Happy New Year 2013!
The Beginning of the 3rd Quarter!
DATES TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR
JAN 8th...Students return to school after Winter Break
JAN 10th...WCSD Community Forum - High School Auditeria @ 6pm
JAN 11th...Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Club - Movie after school
JAN 14th-18th...WCSD Foundation Cards for Sale - Student Fundraiser
JAN 17th...Conferences - Sign up with your child's teacher
JAN 18th...2nd Quarter Report Cards sent home with students
JAN 21st...NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Honored
JAN 22nd...Success Assembly (a.m.)
JAN 28th...Board of Education Meeting
JAN 29th...Parent/Principal Forum @ 3pm in the GYM - Discussion: Safe Schools: Bullying
Consider checking out one of the award winning books from our school library! Buckeye Book Award Winners for 2012!
Previous winners can be found at http://www.bcbookaward.info
JAN 8th...Students return to school after Winter Break
JAN 10th...WCSD Community Forum - High School Auditeria @ 6pm
JAN 11th...Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Club - Movie after school
JAN 14th-18th...WCSD Foundation Cards for Sale - Student Fundraiser
JAN 17th...Conferences - Sign up with your child's teacher
JAN 18th...2nd Quarter Report Cards sent home with students
JAN 21st...NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Honored
JAN 22nd...Success Assembly (a.m.)
JAN 28th...Board of Education Meeting
JAN 29th...Parent/Principal Forum @ 3pm in the GYM - Discussion: Safe Schools: Bullying
Consider checking out one of the award winning books from our school library! Buckeye Book Award Winners for 2012!
Previous winners can be found at http://www.bcbookaward.info
2nd Quarter Update
CALENDAR
NOVEMBER
Monday, 26th...Students return to school after Thanksgiving Break. MATH TUTORING STARTS. Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, 27th...Student of the Month Luncheon. Early Release Day for students. Teachers in meetings and professional development.
Friday, 30th...Behavior Incentive. Students who achieve the behavior goal can bring boards games and electronic games to play at school with their friends. Teachers will determine the time of the incentive by grade levels.
DECEMBER
Monday, 3rd...First day of the Santa Shoppe for students. Shopping will go on all week during recess.
Thursday, 6th...Yearbook Candid pictures in the morning.
Friday, 7th...Last day for the Santa Shoppe.
Monday, 17th...Benchmark Test Week. End of the Quarter
Tuesday, 18th...Winter Extravaganza. A holiday treat for Denver families and friends. Student performances include - singing, a play, readings, and more. Time TBA.
Friday, 21st...Last Day before Winter Break. End of 2nd Quarter
NOVEMBER
Monday, 26th...Students return to school after Thanksgiving Break. MATH TUTORING STARTS. Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, 27th...Student of the Month Luncheon. Early Release Day for students. Teachers in meetings and professional development.
Friday, 30th...Behavior Incentive. Students who achieve the behavior goal can bring boards games and electronic games to play at school with their friends. Teachers will determine the time of the incentive by grade levels.
DECEMBER
Monday, 3rd...First day of the Santa Shoppe for students. Shopping will go on all week during recess.
Thursday, 6th...Yearbook Candid pictures in the morning.
Friday, 7th...Last day for the Santa Shoppe.
Monday, 17th...Benchmark Test Week. End of the Quarter
Tuesday, 18th...Winter Extravaganza. A holiday treat for Denver families and friends. Student performances include - singing, a play, readings, and more. Time TBA.
Friday, 21st...Last Day before Winter Break. End of 2nd Quarter
Denver Family & Friends Giving Tree
This year, we will set up a Christmas tree in the lobby at Denver. You and your family and friends of Denver Place are being asked to help us celebrate the season in two different ways!
First, the tree will begin as a Giving Tree. There will be construction paper cut outs on the tree with items for families and friends to donate. The requested donation items on the tree will range from classroom and school supplies to hats, gloves, mittens and socks for our students to wear on cold winter days. You can take one (or more) of these paper decorations off of the tree. Then bring the item back to school and leave it in the office or place it under the tree for donation.
Then the tree will need to be re-decorated. So we are asking Denver friends and families to help us decorate our tree. Simply work together as a family to make an ornament or some sort of garland at home. Then bring it in and place it on the tree.
First, the tree will begin as a Giving Tree. There will be construction paper cut outs on the tree with items for families and friends to donate. The requested donation items on the tree will range from classroom and school supplies to hats, gloves, mittens and socks for our students to wear on cold winter days. You can take one (or more) of these paper decorations off of the tree. Then bring the item back to school and leave it in the office or place it under the tree for donation.
Then the tree will need to be re-decorated. So we are asking Denver friends and families to help us decorate our tree. Simply work together as a family to make an ornament or some sort of garland at home. Then bring it in and place it on the tree.
WINTER EXTRAVAGANZA
Tuesday, December 18th
Time TBA
Location: Denver Place Gym and Stage
Students and their family and friends are being asked to share some holiday cheer together with student performances that include - Mrs. Hickey's 3rd graders in their annual holiday play; performances by Denver Place's 4th Grade and 5th Grade choirs under the direction of Jeanie Gilmore; 1st grade Christmas caroling and singalong; readings by various grade levels; and musical performances by a number of different talented Denver Place students. We hope that all of you will be able to join us for this festive evening at Denver Place. The evening will end with sharing Christmas cookies and punch!
Time TBA
Location: Denver Place Gym and Stage
Students and their family and friends are being asked to share some holiday cheer together with student performances that include - Mrs. Hickey's 3rd graders in their annual holiday play; performances by Denver Place's 4th Grade and 5th Grade choirs under the direction of Jeanie Gilmore; 1st grade Christmas caroling and singalong; readings by various grade levels; and musical performances by a number of different talented Denver Place students. We hope that all of you will be able to join us for this festive evening at Denver Place. The evening will end with sharing Christmas cookies and punch!
Math Tutoring at Denver
We're just getting started with our first round of math tutoring at Denver. We have times before and after school available for groups of students to advance their math skills and get extra support.
A blue sign up sheet has already gone home with students and more blue sign up sheets are available in the office and from your child's classroom teacher.
We are using the PALS tutoring program. PALS stands for Peer Assisted Learning Strategies. We pair struggling students with peers who can help them develop their math skills under the direction of one of our master math teachers.
Current Tutoring Schedule
2nd Grade Monday & Friday 8-8:45 am Harmon (starts Friday this week)
3rd Grade Tuesday & Thursday 8-8:45 am Barb Atley (starts NEXT week)
3rd Grade Tuesday & Thursday 4-4:45 pm Sylvia Myers (starts NEXT week)
4th Grade Monday & Friday 8-8:45 am Yike (starts NEXT week)
5th Grade Wednesday & Thursday 4-4:45 Black (starts AFTER THE NEW YEAR)
A blue sign up sheet has already gone home with students and more blue sign up sheets are available in the office and from your child's classroom teacher.
We are using the PALS tutoring program. PALS stands for Peer Assisted Learning Strategies. We pair struggling students with peers who can help them develop their math skills under the direction of one of our master math teachers.
Current Tutoring Schedule
2nd Grade Monday & Friday 8-8:45 am Harmon (starts Friday this week)
3rd Grade Tuesday & Thursday 8-8:45 am Barb Atley (starts NEXT week)
3rd Grade Tuesday & Thursday 4-4:45 pm Sylvia Myers (starts NEXT week)
4th Grade Monday & Friday 8-8:45 am Yike (starts NEXT week)
5th Grade Wednesday & Thursday 4-4:45 Black (starts AFTER THE NEW YEAR)
Reading Tutoring at Denver
We've already started our reading tutoring program at Denver. However, if there is enough interest from more students, we can begin new sessions in January. Let the office know if you are interested. Mrs. Zaycosky is ready to help you when you call 382-2380.
We are using the PALS tutoring program. PALS stands for Peer Assisted Learning Strategies. We pair struggling students with peers who can help them develop their reading skills under the direction of one of our master reading teachers.
Current Tutoring Schedule
Monday & Friday 8-8:45 Caparso/Herrmann (K, 1, 2, 3)
Monday & Tuesday 4-4:45 Gripenberg (5th graders)
Monday & Wednesday 4-4:45 Geggie/Randolph (K, 1, 2, 3)
Tuesday & Thursday 4-4:45 Cochran/Schriner and Steele (Conference Room) (K, 1, 2, 3)
We are using the PALS tutoring program. PALS stands for Peer Assisted Learning Strategies. We pair struggling students with peers who can help them develop their reading skills under the direction of one of our master reading teachers.
Current Tutoring Schedule
Monday & Friday 8-8:45 Caparso/Herrmann (K, 1, 2, 3)
Monday & Tuesday 4-4:45 Gripenberg (5th graders)
Monday & Wednesday 4-4:45 Geggie/Randolph (K, 1, 2, 3)
Tuesday & Thursday 4-4:45 Cochran/Schriner and Steele (Conference Room) (K, 1, 2, 3)
An Invitation from WCS Superintendent and Denver Place Elementary Principal
On Tuesday, November 13th at 6 PM the Board of Education is hosting a Public Forum in the Wilmington High School Auditeria to present our financial situation and solicit the communities suggestions for the future of WCS.
The format will be a 10-15 minute Presentation of our forecast, comparisons showing how much revenue we are losing since 2008, and a summary of reductions over the last 4 years.
Then we will be dividing into small groups and soliciting suggestions for how to move forward in the future.
Please consider attending this event if you are available.
From Ron Sexton and Karen Long
The format will be a 10-15 minute Presentation of our forecast, comparisons showing how much revenue we are losing since 2008, and a summary of reductions over the last 4 years.
Then we will be dividing into small groups and soliciting suggestions for how to move forward in the future.
Please consider attending this event if you are available.
From Ron Sexton and Karen Long
School Update
Dismissal & Arrival Update
We have been dismissing out back for the past few weeks now and things seem to be going well. Students are being released to their parents 5-10 minutes earlier than before. Students being picked up are safer, since they are separated from the bus traffic. Traffic out front in the morning works better when Mrs. Long or Mr. Goodman are out front directing. They began training adult volunteers on Monday, October 8, 2012 to assist them. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up with Mrs. Zaycosky in the office.
UPCOMING DATES
October 18th
District-Wide 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee Parent Meeting
6:00 pm in the High School Auditor
Come learn about new state legislation regarding reading requirements for kindergarten-3rd grade readers.
October 23 & 25
Parent/Family/Teacher Conferences
4:00-7:30
Look for communication from your child’s teacher to schedule a conference with your child(ren)’s teacher.
REPORT CARDS SENT HOME AT CONFERENCES or on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26th PLEASE sign the envelop and return the envelop to school the next day!
October 29th
6:00-7:30
Parent Meeting for ALL Denver Families who would like to learn about how to support your child’s reading development at home without
pulling your hair out! We’ll begin meeting in the cafeteria and then breakout into classrooms with Denver teachers sharing techniques on how you can peacefully and effectively help your child’s reading grow, and enjoy your child at the same time!
October 30th
Success Assembly
4th/5th Grade 9:30-10:00
2nd/3rd Grade 10:10-10:50
K/1st Grade 11:00-11:30
Families are invited to attend their child’s grade level assembly as listed above. Join us in celebrating all of the success of the 1st Quarter of school. Attendance awards, academic awards, and positive behaviors will be recognized.
November 8th
Family Fun Night with Science and Reading
Join Denver students and teachers at a fun family event where we will hear from an author, share writing that we have done in class, read fun science facts and make and eat snacks about science, make a recycle bin for your house, and get to take a book home. In addition, families will learn about new learning targets outlined in the Revised Common Core.
Parent/Family Meeting with Mrs. Long OCTOBER 30th @ 3:00 in the Gym
Topic: Bullying
Computer Lab OPEN! to Denver Families & Students
Wednesdays after school from 4:00-5:00. Students can stay after school for homework assistance and families can come in and use the computers to access Progress Book along with online homework assistance such as SUMDOG.
Cafeteria News
We continue to serve breakfast starting at 8:50. Students who get breakfast, should plan to get to school at 8:50 so that they can be sure to get their breakfast finished before the start of their classes at 9:15. Be sure to have your lunch account paid in full each day. A cheese sandwich meal will be offered to all students who carry a balance of $10 or more. Be sure to keep your child’s food allergies updated in the office on the blue medical form. Changes in food allergies should be updated regularly in the office so that changes can be communication to the cafeteria
quickly. Often times food allergies can present a health risk to students and so we want to handle this quickly when changes occur.
Contact Information
Karen Long, Principal
Denver Place Elementary
291 Lorish Ave.
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
Phone 937-382-2380 ext. 7572
Fax 937-383-2711
[email protected]
We have been dismissing out back for the past few weeks now and things seem to be going well. Students are being released to their parents 5-10 minutes earlier than before. Students being picked up are safer, since they are separated from the bus traffic. Traffic out front in the morning works better when Mrs. Long or Mr. Goodman are out front directing. They began training adult volunteers on Monday, October 8, 2012 to assist them. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up with Mrs. Zaycosky in the office.
UPCOMING DATES
October 18th
District-Wide 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee Parent Meeting
6:00 pm in the High School Auditor
Come learn about new state legislation regarding reading requirements for kindergarten-3rd grade readers.
October 23 & 25
Parent/Family/Teacher Conferences
4:00-7:30
Look for communication from your child’s teacher to schedule a conference with your child(ren)’s teacher.
REPORT CARDS SENT HOME AT CONFERENCES or on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26th PLEASE sign the envelop and return the envelop to school the next day!
October 29th
6:00-7:30
Parent Meeting for ALL Denver Families who would like to learn about how to support your child’s reading development at home without
pulling your hair out! We’ll begin meeting in the cafeteria and then breakout into classrooms with Denver teachers sharing techniques on how you can peacefully and effectively help your child’s reading grow, and enjoy your child at the same time!
October 30th
Success Assembly
4th/5th Grade 9:30-10:00
2nd/3rd Grade 10:10-10:50
K/1st Grade 11:00-11:30
Families are invited to attend their child’s grade level assembly as listed above. Join us in celebrating all of the success of the 1st Quarter of school. Attendance awards, academic awards, and positive behaviors will be recognized.
November 8th
Family Fun Night with Science and Reading
Join Denver students and teachers at a fun family event where we will hear from an author, share writing that we have done in class, read fun science facts and make and eat snacks about science, make a recycle bin for your house, and get to take a book home. In addition, families will learn about new learning targets outlined in the Revised Common Core.
Parent/Family Meeting with Mrs. Long OCTOBER 30th @ 3:00 in the Gym
Topic: Bullying
Computer Lab OPEN! to Denver Families & Students
Wednesdays after school from 4:00-5:00. Students can stay after school for homework assistance and families can come in and use the computers to access Progress Book along with online homework assistance such as SUMDOG.
Cafeteria News
We continue to serve breakfast starting at 8:50. Students who get breakfast, should plan to get to school at 8:50 so that they can be sure to get their breakfast finished before the start of their classes at 9:15. Be sure to have your lunch account paid in full each day. A cheese sandwich meal will be offered to all students who carry a balance of $10 or more. Be sure to keep your child’s food allergies updated in the office on the blue medical form. Changes in food allergies should be updated regularly in the office so that changes can be communication to the cafeteria
quickly. Often times food allergies can present a health risk to students and so we want to handle this quickly when changes occur.
Contact Information
Karen Long, Principal
Denver Place Elementary
291 Lorish Ave.
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
Phone 937-382-2380 ext. 7572
Fax 937-383-2711
[email protected]
Results of Parent/Family Meeting in September
Arrival
Recently, Mrs. Long and a group of parents met to discuss arrival and dismissal procedures. We identified some problems and brainstormed solutions. We determined that we need everyone’s help to make arrival safer and smoother for students, teachers, and families.
Problem #1: People park along the curve in front of Denver and get out of their car. Some people even leave their car and go into the school. This causes traffic jams that reach out into the street and crosswalk.
Solution: Anyone who pulls up along the curve in front of Denver must remain in their car and pull away carefully as soon as their Denver student closes the car door. There are teachers and staff out front to make sure students enter the building safely once they are out of the car. At no time should any car be parked or left unattended along the curve in front of Denver. In addition, there should only be one line of traffic along the curb dropping off students. Students should ONLY be dropped off along the curb and NEVER in the middle of traffic.
Problem #2: Sometimes there is a traffic jam at the crosswalk and traffic is stopped for long periods of time at the corner of Lorish and Virginia Circle.
Solution: Mrs. Long talked with the crossing guards and discussed possible solutions. Ms. Ann and her husband and son, the Denver crossing guard crew are employed by the City of Wilmington to direct students safely through traffic. They are NOT responsible for moving cars safely through intersections. Mrs. Long is working to create safe traffic patterns to ensure the safety of everyone moving around and through the parking lots and streets around Denver Place in the morning and in the afternoon. One solution that we will try is the implementation of parent volunteers out front in the morning. Mrs. Long and Mr. Goodman will begin training a group of parent volunteers on Monday, October 8th in the morning. If you would like to volunteer in this capacity, please sign up with Mrs. Zaycosky in the office at Denver.
Problem #3: Parents are concerned that their students are tardy because of these traffic jam problems at the start of the school day. They worry that their students’ grades are being penalized as a result of being tardy.
Solution: Mrs. Long has checked with teachers and has been assured that this is not the case. Students can arrive at 8:50 and get breakfast and then from 9:00-9:15 students make their way to their homeroom, get lunch money and materials organized, and use the restroom in order to be ready for the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements at the start of the school day at 9:15. No grades are taken for work completed at this time.
Problem #4: Families are still escorting students to their classroom each morning, creating safety concerns for teachers and staff.
Solution: Families need to say good-bye to their students outside the school building in the morning. Students need to become increasingly independent within the safe school community. If families need to talk to teachers, they can make an appointment with teachers. Families will be invited to school for a variety of events and occasions. Please look for those announcements in classroom newsletters, principal newsletters, and the Denver website.
New Dismissal Procedures
Recently, Mrs. Long and a group of parents met to discuss arrival and dismissal procedures. We identified some problems and brainstormed solutions. We determined that we need everyone’s help to make arrival safer and smoother for students, teachers, and families.
Problem #1: People park along the curve in front of Denver and get out of their car. Some people even leave their car and go into the school. This causes traffic jams that reach out into the street and crosswalk.
Solution: Anyone who pulls up along the curve in front of Denver must remain in their car and pull away carefully as soon as their Denver student closes the car door. There are teachers and staff out front to make sure students enter the building safely once they are out of the car. At no time should any car be parked or left unattended along the curve in front of Denver. In addition, there should only be one line of traffic along the curb dropping off students. Students should ONLY be dropped off along the curb and NEVER in the middle of traffic.
Problem #2: Sometimes there is a traffic jam at the crosswalk and traffic is stopped for long periods of time at the corner of Lorish and Virginia Circle.
Solution: Mrs. Long talked with the crossing guards and discussed possible solutions. Ms. Ann and her husband and son, the Denver crossing guard crew are employed by the City of Wilmington to direct students safely through traffic. They are NOT responsible for moving cars safely through intersections. Mrs. Long is working to create safe traffic patterns to ensure the safety of everyone moving around and through the parking lots and streets around Denver Place in the morning and in the afternoon. One solution that we will try is the implementation of parent volunteers out front in the morning. Mrs. Long and Mr. Goodman will begin training a group of parent volunteers on Monday, October 8th in the morning. If you would like to volunteer in this capacity, please sign up with Mrs. Zaycosky in the office at Denver.
Problem #3: Parents are concerned that their students are tardy because of these traffic jam problems at the start of the school day. They worry that their students’ grades are being penalized as a result of being tardy.
Solution: Mrs. Long has checked with teachers and has been assured that this is not the case. Students can arrive at 8:50 and get breakfast and then from 9:00-9:15 students make their way to their homeroom, get lunch money and materials organized, and use the restroom in order to be ready for the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements at the start of the school day at 9:15. No grades are taken for work completed at this time.
Problem #4: Families are still escorting students to their classroom each morning, creating safety concerns for teachers and staff.
Solution: Families need to say good-bye to their students outside the school building in the morning. Students need to become increasingly independent within the safe school community. If families need to talk to teachers, they can make an appointment with teachers. Families will be invited to school for a variety of events and occasions. Please look for those announcements in classroom newsletters, principal newsletters, and the Denver website.
New Dismissal Procedures
- ALL bus riders are being dismissed out the front door at 3:45.
- As soon as hallways are clear of bus riders, all car riders are being dismissed out the back doors to the playground.
- Each class has been given a designated spot to stand and wait for families to pick up their students.
- True walkers, bike riders and skateboarders are being released after buses have cleared the area out the side 4th grade doors.
DENVER PLACE ELEMENTARY IS THE BEST!
Parent/Family Meeting:
Tuesday, September 25th at 3:00 in the GYM
Topic: Arrival & Dissmissal Procedures at Denver Place
Parent Survey
It’s interim report time and teachers have sent home a report letting you know how your student(s) is doing. Now it’s time for you to let us know how we are doing! Parent Surveys are available outside the
office and online at http://tinyurl.com/DenverPlaceParentSurvey1
The smell and feel of fall is in the air! It’s my favorite time of the year! When school days start to feel comfortable and familiar. When classrooms start to feel like a community of people who genuinely care for one another. When students and teachers have developed a pattern and a routine for learning that feels like second nature. When the sun signs on the trees just right, casting a glow all around. When Friday nights bring high school football games and the air is crisp and cold, just right for a sweatshirt and a cup of warm hot chocolate. When pumpkins pop up at farmer’s markets and the last of the tomatoes cling to the vine hoping to be picked and not forgotten. And when children arrive to school, eager to get inside to escape the chill of the morning air. Can you feel it? Fall is in the air. It’s my favorite time of year!
What’s HappenING AT DENVER PLACE?
Denver students have celebrated a HIGH 5 for a SUCCESSFUL start to the BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER! Banners of their handprints decorate the front lobby celebrating the new school year and the great start we’ve had.
Interim Reports for the first 4 ½ weeks of school are being sent home today, Friday, September 14th. Please look a these reports, talk to your Denver student(s) about them, email or talk to the teacher(s) if you have any questions, and sign them and send them back to school with your student. This is our way of making sure the reports get home and shared. Monitor your student(s) after school study habits, attendance at school, and general attitude towards school. Teachers are always available to talk with you and/or meet with you about any question or concerns you might have about the academic and social progress of your student. Teachers have set specific time aside at the end of the 1st quarter after school and into the evenings on Tuesday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 25th. More specific information will be coming out about these dates and times as the end of the 1st quarter gets closer.
What’s About to Happen at Denver?
Picture Day will be Tuesday, September 25th in the morning. Wear your best smile that day!
The PTO is sponsoring another walkathon to raise money for the important projects that impact our students in the classroom and throughout the school. The walkathon will take place on Friday, September 28th at Alumni Field at 5:00. Sponsor sheets will go home with your student very soon. Following the walkathon, the PTO will be selling hotdogs and the fixings for a fun tailgate before heading over to the football game later that evening. We hope that you’ll join us at this family fun event! Your Denver Place PTO uses the funds from the walkathon to support programs like COSI on Wheels (coming to Denver Place on October 9th and 10th) and books for classroom libraries.
The first initial round of Ohio Reading Achievement Assessments (OAA) will take place in third grade on Tuesday, October 2nd in the morning. It will be important for all of our 3rd graders to get a good night’s sleep the night before, eat a good breakfast that morning, and be at school on time.
Once again, Denver Place Elementary will play a prominent role in the WCS Homecoming Parade. Plans are being made to create a float that our students and their families can ride on and/or walk beside and behind. The date for the parade is Thursday, October 11th. We’ll meet at the high school parking lot were all floats line up to begin the parade. The time will be announced soon. Look for more information on this family fun event in PTO Newsletters. Get your Hurricane spirit gear ready!
Parent Survey
It’s interim report time and teachers have sent home a report letting you know how your student(s) is doing. Now it’s time for you to let us know how we are doing! Parent Surveys are available outside the office and online at http://tinyurl.com/DenverPlaceParentSurvey1
What’s Ahead?
October Family Night – Teachers are making plans to share an evening with families at Denver Place. Families will be invited to participate in exciting hands on learning, take home a free book, share snacks, check-out literacy games from our school library to take home and play, and try out our computer lab. The date will be announced soon!
VOLUNTEER OPPROTUNITIES AT DENVER!
· Change the sign out front
· Re-shelve books in the library
· Help students in the computer lab
· Listen to students reading aloud
· Work on flashcards with students
· Cut out, punch out, laminate, staple, label, type material for teachers
· Be a mentor
Make a difference in the life of your school and the students who attend it. Stop in the office and see how you can support the important work of Wilmington City Schools.
Tuesday, September 25th at 3:00 in the GYM
Topic: Arrival & Dissmissal Procedures at Denver Place
Parent Survey
It’s interim report time and teachers have sent home a report letting you know how your student(s) is doing. Now it’s time for you to let us know how we are doing! Parent Surveys are available outside the
office and online at http://tinyurl.com/DenverPlaceParentSurvey1
The smell and feel of fall is in the air! It’s my favorite time of the year! When school days start to feel comfortable and familiar. When classrooms start to feel like a community of people who genuinely care for one another. When students and teachers have developed a pattern and a routine for learning that feels like second nature. When the sun signs on the trees just right, casting a glow all around. When Friday nights bring high school football games and the air is crisp and cold, just right for a sweatshirt and a cup of warm hot chocolate. When pumpkins pop up at farmer’s markets and the last of the tomatoes cling to the vine hoping to be picked and not forgotten. And when children arrive to school, eager to get inside to escape the chill of the morning air. Can you feel it? Fall is in the air. It’s my favorite time of year!
What’s HappenING AT DENVER PLACE?
Denver students have celebrated a HIGH 5 for a SUCCESSFUL start to the BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER! Banners of their handprints decorate the front lobby celebrating the new school year and the great start we’ve had.
Interim Reports for the first 4 ½ weeks of school are being sent home today, Friday, September 14th. Please look a these reports, talk to your Denver student(s) about them, email or talk to the teacher(s) if you have any questions, and sign them and send them back to school with your student. This is our way of making sure the reports get home and shared. Monitor your student(s) after school study habits, attendance at school, and general attitude towards school. Teachers are always available to talk with you and/or meet with you about any question or concerns you might have about the academic and social progress of your student. Teachers have set specific time aside at the end of the 1st quarter after school and into the evenings on Tuesday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 25th. More specific information will be coming out about these dates and times as the end of the 1st quarter gets closer.
What’s About to Happen at Denver?
Picture Day will be Tuesday, September 25th in the morning. Wear your best smile that day!
The PTO is sponsoring another walkathon to raise money for the important projects that impact our students in the classroom and throughout the school. The walkathon will take place on Friday, September 28th at Alumni Field at 5:00. Sponsor sheets will go home with your student very soon. Following the walkathon, the PTO will be selling hotdogs and the fixings for a fun tailgate before heading over to the football game later that evening. We hope that you’ll join us at this family fun event! Your Denver Place PTO uses the funds from the walkathon to support programs like COSI on Wheels (coming to Denver Place on October 9th and 10th) and books for classroom libraries.
The first initial round of Ohio Reading Achievement Assessments (OAA) will take place in third grade on Tuesday, October 2nd in the morning. It will be important for all of our 3rd graders to get a good night’s sleep the night before, eat a good breakfast that morning, and be at school on time.
Once again, Denver Place Elementary will play a prominent role in the WCS Homecoming Parade. Plans are being made to create a float that our students and their families can ride on and/or walk beside and behind. The date for the parade is Thursday, October 11th. We’ll meet at the high school parking lot were all floats line up to begin the parade. The time will be announced soon. Look for more information on this family fun event in PTO Newsletters. Get your Hurricane spirit gear ready!
Parent Survey
It’s interim report time and teachers have sent home a report letting you know how your student(s) is doing. Now it’s time for you to let us know how we are doing! Parent Surveys are available outside the office and online at http://tinyurl.com/DenverPlaceParentSurvey1
What’s Ahead?
October Family Night – Teachers are making plans to share an evening with families at Denver Place. Families will be invited to participate in exciting hands on learning, take home a free book, share snacks, check-out literacy games from our school library to take home and play, and try out our computer lab. The date will be announced soon!
VOLUNTEER OPPROTUNITIES AT DENVER!
· Change the sign out front
· Re-shelve books in the library
· Help students in the computer lab
· Listen to students reading aloud
· Work on flashcards with students
· Cut out, punch out, laminate, staple, label, type material for teachers
· Be a mentor
Make a difference in the life of your school and the students who attend it. Stop in the office and see how you can support the important work of Wilmington City Schools.
State of the School Report at the End of August 2012
Cafeteria
There are lots of changes and lots of healthy choices for our students this year in the Denver Place Elementary cafeteria. The Denver kitchen staff has been terrific in educating students on both the new choices and efficient procedures in selecting desirable choices. Students must select food from at least three different food groups and one must be either a fruit or a vegetable. Students are eating fresh apples, oranges, cherry tomatoes, along with Big Daddy's Cheese Pizza. And lines are running smoothly!
Summer Work
This summer we were able to use the services of Clinton County Youth who were required to complete community service hours as penance for their indiscretions. These young people were instrumental in cleaning up the Denver playground as they pulled weeds, spread mulch and painted playground equipment orange and black. As Denver students returned to school, they noticed the improvements made on the playground, signaling that this would be the best school year yet.
Open House
School started with an extremely well attended Open House that filled the building with excitement that was electric. Several teachers reported that they had 100% of their students and their families there that night. We were able to provide donated school supplies to every student who needed them. Donations came from the following local businesses and agencies - Rent to Own; the Democratic Party; United Methodist Church; Timber Tech; and the Nike Center donated clothing to one of our students.
New Staff Members at Denver
Welcome back to Mary Zaycosky as the Denver Place secretary. Mary was instrumental in providing a facelift to the Denver main office. Student art hangs on the walls and Mary's own art pieces dot the office. Stop in and check it out! Also, welcome to Zach Yike, 4th grade math, and Allison Black, 5th grade math. Strong additions to the already excellent teaching staff at Denver Place.
Staff & Student Accomplishments Over the Summer
· This summer, Jen Randolph, 1st grade teacher, received a grant to participate in Earth Expedition event in Belize, a study abroad program through the Cincinnati Zoo, Miami University, and Project Dragon Fly. This was Jen's second Earth Expedition.
· Suzanne Gripenberg, Heather Harmon, Ashley Wolf and Jen Randolph successfully wrote WCS Foundation Grants that are fully funded for the 2012-13 school year. Look for updates about these projects throughout the year.
Improvements to the Denver Place Elementary Building
· Playground structures freshly painted orange and black
· Weeded and new mulch on the playground
· New mulch covering landscaping
· Gym windows repaired after being the victim of vandalism
· Empty classroom turned into a conference room
· Empty classroom/storage room turned into a Multi-Purpose room utilized by Mental Health
· Unusable sinks removed from classrooms
· New carpet and fresh paint in a 4th grade classroom
· Fresh paint in the principal’s office
· New blinds in the music room to replace mold/mildew blinds in the music room
Student Learning
We have completed assessments of our newly enrolled students. In addition, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers have administered the 4-Sight math and reading assessment. Teachers are ready to begin to use data from pre-assessments in all subjects to inform their planning and instruction. At Denver, teachers are working in teacher-based-teams to analyze and interpret student pre-assessment data to enrich lessons that challenge students and inform instruction so that students receive interventions that support and develop their deficiencies.
Teacher Professional Development
During our Waiver Day Professional Development Day, Denver teachers participated in district-wide professional development on the topic of Formative Instructional Practices (FIP). Teachers used technology (online learning modules from Battelle for Kids) to learn about how these important instructional practices would enhance their work on teacher-based-teams as they plan meaningful learning engagements for students. This professional development focused on the importance of communicating and understanding learning targets and the connection between teachers, students, and their families in student learning. Teachers used technology (Moodle) to communicate their understanding with teachers across the district participating in the same professional development.
Positive Behavior Supports
We started the year looking at our building-wide goals of student acting safely, responsibly and respectfully in all settings, including dismissal and arrival, the cafeteria, hallways, and classrooms. Instead of posting rules and expectations, we engaged students in discussions to create specific expectations and then asked students to create posters for classrooms and hallways. They are posted and show student pride and ownership in creating a respectful and safe learning environment for our students. In addition, we looked at building discipline data from last year and made teachers aware of frequent offenders from last year in their classes this year. Teachers have made positive contact with all of these students and their families, encouraging positive behaviors throughout the school day.
Goals
I hope to update you soon on how we are using technology to enhance student learning and their ability to create, communicate and collaborate with one another, as well as an update on 4th and 5th grade Singing Club at Denver. We are also busy planning quarterly family events that promote literacy and learning, funded by federal Title One funds. In addition, I hope to get an auto dialer call out regarding improvements to our dismissal procedures at Denver Place Elementary. We want students to always be safe as they make their way home in the afternoon. There is much to do to continue to grow the excellent academic environment that exists at Denver Place Elementary.
There are lots of changes and lots of healthy choices for our students this year in the Denver Place Elementary cafeteria. The Denver kitchen staff has been terrific in educating students on both the new choices and efficient procedures in selecting desirable choices. Students must select food from at least three different food groups and one must be either a fruit or a vegetable. Students are eating fresh apples, oranges, cherry tomatoes, along with Big Daddy's Cheese Pizza. And lines are running smoothly!
Summer Work
This summer we were able to use the services of Clinton County Youth who were required to complete community service hours as penance for their indiscretions. These young people were instrumental in cleaning up the Denver playground as they pulled weeds, spread mulch and painted playground equipment orange and black. As Denver students returned to school, they noticed the improvements made on the playground, signaling that this would be the best school year yet.
Open House
School started with an extremely well attended Open House that filled the building with excitement that was electric. Several teachers reported that they had 100% of their students and their families there that night. We were able to provide donated school supplies to every student who needed them. Donations came from the following local businesses and agencies - Rent to Own; the Democratic Party; United Methodist Church; Timber Tech; and the Nike Center donated clothing to one of our students.
New Staff Members at Denver
Welcome back to Mary Zaycosky as the Denver Place secretary. Mary was instrumental in providing a facelift to the Denver main office. Student art hangs on the walls and Mary's own art pieces dot the office. Stop in and check it out! Also, welcome to Zach Yike, 4th grade math, and Allison Black, 5th grade math. Strong additions to the already excellent teaching staff at Denver Place.
Staff & Student Accomplishments Over the Summer
· This summer, Jen Randolph, 1st grade teacher, received a grant to participate in Earth Expedition event in Belize, a study abroad program through the Cincinnati Zoo, Miami University, and Project Dragon Fly. This was Jen's second Earth Expedition.
· Suzanne Gripenberg, Heather Harmon, Ashley Wolf and Jen Randolph successfully wrote WCS Foundation Grants that are fully funded for the 2012-13 school year. Look for updates about these projects throughout the year.
Improvements to the Denver Place Elementary Building
· Playground structures freshly painted orange and black
· Weeded and new mulch on the playground
· New mulch covering landscaping
· Gym windows repaired after being the victim of vandalism
· Empty classroom turned into a conference room
· Empty classroom/storage room turned into a Multi-Purpose room utilized by Mental Health
· Unusable sinks removed from classrooms
· New carpet and fresh paint in a 4th grade classroom
· Fresh paint in the principal’s office
· New blinds in the music room to replace mold/mildew blinds in the music room
Student Learning
We have completed assessments of our newly enrolled students. In addition, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers have administered the 4-Sight math and reading assessment. Teachers are ready to begin to use data from pre-assessments in all subjects to inform their planning and instruction. At Denver, teachers are working in teacher-based-teams to analyze and interpret student pre-assessment data to enrich lessons that challenge students and inform instruction so that students receive interventions that support and develop their deficiencies.
Teacher Professional Development
During our Waiver Day Professional Development Day, Denver teachers participated in district-wide professional development on the topic of Formative Instructional Practices (FIP). Teachers used technology (online learning modules from Battelle for Kids) to learn about how these important instructional practices would enhance their work on teacher-based-teams as they plan meaningful learning engagements for students. This professional development focused on the importance of communicating and understanding learning targets and the connection between teachers, students, and their families in student learning. Teachers used technology (Moodle) to communicate their understanding with teachers across the district participating in the same professional development.
Positive Behavior Supports
We started the year looking at our building-wide goals of student acting safely, responsibly and respectfully in all settings, including dismissal and arrival, the cafeteria, hallways, and classrooms. Instead of posting rules and expectations, we engaged students in discussions to create specific expectations and then asked students to create posters for classrooms and hallways. They are posted and show student pride and ownership in creating a respectful and safe learning environment for our students. In addition, we looked at building discipline data from last year and made teachers aware of frequent offenders from last year in their classes this year. Teachers have made positive contact with all of these students and their families, encouraging positive behaviors throughout the school day.
Goals
I hope to update you soon on how we are using technology to enhance student learning and their ability to create, communicate and collaborate with one another, as well as an update on 4th and 5th grade Singing Club at Denver. We are also busy planning quarterly family events that promote literacy and learning, funded by federal Title One funds. In addition, I hope to get an auto dialer call out regarding improvements to our dismissal procedures at Denver Place Elementary. We want students to always be safe as they make their way home in the afternoon. There is much to do to continue to grow the excellent academic environment that exists at Denver Place Elementary.
Support Learning at Home
The year has gotten off to a great start! Students are building connections with one another and getting into the routine of school. Students are being encouraged to think deeply about a variety of topics in their classrooms. This week, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be taking an assessment called the 4-Sight Assessment in reading and math. These assessments will provide teachers baseline data of strengths and weaknesses that they can use to determine where to begin in their teaching and what interventions need to be developed to assist students to achieve. In addition, our younger students will begin being assessed in reading to determine current levels of independent reading and current levels of reading instruction. The results of these various assessments will be shared with you once the data is compiled.
By now, or soon, you will hear about reading logs and ways that families can partner with teachers to support the reading development of your Denver Place student. In addition, teachers will be sending home folders and papers that help you stay connected with the learning that is happening at school. The following are things that you can do to support the learning of your child at school.
By now, or soon, you will hear about reading logs and ways that families can partner with teachers to support the reading development of your Denver Place student. In addition, teachers will be sending home folders and papers that help you stay connected with the learning that is happening at school. The following are things that you can do to support the learning of your child at school.
- Show your Denver student that you support their education by talking to them about school. Set high expectations and check their class work and homework.
- Reward effort and good work with positive reinforcement.
- Model and encourage outside reading.
- Set limits on TV viewing.
- Review the school's handbook with your child.
- Encourage after-school activities for enrichment and as an alternative to unsupervised afternoons at home. This also helps students to budget their time.
- Get to know your child's teacher(s). If you have questions, phone the teacher or request a conference.
- Attend parent-teacher conferences and other special events at school. More information will be posted about special events happening at Denver Place soon.
- Join the PTO. The PTO organizes events that enrich student life. More information about PTO will be sent home to you soon.
- Become a volunteer at the school, whether in your child's classroom or supporting an after-school program or on a committee.
Arrival & Dismissal: Mission: STUDENT SAFETY
Many of you have noticed some changes and some improvements to the dismissal and arrival at Denver Place Elementary. Your new principal, teachers, and other district personnel are VERY interested in keeping your children SAFE throughout the school day, especially at arrival and dismissal.
We are considering ways to make dismissal and arrival safer, more efficient, and more convenient for everyone, especially as we approach the cold winter months. One way being considered is asking families to wait in their cars and pull up along the curb and teachers will escort your child to your vehicle safely and swiftly. Thoughts about such a system? Share them with Mrs. Long while you wait together at dismissal!
Here are some things that you can do to support the goal of STUDENT SAFETY -
We are considering ways to make dismissal and arrival safer, more efficient, and more convenient for everyone, especially as we approach the cold winter months. One way being considered is asking families to wait in their cars and pull up along the curb and teachers will escort your child to your vehicle safely and swiftly. Thoughts about such a system? Share them with Mrs. Long while you wait together at dismissal!
Here are some things that you can do to support the goal of STUDENT SAFETY -
- Be consistent - have your child ride the bus everyday or transport your child everyday. When there is no routine and dismissal happens differently everyday, there is miscommunication and mistakes happen more frequently.
- When dropping students off at the curb, do not get out of your car. Pull all the way up. Have your student(s) hop out of the car on the curbside of the car. As soon as the car door closes, drive away. There will be an adult there to make sure your child gets into the school building.
- Keep in line with the other cars. Do not cut in front of cars to move into an empty space along the curb. Wait patiently for the cars ahead of you to drop off their student(s) and then move up as far as you can along the curb to drop off your student(s). This allows for a smooth and safe flow of traffic.
- Never allow your student(s) to get out of the car when you are not directly next to the curb. This increases the risk of students getting hurt as they move around moving cars.
- Please wait outside at dismissal for your Denver student. Learning is taking place in the classroom right up until the time of dismissal. Your student(s) will be out to meet you as soon as the buses pull away. You can find your students in the following locations - BEHIND THE SCHOOL: Kindergarteners and 1st and 5th graders; IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. If you have more than one student, everyone will meet at the youngest students' location.
Parent and Neighborhood Volunteers NEEDED!
What can you do to help your school community? Stop in the office and find out how you can volunteer and make a difference!
Mark your Calendar!
August
14th Open House 5-7pm
15th First Day of School
15th Kindergarten A-L Report to School
16th Kindergarten M-Z Report to School
17th Kindergarten EVERYONE Reports to School
September
3rd Labor Day - No School
14th Interim Reports Home
21st Waiver Day - No School
25th Picture Day
October
2nd 3rd Grade Reading OAA
11th Homecoming Parade
23rd P/T Conferences
25th P/T Conferences
14th Open House 5-7pm
15th First Day of School
15th Kindergarten A-L Report to School
16th Kindergarten M-Z Report to School
17th Kindergarten EVERYONE Reports to School
September
3rd Labor Day - No School
14th Interim Reports Home
21st Waiver Day - No School
25th Picture Day
October
2nd 3rd Grade Reading OAA
11th Homecoming Parade
23rd P/T Conferences
25th P/T Conferences
About Mrs. Long
I am so excited to have been named the principal at Denver Place Elementary! I have spent the last 18 years as a teacher, 9 of them in Wilmington City Schools. I couldn't be more pleased and excited to be invited to share learning and leadership with the teachers and students and their families at Denver Place.
I am a principal who is passionate about learning and collaborative problem-solving. I want to create a school community where students and teachers work and learn in harmony with their families and the community. I want students to realize their full potential in all that they do, while they develop their weaknesses and capitalize on their strengths. I want students to develop empathy for others along with a sense of goodwill for their community and a true sense of themselves in the global world. And I want to create a school where learning is meaningful and exciting. I want Denver Place to be a school where students are safe and where each student knows that s/he is a valuable part of the school community.
On this website/blog, I will share information about teaching and learning for Denver students and their families. I will post dates and interesting happenings at Denver Place, as well as what's happening around the district in Wilmington City Schools.
I am a principal who is passionate about learning and collaborative problem-solving. I want to create a school community where students and teachers work and learn in harmony with their families and the community. I want students to realize their full potential in all that they do, while they develop their weaknesses and capitalize on their strengths. I want students to develop empathy for others along with a sense of goodwill for their community and a true sense of themselves in the global world. And I want to create a school where learning is meaningful and exciting. I want Denver Place to be a school where students are safe and where each student knows that s/he is a valuable part of the school community.
On this website/blog, I will share information about teaching and learning for Denver students and their families. I will post dates and interesting happenings at Denver Place, as well as what's happening around the district in Wilmington City Schools.