Posted February 15, 2022
Dear Swigert Families,
We are excited to add a new addition to our early literacy program. Research shows us that between 15 and 20 percent of our population have some form of dyslexia. Our systematic phonics program – with daily whole group and small group instruction following Orton Gilinham and Heggerty – is a critically important base for all students and especially our dyslexic students. We know a barrier for families is finding the time and resources to receive dyslexia testing. For the past two years Swigert has been seeking out ways to screen for dyslexia at school. We just found out that we were accepted into a DPS pilot program to implement a dyslexic screener. We are still figuring out the details but are incredibly excited about this opportunity for our students and families.
I wanted to point out a few literacy resources so you can find out more about how we support literacy at Swigert.
Overview of Swigert Literacy Program:
Swigert International School » Literacy – Tiers of Support (dpsk12.org)
Here is a slide show going over our early literacy approach:
Swigert Library to check out ebooks.
Swigert International School » Library Books (dpsk12.org)
On another note, we know there are questions about the mask mandate change coming from DPS to all schools on February 28th. We are waiting for specific guidance around policy changes with regards to quarantining and definitions of close contacts. We will share as soon as we know more.Sincerely,
Shelby Dennis
shelby_dennis@dpsk12.net
Do to a positive case of CoVid, the Girl Scout Cookie sale has had to be postponed until next week.
We have some ambitious third grade students that are hosting a girl scout cookie sale on Wednesday and Friday 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
Swigert International School is wrapping up Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association. Thank you so much for helping our campus stay heart-healthy and save lives at the same time! Every dollar makes a difference, and we hope you will take 1 final action to help us reach our goal.
We hope every student will work towards completing Finn’s Mission. Any student who raises $200 or more will get to Color Blast Mr. Shutts and a mystery guest!
CONGRATULATIONS!! These students have earned this: Zoe W
YOU’RE SO CLOSE!!: Harper W
We are excited to share Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade art with you!
Art Show
March 9, 4:30-6pm at Swigert
Masks required.
Each family only needs one slot for up to four people.
Sign up for a time slot (one slot per group, max of 4 people per group).
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EADAB2CA3F5C16-k12
The Swigert Semantics Team participated in City Written on Thursday February 10th along with students from Merrill Middle School, Denver Language School, and Slavens K-8 school. Seven of our students made the cut for The Colorado State Spelling Bee on March 5th, 2022 at the DU Campus. We have more students this year because far fewer students than usual participated in the semantics program which gave all participating students an edge. Still, our students were participating against middles school students and with much preparation did a great job! Way to go Davis Jozsa, Alison Saarela, Zev Sigel, Sophie Vause, Bailey Vogeli, Alma Critton, and Charlie Rager! You will be able to see the full results here soon: http://www.dpssemantics.org/citywritten/results/.
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.
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!
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 2/16: 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
The menu for next week is:
Mon 2/21: Beef Nachos OR Cheese Nachos OR PB&J
Tue 2/22: Chicken Nuggets OR Hot Boneless Wings OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich OR Yogurt Basket
Wed 2/23: Korean BBQ Beef Bowl OR Cheesy Breadstick OR PB&J
Thu 2/24: Chicken Alfredo OR Alfredo Pasta OR Mexican Chopped Salad OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 2/25: BBQ Pulled Pork OR Cheeseburger OR PB&J
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
Please see the attached flyer for information on the DU Ritchie Center PASS Camp.
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.