Posted April 19, 2022
Dear Swigert Families;
Finally…some warmer weather. We are enjoying our recesses outside and remaining balanced with CMAS math testing this week. There are meal worms in kindergarten as they study the life cycle of the beetle and chicken eggs in third as they study a different life cycle! Our second graders heard from the Director of the non profit organization- There with Care There With Care For Families and Children Facing Critical Illness– on Friday to kick off their advocacy unit. We are fully immersed in our IB Units.
I wanted to take some time to update you on district initiatives that are disheartening and concerning. Both could have a major impact on our school and impact the way we have been able to operate since our inception as an innovation school 11 years ago- one is the executive limitations and the other is the Healthy Start Initiative. Both are coming during a pandemic where our focus and energy should be on our students’ mental health and academic progress. Instead they are taking away resources and time from this important work. They are also coming in a time where we see teachers exiting the profession and I fear this will only exacerbate the situation. Taking away automnies from schools and staff to act professionally based on student need is an integral part of our model. I am going to update you on where we are with both and share ways you can engage with the DPS board, superintendent and state to share the importance of listening to community voices, allowing school flexibility and supporting our schools and students. After strong opposition and hearing from over 1800 innovation leaders, teachers and community members the DPS board voted to enact the executive limitations on March 24th. On April 11th DPS shared a document with the actual implementation of these limitations and my heart sank. In the EL Implementation Memo, many of the things promised- including creating our own calendar- are now off the table. It outlines the ways in which most of what used to be flexible in our schools will no longer be and contradicts what was publicly stated and privately assured by the Superintendent and DPS Board- “that, with some exceptions, innovation schools will be able to continue implementing their innovation plans under the new EL.” Our families and school communities were promised that calendars, schedules, and leadership models would not be impacted. They were misled to and it is clear from the EL Implication Memo that there will be consequences to the unique programs we’ve promised and the empowerment our educators value.
Carrie and Scott E., in their public letter to us all, stated, “The fact that the Board now has this EL in place means the Board retains the right to change the EL – and thus influence changes to companion Administrative Policies – should the EL result in unintended consequences for our innovation schools.” We have also heard from other board members since the EL’s adoption that they were unaware of how harmful the consequences would be and that they want to hear from our communities leading up to the April 21st DPS Board Meeting, which is when they could possibly revise or revoke the EL. Read their statement here- Joint Statement to Innovation Leaders and Their Communities from Scott Esserman and Carrie Olson Regarding the Passage of Parts 10 and 11 for Executive Limitation 12 | Board of Education (dpsk12.org)
On a positive note, there is state legislation proposed to strengthen the innovation act that was passed in 2008. Senate Bill 22-197 aims to:
Healthy Start Initiative:
We are also concerned about the DPS Healthy Start Initiative that could change our start time to 7:00 or 7:30 in the 2023-2024 school year. Although that feels far away, the district wants to decide by June of 2022. I know this would impact our staff, trying to get here and drop off their own kids at daycare with a contracted time starting at 6:45. I also know it could impact families with kids at multiple schools with multiple drop offs and with after school working commitments. Here is the letter we wrote- SwigertLettertoDPSBoard
Ways to advocate:
Sign up to Testify at the State Hearing on Thursday (one more to follow) to voice your support for the state innovation bill. Email Reiley Carter reilly@rpcconsult.com
Email the DPS Superintendent and DPS Board Members (addresses included below) expressing their opposition to the EL and demanding that it be revoked.
Email the Superintendent about the Healthy Start Initiative and the potential impact of moving elementary schools to 7 or 7:30 start time. See letter we sent here: Swigert Staff Healthy Start Letter
Sign up for Public Comment and attend the April 21st DPS Board Meeting to share the harmful impact the EL will have on your school’s programming.
Sincerely,Shelby Dennis
shelby_dennis@dpsk12.net
We have seen an increase in student CoVid cases over the past few days with a total of 6 students cases and one staff case. DPS is continuing with the mask optional policy and five day quarantine for a positive case. We are also seeing more illnesses as the masks come off – flu, croup and stomach issues.
Friday Night Lights: Shining a Light on Mental Strength – Benefiting Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Pediatric Mental Health Institute
About this Event
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month during May, NFL player Ben Garland will be hosting the second annual fun stair climb event for teens, kids, and their families – with a primary goal of raising awareness of mental health, reducing the stigma of asking for help, and equipping attendees with practical take-home tools to support their mental strength. Come check out special guests, a photo booth, giveaways, and tools for mental strength!
Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-friday-night-lights-shining-a-light-on-mental-health-tickets-289728023317
Hello from the auction committee! We are less than a month away from our event. Thank you for all your support of the teacher experiences! If you are a winner of an experience we will be reaching out with details and proof of your win this week! The events that still have spots open are still available on the website! Keep an eye out for exciting live and silent auction item previews, do not miss out on your chance to buy the auction t-shirts, and get your tickets! The website will constantly be updated! https://swigert22.givesmart.com
We are thrilled to celebrate with you!
Registration for Discovery Link care for next school year (2022-2023) opens on Monday, April 18th at 6am. For more details or to register, please go here: https://equity.dpsk12.org/extended-learning/discovery-link/
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.
Lunch for the remainder of this week:
Wed 4/20: Blackjack Cheese Pizza OR Mediterranean Chicken Wrap OR Hay Stacks OR PB&J
Thu 4/21: Meat Lasagna OR Spinach Lasagna OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 4/22: Chicken Quesadilla OR Cheese Quesadilla OR Bean Burrito Bowl OR PB&J
Lunch Next Week:
Mon 4/25: Hot Dog OR Chili Cheese Fries OR PB&J
Tue 4/26: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce OR Spaghetti with Marinara OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich OR Yogurt Basket
Wed 4/27: Cheeseburger OR Bean & Cheese Burrito OR PB&J
Thu 4/28: Chorizo Mac & Cheese OR Mac & Cheese OR Yogurt Basket
Fri 4/29: BBQ Pulled Pork OR Chicken Sandwich OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Blackjack Pizza will be served on the third Wednesday of the month. Pizza days for the remainder of the year:
April 20th
May 18th
Please remember if your student will arrive late and will need a hot lunch, call the office at 720-424-4802 to order a lunch before 9:00am.
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.
International Night will be Thursday, May 5th from 6:00-8:00pm at Swigert.
If families do not opt-in by June 30th, they may experience a delay in service. If your child currently rides the bus with an Exception, a new Exception Request is required every school year. For more information, please visit transportation.dpsk12.org or email transportation@dpsk12.org.
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.