Summer Update – July 23rd

Posted July 23, 2024

Dear Swigert Community,

We hope you are all having a wonderful summer. We are gearing up for the upcoming school year and look forward to seeing everyone soon.  We just wanted to share a short update as we’re about 27 days out from school starting. 

If you have any specific questions please reach out, we are here and ready to support. 

Shelby Dennis, Principal – Shelby_Dennis@dpsk12.net
Amber Holthus-Pera, Assistant Principal – Amber_Holthus-Pera@dpsk12.net
Emily Pool, community liaison – Emily_Pool@dpsk12.net

The office staff will be back on Monday, July 29th from 8:30-4:00, ready to assist!

Below you will find some important summer and back to school dates!

August at a Glance

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This is your August at a Glance calendar. A full resolution printable of this and instructions on how to link our google calendar to yours can be found here: https://swigert.dpsk12.org/about/calendar/


Registration

Registration is the process by which you confirm the information we have on file for your household. This is a DPS requirement that needs to be done every school year. It will reopen again July 29th and you have until the end of August to complete it. For the full details on how to complete registration, please see HERE.


School Supplies


You can still buy your school supplies through our vendor, EPI! At this point in the summer, the supplies will be shipped to your house and you can bring them on meet the teacher night. Click HERE for school supply details on how to order or how to find the list to do your own shopping at a local store.


Bus Riders

yellow school bus picture

If you are wanting your student to ride the bus and you are eligible (you live more than a walkable mile from school), you need to opt in through the parent portal. Here is how you do that – https://www.dpsk12.org/o/transportation/page/transportation-opt-in-program


Fall Enrichment sign ups

Discovery Link will share our Fall 2024 Enrichment options soon. I’ll post on the website as soon as they have the class offerings posted. Our registration (North Region) opens on Thursday, August 8th at 6:00 am. To prepare:

  1. Review ELCS’ Enrichment Policies.
  2. Update your student’s grade in SchoolCare Works.
  3. Ensure your family’s contact information is accurate in SchoolCare Works.

Questions? Email enrichment_extendedlearning@dpsk12.org


Summer New Family Playdates


Thursday, August 8th, 5:30 PM and Sunday, August 10th, 9 AM

We have two New Family Playdates scheduled in August to give parents and kids a chance to meet classmates and other families and to feel more comfortable on the first day of school. Just come to the playground for hanging out and popsicles. Current Swigert families are encouraged to come! 


Meet The Teacher Night


Thursday, August 15th, 5-6pm

Join us at Swigert to find out who your teacher and classmates will be for the year!  You’ll have an opportunity to say hello to your new teacher, sign up for an assessment time (during the first two days of school in the afternoons), let teachers know your child’s plan for getting to and from school, and pick up any other pertinent information about the start of the year.  The PTA will sell Spirit Wear and administrators will be making their way around to say hello.  You can also bring your school supplies to drop off in the classroom. This is an open-house style event; you and your family can come by anytime during the window. The Kona Ice truck will be on the playground as well for purchase.


First Week Information

The first two days – August 19th and 20th – are half days. This allows students to ease into their new schedule and provide time for individual assessments in the afternoon. Your classroom teacher will reach out to you to set up individual time slots for these afternoon assessments.  The arrival time is the same, with students arriving between 7:55 am and 8:05, with classes starting at 8:10. The dismissal time is noon, no lunch will be provided.  Be sure to pack a water bottle and snack. 

We will have our annual park to school walk on the first day. We will gather at 7:40am at the dog statue park at 35th and Xenia St (MAP). We will begin our walk to school at 7:50am. Parents and siblings are welcome to join us for this walk. Staff will be out on the playground beginning at 8:00 am to welcome students and guide them to their arrival door. If you are unable to join the walk, no problem. Staff will be out on the playground ready to greet your children. Buses will be running their regular routes for both arrival and dismissal. Wednesday through Friday will be regular days 8:10-3:10.


Community Welcome Breakfast

Saturday, August 24th, 8:30-10:30 am

We would love for you to join us at our annual welcome back community breakfast. This annual event, sponsored by our PTA, is a wonderful way to meet new families and reconnect with students and staff. It will be on the playground from 8:30-10:30 am.  There will be delicious food and activities for the kids on the playground. 


Communication 

We strive to have great communication around all thing Swigert. 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. 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:

ROLENAMEEMAIL
Instruction, Programming, etcShelby Dennis
Amber Holthus-Pera    
Shelby_Dennis@dpsk12.net
Amber_Holthus-Pera@dpsk12.net   
Daily School Life, Eagle PostEmily PoolEmily_Pool@dpsk12.net
Registration & Office SupportDaphne Jolley
Hannah Bickford
Djolley@dpsk12.net
Hannah_Bickford@dpsk12.net
Technology and Building UseRichard FisherRichard_Fisher@dpsk12.net
HealthNurse Hoang TranHoang_Tran@dpsk12.net
IB Program, Service Learning   Caroline DaneCaroline_Dane@dpsk12.net
Swigert PTADani Mossburg
Ankita Jhaveri
president@swigertpta.com

Key Dates
August 8th – Fall Enrichment Sign Up
August 8th – New Family playdate
August 10th – New Family playdate
August 15th – Meet the Teacher Night
August 19th – First day of school, noon dismissal
August 20th – Noon dismissal
August 24th – Welcome Breakfast
August 29th – Back to School Night
September 2nd – No school, Labor Day