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What Does The Fox Say?

July 29 2024

What Does TheFox Say? July 29 2024

Dear Inspire Parent/Guardian,


The start of a new school year brings varying emotions for families. Maybe you saw the back-to-school sales at the store and thought you didn't want the summer to end. Time to travel or perhaps not adhering to a schedule as you go for a walk, to the pool, or the library with the kids. Those same back-to-school sales can make others feel anxious. How do I prepare my child for their very first day of school? What if they don't make any friends? (Need a resource? Scroll down to Family Resource - First Day of School.) Maybe you're wondering, "Can I take them back to school sooner?" Like we tell the kids, "All feelings are okay."


My daughter is heading into sixth grade. Y'all... It's the abyss of middle school! On the way to summer camp last week she talked about the lockers. She asked if decorating her locker was limited to the Meet & Greet day, she said some kids have mirrors in them and wondered why, we talked about printing photos, and what size magnets to get. I know it's not really about the locker - it's about what it represents. The locker is her "safe space", like her desk drawer and assigned coat hook was in elementary school. The locker is her little piece of the world and it's also something she can control. After all, there are so many unknowns starting a new school year and a new phase of her life. Being the mom of this imperfect, lovable child is the best part of my existence. I won't sugar coat it like the journey wasn't a challenge sometimes. I readily see flashes of memories of her life in fast forward... At two months old, the emergency room doctor told me she was colic (inconsolable crying for over three hours at a time, with no cause). Wondering when she would figure out how to pick up food so I could eat a proper meal. Being sad that she wasn't hugging me yet at one years old. Not being able to comfort her enough when she skid her knee falling off a bike. Me, running through the pre-k hallway as fast as I could while tears were streaming down my face after saying goodbye on the first day of school. She was scream crying as we parted ways. It. Broke. My. Heart. As each year passed, it became easier but the new challenge was answering questions that could make or break her sense of safety and confidence: Is it bad that I am shy? Am I a good kid? Is it okay to only have a couple of friends? Why are the popular kids all white? Will you love me no matter what? Can I live with you forever? Being a parent is the toughest job we have. Please know when you drop your kids off at school we are ready for them. We love them for seven hours a day and then send them back to you. We thank you for that partnership and we are excited to see them soon!


Sincerely,

Linda August

Principal

Important Dates

8/12/24: Homeroom Teacher Notification

8/16/24: An Inspired Welcome: Meet & Greet, 1:00pm-3:00pm

8/19/24: First Day of School

8/23/24: Friday Celebration, 7:40am-7:55am

8/27/23 - 8/29/24: Picture Day

8/30/24: Friday Celebration, 7:40am-7:55am

9/2/24: NO SCHOOL, Holiday - Labor Day

9/3/24: Spirit Day: Labor/Career Day - dress like what you want to be when you grow up

9/3/24: Career Day - Morning Meeting Career Talk

9/6/24: Friday Celebration, 7:40am-7:55am

9/11/24: CSC Meeting, 4:00pm-5:30pm


WDTFS Newsletter

You are receiving this What Does the Fox Say? (WDTFS) newsletter as a listed guardian of a child attending Inspire Elementary for the 24-25 school year. Please note our listserv resets each school year. If you would like someone else in your extended family or a caretaker to receive our newsletter, please email Linda August, Principal at linda_august@dpsk12.net with the email address you would like us to add.


Enrollment Withdrawals

If your plans have changed and your student will no longer attend Inspire, please complete the withdrawal form (English) / (Spanish) and email it to Ginger Torres, Office Manager at ginger_torres@dpsk12.net.


24-25 School Calendar

  • Previously links or downloads may be outdated.
  • Click on the 2024/2025 School Year Calendar for our most recent general school calendar.
  • The detailed calendar is accessible on the main webpage (scroll down to the bottom of the page). If you would like to sync our school calendar to your device, click on "View & Add Google Calendar" and select the "+ Google Calendar" in the bottom right corner.


24-25 Family Handbook

Please review the updated Family Handbook for procedures regarding dress code, early pick up, attendance, etc. It is important to be familiar with our school procedures and expectations. Reading the handbook will help avoid confusion. Throughout the first month of school we will send reminders regarding our frequently asked questions about school procedures.


DPS Annual Family Update - Required Registration Opens Today (7/29/24)

  • If you did not complete your registration during the spring, sign in to Parent Portal, click on “See All Apps”, then click on “Online Registration” to verify or update your student’s information. Online registration can only be completed by the parent/guardian listed in the primary household of the student record.

  • Click on DPS' Online Registration flier for additional details.

  • Questions? Email Ginger Torres, Office Manager at ginger_torres@dpsk12.net.

  • Deadline: August 9, 2024.


IEP (Individualized Education Plan)/504 Documentation

If you are a new family or have updated document(s) for an IEP/504 please contact the following staff:


Immunization Records

Colorado law (Board of Health rule 6 CCR 1009-2) requires all students attending Colorado schools and licensed child cares to be vaccinated against certain diseases, unless an exemption is filed. Click on the Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE)'s webpage for more information. If we do not receive your immunization record, you will receive a notification from our School Nurse.


Medical Forms

Medical forms such as student medication administration, asthma, anaphylaxis, self-carry, seizure, vaccine exemption are accessible on our Handbook and Forms webpage.


Homeroom Teacher Assignment, August 12th

  • We are aware there was a glitch earlier this month in the DPS system that allowed some parents to view a tentative assignment for homeroom teacher.

  • Class lists will be finalized the week before school begins. Since School Choice programming allows students to unenroll and enroll throughout the summer, it affects our ability to finalize class lists until the end of summer.

  • On August 12th go to Parent Portal, click on the "schedule" tab to confirm who your child's teacher is. If you don't have a parent portal account go to myportal.dpsk12.org, click on "create account".

  • You will also receive a welcome message directly from your child's homeroom teacher.

  • Please do not email staff or administration to request a classroom change. Teachers have spent significant time and thought into created a balanced class list to ensure the success of students.


Staff Bios

  • Staff bios can be accessed on our school website, go to the “Our Team” page.


Meet & Greet (in-person), August 16th from 1:00pm-3:00pm

  • Families will have an opportunity to come in and meet their children's teachers.

  • Come anytime between the hours of 1:00pm-3:00pm.

  • Informational tables will also be set up if you'd like to speak to staff (School Counselor, Social Worker, Special Education, Interventionist, Nurse, Specials), or have questions about transportation, MySchoolBucks (MSB), etc.

  • PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) will be in the main lobby and will distribute an activity bag for kids, including a scavenger hunt.


Summer Reading Challenge, 1st-5th Grades

If your child completed their Summer Reading Challenge, they can bring their book report to Meet & Greet (8/16/24) and choose something from the treasure box! If you need a digital copy of the worksheet, click on the respective link: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade


ECE School Supplies

ECE (Early Childhood Education) programming is tuition based and not included in the School Supply Fee. Click on the link for information on what supplies to purchase and drop off on the first day of school.


K-5 School Supply Fee
As a reminder, K-5 does not have a school supply list. Instead, we will charge a $110 School Supply Fee. The School Supply Fee benefits all families. We are able to purchase items in bulk and can get items at a lower price. It saves families time (and hassle) of making purchases for back-to-school. It also increases equity as all students will have the same quality materials.

  • K-5 Families will receive a MySchoolBucks invoice today (7/29). The fee covers all classroom supplies for your child for the entire school year. Each grade level determines the specific needs of their team.

  • Click here for a complete list of what is purchased by grade level.

  • In addition, the school supply fee may cover miscellaneous costs such as extra chargers, headphones, butcher paper, manipulatives, supplemental trackers, etc.

  • A late fee of $25 will be charged for invoices that are 30 days past due.

Community Giving

A special thanks to our thoughtful and generous community members who have reached out to ask how they can support free reduced students at Inspire Elementary. If you are interested in providing financial support to a family to cover School Supply Fees, you can make a donation via MySchoolBucks (MSB).


ECE First Day of School

  • If you received a welcome letter in late spring ECE's first day of school was originally announced as Tuesday, 8/20/24. Please note DPS since announced that ECE will begin on the same day as K-5. All students will begin on Monday, 8/19/24.

  • To support ECE students as they transition to school, they will attend for a half day on the first day of school.

  • See the schedule below, by last name which varies according to the homeroom teacher:

    • Bromley: Student last names A-K, 8:00am-11:00am, Student last names L-Z, 11:30am-2:30pm.

    • Shore: Student last names A-J 8:00am-11:00am, Student last names K-Z 11:30am-2:30pm

    • Note: Students will not have lunch at school.

  • Regular, full day schedule, including before-school-care begins Tuesday, 8/20/24.


ECE Before School Care

  • Any family may participate in the ECE Before-School-Care program, which operates from 7:25 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

  • The associated cost is $175 for the entire school year.

  • The MySchoolBucks (MSB) link for payment will be available in the next newsletter.

  • Families that need additional care before 7:25 a.m. (6:30 a.m. - 7:25 a.m.) should apply to the DPS facilitated Discovery Link program.


ECE Registration Paperwork

  • Per state requirements, all ECE families must complete additional paperwork. Click on the respective language link for documents: Amharic | Arabic | English | French | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese | Mandarin
  • Note: Students MAY NOT attend school until all forms are submitted.
  • Families will receive an individual google drive link to submit forms from Ginger Torres, Office Manager.
  • Deadline to complete forms is Wednesday, 8/14/24.


Lost & Found

Please please please write your child’s first and last name on all water bottles, lunch boxes, and outerwear (sweatshirts, jackets). If we find the item and your child’s name is on it, it’s like winning the lottery and your child will get it back (to their classroom). If an item does not have a name on it, then it will make its way to the lonely Lost & Found in the corner of the main entrance vestibule. Lost & Found items are periodically donated or disposed.


School Spirit Wear

To purchase school spirit wear visit our Spirit Wear webpage.


Family Resource - First Day of School

Inspire Elementary

Email: linda_august@dpsk12.net
Website: https://inspire.dpsk12.org/
Location: 5650 N. Elmira Ct., Denver, CO, 80238
Phone: (720) 424-4850

Linda August
Linda is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters