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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.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK ...
DPS FAMILY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: Thursday, Jan. 19, 9 am–noon, PPA Event Center, 2105 Decatur St., Denver 80211 (map)
UNITY AND KINDNESS ASSEMBLY, Friday, Jan. 20, 1:30–2:00 (first-floor classes) and 2:15–2:45 (second-floor classes), DCIS auditorium
CHINESE EXCHANGE STUDENTS VISIT DCIS:All week, Jan. 23–27
6th GRADERS GO TO INTERNATIONAL TOWNE, Monday, Jan. 23 (all day)
PASSAGES DAY, Monday, Jan. 23 (all day). Come listen to DCIS students present on various topics including immigration issues, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the ethics of eating meat, the beauty myth, the education crisis, gene therapy, head transplants, the grief process and much, much more! Check out the schedule here.
DRAMA CLUB LONDON TRIP FUNDRAISER: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 4-8 pm, Pizzeria Locale, 550 Broadway, Denver
MARK YOUR CALENDARS ...
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL at Grant Ranch, Friday, Jan. 27, 4 pm (girls), 5 pm (boys) (map)
DCIS AND DENVER EAST MUN CONFERENCE: Saturday, Jan. 28 (all day)
SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAMENT: Saturday, Jan. 28 (all day)
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL vs. Grant, Monday, Jan. 30, 4 pm (girls), 5 pm (boys), at DCIS
SCHOOL CHOICE DEADLINE:Tuesday, Jan. 31, 4 p.m.8th grade DCIS students must submit a choice form this year, even if they plan to stay at DCIS. If you haven't yet completed an application, you can do so online here.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL vs. Henry, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 4 pm (girls), 5 pm (boys), at DCIS
DEBATE TOURNAMENT: Denver School of the Arts Invitational, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3–4 (all day), 7111 Montview Blvd., Denver (map)
NO SCHOOL (non-student contact day), Friday, Feb. 3 (note that Monday, Feb. 6, will be a GREEN day)
NAEP TESTING: 8th graders, Monday, Feb. 6
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL vs. Kepner, Monday, Feb. 6, 4 pm (girls), 5 pm (boys), at DCIS
PARENT-PRINCIPAL COFFEE: Tuesday, Feb. 7 (English), and Wednesday, Feb. 8 (Spanish), 8:15–9:15 a.m., DCIS Community Room (103)
DCIS TOWN HALL, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6–7:30 pm, DCIS cafeteria
DRAMA CLUB ONE-ACT PERFORMANCES: Fri.-Sat., Feb. 10-11, 6 pm, at DCIS
HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLASS FIELD TRIP, Wednesday, Feb. 15
ADOLESCO YOUTH EXCHANGE MEETING: Saturday, March 11, 2–4 pm, Sam Gary Library (Stapleton), 2961 Roslyn St., Denver. RSVP here. Click here for more info about these family-to-family immersive exchanges for students 9–18 in France, Germany and Spain.
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL ...
Dear DCIS Parents,
We are off to a great start this semester. The building has lots of energy and lots of positive attitude going around from both students and staff. And as usual, we have a lot going on to keep us all busy. This week we held our last Open House for the year to give prospective students and their families a little taste of DCIS. We had a good crowd of interested students for both middle school and high school next year. Thanks to our current students who led the night's activities and represented our school well. Our visitors were quite impressed!
Speaking of next school year, all 8th grade parents, please be reminded that you need to complete a School Choice form and select DCIS as your first choice if you want your child to remain at DCIS for high school. This requirement is new this year! The good news is that if you select DCIS as your first choice, you will be guaranteed a seat. (Likewise, if you select a different school as your first choice, you may or may not be assigned to DCIS if you don't get into your first-choice school. Your child's placement will be determined by the choice lottery.)
Next week DCIS will host a group of exchange students from China. These students are staying with DCIS host families, so thank you to everyone who will welcome an exchange student into your home next week. We are asking all our students to reach out and say hello to our visiting exchange students and make them feel welcome.
Please make plans to attend our Town Hall meeting at DCIS on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. We will discuss topics that have affected the school over the last few years, such as the middle school culture, the history of the application process (and why it went away), the school's mission and our ISSN roots, how we onboard students and staff, student recruitment and retention, and more. We'll also solicit your feedback and ideas on how as a school community — students, parents and staff — we can further solidify our powerful school model as an international studies school, given all the changes. I hope you make plans to attend this important meeting and be a part of the Rising Phoenix!
Finally, I would like to invite you to attend a special assembly planned by our student 5280 Challenge group tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 20. Students will present an assembly highlighting the importance (especially at an international studies school) of honoring and respecting all peoples and the importance of unity and kindness toward each other. While this event coincides with Inauguration Day, the event is not a political one. Rather, it is one of positivity, respect and unity for everyone in our school community. The assembly will occur at two different times: 1:30-2:00 (for all classes on the first floor) and 2:15-2:45 (for classes on the second floor). If you can make this work in your schedule, please do!
Thank you for supporting your children and for your support of DCIS.
Theresa McCorquodale DCIS Principal
The 7th grade staff team put together a wonderful "Honors Ceremony" on Tuesday, Jan. 17, to recognize honor roll students and those students who have exemplified the school's core values. It was inspiring! Thanks to all the parents who were there to witness their students being honored!
COUNSELORS' CORNER ...
10TH-GRADE TRIP TO UNIVERSITY OF DENVER (DU) The Counseling Office will take 35 students to DU next Tuesday, Jan. 24. Spots will be filled first come, first served. Students interested in attending should visit the Counseling Office or talk to their advisement teacher.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: TOMORROW (FRIDAY, JAN. 20) IS THE LAST DAY FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES!
COLLEGE WORD OF THE WEEK Accreditation: Accredited colleges in the U.S. meet the standards of a reviewing agency recognized by the government. These agencies develop criteria and conduct evaluations to determine whether a particular college meets the required standards. Schools that meet these standards of excellence are considered accredited colleges in the U.S.
JUDGES NEEDED!
DCIS's Model United Nations (MUN) Club needs judges for a Colorado MUN meet it's hosting with East High School on Saturday, Jan. 28, 8 a.m.– 3 p.m., at East. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! A mandatory judges training session will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at DCIS from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. If you'd like to help out, please respond via email here before Tuesday. If you're interested in judging a particular topic (list below), please indicate that in your email as well.
BSC Topic I: Israeli/Palestinian Conflict Topic II: Situation in Yemen Delegations will attempt to coordinate a solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and mediate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen while addressing terrorism and the affected nations.
Beginner/Intermediate EU Topic I: Brexit Topic II: Rising Nationalism Delegations will address rising nationalism across Europe, most notably in Great Britain. Brexit and what to do in regard to Britain and future member nations that may plan to withdraw from the EU will be a key focus.
Intermediate Indian Affairs Senate Committee Delegations will discuss the issues raised by the Dakota Access pipeline protest, and what to do regarding possible indigenous peoples' grievances in the future.
Intermediate Senate Foreign Relations Committee Delegations will discuss the possible ramifications of opening relations with Cuba and strategies regarding the two countries' future post-Cold War.
Advanced Historical Crisis Topic: Six Days' War This joint crisis council will attempt to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before the Six Days' War. Participants will act as individuals of power during this historical period.
Advanced Security Council Topic: Children in Armed Conflict Delegations will address continuous and increased child involvement in armed conflict around the world, specifically in areas of civil war.
TRAVEL CENTER NEWS ...
ATTENTION JUNIORS AND SENIORS: The Counseling Department, in cooperation with the Travel Center, is still offering Out-of-State College Travel Stipends of $150 toward visiting an out-of-state college or university. For more information and an application, SEE YOUR COUNSELOR ASAP. Stipends are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Double stipends will be considered.
DCIS FOUNDATION TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS: Tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 20, during lunch is the LAST DAY that applications for second-semester travel scholarships from the DCIS Foundation will be available. Students who did not attend the Jan. 18th meeting MUST attend this meeting to get an application and be eligible for a DCIS Foundation Travel Scholarship. Scholarships are available to high school students who have not previously received a DCISF Travel Scholarship. Middle school students going on a DCIS school-sponsored trip can apply as a group.
INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL FOR FREE OR WITH SCHOLARSHIP MONEY! TAKE A LOOK AT DEADLINES SO YOU DON'T MISS OUT:
AMERICANS PROMOTING STUDYING ABROAD (APSA) is back after a three-year hiatus and offering a four-week summer China experience in Beijing, with scholarship money available! Applications are available online and are due by Tuesday, Jan. 31.
SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITIONS FOR GIRLS:Inspiring Girls Expeditions is accepting applications through Tuesday,Jan. 31, for free summer science and wilderness expeditions in Alaska and Washington for girls ages 16 and 17. Three teams of up to nine girls and three instructors will spend 12 days exploring and learning about mountain glaciers or fjords with tidewater glaciers. They'll conduct scientific field studies with professional glaciologists, oceanographers, artists and mountaineers. The three Inspiring Girls trips of 2017 are Girls on Ice Alaska (not available to students outside the specified region), Girls on Ice Cascades and Girls in Icy Fjords. They are operated through the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Natural Science and Mathematics and the International Arctic Research Center.
Here are details for the expeditions available to DCIS students:
Girls on Ice Cascades (July 16–27): Girls explore Mount Baker, an ice-covered volcano in Washington.
Girls in Icy Fjords (Aug. 11–22): Girls explore Bear Glacier and its marine environment near Seward, Alaska, while learning to kayak.
MEET THE MIDDLE EAST:Open to high school students. Includes a six-month program that culminates with a 10-day immersion trip to Israel and Palestine. Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 6. For an application and more information, click here.
GIRLS STEAM CAMP IN MALAWI:Join other girls from around the world for a unique educational opportunity and rich cross-cultural experience at the 2017 WiSci Girls STEAM Camp held in Malawi July 30–Aug. 15. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Design, and Mathematics. The camp will include a STEAM curriculum led by experts in their fields, as well as leadership development activities and learning excursions within Malawi.
Applicants must be citizens and residents of Malawi, Liberia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or the United States, self-identify as female and be between the ages of 15 and 18 to apply. Applicants must (1) have the express permission of a parent or guardian to apply, (2) have at least one year of secondary school left to complete, and (3) commit to attend the full duration of camp. Applicants should also have regular access (at least once per week) to the internet at home, school or another location.
The application is due by Monday, Feb. 13. Please be sure to read the WiSci FAQs to ensure you are eligible and able to participate in the full camp before you apply. If you have any additional questions about the camp or application process, please email the organization here.
SUMMER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS:The Experiment Leadership Institute is offering fully funded scholarships to high school students for two summer-abroad programs:
South Africa: Youth Leadership in Peace, Politics and Human Rights
Both programs run July 3-Aug. 11. Applications for the programs and for need-based financial aid are due by Wednesday, Feb. 15. Applicants are accepted and aid awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early!
DIGITAL EXCHANGE WITH IRAQ: No passport needed. No cost. Just an opportunity to connect with peers in Iraq! Applications are due before Wednesday, March 1. The program is open to 9th through 11th grade students ages 15-18. The virtual exchange program will take place June–August. For more information and to apply, visit the DYLEP website.
For up-to-date information on trips, scholarships and travel opportunities, be sure to check the Travel Center page on the DCIS website and the DCIS Travel Center Facebook page. Information is also posted on the Travel Center bulletin board in the hall near the main office (across from the old Travel Center) and outside the new Travel Center (room 204).
Geri Zabitz Badler Travel Center and Community Partnerships geri_badler@dpsk12.org Office Phone: 720-423-9043
The Center for Visual Arts presents PRESENCE Reflections on the Middle East Feb. 3 – April 8
This exhibition of photo-based works reflects the tension inherent in the presence, or absence, of people in a place, whether in their native land or abroad. More information here.
The Center for Visual Art also hosts the Young Artist Studio, a free after-school activated space just for young artists. Located in the Art District on Santa Fe, this off-campus Metropolitan State University of Denver gallery offers access to contemporary art, high-quality materials and instruction. Participants in the YAS:
Connect with young creatives.
Make work in a variety of media.
Discover inspiration in a contemporary art gallery.
Learn new techniques from university students and professionals.
Additional information and registration Studio is open: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4-5:30 pm Center for Visual Art | 965 Santa Fe Dr. | Denver, CO 80204 | 303-294-5207
PHOENIX FUN ...
For Phoenix Fun this semester, we are changing from a quiz-based section to a "Did You Know?" format. We'd like to share fun factoids about the cultures of our world as well as previously unknown tidbits about some DCIS staff, parents and students.
"DID YOU KNOW?": ASIA EDITION
Did you know...
More than 4.1 billion people live in Asia ... 60% of the world's population.
Only one country in the world has banned the sale of tobacco: Bhutan.
In Japan, more than 50,000 people are older than 100 years.
Despite Asia's economic growth, there are still wild, unexplored places. Approximately 44 never-before-contacted tribes are thought to exist in the jungles of Papua, Indonesia, alone!
aff team put together a wonderful "Honors Ceremony" on Tuesday, Jan. 17, to recognize honor roll students and those students who have exemplified the school's core values. It was inspiring! Thanks to all the parents who were there to witness their students being honored!
