News from the Lion's Den

Posted Date: 03/13/26 (10:16 AM)

View Original Post

News from the Lion's Den

Weekly Newsletter

March 13, 2026

Three students are focused on their worksheets at a classroom desk, with laptops nearby.

A young person wearing a plush bunny hat sits at a desk in a classroom, looking towards the camera.

Two young boys are at a desk in a classroom, one wearing glasses and a blue jacket, the other a blue hoodie and a baseball cap.

Spring Fever

Families,

Spring sits around the corner. This point in the year matters. Students built momentum since August. The next few weeks help lock in growth before the final stretch of the year.

Your partnership at home makes a difference.

Stay connected with your child’s learning

Ask your child what they learned each day.

Have them explain a concept or idea.

When students explain learning, retention improves.

Keep attendance strong every day counts right now. Students miss instruction, discussions, and practice when absent. Our building attendance sits at 93 percent this month. Seventh grade leads with 95 percent. Great work Lions. Let’s keep the momentum going.

Encourage persistence

Learning gets harder this time of year.

Students face more complex work and deeper thinking. Remind your child effort matters. Progress grows through practice. Support routines at home Consistent sleep helps focus in class. A calm evening routine helps students arrive ready to learn. Small habits lead to strong school days. Talk with teachers

Reach out if your child needs support.

Teachers want to work with you.

Strong communication helps us respond quickly and help students succeed.

Lochbuie students continue to show PRIDE every day through perseverance, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence. Thank you for partnering with us and helping your child finish the year strong.

Best regards,

Manuel Montano

Principal, Lochbuie Intermediate Academy

Family Engagement Survey

The Family Engagement Survey helps us better understand how families view both academic growth and the overall culture of our school. Your feedback provides insight into how well we are supporting students in building strong academic skills while also creating a positive, respectful environment where every child feels a sense of belonging. This information directly informs our school improvement planning and helps us align resources to best support students.

Students work at tables with laptops in a classroom setting.

Why Families Choose Lochbuie Intermediate Academy

Families want a school where students feel known, challenged, and supported. Lochbuie Intermediate Academy delivers all three. Our school serves students in grades four through eight. This structure builds a clear pathway from upper elementary into middle school. Students grow in one community with consistent expectations and strong relationships.

Strong academics drive daily learning. Students study English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies every day. Teachers focus on clear learning targets and strong instruction. Students read closely. Students write often. Students solve complex math problems. Teachers push students to explain thinking and work together to solve problems.

Our transition to the Gradient Learning platform strengthens this work. Teachers design lessons around clear topics, tasks, targets, and texts. Students read, think, talk, and write in every classroom. Learning moves beyond worksheets. Students analyze ideas, solve problems, and work with classmates to deepen understanding.

Students also explore interests through electives and programs. Middle school students choose from art, painting, ceramics, music, band, keyboarding, and ukulele. STEM and robotics classes build problem solving and design skills. Physical Education and health support active and healthy habits.

Athletics give students another way to belong. Fall sports include football, boys soccer, and cross country. Winter sports include boys basketball, girls basketball, and wrestling. Spring sports include track and girls soccer. These teams build teamwork, discipline, and school pride.

Clubs and activities extend learning beyond the school day. Students participate in choir, robotics, and new programs planned for the coming year. These experiences build confidence and leadership.

Our school culture centers on PRIDE. Perseverance. Respect. Integrity. Diversity. Excellence. Students learn how to work hard, treat others well, and take ownership of learning. Staff members build strong relationships with students and families. Students know adults care about progress and success.

Lochbuie Intermediate Academy continues to grow. Seventh grade launched this year. Eighth grade opens next year. Families who choose Lochbuie join a school building momentum and opportunity for students.

Registration for the upcoming school year is open now. Families complete registration online through the same system used each year. Questions or tour requests welcome at 303 536 2400.

Lochbuie Intermediate Academy. Where Lions grow, lead, and roar to success.

Lochbuie Intermediate Academy flyer promoting January enrollment for the 2026-27 school year with the slogan 'Your Child. A Team. A Plan.'

Open Enrollment.

Your child deserves a school where learning is intentional and adults work together for results. At Lochbuie Intermediate Academy, students set academic goals, teachers deliver strong instruction, and families stay connected every step of the way. This is Be With 3 in action, students, families, and schools aligned around success. January registration is open. Enroll your child at Lochbuie Intermediate Academy and give them a team, a plan, and a clear path to growth.

Lochbuie Intermediate Academy advertisement with text in Spanish and English about enrollment for the 2026-27 school year.

Open Enrollment

Tu hijo merece una escuela donde el aprendizaje es intencional y los adultos trabajan juntos para lograr resultados. En Lochbuie Intermediate Academy, los estudiantes establecen metas académicas, los maestros brindan instrucción sólida y las familias se mantienen conectadas en cada paso del proceso. Esto es Be With 3 en acción, estudiantes, familias y escuelas alineados hacia el éxito. La inscripción de enero está abierta. Inscribe a tu hijo en Lochbuie Intermediate Academy y dale un equipo, un plan y un camino claro hacia el crecimiento.

A young student with long dark hair wears a pink sweatshirt and writes with a purple pen at a desk.

Importance of Attendance

Attendance builds learning momentum. Students present each day read more. Write more. Solve more math problems. Practice builds skill. Feedback improves accuracy.

March attendance stands at 93 percent at Lochbuie Intermediate Academy. Families continue to show strong commitment to daily learning. Classrooms stay focused. Instruction stays consistent.

Seventh grade leads the way with 95 percent attendance. Strong habits show up each day in their classrooms. Consistency leads to stronger academic growth.

Students who attend daily are more likely to

• Meet grade level expectations.

• Develop strong learning routines.

• Stay engaged with peers and teachers.

• Enter middle school prepared for higher demands.

Missing ten percent of the year leads to chronic absence. Two days each month adds up quickly. Reading and math gaps appear early. By upper grades those gaps widen and engagement drops.

Daily attendance builds responsibility. On time arrival protects learning minutes. Ten minutes late each day adds up to more than 30 hours of missed instruction.

School hours run from 7:55 AM to 3:00 PM. Supervision and breakfast begin at 7:30 AM. Your support helps your student arrive ready to learn and stay on track.

Two young wrestlers in singlets and headgear grapple on a mat in a gymnasium.

Middle School Sports Information

Information about Middle School Sports will be found here. The schedules are at this site.

WCMS/LIA Sports Schedules

Two children and an adult play a board game at a wooden table, with game pieces and cups scattered around.

Students work on a craft project at their desks in a classroom, using clay and paper.

School Calendar for 2026-2027

The calendar for the 2026-2027 school year has been released. The calendar can be found here or on the district’s website.

Five young people stand behind a desk in an office labeled 'Welcome to the Mayor's Office'.

Four young people stand behind a counter at "The Snack Shop," with two wearing orange aprons.

PTO News

Meadow Ridge Lochbuie PTO

Join us for our next PTOmeeting on Tuesday March 24 at 3:45pm at Lochbuie Intermediate Academy in the library. We need your support to finish the year strong. If you cannot join in person, you can join virtually at the link below.

PTO Meeting

Tuesday, March 24 · 3:45 – 4:45pm

Time zone: America/Denver

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/air-vrjf-nwj

The next food fundraiser is Wednesday March 25 at Panda Express. This event is virtual. You must use the code at checkout. Pass along the information to your family and friends as this is a NATION WIDE event. Orders can be placed for any Panda Express. Please see the flyer for more information.

As always don't forget to order some new gear to show off your school pride!

See flyer below.

Upcoming Food Fundraisers

March 25 Panda Express All Day

April 28 Black Jack Pizza All Day

May 20 Chipotle 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Facebook: Meadow Ridge Lochbuie Elementary School PTO

Instagram: meadowridgelochbuie.pto

If you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to reach out to us at meadowridgelochbuiepto@gmail.com

Karen President

Natalie Treasurer

Janna Meadow Ridge Chair