Honors High School Program

All parents--High School and Lower School--are invited to come learn more about the new Denver Academy High School Honors Program on April 29 in Johnson Commons, 6:00-7:30 p.m. There will be a short presentation followed by a Q&A session. No RSVP needed. 

 

Dyslexic Advantage Book Talk

Interested in learning about asset-based thinking? How can we honor all the ways our students are smart? Join Philippe Ernewein, Director of Education, and Cynthia Richardson, Faculty Development Coordinator, as they lead a workshop on the latest research by Fernette & Brock Eide, nationally recognized experts in the field of learning differences. 

 

April 8 offers an opportunity for DA's community to participate in the conversation.  The presentation and discussion will be offered at 8:30-10:00 a.m. in Johnson Commons.  
 

The primary source of the presentation comes from the book The Dyslexic Advantage, written by Fernette & Brock Edie. Copies of the books will be available at the front office, starting March 3. First come, first serve. The book talk and discussion is hosted by the DA Program Team and graciously sponsored by DAPA. Please feel free to direct questions to Philippe Ernewein. 

Kofi Baker Drum Clinic

Kofi Baker

Denver Academy was thrilled to bring Kofi Baker, son of legendary Cream drummer, Ginger Baker, to campus for a recent drumming clinic. Baker, who has toured with his father and the band Humble Pie, among others, taught DA student drummers about his four-limbed drumming technique, which he outlines in his new book, The Forgotten Foot.   

 

Alumni Will and Patrick Ring with Leigh Anne Jensen

We are thankful for alumni brothers Will and Patrick Ring (both class of '10) and their family for facilitating the visit. Baker visited Denver Academy while on his Colorado mini-tour.

 

Denver Academy has a strong drumming program as part of its music education. The DA Drum Line performs at all major school functions and students receive the opportunity to learn and practice multiple cadences on the snare, quads, bass and tenor drums.

Q4 MS & HS Clubs Starting Soon!

Congratulations to Elizabeth Barry in the Marketing and Communications Department. Denver Academy was named a Constant Contact All Star for the second year in a row for its superior email communications! Only the top ten percent of all Constant Contact 500,000+ users are awarded this honor each year. Elizabeth oversees all DA communications.  

Professional Development Day

In May each year, we have a Professional Development Day where teachers and staff are recognized for their hard work throughout the year, culminating with one teacher being recognized as Teacher of the Year and a staff member as Staff Member of the Year. Nominations come in the form of letters or any other expressive medium from parents, students and employees at Denver Academy.  

We would like to encourage everyone to take a few minutes to recognize a teacher and staff member.  More information can be found in the teacher nomination form and staff member nomination form. Please submit nominations to Cynthia Richardson by Friday, May 2nd.  

Volunteer of the Year

Denver Academy is fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers who enhance our ability to provide an outstanding education to our students. Every year we select a person to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award. Please take the time to honor one of the special volunteers who make a difference at our school. Nomination forms are due to Karen Lozow by May 9. 

Teacher Appreciation Month

May is Teacher Appreciation Month, and books and other classroom resources are a great way to honor amazing teachers! Visit our teacher wish list page to see what our teachers are wishing for. Lists are arranged alphabetically by teachers' last names. If you don't see the teacher you're looking for, touch base with Jolene Gutierrez and she'll ask the teacher to add their wishes to this list.

Summer Reading Book Fair

The Library and Literacy Specialists will be hosting a quick Buy-One-Get-One Free fair from Scholastic in the Elementary building May 11 and 12 from 8:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. each day. This fair will be smaller than our Fall event but will allow our Lower School students the chance to purchase some great summer reading at wonderful prices! If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact Tammy Curran or Jolene Gutierrez.

Summer Program 2014: What A Summer it Will Be!

Denver Academy's summer program will have a wide range of academic, experiential and recreational activities for elementary through high school students.

Remediation or challenge? There's nothing more effective than the smaller summer class size and DA's seasoned and experienced teachers to help keep a student's progress on track, challenge a gifted area or present the necessary remedial work to make sure gaps are addressed before the start of the new school year. 

Whatever type of activity you are looking for, chances are we've got it, staffed by the teachers you know and trust for their guidance, skill and knowledge of your child.

Check out our brochure for more details! Questions? Contact Chris Hegele.

Online Researching Resources

Spring often means research papers, so take advantage of some of the amazing online resources our Denver Academy Library offers. Visit our online researching site for more information, and touch base with Jolene Gutierrez, Librarian, if you need usernames or passwords (our contracts with many of the online providers prohibit us from posting them online).

Fencing & Fitness

Last quarter, the Physical Education Department hosted guest instructors from the Cheyenne Fencing Society for two days. All students who were in physical education classes got to participate in the action, learning how to move their feet and safely fence with an opponent. The students thoroughly enjoyed the sport, especially the elementary students. If you would like more information about the Cheyenne Fencing Society, please contact Elaine Cheris at (720) 838-4225. They are located on Colfax about 15 minutes from DA. 

Fencing Fun at Denver Academy!

Monica Johnson Selected for Double Gold Coach Award

In case you missed it, Coach Monica Johnson was awarded the Double-Goal Coach Award from Positive Coaching Alliance-Colorado for her both competitive spirit, but more importantly, the life lessons she teaches her students through sports. Not only did she win the Colorado award, but she was also a finalist for the national award. As a award recipient, Monica will receive $250, plus $750 to bring PCA workshops to Denver Academy. 

Ms. Johnson was interviewed about her award by Colorado icon Dave Logan on 850 KOA. Listen to the interview below.

 

Teach for America Visit

On March 13, Denver Academy hosted 20 Teach for America (TFA) special education teachers from all over the country for a campus visit and information sharing sessions. These educators came to DA to learn from the best about how to better work with and inspire students with learning differences. 

While some TFA members were at first skeptical that they would be able to replicate a DA classroom environment in their schools, which serve low-income and often rural populations, they soon came to find that many DA elements are transferable to other school settings.   

"I see DA putting power into the hands of kids," said one TFA teacher. "They get choices about their day, from where to eat lunch to helping select their curriculum. That's something we can do too."

TFA Visiting Teachers

Another teacher remarked that there was an apparent sense of trust on campus: no hall passes, open campus for high school students.

These seemingly small facets, along with passionate teachers, amazing resources and 40 years of dedication to helping students with learning differences are what help set Denver Academy apart from other schools. 

The visit from TFA was one of several that have occurred in the past few years. TFA and Denver Academy continue to partner together and share best practices.  

Gala Art Contest

Is your student artistic? Then make sure they enter a piece in the Gala Art Contest, which is open to all Denver Academy students. The deadline is April 15th. Download an entry form and enter today!

AmazonSmile Makes DA Smile!

Are you one of those smart internet shoppers--avoiding the malls, and shrinking your carbon foot print by shopping online? If Amazon is one of your "go to" sites, consider shopping through AmazonSmile. You are still shopping through Amazon but 5 percent of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases will be donated to the charitable organization of your choice. Please choose Denver Academy! Check it out!