• CSAP   3rd Grade Reading                        Feb. 23 & 24th
• 2nd Grade Music Program                       Feb. 25th, 6:30 pm
• Sailing With Seas of Tollgate Community Event   March 3rd, 5:45-7:45 pm
• CSAP 4th Grade Reading & Writing      March 8-16th
• CSAP 3rd Grade Writing                            March 15-16th
• CSAP 3rd Grade Math                                 March 17-18th
• CSAP 4th Grade Math                                 March 17-19th
• 4th Grade Expedition to CalWood        March 22nd, 7:00-4:40 pm
• 1st Grade Music Program                          March 25th, 6:30 pm
• SPRING BREAK NO SCHOOL                March 29th-April 2nd
• INFORMATIONAL LINKS:

Expeditionary Learning

Read more about our vision and mission.

View the Tollgate 2008-09 Staff Climate Survey Results.

A big "THANK YOU" to all the Tollgate parents who have conferenced with their child's teacher this school year. A strong partnership between a parent and school is key to a child's success.

94% of Kindergarten Parents who have conferenced with their child's teacher

80% of 1st Grade Parents

91% of 2nd Grade Parents

94% of 3rd Grade Parents

84% of 4th Grade Parents

75% of 5th Grade Parents

THANK YOU

We would like to thank the hundreds of moms and dads who came to enjoy muffins and donuts with their sons/daughters. The turn out for Muffins with Moms and Donuts with Dads was incredible! We hope you all enjoyed this new event.

A Message from

Mrs. Reynolds

It is the mission of Tollgate Physical Education to promote fitness and team building through interdependency and cooperation. If the children are not properly dressed, it limits participation and undermines the spirit of our mission. Please join me in supporting our children by properly equipping them with the tools (belts, appropriately fitting clothing, tennis shoes) for successful participation in Physical Education. If a student arrives in gym with pants that are sagging or have to be held in place during an activity, we will ask them to put a belt or a piece of string on to secure their pants. We must ensure that students can participate in a safe manner. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

5^th Graders Complete 1^st Expedition

Nearly 90 fifth graders at Tollgate Elementary recently celebrated the completion of their first “expedition,” a study unit in the school’s new Expeditionary Learning curriculum.

Tollgate’s three fifth-grade classes have been immersed in the study of beaver ecosystems since September. Students faced the challenge of researching, learning scientific vocabulary, keeping notebooks and writing non-fiction texts. They also conducted a three-day field study of the beaver ecosystem in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The multidisciplinary approach included learning targets for science and literacy. Students also made extensive use of technology to conduct research, take photos and video footage, and create field guide pages on individual topics. As a final product of their study, students created a Field Guide to Beaver Ecosystems for the Rocky Mountain National Park Ranger Station.

After completing the unit, students shared a multimedia presentation and displays with parents, students and staff members. The overall reaction was “A Job Well Done”. Congratulations to all of our 5^th grade students. You can view the entire slideshow at www.aps.k12.co.us.

SAFETY DRILLS

In order to keep all students and staff safe at Tollgate, we have implemented safety plans, drills and procedures that we practice throughout the school year. These drills include fire drills, lockdown drills and emergency evacuation and tornado drills. These drills are conducted to make sure students and staff know what to do in case of a real emergency. When practicing a fire drill or evacuation all occupants are required to exit the building. During a lockdown drill or tornado drill we will not allow anyone in or out of the building. We will put a sign on the front entrance of the school to notify you of what is taking place.

JUST A REMINDER

School hours are 9:35am to 4:05pm. The office closes promptly at 4:30pm to allow our staff to pick up their own children. Students should not arrive prior to 9:10am unless they ride a bus or are coming for breakfast. These students should arrive no earlier than 9:00am. We do not provide overall supervision until 9:10am.  Also, students must be picked up no later than 4:15pm. We are having more and more students in the office until way past 4:30pm. Students who are not picked up by 4:15pm will be taken to the daycare and charged a drop in fee of $8.50. We appreciate those parents who consistently drop off and pick up their children on time.

COLD WEATHER DRESS AND RECESS GUIDELINES

With colder days here, it is important that students come to school with appropriate clothing. On most days, students will be outside during lunch break and recess time. As a rule, students will be outside if the temperature is above 20 degrees, including the wind chill and with consideration for rain/snow conditions. A warm coat, hat, gloves, boots and scarves will help students stay warm and healthy this winter. Please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. If your child is missing any of these items, please check the lost and found at the north end of the front hallway. It is also our expectation that if students are well enough to be in school, they are well enough to participate in all activities, including outdoor recess.

Tollgate Elementary

School of Expeditionary Learning

What is Expeditionary Learning?

Expeditionary Learning Schools (ELS) is a national, non-profit organization that partners with schools to improve student achievement, build student character, enhance instructional practices and foster a positive school culture.

Why is Tollgate working with Expeditionary Learning Schools?

• ELS provides rigorous professional learning for teachers that results in higher achievement gains for all students through:
  • A rigorous and engaging curriculum based on state and national standards
  • Active, inquiry based learning strategies
  • A school culture that demands and teaches compassion and good citizenship.
  • Engaging topics and rich learning experiences that result in high quality products and presentations of learning.

• Tollgate Elementary School was selected to be an Expeditionary Learning School because of its mission, vision  and strong commitment to high achievement for all students.

What new things can I expect for my student as a result of the work with Expeditionary Learning Schools?

• • Reading, writing and math skills will be strengthened and deepened through real world learning and field experiences.
  • Students will be taking a more active role in setting learning and achievement goals.
  • Teachers will place a greater focus on student reflection and revision
  • Students will form a deeper connection to the school community and to the world around them.
  • Students will showcase their work through public presentations and performances.

• When will Expeditionary Learning begin at Tollgate?
  • The partnership begins this year.