Posted March 2, 2022
Dear Swigert Families,
Denver Public Schools and the DPS School Board are now initiating opportunities for community input and feedback about the current DPS Board Proposal to limit the flexibilities for innovation schools and we need your support. It is vitally important that we include community input and voice.
I will start with some background and then include several ways to share your voice. One member of the DPS school board introduced a proposal to limit some of the autonomies for innovation schools. 2022-0120 Standard Teacher Rights and Protections EL (boarddocs.com). There has been no explanation for why this was initiated. From what we understand it was not a solution to a problem.
There are 52 innovation schools in Denver Public Schools and three Innovation Zones. The impetus for innovation was to allow schools to innovate and flex their budgets, calendar, curriculum and programming to meet student needs. Swigert is proud to be one of these innovation schools in innovation zones ( Northeast Denver Innovation Zone (ndiz.org). I so appreciate leading in an innovation school and our high staff retention rates shows that our staff does as well- we have averaged a 98% retention rate over the past 5 years.
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. It would be really challenging to maintain our IB status without being an innovation school. Our staff and student culture benefit from this flexibility and autonomy. Teachers come to Swigert due to the IB program and opportunity to create a vibrant curriculum, a school that supports and encourages teacher voice in our practices and programming.
Here is a copy of the letter I sent to the DPS School Board and Superintendent:
There are a few upcoming options for feedback in a town hall setting. The first one is tonight and I plan to attend.
The goal of this email is to keep you informed on how recent board proposals impact our school and how families can voice their feedback on this proposal by attending a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, March 1st from 6pm-7:30pm
Check out our students engaging in IB and agency over the past week:
Third Graders trying different types of breads
Third Graders trying different types of breads
Second Graders sharing their invention posters to first raiders
Kindergarten students learning about how to be Earth Heroes with the Museum of Nature and Science- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Fourth Graders Learning about Light Waves by Creating three dimensional models
ECE Art Show as part of their How we Express Ourselves Unit
Sincerely,
Shelby Dennis
shelby_dennis@dpsk12.net
Please welcome Lauren Jolley, our new crossing guard! Lauren will assist with crossing at 34th and Trenton before and after school. Please go to 34th to cross the street, rather than 35th; there is no striping at 35th, and Lauren is therefore not permitted by DPS to assist with crossing at that intersection.
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
Hello!
Auction pre-sale tickets, spirit wear pre-orders, and our website are live! Please take some time to check it out! The website is filled with information about the event. Even if you cannot make it please register! Registration will give you access to the silent auction items.
https://swigert22.givesmart.com
Auction season 2022 will kick off April 5, 2022 with Teacher Experiences going live for bidding on the site! The sale for teacher experiences will start April 5, 2022 and close April 12, 2022. This will give the teachers time to complete experiences with the kids prior to the end of the school year.
Check out the website and reach out with any questions!
Thank you for all your support!
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 3/2: Mediterranean Chicken Wraps OR Hay Stacks OR PB&J
Thu 3/3: Meat Lasagna OR Spinach Lasagna OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 3/4: Chicken Quesadilla OR Cheese Quesadilla OR Bean Burrito Bowl OR PB&J
The menu for next week is:
Mon 3/7: Beef Hotdog OR Chili Cheese Fries OR PB&J
Tue 3/8: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce OR Spaghetti Marinara OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich OR Yogurt Basket
Wed 3/9: Cheeseburger OR Bean & Cheese Burrito OR PB&J
Thu 3/10: Chorizo Mac & Cheese OR Mac & Cheese OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 3/11: 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:
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.
PTA Meeting
Can you believe our second to last PTA meeting for the year is this Wednesday?? Not only will this be our second to last meeting of this school year, but all meeting restrictions have now been lifted and we are able to have our first IN PERSON meeting since January 2020!!!! We know not everyone will be ready for this, both from a logistic perspective, or hanging in large groups yet so we will also have an option to stream into the meeting through zoom.
If you choose to come in person, the meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd in the school library from 6-7.
If you choose to zoom the meeting code is: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82460859742?pwd=TVFXZ2pUblg5TS9TU0lZcEE3Ykt4QT09
Meeting ID: 824 6085 9742
Passcode: w1hFKx
Spring Enrichments
Registration for Spring Enrichments opens March 8th at 8 AM; classes start April 5th (please see course descriptions for actual start dates for each class). Please see the attached brochure.
Spring/Summer P.A.S.S. Camp
Please see the attached flyer for information on the DU Ritchie Center PASS Camp.
Discovery Link Summer Program
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
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.