Community Newsletter
Denny International Middle School | October 20, 2023
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Dolphin Families,
It's been another remarkable week at Denny, and I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you. This week, we proudly unveiled the first edition of "The Current: Dive Deeper into Our Denny Community," our very own student newspaper. The creativity, dedication, and brilliance of our students shine through in every page, reflecting the vibrant spirit of our scholars. I extend a heartfelt congratulations to all the students involved in the creation of this wonderful publication.
A special acknowledgment goes out to Ms. Fondale, whose guidance and facilitation were instrumental in bringing "The Current" to life. Her commitment to nurturing our students' talents and fostering a sense of community is truly commendable. Thank you, Ms. Fondale, for your dedication to our students and for helping them showcase their talents.
"The Current" serves as a beacon, illuminating the culture of belonging that we are all actively contributing to and growing. It celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of our community, highlighting the accomplishments and stories that make Denny International Middle School so special. I am immensely proud to be a part of this vibrant community. Thank you for all of your contributions and support that make Denny such a wonderful school.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!
Warmly,
Mary Ingraham
IMPORTANT DATES
- 10-24 PTSA Meeting at 7:00 on Teams
- 10-26 Curriculum Night 2.0 for Families of 6th Grade Students NEW to their ELA Class
- 10-27 Orchestra and Choir Concert Sealth Auditorium 6:30 pm
Student Newspaper 1st Publication: The Current, Dive Deeper into Our Denny Community Sept/Oct
Highpoint Halloween Fest -- All are Invited and it's Tonight!
Curriculum Night 2.0: Families of 6th Grade Students NEW to their ELA Classes
Curriculum Night 2.0: Families of 6th Grade Students New to their ELA Classes
Families of 6th Grade Students new to their ELA classes (who used to have Ms. Hawley), are invited to meet their ELA teacher for a short info session and Q&A afterward from 4:30pm – 5:30pm on Thursday, October 26th. Families will be able to meet their new teachers. Room 146: Ms. MacQuarrie, Ms. Chorney, and Ms. Yusuf. Room 148: Mr. Smith and Mr. Kocmieroski.
Orchestra and Choir Concert
Where: Chief Sealth High School Auditorium
Fall Reading Challenge!
It’s time for the Fall Reading Challenge! All students are encouraged to participate by getting a FRC bookmark from the library and reading at least one book in each of the 4 genres listed. Once they’ve finished each book, they should come to the library to earn a stamp from Ms. Risi. Students with at least 4 stamps on their bookmark will be invited to our Fall Reading Celebration!
Sistema Escolar, Villa Comunitaria, & Seattle Public Schools
Talleres Familias / Family Workshops 2023-2024
Sistema Escolar, Villa Comunitaria and Seattle Public Schools are excited to once again host monthly workshops for families in Spanish. The list of dates and topics are below. Reminders and informational flyers will be shared in advance of each meeting also. Meetings will be on Zoom and are no cost to families.
Special Topic – Bullying
Tuesday, November 15th 6pm – 7:30pm
- What is bullying and what is not
- Correct reporting
- HIB Form
- What comes after filling out an HIB form.
Financial Aid Night
Tuesday, December 7th 6pm – 7:30pm
- College costs and how to pay for it
- Explanation of financial aid resources
- FAFSA
- WASFA
- Private Scholarships
- Financial aid letter from colleges.
- Documents to gather to fill out financial aid forms.
Financial Aid (Filling out Information & Support)
Thursday, January 25th 6 – 7:30pm
- WASFA and FAFSA fill out night.
Special Education
Thursday, February 8th 6 – 7:30pm
- Process for Special Ed qualification
- Guidance Team
- Evaluation
- IEP
- 504
- Prior Written Notification
Elementary – 5th to 6th Grade Transition
Thursday, March 21st 6pm – 7:30pm
- Brain development of pre-teens and how to navigate the emotional, physical, and academic changes.
- Main Changes from Elementary to Middle.
- How Middle School Works
Middle School – 8th to 9th Grade Transition
Thursday, April 4th 6pm – 7:30pm
- Main Changes
- How High School Works.
- How to prepare academically to succeed in HS and to work toward post HS education.
SPS Student Climate Survey
This month the Seattle Public Schools will launch our annual fall climate surveys to further understand and learn about students' experience at school.
This year, the school district is surveying students on their social-emotional learning competencies and views about the overall school environment. Students in grades 3 - 12 will take the survey at school during class time. The survey will be specifically asking students about their experiences with belonging, representation, and relationships; identity and culturally responsive teaching; safety, bias, and anti-racism; pedagogical effectiveness; positive behavior and safety; social emotional learning; student voice and leadership; and college and career readiness.
If you have any questions about the fall surveys, please feel free to contact us.
Join DIMS PTSA
Brought to you by Denny International Middle School PTSA,
We are pleased to announce that our first PTSA meeting of 2023 will be Tuesday, October 24th at 7:00PM online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3917212894?pwd=OXI2YXRGSkR5WDlOK0tSZlVTUFdHdz09
Thanks for those of you who have volunteered for hearing tests so far this fall. We still have a need for SIX more volunteers Oct. 12:
- Nurse needs help with hearing tests on THURSDAY, OCT. 12 (two more people in the AM, two more people in the pm).
Thanks!
RESOURCES & INFORMATION
College Fair Opportunities
On November 4th from 10 am - 4 pm there is the 6th Annual Seattle Black College Expo at Rainier Beach High School. This is also a free event and an amazing opportunity for students to learn about HBCUs and connect with college representatives! Registration is free and can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-seattle-black-college-expo-free-tickets-663466986617#:~:text=About%20this%20event&text=6%20hours-,Join%20us%20for%20our%206th%20Annual%20Seattle%20Black%20College%20Expo,answers%20right%20on%20the%20spot.
Bailadores de Bronce
I'm reaching out because our matinees have begun, and our first one is Bailadores de Bronce. This show celebrates a local Mexican Folklorico dance group that have been leaders in our community for the last 5 decades and it's an amazing opportunity for your students to learn more about Mexican culture and traditions and see a live Mariachi group perform! Mexican Folklorico dance tells the stories of the people inhabiting each region of the country from harvest, to courtship, and celebration,
The Moore Theatre
11 am Matinee
About the show:
STG is celebrating Latinx/Hispanic Heritage month with local ballet folklorico dance troupe celebrating the 50th anniversary as a group in the Seattle community area. Enjoy dances from various Mexican region.
The 50th anniversary performance will showcase traditional dances from all over Mexico featuring dancers from our own communities in the Seattle area and Washington state. It will showcase the diversity of Mexican culture influenced by Indigenous, European and African roots.
Family Income Survey: Action Item for All Families
Why is this Survey Important?
The Family Income Survey provides your student’s school with a way to collect household income information. This information is important because it helps your school receive federal and state funding (Learning Assistance Program, teacher incentives, etc.).
The form is simple to fill out and confidential. The information will only be used to help your school receive funding from state and federal programs.
In addition to healthy and nutritious meals, the Family Income Survey helps to fund programs such as:
- Before and after school enrichment programs
- School counselors
- Health and wellness services
- Resources for classrooms and teachers
Please complete and submit this form. Families with multiple students will only complete this form once. Regardless of income level, families with students at Denny International should complete the Family Income Survey.
New School-based Health Center Service Provider: Neighborcare Health
We are excited to announce that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, services at our Wellness Center will be provided by Neighborcare Health, the largest provider of school-based health care in Seattle Public Schools (SPS).
The Neighborcare SBHC Wellness Center at Denny International Middle School will be a full-service clinic providing:
· Medical care
· Oral health care
· Mental health services
· Health education
· Youth-friendly setting
· Before, during, and after school appointments
Denny International Middle School, SPS, and Neighborcare Health have a long, successful history working together. For 23 years, Neighborcare was the SBHC for Denny. Neighborcare CEO Rashad A. Collins said, “We are very excited to once again partner with and serve the school community. Our goal is to build strong and supportive partnerships with Denny staff and help students and families to have a smooth transition of care.”
Neighborcare Health is a community health center that has been serving the Seattle community for over 50 years. They have been a provider of school-based health center services for more than 30 years and operate 14 SBHCs across Seattle and on Vashon Island. Many in our community may also know Neighborcare as the school-based health center provider for Chief Sealth High School as well as several elementary schools in our community.
Homework Help at The Seattle Public Library
We can help students succeed in school. Our trained Homework Help tutors can assist with school assignments, provide reading support and skill-building activities at select Library locations.
Students in Seattle can also get free virtual tutoring from Tutor.com with a Library card or a Library Link number - www.spl.org/VirtualTutoring
Broadview Branch (12755 Greenwood Ave. N.): Tuesdays & 4 - 7:30 p.m. & Wednesdays 3 - 5 p.m.
Columbia Branch (4721 Rainier Ave. S.): Mondays 4 - 5:45 p.m. & Tuesdays 4 - 7 p.m.
Douglass-Truth Branch (2300 E. Yesler Way): Tuesdays & Wednesdays 4 - 7 p.m.
High Point Branch (3411 S.W. Raymond St.): Tuesdays 4 - 7:30 p.m. & Wednesdays 4 - 6 p.m.
Lake City Branch (12501 28th Ave. N.E ): Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
New Holly Branch (7058 32nd. Ave. S.): Thursdays 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Northgate Branch (10548 Fifth Ave. N.E.): Mondays 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays 4 - 7:30 p.m., & Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Rainier Beach Branch (9125 Rainier Ave. S.): Mondays 4 - 5:45 p.m. & Wednesday 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
South Park Branch (8604 Eighth Ave. S.): Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Programs at Seattle Library: High Point Branch
Youth Drop-in Chess @ High Point Branch, Thursday, September 21, 2023, 4 - 5:30pm - Event Calendar | The Seattle Public Library (spl.org)
Youth Drop-in Chess for Children and Teens under 18 years of age. Come learn, practice and improve your chess playing skills.
Thursdays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (weekly, ongoing)
Solar Eclipse "Double Header" @ High Point Branch, Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 4 - 6pm - Event Calendar | The Seattle Public Library (spl.org)
Tuesday, October 3rd from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Join award-winning astronomy educator, Dennis Schatz, and learn more about how, when and where to view the upcoming October 14th solar eclipse. Free eclipse viewing glasses available (2 per family as supplies last) starting September 15th.
Homework Help | The Seattle Public Library (spl.org)
Get help with your homework in-person at the High Point Branch from trained volunteers. Free for K-12 students. Snacks provided!
Tuesdays 4:00-7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Family Story Time @ High Point Branch, Saturday, September 23, 2023, 10:30 - 11am - Event Calendar | The Seattle Public Library (spl.org)
At story time, kids ages 0-5 and their families can enjoy stories, songs, and fun learning activities. Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m. September 23rd – December 9th.