FROM GILPIN COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL  …

Debra Marie Benitez
Elementary Principal 

1/27/2005 - I am excited to participate in this monthly opportunity to tell you about our wonderful Elementary School. Being a small mountain community, I welcome any manner in which to promote the staff and students in my school. Gilpin Elementary School houses 200 students in preschool through sixth grade. Each day the staff works as a team to provide students the best educational experience possible. As the school year progresses, I will try to keep you abreast of many of the happenings in our school.

  Gilpin County Elementary School has adopted school wide norms that revolve around a central theme: P.R.I.D.E. The P stands for Pride; pride in our school and ourselves. R for Respect; respect of persons and property. I for Integrity; standing up for what we believe and owning up to our actions. D for Determination; the drive and desire to keep on trying. And E for Excellence; striving to do our best at all times. This acronym is a key component of many of our lessons and celebrations throughout the day.

  First semester has just ended and report cards have been sent home. In looking at those report cards, I am proud to acknowledge the many successes in each of our classrooms. The student’s hard work and perseverance has definitely paid off. Parents should be very proud of the accomplishments their children have made. Academics are and will continue to be a focus for our school.  

  February will bring several new events to our school. On February 3^rd and 4^th, we will be host to the annual Gilpin County Science Fair. This event attracts students and adults of all ages. With an average of over 100 projects each year, the students dazzle the parents, judges, and other students with their knowledge of science and the scientific process. If you are interested in interviewing science fair participants, it’s not too late to volunteer. Please call my secretary, Pat Putnam, at (303) 582-3444 extension 307 and leave your name and number. I need volunteers from 1:30 – 3:30 and 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Thursday, February 3^rd.

  The other event happening in February is the third grade Reading CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program). Students have been preparing all year toward mastering third grade reading standards.  For this year’s third graders this will be the first time they will be participating in the CSAP. Both excitement and nervousness play a potential role in student performance. Throughout the year, students have been learning reading, as well as test taking strategies, that will help them be successful on the test. I encourage any parents of potential CSAP takers to discuss with their child the importance of doing well on these assessments. I wish all students the best of luck. Don’t forget a good nights rest and nutritious breakfast on the day of the test.           

  The Gilpin County Elementary Staff is very vested in professional development. This year we are the proud recipients of a Read to Achieve Grant from the State of Colorado. Our grant will provide funding and training in meeting the new Colorado Basic Literacy Act requirements recently updated within our state. Our focus will be training staff in the use of research based reading strategies and assessments in the classroom. We hope by implementing proven teaching strategies in our classrooms, to improve reading and writing knowledge in our students.