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Important Dates
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5.4-5.8
- Elementary Scholastic BOGO Book Fair
5.8 - Middle School Muffins with Mom
5.8-5.9 - HS performances of Once Upon a Mattress
5.13 - NHS Induction Ceremony
5.14 - Senior class performance of The Tempest
5.14 - DAPA meeting
5.20
- MS Donuts with Dads
5.20 - Parents of Adopted Kids meeting
5.20 - All School Yearbook BBQ
5.21
- Mustang Connection meeting
5.21-5.22 - MS Shakespeare production
5.22 - Elementary Field Day
5.25 - Memorial Day; school closed
5.27 - Headmaster's Dinner
5.28-5.29 - High School Finals
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Athletic Events
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5.7
- MS baseball vs. Denver Jewish Day School
5.8 - HS track @ Longmont High School
5.12 - MS baseball @ Denver Jewish Day School
5.14-5.15 - HS track @ Jeffco Stadium
5.14 - MS baseball @ Dawson
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Dateline DA May 2015
On April 24th, I gathered with Denver Academy's graduating seniors, their teachers and other school administrators to mark and celebrate "50 Days to Graduation." This annual tradition represents both the excitement of school being out soon and the nervous anticipation of moving on from the comfort of good friends, teachers and the Denver Academy environment. I am particularly impressed with this year's group of seniors. I find them to be a compassionate, ambitious, respectful, witty and intelligent bunch, and I think they are representative of the Denver Academy student body as a whole.
As usual, this school year has flown by for our faculty and staff. It seems like only yesterday that our trash cans, whiteboards and gradebooks
were empty indicators of the exciting, unlimited possibilities to come, and now we look back on a year (and trash cans, whiteboards and gradebooks
) full of accomplishments and success.
On a side note, this year we are sadly saying goodbye to the College Achievement Program, our program for recent high school grads assimilating to college life. While CAP provided a tremendous service to students, financial and personnel considerations factored into our decision to shut CAP's doors.
I especially wish to thank the group that came together this year to create Denver Academy's strategic plan and vision for the future. With input from groups of parents, faculty, staff, board members, students, alumni and the local community, we have set a vision for the school to act as a "roadmap" for progress and decision-making for the next seven years.
"Denver Academy will be recognized both locally and nationally as a top school for diverse learners within a culture of challenge, success and school pride."
This vision statement represents our "north star" or guiding frame for our work to come. Among our goals, we will be focusing on improving student programs; developing our faculty and staff; enhancing our campus and facilities and supporting our school leadership and governance. More information regarding our strategic plan is forthcoming, and we hope you'll all be part of making our vision come true.
Thanks for another terrific year, and have a great summer!
Mark Twarogowski
Headmaster
Denver Academy
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DA News and Upcoming Events
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CenturyLink Foundation Provides $5K Grant to Denver Academy
CenturyLink, Inc. recently presented $150,000 in grants to Colorado schools as part of the CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation's Teachers and Technology grant program. The program, which has been offered since 2008 and has awarded more than $1 million to recipients across the state, recognizes teachers who have developed specific plans to innovatively implement technology in their classrooms to advance student achievement. 
Our school was selected (second year in a row!) from 253 applications enabling our teachers to bring new learning tools and techniques into our classrooms, and introduce students to more educational technology in their daily school lives. Congratulations to Wanda Zimmermann for submitting an application that was selected as one of this year's grant recipients.
We're on Instagram!
Denver Academy is now on Instagram! Follow our feed and catch pictures of amazing students in action. Got some great DA pics? Tag us at #denveracademy.
Department of Heath Vaccination Update
The Colorado Department of Health has changed its vaccination requirements for varicella (chickenpox). Please read the letter from CDPHE that details these changes.
Say Yes to the Yes! Program 
Denver Academy will be joining the team of the Yes! Program. We are honored to be the first school to have
its very own branch on our campus. The Yes! Program is a program for students who are diagnosed with a reading disability, such as dyslexia, to learn to advocate for themselves, find their creativity and their true passion and bliss as a learner. The Yes! Program honors the students through their creativity and courage.
We have two great ambassadors, Emma
Hans
en
and Kayla Kelley, to lead our group. There will be four organized events with the larger Yes! Program, as well as additional activities that Denver Academy's ambassadors will plan for our campus group. If your child is interested in applying, please contact Tammy Curran for more
information. Activities will begin next fall with a kick-off party for all of Denver Academy's Yes!
members.
Calling all Library Books!  Our final due date for library items was May 1. Our Yearbook Party/BBQ is mid-May, and any students who haven't returned or paid for library items by then will have their yearbooks held (all students will be notified of items out by their teacher, via email, and/or by a personal visit from Mrs. Gutiérrez). Final transcripts, report cards, and diplomas are also held at the end of the year if a student still has library materials out. Please contact Jolene Gutierrez, Denver Academy Librarian, with any questions.
Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8 is the official Teacher Appreciation Week (but there's never a bad time to show your teachers how appreciated they are)! If you're looking for gift ideas for teachers, check out our teacher wish lists. Questions? Contact Jolene Gutierrez.
The 4th Quarter is Important The 4th quarter in a game is when the magic happens; when everyone makes one last push; where heroes are made and outcomes are changed forever. Our last quarter at Denver Academy is important to your child. There is much learning, exploring and celebrating yet to accomplish. Help every student finish strong by supporting the DA Annual Fund campaign. Every donation makes a difference. Make your donation now. Go Mustangs!
Way to Go Carpool 
Denver Academy coordinates with Way to Go to create an easy way for DA families who wish to carpool to find and contact each other. Please contact Teresa Levin in our Admissions Office by June 1, 2015
if you do NOT want your contact information published in our 2015-2016 Way2Go carpool lists.
Student Film in Development
Freshman Sam Gannuch has started his own film production company with one of his first projects focusing on diverse learners. Part of his documentary will feature Denver Academy and its history! Sam is working with school administrators to ensure that the final cut of the film will be both accurate and affirming. You can view his film trailer below:
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| Settling Differences Trailer |
Admissions Open Houses
Do you know a child that could benefit from a Denver Academy education? Be sure to let your friends know about our upcoming 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: June 11, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
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High School News
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Important Graduation Information
Junior Parents - Yearbook Notice
Your junior is closer to being a senior
everyday! Here's a list of special things you can do for your senior next year so you can start planning:
- Senior Dedication - A Senior Dedication is a great way to celebrate your senior's accomplishments. Dedications usually include favorites photos of your student and congratulatory wishes from family and/or friends. Prices range, $75-$225.
- Senior Photos - A senior photo is a headshot of your senior taken by a professional photographer and will be placed in the senior section of the yearbook. Seniors who do not submit a senior photo will have the photo taken by Lifetouch, our school photographers, in the senior section of the yearbook.
Varsity Track and Field Update
The DA Varsity track and field team recently competed at the Thomas Jefferson Twi-light Meet at All-City Stadium and the Amundson Invitational in Byers, CO.
The Mustangs were quite literally "running with the big dogs" at the TJ Twi-light meet as many of the metro area's 4A and 5A schools' teams were in attendance. Despite DA's small contingent of participants, the DA runners acquitted themselves credibly. The Mustangs finished 18th out of 26 teams in total points.
Digging deep into physical and mental reservoirs, the team turned around in ten hours' time to compete in the Amundson Invitational in Byers. They exchanged
Friday afternoon and night time temps in the 40s for a sunny 80+ degree day in the eastern plains
on Saturday.
Senior
Andy O'Dell
won both the 1600 and 3200 meter runs and established a personal best in the former. DA finished 11th out of 19 teams.
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Lower School News
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 Elementary Field Day
Our Elementary Field Day is coming up on
Friday, May 22nd! It will run from
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on the baseball field and in the gymnasium. We would love for parents to come watch, play and take pictures. Our theme this year is Colorado Sports Teams, so students are encouraged to wear Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies or any other sports team apparel they own.
Students should wear athletic shoes and plenty of sunblock (hoping for beautiful weather). Come and join us!
Questions/comments, contact Kyra Ruscio.
Jump Rope for Heart
Congratulations to the Elementary students for raising over $9,000 for the American Heart Association during this year's Jump Rope for Heart program!
Asher Foonberg was the top fundraiser this year with donations totaling $1,179. He won the "Coach for a Day" prize. Both Mr. Bodden's and Ms. Jeffress' classes got an extra PE class and Jamba Juice for having the highest percentage of participants. Our culminating celebration was a blast! Prizes will be distributed in May.
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Alumni News
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Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United Stated. In the first round of the WHL playoffs, two DA alumni faces each other from across the rink.
 Dominic Turgeon of the Portland Winterhawks attended DA from 2000 to 2000 and Scott Eansor '14, plays for the Seattle Thunderbirds. While the Thunderbirds lost the series, Eansor scored two goals during the matchup.
Alumni Updates
Congratulations to Jessica Woodward '13, who was inducted into Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society at Metro State University. Kelsey Silver '13, is interning for Colorado Congressman Jared Polis this summer. Kelsey will be a junior at Colorado State University this fall.
Sam Orkin '10, is embarking on a 95 day trip to the Canadian Barren Lands in the arctic beginning on June 5. He and his brother Ben will explore over 1,400 miles while canoeing and portaging. There will be no resupply points, unpredictable weather and 24 hours of sunlight for the majority of the expedition. You can follow his trek on his Facebook page.
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LD & Community News
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DU ADDventure Conference
Since 2009, Learning Effectiveness Program has partnered with other DU departments and other community resources to host "Choose Your Own ADDventure" for LD/ADHD families and professionals. It's a FREE, all-day conference that explores and increases the understanding of the many nuances of ADHD and LD.
This year's conference includes several DA community members: Director of Education, Philippe Ernewein, parent Debbie Campbell, Board member Cyle Feingold and Legacy Society and former Board member Craig Knippenberg.
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