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Every Thursday while school is in session, you'll receive this DCIS Connect newsletter in your email inbox to keep you up to date on all the events and happenings at our school. It's also available on the DCIS Connect app, which you can download at the Apple Store or Google Play.
If you don't wish to receive the newsletter, click the Unsubscribe link at the end. If you're receiving multiple copies of the newsletter, please email dcis.connect@gmail.com to report the problem; be sure to indicate your first and last name and preferred email address so we can update our records.
Newsletter submissions are due by 10 am on the Tuesday preceding the issue date. Email submissions to dcis.connect@gmail.com.
PTSA ACADEMICS FAMILY NIGHT Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6-7:30 pm, DCIS Cafeteria
Please join us for a conversation with Principal Theresa McCorquodale about DCIS' most recent School Performance Framework (SPF) scores and what they mean. The SPF is like a report card for schools, telling us important information about how much our students have improved their scores on state tests from year to year, and how satisfied our students and families are with our school. We can then use this information to make any necessary changes in the classroom and to bring in additional supports where needed. The evening will also include PTSA elections and updates. Dinner, child care and simultaneous interpretation provided. So we can make sure we provide enough food for dinner, please take a moment to RSVP here.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK ...
Shadowing Day: Monday, Nov. 13, all day
Flag Football: Monday, Nov. 13, 4–5 pm, DCIS
Volleyball: Monday, Nov. 13, 4–5 pm, DCIS
Student Project Fundraiser: Benefits the CO Alzheimer's Association, Monday, Nov. 13, 4-9 pm, Pizzeria Locale (6th & Broadway)
Open House for Prospective Students: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7:50–9 am
Family Holiday Party: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6–7:30 pm, Cafeteria. Details to come.
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL ...
Dear DCIS Parents,
We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday, Nov. 14, at our School Performance Framework (SPF) information meeting. We will share detailed data results based on the 2016-17 school year, and share plans underway this school year for a successful year of improvement and growth.
Thank you for your support in encouraging students to get to school on time and to get to all of their classes on time, once they are in the building. We are really working to improve our attendance rate for both middle school and high school and to decrease our tardy rate. Your support already is making a difference, so thank you!
On another note, I wanted to share what a joy it was to listen to many of our current students last night during our Open House event, as they talked with prospective students and parents who are considering DCIS for next school year. Here is a small sampling of how they answered the question, "What does DCIS mean to you?"
"DCIS is like a family to me."
"I feel safe and happy coming to school every day."
"At first, I was a bit scared coming to this school as a new 6th grader because the older kids are so tall. But it turns out that the high school kids were really nice and welcoming to me, and now I love this school."
"This school has made me a more open-minded, kind and aware person than I was before."
"DCIS accepts us for who we are, but challenges us to improve."
Wow. It was heartwarming for me, as the proud principal of this wonderful school, to hear our students speaking these words so openly and sincerely to an audience of more than 100 people.
Thank you for sending us your amazing students. They continue to brighten the lives of all of us here at school who are lucky enough to work with them.
Theresa McCorquodale DCIS Principal
The DCIS Drama Club presents THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 16–18, 6 pm, Auditorium Tickets: $5 for students; $8 for adults
Join the Denver Center for International Studies Drama Club for a performance of "The Phantom Tollbooth." Based on the venerated children's book, a young boy's magical journey proves that life is the greatest adventure of all. Even surrounded by dozens of toys, Milo is bored. Nothing interests him at all. The Phantom Tollbooth comes to the rescue! Transported to the Land of Wisdom, Milo is thrust into adventure when told Princesses Rhyme and Reason need rescuing to bring peace between two kings. They are divided over which is more important: words or numbers. Knee-deep in danger, language and math along the way, Milo learns everything has a purpose. Upon his return home, he realizes there is never a reason to be bored in a world full of so many things to discover. We hope you join us to see this splendid performance!
RAISE YOUR HAND ... CSC MEETING Join the CSC on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 4–6 pm, in the DCIS Community Room (103) for its monthly meeting. As always, meetings are open to the public, and the committee would love to see you there! If you have a comment or suggestion for the committee, public comment time is the first 10 minutes of each meeting, or you can contact one of your representatives. Contact information and meeting minutes are available here.
FAMILY VOLUNTEER DAY
Looking for a great way to start off the holidays while benefiting your community and having fun? Philanthropy Field Trips is partnering with History Colorado to host a Family Volunteer Day on Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 am–noon. The DCIS families who participated last year really enjoyed it and were grateful for the opportunity to give back. All participants will receive FREE access to the museum, which has some fabulous exhibits, including El Movimiento: the Chicano Movement in Colorado. And students who participate can get community service credit for volunteering and special event credit for touring the museum/exhibits (just make sure to have a Philanthropy Field Trips rep and a museum rep sign your forms on the day of the event — you can download the forms here).
Some of the things we will be doing:
Making key chains for families going from shelters into new homes
Decorating bags used to deliver meals to people with life-threatening illnesses
Learning some words from different parts of the world
Writing letters to Congress to encourage them to be civil and work together
Putting together Thanksgiving food boxes for families who need a little help
And more ...
Making dog and cat toys for homeless animals
Handing out flowers to strangers and wishing them a good day
Other surprise projects—come find out what they are!
No matter how you define family, you will not want to miss out on the fun! All are welcome!
SENIORS: FAFSA SUPPORT Students who are permanent residents and/or citizens of the U.S. who plan to attend college should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Families can get help with completing the application at one of the remaining FAFSA events in the district.
REMINDER APP FOR FAMILIES WITH JUNIORS AND SENIORS The Counseling Office is using the Remind app to notify the parents of juniors and seniors about important dates and deadlines. To sign up for reminders: Parents of juniors: text @co19pg to the number 81010 Parents of seniors: text @co18pg to the number 81010
COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS Tami Schmidt: Middle School Ted Brugman: 9th and 10th Grades Melisa Springsteen: 11th and 12th Grades Aly Bortle: 12th Grade Post-Secondary Coach, Wednesdays and Fridays in room 101B
COLLEGE WORD OF THE WEEK Credit Hour: The number of hours assigned to a specific class. This is usually the number of hours per week you are in the class. The number of credit hours you enroll in determines whether you are a full-time or a part-time student.
WAKE UP AND SELL THE COFFEE!!
It's that time of year again ... we're kicking off our 2ND ANNUAL COFFEE FUNDRAISER! Pablo's Coffee, one of Denver's first craft coffee roasters — which happens to be owned by one of our wonderful DCIS families — is again creating a Special DCIS Holiday Blend to help us raise funds to support opportunities for our DCIS students and our school community.
For about the cost of three lattes, you and your friends and family can buy an ENTIRE BAG of this crowd-pleasing medium roast … or two … or ten! A great gift for grandparents, other family members, friends, neighbors, Secret Santa recipients, DCIS staff … anyone who loves a good cuppa joe.
This year, orders will be online only. You can find the order form here, via the icon on the DCIS Connect app home page and on the school website. All orders must be placed by Monday, Dec. 11. Coffee will be delivered to your student on Monday, Dec. 18.
The family with the most sales will win a fabulous prize. We'll unveil that next week in an email to all families, along with some tips and tricks for maximizing sales.
Thank you for your support!
TRAVEL AND EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES...
PTSA TRAVEL FAIR Don't miss this "Showcase of Student Travel Opportunities"! Thursday, Dec. 7, 6-8 pm, Cafeteria. Now accepting vendors. Please email dcis.community@gmail.com for more info.
MEET THE MIDDLE EAST-YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM Since 2008, Meet the Middle East has been leading teens to the Middle East through its Youth Ambassador Program — a fun and exciting seven-month program designed to educate high school students in four disciplines. To learn more, click here.
YEARBOOKS
Preorder your yearbook and save!
Yearbooks are available for just $40, but prices go up in DECEMBER, so get yours now! You can purchase a yearbook online by clicking here, contacting Mrs. Hoffman at abby_hoffman@dpsk12.org, or visiting room 216A anytime. Pay by cash/check in person or by credit card online.
All senior section materials (senior picture, senior quote and a baby picture) are due by 3 pm on Friday, Dec. 8. Please email your items (.jpeg or PDF files) to dcisphoenixyearbook@gmail.com.
