(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.
HOST FAMILY NEEDED ASAP
Because of a current host family's unexpected change in circumstances, one of our exchange students needs a new host family through the end of the school year. This student "is about as nice as they come. Mature and kind. Seriously." If you're interested or know someone who might be, or if you'd like more information, please email Mario Giardiello.
Coffee with the Principal: Wednesday, Feb. 7, 8:15–9:15 am, DCIS Community Room (103)
DCIS Fairmont 5th Grade Students Tour: Wednesday, Feb. 7
MARK YOUR CALENDARS ...
DPS Superintendent Parent Forum: "Strengthening Partnerships with the City, Business Leaders, Nonprofit Organizations and Community Groups," Thursday, Feb. 8, 9:30–11:30 am, Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape Street, Denver
DCIS Drama Callbacks for Spring Musical and Tech Applications Due: Thursday, Feb. 8, 3-4:30 pm
It has been a distressing week at DCIS. The loss of one of our beloved students has hit our school hard. Many students are grieving and/or still in shock over the awful tragedy of Michael Ramirez' death over the weekend due to a horrific car accident, which also took the life of his father and injured his mother and sister. Students who were closest to Michael have planned a tribute in his honor, which will take place on Thursday at 2:05 pm in the DCIS auditorium. We will run a special bell schedule on this day, ending with Advisement from 2:03-2:55. Parents who knew and loved Michael are welcome to attend.
Meanwhile, DCIS is heading into some tough budget decisions for next school year. With very low student enrollment numbers in certain classes, particularly in world language classes, our school is struggling to support six distinct languages. Some of our world language teachers teach only 60 or 70 students total, while the average teacher load is 140-150 students. Some teachers have even more. In other words, this is a DCIS issue of not having the numbers we need to sustain such a large department given the number of students. As current and former CSC members know, this is not a new issue. It is an enrollment and class size issue and not a question of DPS "cutting our budget." In addition, we are looking at ways to further support our students who are struggling with math and literacy, in particular middle school math. To this end, we are looking at the Math Fellows model of math intervention, instead of our current model of having a math intervention teacher, and are also considering other ways to boost the math support for students who need it.
I will be sending out all final budget decisions, including a list of any reductions that need to be made, as soon as the budget is finalized late on Friday. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for being the strong, supportive community that you are. This is the kind of week that really shows how amazing our DCIS community is.
Theresa McCorquodale
This Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1-3, at 6 pm, the DCIS Drama Club will present their one-act plays. These bite-sized pieces of drama and comedy are great fun, and we hope you will attend. Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
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!
SUPPORT PERU SERVICE TRIP If you're going to the One-Act Plays this Thursday, Friday or Saturday, come hungry, as students trying to raise funds for their service trip to Peru over spring break will be selling nachos and baked goods. Thank you for your support!
ART ROOM WELCOMES DONATIONS Have extra "stuff" cluttering up your home? Chances are, the DCIS Art Room can use it! See our wish list here. Thank you to those who donated their extra "clutter" when school began! If you have donations for the new semester, they can be dropped off in the art room (117) at your convenience. Thanks for your support of the DCIS art program! For questions, email Susan Marion: Susan_Marion@dpsk12.org.
SCHOOL SERVICE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES Looking for school service credit? Email dcis.connect@gmail.com to learn about opportunities.
QUESTIONS ABOUT TEENS AND SMARTPHONES?
On Friday, Feb. 23, the DCIS PTSA, through the generous sponsorship of Denver's True Voice Studio, is hosting a screening of the film Screenagers. Through poignant and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, Screenagers reveals how tech time impacts kids' development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.
The film will have subtitles in Spanish for our Spanish-speaking families. The screening is free, but reservations are required — click HERE to reserve your seats.
DCIS FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER
This year the DCIS Foundation's annual fundraising event will take place at a new venue: the Denver Museum of Nature & Science! Please join us for "DCIS Foundation Passport Dinner: Igniting Global Understanding, Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders." Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 26, at 6 pm. Details to come. P.S. Like us on Facebook, and check out our newly issued annual report. Lots to celebrate!
Many of you have inquired about a tribute to honor your student. Our senior families receive special discounts, with tributes starting at $10. The deadline for full-page tributes ($80) is TOMORROW,Friday, Feb. 2. All other tributes must be purchased by Thursday, March 1!
BUSINESS OWNERS: If you would like to get exposure for your business or company and support DCIS yearbook at the same time, consider purchasing a full-color ad in our yearbook! Prices start at $25. Deadline is Thursday, March 1.
Yearbooks are available for pre-order for $50 in room 216A or online.
TRAVEL FAIR REDUX Denver Sister Cities International manages and administers all types of programming — educational, economic, cultural and humanitarian — associated with Denver's 13 global Sister and Friendship Cities, including exchanges for all ages and local cultural events. The beauty of Denver Sister Cities lies in these permanent diplomatic relationships, many of which have been established for decades and therefore have a solid and trustworthy foundation. The organization offers student exchanges to France and Mongolia annually and to Japan biannually, and provide scholarship support for DCIS's Italian and Chinese exchanges.
MORE HOST FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES World Denver loves to have DCIS families as hosts! Check out its 2018 Homestay Opportunities.
ADOLESCO YOUTH EXCHANGE Learn French in France, German in Germany or Spanish in Spain! 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). Find other upcoming informational events and sign up for more info. Applications are due by Thursday, March 15.
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
SENIORS
Senior Information Night. All senior parents are invited to a senior information night on Thursday, Feb. 15. The event starts at 5:30 in the auditorium. DCIS staff will speak to families about graduation, next steps, important dates and other information. Following the presentation, students will go to their designated Advisement classes and present their website/portfolios to their families. Please join us!
81% 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
47% of the senior class has completed their FAFSA
87% of the senior class is remediation free in math and English
Congratulations to DCIS senior Daniel McCorquodale on being named a candidate in the 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program! Each year, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars, chosen from this pool of candidates, are recognized for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and service to their school and community. Good luck to Daniel on making it to the next round!
JUNIORS
Counselors will be in classrooms next week getting juniors registered for the SAT Essay. This is an optional part of the SAT test on April 10. However, all juniors MUST take the SAT on that date. Please email Mrs. Springsteen with questions.
