Each issue of The Connection features current events, sports information, school awards, fundraisers and other important items about each of the six neighborhood schools in Castle Pines North. To share school information, please , or call 303-482-3078.

by Elean Gersack

Fifth Graders Ski Free

Being in the fifth grade has benefits - like being the oldest kid at school. Another huge perk is the fifth Grade Ski Passport. The passport provides three days of free skiing or snowboarding at 25 Colorado ski resorts. In addition, students receive discounted lessons, rentals, and family member tickets.

The ski resorts include: Vail, Sol Vista, Keystone, Crested Butte, Winter Park, Beaver Creek, Loveland, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Aspen, Telluride and many more.

Sixth graders can sign up for the 6th Grade Graduate Pass. It provides all of the same benefits as the 5th Grade Ski Passport for just $79. Starting February 1, the sixth Grade Graduate Pass price increases to $99.

For more information or to register online, visit
www.coloradoski.com and then click on “passes.” For additional questions, email or call 303-866-9707.

Kindergarten Registration, Open Enrollment Begins in January

Open Enrollment -

Parents wishing to enroll children in a Douglas County School District school, other than a designated neighborhood school, must complete an open enrollment form. As of December 1, open enrollment forms can be downloaded from the district website at www.dcsdk12.org and parents can view a list of the schools available for open enrollment for the 2008-2009 school year. Forms must be completed and returned to the desired open enrollment school between December 1, 2007 and January 15, 2008.

The Douglas County Board of Education recently revised the enrollment date for kindergarten and first grade. Under the new policy, a child may enter kindergarten if he/she is five years old on or before October 1 of the year of enrollment, and enroll in the first grade if he/she is six years old on or before October 1 of the year of enrollment.

Kindergarten Registration -

Castle Pines North area elementary schools will enroll kindergarteners starting in January.

American Academy Charter School

American Academy Intent to Enroll forms for the 2008 - 2009 school year will be accepted through midnight on January 31, 2008. Visit www.americanacademyk8.org to download a form. The Intent to Enroll form places the student’s name in American Academy’s lottery, but does not guarantee a spot at the school. The lottery will be conducted on February 1, 2008. Those families who receive a spot for the 2008 - 2009 school year will be contacted within 48 hours after the lottery.

Buffalo Ridge Elementary School

BRE will enroll kindergarteners during assigned dates and times in January. Please plan to bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization records and proof of residency. Check the district website, www.dcsdk12.org, or contact the school for specific dates and details.

DCS Montessori School

Lottery applications for three-year-old preschool through sixth grade for the 2008 - 2009 school year will be accepted now through January 9, 2008. DCS Montessori utilizes a waitlist and lottery to fill open spots within the school. To download an application form, visit www.dcsmontessori.org and click on “Prospective Parents.”

Timber Trail Elementary School

TTE will enroll kindergarteners during assigned dates and times in January. Please plan to bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization records and proof of residency. Check the district website, www.dcsdk12.org, or contact the school for specific dates and details.

For more information, visit www.dcsdk12.org.