Happy holidays and enjoy the winter break!

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Royal Communication

CEC Early College Newsletter

December 20, 2021 | Issue XLV

Mark Your Calendar for important spring dates

CEC Families, mark your calendars for spring return: January 3rd and 4th are teacher planning days. January 3rd is a district wide DPS planning day and January 4th will be a CEC learning acceleration teacher planning day as we prepare for a strong start to the spring semester! Students will return to school on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

Please note the Spring Semester Calendar includes the No Student Contact days that are specific to CEC only. This means that only CEC students are off on that day and other schools may still be in session. Be sure to mark your calendar for these CEC only specific dates;

March 04 - CEC Teacher Planning Day
*March 25 - Student Support Day (by invitation)
April 29 - CEC Teacher Planning Day
May 24 - Graduation Day for Class of 2022

*Student Support Day is by invitation only. Students will receive an invite, if they have to attend on March 25.

Happy Holidays, Happy Break

Fidel Salazar, Parent Liaison at recent VoCEC Meeting spreading holiday fun with games of Loteria, prizes, food and gifts for everyone.

CEC Familia,

Happy Holidays! Happy Break! I hope this message finds you and your family well and about to enjoy a much deserved holiday break.

This semester has been many things. Exciting. Hard. In Person. I expected and have relished the excitement of being back in person. I did not realize just how hard it would be to come back in the midst of an ongoing pandemic.Thank you students, staff, and families for helping us figure out how to make the most of this bridge year between remote learning and more normal schooling. I look forward to the day when we no longer have to wear masks, socially distance, quarantine, or live with the everyday realities of an ongoing pandemic.

This holiday break, please join me in deep appreciation for each of your student's teachers and the support staff that have made this year possible! Time and again this year, our teachers and staff have put in extra effort to meet our students where they are at and differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. Thank you!

We look forward to welcoming our students back on Wednesday, January 5th as we kick off a strong start to the Spring Semester as a united CEC Familia!

With Gratitude,

Roland Shaw

Principal

What to expect when students return to school on January 5

All students in grades 9-12 will return to school on Wednesday, January 5.

All 9th-10th graders will be at CEC all day from 7:35-2:50 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

All 12th graders will be at CEC all day from 7:35-2:50 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

For 11th graders, please see schedule below:

Wednesday, January 5 - All 11th grade students will be at CEC all day from 7:35-2:50. (Please drop off and pick up at CEC)

Thursday, January 6 - All 11th grade students will be at the CCD college campus from 7:35-2:50. Lunch be served at the CCD campus. (Please drop off and pick up at the CCD college campus)

Friday, January 7 - All 11th grade students at will be at CEC all day from 7:35-2:50. (Please drop off and pick up at CEC).

We look forward to your return and having a strong start to 2nd semester!

Want to attend CEC full-time or do you know someone that does? SchoolChoice Opens Jan 14

CEC is part of the DPS SchoolChoice process. A process where students must apply and select their top schools within the SchoolChoice window. Based on the student's selections and each school’s admissions priorities and available space, they are randomly assigned a lottery number that will determine at which school they are awarded a seat at. School Choice Round 1 begins January 14-February 15, 2022.

Don't miss your chance for an opportunity to apply for a seat at CEC, spots fill up fast!

To get more information about the School Choice process, click the following link;

Find out more on the School Choice process

If you missed the CEC Open House or have more questions and would like to schedule a personal tour, click the following link;

Schedule a tour here

Access Testing for Multilingual Learners

ACCESS testing for our multilingual learners who have not yet demonstrated proficiency in English starts on January 18. Students are tested in four areas of English:

speaking
listening
reading
writing

Testing will take place over the course of about two weeks.

ACCESS testing is a state-mandated test that helps us determine our students' strengths and areas for growth in the English language. Students who show proficiency on the test can be redesignated in the Spring which means they will no longer require extra language support and they no longer have to take the ACCESS test.

Counselors' Corner

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN- Graduation is Tuesday, May 24.

Over 100 students have submitted their Senior Pics & Quotes. If you're still missing yours, please submit it through Schoology as soon as possible!

ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWNS

Prices have gone up for Cap & Gown to $65. Order them now before they go up again! Cap & Gowns are required to participate in graduation. ORDER at: rmbalfour.com

SUPPORT YOUR STUDENT IN SENIOR SEMINAR

Senior Seminar is a required class for all seniors to prepare and discuss career and college opportunities after graduation. It is also a way for them to be with their peers and receive encouragement on this new and exciting journey.

Ask your 12th Grader about our Friday Senior Seminar class & what they've done so far.

Which sessions did they attend?

What to consider when deciding on a career or college major
How to write a strong resume
How to request a letter of recommendation from Teachers and how to send their high school transcripts to colleges
Information about programs & applying to the University of Colorado/Boulder (CUBoulder)
Information about programs & applying to Colorado State University- Fort Collins (CSU)
Information about programs & applying to Metropolitan State University (MSU)
Information about programs & applying to the University of Denver (DU)
Learned information from a former CEC student who is a licensed Realtor and about the Red Rocks Community College program that only takes 4-months to complete
Learned information from a former CEC student who completed her degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado-Denver and now works as a Victim Advocate in Westminster
Learned information from a young female Tattoo Artist and how she uses many job skills to run a profitable business

Senior seminar is a learning community that gives shape to each students' final year of high school and start to their next career or academic journey. Please support your student by encouraging their attendance, staying informed about important dates and asking them questions.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact, CEC Counselor for the Class of 2022; Michele_Stobbe@dpsk12.org or call 720-423-6622

Apply for FAFSA/CASFA now!

So far, 55 seniors have completed their FAFSA/CASFA (financial aid forms) for colleges/universities. We would like all seniors to apply, even if they're not sure what their college plans are yet. If your students needs help to apply, Ms. Stobbe or Mr. Derrek Sandoval will be available to help after winter break.

If you would like to apply on your own, the financial aid application is available at any time, even during winter break; APPLY HERE NOW.

Check out resources about careers, colleges, etc

CEC Counseling

Spring Launch Intership Program

10th - 12th Grade

Interested in doing an internship in the spring semester? Have you taken a career class in the pathway that you’re interested in pursuing?

The internship program will run from February 7th - April 29th. You will need to complete 8-10 hours/week for a total of 100 hours over the course of the semester

Want more information? Fill out this interest form or go talk to Mariah Jordan in Room 119A.

CEC Students respond to recent events

CEC Students' Commitment to Non-Violence

In light of recent events, CEC students call on the community to commit to non-violence to create better, safer schools for all. Please read their open letter below; "We want to ignite change and continue to move forward to ensure safety for our...

Read more
cecdenver.dpsk12.org

Time is running out! Order before Dec 27.

Health Fitness Fall Fundraiser

Support Health Fitness Career students with their fall apparel fundraiser. Money earned is used to pay their certification fees and other course equipment. Don't wait, fundraiser ends Dec 27.

ORDER HERE NOW

Low-Income Energy Assistance

As we move into the state’s colder weather months, the Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors, and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs.

Apply for LEAP

Find mobile food banks near you

Looking for food resources

Food Bank of the Rockies will be bringing their mobile food pantry to Raices Brewing Co. from 9 AM until all inventory runs out.

Anyone needing food is invited and no advance registration is required. Help us spread the word to your family or others.

If you need food resources during the break or at any other time, click on the following link;

Food resources here

Free Covid-19 Testing Near You

The State of Colorado is covering all costs associated for COVID-19 testing, the test is available for FREE for you or anyone you know. Use the link below to register for testing at a site near you.