What Does The Fox Say?

Below, find a community letter from Emelia McNally, Senior Team Lead & Interventionist.

Dear Inspire Community,

I was the “new kid” a couple times in elementary and middle school. In addition to the expected elementary, middle, high transitions, my family moved states and neighborhoods. One memory is hazy, all the way back in second grade, but the other in eighth grade is still pretty crisp. The anxiety of navigating a new building, a new community, a new bus stop. The different teachers, expectations, and curriculum. Some aspects of the transition were positive and some were less so, but they did teach me to be resilient.

As an adult and educator now, I feel incredibly proud of how well our building, our community, welcomes the “new kids”. The energy is inclusive and supportive from our youngest to oldest students, our staff, and our community of families. Our kids truly see each other - they know when someone is lost or scared and offer words of encouragement or a helping hand. New kids are invited to join soccer, basketball, or playground games. They’re told excitedly about our Inspire traditions like Fox Trot and Friday Celebrations. They make friends and confidants quickly. Children are never alone at recess or lunch here unless they choose to be - they are included, made to feel a part of something. When asked how they like Inspire, they beam and name the best parts so far.

When I see the empathy and inclusiveness of our community, I feel hopeful that our “new kids” will learn more than to be resilient, but will also learn to go confidently into other transitions in their lives, optimistic that the new communities, organizations, neighborhoods they find themselves in will welcome them with open arms. Deeply knowing that they will always find their way, with some help.

Together, we are Inspire.

With gratitude,

Emelia McNally

3rd-5th Literacy/MLE STL & Interventionist

Important Dates

10/4/24: Friday Celebration, 7:40am-7:55am

10/7/24 - 10/18/24: Fall Conference Window

10/9/24: Picture Make-Up Day

10/9/24: Pool to School, 7:05am - 7:15am

10/10/24: NO SCHOOL, PD Day

10/11/24: NO SCHOOL, Vacation Day

10/14/24: NO SCHOOL, Family Conferences

10/18/24: Friday Celebration, 7:40am-7:55am

10/23/24: Black Family Night, 5:30pm-6:30pm

10/24/24: MLE - PAC Meeting, 5:00pm-6:00pm

10/25/24: Friday Celebration, 7:40am-7:55am

10/26/24: Fall Festival, 11:00am-1:00pm

10/28/24: Spirit Week: Fall Theme or Colors

10/29/24: Spirit Week: 80s Day

10/30/24: Spirit Week: 90s Day

10/30/24: Door Decoration Deadline

10/31/24: Spirit Week: Costume Day

11/1/24: Spirit Week: Dia de los Muertos

11/1/24: Friday Celebration, 7:40am-7:55am

Fox Trot Message from PTO

• Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and cheered! We are so close to our goal! The Fox Trot has raised $48,046.00, 96% to our goal of $50,000. The Fund Hub donation site [link] will accept donations until Thursday (10/3), for last-minute donations. Let’s hit that goal and have a school wide pajama party!!
• We had beautiful weather and it was a joy to see the kids having so much fun together in support of their school community. At the Friday celebration, we will announce the top 5 classrooms as well as the final total.
• Funds raised support our long-term relationship with SustainEd Farms. With this curriculum, we give all students a chance to work with the goats, chickens, and garden on campus. Funds also support the equivalent of one full-time paraprofessional at the school. Thank you for making this all possible!

Family Conferences 10/7/24 - 10/18/24

• Virtual only. Do NOT come to the building.
• On 9/30/24 all staff sent out invitations via Bloomz or email with a sign up for an appointment. If you did not receive an invite, reach out to your child's homeroom teachers.
  
• Parents should schedule time with their child's homeroom teacher (AM teacher).
• Parents can access all sign up links and google meet links via the 24-25 Family Conference Appt Links.
• Appointments are also available for:
  Specials - Art Signupgenius - Weidner
  Specials - Drama Signupgenius - Willard
  Specials - PE Signupgenius - Hall
  Specials - STEAM Signupgenius - Sharple
  SpEd Teacher Signupgenius - Douglas
  SpEd Teacher Signupgenius - Khachatryan
  Multi-lingual Education Signupgenius - Meyer
  School Counselor Signupgenius - Hauck
  School Social Worker Signupgenius - Johnson
  Dean of Culture Signupgenius - Schondelmayer

CSC Meeting 10/9/24, 4:00pm-5:30pm

• Join Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 889 9135 5574, Passcode: xdnf7P
• Fill out this form to add a topic to the agenda and then remember to attend the next meeting. Public comment must be received 24 hours in advance of the meeting and you need to be present at the respective meeting.
• Agendas includes: Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), Equity update, Free Reduced Lunch update, Budget Presentation.
• If you need an interpreter for the meeting, email Evelyn Gamez at evelyn_gamez-ortiz@dpsk12.net.

NO SCHOOL

1. Thursday, 10/10/24 - Professional Development Day
   Inspire PD Sessions include: Norming Safety Scenarios, Stop the Bleed, CrisisGo, Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) Beginning of Year Analysis, Building Trust: Intent. The day also includes district professional development offerings at district sites.
2. Friday, 10/11/24 - Vacation Day
3. Monday, 10/14/24 - Family Conference Day
   Staff will be in conferences all day with families to discuss student's growth in literacy, math and social emotional learning.

PTO Spring Fundraiser Planning Meeting, 10/20/24

The next planning meeting for our big Spring Fundraiser will take place at 5:00pm on Sunday, October 20th. Email Mandi at mandi2585@gmail.com if you’d like to join or if you’re not able to make it but want to volunteer to work on or at the event. All are welcome!

Teacher Appreciation Potluck, 10/25/24

Calling all 4th & 5th grade families!! Each month we’ll host a Teacher Appreciation Potluck hosted by parents and caregivers of certain grades. First up is 4th and 5th grade on October 25th! We are looking for 1-2 volunteers with students in those grades to pick a theme and help with setup and oversight from 9:30am-1:30pm on the day of! This is a great way to get to know the teachers and show your appreciation! To volunteer please email amy.pomante@inspirepto.com.

Save-the-Date, Fall Festival, 10/26/24

Saturday, 10/26/24 11:00am-1:00pm

This is a free event for the Inspire Community! Lots of bounce houses, face painting, and balloon animals. Bring cash/credit for the food trucks and vendors. Hope to see you there!

Accessible Parking

We understand parking for arrival and dismissal can be an inconvenience. This is a friendly reminder that there are families who need the accessible parking. In the same consideration, do not block their ability to pull out properly (parking up against the corner of accessible parking). Inspire staff are not able to monitor parking lots as our attention is focused on ensuring students are safely getting into the building at arrival or connecting with their parents at dismissal.

Family Resources

October is Disability and Dyslexia Awareness Month. Below, find helpful resources to support awareness:

• The Mighty
• The Very Well Family
• The Enabling Devices
• A Day in our Shoes
• DPS Disability Awareness Month and Dyslexia Awareness Month
• What is Dyslexia?
  
• The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia
  
• Signs of Dyslexia
  
• Overcoming Dyslexia (the 2nd Edition)
  
• Story Telling: It's Called Dyslexia (Video)

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