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Dateline DA November 2015
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Denver Academy has always been a place full of promise for our students. When the Board of Trustees, along with DA faculty and staff, parents, students, and alumni began our latest strategic planning process, our goal was to do for our organization what we do for each of our students: imagine all the possibilities. We set out to envision the finest version of Denver Academy, culled from the essence of our identity. It will serve as a guide for the next seven years, culminating with our 50th Anniversary in 2022.
Our Steering Planning Committee collected and shared background data as well as research materials relevant for future planning. It was also essential to gather input about our strengths and weaknesses from each of the School's constituent groups, including faculty, staff, alumni, parents, students, and other interested community members.
The following vision statement represents our "north star" or guiding frame for our work to come.
"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."
To achieve this vision 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.
As reflected in the goals, strategies, and rationales that follow, this strategic vision represents an effort to leverage the significant strengths of Denver Academy, while additionally focusing on those areas most in need of improvement.
I especially wish to thank the group that came together to create Denver Academy's strategic vision for the future.
More information regarding each of the strategic components is available on our website in the full Vision 2022 document. We hope you'll all be part of making our vision come true.
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Fall Festival
Elementary and 6th grade would like to thank the Pony parents for hosting the fall festival. Students played games, decorated pumpkins, and even the teachers participated in some "fangtastic ghoul times."
Ponies November Meeting
Jolene Gutierrez, DA Librarian, will be giving a presentation about Ebooks at this meeting. Come and learn about the various ways your student can access books electronically. You will learn how to search, check out and download library ebooks and audiobooks on your mobile device and introduce you to other downloadable programs and text to speech options. Bring your device, library card & account information and you will leave the session ready to make the most of these resources.
November 17, 2015 ~ 8:15 a.m.
Johnson Commons
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Miller Farms
Elementary and 6th grade enjoyed their annual trip to Miller Farms. Everyone had a great time riding the tractor, picking their own vegetables, and finding the perfect pumpkin.
Grandparents Day
Grandparents of elementary and middle school students, please join us
November 24th
for a memorable morning of food, entertainment, and visits to classroom. This special day gives us an opportunity to honor you and showcase our wonderful school and students. Please read the flyer for more detailed information and where/when to RSVP.
Denver Academy High School Information Session
All 8th grade
parents are invited to come and learn about:
- High school program and curriculum
- Overview of the middle school to high school transition
Thursday, November 19, 2015
7:45 a.m. in Johnson Commons
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DA High School Theatre Play:
The Laramie Project
By: Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project
PERFORMANCES: 11/19
at 7:00 p.m., 11/
21 at
2:00 p.m.
and
7:00 p.m.
THE STORY: The Laramie Project is a docudrama about peoples' reactions to Matthew Shepard being attacked because he was gay. Matthew Shepard passed away because of his injuries sustained from the hate crime. This play shows different points of view and reactions to the tragic event. The script was written after Tectonic Theatre Company interviewed over 200 people from Laramie, Wyoming. The lines in this play are written down as real people said them...the words are not crafted for pushing beliefs or agendas. Everybody carries a piece of the truth in
The Laramie Project. This play is about erasing hate and encourages acceptance and compassion.
The Laramie Project exemplifies the importance of showing kindness towards everyone, even if they are different than us. Bullying is never acceptable.
Rating: PG-13 for mature themes, reference to violence (there is no violence shown on stage), and authentic-to-character language (vulgar name calling)
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National Merit Commended Student
Congratulations to Peter Stille who was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student for his performance on the 2014 PSAT/NMSQT. Commended students place within the top five percent of the more than 1.5 million students who took the exam.
Please join us in congratulating Peter on his exemplary performance!
Graduation News
Graduation? It's only November, but it's not too early to start marking your calendar with important Senior events. Please familiarize yourself with this Important Graduation Information.
Alumni Walk
Denver Academy invites you to celebrate your senior student purchasing an inscribed brick for the Alumni Walk. Located at the beautiful and historic gated corner of Iliff and Birch streets, your brick will create a meaningful reminder of your loved one's time at DA.
We hope you will join in supporting the next generation of Denver Academy students. The funds raised from purchased bricks will support the Denver Academy Scholarship Endowment Fund, paving the way for future students who will need financial assistance to afford tuition.
Many bricks record a graduate's name and year of graduation. Others hint at secrets. Each holds a story. Inscribed bricks may be purchased for $125 each.
Purchase them on our website
or call Rebecca Stevens at 303.777.5870 ext. 205.
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College & Transition News
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Common App and ACT/SAT Deadlines
The next
ACT test date is December 12. The deadline to apply for accommodations for the December 12 test date has passed. The registration deadline for the December test date if you are not seeking accommodations is November 6.
The next available
SAT test date is January 23. Register by December 4 if you wish to apply for accommodations. Regular registration ends on December 28.
The
Common Application is available and many schools encourage applicants to submit their application materials by
November 1 or December 1 to meet an Early Action deadline. To meet this deadline students should request their official high school transcript(s), letter(s) of recommendation, and official ACT scores immediately.
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College Reps
on Campus
We're winding up visits with college representatives until spring. Please visit the
Senior Division calendar on the 12th grade curriculum webpage for upcoming visits to the Denver Academy campus.
College Visit Events
Take advantage of touring college campuses, having lunch with current students, experiencing dorm life during Parent/Teacher Conferences on November 13. Research campus visit events at each of the schools you plan on applying to this fall.
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Parent Book Group
Parents of Juniors & Seniors are welcome to participate in a book group discussion during each Late Start Wednesday. Our next meeting will be November 11 at 8:00 a.m. in Room #101 in Senior Hall. We will discuss how to prepare your student for a successful transition from Denver Academy to college, a career, pursuing a gap year and more!
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High School Basketball Practice Starting Dates
Girls Basketball: SEC Class, Q2. CHSAA official start date:
November 12
Boys Basketball: CHSAA official start date: November 12. We will begin with a 3:30 p.m. meeting in the Yoga room, followed by practice until 5:10 p.m.
All Athletes must have current physical forms on file in order to participate.
Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist Speaker At Graland Country Day School
The Graland Parent Association's Parent Education Network (PEN) will welcome K. Brooke Pengel, M.D., to discuss sports specialization, the importance of sport diversification and prevention of youth sports injuries. Dr. Pengel is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, who specializes in sports medicine, and she is the medical director of the Youth Sports Medicine Program at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.
Tuesday, Nov. 10
, 6:30-
8:00 p.m.
, Graland Country Day School, Anschutz Commons
The event is free; however, you are asked to
register online
.
Tennis State Qualifier
Chase Wolf-Tinsman qualified to participate in the State Tennis Tournament. He qualified playing #3 singles for Thomas Jefferson High School. Make sure you congratulate Chase when you see him!
Golf State Qualifier
Ben Silverman represented DA at the CHSSA State Golf Tournament in October. He shot a 100 and a 98. Nicely done Ben!
Cross Country State Qualifiers
Denver Academy Cross Country once again qualified for the State Tournament as a team, after a third place finish at Regionals.
Ella Pinkert also qualified as an individual. It was an amazing end to an already fantastic season. Go 'Stangs!
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Book Fair November 13-24
Our on-campus Scholastic Book Fair will be held in Johnson Commons of Richardson Hall November 13-24 from 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. (abbreviated hours of 8:00-9:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the weekdays of Nov. 18-23). The fair will be open for full hours on Friday, Nov. 13, so if you're visiting DA for parent/teacher conferences, feel free to bring your children to the fair. We'll also be open from 8:00 a.m. - noon on Tuesday, Nov. 24 during Grandparents' Day!
Our online fair will be held from November 7-27 with all items shipping to the school after the online fair ends on the 27th.
This is a great opportunity to purchase gifts for teachers, family, and friends while supporting the DA Library. Teachers will have classroom wish lists available at the fair. If you're interested in volunteering or donating snacks and drinks for our teachers, please contact Jolene Gutierrez.
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Development & Volunteer News
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Are You All In?
The Denver Academy Annual Fund appeal for parents and alumni parents was sent last week. We hope you will take a minute to read it and consider a gift to Denver Academy. One hundred percent of trustees, faculty, and staff have made a donation. They are committed to making sure DA has the resources needed
to broaden its academic programs, enhance its enrichment opportunities, and deepen its commitment to being a community for diverse learners.
Please join us and go "All In" for Denver Academy!
Donate Now!
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Thank You Volunteers
October was a very busy month for volunteers! Here are a few of the activities that took place: Homecoming Tailgate and Flag Competition, Booster Club Locker Decorations, Middle School Yard Games and Pizza Lunch, and the Elementary School Fall Festival. We had over 50 community members participate in these events and they would not be possible without their generosity of time and talent. Thank you!
For more information about volunteering contact Jill Singer.
DA Parent Connection: All-School
Book Club
DA Parent Connection presents an All School Book Club featuring: The Ultra Mindset by Travis Macy. Travis, an ultimate endurance athlete and former DA teacher, shares his incredible adventures as a champion endurance athlete and an outlook he calls "Ultra Mindset," principles for daily life that can lead anyone to success that otherwise would have seemed impossible.
Get your FREE copy of the book at the front desk starting November 9. Book Club will culminate in an evening with the author on
April 13, 2016 from
6:00-9:00 pm in Richardson Hall.
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Great Energy Around Our New Lunch Program!
Students are really enjoying our new cafeteria. Just a reminder that standard hot lunch will still need to be pre-ordered from Michael's of Denver school lunch website.
Soup & Salad Bar and Grab 'n Go items will be available to students. Michael's accepts credit and debit cards (no cash) for Grab n' Go items and the Soup & Salad bar. Parents can pre-purchase credits on the Michael's of Denver website for these items. If you have not signed up for credits, but your child utilizes this service, parents will be billed later.
Q2 Clubs
Q2 Clubs have begun! We have some great new offerings like Fashion Design, so be sure to get your student involved. As always, there is no cost to join or attend clubs.
List of Q2 Club offerings for HS and MS.
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John Dreiling '02 and
Lindsay Higgins '03 were married on October 3rd, 2015. John and Lindsay met while both were students at Denver Academy.
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Resources for Diverse Learners
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Dyslexia: Spotlight on Success
Denver Academy is excited to announce that we are again partnering with Learning Ally to sponsor a community outreach event on November 7 in the Denver Academy Gym from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
This presentation
is based on hearing from successful individuals who are diagnosed with dyslexia. Along with keynote speaker John Rodrigues, author of High School Dropout to Harvard, our very own Literacy Specialist Tammy Curran will be speaking about her journey as a dyslexic. The presentation is geared toward both students and parents.
In conjunction with this event, Denver Academy's YES Ambassadors will be hosting an informational meeting at 8:30 a.m. in Johnson Commons of Richardson Hall. A continental breakfast will be served. YES Ambassadors, a program promoting advocacy for diverse learners, will be actively recruiting new members and will be available to answer questions prior to the event.
Please RSVP to Tammy Curran.
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Denver Academy
4400 E. Iliff Ave.
Denver, CO 80222
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