Monthly Family Newsletter - December 5, 2024

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Monthly Family Newsletter December 5, 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ A Message from the Superintendent - Home and School Partnership ​ Dear Families,   Friendship can be the bond that motivates students to look forward to going to school. Positive and strong friendships develop over a student’s time in school. Some students find their best friend in elementary school and retain that strong friendship throughout a lifetime. Others find the friends they connect with in middle school and then again in high school. I was fortunate to meet my best friend in Ms. Anthenat’s 7th-grade math class; we are still connected to this day. Not only do students make lasting friendships while in school, but so do parents. These relationships often grow over time, some forming instantly, while others, like a plant, require care and nurture to flourish year after year. ​ ​ ​ ​ Friendships are more apt to develop in a strong community. The stronger the community, the more we feel like we belong and the more open we are to letting others in. A community, by definition, is a feeling of fellowship with others that results in sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. In Englewood, I see and feel a strong connection throughout our community. At the Clayton Math Night, families gathered and connected around posters to solve math equations. Mr. Hoganson, the principal, greeted families who then connected with the former principal, Ms. Buster, who is now our Director of Learning Services. The community connection is strong and filled with familiar faces. At our ECE at Maddox, Ms. Kara Blanchard has been a leader for over 15 years. She greets families with a warm smile at the door every morning. At Englewood High School, during the Showcase Night, I saw students who grew up together connect in the halls and discuss what this next step might hold for them. I saw staff welcoming new faces and reassuring them that they would find a home and connection at EHS. Mr. Smith, the EHS principal who has led the faculty for over 8 years, talked with families about Advanced Placement classes and the importance of understanding the content, not just earning a grade. These four leaders are examples of creating a strong community so that the school's culture is one of friendship and belonging. ​ ​ ​ ​ Through Choice Enrollment, you can share the community and friendship you feel here in Englewood with others. Round one of Choice Enrollment for families that live outside our district opens on Friday, December 6, and closes on Friday, January 19.  I understand you have a choice when selecting the school your child attends. Englewood has strong academic offerings and is ripe with opportunities for lasting friendships. A lifetime of connection with our community awaits as you enter the doors of Englewood Schools. In Partnership, Joanna ​ ​ ​ ​ District News and Department Updates ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Exciting Choice Enrollment Announcement ​ Get ready! The Round One Choice Enrollment window opens December 6 - January 19 for the 2025/26 school year! Englewood Schools offers diverse, tailored learning experiences, ensuring you'll find the perfect fit for your student. Act fast—space is limited! Submit your Choice Enrollment Application as soon as you decide. Applying during Round One increases your chances of acceptance! Who Should Apply?  Out-of-district students   Current Choice students moving up (Kindergarten, Middle School, High School)   Englewood residents wishing to attend a non-boundary school   Important: Applications are processed based on priority and first-come, first-served as space allows. You’ll receive decisions via email within two weeks after the enrollment window closes. Mark Your Calendars: Round Two runs February 1 - August 31, 2025. For more info, contact Kris Kochevar at 303-806-2051 or kristine_kochevar@engschools.net. Don't miss out—apply early! ​ ​ ​ ​ Safety & Security ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Meet Mark Edson, Our New Director of Safety & Security ​ We're excited to introduce Mark Edson as our new Director of Safety and Security. Mark brings a wealth of experience to Englewood Schools, having served in various roles in law enforcement and school district security. Most recently, Mark was the Security Services Manager for Boulder Valley School District, overseeing the safety of sixty schools. Before that, he held positions with Littleton Public Schools and the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. Mark's passion for serving students and staff, combined with his warm personality, makes him a perfect fit for our district. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Mark! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Safe2Tell Update ​ In our continued effort to create a safe learning environment, the Director of Safe2Tell (S2T), Stacy Jenkins and her colleague Brett Cogswell, Training and Outreach Coordinator, presented to the Board of Education on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. In the presentation, they reviewed the purpose of S2T – to save lives by preventing tragedy, how to make a report, and intriguing statistics like The National Threat Assessment Center Study found that 77% of the time, someone other than the perpetrator knew about the intended violence and failed to tell anyone. To watch the entire presentation, which begins at 6:18 p.m., visit our live meeting archives here. The next step is to hold a virtual town hall in February, during which Brett Cogswell will present information to families and give them the time and space to ask questions regarding this state-mandated tool. A specific date will be forthcoming. ​ ​ ​ ​ 2025-26 District Calendar ​ ​ ​ ​ Exciting News: 2025-26 School Year Calendar Finalized! ​ After carefully reviewing feedback from families and staff through our recent surveys, we are thrilled to announce the finalized 2025-26 school year calendar! Your input played a vital role in shaping the schedule, ensuring it reflects the needs and priorities of our school community. Here are a few highlights of the 2025-26 district calendar: First Day of School: August 13 Winter Break: December 22-January 6 Spring Break: March 16-20 Last Day of School: May 28 We are committed to providing a balanced calendar that supports both learning and time for rest and rejuvenation. Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey and helped guide this process. The 2025-26 and 2026-27 district calendars are now available on our district website. ​ ​ ​ ​ EMS/ELA Discussion ​ ​ ​ ​ Englewood Middle School and Englewood Leadership Academy ​ Englewood Middle School and Englewood Leadership Academy are two cherished schools in Englewood. At the request of the administration and families, the Board of Education is in the information-gathering stage of exploring a decision to combine Englewood Middle School (EMS) and Englewood Leadership Academy (ELA). It is paramount to the Board of Education that they hear from our community during this process. During the decision-making process, the Board will continue to seek community input through community gatherings, School Accountability Committee meetings, town halls, a survey, and formal recommendations that may include the Long Range Planning Committee, student group(s), administration, District leadership, and the District Accountability Committee. In order to ensure the Board is following a clear and transparent process, they discussed, made changes to, and passed Board Policy FCB. In the coming weeks, more communication will follow in a separate letter from the Board of Education. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Grants ​ ​ ​ ​ A Titlewave of New Books! ​ Thanks to a grant from the Colorado State Department of Education, new books are flooding the library shelves of all nine Englewood schools. At Cherrelyn Elementary, the grant funds were used solely on popular titles translated into Spanish. According to Dr. Laura Harringa, the principal at Cherrelyn, an enhanced excitement has infiltrated the student body as the selection of Spanish titles continues to increase. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Books connect us. They educate, open up worlds, birth creativity, and enrich. We're thrilled that new, highly demanded, grade-level-appropriate books will appear on Englewood Schools' library shelves in the next couple of months! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District Events | Free and Low Cost Events ​ ​ ​ ​ District Events: ​ December 6: Bishop Spotlight Assembly (8-9 a.m.) December 6: EMS/ELA Winter Social (4:30-6:00 p.m.) December 7: Englewood Band and Choir perform at the Englewood Tree Lighting (4-6 p.m.) December 9: Charles Hay Skate City Night (6-8 p.m.) December 12: Clayton New Family Tour (9-9:40 a.m.) December 12: Charles Hay Kindergarten Tour (8:30-9:15 a.m.) December 12: EMS/ELA/EHS Holiday Choir Concert (7:00 p.m.) December 17: Jingle @ Engle(wood) Holiday Band Concert @ EHS (6:00 p.m.) December 20-January 6: No School for Students ​ ​ ​ ​ Free and Low Cost Events: ​ December 7: Denver Parade of Lights December 8: Free Day: Denver Museum of Nature and Science December 29: Hanukkah Celebration Hosted by Chabad of Cherry Creek Events to Celebrate the Holidays: here  ​ ​ ​ ​ Community ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Join Us for an Evening of Spectacular Music and Community Fun! ​ 🎶 Mark your calendars for a night to remember! On December 17, 2024, our talented middle and high school bands are taking center stage to deliver an unforgettable evening of music, camaraderie, and delicious treats. 🕕 The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with our Middle School Band Concert in Fisher Auditorium, showcasing our young musicians' budding talent and hard work. 🍪 Take a break between shows to enjoy a Bake Sale and Social Hour in the commons, featuring live performances by our High School Chamber Music Ensembles. It's the perfect opportunity to savor sweet treats, connect with friends, and support our music program! 🎺 The grand finale starts at 8:00 p.m. as the High School Band returns to Fisher Auditorium, delivering a show-stopping performance you won’t want to miss. ✨ Don’t miss this special night celebrating our students’ musical achievements and the vibrant spirit of our school community! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors—there’s something for everyone to enjoy. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Exciting Opportunity - Belm, Germany for Spring Break 2025 ​ Are you an Englewood High School student in grades 10 or 11 looking for an exciting way to spend spring break March 15 – 22, 2025? The City of Englewood and the Englewood Rotary are supporting the sponsorship of students to be part of a week-long exchange program with our sister city in Belm, Germany. Six students will be selected based on this Google Form Application—the deadline to complete the application is December 19, 2024, to be considered for selection. You will be notified by January 10, 2025. Students must be residents of the City of Englewood. Date: March 15-22, 2025 Location: Belm, Germany Cost: The estimated trip cost will be $1,350, with a minimum of $1,250 provided by the City of Englewood and the Englewood Rotary Club to help cover the cost. Selected students will be invited to participate in one or more fundraisers to cover additional costs and to spend money on souvenirs. Who: Six (6) Englewood Schools' High School Students, one teacher chaperone, and two City of Englewood and Englewood Schools representatives. What: Experience what it is like to be a student in a foreign country and represent Englewood to the City of Belm, Germany. Each of the six selected students will live with a German host family for Spring Break, March 15-22, 2025. You will tour the City of Belm and the surrounding region, visit the local high school, and experience the culture, food and people of Germany. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ General Manager of the New Blue Sky Car Wash: A Hometown Success Story ​ Blue Sky Car Wash proudly introduces their General Manager, Cecil Ondack, a true Englewood success story! A graduate of Englewood High School’s Class of 2016, he grew up in the community, attending Charles Hay Elementary and excelling academically and athletically. As a captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams, he embraced the values of hard work, teamwork, and leadership. With a strong foundation in community pride and business skills honed in college, he is excited to bring his passion for excellence to Englewood’s newest car wash. He looks forward to delivering top-notch service and building lasting connections with customers. Scan the QR code for a FREE car wash! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Englewood Education Foundation - Community Night with the Denver Nuggets ​ Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets - Saturday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m. Atlanta Hawks vs. Denver Nuggets - Wednesday, January 1 at 7:00 p.m. Click the button below to purchase for either night. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchase Tickets ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Good News Stories ​ ​ ​ ​ Clayton’s Community Garden: Growing More Than Just Crops ​ While the seeds and soil may be resting for the season, the memory of Clayton’s recent harvest is still fresh—and bountiful! For over 15 years, the Clayton Community Garden has been more than a plot of land; it’s been a vibrant hub where neighbors connect, students learn, and fresh produce flourishes. Thanks to the dedication of Allison Krzesinski and master gardener Becky Clemons (a beloved former Englewood Schools staff member), this cherished garden continues to thrive. Their leadership, combined with the efforts of countless volunteers, has made the Clayton Garden a cornerstone of collaboration and growth. Check out the video below to see how this special space unites the community and creates meaningful opportunities for our students. Congratulations to Clayton for cultivating not just plants but a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Here’s to many more seasons of connection and abundance! 🌱✨ ​ ​ ​ ​ Opportunity, Access and Inclusion (OAI) ​ ​ ​ ​ Inclusive Excellence ​ Human diversity comes in many forms: religious or spiritual beliefs, ability, home language, race, ethnicity, gender identity, socio-economic status, neurodiversity, family structures, and the list goes on… how beautiful to have such depth and breadth within one species, and how amazing to have the opportunity to develop compassion across not only our similarities but also our uniqueness. Belonging is a fundamental need, and when people experience a lack of belonging, it can lead to worse outcomes in physical health, mental health, socio-economic gains, social well-being, educational outcomes, and so on.  Even today, after generations of progress on civil rights and social issues, different groups often experience the world unequally and have more or less access to resources simply based on who they are. This includes children who live in rural areas, children who are socio-economically disadvantaged, children with disabilities, children who are not White, children who are learning to speak English, children who are gay, children who are gender fluid, children who are homeless, and the list, unfortunately, goes on… In order to achieve belonging on an interpersonal and systemic level, we need to consider the barriers that might exist for different groups, as well as the privileges that might exist for ourselves.  It’s difficult, messy work to BOTH shift our lenses and our mirrors– meaning, being critical observers of the outside world but also critical interrogators of what is happening inside of ourselves as well. That said, as Gloria Anzaldúa wrote: "The struggle has always been inner, and is played out in outer terrains. Awareness of our situation must come before inner changes, which in turn come before changes in society. Nothing happens in the "real" world unless it first happens in the images in our heads."  ​ ​ ​ ​ It’s difficult, messy work to BOTH shift our lenses and our mirrors– meaning, being critical observers of the outside world but also critical interrogators of what is happening inside of ourselves as well. That said, as Gloria Anzaldúa wrote: "The struggle has always been inner, and is played out in outer terrains. Awareness of our situation must come before inner changes, which in turn come before changes in society. Nothing happens in the "real" world unless it first happens in the images in our heads."  So, my challenge for all of us this season (and beyond) is to raise our awareness of societal disparities (including, perhaps, the less obvious ones) and the role we play in perpetuating or disrupting those disparities. What does that look like for you and/or your family? What impact has it had? Send me an email and let me know the highlights and, of course, what support you need along the way. In partnership, Dr. Rana Razzaque  Rana_Razzaque@engschools.net Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion ​ ​ ​ ​ Board of Education ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Board of Education Updates ​ Upcoming Board of Education Meetings: On January 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here.  Please complete this form by noon on January 7, 2025, to participate in public comment at this meeting. The full agendas of all board meetings will be posted on our website the Friday before each meeting. Updated Board Policies: Updates to Board policies IKF, IKF-E, IKF-E-1, IKF-E-2, IKF-E-3, and IKF-E-4 were approved for the first reading on November 5, 2024, and 2nd reading on December 3, 2024. Board Policy FCB was approved for the first reading on November 19, 2024, and the second reading on December 3, 2024. Check out all Board Policies located on our website. ​ ​ ​ ​ Get Social With Us! ​ ​ ​ ​ facebook ​ ​ ​ ​ Instagram ​ ​ ​ ​ YouTube ​ ​

Thursday, Dec 05 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter - November 7, 2024

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Monthly Family Newsletter November 7, 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ A Message from the Superintendent - Home and School Partnership ​ Dear Englewood Schools’ Families, It was wonderful to see how many families attended conferences at our schools last month. Most of our schools had over 80% of parents/guardians attend conferences. Connecting with the dedicated educators who teach your students is powerful. You and your students' teachers are working toward the same goal: student success in and out of the classroom. Researchers have point­ed to one key suc­cess fac­tor that is prevalent across various studies, and that success factor is parent and family involve­ment and engagement.  Englewood Schools encourages and welcomes families into our school communities. There are many ways families can engage in their children’s education, including attending school gatherings such as fall festivals, reading with their students every night, supporting them with homework, and attending their conferences/activities/athletic events. A family’s presence in a student’s educational experience and environment increases academic performance and motivation to do well in school. Being involved is one way to show you care.  When the relationship between school and home is stronger, our students know that there is a support system they can lean into, and that cheers them on to do well. As educators, we hold the pri­ma­ry respon­si­bil­i­ty your student’s education. The Annie E. Casey Foundation states, “While teach­ers can offer advice, fam­i­lies and care­givers have impor­tant infor­ma­tion about their chil­dren that teach­ers may not know. So a student’s learn­ing expe­ri­ence is enriched when both bring their per­spec­tives to the table.” Thank you for enriching your child’s educational experience by being part of our school community.  Your children are one of the most important things in your life. We understand that and want to thank you for trusting us with the education of your student. In Partnership, Joanna Polzin ​ ​ ​ ​ Emergency Response Communication, Transition and Safe2Tell Update ​ ​ ​ ​ Emergency Response Communication In addition to sharing the Standard Response Protocol from the I Love You Guys Foundation (English PDF and Spanish PDF), I wanted to let you know that we have standardized our emergency communication templates in Parent Square. We will test our emergency communication templates through Parent Square over winter break on Saturday, January 4, 2025, around 1:00 p.m.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Transition Mandy Braun, Director of Safety and Security, will retire at the end of December. For 28 years, she has held many leadership roles in Englewood Schools, and we truly appreciate her service! The new Director of Safety and Security will be announced in the December newsletter.  Safe2Tell The Director of Safe2Tell, Stacey Jenkins, and her lead trainer will present to the Board of Education at their work session on Tuesday, November 19, at 6:00 p.m. The location is ECE Maddox, 3838 S Huron Street. The public is welcome to attend. After their presentation to the Board, a Town Hall for our community will be scheduled to learn about S2T and ask questions. ​ ​ ​ ​ District News and Department Updates ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Exciting Choice Enrollment Announcement ​ Get ready! The Round One Choice Enrollment window opens December 6 - January 19 for the 2025/26 school year! Englewood Schools offers diverse, tailored learning experiences, ensuring you'll find the perfect fit for your student. Act fast—space is limited! Submit your Choice Enrollment Application as soon as you decide. Applying during Round One increases your chances of acceptance! Who Should Apply?  Out-of-district students   Current Choice students moving up (Kindergarten, Middle School, High School)   Englewood residents wishing to attend a non-boundary school   Important: Applications are processed based on priority and first-come, first-served as space allows. You’ll receive decisions via email within two weeks after the enrollment window closes. Mark Your Calendars: Round Two runs February 1 - August 31, 2025. For more info, contact Kris Kochevar at 303-806-2051 or kristine_kochevar@engschools.net. Don't miss out—apply early! ​ ​ ​ ​ 2025-26 Calendar Survey Deadline to Complete - 11/15/24 ​ ​ ​ ​ Help Choose the 2025-26 School Year Calendar! ​ The calendar drafts were carefully created using the Englewood Schools Calendar Values to guide the decision-making process. Many factors were taken into account during their creation; however, one primary focus is to support student learning and teacher instruction. Therefore, breaks and non-student contact days are grouped together so as to limit interruptions to full, normally scheduled weeks of learning as much as possible. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey by November 15. Your input is very valuable to our district and your voice will carry equal weight to all other stakeholders. ​ ​ ​ ​ Choose Next Year's Calendar ​ ​ ​ ​ EHS Showcase Night November 14, 2024 - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Join Us for Englewood High School Showcase Night! ​ Get ready for an exciting evening at the Englewood High School Showcase Night on Thursday, November 14th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Kick off the night in the Venue at 6:00 PM with a warm welcome from Principal Smith. Then, at 6:30 PM, dive into the heart of our school! Move to the Spine to chat with our dedicated staff and discover the incredible courses and programs we offer. But that’s not all! From 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, we’ll offer guided building tours every 15 minutes, giving you a firsthand look at our vibrant school community. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to explore what Englewood High School offers. We can’t wait to see you there! ​ ​ ​ ​ Grants ​ ​ ​ ​ Creativity Grants Awarded! ​ The Englewood Education Foundation has announced the winners of its annual Creativity Grants. Eleven applications were submitted from Englewood teachers, and the Foundation awarded over $13,500. This money will fund various student-focused, innovative learning opportunities in all grade levels. We are so appreciative of the Englewood Education Foundation and its continued support of preparing all Englewood students for future success through learning, leading, engagement, and action. ​ ​ ​ ​ Make a Difference: Dine to support Teacher Creativity Grants ​ Show your support for Englewood Schools! Join the Englewood Education Foundation between 3 and 8 p.m. on November 14 at C Burger, located at Belleview and Broadway, to help fund teacher creativity grants. Remember to mention the fundraiser! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Learning Services ​ ​ ​ ​ Englewood Schools: Interim 1 Success and What It Means for Your Child ​ We’ve wrapped up Interim 1 testing and have some exciting news to share with our Englewood families! Interim assessments play a key role in tracking how our students are growing academically, and they help us prepare for the state tests in April (CMAS, PSAT, and SAT). Thanks to the hard work of our teachers, administrators, and students, we are seeing some impressive improvements. Celebrating Growth in Math and English Language Arts This year, more students are scoring proficient (levels 4 and 5) on the Interim 1 Math test compared to last year, and we are on track to hit an all-time high in math proficiency by February’s Interim 3. In addition to these gains in math, we’ve also seen an increase in proficiency across several grade levels in both Math and English Language Arts. These results clearly indicate the hard work being put in by both students and staff, and we couldn’t be more excited about the progress we’re seeing. As we continue into the school year, these assessments will help us ensure that all students are prepared for the challenges ahead and ready for success on state testing. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Continued Growth Year After Year Englewood Schools has seen steady improvements in student performance over the past five years. The chart below shows interim Math and ELA data from the last four years. While scores can fluctuate between assessments and student groups, the overall trend has been one of growth. Congratulations to our students and staff for helping to build a new tradition of excellence at Englewood Schools! Thank you for your continued support of our schools—together, we’re helping our students achieve great things! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Opportunity, Access and Inclusion (OAI) ​ ​ ​ ​ Inclusive Excellence ​ November is Native American Heritage Month! Colorado has been held in stewardship by over 40 tribal nations who were forcibly removed from this land. Even though they faced genocide, colonization, and other atrocities, the presence of Native people and culture continues to enrich our communities. This is an impactful month to consider Native perspectives and culture and build our own awareness. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and while many people enjoy traditions like celebrating with family, practicing gratitude, and charitable giving, please consider that this might not be a joyous time for everyone: Teaching Thanksgiving in a Socially Responsible Way. At Home Resources Native Land is an app to help map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages. It populated information form around the world, and I personally love using it when I travel to different places, so I can better understand the root people and culture of where I am. 10 Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month - great ideas of things to do solo or as a family! Here are some of my favorite books about Native/Indigenous heritage, but there are many others to choose from: Adults: An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States  Secondary: An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People Elementary: Remember by Joy Harjo ​ ​ ​ ​ Check out these Upcoming Opportunities and Celebrations: If you are looking to address conflicts about identity/cultural bias, check out these Talk Moves. If you have ideas or celebrations to share about OAI in Englewood, let me know in this survey: Community Perspectives on Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion (Spanish: Perspectivas de la Comunidad Sobre la Oportunidad, el Acceso, y la Inclusión).  In partnership, Dr. Rana Razzaque  Rana_Razzaque@engschools.net Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion ​ ​ ​ ​ Winter Weather Procedures ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Winter Weather Information and Procedures ​ It is that time of year when winter weather begins to roll into Colorado. As a friendly reminder, our updated procedures for weather delays and closures are on our website. Communication about weather delays and closures will be made through ParentSquare, the Englewood Schools’ website, phone calls, emails, television news outlets, Facebook, and Instagram. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District Events | Free and Low Cost Events ​ ​ ​ ​ District Events: ​ November 8: Bishop Fall Showcase of Learning (3-5 p.m.) November 14: EHS Showcase Night (6-8 p.m.) November 20: Clayton Math Night (4-6 p.m.) November 21: ECE STEAM Night (5-6:30 p.m.) November 22: Cherrelyn Pastries with the Principal (7:45-8:45 a.m.) November 25-29: No School ​ ​ ​ ​ Free and Low Cost Events: ​ November 1-10: Denver Arts Week (various activities across Denver) November 14: Englewood Schools/Englewood Education Foundation Fundraiser at CBurger (3-8 p.m.) November 18: Free Day: Denver Museum of Nature and Science (9-5 p.m.) November 22: Englewood Turkey Fest  (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.) December 7: Englewood Holiday Market and Tree Lighting  (Market - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tree lighting 4 - 6 p.m.) ​ ​ ​ ​ Community ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Library Strategic Plan - Feedback Wanted! ​ Englewood Public Library is developing a strategic plan to develop a long-range roadmap for EPL services and programs. This is an opportunity for us to engage community members and gain feedback on how the library can best serve our community's needs. Over the next few months, we will conduct focus groups, interviews, surveys, and pop-up events to ensure all voices are heard. What is your wish for the library? This is your opportunity to let us know as we plan. The process will unfold through five phases. More details can be found on the Library Strategic Plan Project Website. Updates on the process can be found on the library's website, so check back often to view the progress made. The anticipated timeline to complete the strategic plan project is September 2024 to April 2025. Scan one of the QR Codes above or click here to visit the strategic plan website and provide your feedback to help us plan for the future. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Community Night with the Denver Nuggets ​ Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets - Saturday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m. Atlanta Hawks vs. Denver Nuggets - Wednesday, January 1 at 7:00 p.m. See the Flyer for details, and click the button below to purchase for either night. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchase Tickets ​ ​ ​ ​ Good News Stories ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Marie LeBlanc's NAME Conference Shines ​ Marie LeBlanc, Medicaid Coordinator, helped organize and put on an incredible National Alliance for Medicaid in Education (NAME) conference! This four-day conference was attended by 545 people, the highest registration ever! Hosted at the Marriott in the Denver Tech Center, Marie was the local NAME Board Member who helped ensure a very successful event. Congratulations, Marie, and thank you for your dedication to Medicaid in Education. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Students Participating in Colorado Free Application Days ​ We're thrilled to celebrate our students who applied to college during Colorado Free Application Days last week. Over 70 applications were submitted—let's keep the momentum going! If you haven't submitted your application yet, there's still time to start your journey towards higher education. Contact postsecondary advisor Lexie Allen at lexie_allen@engschools.net and your school counselor for support. To see other students who participated, check out the Facebook post from October 23. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Colorado's Finest Celebrates "Dress Like Day" ​ Colorado's Finest recently celebrated "Dress Like Day," a fun event where students and staff members swapped roles for a day. The school was abuzz with excitement as students donned teacher attire, including muscles, while teachers sported hats, jeans, and sneakers. The event was a huge success, fostering a sense of camaraderie and creativity among the school community. Students and staff enjoyed stepping outside their comfort zones and experiencing a different perspective! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ EMS and ELA Raise $500 for Disabled American Veterans ​ This will help those disabled while serving this country and also go towards buying our Field of Flags, which will be displayed on the front lawn on Veterans Day, November 11th. Thank you to all who participated and donated. When it is finished, we will include a picture of our Field of Flags! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Clayton's Principal Tricycle Challenge ​ Once again, Clayton's fearless leaders powered up for the annual tricycle challenge, where they competed against each other in a high-stakes tricycle race. Ms. Damjanovich was the fastest tricycle racer at this successful event! As always, it was a hilarious and heartwarming spectacle for all. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Board of Education ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Board of Education Updates ​ Upcoming Board of Education Meetings: On November 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold a Work Session in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St., and streamed online here. On December 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here.  To participate in Public Comment at this meeting, please complete this form by noon on December 3, 2024, The full agendas of all board meetings will be posted on our website the Friday before each meeting. Updated Board Policies: At the October 1, 2024, Regular Board Meeting, the following board policy updates were approved for the first and second readings on November 6, 2024: GBA, GBJ, GCE-GCF, GDE-GDF and IKFB. Check out all Board Policies. ​ ​ ​ ​ Get Social With Us! ​ ​ ​ ​ facebook ​ ​ ​ ​ Instagram ​ ​ ​ ​ YouTube ​ ​

Thursday, Nov 07 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter - October 3, 2024

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Monthly Family Newsletter October 3, 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ A Message from the Superintendent ​ Dear Englewood Schools' Families, The last two weeks were atypical with regard to the false reporting through Safe2Tell. Through this challenging time, I have an immense amount of gratitude for our community pulling together to support each other. Concerned parents and guardians attended our Town Hall where they heard from the Deputy Chief of Police at the Englewood Police Department, our Director of Safety and Security, members of the Board of Education, and me. We answered questions and received helpful suggestions on communicating better with our community.  One of the suggestions was to explain the Standard Response Protocol in a timely manner. Below, I review the five protocols we use in Englewood Schools from the I Love You Guys Foundation. Standard Response Protocol or SRP was developed after the Platte River tragedy in Bailey, Colorado. SRP is “A uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident is the foundation of a safe school. Safe business. Safe community. The SRP is action-based, flexible, and easy to learn. It rationally organizes tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders, and other threats to personal safety,” according to the website. It is the system most Colorado school districts use. SRP uses five specific protocols: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. All of our staff have been trained in SRP. SRP posters are located on the walls in all classrooms and learning spaces, explaining what each protocol means. Linked are the Parent/Guardian versions that explain each protocol: English PDF and Spanish PDF. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Hold ​ Students are trained to clear the hallways and remain in their area or room until the “All Clear” is announced. It is business as usual inside the classrooms. Sometimes a Hold might be used when there is a medical emergency involving a student or staff member. If that is the case, we will not send out a communication to the community that students were in a Hold. If it is an emergency situation due to a threat, then you will be informed, and Englewood Schools will use RedBag (see below for more information on RedBag) to communicate to all classrooms and areas of the building. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Secure Perimeter ​ Students are trained to return to the inside of the building. It is business as usual inside the entire building. This might be used if there is police activity in the area (high-speed car chase, bank robbery, etc.) or a wild animal. Depending on the situation, the principal may communicate to families that the building was on Secure for a short period. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Lockdown ​ Students are trained to move away from sight, maintain silence, and not open the door. Drills for Lockdown will always be announced ahead of time. If a school goes into Lockdown, you will receive a message from the District office (which will most likely be me). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Evacuate ​ Students are trained to leave their stuff behind if they are asked to by an officer or a staff member. They may also be asked to bring their phones—it depends, and they must follow instructions. A fire drill is a good example of when students and staff evacuate a building. If a school needs to evacuate to another site, you will receive a message from the District office. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Shelter ​ Examples of hazards that might be used to call a Shelter are a tornado or a hazmat situation. Students may evacuate to the shelter area or seal the room. You will most likely hear from the District office if students need Shelter in Place. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Safety will always be our number one priority. When students feel safe, then they can learn. If your student is having a challenging time after the false and unfounded threats over the last two weeks, please reach out to your school counselors and administrators. They are prepared to help.  I am hopeful that Englewood Schools will continue to come together and support each other during this unprecedented time. In Partnership, Joanna Polzin ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ RedBag ​ In 2023-24, Englewood Schools invested in a program called RedBag to better communicate to our students and staff during a lockdown incident, both in terms of physical and psychological safety. We have RedBags in every secure area across our district, and each bag contains life-saving first aid supplies as well as a QR code to access a secure communication tool that can provide critical information to staff and students inside a classroom during a lockdown emergency. All of our staff have been trained on how to use RedBag. Thanks to helpful feedback from our community, this year we will be training students on it as well. If you would like to learn more about this program, you can visit their website or scan a QR code on any RedBag next time you visit one of our schools. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ParentSquare ​ ParentSquare is our districtwide communication tool for sharing information, signing up for conferences, and signing permissions (among other items). On top of serving as a general communication tool, ParentSquare is our emergency communications tool. When urgent messages need to go out to the community, we use ParentSquare. We strongly encourage families to download the ParentSquare app to mobile devices. More information and download instructions can be found here. To ensure ParentSquare can connect you to general information and/or emergency communications, your information in Infinite Campus must be up-to-date and correct. Please ensure that all important phone numbers are accurate in Infinite Campus so ParentSquare can use the correct information for general updates and emergency communications. Additionally, ParentSquare provides parents with notification options for how and when families would like to receive notifications. To access your notifications settings, please click here (Spanish). Please note that any urgent communication that comes to you does not follow the notification settings on ParentSquare, nor can you turn that feature off. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District News and Department Updates ​ ​ ​ ​ Grants ​ ​ ​ ​ What Do Grants Do for Me? ​ Grants often work mysteriously and wonderfully behind the scenes. Check out this graphic for a quick snapshot of just some of the ways that grants have supported and enhanced Englewood Schools' work. There are many more initiatives in the works, so stay tuned! ​ ​ ​ ​ Learning Services ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Zearn at Home ​ Zearn Math, a top-rated math learning platform that helps kids explore concepts, discover meaning, and make sense of math, is available to all K-8 students this year. Students can use their Clever account to access Zearn at home using the district portal under "Community Resources." Research has shown students who spend about 90 minutes per week and complete three lessons have the largest increases in math achievement. Questions? Contact your student's teacher or Jenny Buster, Director of Learning Services, at jenny_buster@engschools.net. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Post Secondary and Workforce Readiness ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Colorado Free College Application Days ​ Attention Families of Seniors! Colorado’s Free College Application Days are coming up on October 15 - 17, 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to apply to participating Colorado colleges and universities without paying expensive application fees. Students should ensure their applications are ready to submit BEFORE the free application days. For help with your applications, email Lexie Allen at alexis_allen@engschools.net, the EHS and CFHSC postsecondary advisor. Check out the official Colorado Free College Application Days website for more details and a list of participating schools. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Opportunity, Access and Inclusion (OAI) ​ ​ ​ ​ Inclusive Excellence ​ Autumn is my favorite season. It’s my birthday season, and it’s the time of year when nature reminds us to nourish ourselves internally so we can stay resilient through externally harsh conditions. The last couple of weeks of September were not easy, and yet it has been such a gift to see our staff, students and families come together, support one another, and resolve to make this school year a great one. At this point, students have been in school for long enough to be more used to the school routine, and they are hopefully feeling a deeper sense of belonging in their classes as well. While I hope this is the case, I think we all know by now that hope is not enough; hope is not a strategy. So, let’s dig into what belonging actually looks and feels like in action. Belonging might seem mushy to define, but thankfully, Dr. Floyd Cobb and John Krownapple provide us with a concrete definition based on their research: “experiencing appreciation, validation, acceptance, and fair treatment within an environment. When people feel that they belong, they aren’t distracted and worried about being treated as a stereotype or a singular part of their multidimensional personhood.” ​ ​ ​ ​ With this definition in mind, let’s consider how we ensure that at school, work, and in our homes, we are working to ensure belonging without othering. According to the profound work of the Othering and Belonging Institute, this is how we get there: Inclusion: Belonging requires inclusion, equity, and creating spaces where everyone can fully participate and have their voice heard. Connection: Belonging thrives when there is a deep sense of connection, binding people to their community, institution, or group, ensuring solid and meaningful relationships. Recognition: Recognition and visibility foster a sense of belonging and deepen our connections. Agency: Belonging requires agency - the power to act and influence the systems we are part of. This means having control over our own lives and decisions and the collective power to shape the institutions, groups, and communities we belong to. ​ ​ ​ ​ Inclusion, connection, recognition, and agency profoundly shape my approach to OAI in Englewood, and I am looking forward to sharing some exciting updates very soon. In the meantime, check out these Upcoming Opportunities and Celebrations: Hispanic Heritage Month ends October 15th. This month, we’re also celebrating LGBTQ History Month, Conflict Resolution (or Bullying Prevention) Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  If you are looking to address conflicts about identity/cultural bias, check out these Talk Moves. The second Monday of October is honored as Indigenous People’s Day in many cities. Halloween is a cherished holiday for some, but can also cause harm through culturally appropriative costumes and practices.  Use this survey to share your feedback, ideas or celebrations about OAI in Englewood: Community Perspectives on Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion (Spanish). In partnership, Dr. Rana Razzaque  rana_razzaque@engschools.net Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion ​ ​ ​ ​ Community ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Parks and Recreation Bond - Public to Vote on Potential Improvements ​ The Englewood City Council has approved placing a question on the November ballot asking voters to consider selling bonds valued at approximately $41.5 million to fund parks and recreation improvements throughout the city. Read the ballot language in its entirety here. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Englewood Education Foundation - Community Nights ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Community Night with the Colorado Rapids ​ Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders, Saturday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. See Flyer for details, or click the button below to purchase Rapids tickets. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchase Rapids Tickets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Community Night with the Denver Nuggets ​ Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets - Saturday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m. Atlanta Hawks vs. Denver Nuggets - Wednesday, January 1 at 7:00 p.m. See the Flyer for details, and click the button below to purchase for either night. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchase Tickets ​ ​ ​ ​ District Events | Free and Low Cost Events ​ ​ ​ ​ District Events: ​ October 4: No School - Teacher Work Day October 9: Clayton Walk/Roll to School Event-( 7:30 - 8:45 a.m.) October 11: Charles Hay Field Day - (Check with child’s school for times) October 11: Bishop Spotlight Assembly (8-9 a.m.) October 15: ECE Book Fair (8-4 p.m.) October 15 & 16: Parent-Teacher Conferences (check your child’s school for times) October 17 & 18: No School  October 25: Cherrelyn Pastries with the Principal (7:45-8:45 a.m.) October 25: Cherrelyn Fall Festival (5-7 p.m.) October 25: Bishop Fall Festival (3:15-5:15 p.m.) October 29: EMS/ELA Trick or Treat Street (4:30-7 p.m.) ​ ​ ​ ​ Free and Low Cost Events: ​ October 12: Englewood Fire Dept. Pancake Breakfast and Open House October 19: Broadway Halloween Parade - (6:00 p.m.) October 19 Englewood Trunk or Treat (registration is required; click on the link to register) October 20: Free Day- Denver Museum of Nature and Science  October 26: Día de los Muertos: Remembering our Ancestors through Art ​ ​ ​ ​ Good News Stories ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Karla Shotts - CSMA Adviser of the Year ​ 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Karla Shotts has been named the Colorado Student Media Association Adviser of the Year for 2024! 🌟 Karla, a dedicated adviser at Englewood High School, has made an incredible impact through her work with the Pirate Log Yearbook, PirateTV, The Pirateer Newspaper, and thepirateer.com news website. Her passion for student media enriches her students’ experiences and sets a standard of excellence within the community. In addition to her role at Englewood High, Karla serves as the Education Coordinator for the Colorado Student Media Association, demonstrating her commitment to fostering growth and innovation in student journalism across the state. Join us in celebrating Karla’s remarkable achievements and contributions to student media! For more details, check out the full CSMA Adviser Update. 🏆✨ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bears Field Day Fun ​ What a fantastic day we had at our 2024 Bishop Field Day on Friday, September 20th! The sun was shining, the energy was high, and everyone had a blast. It was memorable, from the thrilling games and activities to the delicious picnic lunch and camaraderie. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ A special thank you to our dedicated staff, parent volunteers, and community partners who made Field Day a success. Your hard work and enthusiasm helped create a safe, fun, and joyous experience. We were thrilled to see so many smiling faces and hear laughter echoing throughout the field. The kids had a blast participating in sponge dodgeball, obstacle courses, clothing relay and more. Watching them cheer each other on and celebrate their accomplishments together was beautiful. We also want to express our gratitude to our superintendent, Joanna Polzin, who joined us for the day. Your presence made Field Day even more special and helped foster a sense of belonging and connection. Thank you, Ms. M., for making it possible we had a blast! ~ Sincerely, Sheri' Spenhoff, Principal ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Board of Education ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Board of Education Meetings: On October 15, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold a Work Session in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St., and streamed online here. On Wednesday (due to the election), November 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here.  Please complete this form by noon on November 6, 2024, to participate in public comment at this meeting. Please note the full agendas of all board meetings will be posted in BoardDocs the Friday before each meeting. Updated Board Policies: At the September 17, 2024, Special Meeting, the following board policy updates were approved for the first reading and received the second reading of approval at the October 1, 2024 Meeting: GBJ, GBA, GCE/GCF, GDE/GDF and IKFB. Click the link to check out all Board Policies. ​ ​ ​ ​ Get Social With Us! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ facebook ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Instagram ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ YouTube ​ ​

Thursday, Oct 03 2024

Recess Olympics- Multilingual Family Night 9-4-24

Dear Multilingual Families,  Please join us on September 4th from 5:00-6:30pm for our first Multilingual family Night event this school year at Clayton Elementary.  We will engage in recess Olympics and enjoy food from nutrition services. Dress comfortable and ready to get active!  -- Sincerely,  Dr. Amanda Ortiz-Torres, Ph.D. Multilingual & GT Coordinator Englewood Schools

Thursday, Aug 29 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter - Back to School Edition

​​ ​​ ​​ Monthly Family Newsletter Back to School Edition | August 1, 2024 ​​ ​​ A Message from the Superintendent ​ Dear Englewood Schools’ Families, It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2024-25 school year. The principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, and many teachers have been back at work preparing for an incredible year for your students. Our dedicated custodians have deep-cleaned classrooms. The technology team has refreshed student computers to ensure they are in working order. Many educators attended summer professional learning courses in June and July in preparation for the best school year! It takes a village to provide Big Opportunities in a Small Setting for our students, and the team at Englewood Schools goes above and beyond.  For details on back-to-school, please visit the Welcome Back webpage by clicking the button below or go directly to your schools’ websites. ​​ ​​2024-25 Back-to-School Details​​ ​​ Our middle and high schools have staggered start dates for different grade levels to help students transition smoothly into their new grades. Please note that all elementary schools' first day is Tuesday, August 13, 2024. If you would like support with school supplies that our generous community partners have donated, please come to our District-wide School Supply Giveaway on Monday, August 5th, anytime between 9:30 and 4:30. This event will take place at The Family Resource Room located in Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice at 300 West Chenango Ave.  The team at Englewood is dedicated to providing a more personalized educational experience. Given this, our educators will continue focusing on Data-Driven Collaboration to ensure we make the right instructional decisions to meet your student's needs. You can expect an emphasis on creating authentic student learning experiences by focusing on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP).  We are truly excited to welcome you back to school. Your students are why we are so passionate about education, and we are committed to offering them an exceptional educational experience.  In Partnership, Joanna Polzin ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ District News and Department Updates ​​ ​​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year! ​ Please check out this link for important information about start and end times, breakfast times, and links to school calendars. ​​ ​ ​​Click for Start and End Times​​ ​​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ParentSquare Communications Tool ​ Englewood Schools uses ParentSquare to communicate with families. This all-in-one tool is used for district, school, class and individual communications. It can also be used to send newsletters, schedule conferences, send digital permission slips, request items to be donated and more! It can be automatically translated into a family's preferred language(s). Learning how to use ParentSquare is easy. Many training options are provided, including self-paced video modules or live webinars. You can activate your account by going to www.ParentSquare.com and logging in. Click on the button below for Parent and Guardian tips. ​​ ​ ​​Parent/Guardian Tips ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ Opportunity, Access and Inclusion ​​ ​​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​ Addison (3rd grade, left) and Piper (Kindergarten, right) Jones drew what makes them feel happy and included: spending time with kind, loving, and supportive friends. ​​ ​​ ​ Submit your child/student’s art about what opportunity, belonging, and inclusion mean to them to rana_razzaque@engschools.net to be featured in the newsletter. ​​ ​ ​​ Over the summer I was able to attend some incredible learning experiences: The Standards Institute, which supports educators in providing meaningful high-level instruction; as well as the BEST (BIPOC Educators and STEM Thinkers) Conference, which explored opportunities for belonging, healing, and changing STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math). Both conferences had an intimidatingly heavy focus on math, a subject that forces me to contend with imposter syndrome, anxiety, and doomed perfectionism. But I’m grateful I got out of my comfort zone (and healed some childhood math-trauma) because I couldn’t stop thinking about how we help nurture STEM identity in our students, particularly female and BIPOC students who have historically been excluded from these fields.  In STEM, STEAM, Make, Dream, Dr. Christopher Emdin discusses how as a young Black boy, he experienced covert exclusionary messages about STEM, even among rising calls for more engaging STEM programming. Emdin writes “You say you need me, but you do not welcome me. You say I need STEM, but you do not make me feel like I am a part of it.” When he took apart toys, he was labeled destructive rather than engineering-minded. When seeking joy he was met with memorization and uniformity. “I believe that we are all born to be STEM people. As young children, we all think deeply, tinker, play, question, categorize, make meaning, interpret, draw connections.” Every child is brilliant, and it is up to us– educators AND families to be their champions, to nurture their curiosity and honor their strengths. Consider ways you can help build STEM identity in your children, so they know that ANY opportunities they are motivated to pursue are theirs for the taking. ​​ ​​ Explicitly tell them that they are capable of achieving greatness in ANY subject area, including science and math– even if they don’t see many people who look, act, or think like them in those fields currently. Consider fun family projects that help build their curiosity about the way the world works. Need ideas? We’ve got a lot– email our Director of STEAM & Innovation, Paul Whitaker. Communicate with your child’s educators about ways to support their learning and their STEM identity both in school and at home. I am here to support you– we’re in this together in service of every single one of our precious students! And remember, if you have ideas or celebrations to share about OAI in Englewood, let me know in this survey: Community Perspectives on Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion (Spanish: Perspectivas de la Comunidad Sobre la Oportunidad, el Acceso, y la Inclusión).  In partnership, Dr. Rana Razzaque  Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ Community ​​ ​​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ Englewood Public Library Used Book Sale ​ The Englewood Public Library will host its annual fall Used Book Sale September 12-14, 2024. This is a great opportunity to get new-to-you books at a fraction of the cost, all while supporting your local public library! Sale hours will be September 12, 9:30 am-7:30 pm; September 13, 9:30 am-5 pm; and September 14, 9:30 am-3 pm. The final day will be a $5/bag sale. Donations can also be made of gently used books during regular library hours September 3-7. For more information, please call the Englewood Public Library at 303-762-2560. ​​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Back to School Events​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ Girls Tennis Pickleball Fundraiser ​ Join us for a fun-filled evening of pickleball in support of Englewood High School Tennis! Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the game, everyone is welcome. Date: Saturday, August 10 Cost: $30.00 Time: 5:45 PM - 7:45 PM Location: Gates Tennis Center Grab your paddles and bring your friends and family for an exciting night of friendly competition, great community spirit, and support for our athletes. Get your tickets here. ​​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ District Events and Free and Low Cost Events ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ District Events: ​ August 5 - School Supply Giveaway-Family Resource Center at Finest, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. August 7 - Family Resource Center Open House - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Open House is always on the first Wednesday of the month) ​​ ​​ Community Events: ​ August 3: Englewood Kidstage and Movie in the Park - 6:00 p.m., Belleview Park (Cool Runnings) August 8: Englewood Neighborhood Nights- 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 pm, Roman’s Park August 10: Englewood Summer Market- 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Englewood City Center August 16: Englewood Kidstage and Movie in the Park- 6:00 p.m., Duncan Park (Flubber) August 21: Free Day- Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 pm August 22: Englewood Neighborhood Nights -  4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Rotolo Park August 24: Englewood Block Party- 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., 3400 block of South Broadway ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ Board of Education ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ Upcoming Board of Education Meetings: On August 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here.  Please complete this form by noon on August 6, 2024, to participate in public comment at this meeting. On August 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold a Work Session in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St., and streamed online here. Please note the full agendas of all board meetings will be posted in BoardDocs the Friday before each meeting. ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ Connect with us! ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​facebook​​ ​​Instagram​​ ​​YouTube​​ To pick up a draggable item, press the space bar. While dragging, use the arrow keys to move the item. Press space again to drop the item in its new position, or press escape to cancel. Draggable item 1722439981092 was dropped over droppable area 1721933181397

Thursday, Aug 01 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter - July 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter |  July 2024 A Message from the Superintendent  Dear Englewood Schools’ Families, Summer is in full swing! I hope you and your children are enjoying visits to the park, spending time with family, or relaxing and taking in the sun. This season is also a time for me to review survey results, reflect on our successes, identify growth opportunities, and create goals that align with Englewood Schools' mission and vision. Several things stood out when reviewing the data we collected from parents and guardians at the end of the school year: 88% of you felt staff members equitably treat all students and families.  89% of you said your child feels safe at school.  93% of you said school staff members encourage students to respect each other's differences.  91% of you shared that your students engage in activities that allow them to get to know one another and develop positive relationships.  89% of you said the teachers in the school have built strong relationships with your child.  There were several areas of growth as well: We saw a 3% decrease in the percentage of you who felt communication occurs openly and respectfully (from 92% to 89%).  80% of respondents feel they are involved in making important decisions.  On the academic side: 80% of you feel teachers assign high-quality homework that helps your child learn. We value student voices in Englewood Schools, so we also surveyed the students: 96% of students agreed that their teachers give them help if they need it. 89% of parents/guardians stated that the teachers in the school had built strong relationships with their children. 94% of students said their teachers listen to them.  Students had positive things to report about their principal as well: When asked, “I often see my principal in the classroom, hallways, or cafeteria,” the results were up 14%.  99% of students said their principal is positive and cares about the community. Student data pointed to several areas of growth: When asked about behavior, students responded that only 55% of their classmates are well-behaved.  65% of students said that students try to talk to each other if they are having a problem with them.  77% of students indicated they feel like they belong.  On the academic side: 77% of students said their teachers give them interesting classwork.  74% of students said the homework they receive from their teachers helps them learn. Given the data, we are moving forward with two Big Rocks or priority areas for the 2024-25 school year. The first Big Rock centers around refining district-wide systems for authentic student engagement, including Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)/Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP). This will allow us to address all aspects of the whole child from a systemic level in ways that lead to consistent, authentic student engagement. We will focus on the affective, behavioral, and cognitive skills and attitudes so that students develop positive identities, learn skills to manage emotions better and engage in future career planning. The second Big Rock will extend the work we began last year around Data-Driven Collaboration. We will create systemic professional development and intentionally monitor two specific practices. The first practice is a strategy called Academic Monitoring, in which educators gather and respond to information about students' progress toward proficiency in real-time. The second strategy focuses on increasing our instructional leaders' capacity to provide real-time coaching that improves teacher practice and student learning. These Big Rocks also align with the priorities of the District Accountability Committee. Analyzing the survey data, determining the root cause, and creating an action plan are ways to improve the quality of students' education. Thank you for completing the important survey in the spring – your voice makes a difference. We continue to prioritize your students in Englewood Schools, where we offer Big Opportunities in a Small and Caring Setting. In Partnership, Joanna Polzin   Superintendent Polzin Chat with CDE Commissioner                                                                        District News and Department Updates TECHNOLOGY Summer Enrollment and Registration Assistance Now is the time to register your students for the 2024/25 school year. Registration takes place online through the parent portal in Infinite Campus.  How to Register Online: Visit our website here to register . Need Help? Plan on joining one of the below sessions: July 11th, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. July 18th, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. July 25th, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. August 1st, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. All the above sessions will be located at the Englewood Schools Administration Building (RDAB), 4101 S. Bannock St., Englewood, CO 80110. LEARNING SERVICES Welcome To The Forest: A Wildly Successful Summer School! Calling all explorers! Our summer school program, "Welcome to the Forest," was a roaring success! This exciting program brought together the spirit of all our school mascots – the mighty bear, the speedy cheetah, the powerful tiger, and the stealthy cougar – for a summer of learning and adventure. Students embarked on a hands-on learning journey through the wonders of the forest, engaging in activities that spanned math, literacy, writing, and exciting theme-based enrichment experiences. Here's a glimpse into the wild world of learning: Expert Encounters:  Our curious cubs (students) had the opportunity to learn from the amazing experts at the Butterfly Pavilion and South Suburban Sports and Recreation. They explored the science behind amazing creatures and even dissected owl pellets with Evergreen Audubon – a truly unique experience! Museum Magic : Students ventured into the world of natural history with experts from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Platte River Pioneers : Our little adventurers went on a fantastic field trip to the Platte River, where they explored the fascinating world of living things that call the water home. "Welcome to the Forest" was about learning facts and fostering a love for exploration, discovery, and the natural world. We saw curiosity ignite in our students' eyes as they delved deeper into the forest's secrets. We're incredibly proud of all our young explorers. A special thanks to Beth Wells and Alicia Postelli for their amazing summer programming administration and all of the incredible summer school staff. We couldn’t have done it without you! Secondary Summer Programs Through an Extended Learning Opportunities grant from the Colorado Department of Education, Englewood Schools offered several exciting summer programs for our middle and high school students.  Over 50 grades 6 - 8 students participated in the Career Pathway Summer Program from May 28 to June 6, 2024. Students explored and experienced the robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered at Englewood High School and Colorado's Finest High School of Choice. Use the QR Code below to see the amazing student-created video about the program. Twenty high school students learned about the college selection process while touring four college campuses during the College 101/College Tour camp May 28-31, 2024. Topics covered included understanding college fit, how to build a solid college list, and options for paying for college. Students enjoyed touring the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and Regis University in Denver. High school students could enroll in the summer credit recovery and credit acceleration program from May 28 to June 13, 2024. Students took online classes with the support of teachers to either get ahead in their high school graduation requirements or recover credits from previously failed classes. Eighty classes were successfully completed during the program!       Welcoming Our Newest Englewood Educators! We're thrilled to announce the New Teacher Orientation for all our new Englewood Schools staff, which will take place from  August 1st to 6th .  These dedicated days will provide a comprehensive introduction to our vibrant school district. New educators will have the opportunity to learn about the rich history of Englewood and gain a deeper understanding of the community we serve. Educators will also connect and collaborate with colleagues from different grade levels and departments, fostering a strong support network. And finally, our newest educators will dive into our instructional resources and curriculum, ensuring they're fully prepared to hit the ground running when students arrive on August 13th. We're incredibly excited to welcome this talented group of educators to the Englewood family. We can't wait for them to embark on a rewarding and exciting school year with us! OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS AND INCLUSION Inclusive Excellence Henry David Thoreau wrote, "One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter." While it’s hard to imagine any other season while we are in the midst of these sunny July days, back-to-school season is right around the corner! I am very excited to have our classrooms and hallways animated with the joy, curiosity, and brilliance your incredible children bring.  Over the summer months, I plan out my priorities for the upcoming school year, and I’m excited to share them with you. First, I want to contextualize my priorities under our broader district-wide purpose statement: Englewood Schools has a moral imperative and unwavering commitment to ensure extraordinary outcomes for each student. Diversity is an asset. We are committed to honoring students' identities, cultures, and abilities while breaking down barriers to a safe and equitable learning experience. In service of this, we maintain high expectations and nurture all aspects of the whole child. I will be focusing on three primary areas to enact this purpose statement authentically: Enhancing programming for students in grades PK-12 that is focused on learning about all the different dimensions of diversity, engaging with one another in inclusive ways, and equipping students with the skills to meaningfully advocate for change.  Family and community engagement opportunities to connect with more folks, learn what is and isn’t working well for you and your students, and celebrate the incredible work many of you do in the city and broader community. Keep your eyes peeled for more events, survey opportunities, and focus groups. Professional development opportunities for staff so that we can continue building on our learning from past years and ensure that our learning is also translating into action that supports excellence and belonging for every student, family, and staff member. Here are a few more quick updates: I will update the Opportunity, Access and Inclusion website as we approach the start of the school year, so you can always refer to it for more information.  I have shared this survey before to gather Community Perspectives on Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion and have reopened it for the 2024/2025 school year. Please share your thoughts! Here is the survey in Spanish: Perspectivas de la Comunidad Sobre la Oportunidad, el Acceso, y la Inclusión . Lastly, you may have gathered by now that I love sharing art that conveys a sense of community and belonging in these newsletters. This year, I would LOVE to incorporate student art! Please email me a photo of your child’s art related to opportunity, access, inclusion, belonging, diversity, and community-building themes.  With profound gratitude for you, Dr. Rana Razzaque   Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion COMMUNITY College Application Camp ATTENTION SENIORS!!   EHS and CFHSC seniors are invited to attend a college application camp on August 7 and 8, 2024.  Students will do a deep dive into every aspect of the Common Application (Common App), an application that is accepted by more than 800 colleges and universities in the United States and several international schools. Seniors can apply to multiple schools with one application, one main essay, and possible supplemental essays. Topics in this workshop include: Creating a Common App account Reviewing all sections of the Common App Writing your college essay Showcasing your talents, skills, and achievements  Requesting a letter of recommendation Managing application timelines   For more information and to apply for the camp, please click  HERE .     Long-Range Planning Committee Update Englewood Schools is convening a Long-Range Planning Committee, a group of diverse, vested community members charged with developing recommendations that are consistent with the district's core values and align with the 2023-2028 Englewood School Strategic Plan.    The committee will review the district facilities, program capacity, enrollment trends, and major capital equipment requirements, among other information. The LRPC will bring prioritized recommendations to the Englewood Schools Board of Education for consideration and decision. Membership applications were due June 30, and applicants will be notified of their application decision by July 30. The first LRPC meeting is at the Maddox Early Childhood Education Center on September 4, from 4:30 to 6:00. All meetings will be open to the public.   Englewood Education Foundation   Englewood Parks & Recreation BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS SCHOOL EVENT DATE/S TIME/S ECE at Maddox ECE Back to School Night/ Open House August 19, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Bishop Elementary Come get the Scoop August 12, 2024 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Charles Hay World School Watermelon Welcome August 12, 2024 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Cherrelyn Elementary New Families Welcome Back to School Night August 6, 2024 August 9, 2024 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Clayton Elementary Popsicle Pop In Back to School Night August 12, 2024 August 22, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Englewood Middle School Registration Day Back to School Night at        Belleview Park August 7, 2024 September 5, 2024 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Englewood High School Registration Senior Sunrise Breakfast Back to School Night August 7, 2024 August 13, 2024 August 22, 2024 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Colorado's Finest High  School of Choice Back to School Night August 28, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. GOOD NEWS STORY CDE awards Bishop Elementary as one of 10 Colorado Centers of Excellence! Each year, the Colorado Department of Education recognizes public schools in the state that enroll a student population of at least 75% at-risk pupils and demonstrate the highest student longitudinal growth rates, as measured by the Colorado Growth Model. On the school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools have demonstrated impressive results on the indicator relating to longitudinal academic growth. This award program was established in 2009 by the Education Accountability Act of 2009 (S.B. 09-163). BOARD OF EDUCATION  Board of Education Meetings : On June 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education held a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . On June 18, 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education held a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . Upcoming Board of Education Meetings : On August 6, 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here .  Please complete this form by noon on August 6, 2024, to participate in public comment at this meeting. On August 20, 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will hold a Work Session in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St., and streamed online here . Please note the full agendas of all board meetings will be posted in BoardDocs the Friday before each meeting. Updated Board Policies: Board Policies AC, AC-R-1, AC-R-2, AC-E-1, AC-E-2, AC-R-3, GBAA, and JBB* were updated and had their second reading for approval on June 18, 2024.  All active policies can be found  here . Connect with us: July  11, 2024

Thursday, Jul 11 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter - May 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter |  May 2024           A Message from the Superintendent  Dear Englewood Schools’ Families, Englewood Schools prides itself on offering big opportunities to our students in a small district. Graduation and continuations are the culmination of hard work, perseverance, and self-discovery for students. It is a beautiful sight to see how proud the families of our students who are celebrating their children's accomplishments are. The strong partnership of students, families, staff, and our Englewood community truly helps our students cross the finish line. There are pivotal moments in time that make the achievement of graduation possible. It might be a moment that the adults don’t fully recall, but the students remember the exact moment, time and place, down to the details.  How does an Englewood graduate discover what they aspire to pursue after high school? There are key moments along this journey in Englewood Schools.  The journey begins at our ECE at Maddox Early Learning Center, where students learn through play and spend time with Ms. Brittany, the STEAM teacher, in the Honey Lab. Students continue their learning in elementary school, where they engage in hands-on activities in the MakerSpace, learn to play instruments, read various texts, solve complex mathematical problems, and become playground leaders. In middle school, students dive into academics, explore various elective options, and continue to learn about design thinking, including coding video games. The experience is in full swing in high school, where students have the opportunity to take classes and earn an industry certification in the areas of Biomedical Science, Engineering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Prostart, Automotive Technology, and Health Sciences. Last week, I attended a field experience with Ms. Wulf’s physics class at CU Boulder. Our students shared their science experiments with various faculty, including a Nobel prize winner, CU students, and peers across the metro area. One of the many beautiful things about this experience was visiting with Englewood graduates who are now successful CU students studying engineering and physics. Our graduates had this opportunity when they were in Ms. Wulf’s class and came to pay it forward. The Englewood community is connected, whether it was an experience or a particular moment in time.  Career and college readiness is our goal for every student. We specialize in graduating the leaders, thinkers, and explorers of tomorrow in Englewood. Whether you are part of Colorado's Finest Family or are a Pirate through and through, Englewood is a place you can count on for profound moments that matter. Cherish the journey and the significance of your graduation and continuation ceremonies! In Partnership, Joanna Polzin   It's Teacher Appreciation Week - May 6-10 - L et's hear it for our amazing teachers! May 6th—10th is  Teacher Appreciation Week , and it's the perfect time to celebrate the incredible educators who inspire our children every day. These dedicated individuals go above and beyond to nurture young minds, and their hard work deserves a big thank you! Throughout the week, we'll be spotlighting a special teacher from each of our schools on our social media pages . Be sure to follow us and look for the daily posts! We encourage you to join the fun in giving these amazing educators a " round of applause " in the comments using emojis like applause and party hat. Let's show our teachers some love!  Here are some additional ideas: Students: Write a heartfelt thank you note to your teacher. Tell them what you appreciate most about their class. Parents:   Send a quick email or note to your child's teacher expressing your gratitude for their hard work. Teacher of the Year Nominations Nominations are open for Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year! The Teacher of the Year program elevates and celebrates exceptional educators. Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year will become a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year award and have an opportunity to travel to Washington, DC, with other state nominees from across the country.   We encourage you to nominate the teachers who have made a difference for your child! The nomination form is available online and will be open until Tuesday, May 28 . For more information, visit the Colorado Department of Education's website . District News and Department Update TECHNOLOGY Complete 2024-2025 Online Registration Now This is a friendly reminder to complete online registration for your child(ren) for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year to ensure a smooth transition for the upcoming school year. How to Register Online: Visit our website here to register . Need Help? If you encounter any difficulties with the registration process, please don't hesitate to email Kristine Kochevar or call Kristine at 303-806-2051. We look forward to a successful 2024-2025 school year! MUSIC DEPARTMENT/PERFORMING ARTS Englewood Percussion Ensemble Takes First Place! The Englewood Percussion Ensemble earned the gold in this year's RMPA State Championships, earning the group's first-ever state title. The group is led by percussion instructor Colin Constance, who has continued to grow our percussion ensemble year after year. This event marks the conclusion of a successful winter season for our high school instrumental music programs, which included the Concert Band earning all Superior ratings and the continued growth and success of our Winter Color Guard. Congratulations to the students, Colin Constance and Nathan Stokes, for making this dream possible! OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS AND INCLUSION Inclusive Excellence The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, the pollen is brewing, and the children are laughing and playing outside again. Spring can bring so much energy and brightness into our lives, and as everything is growing around us, this is a great time to consider your growth, too. Consider some culturally inclusive ways to celebrate the season in your home by highlighting activities related to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month, both of which are celebrated in May!  Here are a few things to consider on your own or as a family: Important contributions by… Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders , both historical and contemporary, like Queen Liliʻuokalani’s resistance to colonization in Hawaii, Dalip Singh Saund’s legacy as the first Asian American in the House, or Tammy Duckworth’s impact as the first woman with a disability elected to Congress. Jewish Americans , whose cultural stories include (but also go so much further beyond) their incredible resilience in the face of genocide during the Holocaust. About 7.6 million Jewish Americans live in the US today, and this is an opportune time to discuss major Jewish figures in US history and culture, like Bernice Sandler (women’s rights champion), Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Elie Weisel, Stan Lee, and many others. Biases attributed to Jewish and AANHPI communities and how they contribute to systemic inequities:  Antisemitism Explained - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Understanding the impact of the “ model minority myth ” and Combating Anti-Asian Bias (video) Developing greater understanding, representation, and inclusion for people of  Jewish, Asian American, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander descent. Smithsonian’s learning resources on Jewish American Heritage PBS collection for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month As we wrap up the school year, let’s come together to lift each other up, celebrate our similarities and differences, and do our part to break down systemic barriers to access and opportunity. Be on the lookout for summer engagement opportunities from my office and community partners. Onward, Englewood—we have important work to do, and how fortunate that our community is full of incredible people who are ready for this hard but healing work! In partnership, Dr. Rana Razzaque  Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion Good News Story On Friday, April 19th, scholars from Englewood High School, Colorado's Finest High School of Choice, and Englewood Middle School joined students from across the Denver metro to spend the day at the AFRO (Aiming for Racial Opportunity) Student Leadership Summit held at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. We are incredibly proud of their engagement, learning, and leadership!  COMMUNITY Summer Fun: Explore Englewood Schools' Exciting Programs!  ☀️ Beat the summer boredom with our amazing selection of summer programs designed to keep your child engaged, learning, and having a blast! We have many options available: Early Childhood   Spark curiosity and ignite imaginations with our playful programs designed for our youngest learners. Elementary: Dive deeper into favorite subjects or explore new interests with our enriching activities for elementary schoolers. Multilingual: Enhance language skills and cultural understanding with specialized programs for our multilingual learners. Gifted: Stretch young minds with challenging and stimulating programs designed for gifted learners. Middle School:  Beat the summer slide and explore your interests! Join us for exciting middle school summer programs like Career Pathways, Summer Science Institute, and more! High School:  Level up for next year! Get a head start with our high school summer programs: Pirate Prep for EHS freshmen, College Prep for seniors, Summer Science Scholars Program, Camp Code, Credit Recovery & Acceleration, and more! Ready to learn more? Visit our website here to explore all the program details and find the perfect fit for your child! Don't delay; spots fill up fast!  #EnglewoodSchools #SummerFun #LearningNeverStops   A rapahoe Community College (ACC) - Scholarship Available for 2024 Seniors Opportunity Next i s a chance for a scholarship from the State of Colorado exclusively for students from the Class of 2024 (including those who earn their GED) who want to gain skills in high-demand careers. Dr. Stephanie Fujii, President at Arapahoe Community College, is excited about this opportunity for Colorado’s graduating seniors and is happy to announce that ACC is ready to partner with you to move mountains in this next step in your life. Some of the eligible programs are Computer and Information Science, Construction, Education, Engineering, Law Enforcement, Paralegal, Health careers and Automotive careers. This is a one-time scholarship of up to $1500 ! There are a few simple steps to complete;  check out the details on ACC’s website. ACC is offering a free FAFSA completion workshop in May to help you apply for this scholarship opportunity (see ACC flyer for more details).   Now Hiring Bus Drivers and Custodians Bus Drivers Are you looking for a new job? Do you want weekends off? Do you want flexibility? Englewood Schools is looking for kind, caring bus drivers to help with transportation. If you are looking for a new career, love being around children, and enjoy helping your community, this job might be for you. Click  here to see open positions. Custodians Become a hero and help give back to your community by working at Englewood Schools! The operations and maintenance team is looking to hire custodians to help clean our buildings. Click here to see open positions.   City of Englewood  - Youth Boards & Commissions for High School Students Youth appointments are now open for the City of Englewood’s board and commissions . Please click on the flyers for more details.  Apply to learn more about the City of Englewood while earning volunteer hours for high school.    Pirates Cove is Hiring Lifeguards   Local Heroes Honored by Englewood Rotary: Service Above Self Shines Bright! The Englewood Rotary Club recently honored three exceptional educators from Englewood Schools, in keeping with its motto, "Service Above Self." Kelli Doane, a dedicated paraeducator at Bishop Elementary, Ana Alicia Ramirez, a compassionate psychologist at Charles Hay Middle School, and  Jacob Cain, the inspiring culinary arts teacher at Englewood High School, were all recognized for their outstanding contributions to our students' lives and our community. ‍‍‍ These educators go above and beyond every day, fostering a love of learning, building strong relationships, and making a real difference in our students' success. A special shout-out to Sheri' Spenhoff, Principal  at Bishop Elementary, Shawn Lewis, City Manager for the City of Englewood, and Joanna Polzin, Superintendent  of Englewood Schools, who joined the celebration!  Their presence highlighted the collaborative spirit that empowers our schools and community. UPCOMING FREE AND LOW-COST EVENTS District Events May 2:  EMS/ELA Parent/Guardian Bootcamp (8:15-9:45 a.m. in the TEC Library) *Intended for new EMS/ELA parents/guardians for the ‘24-’25 school year May 7: ECE Field Day (check with your child’s teacher for times) May 9:  EHS Choir Concert (7:00 p.m.) May 10 : Clayton Student Art Show (2:15 p,m.) May 15:  EHS Band Concert (6:30 p.m.) May 16:   EHS Senior Awards/Dept. Awards (6:00 p.m.) May 17 : EMS/ELA Dance (Back patio at TEC-4:30-6:00 p.m.) May 18: EHS Graduation (9:00 a.m.) May 18 : CFHSC Graduation (11:00 a.m.) May 22 : Bishop Spring Fling (3:30-5:30 p.m.)  Community Events May 4:  FREE Comic Book Day May 4 : FREE Shakespeare in the Parking Lot (Romeo and Juliet) May 5:  Cinco de Mayo Festival -Civic Center Park May 14th: FREE Day - Denver Art Museum May 24:  FREE Day - Four Mile Historic Park Events to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month here and here . Events to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month: here and here . GOOD NEWS STORIES EHS Physics Students Present Projects at CU Boulder Check this out! This week, students from Rosemary Wulf's physics class had the privilege of presenting their projects at the University of Colorado Boulder, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. The opportunity to present at CU Boulder provided our students with a platform to engage with a diverse audience, including peers, CU Boulder students, esteemed professors, and even a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. This exposure not only allowed them to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise but also fostered valuable connections within the scientific community. In addition to their presentations, our students also went on an amazing tour of various laboratories on the CU Boulder campus. This tour provided them with firsthand exposure to state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge research methodologies. Such experiences are instrumental in broadening their understanding of scientific practices and inspiring future pursuits in the fields of physics, engineering, and beyond. We commend our students for their dedication, hard work, and exemplary representation of Englewood High School. Their participation in this event not only showcases their academic prowess but also reflects positively on our school's commitment to excellence in education. We extend our congratulations to all the students who participated in this event and express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Wulf for her guidance, mentorship, and brilliant development of this partnership with the staff, students, and professors at the University of Colorado Boulder! Specifically, thank you to PISEC (Partnerships for Informal Science Education in the Community) and the CU Boulder JILA Institute for your partnership!   Charles Hay Club teams up with Local Assisted Living Facility A few Charles Hay parent volunteers hosted an afterschool Paper Mache Club that kids could join. On the last day of the club, Hay collaborated with a nearby assisted living facility, Chateau Des Mons. The students walked to the facility and shared their paper mache masks with the residents, bringing them joy. Hay is now exploring further opportunities to connect with the facility and create more joyful experiences for the residents and students. EMS Celebrates 6th Annual Wish Week   Englewood Middle School hosted the 6th annual Wish Week in conjunction with all of our amazing Englewood schools and raised over $14,000 for Make-A-Wish Colorado! This year, our incredible Wish Kid was 6-year-old Kaleb with leukemia, and his wish was to see the giraffes at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Wish Week took place the last week of March. It involved various fun activities, including restaurant give-back nights, spirit days, a walk-a-thon, an elementary school dance, and a culminating assembly with EMS and EHS where students and staff participated in challenges like pie-in-the-face, musical chairs, and sack races. Our students worked hard to raise money for kids like Kaleb, and each year, we hope to grow our Wish Week to include more of our feeder schools and community. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed and supported this year's Wish Week. It was a grand success!    Congratulations to the Academic Decathlon Team! Our Academic Decathlon team finished 13th in their division at Nationals. We were awarded the Rookie of the Year award for our division, meaning we were the highest-scoring first-year team. Dante Lopez was our highest scorer and Caches Cunningham was voted the Most Valued Team Member. Dante and Caches were each given a scholarship for their accomplishments. In addition to this, the following students earned top 10 in their division: Lucy Walker - 4th in Interview; 7th in Speech Abigail Husbands - 7th in Literature; 8th in Art; 10th in Science Rafael Lopez - 5th in Mathematics; 9th in Science Caches Cunningham - 8th in Literature; 6th in Art Hailey Rae Darras - 9th in Economics; 9th in Social Science The kids are exhausted but motivated for next year. Our next theme is "Our Ever Changing Climate," where kids will learn about environmental sciences, climate change, nature, and Native American literature. Thank you for being such amazing supporters! These kids are lucky to have all of you as their teachers, leaders, and cheerleaders! I have included some snapshots of their adventures in Pittsburgh, PA. BOARD OF EDUCATION  Board of Education Meetings : On April 16, 2024 , at 5:00 p.m., the Board of Education had a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . On April 29, 2024 , at 5:00 p.m., the Board of Education had a Special Meeting in person at RDAB - 4101 S. Bannock St. This meeting was not live-streamed. The only agenda item for this meeting was an Executive Session: Pursuant to Section § 24-6-402(4)(e)(I), C.R.S. for purposes of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiators regarding the Negotiated Agreement with the Englewood Educators; pursuant to Section § 24-6-402(4)(e)(III), C.R.S. for purposes of developing the strategy of the school district for negotiations relating to collective bargaining with the Englewood Educators; and pursuant to Section § 24-6-402(4)(b), C.R.S. for legal advice regarding the same. Upcoming Board of Education Meetings : On May 7, 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will have its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here .  To participate in Public Comment at this meeting, please complete this form by noon on May 7. On May 21, 2024 , the Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. —and stream it online here . Please note the full agendas of all board meetings will be posted in BoardDocs the Friday before each meeting. Updated Board Policies: Board Policies AEA, BDF, CHCA, EEA, KF, KHC, KLMA, and IJ were updated and had their second reading for approval on April 2, 2024.  All active policies can be found  here . Connect with us: May 2, 2024

Thursday, May 02 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter - April 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter |  April 2024           A Message from the Superintendent  Dear Englewood Schools’ Families, One of my goals for Englewood Schools is to have all our outstanding schools reach the Performance level as rated by the Colorado Department of Education. We are almost there. Englewood Schools currently has five of its eight schools rated as  Performance . We have dedicated teachers and extremely intelligent students, and state testing is one way to show that we are a high-performing system with high expectations in the classroom.  State testing—two words that can evoke a lot of emotion. I remember taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the SAT in school. I knew I had to do my best. Back then, my scores would determine which reading and math group I would be placed in and predict the college I would attend. If my score didn't fall in the 90th percentile or higher, my parents would worry about what went wrong. Any test might feel like high stakes, yet we know a test score doesn’t tell the entire story of a student’s educational experience. Some of our students are thrilled to showcase their knowledge in tests. They consider it a challenge and eagerly wait for the scores. However, some students are more anxious and may feel intimidated by the test. Some students may need help understanding the importance of the test and may not take it seriously. Teachers may also experience similar emotions. Some teachers are proud to see their students excel in the test and showcase their knowledge of the grade-level standards. Others may feel nervous about the test. Regardless of the emotion testing evokes for you, it is essential for many reasons.  We are a small school district, and the number of students who take the test matters; the higher the participation rate, the more accurate the results will be . Englewood Schools analyzes the results to determine how we can improve as a school system focused on our students' education. On the student level, the results are used as one of the data points when triangulating data. Scores from the SAT can determine scholarship money for college. The system is set up to provide parents, teachers, and the community with comparable information about the performance of their children’s school, their district, and the state’s public education system in general. I challenge you to help your student get as pumped up as Cherrelyn's students and staff were at their CMAS kick-off assembly. A team of teachers led by Dr. Harringa created characters to motivate students to do their best. One student excitedly reported to their parent, “Mom, CMAS is a really big deal this year!”  In Partnership, Joanna Polzin Superintendent Teacher of the Year Nominations Nominations are open for Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year! The Teacher of the Year program elevates and celebrates exceptional educators. Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year will become a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year award and have an opportunity to travel to Washington, DC, with other state nominees from across the country.   We encourage you to nominate the teachers who have made a difference for your child! The nomination form is available online and will be open until Tuesday, May 28 .  For more information, visit the Colorado Department of Education's website . District News and Department Updates LEARNING SERVICES Ignite Your Curiosity: Discover the Magic of Englewood Schools in "Spotlight" Videos This is the third video in this selection and we hope you enjoyed the chance to peek inside the vibrant schools where future dreamers and leaders ignite their potential through our brand new "Spotlight" video series! These compelling short films took you on a journey through three remarkable schools, showcasing the dynamic learning experiences our staff engage with that make Englewood Schools so special. You'll meet dedicated teachers, witness students' infectious enthusiasm, and discover the expertise woven into every corner of our buildings. Each video revealed a unique lens on what makes Englewood Schools thrive. We believe in learning for all members of our community, and these stories underscore our unwavering commitment to ensuring every student has access to the best educators every day. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be amazed! Click the link below to discover our teachers' passions as they learn to use data to support instruction.                                                                                   Culture and Climate Survey Hello Englewood Schools Families, Englewood Schools is committed to ensuring that your experience with us is collaborative and successful and helps your student(s) thrive. We encourage you to complete this survey about your experience with your student’s school. If you have multiple students at various schools, complete one for each student. In addition, if you have one or more students at the same school, please take the survey thinking about your oldest student enrolled.  This anonymous survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. The results will be used to improve the learning environment in our district, schools, and your student(s).  The survey opens today and closes on Thursday, April 18 . To complete the survey, click on  this link or copy the below link and paste it into the browser to complete the survey.   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EngSchools Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback! Your voice is essential in identifying what is working well and what improvements we can make to deliver on our mission to graduate the leaders, thinkers and explorers of tomorrow.  Best, Englewood Schools Interim 3 Data and Celebrations T he results are in for Interim 3  for the 2023-2024 school year. In our final Interim Assessments of the year, we continue to have celebrations across our schools in academic achievement and growth. We saw growth in overall proficiency in both English Language Arts and Math compared to the 2022-2023 school year.  English Language Arts increased by 3.4 points!   This puts Englewood schools at an all-time high of 40.2% overall for English Language Arts ! Overall improvement of  14.8 points since the beginning of Interims in 2021. Math Interim 3 overall scores are also at an all-time high at 32.3%  Overall improvement of  13.3 points since the beginning of interims in 2021! Highlighted below are district-wide grade levels that had double-digit growth in proficiency from Interim 3 in 2022-2023 to Interim 2 in 2023-2024: In addition, two schools had double-digit growth overall from 2023 Interim 3 to 2024 Interim 3! Congratulations to: Charles Hay World School i ncreased the overall Math proficiency scores by 13.4 points! Cherrelyn Elementary  increased the overall Language Arts proficiency scores by 12.6 points! AND Cherrelyn Elementary increased overall Math proficiency scores by 10.5 points! The following school grade level teams also increased their overall proficiency scores by double-digits! OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS AND INCLUSION Inclusive Excellence Spring has sprung, and for kids, adults, and the planet, meaning new things might be blossoming in our lives. Our well-being plays a critical role in our ability to empathize with and advocate alongside others, especially if their experiences differ from ours. As the earth moves through its own cycle of growing and nurturing its plants and animals, how might you support wellness and growth for yourself and your loved ones? April is National Arab American Heritage Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the heritage, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. Did you know that almost 4 million Americans have Arab ancestry? Learn more interesting facts and history here and check out  13 Ways To Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month .  In April, we also celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. While neurodiversity can be challenging to navigate in a society typically not designed with these needs in mind, neurodiverse individuals have many strengths associated with their unique ways of thinking and being. Here is an image that helps us consider some of them:  In partnership, Dr. Rana Razzaque  Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion COMMUNITY Transportation - Now Hiring Bus Drivers and Custodians Bus Drivers Are you looking for a new job? Do you want weekends off? Do you want flexibility? Englewood Schools is looking for kind, caring bus drivers to help with transportation. If you are looking for a new career, love being around children, and enjoy helping your community, this job might be for you.  Custodians Become a hero and help give back to your community by working at Englewood Schools! The operations and maintenance team is looking to hire custodians to help clean our buildings.   Englewood  - Sustainability Grant UPCOMING FREE AND LOW-COST EVENTS District Events April 4:  EMS/ELA - Honor Roll Breakfast (7:45 a.m.) April 8: Charles Hay - Coffee with the Principal (8:15 -  9:00 a.m.) April 9:  EHS Jazz Night Fundraiser (6:00 p.m.) April 12 : Colorado’s Finest HS Prom @ The Kirk of  Hyland (7:00-11:00 p,m.) April 16:  ECE Art Show and Spring Fling (3:45-5:15 p.m.) April 19:   Cherrelyn School Dance (5:00-7:00 p.m.) April 20 : Clayton Garden Work (8-10 a.m.) School Grounds Clean Up (10-12 p.m.) April 25: Bishop Spring Showcase and Multicultural  “Around the World” Night (3:30-5:30 p.m.)  April 25 : Autism Awareness Day - Clayton (wear blue) Community Events April 13:  CO4Kids Resource Fair @ Denver Zoo: Strengthening families, creating community April 22:  Free Day-Denver Botanic Gardens , must register April 27:  City of Englewood: Earth Day Celebration April 28:  Free Day- Denver Museum of Nature and Science April 28:  Free Day - Día del Niño Celebration: Clyfford Still Museum GOOD NEWS STORIES EHS Theatre Program Receives Recognition The Englewood Campus Theatre Company is alive and well at Englewood High School this year.  The fall play, The Great Gatsby, was a big success and got the troupe recognized by the Colorado Thespians Chapter of the National Educational Theatre Association.  The spring musical, Seussical the Musical, made a huge splash at Fisher Auditorium this March, and elementary students from all over our district came to see a special performance just for them.  Many thanks to our wonderful directors, Miranda Bath and Seneca Rayburn, for bringing this delightful show to our stage.  Also, a special thanks to Tony Filipeli, our amazing volunteer who tirelessly keeps our program running with his behind-the-scenes work.  It has been a great year for theatre! BOARD OF EDUCATION  Board of Education Meetings : On March 26 , 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education had a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . On April 2, 2024,  at  6:00 p.m., the Board of Education had its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . Upcoming Board of Education Meetings : On April 16, 2024 , at 4:00 p.m., the Board of Education will have a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . On May 7, 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will have its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here.  To participate in Public Comment at this meeting, please complete this form by noon on May 7. Please note the full agendas of all board meetings will be posted in BoardDocs the Friday before each meeting. Updated Board Policies: Board Policies AEA, BDF, CHCA, EEA, KF, KHC, KLMA, and IJ were updated and had their second reading for approval on April 2, 2024.  All active policies can be found  here . Connect with us: April 4, 2024

Thursday, Apr 04 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter - March 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter |  March 2024           A Message from the Superintendent  Dear Englewood Schools’ Families, Strong leadership is imperative to the success of our schools. At the end of last school year, we placed interim principals at several of our schools and committed to a robust principal hiring process that prioritized community voice. To fulfill that promise, we held community forums for the first time that many of you attended. These forums provided you with the chance to have your questions addressed by principal candidates, and afterward, you could engage in more informal conversations. Opportunities like this are significant as they allow you to hear firsthand the values, vision, and direction the principal wants to take the school. We had many internal candidates who rose to the top and wanted to continue to serve the Englewood Schools’ community. After careful consideration, I am thrilled to announce the leaders that will move our schools forward:  Mrs. Kara Blanchard at ECE at Maddox Mrs. Sheri’ Spenhoff at Bishop Elementary Dr. Laura Harringa at Cherrelyn Elementary Mr. Matt Hoganson at Clayton Elementary Mr. Nate Smith at Englewood High School The following principals will continue to lead at their schools: Mrs. Annessa Hart at ELA/EMS  Mrs. Keely Rochford at Charles Hay World School Mrs. Cindy Chick at Colorado's Finest High School of Choice Effective leadership has a positive impact on student achievement and outcomes. The role of a principal also affects teacher and staff retention, school climate, and family engagement. I am confident in the abilities of our principals to continue to create a community of belonging within their schools. I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who participated in the selection process and contributed to making our schools stronger.  In Partnership, Joanna Polzin Superintendent District News and Department Updates LEARNING SERVICES Ignite Your Curiosity: Discover the Magic of Englewood Schools in "Spotlight" Videos For the next three months, we will be sharing with you the chance to peek inside the vibrant schools where future dreamers and leaders ignite their potential through our brand new "Spotlight" video series! These compelling short films take you on a journey through three of our remarkable schools, showcasing the dynamic learning experiences our staff engage with that make Englewood Schools so special. You'll meet dedicated teachers, witness students' infectious enthusiasm, and discover the expertise woven into every corner of our buildings. Each video reveals a unique lens on what makes Englewood Schools thrive. We believe in learning for all members of our community, and these stories underscore our unwavering commitment to ensuring every student has access to the best educators every day. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be amazed! Click the link below to witness the power of belonging-centered instruction as teachers engage in protocols and learning around how to engage every student who walks through their doors.                                                                                                                                                                                                American Battle Monuments Foundation - 2024 Past is Prologue Essay Contest The American Battle Monuments Foundation (ABMF), which supports the Congressionally-funded American Battle Monuments Commission, is sponsoring an essay contest for students ages 11 through 18. This contest is an amazing opportunity for Colorado students to learn about the past and to consider how it affects their lives today. The deadline for submission is April 12, 2024.  There are substantial monetary prizes for the age categories with the first prize being $10K! Check out the additional information on how to participate including Contest Details , Timeline and Checklist , and the Essay Contest Poster . 3rd Grade Students at Charles Hay: How the World Works To take action on their learning as part of their How the World Works unit of inquiry, 3rd graders at Charles Hay created books about different frogs, the interconnectedness of the world and how frogs adapt to their environment.  The students then read their books to other students and families. The students did a great job writing and sharing their stories with others. OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS AND INCLUSION Inclusive Excellence March is Women’s History Month ! What a wonderful time to make sure that we are regularly amplifying the achievements of women who helped shape our past and will help build our future. Women’s History Month is a time to showcase those who serve as “sheroes” for all. From A to Z, we have historical figures such as Amelia Earhart and Zora Neale Hurston, in addition to contemporary change-makers. As you highlight empowered women this month, consider talking with your children about intersecting identities, such as women with disabilities (visible or invisible), BIPOC women , LGBTQ+ women , women who immigrated to the United States, and other important identities that represent the rich diversity within our communities. March is also Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month , and  Neurodiversity Week is March 18th-24th. Neurodiversity is a term people use to describe how our brains are wired differently in how we think, process information, and communicate. Approximately 15-20% of our community has a neurodivergent ability, including folks who may have dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Autism, or ADHD. This is an especially great time to consider strategies to be more inclusive of students and families with diverse (dis)abilities. I also wanted to take a moment to celebrate the incredible Englewood community members who attended the AARISE (Advocate, Amplify, Respect, Include, Support, Empower) Community Inclusion Launch Party in February, created in partnership with Englewood families. Your insights and collaboration help strengthen our web of support to establish safe and inclusive spaces for every child, family, and staff member. Email me if you want to get involved! In partnership, Dr. Rana Razzaque  Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion COMMUNITY PYS Recognized as Gold Crown Feeder Program of the Year Englewood Schools has a strong partnership with Pirate Youth Sports. We partner with PYS to promote feeder programs to develop Student-Athletes in Englewood. Congratulations to PYS and the entire Englewood Program for winning the inaugural Gold Crown Feeder Program of the Year. PYS was selected based on many factors. To name a few – their dedication to the Englewood community by offering well-run youth sports for the kids in our area, always offering to be a host site so the families in your program can play close to home as opposed to traveling, exemplifying good sportsmanship within the PYS program, and having each team follow a high code of ethics while playing in Gold Crown. These are just a few of the many qualities that are exemplified by our students, coaches, and community! On behalf of the Gold Crown Foundation, and as a sign of their appreciation, PYS received tickets to the Nuggets vs. Raptors game. Congratulations to Adam Devereaux (Competitive Basketball Director) and the amazing PYS athletes, families, coaches, and staff! Seussical the Musical Come join the Englewood High School Theatre Company for Seussical the Musical! Tickets are now on sale for the shows on March 7, 8, and 9! Important Tax Filing Season Information for Families January 29th marked the start date of the nation's 2024 tax season. You can obtain IRS assistance, prepare for filing and choose a tax preparer, determine eligibility for refundable tax credits and protect yourself from tax-related identity theft.  These are important tax credits that can equal large refunds for working families in our school district. It is not too late to claim the 2020 and 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit for those who may not have filed returns for those tax years ( see Publication 5486-A attached ). Champions Family Subsidy Night We are hosting a family information night to inform families that we accept Colorado's Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) and to assist them with the enrollment process. Check out  this flyer for more information. Englewood Events - Spring Festival: Hop & Shop UPCOMING FREE AND LOW-COST EVENTS District Events March 7, 8 and 9:  EHS  Seussical the Musical  (7:00 p.m.) (2:00 p.m. matinee on March 9 . ( buy tickets here ) March 7: Clayton-2nd Grade Living Museum (2:30 p.m.) March 8:  Family Resource Center - District Clothing  Swap   (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) March 12:  Bishop-Bagels with Buddies (7:30 a.m.) March 13:   ECE-STEAM Night (3:45 p.m. - 5:15 pm) March 18-22: No School-Spring Break March 28: Clayton- STEAM/Wellness night (4:00 p.m. -  5:30 p.m.) Community Events March 8-10:  Be Happy Boutique - Weekend 2, Pay What You Can prom formal wear shop March 9:  Free Day-Denver Botanic Gardens , must register March 15-17:  Denver March Pow Wow March 16:  Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 24: Free Day-Denver Art Museum GOOD NEWS STORIES EHS 9th Grade Academy = Success! Englewood High School is in its second year of offering the 9th Grade Academy to support freshmen with the transition to high school. “Creating the Ninth Grade Academy has helped us to be proactive instead of reactive. It gives us the forum to teach kids study skills, social and emotional skills, and self-advocacy. It has allowed us to set the bar high and then provide the support that our students need to be able to reach that bar and achieve. Our 10th-grade teachers have said they have seen the positive impact that our Ninth Grade Academy has had on our kids. And hopefully, we’ll continue to see that positive impact as they move up through the grades,” said Jamie Pollett, Dean of Instruction & Assessment and 9th Grade Administrator. Check out the full story here and watch the video below.                                                                                                                                                                                         Program - Eyewitness to History: A Holocaust Survivor Speaks On Thursday, February 29th, at Englewood Leadership Academy & Englewood Middle School, all 8th graders participated in a virtual lesson and discussion called Eyewitness to History: A Holocaust Survivor Speaks . This program offered students the opportunity to hear directly from local Holocaust survivors and observers. Through powerful Holocaust survivor testimonials and Mizel Museum-led discussions, students engaged in discussions and activities that develop empathy and are inspired to stand up to hatred in the world today.  Holocaust survivor, Jack Adler, taught us about countering hate with respect.  Classes learned of the story of Jack Adler and his experiences with antisemitism in Poland, before the Holocaust. Through this lesson,  we examined the rise of the Nazi Party across Europe to help understand some of the dangerous ways hate can spread through communities. Classes discussed our role in extending mutual respect to combat hate in our world today.  We sincerely thank the Mizel Museum for providing us with this powerful lesson at no cost. Englewood Schools in the Englewood Magazine We are fortunate to have a strong partnership with the City of Englewood. Each quarter, we can submit an entry for the Englewood Magazine that is sent to homes across our District. In the spring issue, we highlighted all of our wonderful schools and what they have to offer. Thanks to Matt Hoganson and some of his students for the great recess photo. Big opportunities in a small district await incoming students at Englewood Schools! Check out the story here . Bishop Elementary Celebra tes the 101st Day of School The Bishop Elementary 1st-grade students celebrated the 101st day of school by dressing up as Dalmatians!  Their teacher, Ms. Sandell and para, Ms. Teague, were Cruella!  The students even made dog name tags with their chosen dog name and the students loved barking any chance they could!   Englewood's PK-12 STEAM & CTE Pathways Highlighted at CACTA Conference  Diana Zakhem, Thomas Rode, and Paul Whitaker presented the incredible work Englewood Schools is doing to align PK-8 STEAM and our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways at the Colorado Association for Career & Technical Administrators (CACTA) conference.  Michelle Schiltz attended the session and shared, "This team commanded attention from the beginning and maintained engagement for the one-hour session. They did a remarkable job and several attendees were heard saying how great the session was. I was energized and excited about the work Englewood is doing!" She added, "The future of CTE and STEAM is growing exponentially and this team is pioneering some great connections from ECE/Elementary to Post Secondary!" To learn more, go to PK-12 STEAM . You can explore the course offerings in Career Tech Education . Thank you to Diana, Thomas, and Paul for their vision and for sharing their expertise with colleagues from across the state.  BOARD OF EDUCATION  Board of Education Meetings : On February 6 , 2024 , at 4:45 p.m., the Board of Education had its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . On February 20 , 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education had a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . On March 5, 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education had its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . Upcoming Board of Education Meetings : On March 26 , 2024 , at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will have a Work Session in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here .  On April 2, 2024,  at  6:00 p.m., the Board of Education will have its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . To participate in Public Comment at this meeting, please complete this form by noon on April 2. On April 16, 2024 , at 4:00 p.m., the Board of Education will have a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . See the Special Meeting Notice sent on March 1, 2024. Please note the full agendas of all board meetings will be posted in BoardDocs the Friday before each meeting. Updated Board Policies: Board Policies BC , BEDH , IC/ICA , JJA-2 , KBBA , KEC , IMB , JLCE and Regulation BC-R had their 2nd reading for approval on February 6, 2024, and were updated.  All active policies can be found  here . Connect with us: March 7, 2024

Thursday, Mar 07 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter - January 2024

Monthly Family Newsletter |  January 2024           WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOUR STUDENTS BACK ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024! A Message from the Superintendent  Dear Englewood Schools’ Families, The new year brings a renewed focus on our mission to provide the highest quality education to our students. The class of 2024 leaders, thinkers and explorers of tomorrow will graduate in approximately five months. Finest will also hold a mid-year graduation on January 20. Will our students be ready? Academic indicators are saying yes – our students are prepared to leave us college and career-ready. Our Interim 2 test results have improved by a significant margin. Some schools have increased in the double digits as compared to last year’s Interim 2 results (please see more celebrations below). Anecdotally, academic engagement has also increased. Our PK-12 STEAM programming, led by a talented group of educators, has brought incredible learning opportunities to our students. Students are engaged with hydroponic farming (seeding and harvesting) and have had hands-on experiences during Pathway Day. The trout are beginning to thrive in the tanks at Cherrelyn and Charles Hay and will be released by students this spring in the Platte River. Students from our Project Lead the Way classes are volunteering at Craig Hospital. There is an energy about Englewood Schools that is unmatched.  As we begin the second semester, we understand that your students only have one year in their current grade level or class. That is why our teachers, as professionals, continue to hone their craft day in and day out. They truly give it their all and believe in your students.  I found this quote that speaks to me as an educator. "This year, be structured enough for success and achievement and flexible enough for creativity and fun” (Taylor Duvall). It is about balance—the equilibrium we must find to ensure that we are preparing our students for the finish line of graduation and the starting line of life. Simultaneously, we must ensure that they are enjoying the time they spend in our classrooms, learning and growing. Englewood Schools cares about students and finding the balance to support all students in realizing their dreams. In Partnership, Joanna Polzin District News and Department Updates COMMUNITY Choice Enrollment is Open Now Choice Enrollment is for families who live out of the District but would like to attend Englewood Schools, families previously living in the District but have since moved, as well as families residing in Englewood but wishing to attend a school other than their home school. Current choice enrolled students in transition grades (PK4, 6th, and 8th) must reapply for choice enrollment for their new school for the 24/25 school year. Round one of Choice Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now open through January 17th, 2024. Round two of Choice Enrollment is February 1st - August 31st. The link to apply is  here .    Kindergarten Round-Up is Coming! Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 3:30 PM-5:00 PM Englewood Early Childhood Education (ECE)  3838 S. Huron St.  Englewood, CO 80110 Please join us for an opportunity to meet the Kindergarten Teacher Teams and Principals from: Bishop Elementary Charles Hay World School Clayton Elementary Cherrelyn Elementary In addition to meeting the teams, you will have the opportunity to enroll your child for Kindergarten at this event as well as apply for Choice Enrollment.   (If you are not able to attend Kindergarten Round-Up, the enrollment window for the 2024-2025 school year opens on January 17th. ) LEARNING SERVICES 2023-2024 Interim 2 Data The results are in for Interim 2  for the 2023-2024 school year. As this year moves along we continue to have great celebrations across our schools in academic achievement and growth. We saw growth in the overall proficiency in both English Language Arts and Math compared to the 2022-2023 school year.  English Language Arts increased by 7.3 points! Math increased by 3.4 points! Highlighted below are district-wide grade levels that had double-digit growth in proficiency from Interim 2 in 2022-2023 to Interim 2 in 2023-2024. In addition, two schools had double-digit growth overall! Congratulations to: Charles Hay World School increased the overall Math proficiency scores by 18.4 points! Englewood Middle School increased the overall Language Arts proficiency scores by 10.6 points! Englewood High School increased the overall Math proficiency scores by 11.4 points! The following school grade level teams also increased their overall proficiency scores by double-digits! OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS AND INCLUSION Inclusive Excellence Happy 2024 to the Englewood Schools community! What are some rituals, reflections, or practices you do to ring in the new year? Years ago, I started mindfulness rituals to bookend the end of the year with reflections and celebrations and create vision boards to set tangible intentions for the year to come. The legendary Audre Lorde (a Black queer woman writer, philosopher, and civil rights activist) wrote “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” But as marketing companies are busy commodifying self-care (like ads for gyms, diet plans, candles, and so on), I wonder if we need to step back from trying to access self-care through spending, and instead reset back to its foundations, as demonstrated by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: When we look at these needs, a large amount of them are actualized both internally within ourselves and concurrently in community with others. So, as we march wholeheartedly into 2024, let’s seize opportunities to promote self-love for ourselves, our families, and our communities. On that note, please save the date for a wonderful event coming up to promote greater inclusion and access in our community on February 21, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. I’ll leave you with one more Audre Lorde quote to inspire the year ahead: “I want to live the rest of my life, however long or short, with as much sweetness as I can decently manage, loving all the people I love, and doing as much as I can of the work I still have to do… I'm going to go out like a… meteor!” Cheers to a bright year of belonging and empowerment ahead! In partnership, Dr. Rana Razzaque  Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion COMMUNITY Bus Drivers Looking for a new job?  Want weekends off?  Englewood Schools is looking for kind and caring drivers to help out with transportation. If you are someone looking for something to do for a few hours a day, like to be around children and enjoy helping the community, this job might be for you.  Apply today ! Custodians Become a hero and help give back to your community by working at Englewood  Schools! The operations and maintenance team is looking to hire custodians to help clean our buildings.  Apply today . City of Englewood Honors Calendar Artists Eleven students received the honor of having their artwork in the City of Englewood's 2024 Calendar. The artists are Ellie Afman, Eleanor Hankle, Sirinity Woodford, Dante Haltom, Chloe Hritz, Illiana Lunakiai Johnson, Luna Martinez, Ireland Owens Sullivan, Natalie Untisz, Vrinda Wuest, and Darby Knowles. Congratulations to our amazing artists! NUTRITION SERVICES Over the past couple of decades, school nutrition professionals, the school food industry, and other partners have made incredible strides in strengthening the nutrition of school meals; research shows school meals are the healthiest meals children eat in a day! School food must fall into calorie ranges based on age groups, be made with whole grains, and limit the sodium and fat served. Sugar limits are expected to be limited soon also.  Englewood Schools Nutrition Services is not only committed to serving healthy food, but food students are excited to eat and relate to! With a focus on student and community engagement and feedback, Nutrition Services has been taste-testing a wide variety of foods and recipes ranging from culturally relevant and allergy-friendly recipes to student preferences such as vegetarian options to include on future menus.  In December, students at Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice were able to taste test a few vegetarian dishes (also gluten-free), nachos with hatch green chilies and plant-based pea protein crumbles in a taco sauce, and a three-bean chili. Students at Colorado’s Finest High School and Charles Hay World School (elementary) also sampled breakfast smoothies as a possible breakfast menu option.  At our Multilingual Family Night, Nutrition Services taste-tested several culturally diverse recipes, while also providing information on that specific cuisine and culture. We had some clear winners that students will likely see on the menu next year! Nutrition Services also participated in the incredible harvesting events the STEAM department and STEAM teachers at Bishop, Clayton and Cherrelyn hosted, by providing students with nutrition education on leafy greens. The leafy greens that were harvested, were served on the salad bar the same day! UPCOMING FREE AND LOW-COST EVENTS District Events Jan. 11 : Clayton - Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night (Dartmouth & Broadway location) Community Events Jan. 8 & Jan. 28:  Free Day - Denver Museum of Nature and Science Jan. 17:  ECE @ Maddox-Kindergarten Roundup for ‘24-’25 school year (All elementary schools will be represented, 3:30-5:00 pm) Jan. 15: Free Day - Denver Botanic Gardens and Chatfield Farms Jan. 17: Cherrelyn’s Skate City Night  (6:00-8:00 pm) Jan. 15:  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission presents the Denver Marade Jan. 18:  Clayton-Kindergarten ‘24-’25-Open House/ Principal-led Group Tour - (9:30 am) Jan. 21:  Free Day - Denver Zoo (must pre-register) Jan. 23:   EMS/ELA-Honor Roll breakfast (7:45-8:15 am) Jan. 25:  EMS/ELA- Learning Showcase Open House (5:30-7 pm) Jan. 25: Clayton-Kindergarten ‘24-’25 Open House/ Principal-led Group Tour - (1:00 pm) Jan. 30:  ECE @ Maddox- Clothing and Fashion Demonstration (3:45-5:15 pm)     BOARD OF EDUCATION January is School Board Recognition Month -  School Boards Make a Difference School board members are ordinary people who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to our public schools. January marks School Board Recognition Month and is the perfect time we thank our school board members for their untiring efforts. Too often we forget about the personal sacrifices school board members routinely make. Too often we forget about the important role school board members play in assuring local control over our public schools, control that is in the hands of people we know ... people who are our neighbors. Too often we forget that, in the tradition of a representative democracy, school board members are our connection to influencing how our public schools are governed. Too often we are quick to criticize school board members without really knowing all the details that went into any given decision. Too often the efforts of school board members go unrecognized and unrewarded. This month we take a moment to recognize the value of their work to our students and our communities. This is a time to show our appreciation and to begin to better understand how school board members work together to provide leadership for our schools. The school board works closely with parents, education professionals and community members to create the educational vision we want for our students. It then formulates goals, defines results and sets the course for adequate and equitable educational programs for all students. The school board is accountable to the public. It is responsible for assuring the public that the money allocated to the public schools is providing a good return on the investment. Thus, the board oversees the regular assessment of the district’s students, staff and programs. The school board also is a strong advocate for public schools and is responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public’s expectations of the district. In January, join with others from throughout our district and state to salute the board members who provide grassroots governance of public schools. Make a special effort to tell each school board member his or her hard work has been noticed and is very much appreciated. Board of Education Meetings : On December 19 , the Englewood Schools Board of Education held a Special Meeting in person at ECE - 3838 S. Huron St., Englewood beginning at 5:00 p.m. and streamed online here . Upcoming Board Meetings : On January 9, 2024, the Board of Education will have its Regular Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . To participate in Public Comment at this meeting, please complete this form by noon on January 9. On January 23, 2024, the Board of Education will have a Special Meeting in person at ECE at Maddox - 3838 S. Huron St. and streamed online here . The Board of Education will also interview applicants to fill the Vacancy at this meeting. Please note the full agendas of all board meetings will be posted in BoardDocs the Friday before each meeting. Updated Board Policies: Board Policies JLJ, KBA, KDB, BEDH, EBAB, GBGAB* and GBGK will have their 2nd reading for approval at the January 9, 2024, Regular Board Meeting .  To view the redlined policies, go to the  12-5-23 BoE meeting agenda .  All active policies can be found  here . GOOD NEWS STORIES Sock It To 'Em Campaign Englewood Leadership Academy students had a project day on December 1st to focus on community service.  One community issue they want to help with is supporting our local unhoused.  They decided to collect new socks to donate to the homeless.  For the Sock It To 'Em campaign, they created posters, video advertisements, bins for collection, and spread the word.  We collected over 50 pairs of new socks and appreciate the partnership with Englewood's mayor and the Englewood Family Resource Center. Connect with us: January 4, 2024

Thursday, Jan 04 2024