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Friday, September 23, 2016

Lock Down Drill/ Ensayo de Cierre

September 23, 2016

Dear Fairmont Families,

 

Today we had a Lockdown Drill.  A Lockdown of the building is called when there is a threat or a hazard inside of the building.  Lockdowns uses classroom security to protect students and staff from threat. 

Lockdown drills must be conducted within the first 30 days of a semester.  To initiate the Lockdown, an announcement is made. Then, teachers lock classroom doors, and staff and students go to an area of the room where they are out of site from anyone who may be inside the building.  

 

Thank you,

Jody Cohn

Assistant Principal, DCIS Fairmont

 

 

Estimadas Familias de DCIS en Fairmont,

Hoy tuvimos un ensayo de  bajo absoluta restricción de acceso.  Un cierre del edificio se identifica como absoluta restricción de acceso. Esto significa peligro o amenaza adentro del edificio.   Este proceso utiliza la seguridad del salón para proteger a los estudiantes y personal  de peligro.

Estos tipos de ensayos  deben tomar inicio entre los primeros 30 días de cada semestre. Para iniciar el estado de cierre un anuncio  es transmitido por las bocinas. Después los maestros cierran con llave las puertas de los salones y el personal y los estudiantes se van a un área del salón donde están fuera de vista de cualquier persona que esté en el edificio.

 

Gracias,

Jody Cohn

Subdirectora, DCIS en Fairmont

 

Thursday, September 15, 2016

DCIS at Fairmont PTA

DCIS at Fairmont PTA - PARENT/GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT FORM

The mission of the DCIS at Fairmont PTA is to engage and empower parents, teachers, students and staff in order to foster a sense of community, pride and involvement.   

Parent/GuardianName(s): ___________________________________________________________________________

    Address:____________________________________________________________________________

Email:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Land Line:  ________________________   Cell Phone:  ________________  OK to Text?     □ Yes   □ No

I work during the school day:   Yes   No   Sometimes    Occupation: _________________________________________   

Employer: _________________________________________  Does your company/organization provide any of the following?

___ Financial donations/sponsorships   ___ Matching donations     ___ Gifts in-kind (donations of food, supplies, etc.)

Your Student(s):

Student #1: Name ____________________________ Language _____________ Grade ____

Student #2: Name ____________________________ Language _____________ Grade ____

Student #3: Name ____________________________ Language _____________ Grade ____

PTA ACTIVITIES: Check the boxes of the areas in which you'd like to be involved to work on a committee:

□  HEALTH – Work on a committee to support positive health improvements with our school and events focused on promoting healthy food choices and movement.  

□  EQUITY  – Help ensure all members of our community feel welcome, valued and included

         □  TEACHER APPRECIATION-Create and support events that express teacher appreciation.

         □  FUNDRAISING & EVENTS – Raise funds for school- and PTA-sponsored activities; plan and help at events

·         Whoo's Reading Fundraiser (Needs leadership!)
Online reading logging and sponsorship. https://www.whooosreading.org

·         Dine Out Night (NEEDS Leadership!)
Connect with local restaurants to schedule Dine Out nights, portion of sales go to PTA.

·         Holiday Christmas Tree Lot Sale
Help set up, organize and sell trees November and December on local lot

·         International Festival
Spring carnival with activities, performances and silent auction of teacher experiences

         □   MEMBERSHIP/Recruitment/Corporate Sponsorship - Support recruitment, membership & sponsorship

         □   GROUNDS BEAUTIFICATION – Join committee to improve grounds, and current discussion around
      ECE playground.

□   COMMUNICATIONS – Improve information sharing at the school and in the community

         □   D.C. EXPERIENCE – Join our committee in developing long term fundraising plans for each 5th grade   
               class to go to Washington D.C. starting for current 4th graders and each subsequent class.

         □   SCHOOL STORE – Join our team to prepare and sell pizza, nachos and snacks on Friday after school.

□  I am interested in being involved in a leadership role on the DCIS at Fairmont PTA.

 

JUST INTERESTED IN BEING KEPT IN THE LOOP?

 I'm not interested in any of the above opportunities, but keep me in the communications loop.

·   Are you using our school application? ___no  ____ yes  
If NOT, are you interested in how to use it? ____ yes

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I am comfortable communicating in (check all that apply):

□  English     □  Spanish   □  Other _______________________________________

I would be more likely to attend gatherings/events if the following were provided:

    □  English to Spanish translation    □  Child care    □  Other _________________________________

I enjoy and/or am really good at: __________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________

 

School Accountability Committee

School Accountability Committee

Parent Representative Ballot

 

Ballot Due by 9/23/16, 4:00 pm. (to Office or Student’s teacher)

 

Please vote for TWO candidates

 

Candidate

Statement of Interest

Vote

Berenice Ferrer

I am interested in being involved in my children’s education and obtaining information regarding what is going on at the school level. I always prioritize volunteering in the school and in the classrooms.

 

Berenice has a son in 2nd grade at DCIS at Fairmont and her daughter was a 5th grader at the school last year.

 

[    ]

Erin Ganser

I am keenly interested in being involved in the policy and budget discussions that shape each student’s educational opportunities; Determine retention of highly trained and dedicated staff; and define the long-term financial stability of the school. I have a background in finance, operations, public policy, and would value the opportunity to contribute to the success of our school.

 

Erin has three sons at DCIS at Fairmont, two in Kinder and one in 2nd grade.

[    ]

Joana Orbe

I want to be involved in my children’s’ education in whatever way possible. I believe in the positive impact it has on them and I like to feel like I am being useful.

 

Joana has a son in 4th grade at DCIS at Fairmont.

[    ]

Frank Stossel

Just want to help out.

 

Frank has a son in 1st grade at DCIS at Fairmont.

[    ]

 

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Practice Spanish

GT Information

Denver Public Schools

Gifted and Talented Magnet and

Advanced Kindergarten Programs

Now Accepting Applications

for the 2017-2018 school year

 

Kindergarten – 7th grade parents:                                                   

 

The Gifted and Talented Magnet Program was developed in 1985 for students in grades one through eight who may have several of these characteristics and extraordinary abilities, potential or academic needs.  It is a full-day program in magnet sites that is designed for students who need the support and challenge provided by specifically trained teachers and by other students with advanced or unique abilities and academic needs.  

 


·         learn new material easily.

·         move easily between multiple cultures or different environments.

·         be able to read in their native language at least two grade levels above their current grade.

·         show an ability to see connections between ideas.

·         find numerous ways to approach issues or problems.

·         demonstrate exceptional curiosity.

·         interpret events or information in a creative or unusual way.

·         hesitate or refuse to participate in activities in which they think they might fail.

·         be self-critical even if they excel.

·         have an advanced ability to translate thoughts and ideas to/ from a second language.

·         feel isolated or different.

·         display an unusual sensitivity.

·         be highly creative and enjoy the unusual.

·         have a highly developed sense of justice and injustice

·         expect perfection in themselves and others

·         question everything

·         see connections between ideas or concepts that have not been "taught".

 


 

DPS Gifted and Talented Magnets sites:


 


Carson

Edison

Morey MS

 

Teller

Gust

Polaris @ Ebert

 

Southmoor

Cory

Archuleta


How to Apply:  Students in grades K, 2 and 6 will automatically be screened for the HGT program at their school.  Qualifying or close to qualifying scores may lead to a request for more information about your child. If your child is in another grade, or if you wish to provide additional information for your K, 2nd or 6th grade student, you must apply centrally for consideration and testing for this program.  Parents, teachers, or anyone who knows the student may nominate him/her and students may nominate themselves.

 

Advanced Kindergarten Program

Preschool Parents: Do you have a child who will enter Kindergarten in Fall 2017, and who you believe would benefit from a program designed to move faster/go more in-depth with the DPS curriculum? Students who exhibit some or all of the following traits may be best served in a DPS Advanced Kindergarten program.  Traits may include:


• Curious

• Fast Learner

• Strong Memory

• Extensive Vocabulary

• Socially Advanced

• Longer Attention Span

• Able to use learning in

   new context

• Facility with numbers

   and/or words

• Able to solve problems in

   an unusual or unique way

• Works independently

 


 


Advanced Kindergarten Programs sites are:


·         Bill Roberts

·         Edison

·         Escalante Biggs

·         Palmer

·         Gust

·         Stedman

·         Stephen Knight Center for Early Education




Please note that the program will no longer be housed at Polaris in 2017-18 so we will not be testing for that site.

 

Learn more about the Gifted and Talented Magnet and the Advanced Kindergarten Programs at our district information nights at each of the following DPS schools:

 

September 8, 2016                        John F. Kennedy High School                     2855 Lamar St.

September 13. 2016                     George Washington High School                              655 S. Monaco Pky.

September 14, 2016                     Career Education Center                                            2650 Eliot St.

September 15, 2016                     Archuleta Elementary                                  16000 E. Maxwell Pl.

 

                              

Additional middle school information about Morey's Middle School Magnet Program  on September 19th at 6:00 pm at Morey Middle School

 

 

ADK presentation begins at 5:00 pm

HGT presentation begins at 6:00 pm

 

Spanish translation available at all meetings.   

 


 

Nomination forms are available at your neighborhood school or at http://gt.dpsk12.org


 

 

News From Leadership Team

NEWS FROM

The Leadership Team

Volume 4 , Edition 2

Dear Families,

Thank you so much for a great Back to School Night! We had great parent turn out and it was a pleasure to see faces both new and familiar supporting our school. We are so proud of how hard our students are demonstrating our core values of Respect, Perseverance, Integrity, and Joy everyday. It has been exciting to see students proud of being on Blue Diplomat at the end of the day everyday! 

 

Reminder for drop-off and pick-up, the first bell rings at 8:25am and teachers meet students outside of classrooms K-2 and outside in the quad for grades 3-5. Families can walk/park and pick up in the quad or students can meet family at the Kiss and Go in the front of the school. Please make sure you do not leave your car unattended in the Kiss and Go and do your best to not park in the lot unless you have an issued handicap spot. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

 

Sincerely,

The Leadership Team

 

Parent Involvement and SAC 

Thank you to all of our parents that attended our first PAC coffee of the year on Tuesday morning! We discussed ways to improve parent involvement and communication this year as well as ways in which we can improve parent teacher conferences to ensure parents have what they need to support their students at home.  Amanda and I will be meeting with teachers Sept. 21st to discuss our initiatives.

 

SAC Committee

Last week, we sent out the SAC committee interest forms in Thursday folders. We were hoping to send out preliminary ballots this week but have not received interest from parents. Remember the SAC Committee is an elected body that makes important school-based decisions about hiring, budget, scheduling, We want to ensure that the SAC Committee is representative of our student body and WE NEED YOUR VOICE! Please come to the office to pick up a sign up sheet if you are interested.

 

Upcoming Dates and For Your Information (FYI)

·         Picture Day, Friday, Sept. 23 (Individual) Students may be out of uniform for pictures but must be able to change back

·         Parent Coffee, Tuesday, Oct. 4 – Community Corner Unveiling

·         Reflection Friday, Friday, Oct. 7- No School for Students

 

Check out the reading comprehension questions we have shared with you!

 

 

 

Questions to Ask Your Child When Reading

 

Before Reading a Book, Ask Your Child These Questions:

What do you think this story will be about? Why?

What clues do the title and pictures give you about the story?

After Reading a Book, Ask Your Child Some of These Questions:

Can you tell me what happened in the book? (your child needs to be able to retell the story IN ORDER and WITH DETAILS)

Who are the characters? What are they like and how can you tell?

Example: Jose is a student in the book. He is kind and helpful. I can tell because he helps his friend when she falls down.

What is the setting (where the story takes place)? What does the author tell you about the setting?

What was your favorite part of the book? Why?

Which character in the book is the most like you? Why?

What is the main idea of the book?

Why do you think the author wrote this book?

Have you read any other books that remind you of this one?

What did you learn from reading this book?

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

 

 

DCIS Community

Dear DCIS Fairmont Community,

This fall, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education is putting an initiative on the ballot seeking voter approval of bond and mill levy proposals to increase funding for our schools. We are sharing this letter to address common questions about what this might mean for your family and your community.

What is included in the 2016 bond proposal for my school?

The bond proposal includes the following investments for your school including $90,000 for community-directed quality learning environment upgrades:

·          Facility Maintenance – Exterior LED lighting upgrade; Interior LED lighting upgrade; Masonry repairs; Replace galvanized piping; Safety upgrades in kitchen

·         Quality Learning Environments – Funding to make school determined, high-impact investments that may include areas such as classroom upgrades, furniture upgrades, or common space upgrades (front office, gymnasium, cafeteria)

·         Technology – Additional funding for student devices; Network and infrastructure; Safety investment in door hardware to support lockdown and upgrading existing systems

 

What is included in the 2016 mill levy proposal for my school?

The mill levy proposal includes these annual investments that will benefit all DPS schools:

·         Social/emotional supports and enrichments: A $15 million-a-year investment to help all schools meet the social emotional and enrichment needs of their students, a key priority identified by DPS classroom teachers.

·         Classroom technology: A $6.6 million annual investment to ensure students have the tools to prepare them for the 21st Century workplace.

·         Great teachers: A $14.5M annual investment in teacher leadership and teacher supports that allows our best teachers to coach and grow other teachers in their schools while still teaching their own classroom of kids.

·         Early literacy: A $6.8 million investment would target training to all teachers in grades ECE-3 and bolster interventions for struggling readers.

What are the costs associated with these proposals?

If approved, the bond proposal will require an increase in the district’s bond debt. Based on current and forecasted property values, DPS does not expect your property tax rate to increase in order to fund the bond. The mill levy proposal, if approved, is expected to cost about $9 per month or $110 annually for owners of a median Denver home, valued at $329,000.

Thank you for your attention to these important issues. If you have additional questions, please visit bond.dpsk12.org or reach out to bondmill@dpsk12.org.

Best,

Tom Boasberg

DPS Superintendent

 

DCIS Fairmont Community