Picture Retake Day Nov 12th
Did your first photo look more like a Monday morning mugshot than a school portrait? No worries! Picture Retake Day is your second chance at greatness. Fix that hair, practice your best “I totally got enough sleep” smile, and let’s make this year’s photo frame-worthy instead of fridge-funny.
Birthday’s at Black Rock
BIRTHDAYS – In lieu of parties, birthdays will be celebrated at Black Rock Elementary with birthday buttons. On the day of their birthday (or weekday closest to it if it falls on a weekend), a student will be recognized on the morning announcements and they will receive a birthday button to wear during the day.
This allows the school community to recognize and celebrate this special day with each student. If a child’s a birthday is during the summer months, parents may choose a “half birthday” or we will recognize summer birthdays in May. In support of our St. Vrain School Wellness Policy (Procedure 741-ADF), families are not
permitted to bring in classroom birthday treats (ie. cupcakes, cookies, pizzas, etc.).
(Invitations to private parties are not to be distributed at school, unless all members of the student’s
class are invited.)
After School Playground Use
Playground Reminder
We love seeing families enjoy our playground after school! Please remember that students must be supervised by a parent or guardian and that all school rules still apply when using the equipment. The playground is open for family use until 3:42 p.m. At that time, we kindly ask families to head home so our after-school program, Rock Pile, can make use of the space. Thank you for helping us keep our playground safe and fun for everyone!
Start Saving for Your Child’s Future—Today!
Dreaming about your child’s future career, college, or trade school? It’s never too early to start planning for their success. Join the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation for a College Savings Information Night on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Longmont High School Community Room.
At this free, family-friendly event, parents will learn how small savings can grow into big opportunities through 529 College Savings Plans, the 529 Jump program (which provides a $100 scholarship for PK–5th grade students), and other state and federal matching programs designed to help families save smarter.
Representatives from trusted financial institutions will be available to answer your questions and help you get started. Dinner, Spanish interpretation, and childcare will be provided—so bring the whole family and take the first step toward your child’s post-secondary dreams!
SVVSD Cell Phone & Smart Watch Policy
RESPONSIBLE USE OF CELL PHONES AND PERSONAL DEVICES
EXPECTATIONS
● Phones must remain off or on silent mode during school hours unless specifically allowed by a teacher for instructional purposes.
● Phones must be kept out of sight during class time (e.g., in backpacks or lockers), unless given permission by a teacher.
● No photography, video, or audio recording is allowed during the school day without explicit permission from a teacher or administrator.
● Texting, calling, or using social media is not allowed during class time.
● Smartwatches and other wearable devices are subject to the same rules as phones. We ask that they be put on school mode.
CONSEQUENCES
● First offense: Verbal reminder of the expectation and communication to a parent/guardian.
● Second offense: Phone is confiscated, returned at the end of the class, and communication to a parent/guardian.
● Third offense: Phone is confiscated, returned at the end of the day, and communication to a parent/guardian.
● Fourth offense: Phone is confiscated and returned only to a parent/guardian.
● Further offenses: Additional disciplinary action, which may include loss of phone privileges at school for a set period of time or other consequences.
SNAP Benefit Update from CDE
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has asked us to share this information with our community: Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits for November may be delayed. School meals are still available. If you need additional food before your SNAP benefits are available, there are local resources that can help:
- Colorado 211: Call 2-1-1- or 866-760-6489 or visit www.211colorado.org
- Feeding Colorado: Visit www.feedingcolorado.org/find-food or email [email protected]
- Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: 855-855-4626
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Join us for our Annual Holiday Food Drive benefiting the Erie Community Food Bank!
We welcome any non-perishable, unexpired items, but to best meet current food bank needs, please consider donating items based on your child’s grade level:
Preschool – pancake mix, canned pasta (like SpaghettiOs & Ravioli), refried beans
Kindergarten – canned tunas, canned chicken, cereal (other than Cherrios)
1st grade – muffin mixes, breakfast bars, granola bars, canned fruit
2nd grade – boxed crackers, syrup, oatmeal (both old fashioned & packets)
3rd grade – small sugar bags, small flour bags, cooking oil
4th grade – canned chili, canned beef stew, peanut butter, jelly
5th grade – marinara sauce, flavored rice, potato and pasta side (such as Pasta Roni)
To ease congestion, we request food drop-off and singing by last name:
A-G arrive at 5:30; sing at 5:45
H-Q arrive at 6:00; sing at 6:15
R-Z arrive at 6:30; sing at 6:45
Additional items needed for the event: Cookies (store bought only) & hot chocolate (canisters)–sign up in Konstella!
Erie Food Bank
School Calendar
What’s Happening at School?
Our school calendar isn’t just dates—it’s where the magic lives! From spirit days to foam parties, pajama days to parent-teacher nights, you’ll find it all there. Check it out so you don’t miss a thing (because nothing’s worse than being the only one not wearing crazy socks on Crazy Sock Day). Just click on the calendar link and stay in the know all year long.
988 Colorado Mental Health Line
A new state law requires schools to share information about the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line. The service provides free, confidential support 24/7 from trained specialists through calls, texts, or live chats. Families can learn more by visiting 988Colorado.com.
Join Us for a Night of Hockey and Community Spirit!
The St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation is thrilled to partner once again with the Colorado Avalanche for a fundraising community game!
Come cheer on the Avs as they take on the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 7:30 PM at Ball Arena (1000 Chopper Circle, Denver).
Enjoy special school pricing, and know that $5 from every ticket purchased through our Foundation link will directly support programs that enhance student success and teacher excellence across St. Vrain Valley Schools.
🎟️ Purchase discounted tickets here:
https://avalanche.spinzo.com/colorado-avalanche-vs-anaheim-ducks-2025-11-11-GVJCW?group=st-vrain-school-foundation-pwu6
Don’t miss this chance to enjoy an exciting night of hockey while supporting education in our community
Cheer on the Buffs and Support St. Vrain Schools! 🏈
The St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation invites you to join us for an exciting CU Buffs Football Game this fall!
📅 Saturday, November 22, 2025 | Time TBD
📍 Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave, Boulder
🏆 Colorado Buffaloes vs. Arizona State
This is a great opportunity to enjoy a day of college football with friends, family, and fellow St. Vrain supporters. Even better—$5 from every ticket purchased through our Foundation link will directly benefit Education Foundation programs that fund teacher innovation grants, student scholarships, and classroom support across the district.
🎟️ Purchase your tickets today: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Stvrain28
Let’s fill the stands and show our St. Vrain spirit while cheering on the Buffs!
PTO Meeting – Tuesday, November 11th
Join us for our monthly PTO meeting on Tuesday, November 11th at 6:30 PM in the Black Rock library. We’d love to see you there!
Can’t make it in person? Join us virtually!
Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/bzf-ciet-xyi
Dial-in Option:
Phone: +1 361-384-6824
PIN: 451 473 505#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/bzf-ciet-xyi?pin=1336563718422
Meeting Time: 6:30-7:30 PM (Mountain Time)
We look forward to connecting with you–however you can join!
Save the date for Hope & Gratitude on November 14th from 5-8 PM!
Join us for the sixth annual Hope & Gratitude Project–happening earlier in the school year, so mark your calendar for November 14th from 5-8 PM!
This year’s event will be held at Coal Creek Park & feature luminaries made by students & staff from schools throughout Erie as well as some Erie Homeschoolers.
We invite you to write your own hopes & gratitudes on our large community luminaries as you walk through the event.
Some of the restaurants downtown will be participating in a Dine-to-Donate event that evening and splitting the proceeds between participating schools. Please check the Soaring Heights PTO social media or ask at the event to find out which restaurants are participating! Please contact [email protected] with any questions!
More about the event…
The Hope & Gratitude project was started by the Soaring Heights PTO in 2021 as a community building event. The first year was Soaring Heights only as a drive-through event due to Covid and it was so wonderful that it was expanded to be a community event in downtown Erie in 2022. Your parent group is working hard to provide the opportunity for your student to create a luminary (in class) with their hopes and gratitudes written on it. They’ll need lots of volunteers to help with set up (starting at 1 pm) and clean up (8-9pm) on the day of the event so we’d love to have you join us in volunteering!
We hope to see you there!
Dine to Donate
Dine to Donate: Panera Bread at the Orchard! Mark your calendars for an easy dinner that supports Black Rock:
- Tuesday, November 19th | 4:00-8:00 PM
- Panera Bread: 14415 Delaware St, Westminster, CO 80023
20% of all sales during this time will come back to our school!
How to participate:
- Online or App: Use code FUND4U at panerabread.com or in the Panera App
- In-Cafe: Use code FUND4U at the kiosk or mention Black Rock when ordering
Dine in, take out, or order online – it all counts! Thank you for supporting our Black Rock community!
Save the Date for Black Rock Bash!
March 7th, 2026 | 7-11PM
Colorado National Golf Club
We are seeking volunteers to be on the planning committee. If interested, please reach out to [email protected].
Notes from the Black Rock PTO:
Want to volunteer? Click this link to join Black Rock on Konstella, our volunteer and communications app, or email [email protected]. Returning Konstella Users: Please log in, and update your child’s teacher in the settings area.
Want to become a sponsor? Email [email protected] for more information.
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram.
There is a form to submit New Business and Ideas for PTO Consideration: New Business form Link.
Lunch Menus
Please use this link to see the detailed version of the lunch and breakfast offerings. LINQ Connect
Black Rock’s Upcoming Events
Nov. 11– Veterans Day
Nov. 11 – PTO Meeting | 6:30 BRE Library
Nov. 12 – Individual Picture Retake Day
Nov.14 – Hope and Gratitude | Coal Creek Park 5-8pm
Nov. 19 – Dine to Donate | Panera 4:00-8:00pm
Nov. 24- 28 – NO SCHOOL | Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 2 – Black Rock Gives Back 5-8pm
Sponsors of the Week
