DCIS Connect Newsletter (Oct 24-30, 2019)

Weekly Newsletter for Parents, Staff and Students October 24–30, 2019 (Leer en Español usar el traductor de Google aquí.) SCHOOL SAFETY: A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY Denver Public Schools Department of Safety would like to invite all DCIS parents to a community meeting on school safety on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6-7 pm at the school. This meeting will address lockdowns, lockouts, shelter-in-place, Safe2Tell, access control policies, situational awareness, traffic safety and much more. HAPPENING THIS WEEK ... CSC Meeting: Thursday, Oct. 24, 4:30-6 pm, DCIS Community Room Middle School Volleyball: Friday, Oct. 25, 4 pm, KCAA, 2250 S. Quitman St., Denver Middle School Dance and Haunted House: Friday, Oct. 25, 6–8:30 pm, DCIS Cafeteria Parent Coffee & SPF Review (In Spanish): Monday, Oct. 28, 8–9:15 am SPF Review (Bi-lingual): Monday, Oct. 28, 5:30–7:30 pm Middle School Volleyball: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 4 pm, vs. BVI, at DCIS School Safety — A Shared Responsibility: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6–7 pm MARK YOUR CALENDAR ... Parent Coffee & SPF Review: Thursday, Oct. 31, 8–9:15 am Middle School Student Perception Survey: Monday, Nov. 4, 7:50–9:20 am High School Student Perception Survey: Monday, Nov. 6, 7:50–9:20 am Family Trivia Night: Monday, Nov. 8, 6–8 pm CSC Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 4-6 pm, DCIS Community Room Fall Play — Almost, Maine: Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 14–16, 6 pm Dine Out for DCIS: Thursday, Nov. 21, 4–8 pm, Panera Bread, 640 South Colorado Boulevard NO SCHOOL: Nov. 25–29 Dine Out for DCIS Italian Exchange Program: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 4–10 pm, at Pizzeria Locale CSC Meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 4-6 pm, DCIS Community Room Travel and Language Fair: Thursday, Dec. 12, 5-8 pm, DCIS Cafeteria and Gym Click here to access the schedule for all West High School sports. FROM THE PRINCIPAL ... Greetings DCIS Community:   First and foremost ... THANKS! I heard great feedback from both parents and faculty about the successes of the student-led conferences (SLCs). I'm appreciative of the hard work of teachers and students in getting ready for conferences and equally appreciative of parents prioritizing time to come and learn how to best support their child/children.    On that same note, I was unable to attend SLCs as I was out of town at a conference learning more about the International Schools Studies Network (ISSN). ISSN is a pretty strong network of schools with a focus on global competency that DCIS has been part of for many years. It was great to visit the Houston Academy for International Studies and spend time with leaders from schools around the globe to learn how they are preparing students for full participation in a global economy. It truly reinforced my belief in the important work of creating better world citizens!    Additionally, I'd like to share that on Tuesday we practiced a shelter in place drill. A shelter in place occurs when there is a hazard, such as a tornado or severe weather warning, and the Department of Safety, with the assistance of outside agencies, determines that an evacuation or early dismissal could place students in danger. For this drill, all students and staff came to the first floor and sat in the hallways, quietly awaiting instructions. I take these drills very seriously and was very appreciative of the positive responses of everyone involved.   Finally, we are excited to announce our middle school cheer team, sponsored by our very own DCIS students Andrea Salazar and Alondra Lopez-Varela, received their new uniforms. We wish them much luck as they go and support our student athletes and thank them for getting the Phoenix spirit out there.    I hope to see many of you at our upcoming SPF meetings happening in the coming week.   Cheers, Dr. Gamba MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLOWEEN DANCE/HAUNTED HOUSE The dance and the haunted house are TOMORROW, Friday, Oct. 25, 6-8 pm. The dance is $5, and the haunted house is $1. Students must turn in a dance permission slip before they can purchase their ticket (slips can also be picked up in room 109). There will be snacks (provided by StuCo) and food to buy. Students may come in costume but no masks or weapons. Students must be picked up by 8 pm. Parents may donate food/drink if they like. COUNSELORS' CORNER...  COUNSELORS Tami Handley - 720-423-9006 Ted Brugman - 720-423-9094 AP TESTING FEES DUE ALL AP testing fees are due by Friday, Nov. 1. Cost is $94 per exam, or $16 per exam for families that qualify for free and reduced lunch. Students are expected to take exams in all subjects they are scheduled for. If there is a financial hardship or students plan to drop the class at semester, or are unable to test for some other reason, they need to come speak to Ms. Erin in the library before Friday, Nov. 1. 8th GRADE CAREER FAIR On Monday, Nov. 4, all 8th graders will be given the opportunity to attend the districtwide career fair at the National Western Complex. Find more information here.  DPS COLLEGE APPLICATION DAY The senior class will have the opportunity to attend the DPS College Application Day on Wednesday, Oct. 30. This will give the class of 2020 the opportunity to complete applications and have questions answered by experts in the field. A raffle and lunch are also provided.  SEAL OF BILITERACY   We're excited for the Seal of Biliteracy opportunity for our seniors! Please visit this page for information on how to earn the seal and this one for more info about the seal (the application and timeline). Applications are due Friday, Nov. 1! If you have any questions, please email Dr. Jenna Martin. ARTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION ... DRAMA  Thursday–Saturday, Nov 14-16, "Almost, Maine" Performed by the DCIS Drama Club. $5 for students, $8 for adults, $10 for first three rows. VISUAL ARTS  Cherry Arts will be setting up a community art show with the Mobile Art Gallery in our library Nov. 5-19. The two-week residency will include public tours for the community led by DCIS student docents. This gallery contains acclaimed professional art from the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in July.  Summer 2020 LYNX Camp Dates The LYNX National Arts and Media Camps are summer immersion programs for high school students interested in music and the arts hosted on the University of Colorado Denver campus and sponsored by the CU Denver College of Arts & Media. For more information on summer camp dates and the program, go to their website. Application deadline is Friday, Nov. 1.  PREORDER YEARBOOKS BY OCT. 31   Order your yearbook by Thursday, Oct. 31, and get a frightfully good discount of 10%! SENIOR TRIBUTES Senior tributes are available for $20 for a full-color, half-page tribute with up to three photos of your choosing! Please email Abby Hoffman by Friday, Dec. 13, if you are interested in purchasing a tribute for your senior. SENIOR/BABY PHOTOS Please email senior photos and baby photos in a 4:3 vertical format to the yearbook team by Friday, Dec. 20. No selfies accepted.    RAISE YOUR HAND...  JOIN THE PTSA The next PTSA Board Meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 21, starting at 7 pm, at the "Dine out for DCIS" fundraising event at Panera Bread (640 South Colorado Boulevard, Glendale CO 80246). RSVP here if there is something specific you want to place on the agenda. Otherwise just drop in and take part in the discussion. Everyone is welcome, even non PTSA members.  VOLUNTEER FOR BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT Volunteers are needed nightly Friday, Nov. 29 through Friday, Jan. 3. Shifts are 4:15 to 9:15 pm at the Denver Botanic Gardens while the annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms the York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available for individuals and groups including ticket scanners, event greeters, line directors and more. Click here for position descriptions and shift times. AMAZON SMILE You can contribute to the PTSA by selecting our organization (search for DCIS PTSA) as your AmazonSmile under My Account. Make all your Amazon.com purchases at smile.amazon.com. There is no cost to you, and Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to the DCIS PTSA. In order for the PTSA to get credit for your purchase, it must be made through the smile.amazon.com website.  For a limited time (Tuesday, Oct. 29 to Saturday, Nov. 2) your shopping with Amazon raises 10x the funds for DCIS! Do your holiday shopping and give back to DCIS.  TRAVEL CENTER NEWS ...    DCIS PLANNED TRIPS FOR 2019–20 Trips with enrollment still open: China with Ms. Liu for middle and high school students. Trip includes Beijing, the Great Wall, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai—$3,777 (Explorica) June 8 to 16 Guatemala with Ms. Miller for middle and high school students. Students will work on a service project, hike a volcano, learn about Mayan traditions, swim, kayak, zip-line through the jungle, and improve or learning Spanish—$2,963 June 1–10 Please contact the teachers for more information about these life-changing opportunities.  Trips no longer accepting applications: Japan with Mr. Matsumoto, who promises another one next year! Italy with Ms. Quesada and Ms. Bishop. This student exchange takes place every two years Rapid City, South Dakota with Gwen Holmes—Lakota Nation Invitation Language and Activities Tournament PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINES Luby-Jenkins Mongolian-US Student Exchange Program: Saturday, Nov. 30 — drop by the Travel Center for information and applications. CIEE: Friday, Dec. 6 — DCIS is the ONLY school in the Mountain West region to have earned the designation of Global Navigator School. This means our students who complete quality applications are given priority for scholarships amounting to $25,000, particularly for language and culture programs. Click here for more information. Click here for tips on receiving placement in a CIEE program and a scholarship. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS U.S. State Department programs for high school students are merit based and FREE to students chosen to participate. See their website for more details about all their programs, including the YES Abroad Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (application due by Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 11:59 pm ET).  DINE OUT GRAZIE MILLE to Pizzeria Locale, which is donating 33% of all purchases made by people mentioning the DCIS ITALIAN EXCHANGE on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 10 pm.  ADOLESCO YOUTH EXCHANGE  Students can immerse themselves in a language while soaking up local culture. Adolesco Youth Exchange will match students of about the same age in France, Germany, Italy or Spain. Students decide when and for how long (up to 12 weeks) they want to go on exchange and host. The program is a flexible and affordable nonprofit language immersion and cultural exchange program for qualifying students between ages 9 and 18.  Please join us at our informational meeting on Sunday, Nov. 3, 1:30–3:30 pm, at the Sam Gary Library in Stapleton. RSVP by emailing Marie.   Start your application here and get in touch with local mom Marie Meyer, the Adolesco Exchange Coordinator, at 303-913-4845. Applications are due on Friday, Nov. 15, with matches announced in early January. DCIS FOUNDATION ...  Congratulations to all the students who applied for DCIS Foundation scholarships. Interviews for students whose applications were accepted will be held next Monday from 3 to 6 pm at DCIS. Applicants should have received an email with details and their appointment time. Come prepared, looking sharp!  Group travel scholarship interviews will take place on Monday, Nov. 4, 3–4 pm. Each group teacher/leader and a few of their students will be interviewed, Please be on time and ready to go. Questions? See Sally Bishop or email the DCIS Foundation. DO YOU WANT TO GO BEYOND CLASSROOM LEARNING TO REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES? Are you or your student looking for worldwide opportunities?  Please join us at the 2019 DCIS Travel and Language Fair to meet exhibitors representing Gap Year, Student Travel, Study Abroad, Cultural Exchange, Language Immersion, Language Learning, Nonprofits, Service, and Volunteer Opportunities (national as well as international) at a unique event tailored especially to students from elementary to high school and their families from the entire DPS community and beyond.  WHEN AND WHERE? This Showcase of Opportunities for Students 4th to 12th grade is FREE and open to the PUBLIC on Thursday, Dec. 12, 5–8 pm at the school. Please visit here for event info, and follow announcements here.  NEW THIS YEAR Buy unique gifts from our carefully selected vendors in the World Bazaar. Adelitas Cocina y Cantina (1294 S. Broadway, Denver and 2609 W. Main St., Littleton) will be selling their delicious tacos at the fair on Thursday, Dec. 12, starting at 5 pm. Hope you come hungry! Please thank them for their continued support of our school here. WANT TO EXHIBIT OR FUNDRAISE? If you would like to exhibit and use this opportunity to interact in person with members of the entire DPS community and beyond, especially students from elementary to high school and their families, the registration form is here, or email Marie if you have any questions or comments. Any STUDENTS AND TEACHERS CAN REGISTER FOR FREE to have a table at the Travel and Language Fair (we especially encourage food sales and travel and language fundraisers). Community service and event credits are available to student volunteers.  Vendors and exhibitors pay a $100 participation fee or $50 for nonprofits, and we will provide a table and chairs; no electricity available. Please comply with the relevant tax regulations. #SendYourBanner FROM THE PTSA ...   The 2019 Colorado General Assembly, through House Bill 19-1257, referred a measure to the 2019 November ballot. This measure is known as Proposition CC, and the ballot language states:   "Without raising taxes and to better fund public schools, higher education, and roads, bridges, and transit, within a balanced budget, may the state keep and spend all the revenue it annually collects after June 30, 2019, but is not currently allowed to keep and spend under Colorado law, with an annual independent audit to show how the retained revenues are spent?"   A "yes" vote on Proposition CC: Changes state law and means the state can keep all of the money it collects over its revenue limit to spend on education and transportation. For a flyer on how Denver County will benefit from Proposition CC, click here.  CONNECT ... DCIS Website DCIS Facebook Page DCIS Parents Group (closed, non-school-sanctioned) on Facebook DCIS Drama Club Facebook  DCIS Travel Center Facebook DCIS Foundation Facebook   DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Please send questions or comments to dcis.connect@gmail.com.  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 below. 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 noon on the Tuesday preceding the issue date. Email submissions to dcis.connect@gmail.com.  Copyright © 2019 DCIS Connect Newsletter, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email newsletter because you are a member of the DCIS community. 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