FORT LEWIS MESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
11274 CO-140, Hesperus, CO 81326
(970) 588-3331
Jenny Imel- Principal
November 4, 2025
Dear Fort Lewis Mesa Families,
November is a special time at Fort Lewis Mesa as we come together in gratitude and kindness. This month, we’ll gather for our annual Thanksgiving meal—a favorite time that reminds us how strong and connected our school community truly is. We’re thankful for the support, care, and teamwork that makes our school such a welcoming place for every student and family. As we head into Thanksgiving Break November 24-28, we hope each family enjoys time to rest, reflect, and reset as the holiday season means something different for everyone. Together, we will continue to grow a community where everyone belongs and feels appreciated. A reminder…as the weather shifts, please remember to dress warmly as the fall days turn into cold nights and chilly mornings.
Staff Changes at FLME
- Welcome Ms. Lindsay Walters! She is our new HSP (Health Service Provider) at FLME!
Important Dates
- Wednesday, November 5: Vision & Hearing Screenings @ FLME
- Tuesday, November 11: Veterans Day (we do have school)
- Thursday, November 13 @ 3pm: PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, November 18 @ 9am: Lockdown Drill
- Friday, November 21 @ 10:30am: Turkey Trot & Thanksgiving Lunches
- Monday, November 24-Friday, November 28: NO SCHOOL-Happy Thanksgiving Break!
Butter Braids Are Here!
Butter braid sales start Monday, Nov 3 - the online store is set up: ButterBraids.FLME
Other important dates below:
Bus Riding Reminders (To/From School & Field Trips)
- At FLME, we want every part of the school day, including the bus ride to feel safe, respectful, and welcoming. Given we have been in school for a few months, now is an ideal time to revisit bus norms and expectations with students.
- As a reminder, riding the bus is a privilege that comes with responsibility.
- To support a safe and positive experience for all riders, some students have/may be given an assigned seat. Assigned seating helps build community, ensures safety, and makes the ride smoother for everyone.
- If students are not able to follow the rules of the bus they will be given a verbal warning. If a student is given multiple warnings, they may lose the opportunity to ride the bus.
Lockdown Drill @ FLME
The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. To ensure that everyone knows what to do during an emergency, our school will conduct a Lockdown Drill on Tuesday, November 18 at approximately 9:00 am in partnership with our district security staff and school resource officers. The objective of an emergency drill is to build muscle memory and practice actions for various events or situations.
A Lockdown is called when there is something dangerous inside the building. A Lockdown Drill reminder is "locks, lights, out of sight" and includes the following steps:
○ Move away from sight
○ Maintain silence
○ Do not open the door
Adults and staff are trained to:
○ Recover students from hallway if possible
○ Lock the classroom door
○ Turn out the lights
○ Move away from sight
○ Maintain silence
○ Do not open the door
○ Prepare to evade or defend
We are sharing this information in advance so you will not be alarmed if you hear about the drill from your child in a text message during the day, or after they come home from school. We encourage you to talk to your child about the drill and let them know that it is to help keep them safe. Our staff will be calm and reassuring as they lead students through the drill.
Our school follows "I Love U Guys" Foundation's Standard Response Protocol (SRP). We invite families to review this document. The "I Love U Guys" Foundation's programs for crisis response and post-crisis reunification are used in more than 45,000 schools, districts, departments, agencies, organizations, and communities around the world. They are created through the research-based best practices of school administrators, psychologists, public space safety experts, families, and first responders.
We appreciate your partnership and your child's participation in these important safety drills. If you have questions, please email me, Principal Imel (jimel@ durangoschools.org).
The Dryside Halloween Trot Year #2 Was a Success! Thank you all for joining in on the fun!
Turkey Trot & Thanksgiving Lunch
Join us for our annual Turkey Trot & Thanksgiving Lunch!
When: Friday, 11/21/25
Time/s:
- 10:30-11:00am-Turkey Trot
- We will begin with everyone in the gym for a welcome and the Chicken Dance. Then, classes will be dismissed from youngest to oldest for the run.
- 11:00 – 11:45am - Lunch #1-PREK – 2nd grade
- 11:55 – 12:40am – Lunch #2-3rd – 5th grade
*Students will eat at their assigned lunch hour due to limited cafeteria space.
*Parents are welcome to stay for both lunches. However, we cannot pull students from class to join different lunches.
- The menu is: Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, fresh baked rolls, cranberry sauce, roasted local root vegetables, and spiced cake with whipped cream.
The cost is:
- $5.oo per adult/ $3.oo for children who do not attend FLME/ Children 3 & under are free.
*Please pay at the door before you enter the cafeteria; we accept checks or cash.
Additional Information:
- Please sign your student out at both the front office and with the classroom teacher if you would like to check them out early.
- All children who are not FLME students are to be supervised by their parents and guardians at all times.
- Grades 3-5 will line-up on the basketball court after the Turkey Trot.
- 3rd through 5th grades will return to class (unless teachers choose to do a recess) and Prek-2nd grades will go straight to lunch.
Join our PTO and/or SAAC @ FLME
What is SAAC?
- SAAC is…The School Accountability (& Assessment) Committee
- Why join? If you are interested in helping our school discuss budget, curriculum, safety, student achievement, and community engagement, this is the team for you!
- This group advises and discusses items that affect our students and staff throughout the year.
- We ONLY meet (and virtually) FOUR times this school year! We welcome all of the parents and caregivers in our community to join.
Here is additional information on the School Accountability Committee: School and District Accountability Committees (SACs and DACs) | CDE
What is the PTO?
- PTO is…The Parent-Teacher Organization @ FLME
- Why join? This team helps with offering programs, special events, and fundraisers that contribute to the resources and opportunities at our school.
- You can attend meetings and volunteer or simply volunteer…any help is appreciated!
- Curious? Fill out an interest form at http://tiny.cc/nd2q001 or email [email protected]
Here’s to trying new things! Here’s to progress not perfection! Here’s to resilient risk-taking!
Best-
Jenny Imel-Principal