Weekly Newsletter for Denver Center for International Studies Parents and Guardians
March 1, 2021
Dear DCIS Families,
As an international school, focused on developing our students capacity to recognize diverse perspectives, and also to take action against injustice, we would like to ask for your support in having “table talks” with your children. Although there are many issues of intolerance, bias, and racism to tackle, we ask you to start with these two topics: the use of slurs and biased language, and islamophobia.
The goal of these table talks with your DCIS students, whether around the dinner table, or any other time convenient for your family, is to strengthen our community commitment to allyship. Being an ally to people who are targeted by hate speech, harassment, or bullying means supporting targeted people, whether you know them or not. It means not participating in the hurtful actions, but also moving out of bystander mode and telling aggressors to stop. It also means informing a trusted adult, getting to know people instead of judging them, and being an ally online. For more details about allyship, see this article from the Anti-Defamation League.
These two table talk guides have questions you can use for the discussions with your children. We know that these conversations can be uncomfortable, and we believe they are important to have. Thank you for taking the time to discuss these topics with your children.
FREE Student COVID-19 Testing In partnership with COVIDCheck Colorado, DPS is offering free COVID-19 testing to students to support a safe return-to-school. All tests are free, fast, and reliable.
Tests will be completed via nasal PCR test or SalivaDirect, and results are returned within 36-72 hours. To register for a test, click here. Thank you for helping keep our students, staff, and school safe!
Technology Support at DCIS
Experiencing Chromebook or Tech Issues? Please complete this survey (must be signed in to your DPS account) if you are experiencing any of the following: keyboard issues, damaged screen, video camera not working, not connecting to WiFi, won't work unless plugged in (battery issue), charger broken, other and if you need headphones.If your student needs to borrow a computer charger for the day, please review this DPS Device Guide and include the following in your request: 1) Student's Full Name or SID 2) Manufacturer of CB 3) Classroom to deliver to.
Note: Students attending in-person learning, please use THISlink to sign up for grab-and-go lunch that will be delivered to period 4 (complete by 10:05 AM each day).
DPS Students Can Now Apply to 60 Historically Black Colleges and Universities with One Free Application DPS seniors interested in applying to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can now use the Common Black College Application (CBCA) -- a single application for up to 60 HBCUs -- at no cost, thanks to a partnership between DPS and the CBCA.
Students will need to use the promo code: "denps2021" to have fees waived.This opportunity will be available to DPS students through September 1, 2021. Links to videos to guide students through the application process:
Please share and invite others
We are hosting a virtual welcome conversation and info session for incoming 6th-grade families on Thursday, March 4th from 5-6 PM. This event is also open to anyone interested in learning more about DCIS for the 2021-22 school year.
DCIS Clothing Closet & Food Pantry We have seen many teachers donate food to the food bank - thank you! We are still accepting donations. To donate, contact Miguel at miguel_urdiales@dpsk12.org or 720-423-9018.
Resources from our food pantry are available for parent pick-up on Fridays from 1-3 PM or students can visit the food pantry (room 135) at dismissal and bring food home with them on Fridays at 12:45 PM. Please fill out the form here to tell us your preference.To promote safety, the clothing closet is available by appointment. Use the same form above to schedule with Miguel.
DCIS is getting a knitting/crochet club! All levels of experience are welcome to join, beginner to advanced! We will be teaching some of the basics for first-time learners and making materials accessible to students who are unable to cover the costs of yarn, hooks, or needles. If you need those materials, please fill out the link here. We meet every Monday from 2:00 to 3:00 under the google meets code yarnclub. Please join us and help learn a fun and calming life skill!
And, if you are unable to attend club meetings, you can still participate! We’re calling all parents, alumni, students, and staff to help knit or crochet a beautiful art installation for the school! It will be made of small country flags that we will sew together and install in the school building! Everyone is welcome to help make one of these squares. If you’re interested, please fill out this form here.
DCIS High School Quarter 4 Support Starting Q4 March 15, students in our high school will be scheduled into key mathematics and credit recovery sessions with our staff. For some, this will occur during Advisement, and during the extended learning time from 1:00-3:00 PM. More details will be coming - expect to hear directly from a DCIS staff member in the next week if your student is identified for this targeted support.
'No credit'/Incomplete's from Spring '20 Individual emails went out to each student and family/guardian on 2/17 for students who earned a 'no credit '/incomplete from second semester last year. The email includes which class they need to make up and a direct link to the Schoology folder in the DCIS HS Unit/Course Recovery: Spring '20course that should contain 1-2 essential assignments students can complete to show they understand the content for the course. If there is no work, please reach out to the teacher who taught that course last year.
Here is a video (video in Spanish)to help you access/students understand how to access their work (this is the same process for helping students access the Schoology folder for incomplete work they're making up for this past Fall '20 semester).
ICAP - All Families Beginning with the class of 2021, ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) will now be a graduation requirement for all DPS students. Therefore, it is important that we all work toward helping our students complete theirs.
ICAP Plans, current and historical, can be found in the Student Portal. A reminder that student’s login is:
Username: Student ID number
Password: 8-digit birthdate
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Padilla, MAUREEN_PADILLA@dpsk12.org
Announcements for Class of 2021 Seniors and Families
FAFSA Please make sure you and your student have submitted the FAFSAif you are planning to attend college in Fall 2021. Many colleges have priority deadlinesthat often partner with an institution's scholarship requirements and deadlines. Please reach out with any questions. Attached here is the financial aid presentation provided in the fall: College Planning/Financial Aid Info
Financial Aid Information Mini-Series CU Denver is offering Info Sessions on FAFSA, FSA ID, Verification Forms, and more.Fin Aid Mini-Series
Transcripts If you need transcripts or mid-year reports sent to colleges please make sure you are updating your information in MaiaLearning and filling out the document/transcript request for any mid-year college needs.Transcript document request form
Scholarship $$$ Please check out many scholarship opportunities in Schoology:
Class of 2021
Resources
Scholarships
Announcements for Class of 2022 Juniors and Their Families
Please look over the criteria for the QuestBridge CollegePrep Scholars Program: Why should students apply? QuestBridge partners with 45 top colleges to prepare College Prep Scholars to gain admission and full four-year scholarships to Stanford, Yale, Duke, and more through the National College Match. College Prep Scholars can receive special awards and opportunities, including a full scholarship to a college summer program, up to $1,000 for a new laptop, essay feedback, and much more. Read more here.
Families of Sophomores and Juniors Spring is the time to start researching different options for colleges. There are often large College Fairs or On Campus tours. Many of these events have become virtual. Big Futures, a part of CollegeBoard, is offering a College Fair on 4 different dates in February and March. The dates are organized by featuring colleges in different regions of the United States. We encourage you to have your student register. It's a great way to start getting information.
Freshmen and Families Please read about the program Mind Matters Colorado. It is a program for current 9th graders to apply to be connected with Mentors to assist in planning for college and other post-secondary planning opportunities. Please see the flyer and sign-up for an upcoming Informational Session:Minds Matter Flyer. Note: There are two more info sessions left for prospective students: Tuesday, 3/2 from 5:30-6pm and Thursday, 3/11 from 5:30-6pm.
Need Tutoring Help? NHS offers tutoring help on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 -2:30 PM using the dcisnhs Google Meet.
Students Interested in Joining the JROTC? Please reach out to Ms. DeGuire for more information at julie_deguire@dpsk12.org
Cherry Creek’s 3rd Annual HBCU/HSI/NASI College Fair - March 4th This year will be virtual but it is still free for students. We will be using StriveScan so if they are not registered, they will not get the participation link. Space is limited, sign-up today at: https://www.strivescan.com/cherrycreek/
9th Grade College EXPO - March 9th from 9:30-11:30 A.M Freshmen Families: please join this year’s event virtually. Students will have the opportunity to explore Auraria Campus, including Metro, CCD, and UCD. There will be three LIVE streaming events -- College 101, Financial Aid, and a student panel. More info can be foundHERE.
Apply for a 2021 DCIS Student Grant WE SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS! Do you have a student(s) who wants to participate in a community program in the spring/summer of 2021, but don't think you have the money to pay for it?
Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) could get 100% of their program costs covered, or 50% for all other students.
Program approval and the final amount granted are at our discretion, but any summer camp; workshop, online course, etc. should qualify. Fill in the form to make sure!
HOW WILL WE COVER YOUR COSTS? Simply fill in this form, and chose whether you want to submit your INVOICE or your RECEIPT to Marie at dcis.community@gmail.com, and she will be in touch with your Advisor!
NOTE: All information submitted is confidential.
Yearbook Announcement Attention DCIS Families! Yearbooks are available this year via pre-order only! Deadline: Order yours by March 16, 2021 for on-time delivery.Yearbooks will be shipped directly to you this year, and available for pre-order here. When you order a yearbook, you get to design (2) custom pages for your copy! Don't forget to design your custom pages by March 16, 2021 - Treering will walk you through the process once you place your order!
Students should have received instructions from their advisors to submit their photos for the yearbook last month, however, if they have not done so, we would still love to receive their photos! Please send yearbook photos with the student's first name, last name, and advisor to dcisyearbook1@gmail.com as soon as possible!
Senior families, new this year for you, tribute ads are available at no cost to all seniors and their families! When you log in or create your TreeRing account, you will be given the option to design your tribute ad. Questions? Contact Abby Hoffman at abby_hoffman@dpsk12.org
March for Steps
Teach your students about setting goals and taking steps to achieve them
Make a list of fun goals that they can choose from or they can choose their own. It should be easy goals they can conquer in March.
Learn to juggle, create a flipbook cartoon, learn to finger knit a scarf, make a self record for jumping rope, learn a magic trick
Creating a goal takes courage!
Taking steps towards achieving a goal takes perseverance and determination
Achieving a goal builds confidence and self-esteem
Over the last four weeks, we’ve been looking at the Global Performance System (GPS) which channels students’ learning in DCIS. We’ve discussed the Four Domains of Global Competence which frames the entire GPS system: Investigate the World, Recognize and Weigh Perspectives, Communicate Ideas with the World, and Take Action. Alone these titles are broadly helpful in all content areas for teachers to connect students’ learning to global issues and understandings.
However, we really want students to become globally competent through the different content areas on their way to graduation. This is one way to express our DCIS mission. If that’s the case, then how do we make these Four Domains specific to each content area? More than that, how do students know that the way they are learning content material is leading them to that competence?
Well, let’s drill down a bit into GPS. Each of these Four Domains has Performance Outcomes for every content area. Performance Outcomes are statements of how students show evidence of global learning in an area of work in that content area. All of the Performance Outcomes were designed at the graduation level and then adapted for the tenth and eighth-grade levels. (Actually, they have also been adapted for the elementary grade levels, too.)
But we’re using the word “competence” here. How do students and their teachers know when a student is actually showing competence for any Performance Outcome?
Ahh - That’s the key question! I’ll answer this question and give an example of this next week as I wind up this particular series of Empowering the Mission of DCIS next week. Stay tuned!
-Dr. Lutz
COMMUNITY NEWS
New DCIS Baker Merchandise is available on the PTSA Website!
There is so much to choose from. We are sure you'll need one of everything. Backpacks, mugs, shopping bags, stickers, hoodies, T-Shirts, and more. Our beautiful updated logo was designed by the talented Lyn Edwards...we love you Lyn!
DCIS Community Garden Now offering garden plots to community members in the neighborhood for the 2021 season!
Please text Pallas Quist at 720-254-0518 if you are interested. They will send you a link to sign-up for a plot; Dues will be $25 for the plot fee and $25 for the DUG membership.
Community Fundraiser:
Support DCIS' Drama Club!
On Monday, March 15, 2021 from 4-8 PM, the DCIS Drama Club will be hosting a fundraiser with the Chipotle located on 6th and Broadway location.
From the funds raised on that day, 33% of the proceeds will come back to help our school drama club and recuperate costs for the spring musical. Please share with friends and family - Thank you!
Collaborative School Committee
Our next meeting is this Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 4:30 PM.See ourrunning agenda herefor updates from our meetings.
Weekly Boletín Requests Hello! Please send any boletín requests (key announcements, community updates, etc.) to our School Communications Specialist at Stephenie_Lock@dpsk12.org. Thank you!
