I wish to use this forum to thank all of you who expressed concern and support for me and my family over the past three weeks. My father had a heart attack on April 11 and, given his age (almost 85) there were some decisions that needed to be made regarding his medical plan and care. I flew to Kansas City on April 13 and did not return to school until April 28. During that time he underwent triple bypass surgery, and was recovered enough to walk back into his home two weeks to the day from his entry into the hospital.
His recovery has been remarkable, and I know that the prayers and positive thoughts being sent his way are definitely playing a part in the successful surgery and recovery. Again, thank you so much for your part in this!
Shortly after I left for Kansas City, Assistant Principal Kristi Montagriff lost her father to Leukemia. So the past three weeks at Coyote Creek have not been quite “normal”, and our office staff has done a wonderful job of maintaining business as usual. Both my parents are retired educators and when my father realized how long I had been away he was worried about the school. I assured him that the Coyote Creek community is caring, considerate and, above all, capable. I truly appreciate the staff at Coyote Creek who kept doing what was best for our students – which, after all, is the bottom line.
Things are beginning to get back to normal, though as we approach the end of one school year and continue our planning for the next, the definition of “normal” seems to change on a daily basis! And thus my belief is validated—through my father’s emergency and as I resume my duties here at home—taking and finding enjoyment one day at a time is absolutely necessary if we are to truly appreciate our blessings and take advantage of life’s lessons.

Back to the top

Sport Stacking
(formerly Cup Stacking)
Congratulations to the following Coyote Creek students who participated in this year’s World Sport Stacking Championships at the Denver Coliseum April 9th : Ryan A., Justin B., Chase B., David E., Cady G., Katja K., Matt K., Brandon M., Jack M., Erin M., Kyle M., Jared O., Erin R., Mark S., Michael S., Matthew S., Cydney T., Nicholas T. and Brandon T.
This year’s tournament was the largest ever with nearly 1,000 competitors from 21 states and five foreign countries (England, Germany, Australia, Japan and Canada). Amazing! And to think this awesome sport started right here at Coyote Creek!
An official from Guinness World Records in London was on hand that day and our own Kyle M. set the age 7 world record for the 3-3-3 with a time of 3.51 earning first place. Way to go Kyle! Other age division individual medal winners were Cydney Tanner 7th in 3-3-3; Jared O. 6th in 3-3-3 and 3-6-3; Ryan A. 4th in 3-3-3, 3rd in 3-6-3 and 6th in Cycle; and Chase B. 2nd in 3-3-3, 3rd in 3-6-3 and 8th in Cycle.
Relay team awards went to Jack M. and Brandon M. whose relay team placed 1st in 3-3-3 and 3-6-3; Chase B., Matt K., and Kyle M.’s team placed 3rd in Cycle; and Ryan A.’s team placed 2nd in 3-6-3 and 1st in Cycle.
Our thanks go to Dolores Engel for all her hard work in keep Sport Stacking at Coyote Creek these past years – we’ll miss you Dolores but you can count on the program continuing next school year! See all you stackers next Fall. Keep stacking!

Be sure to walk the halls of Coyote Creek at least once the month of May. The halls have become an art gallery. Each Coyote Creek student has one art piece on display. A big thank-you to Art teacher Mrs. King for putting this project together!

Readers are encouraged to submit items for this column. Often we at school do not know the accomplishments of students outside school. Please include your phone number so we can reach you if we need more information.

Back to the top

Updates…
• The new carpet we were anticipating during the summer break will not be here as soon as we thought. The district decided that the available 10 working days would not be enough time to get the job done. The only way it could happen would be if we cancelled some student-contact days at both the end of this year and the beginning of next year, and the district did not want to impact that much learning time. So Winter Break is our next target date. ThunderRidge Feeder Area Director Clay Abla, our advocate from the beginning of this project, will continue to monitor the project to make sure all funding is in place at the appropriate time.
• The reconfiguration of the parking lot is also on hold. Once we decided on the configuration, the next step was to request permission from the school district. That request was made, and we are now awaiting word as to whether or not it will be granted and, if so, what next steps will be in order to be in compliance with district procedures. We are also researching ways to procure the funding for this project. Our PTA was willing to help us with it, but when we found out how much it will cost (in the vicinity of $90,000) it was very difficult to justify using the funds raised for several years for this one project. They will support school efforts toward the parking lot, but the school will not expect them to channel all their resources into this project. We will continue to keep you updated.

Back to the top

A Message From Mr. Victor
Victor is the Building Engineer for Coyote Creek and is retiring after many years of looking after us. You may know him as our daytime custodian. He has a huge heart, and wanted to have this message included in our newsletter so he could express his feelings to our school community:
My dear friends,
I’ve had to make some lifetime decisions in these 59 years, but this is one of the most difficult ever—even more than when I left after 29 years with the Postal Service. You see, the problem is this—each of you have left an indelible mark in my heart and soul. Since we only pass this way once, I have decided to stop right here, while I can yet be of value to my family and friends.
May 6 will be my last day at Coyote Creek Elementary. This has been an AWESOME workplace. (Can one miss work? If you’re at Coyote Creek—yes!) I have been a Pentecostal minister for 45 years, and I believe that I am now supposed to go into fulltime ministry. This will be positive for my health (no more snow to shovel!), and will provide more quality time with my family and friends. Six of my grandchildren are moving to Colorado! We are a small family, so this will be wonderful. I do have a LOVELY, supportive, understanding and loving helpmate, Debra. I can now be at her beck and call for our remaining years together.
I’ll remain in Highlands Ranch. My need to see you keeps me from going too far away. All of the students at CCE are sweet children; they look for me at lunch for hugs or “high fives”. I’ve been here for five years with these children, and they have kept me mentally and physically active.
I will keep all of you in my prayers every day.

Back to the top

Volunteer of the Month
Our Volunteer of the month for March is Amy Emerick. Amy is a dedicated classroom volunteer. She has been a volunteer at Coyote Creek since her oldest son started school here in July of 2001. William is in Mrs. Meyers’ 3rd grade class on A track and Jeffrey is in Mrs. Kresse’s 1st grade class. Amy comes in each week to help with the first graders in Mrs. Kresse’s class. To commit to a set schedule each week takes a lot of personal time and a lot of planning. Thanks, Amy, for doing that for the kids. It really does make a difference in their day to have a pleasant volunteer in class to help out. All of Amy’s efforts and every volunteer’s efforts are greatly appreciated by all the staff here at Coyote Creek. Thanks again, Amy! And keep on coming in!

Our April Volunteer of the Month is Lisa Gorhum. Lisa has been a volunteer at Coyote Creek for many years. She still has two children attending the school; Cady is in Ms. Eller’s fourth grade D Track class and Travis is in Mrs. Mizeur’s/Mrs. Crawford’s sixth grade D Track class. Lisa is a regular volunteer in the classroom as well as in other areas of the school. It’s been said that Lisa is a phenomenal parent volunteer in the 4th grade classroom; she goes above and beyond the call of duty to help Ms. Eller and the students. Thank you, Lisa, for all of the time you have donated to our school. It is truly appreciated by all.
Stephanie Stewart,
Volunteer Coordinator

Lost & Found
Check our Lost and Found barrels near Door #4 (by the cafeteria). There are many lunch boxes and miscellaneous coats and jackets to be found there!

Field Trips

May 11 K A
Denver Zoo
May 18 6 B & C
Denver Art Museum
May 24 1A
Prairie Canyon Ranch
May 25 K A, B2, C
Teikyo Loretta Heights
June 14 K B1 & D
Denver Zoo
June 15 K B2 & C
Denver Zoo

Back to the top

Back to the top