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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.
HOODIES ARE BACK!!
Take the chill off those early autumn mornings with a DCIS hoodie (gray with DCIS logo)! Supplies are limited and come in sizes M, L, XL and 2XL. $25 each. We have order forms and sample sizes in the office (cash, check or credit card), or you can click on this hoodie order form to order online. Once we've received your payment, the PTSA will deliver the hoodie(s) to your student(s) at school.
DPS FAMILY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE, Thursday, Nov. 3, 9 am–12:30 pm, PPA Event Center, 2105 Decatur St, Denver (map)
ITALIAN EXCHANGE EVENT: Experience the tastes and culture of Italy this Friday, Nov. 4, 6–9 pm, at Hearthstone Cohousing Common House, 4700 W. 37th Ave., Denver (map)
DEBATE TOURNAMENT: Saturday, Nov. 12, all day, Aurora Central High School, 11700 E. 11th Place, Aurora (map)
SHADOWING FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS on the following Mondays: Nov. 14, Dec. 5.
PTSA FAMILY NIGHT: "How to Support Your Middle- and High-School Students," Monday, Nov. 14, 5:30–6, dinner/socializing; 6–7, presentation and Q&A, DCIS Community Room (103); simultaneous interpretation and child care provided
OPEN HOUSE FOR PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 6-7:30 pm
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)
DCIS DRAMA FALL SHOW, "She Kills Monsters," Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 17–19, 6–8 pm, DCIS auditorium, tickets
FALL BREAK: NO SCHOOL! Week of Nov. 21
DCIS DRAMA INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN CONFERENCE, Thursday–Saturday, Dec. 1–3
DEBATE TOURNAMENT — CHSAA Invitational, Friday–Saturday, Dec. 2–3, University of Denver (map)
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL ...
Dear DCIS Parents,
Thanks to all the parents who are attending student conferences this week. We appreciate your support for your children as we all work together to give DCIS students the best education possible. And a shout-out to all the students for leading the conferences themselves. It is always great to see students talking about their own successes and advocating for themselves.
A reminder about our calendar this week: DCIS students have a full school day this Friday, Nov. 4, even though other DPS students are off that day. As we explained in the last two newsletters, we rearranged a few days on our DCIS calendar in order to end the fall semester early on Dec. 16. Please let us know what you think about this change by taking the survey here or via the DCIS Connect app. The survey will be available online through next Friday, Nov. 11, so be sure to let us know your thoughts by then.
Looking ahead to next week, please plan to attend our DCIS Data Night on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 6–7 pm, to learn all about how DCIS students performed during last year's testing cycle, as well as lots of other information that goes into the state's determination of our school's official rating, as reflected in the School Performance Framework (SPF).
One aspect of that rating is the Parent and Student Satisfaction surveys. We linked to the results of the parent surveys in a previous newsletter. This week we're giving you a sneak peek of the Student Satisfaction Survey results for both middle school and high school. We'll discuss those and other results, celebrate DCIS's overall green (favorable) rating and ask for your thoughts about ways we can continue to improve to make DCIS one of the top schools in the state. Please join us!
Theresa McCorquodale DCIS Principal
CULTURAL ENRICHMENT ...
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS/DAY OF THE DEAD! DCIS PTSA, in coordination with Latino Student Alliance, is sponsoring a family field trip to the Denver Botanic Gardens for their Dia de los Muertos event this Saturday, Nov. 5. Bus pickup at DCIS at 8:30 am. Return to DCIS at 1 pm. $5 for adults (PTSA subsidizing), free for students. Seats are limited. If your family wants to attend, sign up here.
Vote YES on 3A and 3B!!
Why? In short, because DCIS will benefit greatly if these ballot initiatives pass. Here are just a few of the many ways (read more here):
The school will be cooler (literally!) and make learning easier on those hot late summer days.
It'll look a whole lot nicer and provide quality learning environments for students.
We'll move into the 21st century with technology upgrades.
It'll provide students social/emotional supports and enrichment, helping both students and teachers in the process.
The monies will come in the form of a bond and mill levy, which, if approved, would cost Denver homeowners around $10 per month ... an incredibly small investment in exchange for the tremendous benefit to DCIS (and many other DPS schools). It's a win-win-win for everyone.
On Nov. 8, please vote YES on 3A and 3B!
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:
COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL COMMITTEE The next meeting is 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
ITALIAN EXCHANGE EVENT Sample the tastes and culture of Italy this Friday, Nov. 4, 6-9 pm, at Hearthstone Cohousing Common House, 4700 W. 37th Ave., Denver. The Italian Exchange is hosting a wine-tasting and cultural immersion to help raise funds for nine DCIS students to spend two weeks with a host family in the north of Italy, where they'll be immersed in the language and culture of the region. If you can't attend the event and/or would like to support the students' trip, please consider funding a student's meal, cultural tour or travel within Italy. Click here for more details and event registration.
PHILANTHROPY FIELD TRIPS: FAMILY VOLUNTEER DAY Please join us for a day of givingon Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 am–noon, at History Colorado (map). We'll be:
Making fleece scarves for youths who are homeless
Decorating bags for delivering meals to people with life-threatening illnesses
Assembling Thanksgiving baskets to distribute to families in need
Creating a kindness banner
Making bracelets for survivors of domestic violence
Plus a few surprise projects (including one that involves real flowers!)
This is a great way to start off the holidays while benefiting your community and having fun! All participants will receive free access to the History Colorado museum, which has excellent exhibits, including the hilarious Awkward Family Photos! And, of course, students can get community service credit. Click here to register, or call Michelle at 720-854-8401.
REFUGEE FIRST THANKSGIVING DINNER The ECDC African Community Center (ACC) is looking for volunteers to help out at its 11th Annual Refugee First Thanksgiving Dinner on Monday, Nov. 21, 6–9 pm, at Assumption Greek Cathedral in Denver (map). Every year, ACC welcomes more than 575 refugees to the Denver-Aurora area. To properly welcome and unite refugees with an age-old tradition in the United States, ACC created a Thanksgiving potluck for Denver's oldest and newest community members. People from everywhere gather with their families for a night of delicious food, community, international song and dance, and laughter. Community members, volunteers and staff bring food to share, and volunteer spots for the whole family are still open for setup and decorations, transportation, table hosts and cleanup. Click here to sign up. Even if you can't volunteer, feel free to attend the event and bring a grocery store gift card. All donated gift cards will be given to refugee community members to help them with food purchases this holiday season.
CROSS COUNTRY STATE CHAMPION!
Last weekend, DCIS senior Kayla Young, running for Denver North High School, won the Colorado HS 3A Cross Country State Championship! She turned in a gutsy performance, coming from behind in the final 200 meters to blow by the race favorite. Click here to watch the dramatic finish and an interview with Kayla. Way to go, Kayla! We're so proud of you!
COUNSELORS' CORNER ...
COLLEGE TERM OF THE WEEK: FAFSA FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students who do not plan to pay their tuition upfront in cash or with scholarship dollars will likely need to complete the FAFSA, which is used to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants and student loans. These awards are based on the student's income and, if the student is younger than 24, the family's income.
Not sure you want to apply for federal student aid but would like to estimate whether you're eligible for aid? Try using the FAFSA4caster, a free financial aid calculator that will give you some idea of how much aid your student might qualify for.
COUNSELING ASSIGNMENTS AND CONTACT INFORMATION: Tami Schmidt, School Counselor for students with Last Names A-G 720-423-9006; Tamara_Schmidt@dpsk12.org
Melisa Monteon, School Counselor for students with Last Names H-O 720-423-9105; Melisa_Monteon@dpsk12.org
Ted Brugman, School Counselor for students with Last Names P-Z 720-423-9094; Stuart_Brugman@dpsk12.org
JUNIORS AND SENIORS: SEAL OF BILITERACY The Seal of Biliteracy is an award DPS gives in recognition of students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages by the time of their high school graduation. The seal appears on the transcript and diploma of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions. Interested in applying for the seal? Log in to Naviance and click on the link on the left-hand side. Click here for more information.
TRAVEL CENTER NEWS ...
NOTE:The Travel Center will be closed starting Monday, Nov. 7, and will reopen and resume its regular schedule on Monday, Nov. 28. You can reach Director Geri Badler during that time via email: geri_badler@dpsk12.org.
NEW SCHOOL-SPONSORED TRIPS! These trips are still in the talking stage, but if there is enough interest, they will probably be a go! If interested, please check with the sponsoring teacher for more information and to sign up NOW!
PANAMA: GLOBAL ISSUES NETWORK CONFERENCE (MARCH 7-13, 2017) — Open to high school students who want to change the world. Sponsor: Ms. Hilborn
PERU: INCA TRAIL AND PERUVIAN HEARTS (JUNE 9-19, 2017) — Open to high school students. Sponsor: Ms. Finnegan-Doyon. This is a strenuous trip. Students should be prepared to camp, carry 30-40 lbs and hike.
EXCHANGE PROGRAMS WITH FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIPS Deadlines to apply to these U.S. State Department programs are coming up!
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program offers merit-based scholarships to study for an academic year in countries that may include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Thailand, and Turkey. This program increases understanding between people in the United States and those in countries with significant Muslim populations. Students live with host families, attend local high schools, do community service and complete a capstone project. Applications for academic year 2017-18 programs are due Thursday, Dec. 1. Visit their website for more information.
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) offers merit-based scholarships to study for an academic year in Germany. The program was established in 1983 to celebrate German-American friendship based on the shared values of democracy. Students live with host families, attend local schools, and participate in community life in Germany. For more information and application deadlines, visit the organization in charge of recruitment for Colorado here.
OUT-OF-STATE COLLEGE TRAVEL STIPENDS ARE NOW AVAILABLE Thanks to a generous grant from the Western Union Foundation, the Counseling Center and the DCIS Travel Center are offering stipends to offset the cost of an airline ticket for juniors and seniors! Stipends are for $150* and can be used only by an approved DCIS student visiting an out-of-state college or university. Stipends are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The process is as simple as 1, 2, 3!
Complete the Out-of-State College Travel Stipend Application Part I and return it to your counselor. Applications are available NOW in the Counseling Center.
If approved, book your flight!
Complete the Out-of-State College Travel Application Part II and submit it before April 14, 2017, to your counselor or the Travel Center, along with a copy of your airfare receipt or boarding pass to be reimbursed.
Share a selfie from your college visit! Send it to your counselor!
*Stipends larger than $150 may be considered. Speak with your counselor.
The answer to last week's question, "How many times, on average, will a pitcher throw the same baseball before the ball is removed from the game? " is 7. The winner of the Starbucks gift card is 6th-grader Ava Hobbs.
This week's question: "Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?"
A. A statue of a famous person B. A street named "Main Street" C. A cornfield D. Their birthplace
Submit your answer here. If you are correct, you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Starbucks gift card!
ITALIAN EXCHANGE EVENT
REFUGEE FIRST THANKSGIVING DINNER
JUNIORS AND SENIORS: SEAL OF BILITERACY
OUT-OF-STATE COLLEGE TRAVEL STIPENDS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
ur 8th Grade Global Service Learning students have been creating public service announcements in relation to the UN's 
