Golden Spike Elementary

Hello families, it has been such a great first week of school!!! We have a few PTO announcements! If you were not able to attend Back to School Night or did not receive a Back to School packet please get one from the Front Office. It has a lot of important information for the school year! We still have Golden Spike shirts available! They are $10 each. Please fill out the form here (https://forms.gle/Z6NVHCkwERPPhyWu5) to purchase and they will be delivered to the students the following week. These can be worn on Fridays for Spirit Day to get a special treat! Also we will be in the Peach Days Parade. Attached is a form that was also in the Back to School packet with all the information you will need for the parade. If your students would like to be in the parade please read this form carefully. Thank you so much!!!

Join the Walk and Roll Challenge! https://saferoutes.utah.gov/walk-n-roll/

Welcome back to school! We had a great first day. What was your student's favorite part of today?

Golden Spike parents, this is just a reminder of our first week schedule. School starts on August 28th. School will run from 9:00 - 1:00 on the first week. If you have an incoming kindergartener and have not scheduled an appointment, please call the office ASAP. Kindergarten's first day is Thursday the 31st.

Kindergarten Open House Wednesday, August 30, 2-3 PM Meet your teacher, find your classroom, and get a treat!

Calling all families with a 4th grader in the house! For an entire year, your 4th grader and your family have free access to hundreds of parks, public lands and seas. Get your pass here: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm. Note: The pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September - August). Overview: https://store.usgs.gov/faq#4th-Grade-Pass Why fourth graders? “We chose fourth graders because research shows that kids ages nine to 11 are beginning to learn about the world around them. They’re open to new ideas, and they are likely to connect to nature and our history. We offer the pass to fourth graders every year. Over time, every kid can get a free pass to explore our country.” Everykidoutdoors.gov 📷 USDA Forest Service

Come say hi to the School Counselors at Back to School night on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 5-7pm.

Families of PreK children in Box Elder School District are eligible to participate in Waterford Upstart, an at-home learning program. It includes an adaptive learning path in reading, math, and science, along with family support and coaching in English or Spanish--all at no cost to families. Children use the program at home for 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week to build foundational learning skills through fun, educational songs and activities. A computer and internet access are even available to qualifying families. A Utah Board of Education study found that children who use Waterford Upstart prior to kindergarten outperform state averages on standardized tests and maintain learning gains through 4th grade. Enroll at https://www.waterford.org/upstart/

Hello Golden Spike Families, We are so excited for this school year! The PTO is taking orders for School T-shirts. Any orders received before August 21 will be available for pick-up at Back to School Night August 22. You can also purchase shirts at Back to School Night, but the internet connection may be slow so we will have lines. Click the Following link to order your T-Shirts: https://forms.gle/L44pjif8idTUcEk16 We LOVE to have FUN so be sure to wear your swim suit and bring a towel, so you can come play with us at the FOAM Pit and Bounce Houses after you have visited your Teachers. Teachers will en the west side of the school and we will be out on the south side playground! Please enter in the main north doors and exit via the outside exits when you are done! We are so excited for this school year and can't wait to see you at Back to School Night! Golden Spike PTO

Golden Spike Kindergarten Parents, Please take a minute to sign up for our back to school KEEP testing on August 28 and 29. You will bring your student to Golden Spike where they will complete the individual assessment. Their first day of school will be August 31. Thanks and let us know if you have any questions. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084AAEA82DAAF94-gskindergarten

Welcome back (almost!) Golden Spike Eagles! Please click on the link for the back to school information and newsletters! We look forward to seeing you soon! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ndsh806jgy4Nqti8qWRhzcHppxBuwhs0rVjgJmuWmbA/edit?usp=sharing

Back to School FAQ

My name is Mikayla Sepulveda, and I am thrilled to be teaching 5th grade at Golden Spike Elementary this year! I recently graduated with honors from Utah State University with my degree in Elementary Education and a minor in English. I grew up in Brigham City, and love that I now get to teach here! One thing to know about me is that I LOVE Disney! Disneyland is my favorite place in the world and I love spreading pixie dust wherever I go. In my free time I enjoy reading, writing, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family!

Hi! My name is Xiangxiu (Melody) Zhang and I will be teaching third grade this upcoming year at Golden Spike. I have lived in Michigan for the past 8 years and I am excited to start a new chapter in Utah! My previous teaching experience is at the elementary level in Chinese immersion and Special Education. In my spare time, I love to read, write and do yoga. I love to travel and look forward to all the great adventures ahead of me. This is going to be great learning experience and I know it before it even starts. Let’s go all in!

Hi my name is Whitlee Ivie and I am so excited to be teaching Kindergarten at Golden Spike this upcoming school year! I am married and we have two children. As a family we love the outdoors! We moved to Elwood in the fall of 2018. We love living up here! I love tacos, blue starburst water mix, and sweet tart strawberry ropes. Some of my favorite hobbies are making crafts, taking pictures, shopping, and throwing parties. School has always been something that I am very passionate about, and I am looking forward to our 2023/2024 school year!

My name is Jennilyn Merkley. I have lived in Brigham City my entire life and love it here. For the past several years I have worked for Ogden School District but have decided I want to be closer to home. My husband and I have three silly kiddos that bring us so much joy and laughter. In my spare time, I love reading, gardening and watching movies with the family. I can’t wait to start my new adventure with Golden Spike! I am also so excited to get to know my first graders! We all are going to have fun, learn and grow together!

My name is Deanna Gomez, but students know me as Miss Deanna. Many of you will recognize me from the front desk at Golden Spike (or Foothill). This year, I’m so excited to share my passion for learning and discovery with our students as a fifth grade teacher! I couldn’t be more excited about our school and all the amazing things we’re going to accomplish this year! When I’m not at school, I like being outside. I love to plant things and watch them grow, I love animals and even keep a bird book with me in case I spot one I don’t recognize. I love reading, camping, trying new foods, and my family. And I absolutely LOVE to learn new things! I can’t wait to get started!

I am Jacob Lott. I have been teaching for 3 years now at McKinley in Tremonton. I have had experience in 1st and 2nd and am excited to join the Golden Spike family, teaching 3rd grade. When I'm not in the classroom, I enjoy biking, visiting Southern Utah and hanging with my wife, Beth and our 3 kids.

My name is Sadie Anderson (Barton in July!). I am from Tremonton and have grown up in the Box Elder School District! I graduated from Utah State University in May, am getting married at the end of July, and officially start my teaching career this fall! Ever since I was in elementary school, I’ve wanted to become a teacher, so I am SO excited to start teaching kindergarten this year! I love anything active, outside in the sun, and with my family and friends. I love chocolate, pickle ball, music, the color pink, and hanging out with cute kiddos. There’s nothing better than the sweet personalities of kids and I am so excited to teach yours!