Posted February 8, 2022
Dear Swigert Families,
There is a great deal of discussion occurring right now in local education circles around innovation zones and innovation schools. Swigert was founded as an innovation school and I so appreciate leading in an innovation school. Innovation status provides flexibility and autonomy around budget, curriculum and our calendar to innovate to meet student needs. As an IB school we are able to provide additional planning time for teachers to create engaging units of study and develop a rich, relevant program. To learn more about our Innovation Zone check out this link: Northeast Denver Innovation Zone (ndiz.org).
One member of the DPS school board introduced a proposal to limit some of the autonomies for innovation schools. We are seeking to understand more about this proposal and figure out the implications. We invited DPS School Board members Tay Anderson and Scott Esserman to Swigert tomorrow to see our school and how we use innovation on a daily basis. I am excited for them to talk to our teachers and to seek to understand more about this proposal. Attached please find the letter I wrote to the board last week. If you are interested in knowing more please let me know.
On another note, ask our STEM teacher how excited he is about space! David Miller was able to attend an educators conference last week at NASA in Houston, Texas. He learned about incredibly engaging space lessons for our students. He is jazzed and can’t wait to incorporate his learning to our students. We are grateful we have astoundingly supportive parents who help us to provide such amazing learning experiences or our educators. https://spacecenter.org/education-programs/educator-resources/seec/Sincerely,
Shelby Dennis
shelby_dennis@dpsk12.net
We are having some hiccups in the morning with our kiss and go lanes. Please see the rules below. This is a quick drop off so we can keep traffic going. If you need more time, please park and walk your child into the building. We are trying to get our students in as safely and quickly as possible as well as support family schedules.
1. The Kiss and Go Lane is the front curve along the sidewalk. This is the designated drop off area in the morning prior to the start of the school day. DO NOT Leave your car unattended in this lane.
2. This lane along the front curve is a FIRE LANE. Between the hours of 8am-4pm, no cars should be left unattended here.
3. The Kiss and Go Lane is for student drop off only. Adults may not exit the vehicle.
4. When using Kiss and Go, pull as far forward as the lane or car in front of you allows. This is a single car lane. Do not double or idle.
5. Children should ALWAYS exit vehicles curbside (to the right), so please adjust any car/booster seats to enable safe exiting from your vehicle. Your child should be 100% prepared to exit the car with all the belongings. They need to be able to do this independently. If they are unable to do this, you need to find a parking space so you can assist them.
6. Once your child has exited and their door is closed, exit the Kiss-and-Go Lane promptly and safely. Do not sit and watch your child enter the school.
7. No one may exit the vehicle on the left side.
8. If your child needs assistance, you need to find a parking place and walk your child in.
9. The Kiss-and-Go system will only be staffed for drop-off in the morning.
10. Starting at 800 a.m. volunteers will be in place to operate the Kiss-and-Go Lane system.
11. The middle section of the curve (directly in front of the main doors) is for handicap drop off only. There are blue signs and orange cones that indicate this. Do not stop in front of this area.
12. Parents may also park in designated spots or on side streets around the school.
We have some ambitious third grade students that are hosting a girl scout cookie sale on Monday and Wednesday next week after school. If you are hankering for some cookies, please bring your cash and pick up some cookies.
Where: on the Swigert playground, under the yellow dome from 3:15-3:45
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in helping keep our students safe at the beginning and end of the school day, please check out the attached Crossing Guard Flyer and Job Description.
We are excited to share Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade art with you!
Art Show
March 9, 4:30-6pm at Swigert
Masks required.
Sign up for a time slot (one slot per group, max of 4 people per group).
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EADAB2CA3F5C16-k12
With the shift to Healthy Start Times in fall 2023, DPS is seeking input on what options work best for the community in carrying out this change. There are three options for bus routes that make Healthy Start Times possible. Please share these opportunities for students, families and DPS community members to join upcoming meetings. For more information and to register, visit the Healthy Start Times page.
Yearbooks are no longer available through the Walsworth website. However, we did order extra, both hard- and soft-cover. Yearbooks can be purchased through myschoolbucks.com until they are sold out. Once they have sold out, you are welcome to email Daphne to be put on a list. Walsworth does send extra yearbooks, but we never know how many until they arrive. We won’t collect any money on the waitlist books until we’re sure we have them to hand out.
Yearbooks are $36.25 for a softcover or $41.25 for a hardcover.
Please Join Us for Our Introductory Planting Seeds Meeting!
Planting Seeds Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 10, 2022
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89414547977?pwd=Wkg4MXR5SXJmOHVqTjY4cC9jWnN6UT09
Meeting ID: 894 1454 7977
Passcode: j95mWp
The Planting Seeds Committee is a group of Swigert parents, caregivers, and staff members dedicated to making Swigert an inclusive and equitable community.
We will identify goals for the committee and discuss equity workshop topics and facilitator ideas.
Please RSVP to Shelby Dennis if you can attend at shelby_dennis@dpsk12.net
Thank you to the members of the community that have reached out about hosting Buy-a-Shares and donating awesome items! We are so excited to celebrate our community and support our school on May 14, 2022, it will be a great evening at the Denver Botanic Gardens! We cannot do it without your support and we are so grateful!
Please reach out to Molly Lacy (mollyelacy@gmail.com), April Slater (aprilmarieslater@gmail.com), or Amanda Jozsa (amandatjozsa@gmail.com) with any event questions or donations.
Are you interested in being an auction sponsor? We have multiple categories available and they are a great way to support the school, get visibility for your business, and get premium seating at the event. Please reach out to Courtney Lis at courtneyreillylis@gmail.com for more information on sponsorship.
Early Bird Tickets and Auction Spirit Wear coming soon!
Wednesday, February 9 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM MST
Do you have a child, family member, or student that struggles to read, write, spell, or memorize math facts? Is homework a battle? Does the child complain about going to school?
If so, join us for a presentation by DenCoKID in partnership with International Dyslexia Association-Rocky Mountain Branch about:
Zoom link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7483660661?pwd=N0grL1hiczZvR29qTEI4UURTMkNTUT09
Attn: You may need to use Chrome for the Zoom link to connect properly!
The Lunch menu is continuing to change based on availability, so we will keep you as updated as much as possible.
If your child will be coming in late and needs a hot lunch, please inform the office of their choice so their lunch can be added to the counts.
The menu for the rest of this week is:
Wed 2/9: Mediterranean Chicken Wrap OR Pancakes and Chicken Sausage OR Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs OR PB&J
Thu 2/10: Meat Lasagna OR Spinach Lasagna OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 2/11: Chicken Quesadilla OR Cheese Quesadilla OR Bean Burrito Bowl OR PB&J
The menu for next week is:
Mon 2/14: Beef Hotdog OR Chili Cheese Fries OR PB&J
Tue 2/15: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce OR Spaghetti Marinara OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich OR Yogurt Basket
Wed 2/16: Cheeseburger OR Bean & Cheese Burrito OR PB&J
Thu 2/17: Blackjack Pizza (Cheese) OR Chorizo Mac & Cheese OR Mac & Cheese OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 2/18: BBQ Pulled Pork OR Chicken Sandwich OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Blackjack Pizza will be served on the third Thursday of the month. Pizza days for the remainder of the year:
February 17th
March 17th
April 21st
May 19th
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.
Home Lunches:
Please note that we do not have a way for students to heat their lunches. If you send a lunch to school with your child, it must be ready-to-eat. No microwaves or refrigerators are available.
Show yourself some love and share some with Swigert too! The Skincare Studio is graciously partnering with us to provide some much needed pampering while also supporting our school! Swigert Mom, Julie Bellina, is a Licensed Esthetician and owner of The Skincare Studio right here in Central Park. Her customized facials deliver results for anti-aging and adult/teen acne.
Book a facial during the week of Valentine’s Day (Feb 14-18th ) and 20% will be donated back to Swigert!
To learn more about facial services and to schedule, please visit
http://www.yourskincarestudio.com/appointments-contact
When booking add a note: Swigert Valentine
*must show proof of vaccination to redeem services
Selfie and Donate with Selfie at the Stanley has been rescheduled for Friday, 2/11! Purchase a Fundraiser ticket at selfieatstanley.com, and 50% of each ticket sold will be donated back to Swigert! Just enter the code SWIGERT50 in the promo box when you purchase your tickets. Additionally, the Tri-County mask mandate expired 2/4, which means all can enter regardless of vaccination status, so now our littlest future Swigert Eagles can join in on the fun.
Swigert International School families, Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association is happening! Is your student one of the students that have completed Finn’s Mission? If not, get started today! Thank you for making a difference and have a heart-healthy day!
HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED NOW
Step 1. Visit www.heart.org/KidsHeartChallenge OR download the Kids Heart Challenge App to search for our school and sign up!
Step 2. Check your progress towards completing Finn’s Mission!
¡Familias de Swigert International School, Kids Heart Challenge con la American Heart Association está sucediendo! ¿Es su estudiante uno de los estudiantes que han completado la Misión de Finn? Si no, ¡comienza hoy mismo! ¡Gracias por marcar la diferencia y que tenga un día saludable para el corazón!
AQUÍ ESTÁ CÓMO EMPEZAR
Paso 1. Descargue la APLICACIÓN – KIDS HEART CHALLENGE o visite www.heart.org/KidsHeartChallenge para registrarse.
Paso 2. Completa LA MISIÓN DE FINN: ¡esta será tu hoja de ruta!
Discovery Link will be offering as much outdoor programming as possible this summer. Please see the attached brochure, or click here for more information or to register.
Summer Connections (formerly Summer Academy) is a free, 6-week academic program that is open to all rising 1st through 5th-grade students. This full-day program was redesigned to prepare elementary students for future success.
There are a few programming options offered by DPS for students who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Please contact the Special Education team if you are unsure which program is best for your student. Participation and attendance in the Extended School Year (ESY) program is a priority for students who are eligible for these services.
Students will engage with content they will see in the upcoming school year, which will include instruction in foundational literacy, math and science. Our enrichment partners will guide students for 60 minutes each day through hands-on activities aligned with that day’s academic lessons.
Please click here for more information and registration instructions.