(Leer en Español usar el traductor de Google aquí.)
Every Thursday, 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.
DEBATE TOURNAMENT: Saturday, Nov. 12, all day, Aurora Central High School, 11700 E. 11th Place, Aurora (map)
SHADOWING FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS: Monday, Nov. 14
PTSA FAMILY NIGHT: "Supporting Your Middle- and High-School Students," Monday, Nov. 14, 5:30–7, dinner/socializing; 6–7, presentation and Q&A, DCIS Community Room (103)
OPEN HOUSE FOR PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 6-7:30 pm
MARK YOUR CALENDARS ...
CITYWIDE DRAMA FESTIVAL for high school students, Thursday, Nov. 17, 10 am–4 pm, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
DRAMA CLUB FUNDRAISER, Thursday, Nov. 17, all day, Paxti's Pizza, 185 Steele St., Denver (map)
SUPERINTENDENT–PARENT FORUM: College and Career Ready (graduation changes), Thursday, Dec. 8, 9:15–11:15 am, Temple Emanuel, Denver (map)
ADOLESCO COOKIE EXCHANGE: Learn about foreign exchange opportunities in France, Germany and Spain for students age 9–18. Sunday, Dec. 11, 3–6 pm
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL ...
Dear DCIS Families,
On Wednesday, many of our students came to school with a wide variety of reactions to the outcome of the election. We had students who were angry, students who were happy, students who were scared and students who were sad. Following a highly emotional election season, students were feeling the need to process. So in typical DCIS fashion, we encouraged them to Communicate Ideas and Take Action.
A group of about 15 students planned an event for the end of the day on Nov. 9. Teachers and students had three choices of where they could be from 2:00 to 2:55: (1) the auditorium for students who wanted to share feelings and reactions to the election, (2) the library for quiet study time or (3) supervised outside time on the field. The staff pulled together to make sure all options were safe and fully supervised. We modeled as a school how important it is to honor and respect all members of our community, even if we disagree on issues.
What ensued was a meaningful, moving event. We had students and staff give thoughtful, hopeful speeches and share personal stories of fear, but also hope. There were original poems, freestyle verse and a call for unity. As I told the students, we are a deeply divided country, but we do not have to be a divided school. I couldn't be more proud of our students and our community. Their commitment to mutual respect and unity is a true inspiration.
I am grateful to your children every day.
Theresa McCorquodale DCIS Principal
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
Following the students' post-election gathering on Wednesday (see Principal McCorquodale's letter above), a group of students has organized an event to enable the DCIS community to move forward together in creating and maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for ALL students. The event will be held this Friday, Nov. 11, on the fields behind the school during the all-school meeting (8:00–9:20 am). Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
CULTURAL ENRICHMENT ...
BOTANIC GARDENS DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FIELD TRIP A big thank-you to the DCIS PTSA Phoenix Fund donors whose donations provided the resources for the first PTSA-sponsored Cultural Enrichment field trip! Families and DCIS students ventured to the Denver Botanic Gardens last Saturday for its Dia de los Muertos event. To see pictures of this inaugural field trip, click here. Learn more about the Phoenix Fund here: EnglishEspañol
BECOME DENVER'S NEWEST YOUTH POET LAUREATE
Young poets, rappers, leaders and activists between the ages of 14 and 20 have until Sunday, Nov. 20, to apply for the chance to become Denver's newest Youth Poet Laureate. Ideal candidates are young writers and leaders committed to civic and community engagement, poetry and performance, and leadership and education. Along with the prestigious title of Denver Youth Poet Laureate, the winning poet will receive a book deal from Penmanship Books and will be the recipient of the Russell J. Arkind Memorial Scholarship. The Denver Youth Poet Laureate will also be provided with numerous opportunities and platforms to share their powerful voice, civic leadership and love for Denver as they perform throughout the metro area and state. For more information and to apply, click here.
DCIS Family Night: Supporting Your Student
On Monday, Nov. 14, join us for the PTSA's monthly Family Night, when Assistant Principal Mario Giardiello will present on "Supporting Your Middle and High School Student." His presentation will include:
How to build trust with your middle/high school student
How to speak to your student so they'll listen
How to listen to your student so they'll talk
5:30–6 pm: Dinner/social time 6–6:10 pm: PTSA update 6:10–7 pm: Presentation and Q&A
The presentation will be in the DCIS Community Room (103), and dinner, child care and simultaneous interpretation will be provided. If you know you'll attend, please RSVP here so we can make sure we have enough food, etc.
Hope to see you Monday!
DCIS PTSA
RAISE YOUR HAND ...
There are many ways for families to "raise their hand" to make a difference at DCIS and in the community. Here are just a few of them:
10TH GRADE CANYONLANDS TRIP Our 10th grade students have created a funding page for their grade-level trip to Canyonlands, Utah, in May and would greatly appreciate any donations toward their $3,000 goal. This trip will enable students to experience nature through the lenses of a writer, historian, scientist and an economist. If you would like to donate or share/post their GoFundMe page, click here.
COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL COMMITTEE The next meeting is today, Thursday, Nov. 10, 4:30–6:30 pm. The first 10 minutes of every monthly meeting are open for public comments, and we welcome and encourage ALL families to stick around for the entire meeting. If you have something you would like the CSC to discuss or questions you'd like answered, we encourage you to reach out to one (or all!) of your representatives (student/teacher/parent) and let us know what's on your mind. Check out our most recent minutes here. On this month's agenda:
Public discussion
Unified Improvement Plan Work Session
Mrs. Boyle's 7th grade advisement dressed up as Scrabble tiles for Halloween.
Our amazing social studies department on Halloween dressed up as WWII icon Rosie the Riveter.
COUNSELORS' CORNER ...
2016 HOLIDAY RESOURCE GUIDE If you or someone you know needs assistance with meals, clothing, toys for kids and more this holiday season, check out the many assistance resources here: EnglishEspañol
DENVER URBAN SCHOLARS ACTIVITY GUIDE Looking for fun, family-friendly activities in the next couple of months? Check out this guide!
DCIS DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS SHE KILLS MONSTERS
A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games, She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly's Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she stumbles into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly's refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres and '90s pop culture, acclaimed young playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 16–18, 6 pm in the auditorium. Students, $5; Adults, $8; First Three Rows, $10. Advance tickets available here. Tickets also available at the door.
DCIS PASSPORT TO TRAVEL
The DCIS Travel Committee is hosting "Passport to Travel" to promote student travel and share information about all the wonderful travel opportunities out there for students. The event will take place during advisement in the gym on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and Friday, Dec. 2. Students who have traveled will present about the various travel and exchange programs they've participated in. Students attending the event will receive "passports" that they'll get stamped by the individual presenters.
TRAVEL CENTER NEWS ...
NOTE:The Travel Center will be closed starting Monday, Nov. 7, and will resume its regular schedule on Monday, Nov. 28. You can reach Director Geri Badler during that time via email.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKING FRENCH This special DCIS/Brest trip, underwritten by Sister Cities and the DCIS Foundation, will take place March 25–April 8, 2017, and includes a home stay; service learning project in Brest, our Denver Sister City; and a few days in Paris. The cost of the trip will be about $1,000 plus spending money (after DCIS Foundation scholarship).APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM MS. MALNATI AND ARE DUE TODAY, THURSDAY, NOV. 10.
MEET THE MIDDLE EAST YOUNG AMBASSADOR PROGRAM This amazing five-month program for high school students culminates in a trip next summer to Palestine and Israel. NOTE: MTME will guarantee admission to the program to all DCIS students who apply in November! Feel free to speak to our DCIS MTME alums for a personal account of this life-changing program. Information and application are available here.
CUBA WITH DCIS MONTBELLO? If you are a high school student (preferably grades 10–12) interested in joining fellow DCIS students from Montbello on a journey to Cuba next summer (June 19-July 3, 2017), please email Geri Badler or stop by the Travel Center after fall break. In the email, please include the student's age, grade, level of Spanish (if any) and why this trip is of interest. The trip will cost approximately $3,300 and will include a service learning component. Click here for more information.
BRAZILIAN STUDENTS NEED HOST FAMILIES DCIS will once again be hosting a group of eight Brazilian high school students who have earned a two-week cultural/language immersion trip to Denver with US Brazil Connect/Conexao Mundo! It will be our fifth year hosting this group, which has become a DCIS winter tradition. Students will be here for two weeks, from Feb. 25 to March 11, 2017. Hosting responsibilities include pick up upon arrival and departure, drop off at the airport, drop off at DCIS on weekday mornings, pick up weekday afternoons at a central spot near DCIS; provide a bed and welcoming environment (students can share a room if same sex); provide breakfasts and dinners during the week and all meals on the weekends, which each student spends with their host family. If you are interested in hosting, please email Geri Badler in the Travel Center with information on your family (ages and grades of your children; pets, etc.), and indicate whether you prefer to host a boy, a girl or either.
LEARN ABOUT A FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITY TO FRANCE, GERMANY OR SPAIN! Adolesco Youth Exchange is hosting a cookie exchange ("Bring a dozen, take a dozen") on Sun., Dec. 11, 3–6 pm. RSVP here for directions. Please join us to discuss this amazing exchange opportunity for kids between 9 and 18!
Adolesco Youth Exchange is a flexible and affordable not-for-profit program of three-week to three-month short-term language immersion and cultural family-to-family exchanges for kids (between 9 and 18) to learn French in France, German in Germany and Spanish in Spain — open to qualifying students in Colorado and the U.S. Apply NOW for 2017 and 2018 exchanges. Students will be matched in March and October 2017. Email Marie with any questions here.
TRAVEL CENTER Geri Zabitz Badler Travel Center and Community Partnerships geri_badler@dpsk12.org Office Phone: 720-423-9043
The answer to last week's question, "Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?" is D. Their birthplace. The winner of the Starbucks gift card is 6th-grader Melody Gomez.
This week's question: "What is the closest living relative of T. Rex?"
A. Chicken B. Crocodile C. Elephant D. Miley Cyrus
Submit your answer here. If you are correct, you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Starbucks gift card!
