March 3, 2019
Greetings DSISD Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you warm and well after such a snowy weekend. I have a lot to cover for the month of March, and I also wanted to highlight important events for April and May to support your planning ahead. I have organized this month's newsletter in the following format:

CELEBRATIONS: With a very challenging February behind us, I wanted to highlight just a few of the amazing things that are happening at DSISD to remind us how incredible our students and staff are, and how our vision is being realized in many different ways.

IMPORTANT EVENTS AND CALENDAR UPDATES : I have included the major highlights of the next three months, including Student Led Conferences, important testing information, and key events such as intensives, prom and graduation. The next three months are going to go fast. I want us to be as prepared as possible to ensure a strong end of the year.

ONGOING SUPPORTS: Both the CSC and PAC meetings this month are intended to provide clarity and important information to help us move forward as a community. We also have recruitment and fundraising goals that I invite you to take part of. I am so grateful to the parents, students and staff who helped support our efforts to rise strong after a difficult month, and move us forward in proactive ways.

TRIP TO PURU - An exciting adventure is on the horizon!


At the end of the newsletter is a comprehensive list of important dates for the next three months. Please mark your calendars.

I know it is very difficult to find the time to read newsletters. Thank you for taking the time to be informed. As much as possible, the DSISD team will also send out bite-sized announcements for relevant information as it comes.

Warmest regards,

Lisa Simms
DSISD Principal
Lisa_simms@dpsk12.org
CELEBRATE!
APPRENTICESHIPS

We are now in Round 2 of DPS CareerConnect Apprenticeship applications! This is a great opportunity open to current 10th and 11th graders. So far we've had 10 students apply for 16 apprenticeships. After the first round of interviews, two students have already been offered positions for next school year! This round will last until March 15th and a final round of applications will be accepted from April 1st to April 12th. There is still plenty of time to apply. Please reach out to Abby Crisafulli, the Apprenticeship Coordinator, with any questions or for help with your application. abby_crisafulli@dpsk12.org
Click below to see one of our Apprenticeship Stories!
DSISD DEBATE TEAM

The DSISD Speech and Debate Team is about to complete its first ever season of competition in the Denver Urban Debate League! Guthrie Turner, Carissa Piaggio, and Will Mattin have all brought home awards in Student Congress. Carissa has also worked hard on her Dramatic Interpretation piece, making it all the way to finals at the December tournament. Additionally, Aubrey Inmon has been recognized for his creative Student Congress legislation submissions. Our season will end at the City Championships March 15th and 16th. Wish our competitors luck!
9th GRADE PHYSICS: Sustainable Model Buildings Project

9th Grade students just finished up their Sustainable Model Buildings project. They presented their buildings which included their understanding of how electricity works and how to wire a house. They presented and received feedback from professionals from the field. Thanks to Terrance Douglas, Construction Manager with Boulder Creek Neighborhoods and Bryan Herman, an electrical supervisor with DPS.
SHOUT OUT to Mr. Kremer and our 9th grade physicists! Photo to left: house by Elizabeth Germain and Sammy Fasick! Great job!
STUDENT BOARD OF EDUCATION (SBOE)
DSISD's student leadership and Student Board of Education members are preparing an amazing new program for DSISD! On Friday, March 1st, the students presented their policy draft for a student-run future center to Ms. Simms, Mr. Nungaray, and Ms. Crisafulli. Students were met with a lot of support and great feedback as they hosted the meeting. Recruitment will begin soon for 4 student interns in the upper house who will run the future center next year. Interested students can reach out to the student leadership team, Ms. Lockwood, or Mrs. Price for more information. Congratulations to Yousif Mohsen, Amida Nigena, Muemang Ling, Byonce Reyna, Cash Richards, Aminah Fard, Joyce Lubembela, Jabez Johnson, Aidan Peters, and Jessicka Franklin on their successful pitch! Watch for more news on the launch of the new Raven's Nest coming in the fall of 2019! #DSISDfuturecenter #DSISDravensnest #hatchingfutures

IMPORTANT EVENTS AND
CALENDAR UPDATES
MARCH
AP STUDENTS: Don't forget to turn in your AP Exam confirmation work by March 8th! See AP information below for MAY for more information. AP Parents : all AP students have been provided with the packet with all paperwork.
STUDENT LED CONFERENCES March 20-21

Student Led Conferences will be held from 2:00PM- 7:00PM. Student advisors should be reaching out to schedule appointments with you. Please note that on both days it will be an early release at 2:00.

YEARBOOKS- Order by March 15th

Yearbook order deadline is March 15th! Please reach out to Mr. Valentine for any questions about yearbooks.
Troy_Valentine@dpsk12.org


Please CLICK HERE for the order form!
Senior Eric Payne will be providing a special senior photo booth for seniors who still need to submit their senior photo. It is this Wednesday, March 6th from 9:00AM-10:00.AM Location TBD. Listen to announcements.
SPRING BREAK March 25th-29th No School
APRIL HIGHLIGHTS
P/SAT April 9th-11th and ACCUPLACER Testing April 30th

Earlier this month you should have received an important announcement regarding P/SAT testing information. Please click below to learn important info for P/SAT testing the week of April 8th.


Accuplacer testing has been moved to April 30th. To learn more about this important test that allows students access to our concurrent enrollment classes click on the link below.


INTENSIVES

Intensives have been rescheduled to April 25th and 26th. More information to come about one of our favorite times of the year.

MAY HIGHLIGHTS
ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Please see the announcement that Mr. Nungaray sent out earlier this month. You can find a link to it here: https://conta.cc/2Ee6BkB

Please note these important dates:

March 8th :   Please sign and return the AP Letter (if this document is not signed by March 8th, your student will not be taking the AP exam.)
April 1st:   Scholarship Application is due (if applicable)
April 6th:   Last day for payment
Please reach out to Mr. Nungaray for more information about AP exams.
Jason_Nungaray@dpsk12.org
PROM- May 18th,
7:00PM-11:00PM

We are so excited about our first Prom which will be at the Denver Aquarium. We will have our first prom committee meeting this Wednesday, March 6th during upper-house advisory. (Students interested should have already signed up with Ms. Ross . ) Please reach out to Ms. Ross for more information!
Caitlin_Ross@dpsk12.org

Tickets $- TBD
Theme- TBD

D S I S D PROM 2019
Denver Aquarium
Please note: Prom is only for Juniors and Seniors
GRADUATION- May 28th

Mark your calendars! DSISD's first graduation ceremony will take place on May 28th from 2:00PM-4:00PM at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Center. There will be a rehearsal and closing circle prior to the ceremony. More information to come.

Please note: 9th, 10th and 11th graders will not have school on this day.

For more information, please reach out to Mr. Espinoza at Otto_Espinoza@dpsk12.org.
ONGOING SUPPORT FOR DSISD
CSC March 7th, 5:30-6:30 & PAC March 14th 6:30-7:30

(Please note that on the third Thursday of March we have SLC's, so we have rescheduled the PAC meeting the second Thursday instead.)

Both meetings this month will be to share information and answer questions about enrollment and budget, 2019-20 programming shifts and important information about the rest of this year.

Friends of DSISD board meeting:
March 18th, 6:00-7:30 Rm 216

All interested parents are welcome to join us in our mission to support the students and faculty of DSISD. Questions, Concerns, Suggestions? Contact us.

FUNDRAISING

Here is a super easy way to support DSISD - just by doing your regular shopping.

Also, please CLICK HERE for other fundraising support opportunities!
Recruitment Support

We will continue our recruitment efforts throughout the month prior to the opening of the second window of the choice process in April. We will have a Student Tour 10:00-11:30 and an Open House on March 13th from 6:30-7:30.

Parent and student testimonial is one of the most powerful forms of informing our prospective students and families about the many benefits of DSISD. If you would like to support us, please CLICK HERE. This could also be in the form of written testimonials that we can use in our current marketing materials.
If you know students and families interested in DSISD, please direct them to our website and the Enroll tab. Thanks for supporting DSISD recruitment for the 19-20 school year!
BUY YOUR DSISD T-Shirt or Hoodie NOW!

We have a limited supply of T-shirts and Hoodies available in the front office. Please see Mr. Montenegro about purchasing yours SOON!

T-shirts (men's and women's)
Short Sleeved: $18
Long Sleeved: $25
Hoodies: 30
ADVENTURE ABROAD
Traveling abroad is an amazing way for students to practice one of our DSISD competencies - Explore the World & Apply My Learning . All students and their families are invited to enroll on a trip to Peru scheduled for June of 2020 with Mrs. Price.

Early enrollment ends on March 7th or when the 20 traveler limit has been reached. Please visit www.eftours.com/2194624PF  for all of the information about the tour. If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Price at stephanie_price@dpsk12.org. 

Last year, Ms. Price took students on a South Pacific Tour to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. This summer, she, Ms. Ross and Ms. Brennen will be taking students on a tour to Italy and Greece. A huge SHOUT OUT to Ms. Price for supporting our Raven world travelers in experiencing adventures they will never forget!
Important Dates - March
  • 3/6- Senior Photo Booth by Eric Payne: 9:00-10:00 Location TBD
  • 3/6- Prom Committee Meeting: Upper House Advisory, Ms. Ross' Room 207
  • 3/7- CSC, DSISD RM 216
  • 3/8 - Advanced Placement Testing Paperwork DUE. Turn in to Monty or Mr. Nungaray
  • 3/13- DSISD Open House, 6:30-7:30
  • 3/14- PAC Meeting, DSISD Rm 216
  • 3/15- Yearbook Purchases DUE
  • 3/18- FODSISD Meeting, 6:00-7:30
  • 3/20-3/21 Student Led Conferences (Early release both days, 2:00)
  • 3/25-3/29- Spring Break, No School
Looking Ahead- April & May
APRIL
  • 4/4 -CSC
  • 4/9-11 -P/SAT Testing
  • 4/17- CMAS (11th grade only)
  • 4/18 PAC
  • 4/22 FODSISD Meeting
  • 4/25-4/26 Intensives
  • 4/29- Teacher PD Day, No School
  • 4/30- Accuplacer Testing

MAY
  • 5/2 -CSC
  • 5/6 - AP EXAMS: Government and APES
  • 5/10- AP EXAM: Computer Science
  • 5/14- AP EXAMS: Calc and APHUG
  • 5/15- AP EXAM: AP Lang
  • 5/16- PAC
  • 5/18 Prom at Denver Aquarium, Seniors and Juniors only
  • 5/20- Senior Checkout
  • 5/20 FODSISD Meeting
  • 5/27- Memorial Day, No School
  • 5/28- Graduation at Sewell Ballroom, No school for 9-11h grades
  • 5/29 Advisory Olympics
  • 5/30-DOL's
  • 5/31-1/2 day for revisions