“To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential if we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin.”
– bell hooks
Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom
Upcoming Dates For Your Calendar


  • Friday December 18 (12:30-3:30pm): Food Pantry Pick-up

  • Dec 14-18: Spirit Week!

  • Friday, Dec 18: Asynchronous Day (No Live-Instruction)

  • Dec 21 - Jan 4: Winter Break, No School

  • Tuesday, Jan 5 - Friday, Jan 8: Continue Remote Learning

  • Monday, Jan 11: Return to In-Person Learning

  • Friday, Jan 15: SchoolChoice Round 1 Opens
Updates for Community
Dear Hallett Families,

We have reached Winter Break, and I could not be more proud of the work our community has done to get here. Our team has been committed to serving our students despite constantly changing environments and challenges. Our students have committed to daily engagement and growth despite new and often frustrating platforms.

I am proud to say that during recent istation reading assessments, our Hallett Hawks demonstrated the highest growth of students reading at or above grade level here in the Near Northeast region! This is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to our amazing community of educators and students.

Though this isn't the holiday season that we had hoped for, I hope you are able to find rest and joy during this break. We look forward to the days when we can resume our holiday celebrations together, and we know they will only be sweeter after the lessons and experiences of 2020.

As we prepare for the new year, remember that DPS announced the intent to return to in-person learning on Monday, January 11th. This means that when we return after Winter Break (on Tuesday, January 5), all of us will continue in remote learning until January 11th.

Thank you for being a part of our community. Have a safe, healthy, and joyful winter break and holiday season. (If you are in need of support over the break, please see below for several resources.)

With love,

Dominique Jefferson
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Remember there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 4th. We will all return to remote learning on Tuesday, January 5th.

In-Person Learning will resume on Monday, January 11th for those that have selected that option in ECE-5th Grade.
SchoolChoice Begins January 15
Hallett Families: All families with children entering ECE, Kindergarten, Middle or High School MUST participate in SchoolChoice. This year, Round 1 is taking place January 15th-February 16th. Please be sure to let us know if you have questions about this process (which takes place entirely online). Ms. Yvonne or Ali Larson can support you through this process, so please reach out at any time: 720-424-6070 or alison_larson@dpsk12.org.

Please tell your neighbors and friends about Hallett and the wonderful things happening here!

5th Grade Families: We hope to provide space for a few virtual tours of some middle school options in January. Please keep an eye out for emails from various schools to learn more about what is out there for your child! See below for more information.
We will continue to provide more information about options as we receive it!

Denver Green School Northfield Open House: DGS Northfield is a middle school option in our zone that students of Hallett have a preference to get into. The school is hosting open houses on January 12th and January 19th. You can sign up for an open house here. You can also learn more about this school, which focuses on creating a joyful and safe community and the power of engaging and relevant learning by checking out their website, dgsnorthfield.org and watching their informational video. 

McAuliffe International School: You are welcome to access our online presentation, promotional video, and activities list at your convenience,  or you can join us at 7pm on Thursday, December 10th, January 7th or January 14th, to watch the presentation and video and then join us for a live question and answer session with McAuliffe staff members via Zoom. If you choose to join us for one of the evening presentations, please be sure to sign-up here to reserve your spot.

Denver Discovery School: Offering virtual tours soon. Check out more about them here.
Updating Your Learning Selection
Please be sure to update your learning selection by Sunday if you are wanting to switch FROM or TO in-person learning. Remember, in-person learning is resuming on January 11th for our ECE-5th Grade families that choose in-person.

Elementary families who don't take action will remain enrolled in their current learning option through the end of the 2020 / 2021 school year.

If you would like to request a change to your current learning option, please complete the Learning Option Update form on the Parent Portal or call the school's front office at 720-424-6070 (be sure to leave a message with your name, your child's name, and your selection).
Update About Food Pantry Pickup
Food & Other Assistance
Please see the letter above about weekend food bags. If you are interested please fill out this form or contact Ms. Talvy at brittany_talvy@dpsk12.org or 720-424-6099.

Important: If your family is struggling in ways that we might be able to support, we hope you will reach out. We have access to many resources that might be helpful and would appreciate knowing how we can best meet the needs of our families. Please fill out this survey and we will be in touch or text Ali Larson at 303-242-6414:

**Family Resources Survey: https://forms.gle/E1Cnt5Y8M12V1TNq8 **
Additional Holiday Resources
Holiday Gift Shop
AGENCY: ACTION CENTER
  • Location: 12472 W Belleview Ave. Jefferson County
  • Description: Due to COVID-19, families will not be allowed to "shop" for toys this year. Instead, they will be provided a pre-packaged bag of toys for children aged 0 - 12.
  • Eligibility: Families must reside in Jefferson County or be experiencing homelessness, and have children aged 12 or younger in the household.
  • Area Served: Jefferson County
  • Location: 12472 W Belleview Ave. Littleton, CO. 80127. (303) 237-7704
  • Hours: We don't know the date/times for 2020 yet.
  • Website: https://theactioncenter.org/events/
  • Documents required: Must provide photo ID.
  • Application Process: Visit website to register.
  • Languages offered: English; Spanish

Holiday Gift Assistance for Families
AGENCY: INTEGRATED FAMILY COMMUNITY SERVICES
  • Location: 3370 S. Irving St. Arapahoe County
  • Description: Offers holiday gift items (toys) to families in need. Gifts are intended for newborns and children aged 10 and under.
  • Interested families may register at www.ifcs.org/holidayhelp until October 30th, 2020.
  • Pick-up times for items will be arranged after registration.
  • Eligibility: Available for families with children aged 10 and under whose Monthly Gross Income falls under the following amounts (based on household size):
  1. $2081
  2. $2818
  3. $3555
  4. $4219
  • Each additional - $736
  • Area Served: Cities of Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, Sheridan, and Residents of Denver addresses south of Jewell Ave and west of Santa Fe Dr Location: 3370 S Irving St. Englewood, CO. 80110. (303) 789-0501
  • Hours: Hours Vary
  • Website: www.ifcs.org/holidayhelp/
  • Application process: Visit website for more information and to register.
  • Languages Offered: English, Spanish

Christmas Gift Distribution
AGENCY: COMMUNITY MINISTRY
  • Location: 1755 S Zuni St. Denver County
  • Description: Offers holiday gift assistance to families with children aged 10 and under.
  • Supplies are limited; families encouraged to register as soon as possible to participate.
  • Eligibility: Available to families living in the service area with children aged 10 and under.
  • Area Served: Zip codes served: 80204, 80219, 80223, 80236, 80227 (Denver County)
  • Location: 1755 S Zuni St. Denver, CO 80223 (303) 935-3428
  • Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Office Hours) Website: www.comministry-denver.org
  • Documents required: Clients will need to provide the following documentation: Photo ID Proof of residency (recent piece of mail, within the last 30 days) ID for all family members, including children (photo ID, SS card, or birth certificate accepted)
  • Application process: Walk in to register for holiday gifts.
  • Languages offered: English; Spanish

Annual Toy Shop
AGENCY: KENZI'S CAUSES
  • Location: 4655 Humboldt St. Denver County
  • Description: Hosts a toy shop open to all families in need. Toys will be given away on a first come, first served. Children are not allowed at the event this year.
  • Each child will receive the following:
  • • 1 new toy, 1 new small toy, 1 stuffed animal, 1 wooden toy car
  • Eligibility: Individuals must be a parent with children aged 0 - 18.
  • Area Served: Statewide
  • Location: 4655 Humboldt St. Denver, CO 80216 (720) 500-2112
  • Hours: Saturday, December 5th, 2020, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Until Supplies Run Out)
  • Website: www.kenziscauses.org
  • Documents required: Must provide: Photo ID for parent receiving services Birth certificate (from anywhere)
  • Application process: Walk in to access services. Individuals are required to complete a survey to enter the toy shop.
  • Languages offered: English

Christmas Basket
Location: 2877 Lawrence St. Denver County
  • Description: Provides Christmas Dinner baskets for pick-up in Denver, to individuals and families. Registration will be held online, and will open on Monday, December 7th, 2020 at 8 a.m. until all baskets are claimed. Baskets will be available for pick-up on Monday, December 21st, 2020.
  • Eligibility: No restrictions applied
  • Area Served: Statewide
  • Location: 2877 Lawrence St Denver, CO 80205. (303) 297-0408 Ext 3379
  • Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. (Administrative Hours)
  • Website: www.tinyurl.com/freexmasdinner
  • Documented required: Clients should bring a Photo ID matching the registered name, if able. Application process: Visit website to register. One basket available per household. Baskets must be picked up in-person by the person listed on the sign up.
Free Covid Testing
Through the end of the year, COVIDCheck Colorado is now offering free testing to anyone in Colorado. This means that leaders, educators and staff can go with household members and invite other community members to test and help slow the spread of COVID.

Anyone can schedule a FREE test here: www.covidcheckcolorado.org
 
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, CDC has many recommendations for staying healthy. In preparation for potential gatherings, COVIDCheck Colorado recommends scheduling a test before Thanksgiving as well as several days after to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please schedule your test and encourage your team to sign up online as well. 
 
Lastly, reducing the burden of influenza this year will be critical to support the already overburdened hospital systems and healthcare providers. COVID-19 and the flu are both contagious respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. There is a vaccine to help prevent the flu, please see a vaccine finder tool to find a location near you. Please encourage staff to get a flu vaccine to keep themselves and the community safe.
Emergency Assistance
Knowing the COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact the lives of Denver families, DHS is now offering emergency/disaster assistance payments up to $4,000 to qualifying residents.
 
These payments can be used for a variety of reasons – to cover rent or pay the mortgage, to pay for mental or medical care, to pay for home or auto repairs, to pay for food or school supplies, and more. To qualify, one must be:
  • TANF Broad-Based Eligibility Criteria for Disaster Aid: Denver resident
  • Household is determined to be ineligible for public assistance programs;
  • Annual household income is under $75,000;
  • Eligible child in the household (according to state rules and regulations);
  • Lawfully present in the country; and
  • Has a need for services directly relating COVID-19-related emergency
  
The program is open until funds are exhausted. To apply, go to Colorado.gov/PEAK and apply for Colorado Works/TANF. Please note that because this is a unique and temporary program, the “Am I eligible?” feature will not distinguish between this program and the regular Colorado Works/TANF programs. We encourage anyone with questions to call 720-944-4DHS (4347) to speak with a customer services representative.
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”