Posted November 9, 2021
Dear Swigert Families ,
An important part of our social emotional program at Swigert is to include calm down spaces in each classroom. This is an area where students can take some time if they are feeling anxious or upset. Each classroom has set up this space differently. Here is an example of one set up by our fifth grade students in Ms. Mills class:
We are excited that the vaccine was approved for children 5-12. Denver Public Schools is offering vaccines at specific school based clinics, please see the list here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information for the DPS Community | Denver Public Schools (dpsk12.org)
I know there is a rise in covid cases across the city. We currently have two student cases at Swigert. If you want to check updated case numbers in DPS, please check the covid tracker.
I know many families have questions about school choice – especially if you are a parent to a fifth grader or incoming ECE or Kindergarten. The choice window opens on January 14th, and closes February 12th. School tours are happening now across Denver Public Schools. Emily Pool, our community liaison, created a link to our website full of information about Swigert for potential families, please see below. I am including a link to the DPS choice website as well as our link to Swigert tours.
Mark your calendar for SchoolChoice: Jan. 14-Feb. 15, 2022 | Choice & Enrollment (dpsk12.org)
School Tours | Swigert International School (dpsk12.org)Sincerely,
Shelby Dennis
shelby_dennis@dpsk12.org
Recycle Your Paper!
Did you know that there’s an island made of trash in the Pacific that’s larger than Texas? Texas is 2.5 times larger than Colorado. Think of all of the trash you throw away in your daily life and just imagine how much trash you create in a year! And think of global warming! If glaciers and ice caps melt, water levels will rise. And places like Florida, will soon be underwater and uninhabitable.
So, our November challenge for the Swigert Community is for you to try to recycle all the paper you use in a day! Both kids and parents can do this in and out of school! According to KingCounty.gov “If you throw away even half the paper you use in a year instead of recycling it, you increase your climate pollution by the same amount as driving 526 miles.” This really is a lot of pollution. Every piece you recycle makes a difference. Please help our planet and recycle more!
Recycling is really important for the climate,so it’s important to make sure you know what items go in the recycling. Things that are recyclable include rigid plastics/bottles, paper and cardboard. Some metals that you can recycle are tin, aluminum, and steel cans. Food containers or jars, and bottles are also OK to recycle. From your Youth Climate Engagement Team.
The Spirit Wear PRE ORDER is now live! Visit https://www.likewear.com/collections/swigert to get your orders in by 11/14! We have brand new items with something for everyone! They also make great holiday gifts. Happy Shopping!
Do you have pictures for the yearbook? If so, we’d love to have them! If they’re grade-specific, please upload them to that grade’s photo album. If not, then one of the other albums is sure to fit. “Around the School” is for any pictures that don’t fit into another category. Please add any pertinent information (kids’ names, who took the picture, etc.) that you’d like to share.
Please note: once the pictures have been downloaded from the shared album, they will be deleted. So if you think your pictures are missing, feel free to reach out to Daphne to confirm they’ve been downloaded.
Thank you for your help, and thank you parents who have already shared photos!
The 12th annual REALGiving Campaign in 80238 is underway to provide King Soopers gift cards for families in need at Thanksgiving. Last year, Central Park area Realtors, builders, lenders, friends, Brookfield Properties and The Foundation for Sustainable Urban Communities assisted 200+ families in need throughout the community and local school food pantries. With the Covid impact continuing this year, nothing has been normal especially for our families in need. We are asking for your donation to help us purchase King Soopers gift cards for the identified families. To donate, click on the link below for the secure site to use CC, Venmo or PayPal this year!!:
REALGiving2021 Donation Link or directly https://thewcepta.com/realgiving
On the donation page, follow the prompts and DONATE! Donations are tax deductible. The gift cards will be loaded on Tuesday November 16th and delivered to the schools for distribution to families before the holiday break. Thank you as always to the Westerly Creek PTA for powering the secure giving site to donate! For more info and updates please visit the REALGiving Facebook page [full link: https://www.facebook.com/RealGiving80238].
#ItTakesAVillage #GiveWhereYouLive #PowerofCommunity #REALGiving2021
The Lunch menu is continuing to change based on availability, so we will keep you as updated as much as possible.
The menu for the rest of this week is:
Wed 11/10: Country Chicken Bowl OR PB&J
Thu 11/11: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce OR Spaghetti with Marinara OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 11/12: Chicken Quesadilla OR Cheese Quesadilla OR PB&J
The menu for next week is:
Mon 11/15: All Beef Hotdog OR Charro Beans & Rice OR PB&J
Tue 11/16: Sloppy Joe OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich OR Yogurt Basket
Wed 11/17: Thanksgiving Meal* OR Vegetarian Thanksgiving Meal* see below for description
Thu 11/18: Cheesy Breadstick OR Bean and Cheese Burrito OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 11/19: BBQ Chicken OR Vegetarian Chef Salad OR PB&J
Thanksgiving Meal:
Roasted Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Sweet Potato Cake
Dinner Roll
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Meal:
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Sweet Potato Cake
Dinner Roll
You can also view the menu by going to https://www.schoolcafe.com/DPShttps://www.schoolcafe.com/DPS, choosing View Menus (as guest), and then selecting an elementary school, such as Isabella Bird or Westerly Creek.
If your child has a peanut allergy and needs Wow butter (or other food allergy that requires accommodation), please be sure you’ve completed the attached Meal Modification Form. Food & Nutrition Services requires this form even if you have an allergy/anaphylaxis form on file with the nurse. You can return the form to our kitchen manager or the front office.
Welcome to International Mindedness Moments!
–This regular segment will feature an activity you can do with your child
to reinforce International Mindedness learning at home and to take action!–
IB states: “An internationally minded person is open-minded about the common humanity of all people and accepts and respects other cultures and beliefs. The internationally minded person takes action through discussion and collaboration to help build a better and peaceful world.”
November is Native American Heritage Month.
Video:
You can watch this brief video with your child about the origins of the month.
Resources/activities:
Here are some book lists that our librarian, Sallie Shultzabarger, has put together:
Swigert collection:
Indigenous Authors:
And here is a list from the First Nations Development Institute of recommended children’s books.
Parents of current 5th Graders, please see the attached brochure for information about tours at DSST Conservatory Green.
Krameria Gives is excited to host their Family Volunteer Day again. This is a great way for kids and adults to volunteer together. You get to rotate to different stations, participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the museum and also includes free access to the museum to enjoy after the event.
Volunteers will be coloring bags for Project Angel Heart, making some blankets for the animals at Dumb Friends League, write a card for those in our local hospitals, make a toy for animals at the animal shelter – and there will be a few more that we are still finalizing.
To register, please go to https://kramericagives.org/
Nov 10 GT Family Night
Nov 14 Last day for Spirit Wear pre-order
Nov 22-26 Thanksgiving Break
Dec 20-Jan 3 Winter Break
May 14 Auction 5:30 – 9:00 PM