Posted September 5, 2023
Dear Swigert Families,
I hope everyone enjoyed their three day weekend, it was nice to have an additional day! Thank you all for your continued support as we get this school year up and running. We are currently at 655 students- ECE through 5th grade. There are 22 languages spoken across our student body, and our students of color have increased to 42 percent. I wanted to share some data updates for our school as well as individual assessment news.
Schoolwide Data: We wanted to share an overview of our early literacy data and CMAS from last year. Our early literacy data consistently shows we are increasing the number of students on grade level or above throughout the year as well as significantly reducing the number of students significantly below grade level from fall to spring- averaging 7-8 percent significantly below grade level in the fall and ending the year with 1-2% significantly at grade level. This is due to our systematic approach across the school with Orton Gillingham and Heggerty as well as strategic intervention. We are working on increasing student engagement in literacy with rich and authentic texts and reading incentives. Our focus for this year is increasing our proficiency and engagement in math. Our overall proficiency levels for CMAS for grades 3-5 in literacy were 75 percent and 67 percent in math. I am proud of our work and progress and I know we have areas of growth and work to do.
School Performance Framework : The Colorado Department of Education reintroduced the School Performance Framework for last year. Swigert is meeting expectations at 83%. Our areas of strength were academic achievement in both math and literacy- exceeding. Another area of strength was our literacy academic achievement for our students of color was exceeding. Our multi language learners are exceeding their progress to proficiency. Areas for growth are closing our opportunity gaps for students of color in math and students with disabilities in achievement ELA and Math
Beginning of Year Assessment: We are in the process of completing all the beginning year assessments for each student. Teachers will be sending home a data snapshot by September 21st. We will have one on one parent teacher conferences on October 12th.
Individual CMAS Data: We now have individual student data for our 4th and 5th grade students. We will be sending home individual reports at the end of September. You can also look up CMAS scores in the parent portal. Here are the following ranges- CMASS proficiency level
On another note, I wanted to say how much I appreciate our students, staff and community. In the beginning of the year we watched Maya Angelou’s talk about being rainbows during cloudy times and leaning on each other when needed. It’s quite moving and worth a listen when you have a chance – Maya Angelou.
Please reach out with any questions, clarifications or concerns.
Sincerely,
Shelby
shelby_dennis@dpsk.12net
A few accidental twin photos:
We are looking to do some projects on our grounds if anyone knows a local company or contact that would like to partner with us, please email Cortney Dickey – Cortney.Dickey@gmail.com
The Science Fair is coming back to Swigert (YAY!!). We are looking for 4-5 volunteers to join our science fair committee. The commitment will include attending meetings once a month, plus being there on the day of the fair (As of now March 15) to help setup.
If you are interested or have any questions please email Ms.Racha: Racha_kobitary@dpsk12.net
SCHOOL PHOTOS ARE NEXT WEEK!
We are so thrilled to be using Bloom School Pictures for our second year! They take photos outside, in the mornings before lunch messiness. This means that we have 4 days of photos (Mon-Thur). It will be important that you check which day your child’s class has photos!
There is no picture form to send back or preordering. You simply go to https://bloomschoolpictures.com/swigert to view the photos after they’re taken and you can order directly from the site after the proofs go live.
See full details here: https://swigert.dpsk12.org/2023/09/04/school-photos-2023/
PTA Meeting tomorrow at 6pm in the Swigert library. You can also join virtually but in person is best. Lots of great information on upcoming events. Hope to see you there!
PTA Meeting
Wednesday, September 6 · 6:00 – 7:00pm
Time zone: America/Denver
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/xsj-ddqp-zvm
Join us for the first Principal Coffee of the year. This session will just be an open question and answer time with Mrs. Dennis, Ms. Holthus-Pera, and Emily Pool. Feel free to join us. Coffee provided!
Friday, September 15th
8:20am, right after drop off
In the library
If you ordered a yearbook for your child last year and didn’t already pick it up, it should have come home with them on Friday. If you believe you ordered a yearbook but haven’t seen it yet, please let Daphne know (either email or call 720-424-4802).
We do still have 2022-23 yearbooks available for sale: they are $35 for a softcover, or $40 for a hardcover.
Do you have some videographer skills? Our promo video for our school could use a a major update! We’d be thrilled if you would love to donate your time, energy, and skill to this project this fall. Email Emily Pool for more details!
Calling All Climate Activists! The Swigert Climate Action Team is looking for new members of change makers to serve on our Team. Interested third – fifth grade students are invited to fill the Climate Action Team Application Due September 15th. The Team meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month starting in October. If the poem Earthrise by Amanda Gorman inspires your kiddo, this club could be a great fit. If you have any questions email Robin Bresnahan at robin_bresnahan@dpsk12.net or Caroline Dane at Caroline_dane@dpsk12.net.
If your child is in 5th grade, please see the attached information about the Yearbook Club.
Swigert’s Direct Giving Week will take place the first week of October this year! More information to come on Spirit Week, our 2nd Annual Color Run, and why we hold an annual Direct Giving Week. In the meantime, book your babysitters now because you won’t want to miss the adults-only kick-off party on September 29th!
WHO: ALL Swigert Parents, Teachers, and Staff
WHAT: A Casual Backyard Cocktail Party
WHERE: The Weldon Family Home 10194 E. 60th Pl.
WHEN: Friday, September 29th 6-9 PM
COST: Sponsored by the PTA, this event is FREE TO ALL
Do you love your College and want to show some school spirit?
Mr. Shutts is looking to decorate the gymnasium by hanging up pennants from various colleges. If you are willing to purchase, and donate, a flag to our school, please fill out the correct spot on the spreadsheet below. If your school is not on the list, add it to the bottom. If your school has already been claimed, pick another:
College Pennants for Gym
We’d love to connect with you as much as possible. You will be automatically added to our weekly Swigert Eagle newsletter that comes out every Tuesday during the school year. Please also visit our website at www.swigert.dpsk12.org to learn more about Swigert and events that are coming up. You can also join our “Friends of Swigert International School” private Facebook page – www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofswigert. When requesting to join, please include a note to say you are a new family. We post pictures of events at school, interact as a school family, and you can see friendly reminders of upcoming events. Who to contact if you have questions about:
| ROLE | NAME | |
| Instruction, Programing, etc | Shelby DennisAmber Holthus-Pera | Shelby_Dennis@dpsk12.net Amber_Holthus-Pera@dpsk12.net |
| Daily School Life | Emily Pool | Emily_Pool@dpsk12.net |
| Registration | Daphne Jolley | Djolley@dpsk12.net |
| Technology and events | Richard Fisher | Richard_Fisher@dpsk12.net |
| Health | Nurse Hoang Tran | Hoang_Tran@dpsk12.net |
| IB Program, Service Learning | Caroline Dane | Caroline_Dane@dpsk12.net |
| Swigert PTA | Cortney Dickey | president@swigertpta.com |
Key Dates
September 5 – SAC Meeting, 5pm
September 6 – PTA Meeting, 6pm
September 11-14 – School Pictures!
September 22 – NO SCHOOL, Professional Development Day
September 29 – Swigert Gives Direct Giving Party
