** Friday, March 26: ECE Only: No School for ECE
** March 27-April 5: No School (Spring Break)
** Wednesday, April 7, 6pm: PTA Meeting
** Sunday, April 11, 10am: Garden Cleanup
** Tuesday, April 13: CMAS Testing begins (grades 3-5)
(The Stedman Calendar can always be viewed HERE)
|
|
|
Families,
Happy Spring Break! We are all excited to have some time for rest and connection. I hope you are able to get some of both this next week. Don't forget that Monday, April 5th is a no-contact day, so students do not return until Tuesday, April 6th.
We have a lot of great information in this week's newsletter. Be sure to scroll all the way down for updates and information on exciting opportunities like virtual enrichment classes, meal distributions over the break, the community garden clean up on April 11th, and even vaccine availability at the Dahlia Campus.
Our PTA is an integral part of our community, and I want to thank those of you that have been involved whether it be in large or small ways. They have worked tirelessly to support our staff, students, vision, and growth as a school. This year's fundraising has taken a hit due to the pandemic, but they will be launching their largest fundraising effort in the coming weeks, so please keep your eyes peeled! We know that giving financially may be difficult these days, so there is never any pressure. But if you are a family with the means to support us in that way, please do! Stay tuned for more information from the PTA about this online fundraiser.
For our families in ECE4, Kindergarten, and 5th Grade, please know that DPS is revising guidelines around graduation/continuation ceremonies and we look forward to begin planning soon. Once we establish dates, we will be sure to let families know. Ceremonies will be outdoors and have limited seating. PTA has always been a great help in supporting these events as well.
We are excited to learn that DPS has revised guidelines around recess and cohort interaction outdoors. After Spring Break, we will implement new lunch/recess schedules that will allow more students to interact on the playgrounds and outdoors (while still masked), removing the need for separate "zones" and designated cohort areas at recess. This will be a great boost for social emotional development as students continue to build relationships.
For our families in 3rd-5th Grades, CMAS testing will begin the week of April 12th. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and enjoys a healthy breakfast each day if possible. We are still awaiting word on what exactly this will look like. There is a chance some tests/testing areas may be excluded this year. All tests will take place in-person, so if your child is in remote learning and you do not want to send them into the school for testing, please email me soon at michael_atkins@dpsk12.org. Remote Families: If you do not opt out, you must be able to bring your child to the school for each testing session. If your child misses a session, we will be penalized as a school. Please be sure to opt out if you do not plan on sending your child. See below for more information about the schedule.
We want to remind families with 3 year olds interested in our new ECE3 full-day offering to please be sure to apply as soon as Round 2 opens on April 6th. There will be limited seats available. If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to alison_larson@dpsk12.org.
The DPS School Board met last night and approved the new start date for the next school year. Please mark your calendars with August 23rd as the new start date. You can find updated school calendars here.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Spring Break. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Michael Atkins
|
|
Nota del Sr. Atkins
Familias
¡Felices vacaciones de primavera! Todos estamos emocionados de tener algo de tiempo para descansar y conectarnos. Espero que puedas conseguir algo de ambos la semana que viene. No olvide que el lunes 5 de abril es un día sin contacto, por lo que los estudiantes no regresan hasta el martes 6 de abril.
Tenemos mucha información excelente en el boletín de esta semana. Asegúrese de desplazarse hacia abajo para obtener actualizaciones e información sobre oportunidades emocionantes como clases de enriquecimiento virtual, distribución de comidas durante las vacaciones, limpieza del jardín comunitario el 11 de abril e incluso disponibilidad de vacunas en el campus de Dahlia.
Nuestra PTA es una parte integral de nuestra comunidad, y quiero agradecer a aquellos de ustedes que han estado involucrados, ya sea en forma grande o pequeña. Han trabajado incansablemente para apoyar a nuestro personal, estudiantes, visión y crecimiento como escuela. La recaudación de fondos de este año se ha visto afectada debido a la pandemia, pero lanzarán su mayor esfuerzo de recaudación de fondos en las próximas semanas, ¡así que mantén los ojos bien abiertos! Sabemos que dar financieramente puede ser difícil en estos días, por lo que nunca hay presión. Pero si usted es una familia con los medios para apoyarnos de esa manera, ¡hágalo! Estén atentos para obtener más información de la PTA sobre esta recaudación de fondos en línea.
Para nuestras familias en ECE4, jardín de infantes y quinto grado, sepan que DPS está revisando las pautas sobre las ceremonias de graduación / continuación y esperamos comenzar a planificar pronto. Una vez que establezcamos las fechas, nos aseguraremos de informar a las familias. Las ceremonias serán al aire libre y tendrán asientos limitados. La PTA siempre ha sido de gran ayuda para apoyar estos eventos también.
Estamos emocionados de saber que DPS ha revisado las pautas sobre el recreo y la interacción de cohortes al aire libre. Después de las vacaciones de primavera, implementaremos nuevos horarios de almuerzo / recreo que permitirán que más estudiantes interactúen en los patios de recreo y al aire libre (mientras todavía están enmascarados), eliminando la necesidad de "zonas" separadas y áreas designadas para grupos en el recreo. Esto será un gran impulso para el desarrollo socioemocional a medida que los estudiantes continúen construyendo relaciones.
Para nuestras familias en los grados 3º a 5º, las pruebas CMAS comenzarán la semana del 12 de abril. Por favor asegúrese de que su hijo duerma lo suficiente y disfrute de un desayuno saludable todos los días si es posible. Todavía estamos esperando noticias sobre cómo será exactamente esto. Existe la posibilidad de que algunas pruebas / áreas de prueba se excluyan este año. Todas las pruebas se llevarán a cabo en persona, por lo que si su hijo está en aprendizaje remoto y no desea enviarlo a la escuela para la prueba, envíeme un correo electrónico pronto a michael_atkins@dpsk12.org. Familias remotas: Si no opta por no participar, debe poder llevar a su hijo a la escuela para cada sesión de evaluación. Si su hijo falta a una sesión, seremos penalizados como escuela. Asegúrese de optar por no participar si no planea enviar a su hijo. Consulte a continuación para obtener más información sobre el horario.
Queremos recordarles a las familias con niños de 3 años interesados en nuestra nueva oferta de día completo de ECE3 que se aseguren de presentar una solicitud tan pronto como se abra la Ronda 2 el 6 de abril. Habrá asientos limitados disponibles. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el proceso, comuníquese con alison_larson@dpsk12.org.
La Junta Escolar de DPS se reunió anoche y aprobó la nueva fecha de inicio para el próximo año escolar. Marque sus calendarios con el 23 de agosto como la nueva fecha de inicio. Puede encontrar calendarios escolares actualizados aquí.
Espero que usted y su familia tengan unas maravillosas vacaciones de primavera. Espero verte pronto.
Atentamente,
Michael Atkins
|
|
Welcome New Nurse Para Tech |
|
We are excited to welcome Stedman mom Tay Johnson to our team! She will be serving as the full time nurse para tech supporting our part-time nurse and our front office. Her role is an important one here at Stedman, and as a nursing student and mother of four, we know she's already more than qualified for this new adventure! She, her husband Charles, and their children live here in Park Hill and are involved in the Stedman PTA as well. Be sure to say hi next time you see them!
Welcome Ms. Tay!!!
|
|
Exciting Virtual Enrichment Opportunities |
|
Spring Break Meal Distribution |
|
HEALTHY FOOD FOR DENVER KIDS |
|
Black Excellence Plan
DPS recently chose to highlight some of the work we've been doing here at Stedman surrounding our Black Excellence Plan. We wanted to share the video they created so you can have a glimpse into the important work happening here.
|
|
CMAS TESTING
Families in 3rd-5th Grade:
Our Stedman 3rd-5th grade students will be taking the annual state assessment, CMAS, beginning on April 13th. Our students have shown strong academic growth this year despite the pandemic, and we are confident that they will perform well.
Although Colorado has applied for a waiver from the federal government to decrease the amount of testing this year, it does not look as though the request will be approved. Therefore, we are planning to administer all of the required tests.
A calendar is included below to provide you with the dates your child will be testing. Please ensure that your child is at school on time each day for testing. We ask families to ensure their children get plenty of sleep every day, but especially on assessment days. In addition, if there are doctor’s appointments or other appointments that need to be made, we hope this calendar will help you to make those appointments on non-assessment days. Please also make sure your student brings their charged DPS device to school each day so that it can be used for testing.
Students learning remotely will need to come into the building during the dates and times indicated on the calendar; we cannot administer the tests remotely. If you are unable to bring your child in for all of his/her testing and did not complete the opt-out form in Parent Portal before February 26, we ask that you please email Michael_Atkins@dpsk12.org stating that you would like to opt out of CMAS testing for your child (please be sure to include your child’s name). Please note that there may be occasions during testing sessions when students who have opted out may have asynchronous/remote learning due to staffing limitations.
***
Nuestros estudiantes de 3º a 5º grado de Stedman tomarán la evaluación estatal anual, CMAS, a partir del 13 de abril. Nuestros estudiantes han mostrado un fuerte crecimiento académico este año a pesar de la pandemia, y estamos seguros de que tendrán un buen desempeño.
Aunque Colorado ha solicitado una exención del gobierno federal para reducir la cantidad de pruebas este año, no parece que la solicitud sea aprobada. Por lo tanto, planeamos administrar todas las pruebas requeridas.
A continuación se incluye un calendario para proporcionarle las fechas en las que su hijo tomará la prueba. Asegúrese de que su hijo esté en la escuela a tiempo todos los días para las pruebas. Pedimos a las familias que se aseguren de que sus hijos duerman lo suficiente todos los días, pero especialmente en los días de evaluación. Además, si hay citas con el médico u otras citas que deban hacerse, esperamos que este calendario lo ayude a programar esas citas en los días sin evaluación. Por favor, también asegúrese de que su estudiante traiga su dispositivo DPS cargado a la escuela todos los días para que pueda usarse para las pruebas.
Los estudiantes que aprenden de forma remota deberán ingresar al edificio durante las fechas y horas indicadas en el calendario; no podemos administrar las pruebas de forma remota. Si no puede traer a su hijo para todas sus pruebas y no completó el formulario de exclusión voluntaria en el Portal para padres antes del 26 de febrero, le pedimos que envíe un correo electrónico a Michael_Atkins@dpsk12.org indicando que le gustaría optar de las pruebas CMAS para su hijo (asegúrese de incluir el nombre de su hijo). Tenga en cuenta que puede haber ocasiones durante las sesiones de prueba en las que los estudiantes que han optado por no participar pueden tener aprendizaje asincrónico / remoto debido a limitaciones de personal.
|
|
Summer Academy
A free summer program for students who need extra practice reading and writing! (DPS's Summer Academy is by invite only)
The DPS Summer Academy is designed for students whose reading assessment scores show they would benefit from extra practice. Students attend the Summer Academy for FREE. Breakfast and lunch are provided each day.
The DPS Summer Academy provides students with a great opportunity for individualized instruction and focused lessons to further develop their literacy skills
Students who are eligible to attend Summer Academy will receive invitation letters. If you receive an invitation, please complete the included registration form and return it to your school or complete the online registration to take advantage of this great summer learning opportunity. After the application period is complete, we will send you more details about your child's Summer Academy location, hours and transportation.
More information on Summer Academy can be found HERE. FAQs can be found HERE.
|
|
Women's History Month
We came across these newspaper photos from the early 1950s in the Stedman archives. It's safe to say that much progress has been made for women since then, but of course we still have a ways to go. WE are history in the making!
|
|
Here are some quick fun videos to share with your children about Women's History Month: |
|
VACCINES AVAILABLE AT DAHLIA CAMPUS |
|
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.
|
|
 |
LONGMONT DAIRY CAPS
-
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.
|
AMAZON SMILE
Do you shop on Amazon? An EASY way to help support our kids and teachers at Stedman is to link your AmazonSmile account to our charity, The Stedman Knights PTA. Click on the above image to be directed to our organizations link. Every purchase you make through smile.amazon.com sends a small portion of the purchase to our school! The money raised goes to supporting our students and the important work being done at Stedman!
Remind your family and friends to link to our school as well!
¿Tienda en Amazon? Una manera fácil de ayudar a mantener a nuestros niños y maestros en Stedman es vincular su cuenta AmazonSmile de nuestra caridad, “Stedman Knights PTA.” Haga clic en la imagen de arriba para dirigirse a nuestras organizaciones enlace. Cada compra que hagas a través smile.amazon.com envía una pequeña porción de la compra a nuestra escuela! El dinero recaudado se destina a apoyar a nuestros estudiantes y la importante labor que se realiza en Stedman!
Recordar su familia y amigos para enlazar a nuestra escuela, también!
|
|
|
|
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!!
***
¿Sabía que puede vincular su cuenta de King Soopers a Stedman y ayudarnos a recaudar dinero sin gastar dólares adicionales? ¡Es tan fácil!
Cómo utilizar el programa de recompensas de la comunidad de King Soopers / City Market:
Paso 1: vaya al sitio web: https://www.kingsoopers.com/account/communityrewards/
Paso 2: inicie sesión en su cuenta (o cree una nueva cuenta con su correo electrónico y número de tarjeta King Soopers)
Paso 3: Busque la PTA de Stedman Knights (NPO # - XK374)
Paso 4: seleccione Inscribirse
¡Felicidades, se inscribió con éxito en el programa Community Rewards y el 5% de sus compras apoyarán a la escuela primaria Stedman!
|
|
|
|
PTA MEETING
Join us for our next virtual PTA meeting on Wednesday, April 7th at 6pm. We keep these limited to one hour and would love to see your face!
Wednesday, April 7 @ 6pm
|
|
FREE MEAL DELIVERY IN DENVER
Sign Up for Colorado Food Cluster Meal Deliveries:
Colorado Food Cluster (CFC) provides free meals to youth ages 6-18 in the Denver Metro Area (within 20 miles of downtown). Each student will receive a weekly delivery of 7 dinners and 14 snacks, including fruit and milk, until June 30, 2021.
Regístrese para las entregas de comidas del grupo de alimentos de Colorado:
Colorado Food Cluster (CFC) ofrece comidas gratuitas a jóvenes de 6 a 18 años en el área metropolitana de Denver (dentro de las 20 millas del centro de la ciudad). Cada alumno recibirá una entrega semanal de 7 cenas y 14 snacks, entre fruta y leche, hasta el 30 de junio de 2021.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Clothes To Kids of Denver (CTKD) provides FREE clothing to children and youth who are in need or in crisis. To shop, students must live in Metro Denver, be age 3 - 21 and be enrolled in school (remote or in-person) or working toward a GED.
Our wardrobe includes 5 outfits, 1 coat, 1 pair of shoes, 1 bra (optional) and 5 pairs each of new underwear and new socks. Students are invited to select clothing in a welcoming, store-like setting or can order a wardrobe for contactless curbside pick-up.
***
We are very excited to have in person shoppers in our store and are taking extra precautions to protect the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff.
***
For families who would prefer a contactless option, we are continuing to offer wardrobes via Curbside Service. This option enables parents and caregivers to request a wardrobe for any student in need, and our staff will shop on their behalf.
Families wishing to shop in person or request a wardrobe for pick-up should call us at 720-379-4630 or email us at appointment@clothestokidsdenver.org for an appointment. Up-to-date phone hours are on the Shop With Us page of our website.
No Referral Required! No matter how families choose to shop, we have temporarily loosened our referral requirements and are providing wardrobes to anyone who says the young people in their households are in need of our services, no questions asked.
Hours of Operation:
Tuesdays - Fridays 9:00 - 4:00
Saturdays 9:00 - 3:00
Sundays & Mondays Closed
Donations Accepted:
Fridays & Saturdays 9:00 - 3:00
We are now accepting clothing and shoe donations on Fridays and Saturdays only between 9:00 and 3:00. We are in need of the basic wardrobe staples (shorts, pants, tops, shoes, etc.). We still cannot accept "extras" at this time.
Donating is Easy!
Gather your clean and ready-to-wear items. Check our updated Donation Guidelines for ideas. Please sort items by category (girls, boys, young women, young men and shoes) to save time at drop-off.
· When you arrive, pull into our loading zone and wait in your car until any staff members or other donors are at a safe distance.
· Empty your donations into one of our rolling bins located outside of our door.
· Please do not leave donations inside of plastic bags. Place your donations in our bins and take your bags with you to reuse.
|
|
Emergency Financial Assistance |
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
