates on school events, fundraising, Title I, SAC, and DAC. In our final meeting, we'll discuss Restorative Justice. Add it to your calendar if you're interested in learning more.

Last Meeting:

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

5:00–6:00 p.m. | Shawsheen Library or Google Meet

Join virtually: https://meet.google.com/rnp-zpwm-adh

Your voice matters—come join the conversation!

Join the PTG Bloomz Group!

Ms. Lizbeth Arce Mendez has created a Bloomz group for active Parent-Teacher Group (PTG) members. In this group, we’ll share meeting minutes, volunteer opportunities, and other important updates.

If you would like to be added, please attend one of our PTG meetings or email larcemendez1@greeleyschools.org to request access.

This month, we are learning…

Preschool

Students had a wonderful time in our recent unit learning all about pets and the many ways we care for them. They enjoyed exploring how pets need food, shelter, love, and responsibility from their owners.

In April, we will begin an exciting new unit on insects and gardening! Students will explore the world of bugs and plants, and they will even have the opportunity to observe real-life caterpillars in our classroom as they learn and ask questions about their life cycle. We can’t wait for all the hands-on learning ahead!

Kindergarten

We are having a great time in Kindergarten! We are learning and growing so much!

We are working hard on teen numbers, shapes, addition, subtraction, and counting to 100 in math.

In reading we are reading stories and focusing on reading whole words accurately and fluently. Thank you for supporting your child’s learning by reading aloud with them regularly.

During writing we continue to add new sight words to our word wall. We are writing fact and opinion sentences about trees with more details.

In social studies we are wrapping up our unit on careers. Huge thanks to the kindergarten families that participated in our Kindergarten Career Day event!

Thank you for your partnership!

The Kindergarten Team

Mrs. Duplex, Mrs. Maresh, Miss Paula, and Miss Shevelle

First Grade

Language Arts-

We are working in Module 4, Unit 2. In Unit 2, students learn about the story of Pale Male, a red-tailed hawk that made his home on the side of an apartment building in New York City. It asks students to consider the unit guiding question—“Why do people have different opinions about birds?”

Keep reading with your child each night at home to develop vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Math- We are working in Unit 7. In this unit, students reason with shapes and their attributes, partition shapes into equal pieces, and tell time to the hour and half hour.

Other:

Our weather this time of year is a little unpredictable. Please be sure your child has a coat at school for our recess times we spend outside. Thanks for all of your support!

Second Grade

Dear Families,

Below is a look at what students will be exploring this month.

EL Module 4: Providing for Pollinators

In this module, students continue learning about pollinators while strengthening their reading and writing skills. They read folktales and fables about pollinators, identify the central message of the stories, and compare different versions of the same tale. Students also research challenges facing bats and butterflies and write opinion pieces about why pollinators are important. To conclude the module, students will create a wildflower seed packet and share their learning during a Celebration of Learning.

EL Skills

In skills, students review the six syllable types (closed, open, VCe, r-controlled, vowel team, and consonant-le). They will also learn about the schwa sound in different spellings and practice spelling patterns such as plural endings -ies and -eys, and endings -ous and -us. These skills help students read and spell longer, more complex words.

Math

In Unit 7, students use place-value understanding, the relationship between addition and

subtraction, and the properties of operations to add and subtract within 1,000.

General Reminders

Check your child’s black daily folder every evening.
Return Thursday folders by the following Wednesday.

Homework Reminders

Reading homework is sent home in your child’s black daily folder. Please have your child read the story three times and return it the following day with a parent/guardian signature.
Math homework will continue to be sent home in Thursday folders and is to be returned by the following Wednesday.

Thank you for all you do!

The 2nd Grade Team,

Mrs. Z, Ms. Schulte, Ms. Lewonka, and Mrs. Dillehay

Third Grade

Happy April 3rd Grade Families!

This will be a busy month for our students as we approach CMAS testing- your student has been working hard all year to learn concepts and practice strategies to prepare for this test! Here are some important notes and what we are learning this month:

Math: Students will learn about two-dimensional shapes and perimeter. They will practice describing and sorting shapes like triangles and quadrilaterals, and learn how to identify specific types such as rectangles and squares based on their attributes.

Students will also learn what perimeter is and how to find it by adding the side lengths of a shape. They will compare perimeter and area to understand the difference between the distance around a shape and the space inside it. At the end of the unit, students will apply their learning to fun, real-world design activities.

Literacy: This month in literacy, students will explore important water issues, including access to water, pollution, and increasing demand. They will read texts, compare different points of view, and research ways to help solve these problems. Students will learn how to use facts and evidence to share their opinions and will write an opinion essay about why conserving water is important. Big ideas include understanding that water is a limited resource, it is not distributed equally around the world, and people can make a difference by explaining problems and offering realistic solutions.

Thursday Folders: Please continue to make sure your student's purple Thursday folder is checked every Thursday afternoon for homework or papers requiring signatures. These will be returned to school the following morning in the purple folder.

CMAS Information: These are the testing dates for CMAS:

ELA: Tuesday April 7th- Thursday April 9th.

Math: Monday April 13th- Wednesday April 15th

More specific information will be sent out via Bloomz closer to testing dates. Thank you for all you do and please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Sincerely,

Ms. Weil and Mr. Farrell

Fourth Grade

Hello Fourth Grade Families,

To end the school year, we will be finishing our 4th and final EL Module for literacy. We will be learning about Responding to Inequality: Ratifying the 19th Amendment. For our Performance Task students will be answering the question: How do we take action to make a difference in our community?

In math we will spend 14 days on Angles and Angle Measurement in Unit 7. Around mid-April we will move into Unit 8 in math: Properties of Two-dimensional Shapes. In Unit 8, students will classify triangles and quadrilaterals based on the properties of their side lengths and angles, and learn about lines of symmetry in two-dimensional figures. They will then use their understanding of these attributes to solve problems, including problems involving perimeter and area.

Respectfully,

Mr. Alvis, Ms. Johnson, and Mr. Land

Fifth Grade

EL Education Module 3

Leaders of Social Change

In Module 3, students explored the topic of leaders of social change, focusing on how individuals use their character, perseverance, and courage to make a difference in the world.

Throughout the module, students engaged in extensive research about Jackie Robinson, learning about his impact on baseball and the Civil Rights Movement. They closely read excerpts from Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America by Sharon Robinson to better understand the challenges he faced and the strength of character that helped him succeed.

Students then selected another athlete who created social change and researched that individual’s life, challenges, and contributions. Using their research, students:

Compared and contrasted Jackie Robinson with the athlete of their choice
Analyzed similarities and differences in their character traits, obstacles, and impact
Reflected on how both athletes demonstrated leadership and perseverance

To demonstrate their learning, students created a presentation summarizing their research and comparisons. In addition, they wrote a thoughtful essay about their own “factor of success” — identifying the personal qualities, support systems, and opportunities that help them succeed, as well as how they hope to make a positive impact in the world.

This module not only strengthened students’ research, reading, and writing skills, but also encouraged deep thinking about character, opportunity, and leadership.

Coming Soon: Grade 5 EL Education Module 4

Students will be learning about natural disasters! They will research one natural disaster, create a commercial, and make a preparedness kit focusing on how to stay safe in case of an emergency. Be on the lookout for some interesting information coming home!

Unit 6…Complete!

Your fifth grader just finished Unit 6: More Decimal and Fraction Operations. Here's what they learned:

Measurement conversions: Converting between units (like meters to kilometers) and understanding patterns with powers of 10
Adding fractions with different denominators: Finding common denominators to add fractions like 2/3+5/8
Multiplication as scaling: Understanding how multiplying by fractions makes numbers larger or smaller

Next: Unit 7 — Shapes on the Coordinate Grid

Coming up, students will:

Learn to plot and locate points using coordinate grids
Classify triangles and quadrilaterals by their properties
Create and compare number patterns using graphs

Specials

Music

Kindergarten:

Our kindergarteners are having a blast playing Orff instruments! These are instruments with bars that are played with mallets, like xylophones, glockenspiels, and metallophones. We’re practicing counting songs like “Jump Frog Jump” where the kids will learn how to play with both hands together.

1st Grade:

In first grade, we’re continuing to work on rhythm skills and are now diving into learning the musical scale. We’re using the song “Do Re Mi” from The Sound of Music to help the kids get familiar with the notes. Ask your child if they can sing a part of it for you, or if they can show you sol, la, or mi with hand signs.

2nd Grade:

Second graders are starting to work on songs with multiple parts going at the same time to prepare for 3rd grade harmony! (see below) Ask students if they can tell you what an ostinato is (it is a rhythm that repeats over and over and over).

3rd Grade:

In 3rd grade, we’re learning about harmony—when two or more parts of music happen at the same time! The students are practicing songs with canons, rounds (where groups sing the same thing but start at different times), and ostinatos (repeating patterns). Ask your child which song they’re enjoying the most!

4th Grade:

4th graders are continuing their ukulele lessons, learning to play different chords and practicing along with songs. Ask them what their favorite chord is so far! We have learned C, G, F, and A minor.

5th Grade:

In April, the 5th graders will wrap up their composition projects. You can ask them what instrument they decided to use for their song!

Art

Happy March from the Art Room!

This month in the art room we will be exploring fiber art! Students will work with materials like yarn and paper to learn techniques such as weaving, wrapping, and building with soft materials. Fiber projects help students explore texture, pattern, and creativity in new ways.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten artists will be learning the basics of paper weaving. Students will practice the over-under weaving pattern using colorful strips of paper to create bright woven designs while building fine motor skills and exploring patterns.

First Grade

First graders will create breathing boards using yarn and beads. Students will wrap yarn around a board and add beads that can move along the yarn paths, creating a colorful design while also encouraging calm breathing and mindful movement.

Second Grade

Second grade students will make cardboard letter wraps. Each student will choose a letter and wrap yarn around it in creative ways, experimenting with color combinations and patterns while transforming a simple shape into a textured fiber artwork.

Third Grade

Third graders will create fun pom-pom monsters. Students will learn how to wrap and tie yarn to make pom-poms and then turn them into imaginative creatures by adding eyes, limbs, and other creative details.

Fourth Grade

Fourth grade artists will explore circle weaving. Using a circular loom, students will weave yarn through radial strings to build colorful woven patterns while practicing patience and craftsmanship.

Fifth Grade

Fifth graders will learn the basics of loom weaving. After creating their woven pieces, students will transform their weavings into creative fiber animals, combining textile work with sculptural thinking.

As always, thank you for supporting your child’s creative journey. It’s always a joy to see their ideas and creativity come to life in the art room!

Smart Lab

Kindergarten: We've really started to make sense of how instructions have a specific order while working with robots! In April, we'll start looking at physics - pushes and pulls and how that can affect motion.

First & Second Grades wrapped up electricity, and learned a lot about how electricity moves in a system. We'll get a chance to work a little in the computer lab, revisiting Xello and programming before moving on to refine our SMART goal writing.

Third Grade students will also have some opportunities to explore physics through objects and fluids in motion. We'll also be looking at waterways, water protection, and comparing and contrasting the differences between salf-water and freshwater.

Fourth Grade is wrapping up a problem solving project, and will begin exploring the Earth through various software in the Lab. We'll compare and contrast different times, and different biomes.

Fifth Grade is wrapping up their Future Me: 3D Print Project and then will also use software to explore the Earth, specifically looking at events that have changed the communities we live in. Each team will try and come up with a tool to limit or change the impact of natural disasters.

~ Mrs. Strickland

Physical Education

All grades had 2 shorter units with rock wall climbing and speed stacking. With climbing, students learn a lot about safety rules and different ways they can challenge themselves while on the wall.

Speed stacking or cups work on finer motor skills and dexterity. The foundation is stacking and unstacking cups in a series of patterns as quickly as possible.

Shawsheen Clubs

SparrowSingers

Our choir students are learning songs about colors, and they’re working hard to get ready for our final K-Pop themed concert on Wednesday, April 15th at 5:30 pm in the Shawsheen gym. Please make sure your child arrives between 6:45 and 7:00 am on all Tuesdays/Thursdays for rehearsals so we can fit in all the learning we need before the concert. Our last day for choir will be Thursday, April 16th at 7am for a choir party to celebrate their concert. We look forward to seeing our incoming 3rd-5th graders in the fall!

Please note that students who miss more than 3 rehearsals will receive a message. If a student misses 4 or more rehearsals without letting me know in advance, they may lose the opportunity to perform in the concert, but they are still welcome to attend the event. Since choir is an extracurricular activity, only students who meet behavior expectations in all of their classes will be allowed to participate in the concert.

Thanks for your support!

Mrs. Small

Student Council

Huge thanks to everyone who participated in the Shawsheen Coin Drive that Student Council sponsored! $1,426.99 in donations was collected for the Shawsheen Pantry so it will be even better stocked for our families in need of support. Congratulations to the First Grade for winning the coin competition and earning a pizza party!

Student Council plans to prepare some fun, sweet surprises for our local community in April.

Box Top for Education

Dear Families,

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to support our school?

Box Tops for Education has been around for over 25 years, and it really can make a difference. In fact, the Box Tops program has helped give almost one billion dollars to schools since 1996.

The Box Tops app gives participants the ability to earn for any school across the country with just the touch of a button. Plus, the Box Tops app allows you to search for schools that could use a little extra help, so you can help give students in low-income schools the opportunity to succeed.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Buy participating products and use the Box Tops app to scan your

store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and earnings are credited to your designated school online. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your digital or email receipt with the Box Tops app and earn. Twice a year, our school gets a check!

Box Tops earnings really add up, and the more people that participate, the bigger the impact we can make. So let’s give our teachers the support they need and give more kids the opportunity to succeed. Together, we can help make a big difference.

King Soopers Community Rewards Partnership

Shawsheen Families! We have signed up for a great opportunity with King Soopers.

Do you shop at King Soopers? Do you have a Loyalty number with them? Add “Shawsheen Elementary School” as your community rewards organization. That is all you need to do! Continue shopping as normal, and we get a percentage of rewards on participating items. We thank you so much!!

Enrolling in the King Soopers Community Rewards Partnership

Log on to your King Soopers Account App.
Go to the menu (three lines) on the top right.
Click on “Rewards”
Click on “Community Rewards”
Search for “Shawsheen Elementary School”
Click on “Enroll”
Done!
Shop like normal!

Mental Health Resources

Shawsheen Care Team Referral

Information on Kidstuff Counseling

Website for the Community Grief Center Greeley

IMatter - 6 Free *No insurance* therapy sessions ages 5-18

Website for North Range Behavioral Health - Child Youth & Family