da header
2015 DA symposium
In this issue

Quick Links

Important Dates
Athletic Events

da gala 2015
paddle battle

Find us on Facebook
View our videos on YouTube
Follow us on Twitter
Dateline DA February 2014
 

 

"In music, in poetry, and in life, the rest, the pause, the slow movements are essential to comprehending the whole," Dr. Maryanne Wolf, Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain.


As Dr. Wolf captured in this quote, it is this pause, this intentional commitment of slowing down and dedicating time to create the cognitive space for "comprehending the whole" that is more critical than ever as we sift, categorize and prioritize what to remember in this digital age.


We invite you to join us on March 6, 2015 when Dr. Wolf will be our keynote speaker on the topic of the reading brain in the digital age at our Symposium on Teaching and Learning.


Her aforementioned book, brought a fresh and critical perspective about the history of reading, the development of literate minds and both the challenges and gifts of dyslexia.


Her opening keynote will bring the perspective of the journey that the reading brain has taken over the past 5000 years, as well as show us why children with dyslexia have reading difficulties and amazing gifts. The closing keynote will focus on the future of the reading brain. Taking the longview, from the clay tablets of the Sumerians to modern day digital devices, our reading brains are undergoing dramatic transformations. Dr. Wolf will discuss what profound implications this could have for every child and for the intellectual development of our species.


Additionally, we invite you to attend break-out sessions led by Denver Academy faculty and experts from our community. All sessions are designed with this year's theme in mind; a complete listing is featured in the Symposium brochure on our website.


This event is free to current DA parents and families. We ask you to register to reserve your seat and select your preferred breakout sessions.  


Thank you for helping us spread the word about this year's Symposium. We hope to see you on March 6.


Sincerely,

Philippe Ernewein

Director of Education

2015 Symposium Chair


DA News and Upcoming Events
Re-enrollment Begins Now!

Re-enrollment information was mailed out last week. Parents should have received information regarding next year's tuition, a tuition agreement and the 2015-16 school calendar.
 

To complete the re-enrollment process, please fill out the tuition agreement and mail it in with a $1,000 deposit to secure your student's placement for the coming school year. (You may also use our e-check payment portal to pay your deposit.) Please do this promptly as many grade levels are full. The re-enrollment process must be complete by February 27th. On March 2nd we will begin accepting waitlisted students and new applicants.

For those families that receive financial assistance, you will receive your notice of the amount of assistance we are offering the following week. Even if you have received a financial assistance offer in the past, you will need to apply again through TADS to receive it. You can expect your financial assistance to be similar to last year's, as long as your financial situation has not significantly changed and you are current on tuition payments.

If you have any questions regarding re-enrollment or tuition assistance, please contact our Admissions or Business offices.

 

young_baseball_player.jpg
Spring Sports  
Plan on having your physical forms and emergency cards completed for the begining of the spring sports seasons:
High School Baseball - Pre-season workouts begin February 11 after school.
High School Track - Monday, Feburary 23
Middle School Baseball - Beginning of fourth quarter

Forms may be found on CHSAA.org or forms may be picked up from the Athletic Director's office, building #11.

2015-2016 Academic Calendar
 
The 2015-2016 Denver Academy Academic Calendar has been finalized! Please download it for your reference.
 

Parent Seminar - Adolescent Rebellion: Debunking "Normal" and Understanding Healthy

This seminar will explore the parenting challenges of adolescent behavior ranging from moodiness to rebellion to substance use. What is the difference between "normal" and unhealthy or dangerous adolescent behavior? How can parents respond in a way that encourages personal growth, safety, and good judgment? Learn how to handle these difficult issues with your adolescent while preserving your sanity. Presented by Lana Gollyhorn, M.A., DA Counselor.


February 9 ~ Johnson Commons

8:30-9:30 a.m.

 

A Novel Night at Barnes & Noble

On Wednesday, February 11, 2015 from 3:30-6:00 p.m., we'll be hosting A Novel Night at the Barnes & Noble  just north of Colorado & Mississippi (960 S. Colorado Blvd., Glendale, CO). We'll have art and photography displays, crafts, an athletic showcase, drama presentations and other performances by students and teachers, and each student who stops in will receive a free homework pass. As in years past, we'll partner with local restaurants Tokyo Joe's and ModMarket that night so you can pick up dinner and support Denver Academy! If you can't make it to our event night, you can shop at the Glendale B&N from Feb. 10-15 to benefit DA as well as make online purchases-just be sure to reference Fair ID#11548336. Questions? Contact Jolene Gutierrez.


Mission: Possible

Gala 2015 is on track to be a night of great fun, friendship and fundraising for the DA Tuition Assistance program. Gather the parents from your student's class, invite your family and ask neighbors to join you for this festive, black tie optional event. Be on the lookout this month for important mailings about purchasing tickets/tables, donating auction items and placing an acknowledgement in the event night program.   

 

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. in the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Visit our website at www.denveracademy.org/gala2015

 Second Annual Paddle Battle

Join us for a fun filled adult night out for parents and faculty! Compete in our table tennis tournament, cheer on your favorite player, meet new people, eat, drink, have a ball and support the Gala!

 

The parent winner will receive two regular tickets to the Gala. The faculty/staff winner will receive a ticket for a guest to attend. The admission fee to this event is a bottle of wine or restaurant gift certificate for the DA Gala Auction (valued at $25 or more) or a donation of $25.
 


Annual Fund Update

Thank you if you have made your donation! Your dollars are already hard at work funding classroom resources, tuition assistance, technology, extracurricular activities and professional development activities for our faculty and staff. If you have not made your gift, there is still time and a need for your donation. Annual Fund donations are an integral part of every independent school's operating budget.

 

Every gift is important and is an investment in the students at Denver Academy. Please be a philanthropist for DA by donating to the Annual Fund. Donate online today! 

 

Admissions Open Houses

Do you know a child that could benefit from a DA education? Be sure to let your friends know about our upcoming DA Admissions Open Houses. Prospective parents and students can come learn about our school, take a tour and talk to our student ambassadors and Admissions staff.www.denveracademy.org/openhouse

 

Next Open House: February 28, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.


High School News

Standardized Testing Update

Parents, please read the following letter regarding standardized testing and other assessments. 


Multiple Intelligences Days

On February 18-20, the High School will be hosting Multiple Intelligences Days. For 2nd-7th periods, regular classes will be replaced with multiple intelligence-based courses taught by high school teachers, teaching assistants and elective teachers. We are very excited about the variety of courses that will be offered to engage your child's multiple intelligences. Students will sign-up the week of February 9.

 

Senate Outlook

reported by senior Ian Cable

During the month of February, Student Senate will be selling Valograms, Valentine notes which come with either a piece of candy or a carnation. The will be on sale during lunch, and after school during the week of Valentine's Day. This year, Student Senate will also be selling Valograms to the elementary and middle schools, which is a Denver Academy first!
 

10th Grades Visits the Stock Show

reported by sophomore Olivia Lockton 

The National Western Stock Show happens once a year, every year in January. It's a real treat that the tenth grade gets to visit. It's something that makes being a sophomore very special. Colorado holds spectacular and amazing events year round. From the famous 13th Floor to Octoberfest, there are so many unique events that happen in the Mile High City, but the Stock Show is by far the most unique and biggest event of the year.

Sophomore Ethan with Ms. Walker and her daughter. Ethan won a prize for the sheep (not pictured) that he raised!

story continued online...


"Round-up" Day

February 20 is "Round-up" Day in the High School. All current high school students and eighth grade students, will spend 1st period visiting the next grade--meeting the teachers and learning more about what to expect in the coming year.
 
Important Graduation Information

Please reference the graduation information document for important news related to the Class of 2015 graduation.

2015-2016 Honors Coursework Application Process

February 2-13 - Applications for 2015-16 are now available. Students should speak to their homeroom teacher or division dean if they are interested in applying.

February 13-20 - Honors committee reviews applications.

February 20-27 - Honors committee will notify applicants of acceptance.


 
snowy chapelHigh Fives

Congratulations to junior Jonathon McKay on his acceptance into this year's Scholastics Art & Writing Awards exhibition at The History Colorado Center! His Snowy Chapel painting brought home a Gold Key (top tier for HS artists) and his Seascape at Night painting earned a Silver Key. 

His work was recognized and awarded from over 5,000 original works that were submitted for this year's show (wow!). Also, his work will be shipped to Washington, D.C. later this year to compete at a national level. Way to go Jonathon!


After Prom: Carnival

After Prom is many things.

  • A safe way to keep the party going when Prom is over. 
  • A way to have fun on Prom night without going to Prom. 
  • A night that even freshmen get to celebrate.    

2015 After Prom will be held April 18th from 10:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m. at

movie-tickets3.jpg

 Denver Academy in Richardson Hall and the gym. It is open to all DA High School students. The theme is Carnival and there will be plenty of games and prizes for all to enjoy. 


No school event happens without volunteers. This year we are looking for:

  • Several volunteers for the night of After Prom 
  • Gift cards, cash and food item donations
  • A few skilled people to help build a slide. 

Look for an upcoming sign up sheet in your email soon or feel free to contact the After Prom volunteer coordinator Melissa Moffit at (303) 646-3890.


Lower School News

Dodgeball for Heart!

In early January, Monica Johnson and the PE Department hosted a Middle School Dodge Ball Tournament as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. All Middle School students either participated or observed, raising over $300! The winning team, "The Average Joes," consisted of students: Emma Pedley, Jamie Anderson, Ben Litvak, Logan Ralph, Charlie Straut and faculty member, Jon Hill. It was a fantastic way to end the week with a little competition and a whole lot of fun!

Additionally, AHA Jump Rope for Heart Kick-off Assembly for elementary students will take place on Thursday, February 12 at 8:20 a.m. in the gym. Parents are welcome to attend.

Standardized Testing Update
Parents, please read the following letter regarding standardized testing for Lower School students.


Middle School Hoop Performances Show Promise for Next Year
Although both the middle school basketball teams fell to the Logan School in their last game of the season, they won their respective away games against Dawson on January 12.

Sam Steller and Nate Kingdom dropped critical three-point baskets, Parker Harris's mid-range shooting and key free throws were essential and Connor Hone's inspired play control of the boards kept Dawson at bay for a 21-19 Mustangs win.

In the girls' win, Natalie Bullen's rebounding, Aliyah Malik and Emma Brown's shooting, Taylor Lester, Run Trout and Katie Butler's defense were essential in the 16-14 win. Sixth grader Mazzi Childers lost a portion of her braces after the ball hit her in the face but she regrouped, stayed in the game and hit a crucial basket in the contest.   

LD & Community News

How Did We Get to Be So Afraid of Our Kids?

Join Lenore Skenazy, author of Free Range Kids, for  a humorous, yet informative evening detailing how parents can let go of their anxiety, fear and helicopter parenting and see their children thrive.  


Graland Country Day School
March 9, 2015 ~ 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Free of charge, but please register for seating purposes.

For more information and to register, please visit graland.org/skenazy.