(Leer en Español usar el traductor de Google aquí.)
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.
Does your student strive for perfect attendance? If so, it could pay off! Students with perfect attendance between March 1 and May 10 will have their names placed in a drawing — one for middle school and one for high school. One name will be chosen from each drawing, and each of those two students will receive a $100 gift card. Questions? Email Mr. Washington atlinwood_washington@dpsk12.org.
DCIS Reunion & Celebration: Saturday, April 28, 3–7 pm, DCIS
Dear DCIS Parents,
Here is the final update on staffing decisions for next year, based on our budgetary constraints. As mentioned previously, our school prioritizes keeping many of the special programs we offer, like world languages and double social studies classes. However, to keep these programs afloat given our enrollment is very tricky.
Essentially, because our budget is determined according to the number of students we have and enrollment is expected to dip somewhat next year, our school is "overstaffed," meaning that we have more teachers on staff than we have the students needed to cover the cost. This has been an issue for our school for several years, but instead of cutting staff, we have been cutting everything else possible in order to keep our wonderful teachers and unique programs alive. This year, given that we've previously cut just about everything else, there was really nowhere else to look except staff. So our CSC had some tough discussions.
I am very proud of our CSC, students, parents and staff who all spent hours and hours trying to come up with creative solutions. Below is a summary of what we did. (Keep in mind that, going forward, another way to solve this problem is to recruit more students. More students means more money, which means we will continue to be able to support all of our wonderful programs. Plans are underway to improve our already robust student recruitment efforts for next year.)
Following is a summary of changes for the 2018-19 school year:
Reduction of the equivalent of one world language teacher, without losing a language (instead, some WL teachers will be part-time next year).
Reduction of one assistant principal. Instead, we have a Dean of Instruction position posted, which will save considerable salary dollars.
Reduction of our nurse from five days a week to three days a week.
Decision not to hire for the library paraprofessional vacancy.
Reduction of one math teacher in order to bring in the highly successful Math Fellows program instead as our method for math intervention.
Retaining the third counselor position (formerly paid through a grant).
Although deciding to reduce staff is never easy, all things considered, the decisions listed above represent a thorough and meaningful resolution to our school's budget challenges while keeping intact all current world language and social studies programs.
My heartfelt thanks to our CSC and to everyone who sent in suggestions, attended meetings and shared ideas. It takes a village!
Theresa McCorquodale DCIS Principal
RAISE YOUR HAND ... SAVE THE DATE ... JOIN A TEAM! On Saturday, April 28, 3-7 pm, the DCIS PTSA will host the first-ever DCIS Reunion & Celebration. We hope you "save the date," but we also need a few more folks to join one of the planning teams: Food & Beverage, Events & Activities, Alumni Outreach, Sponsorships, and Silent Auction. Please sign up through this link. Thank you!
DCIS FOUNDATION SEEKS TREASURER Are you interested in promoting travel, global education and cultural understanding? Join the DCIS Foundation board of directors! We are currently seeking a treasurer, with an immediate opening. Please get in touch if you or someone you know has knowledge and experience in finance, bookkeeping and/or investment. Contact Shannon Clifford: 303-895-9072 or shannonclifford@comcast.net. Learn more on the website.
TRAVEL AND EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES ...
TRAVEL FAIR REDUX This week, we're highlighting Global Leadership Adventures. Global Leadership Adventures presents teen service-learning trips in inspiring communities across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Designed around each unique destination, every GLA program showcases the region's culture and global issues, inviting students to be immersed in local life through community service, hands-on learning and adventure off the beaten path. Although GLA doesn't have a specific gap-year program, it does accept high school seniors to participate the summer after their graduation.
ADOLESCO YOUTH EXCHANGE You are invited! Please join us to hear how you can learn French in France, German in Germany, or Spanish in Spain with ADOLESCO YOUTH EXCHANGE!
We will match you with a student about your own age for a unique two-way exchange to France, Germany or Spain as part of our flexible and affordable nonprofit language immersion and cultural exchange program for qualifying U.S. students ages 9–18. YOU DECIDE when to exchange and for how long (up to three months). Info meeting: Saturday, March 3, 3-4:30 pm, Sam Gary Library, Stapleton, 2961 Roslyn St., Denver, CO 80238. RSVP marie@adolesco.org. Find other upcoming informational events and sign up for more info.
Applications are due by Thursday, March 15.
10th GRADE CANYONLANDS TRIP — MANDATORY MEETING Is your 10th grader signed up to go to Canyonlands this spring? If so, please join us on Tuesday, March 6, 6–7 pm in the Auditorium for a mandatory information meeting to discuss the packing list, DPS paperwork, transportation and Canyonlands Field Institute's online registration system.
COUNSELORS' CORNER ...
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 1010
FRESHMEN Please join us on Thursday, March 1, 6-7 pm, in the MUN Room for a special presentation for 9th graders and their parents, where we'll talk about:
New 2021 graduation requirements
Changes/challenges of beginning high school
Addressing questions or concerns about:
Summer school
Canyonlands trip
Post-secondary options
JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES Parents/guardians of 10th and 11th graders, please join the Counseling Office and DCIS staff on Thursday, March 1, 6-7 pm, in the Auditorium, for a discussion of the following:
Graduation requirements
College readiness
Concurrent enrollment
Beyond high school
And more!
Plus, local college, university and technical college reps will be present.
SENIORS As of this week ...
84% of our senior class has applied to a university, community college and/or technical school
11% of students who have applied have been admitted thus far
75% of the senior class has completed their FAFSA
87% of the senior class is remediation-free in math and English
Senior Parent Night — View the presentation from the Feb. 15 meeting here. Check out the latest scholarship opportunities here.
6th Graders, Families and Friends are invited to the
All students will have the chance to present the poetry they've been working hard on in class! Come on out and see our young poets. All are welcome to share their poetry, lyrics or spoken-word pieces.
DCIS FOUNDATION PASSPORT DINNER
This year the DCIS Foundation's annual fundraising event will take place at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science! Please join us for "DCIS Foundation Passport Dinner: Igniting Global Understanding, Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders," Thursday, April 26, 6 pm. Order tickets here.
**Own a business or have connections with one?** We are seeking sponsorships! Please view our sponsorship packet for our Globetrotter, World Traveler, Domestic Destination Explorer and Travel Bug sponsorship levels. Thank you for helping us get more kids out of the classroom and into the world!
