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What Does The Fox Say?

December 5, 2024

What Does TheFox Say? December 5, 2024

Below, find a community letter from Paige Douglas, Special Education Teacher.


Dear Parents/Guardians,


This is my fourth year as a special education teacher and my eighth year as an educator. Throughout my career, I have worked with many different communities across the Denver Metro area. I have many experiences and stories that have followed me along the way. Last year was the most difficult year of my career. I was so worn down by student-related issues and the mental load I was carrying that I was considering leaving education altogether. After taking some time during the summer to rest and reset, I decided to give it one more year in hopes of finding a school that was the right fit for me. The school I had in mind for myself was a safe space for staff and students, a place with a strong community, and somewhere I could do what I love the most, which is teaching. That’s when I found Inspire.


After my first conversation with Mrs. August, I instantly knew I wanted to work at Inspire. She described everything I was looking for in a school, and her leadership style was enticing. Although my teaching career had focused on middle and high school students, I wanted to work in elementary to support students at a younger stage in life to better their chances of success. I knew I could do that at Inspire. Luckily, I was asked to join the team as a Special Education Teacher, and of course, I said yes!


Pivoting my career to elementary school was the best decision I could have made for myself. I feel so lucky to be part of the Inspire team and community. The students have been the best part for me. It is amazing to see students who want to be at school, who want to learn, and who show so much respect to all staff members. I am proud to be an Inspire teacher. I am beyond grateful that Inspire chose me.


Wishing you all the best,
Ms. Douglas

Important Dates

12/6/24: Friday Celebration, 7:40am-7:55am

12/11/24: CSC Meeting, 4:00pm-5:30pm

12/16/24: Spirit Week - Rep Your Class Day (class/group choice)

12/17/24: Spirit Week - Winter Holiday Day (represent your winter holiday)

12/18/24: Spirit Week - Ugly Sweater Day

12/19/24: Spirit Week: Pajama Day

12/20/24: NO SCHOOL, PD Day

12/23/24 - 1/5/25: NO SCHOOL, Winter Break

1/6/25: NO SCHOOL, PD Day

1/14/25: Kinder Field Trip - Children's Museum

1/16/25: 1st Grade Field Trip - Denver Art Museum

1/16/25: Arts Showcase - 1st Grade

1/20/25: NO SCHOOL - MLK Day

1/29/25: Spirit Day: Lunar New Year - year of the snake or wear red

1/30/25: 2nd Grade Field Trip (Martin/Schuler) - Center for Colorado Women's History

1/31/25: 2nd Grade Field Trip (Corley/Fargason)- Center for Colorado Women's History

Spring Enrichment Updates

Coach Hall is finalizing the Spring Enrichment offerings, which will be shared via What Does the Fox Say (WDTFS) before Winter Break.

  • A sign-up link will be included in the WDTFS on Thursday, January 16.
  • Families needing financial assistance for enrichment programs should contact Inspire Counselor Michelle Hauck (michelle_hauck@dpsk12.net) by Tuesday, January 7.

Colorado Gives Day - 12/10/24

Colorado Gives Day is a statewide event supporting Colorado nonprofits with matching funds to maximize donations. Donations are open until December 10th. Please consider giving to the Inspire PTO. Click on this link to donate. Make your donation go farther! New monthly donations on ColoradoGives.org are matched dollar-for-dollar (up to $100) by the Colorado Gives Foundation, with a $250,000 match pool!


Next CSC Meeting - 12/11/24, 4:00pm-5:30pm

  • Join Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 889 9135 5574, Passcode: xdnf7P
  • Agenda: Budget considerations, calendar feedback, fall data review, CSC mid-year review.
  • If you would like to make a public comment and will be attending the meeting, complete the Public Input Form.


PTO Coordinated Staff Potluck - Friday, 12/13/24
1st Grade & Kinder families, sign up here to contribute to December 13th’s Staff Appreciation Ramen Bar! Thank you in advance; your contributions will help us celebrate our staff!


PTO Sleigh Ride Fundraiser with Pearl Market - 12/18/24

Join Pearl Market and the Inspire PTO for a magical evening with Santa and sleigh rides! Enjoy dinner and hot chocolate (at an additional cost) at Pearl Market, followed by a 15-20 minute neighborhood sleigh ride pulled by majestic Clydesdales. Pearl Market will donate ~50% of ticket sales to the Inspire PTO.

  • COST: $40/ticket (each person needs a ticket)
  • Click here to purchase tickets. This is the catering link of Pearl Market’s website, so scroll across to Horse & Carriage Rides.
  • Limited availability—get yours before they sell out

Spirit Week is Coming, 12/16/24 - 12/19/24

  • 12/16/24: Spirit Week: Rep Your Class Day (class/group choice)
  • 12/17/24: Spirit Week: Winter Holiday Day (represent your winter holiday)
  • 12/18/24: Spirit Week: Ugly Sweater Day
  • 12/19/24: Spirit Week: Pajama Day


Winter Break Class Parties - 12/19/24

All classrooms will have an end of year class party on 12/19/24. Please refer to your child's classroom Bloomz messages for details. If teachers invite parents to volunteer in the classroom, parents should complete the Event Registration form to expedite the check in process.


No Gift Bags Please

We appreciate the thought and the generosity. However, we ask that parents do NOT send goodie or gift bags to school for distribution to students/classes. This can become unmanageable for teachers, can create conflict for students and disrupts learning.


My Favorite Things

Thank you to families who have reached out to ask if we have a list of what staff might appreciate as gifts. If you click on staff names on our website’s school directory, each staff has a list of “My Favorite Things” in their profile.


A Thank You Gift Beyond the Classroom

Thank you to the families who have reached out to inquire how you can thank staff beyond classroom teachers. We are grateful for the inclusive approach and also understand it can become costly to purchase gifts for all the educators in your child's life. We suggest that families purchase gift cards and drop them off at the main office (or at K-2 carline with me or Mr. Bryant). Deadline to drop off gift cards is Wednesday, 12/18/24. Please mark envelopes with "main office, gift card donations". We will divide gift cards to the following staff: Counselor, Social Worker, ELD Teacher, Math & Literacy Interventionist (4), Front Office (2), Special Education Staff (3), Paraprofessionals (15).


Want to Babysit the Guinea Pigs?

By now, you’ve probably heard about our adorable, squeaky 3rd-grade class pets—two guinea pigs with big personalities! These girls are ready for their next adventure and are hoping for a fun winter getaway. Mountains? Been there, done that (they loved their Fall Break retreat)! This time, they’re looking for cozy accommodations filled with love and cuddles. Don’t worry—we’ve got all the supplies covered: hay, pellets, a water bottle, and plenty of charm. All you need to provide is the love (and maybe an extra lap to snuggle on). Interested? Click the Link to sign up and host these fluffy VIPs! If you have any questions, reach out to Ms. Hattaway at ashley_hattaway@dpsk12.net.


Social Emotional Learning Monthly Theme is Empathy

Definition: Working to understand what others might be feeling and experiencing. At Inspire, we strive to live the Inspire Way: Caring for Self, Caring for Others and Caring for the environment. Empathy is at the heart of this effort. We believe that empathy, like all our learning, starts with a growth mindset - believing that we can continue to learn and grow continuously. We start where each of us is at and work to expand our learning of the feelings and experiences of those around us. Our Zones of Regulation work also incorporates this effort. And, empathy is also directly related to our diversity lessons schoolwide in which we delve into the ways we are different and work to have respect for those differences and build our capacity to find connections within our diverse life experiences. These concepts are intertwined and serve as a foundation for lifelong learning in social emotional intelligence.


5th Grade Families - School Choice

Colorado is an open enrollment state. Students can choose to attend their assigned neighborhood school, or they can apply to other public schools within their district, or even outside it.

  • Round 1 of School Choice for the 2025-26 school year is 1/15/25 - 2/18/25.
  • Starting on 1/15/25 create an account or log in using your Parent Portal account.
  • Go to the School Choice Round 1 DPS website or use the School Finder, read the Enrollment Guides for more information.


Purchase a Yearbook Today!

Our online school store is open and yearbooks are on sale at the best price of the year! Purchase now at https://yearbookforever.com/. See pricing below:

  • $25 until 1/1/25 (end of winter break)
  • $30 after 1/1/25 $30 until 4/1/25 (end of March break)
  • $35 after 4/1/24 until we sell out


Don't Forget to Order Student Photos!
The fall 2024 ordering period will close on December 31st, 2024. After this date, a minimum order of $18 will apply. To take advantage of no minimums, be sure to view and place your orders before the deadline. Click on the Bloom Picture Day Dashboard to place your order.


PTO Minted Fundraiser

Order holiday cards at Minted.com with code FUNDRAISEINSPIREPTO for 20% off year-round. Plus, 15% of proceeds support the Inspire PTO!


Family Resources

Every Day Learning at Inspire

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
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