** November 9-23: Book Fair! ( Online this year)
** November 23-27: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
** November 30: Begin Remote Learning Instruction
- 9:00-9:30am: Family Re-orientation for remote learning
** Dec. 21 - Jan. 4: No School (Winter Break)
(The Stedman Calendar can always be viewed HERE)
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Families: As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I can't express my gratitude for you enough. Thank you for trusting us with your children and thank you for making this community the best in Denver. Stedman is a special place because of you.
As we transition into Remote Learning for all of our learners (beginning November 30th), we know there will be apprehension and frustration. Please tap into our resources (teachers, other parents, online resources and instructions, etc.) so that we can make it through the three weeks as smoothly as possible. We've learned a lot, grown a lot, and we know we can do this.
As we look forward to the next semester, Elementary school families with students in grades K-5 can request a change to their current learning option (either in-person or virtual) the week after Thanksgiving break. The window to request a change will be open from Monday, Nov. 30 through Sunday, Dec. 6. Elementary families that don’t take action will remain enrolled in their current learning option through the end of the school year. Please call the office if you need help making a change (request the change by completing the Learning Option Update in Parent Portal).
Please continue to practice every precaution as you celebrate this Thanksgiving season. The Governor has implemented stricter restrictions, and we know these are necessary to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to wear masks, socially distance, and keep your gatherings confined to your own household if possible.
Below is a recording of our Live Chat from this morning.
Familias: A medida que nos acercamos a las vacaciones de Acción de Gracias, no puedo expresar mi gratitud por ustedes lo suficiente. Gracias por confiar en nosotros con sus hijos y gracias por hacer de esta comunidad la mejor de Denver. Stedman es un lugar especial gracias a ti.
A medida que hacemos la transición al aprendizaje remoto para todos nuestros alumnos (a partir del 30 de noviembre), sabemos que habrá aprensión y frustración. Aproveche nuestros recursos (maestros, otros padres, recursos e instrucciones en línea, etc.) para que podamos pasar las tres semanas de la mejor manera posible. Hemos aprendido mucho, hemos crecido mucho y sabemos que podemos hacer esto.
Mientras esperamos el próximo semestre, las familias de la escuela primaria con estudiantes en los grados K-5 pueden solicitar un cambio en su opción de aprendizaje actual (ya sea en persona o virtual) la semana después de las vacaciones de Acción de Gracias. La ventana para solicitar un cambio estará abierta desde el lunes 30 de noviembre hasta el domingo 6 de diciembre. Las familias de primaria que no tomen medidas permanecerán inscritas en su opción de aprendizaje actual hasta el final del año escolar. Llame a la oficina si necesita ayuda para hacer un cambio.
Continúe practicando todas las precauciones mientras celebra esta temporada de Acción de Gracias. El Gobernador ha implementado restricciones más estrictas y sabemos que son necesarias para ayudar a frenar la propagación del COVID-19. Continúe usando máscaras, a distancia social y mantenga sus reuniones limitadas a su propia casa si es posible.
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Monday, November 30th begins our transition to Remote Learning. Please note that most of that day will be asynchronous (meaning no live instruction), except for an important 30 minute re-orientation for families.
Monday, November 30th:
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9:00-9:30am: ALL FAMILIES - please join your child's teacher to orient yourself to the new remote schedule
- The rest of the day will be asynchronous - there will be assignments for your student in SeeSaw
- Teachers will be preparing for the three weeks of remote learning during the remainder of the day.
Tuesday, December 1 - Friday, December 18:
- 9am-3pm: Students will participate in a remote schedule with breaks for lunch and screen breaks (Monday-Thursday)
- 9am-1pm: Every Friday early release
- All specials will continue to be asynchronous at this time
As we adopt our new virtual schedule, these items will remain consistent across the school:
- 9:00am Start time
- 3:00pm End time
- Early release every Friday at 1:00pm
- 30 minute SEL block (Social-Emotional Learning)
- 45 minute lunch
- SPED, ELD, SSP will continue to follow the in-person schedule
- Math instruction daily
- Literacy instruction daily
- Small group instruction in math and literacy prioritized
- Phonics instruction daily in K-2
- Ensure that students continue to receive interventions that they are receiving in-person
- For now, specials will remain asynchronous
- Use of asynchronous apps:
- K-2 - minimum of 60 minutes of DreamBox, 60 minutes of Lexia (Istation in Spanish K-1) per week
- 3-5 - minimum of 60 minutes of DreamBox, 80 minutes of Lexia
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Weekly overviews posted to remote learning website weekly
We want to thank all parents and staff for providing their input on our surveys about remote learning schedules. While we know there were many varying opinions, we are trying to capture the needs/wishes of our teachers and parents as best we can. Small group instruction will continue to be prioritized. Please reach out to your teacher if you have questions and be sure to review the Parent Remote Learning Resources available on our website (and below).
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Helpful Information for Parents Navigating Online |
We had a terrific Family Education Night the other week where our staff went through tips and tools for navigating our remote learning spaces. We highly recommend you watch one of our sessions from last night (above) to get a better idea of how to support your child in a remote learning setting. Feedback from parents was that it provided extremely helpful information. Topics covered include:
- Finding your classroom's weekly objectives/lessons
- teachers post here weekly so you can see what they are working on - click on your teacher's name/picture
- Navigating SeeSaw
- Find your classroom's personal invite link here if you still need to create a parent account!
- Access child's schedule in SeeSaw in the "Schedules" folder for remote learners (click the Folder icon to find the list of folders)
- Learning more about usefulness and navigation of IStation/Dreambox/Lexia/RazKids/Rockalingua
- Creating a parent Dreambox account
- Parent portal for IStation (view progress reports here)
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Scope & Sequence for Lexia
You can view the powerpoint HERE for more information and links. |
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SURVEY: Remote Learning Support through Leading Edge |
As we transition to remote learning, we need to see if there is enough interest to keep our Leading Edge remote learning program operating. Leading Edge is our before/after care provider and can only operate if there are enough participants to keep it financially viable.
Please take this SURVEY if you are interested in their Remote Learning Support center here at Stedman.
A medida que hacemos la transición al aprendizaje remoto, necesitamos ver si hay suficiente interés para mantener operativo nuestro programa de aprendizaje remoto Leading Edge. Leading Edge es nuestro proveedor de atención antes / después y solo puede operar si hay suficientes participantes para mantenerlo económicamente viable.
Responda esta ENCUESTA si está interesado en su centro de Soporte de aprendizaje remoto aquí en Stedman.
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We want to thank our PTA and Montview Pres for generously supporting many of our families this Thanksgiving break. We were able to distribute over 45 incredible Thanksgiving baskets and additional gift cards to families and we couldn't have done it without the continued support of Montview and our amazing PTA Families.
If you are in need of additional Thanksgiving meals, here is a helpful resource.
See below for information on DPS Meal Distribution sites.
If you are in need of support, please reach out to Ali Larson (alison_larson@dpsk12.org).
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COVID-19 Testing Now Free for All Community Members |
Through the end of the year, COVIDCheck Colorado is now offering free testing to anyone in Colorado. This means that leaders, educators and staff can go with household members and invite other community members to test and help slow the spread of COVID.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, CDC has many recommendations for staying healthy. In preparation for potential gatherings, COVIDCheck Colorado recommends scheduling a test before Thanksgiving as well as several days after to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please schedule your test and encourage your team to sign up online as well.
Lastly, reducing the burden of influenza this year will be critical to support the already overburdened hospital systems and healthcare providers. COVID-19 and the flu are both contagious respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. There is a vaccine to help prevent the flu, please see a vaccine finder tool to find a location near you. Please encourage staff to get a flu vaccine to keep themselves and the community safe.
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The Scholastic Book Fair is back! While the Fair will be exclusively held online this year, we still plan on making it a fun and joyous experience for our kids.
Features include:
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Stedman’s own online store, with a large selection of titles, at the right price points
- A Virtual Fair so you and your kids can experience the magic of the school shopping experience. Browse titles by grade, meet popular authors, and discover the comfort and joy of our Fair
- Every dollar you spend will benefit our school directly (25% back in rewards!)
Save these dates! Fair Dates: November 9-23
We can’t wait to “see” you at the Fair! (Please also be sure to tell your teacher which book your child is picking as a gift from PTA!)
Log in and be sure to shop the Stedman store!
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Cold vs. Flu vs. Covid-19 |
Feeling sick? Many of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, which can make it hard to tell the difference based on symptoms alone. They are both contagious respiratory illnesses that are caused by different viruses. If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or others, we recommend you get a COVID-19 test.
Free testing for DPS students will be available for same day appointments, including Saturday, with a 24-hour turn around at the following Denver Health locations:
- Federico F. Pena Southwest Family Health Center and Urgent Care
- Lowry Family Health Center
- Montbello Family Health Center
- Rita Bass Trauma and EMS Education Institute
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While this year is unlike any other, there are still ways for us to continue supporting our students.
Please continue reading your emails from PTA and reach out to pta.stedman@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to jump in! We'll provide updates here in the newsletter as well.
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LONGMONT DAIRY CAPS
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If you order from Longmont Dairy, save all your milk caps! Send them to our front office and we are able to turn them in for a donation.
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King Soopers
Did you know that you can link your King Soopers account to Stedman and help us raise money without spending any extra dollars? It's so easy!
How To Use the King Soopers/ City Market Community Rewards Program:
Step 2: Sign in to your account (or create a new account with your email and King Soopers card #)
Step 3: Search for Stedman Knights PTA (NPO # -- XK374)
Step 4: Select Enroll
Congrats, you have successfully enrolled in the Community Rewards program and 5% of your purchases will support Stedman Elementary!!
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PTA MEETING
Join us for our next virtual PTA meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd at 6pm. We keep these limited to one hour and would love to see your face!
Wednesday, Dec. 2 @ 6pm
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Colorado Storms Youth Basketball (through I9 Sports)
(opportunities for coaches and players!)
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Stedman Spirit Gear
Our new store for Stedman Spirit Gear is finally up! If you are interested in purchasing a new item, please visit this site. Orders will be handled individually and a portion of all sales will be donated back to the school by the vendor.
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Emergency Financial Assistance |
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Knowing the COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact the lives of Denver families, DHS is now offering emergency/disaster assistance payments up to $4,000 to qualifying residents.
These payments can be used for a variety of reasons – to cover rent or pay the mortgage, to pay for mental or medical care, to pay for home or auto repairs, to pay for food or school supplies, and more. To qualify, one must be:
- TANF Broad-Based Eligibility Criteria for Disaster Aid: Denver resident
- Household is determined to be ineligible for public assistance programs;
- Annual household income is under $75,000;
- Eligible child in the household (according to state rules and regulations);
- Lawfully present in the country; and
- Has a need for services directly relating COVID-19-related emergency
The program is open until funds are exhausted. To apply, go to Colorado.gov/PEAK and apply for Colorado Works/TANF. Please note that because this is a unique and temporary program, the “Am I eligible?” feature will not distinguish between this program and the regular Colorado Works/TANF programs. We encourage anyone with questions to call 720-944-4DHS (4347) to speak with a customer services representative.
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Family Supports
If your family is in need of additional support, please be sure to reach out to our Family Liaison, Ali Larson, via text or email: alison_larson@dpsk12.org. We have access to some food and transportation resources that may be helpful during these stressful times.
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