**February 28: Black History Month Community Video Release
**Tuesday, March 1, 5:15pm: VAC Meeting
**Wednesday, March 2, 6pm: PTA Meeting
**Friday, March 4: ECE ONLY: No School
**Wednesday, March 9: Class Picture Day
**March 16-17: Balarat for 5th Graders
**Friday, March 18, 1pm: Early Release
**Tuesday, March 22: Restaurant Night at Sexy Pizza
(The Stedman Calendar can always be viewed HERE)
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Note From Principal Atkins
Families,
While it was a short week with chilly temperatures, we managed to squeeze in a lot of learning and laughing. We've got a few updates and new resources for your today, be sure to read through the entire newsletter.
It was a pleasure to host Dr. Alex Marrero at Stedman yesterday morning. The DPS Superintendent was able to stop in a few classrooms and see the work of our community, which we were proud to show off!
Starting Monday, we will no longer be enforcing mask-wearing at Stedman for students or adults. We know that masks have helped us curb illness in the community, so I continue to encourage everyone to wear them.
With the lifted restrictions, we are also able to bring back "normal" lunch time for our students, which I know they are excited about. Students will now eat with their grade level in the cafeteria before heading outside to recess each day. This will go into effect on Monday.
We've had a lot of fun learning about and celebrating Black History Month this February. On Monday we will release a video in lieu of our annual Black History Month performance. We are all looking forward to next year when this can return in person!
CMAS assessments start for our 3rd-5th Graders in a few weeks. We are excited for our students to show off their learning. Families in Grades 3-5, please see below for a message about CMAS and testing dates.
PTA will be meeting next week and I encourage you to check them out if you haven't already. They will be planning our Spring Carnival and annual fundraiser to support the work and opportunities we have here at Stedman. I know they would love to see you there! The Spring Carnival (Bones 'n Tones) is one of our favorite community events. Save the Date (April 23) and lend a hand if you can!
March is the month we celebrate the character trait of grit. Please continue this discussion at home as we develop these person success factors in our students. Grit can be shown when you:
- finish projects even when you feel like quitting
- stick with a project or activity
- stay committed to goals, even after experiencing failure
Enjoy the sunshine that is returning and have a wonderful weekend!
Michael Atkins
PS - Don't forget to sign up for a CSA with the Urban Farm if you're interested! Only a few spots left. Your paid membership will also help them provide free memberships for Stedman families who cannot afford one.
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Nota del Sr. Atkins
Familias,
Si bien fue una semana corta con temperaturas frías, logramos aprender mucho y reír. Tenemos algunas actualizaciones y nuevos recursos para usted hoy, asegúrese de leer todo el boletín.
Fue un placer recibir al Dr. Alex Marrero en Stedman esta mañana. ¡El superintendente de DPS pudo detenerse en algunos salones de clases y ver el trabajo de nuestra comunidad, que nos enorgullecía mostrar!
A partir del lunes, ya no aplicaremos el uso de máscaras en Stedman para estudiantes o adultos. Sabemos que las máscaras nos han ayudado a frenar las enfermedades en la comunidad, por lo que sigo alentando a todos a que las usen.
Con las restricciones levantadas, también podemos traer de vuelta la hora del almuerzo "normal" para nuestros estudiantes, que sé que les entusiasma. Los estudiantes ahora comerán con su nivel de grado en la cafetería antes de salir al recreo todos los días. ¡Esto entrará en vigor el lunes!
Nos divertimos mucho aprendiendo y celebrando el Mes de la Historia Negra este febrero. El lunes lanzaremos un video en lugar de nuestra actuación anual del Mes de la Historia Negra. ¡Todos estamos deseando que llegue el próximo año cuando esto pueda volver en persona!
Las evaluaciones CMAS comienzan para nuestros alumnos de 3.º a 5.º grado en unas pocas semanas. Estamos emocionados de que nuestros estudiantes muestren su aprendizaje. Familias en los grados 3-5, vean a continuación un mensaje sobre CMAS y las fechas de las pruebas.
La PTA se reunirá la próxima semana y le animo a que los visite si aún no lo ha hecho. Estarán planeando nuestro Carnaval de Primavera y la recaudación de fondos anual para apoyar el trabajo y las oportunidades que tenemos aquí en Stedman. ¡Sé que les encantaría verte allí! El Carnaval de Primavera (Bones 'n Tones) es uno de nuestros eventos comunitarios favoritos. ¡Guarde la fecha (23 de abril) y eche una mano si puede!
Marzo es el mes en que celebramos el rasgo de carácter de la determinación. Continúe esta discusión en casa mientras desarrollamos estos factores de éxito personal en nuestros estudiantes. La determinación se puede mostrar cuando usted:
- terminar proyectos incluso cuando tenga ganas de renunciar
- seguir con un proyecto o actividad
- mantenerse comprometido con los objetivos, incluso después de experimentar el fracaso
¡Disfrutad del sol que vuelve y que tengáis un maravilloso fin de semana!
Michael Atkins
PD: ¡No olvide inscribirse en un CSA con Urban Farm si está interesado! Quedan pocos lugares. Su membresía paga también les ayudará a proporcionar membresías gratuitas para las familias de Stedman que no pueden pagar una.
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News from the Stedman PATH |
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Class Picture Day
Mark your calendars: Classes will be taking their group pictures on March 9th!
Marque sus calendarios: ¡las clases se tomarán sus fotos grupales el 9 de marzo!
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Continuation Dates
Families in ECE4, Kinder, and 5th Grades, please mark your calendar for the Continuation ceremonies taking place this Spring. We'll provide more details in the coming months!
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ECE4: Wednesday, June 1st (morning)
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Kindergarten: Thursday, June 2nd (daytime)
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5th Grade: Wednesday, June 1st (early evening)
Familias en ECE4, Kinder y 5to grado, marquen su calendario para las ceremonias de continuación que se llevarán a cabo esta primavera. ¡Proporcionaremos más detalles en los próximos meses!
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ECE4: miércoles 1 de junio (mañana)
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Jardín de infancia: jueves 2 de junio (horario diurno)
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5.º grado: miércoles 1 de junio (temprano por la noche)
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CMAS Information for 3rd-5th Grade
Our Stedman 3rd-5th grade students will be taking the annual state assessment, CMAS, beginning on March 22nd. Our students have shown strong academic growth this year despite the uncertainty of the last three academic years, and we are confident that they will perform well.
These assessments focus on providing our school information on how well our students are doing on grade-level standards. Teachers will use this information to determine how we can better meet the needs of our students. Our 3rd-5th grade students will take the English Language Arts and Math assessments. Fifth graders will also take the CMAS Science assessment.
During the past three years, we have had many different distractions. As a result, our children's school experiences have been vastly different from our own, as they have navigated many different scenarios beyond our greatest imaginations. With that said, Stedman has remained hyper-focused on our supports and resources to quickly adapt and meet students' academic needs. We are proud of the work we have done in collaboration with our parent community. We know our students are prepared, and we look forward to watching them CRUSH the Colorado Measure of Academic Success (CMAS) exam.
Families - please mark your calendar for this year's CMAS dates.
- March 22, 23, 24 - 3rd-5th English Language Arts, 9:30 am
- April 12, 13, 14 - 5th Math, 9:30am
- April 19, 20, 21- 3rd, 4th Math, 9:30am & 5th Science, 9:15 am
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Nuestros estudiantes de 3.° a 5.° grado de Stedman tomarán la evaluación estatal anual, CMAS, a partir del 22 de marzo. Nuestros estudiantes han mostrado un fuerte crecimiento académico este año a pesar de la incertidumbre de los últimos tres años académicos y estamos seguros de que tendrán un buen desempeño.
Estas evaluaciones se enfocan en proporcionar información a nuestra escuela sobre qué tan bien se están desempeñando nuestros estudiantes en los estándares de nivel de grado. Los maestros utilizarán esta información para determinar cómo podemos satisfacer mejor las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes. Nuestros estudiantes de 3.° a 5.° grado tomarán las evaluaciones de Artes del Lenguaje Inglés y Matemáticas. Los estudiantes de quinto grado también tomarán la evaluación de Ciencias CMAS.
Durante los últimos tres años, hemos tenido muchas distracciones diferentes. Como resultado, las experiencias escolares de nuestros hijos han sido muy diferentes a las nuestras, ya que han navegado por muchos escenarios diferentes más allá de nuestra mayor imaginación. Dicho esto, Stedman se ha mantenido hiperenfocado en nuestros apoyos y recursos para adaptarse rápidamente y satisfacer las necesidades académicas de los estudiantes. Estamos orgullosos del trabajo que hemos realizado en colaboración con nuestra comunidad de padres. Sabemos que nuestros estudiantes están preparados y esperamos verlos SUPERAR el examen de la Medida de Éxito Académico de Colorado (CMAS).
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Cool CSA Opportunity for ALL!
**ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT!**
The Urban Farm CSA at Stedman Elementary!
The Urban Farm (TUF) and Stedman Elementary are teaming up to offer your family farm fresh, healthy produce grown right here in Denver. TUF will be offering 3 seasonal CSA Membership options: Spring, Summer, and Fall. You can sign up for one or all three allowing you to decide what works best for your family.
For each week of the CSA, freshly harvested veggies from TUF will be sent home with your Stedman student! In addition, by purchasing a CSA from TUF you are supporting healthy food access in your community. TUF will be distributing up to 50 Free CSA shares per season to qualifying Stedman families. Your support makes this possible! (If you are a family that cannot afford a membership but are interested in receiving a free CSA share, please reach out to alison_larson@dpsk12.net or our front office)
CSA Sign-up
Spaces are limited, so don't wait! Learn more and register for your Spring and/or Fall CSA now at the link below! Details for the Summer CSA are still to be determined and registration info will be announced shortly.
What is a CSA and what does it stand for?
Community Supported Agriculture is a system that connects the producer and consumers within the food system more closely by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of a local farm... It is an alternative socioeconomic model of agriculture and food distribution that allows the producer and consumer to share the risks and benefits of farming!
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Inclusion Corner
Monday is the last day of Black History Month. We hope you've been able to seek out the contributions, celebrations, and joy in Black History this month!
Here's a PBS Kids video for children to learn more about Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Jesse Owens, Ella Fitzgerald, and Harriet Tubman.
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Mask Update from the Superintendent
Sent Wednesday, February 9th:
Today, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment announced that the public health order requiring masks in schools will expire at the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 25. Masks are still required in all indoor school settings until that date. The decision by DDPHE means that, beginning Monday, Feb. 28, masks will no longer be required but will be strongly recommended for all students, staff, and visitors across DPS.
Throughout the pandemic, DPS has worked closely with our state and local health partners, including DDPHE and Denver Health. Our COVID-19 plan and procedures continue to be guided by their medical and public health expertise. Our health partners made this decision based on high rates of immunity and lower rates of severe disease. We have a very high vaccination rate in our community; about 80% of Denver residents ages 5 and older are vaccinated. DPS also is in full compliance, across all schools and worksites, with the city’s vaccine mandate.
“Coming out of Omicron, we’re now at a different phase of the pandemic,” said Dr. Steven Federico, Director of Pediatrics for Denver Health and our close partner on our COVID response team. “The focus moving forward needs to be on vaccination—including boosters for teens and adults, as well staying home and getting tested when we’re sick. The lifting of this mandate does not mean that individuals should not or cannot mask.”
I am so tremendously grateful to the entire DPS community for coming together during the pandemic to follow the guidelines set forth by our health agencies and to do our best to adapt to changes, always while helping to ensure the healthiest conditions in our buildings for our scholars, our educators, and each other. If you or your family members have not yet been vaccinated or boosted, please do so as soon as possible, as it remains the best way to protect our children, families, and neighbors.
We will continue to work closely with our health partners, and we will remain flexible and diligent as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.
There are ongoing discussions between public officials and the state about changes to quarantine and reporting as rates decline. And we will also be providing updated health and safety guidance in the coming days for meetings, Central Support sites, and athletic and other school events.
Thank you again for your patience and perseverance as we continue to support our scholars, schools, and each other.
In collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent, Denver Public Schools
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Free Youth Concert
Vocal Coalition Youth Choirs presents
OVERCOME: BLACK MUSIC MATTERS
Saturday, February 26th, 7:00pm
Park Church
3025 W 37th Ave, Denver
Concert admission is free thanks to the generous support of
Arts In Society. Livestream option will be available.
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Summer Connections: Registration Open NOW |
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! |
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We are so grateful that our PTA has developed relationships with some local businesses who are now supporting our school community through a sponsorship! Please keep these amazing businesses in mind (and reach out to us if you know of other local businesses that might be interested in a sponsorship!).
¡Estamos muy agradecidos de que nuestra PTA haya desarrollado relaciones con algunas empresas locales que ahora están apoyando a nuestra comunidad escolar a través de un patrocinio! Tenga en cuenta estas increíbles empresas (y comuníquese con nosotros si conoce otras empresas locales que podrían estar interesadas en un patrocinio).
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COVID Vaccines for Ages 5+
Children age 5 years and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are the strongest layer of protection we can offer children against COVID-19. This fall, COVID-19 rates have been higher in school-aged children than adults. While fewer children get severely ill with COVID-19 than adults, they still can get sick with the virus and spread it to other people. Some get sick enough to need hospitalization. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help your child stay healthy, keep them in school, and protect your family and community.
Click HERE to learn more and find locations or upcoming vaccine clinics.
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Los niños de 5 años en adelante pueden recibir la vacuna COVID-19. Las vacunas son la capa de protección más fuerte que podemos ofrecer a los niños contra el COVID-19. Este otoño, las tasas de COVID-19 han sido más altas en niños en edad escolar que en adultos. Si bien menos niños que adultos se enferman gravemente con COVID-19, aún pueden enfermarse con el virus y contagiarlo a otras personas. Algunos se enferman lo suficiente como para necesitar hospitalización. Recibir una vacuna COVID-19 puede ayudar a su hijo a mantenerse saludable, mantenerlo en la escuela y proteger a su familia y comunidad.
Haga clic AQUÍ para obtener más información y encontrar ubicaciones o próximas clínicas de vacunas.
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Free Meal Delivery Available to Youth 18 and Under
Colorado Food Cluster will provide free, nutritious, weekly delivery of 7 meals & snacks, including milk and fruit. The meals are chef-cooked and are ready to heat in the microwave. Any youth 18 years and younger are eligible, and families can enroll multiple students in each household.
Colorado Food Cluster proporcionará una entrega semanal gratuita y nutritiva de 7 comidas y refrigerios, incluida la leche y la fruta. Las comidas son cocinadas por el chef y están listas para calentar en el microondas. Cualquier joven de 18 años o menos es elegible y las familias pueden inscribir a varios estudiantes en cada hogar.
Obtenga más información aquí y utilice este formulario para inscribirse en la entrega de comida gratuita (el formulario está disponible en inglés y español). Generalmente, toma de 1 a 2 semanas desde la inscripción hasta la entrega de la primera comida.
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Mental Health Resources For Families of Color |
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Our Colorado based model of culturally-centered and responsive care promotes individual and communal resiliency. By crossing racial, ethnic, and cultural barriers we work more intentionally to connect and remove any bias that is prohibitive of the healing process of mental health care. This groundbreaking work has forged a portal of access for the community that is responsive, representative, trauma-informed, and delivered with compassion to advance mental health equity in communities of color.
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Interested in Volunteering?
(From DPS: On August 2, Mayor Hancock announced a new public health order mandating that all employees,
volunteers, contractors, and others at DPS be vaccinated against COVID-19. Anyone who volunteers in a DPS school is required to go through our volunteer application and background check process with Volunteer Services.
This process will now include a requirement to
demonstrate that the volunteer is vaccinated. Volunteers will submit their vaccination information to the school that they volunteer. If you do not have a volunteer’s record of vaccination information a volunteer will not be able to help in the school until it is completed.)
We are starting to allow parent/guardian volunteers in the building on a limited basis. If you are interested in volunteering this year at Stedman, you must follow these steps:
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Visit DPS Volunteer Services to fill out the background check
- Make sure you are fully vaccinated
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Email our Dean of Culture Ali Larson at alison_larson@dpsk12.org. In your email please include:
- Days of the week you can help
- If you have a preferred classroom
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Estamos comenzando a permitir a los padres / tutores voluntarios en el edificio de forma limitada. Si está interesado en ser voluntario este año en Stedman, visite Servicios de Voluntarios de DPS para completar la verificación de antecedentes, asegúrese de estar completamente vacunado y envíe un correo electrónico a nuestro Decano de Cultura Ali Larson a alison_larson@dpsk12.org.
Incluya en su correo electrónico:
- Días de la semana en los que puedes ayudar
- Si tienes un salón de clases preferido
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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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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!
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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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¿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!
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**Housing Assistance for Families and Staff**
Department of Housing Stability Emergency Rental Assistance Program- This program can assist households at risk of eviction due directly or indirectly to COVID-19 hardships. We can provide up to 15-months of rental arrears as well as relocation assistance including security deposit and application fee assistance. Any households with language/technology barriers may also call the Colorado Housing Connects hotline (1-844-926-6632) for assistance with their application. While this program only serves Denver residents, the State of Colorado is also running their own Emergency Rental Assistance Program which is serving counties throughout the state.
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If your child's Chromebook is damaged or missing, here is the protocol and fee structure from last year:
As a reminder, there is a cost associated with damaged or lost devices (please see below).
HOW TO REPORT A LOST OR DAMAGED DEVICE:
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Complete Stedman’s Technology Support Form to report a lost or damaged device
- Email Jerri Succo (jerri_succo@dpsk12.org), Stedman’s STR outlining the technology issue. Jerri will communicate the appropriate steps to either repair or replace the device. As a reminder, there is a cost associated with damaged or lost devices (please see below).
- Jerri will connect you with Kait Parsons (kaitlin_parsons@dpsk12.org), Stedman’s secretary, and she will assist guardian’s with payment if there is a cost associated with replacing or repairing your device.
- Kait will coordinate a time to either pick up your repaired or new device.
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Virtual Library
Did you know that your student has access to tens of thousands of books and audiobooks online? This is an incredible tool that your student and family can use to read as many books as you could possibly want. Don't miss out on this resource! (You can also add the Denver Public Library to your profile to access even more titles)
To learn how to use this app, please watch the video below. (English & Spanish options below)
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¿Sabía que su estudiante tiene acceso a decenas de miles de libros y audiolibros en línea? Esta es una herramienta increíble que su estudiante y su familia pueden usar para leer todos los libros que desee. ¡No se pierda este recurso! (También puede agregar la Biblioteca Pública de Denver a su perfil para acceder a más títulos)
Para aprender a usar esta aplicación, vea el video a continuación. (Opciones en inglés y español a continuación)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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