What Does The Fox Say?

We recently requested parent feedback on the school year calendar. We received 186 responses from our community of approximately 750 K-4 parents, which represents a 25% response rate. The results indicated that 71% (132) of parents prefer our Inspire Professional Development (PD) Days scheduled on Fridays and 70.4% (131) prefer having Inspire PD Days attached to a long weekend. In drafting the 25-26 school year calendar, we were able to incorporate this preference for most of the scheduled Inspire PD Days. Additionally, 57.5% (107) expressed the importance of considering cultural holidays in our scheduling. We appreciate the support for cultural holidays. Unfortunately, we are unable to select specific holidays given the diverse cultural observances of our community. Click here for a list of holidays and observances. We encourage families to communicate their cultural holiday and observance needs to their children's teachers, so we can support the observation of these important events. As a reminder, absences due to cultural or religious holidays are excused, and we appreciate your partnership in creating an inclusive environment for all our students. Finally, parents will note that there are two fewer Inspire PD Days than in previous years (instead of six there will be four). In a young school, there was a real need to support our staff with data analysis, curriculum implementation, lesson design, developing a growth mindset around equity, etc. As we enter our ninth year, marking the sixth year with the same administration and the third year of high core-classroom teacher retention, there is a decreased need for professional development. Although we recognize that having additional days when students are not in the building can be inconvenient, the time allocated is purposeful and ultimately benefits all students. The Inspire PD dates were selected and approved by the Collaborative School Committee (CSC) with the understanding that those dates are intentional. While District PD dates are dictated by DPS, Inspire PD dates are aligned with data (testing) windows and allows our teachers to discuss take aways, look fors, celebrations and next steps that support student learning. Thank you for providing your survey feedback and for your continued support and understanding as we strive to create a balanced and effective learning environment for your children.

Together, we are Inspire.

Sincerely,

Linda August

Principal

Important Dates

2/14/25: NO SCHOOL, PD Day

2/17/25: NO SCHOOL, President's Day

2/18/25: NO SCHOOL, Family Conference Day

2/19/25: 3rd Grade Field Trip, Museum of Boulder

2/19/25: Avalance Hockey Activity in PE

2/21/25: Friday Celebration, 7:40 AM - 8:00 AM

2/27/25 - 2/28/25: 5th Grade Overnight Balarat Trip

2/27/25: Friday Celebration, 7:40 AM - 8:00 AM

3/3/25: Spirit Day: Book Character Day (dress like your favorite book character)

3/4/25: 4th Grade Field Trip, Museo De Las Americas (Ferro & Greene Homerooms)

3/5/25: 4th Grade Field Trip, Museo De Las Americas (Gutierrez & Soifer Homerooms)

3/7/25: ECE Only - NO SCHOOL, RMECC Conference

3/7/25: End of Trimester 2

3/7/25: Friday Celebration, 7:40 AM - 8:00 AM

3/10/25: Trimester 2 Grades Available

3/12/25: CSC Meeting, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

3/14/25: Friday Celebration, 7:40 AM - 8:00 AM

​​​​​3/14/25: Celebration of Learning, 1:40 PM - 2:40 PM ​​

25-26 Inspire School Calendar

The 2025-26 School Year Calendar was approved by the Collaborative School Committee (CSC) on 2/12/25. Our calendar mirrors the DPS district calendar, with the exception of additional no student contact days for Inspire Professional Development days. As a reminder, our PD Days are designed to support staff development in the areas related to our Unified Improvement Plan such as Social Emotional Learning, Black Excellence, Equity sessions, data review and time for teams to design units, etc.

Last Chance to Purchase a Yearbook!

We have 50 yearbooks left for sale. After these books are sold out, the store will close. Don't miss out and purchase now at www.yearbookforever.com.

Colorado Avalanche Hockey Lesson during PE! - WAIVER REQUIRED

• Get ready for an unforgettable experience! The Colorado Avalanche are coming to Inspire PE on February 19th to teach our students an amazing hockey lesson and to donate brand-new equipment to our school.
• Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity! To allow your child to participate, please complete the waiver. Students without a filled-out waiver will not be able to join in on the fun.
• Questions? Contact kerrie_hall@dpsk12.net.

3rd - 5th Grade Science Fair, Projects Due 3/10/25

Our third annual Inspire Science Fair is underway! The theme of this year’s Science Fair is “Inspiring Action”, focusing on using STEAM to create meaningful change in the world. At this point, you have likely received some details about the upcoming science fair from your child’s math/science teacher! Click here for important upcoming dates and to learn more about this year’s science fair! Questions? Contact hannah_mealer@dpsk12.net.

• 3/10/25: Science Fair Projects are due!
• 3/11/25-3/13/25: In-class “mini Science Fair”
• 3/14/25: Inspire Celebration of Learning
• 3/17/25: School-wide Science Fair for the 72 finalists

Celebration of Learning, 3/14/25, 1:40pm-2:40pm

Celebration of Learning is an opportunity for families to come into the building and hear about what their child is learning. Families should attend either between 1:40-2:10 or 2:10-2:40, based on their child's last name. This is to allow families to move around comfortably within the school and in classrooms. Please attend during the correct timeframe as our staff checking in families will be instructed to follow the schedule below:

• NOTE: The order is flipped from last year to be fair to working parents.
• Student Last Names L-Z
  1:20pm-1:40pm: guest arrival
  1:40pm-2:10pm: visit homeroom for science*

• Student Last Names A-K
  1:40pm-2:10pm: guest arrival
  2:10pm-2:40pm: visit homeroom for science*
• *All homeroom classes will share out learning in science during Trimester 2.
  Trimester 3 will focus on Social Emotional Learning.
• Multiple Children Across Grade Levels
  Note: If you have multiple children in the school, please arrive at the 1:40pm start time so there is enough time to visit all classrooms.
• All Families
  May visit Physical Education (gym)

• Grades 2-3
  May also visit Art, Drama, STEAM classrooms
  Note: Grades K-1 will be during trimester 3

• Pre-Register for Walk-In Entry
  
  • Deadline: Registration closes 2 days before an event. If you are not registered then you must go through the Front Office to check in.
  • Complete the registration form for your YOUNGEST child only. When you arrive, you will check in by your YOUNGEST child's grade level.
  • Inspire Event Registration
    
    

25-26 School Year - Withdrawing K-4 Families

If you are a K-4 family with children moving to another school district or private school for the 24-25 school year or attending another DPS school next school year. Please complete the withdrawal form and email to ginger_torres@dpsk12.net. This will allow the School Choice Office to enroll waiting families from the open enrollment list.

• Withdrawal Form
• Withdrawal Form (Spanish)

25-26 School Year - Returning K-4 Families

If you are a K-4 family with children who will remain at Inspire next school year, you do NOT have to complete the School Choice process. Students have a guaranteed seat at their current school through elementary school. Even if you move out of the proximity area or zones, this remains true.

Inspire Spring Auction - Last Two Days of Early Bird Pricing!

Spring Auction tickets are on sale! Take advantage of our early bird pricing at $100/ticket through February 14th. Starting February 15th individual ticket pricing will increase to $120/ticket.

• As a special bonus, every early bird ticket purchase (both general & VIP) enters you into a drawing to win a free night's stay at The Rally Hotel on the evening of the event!
• Click here to purchase your ticket today or to sponsor a teacher ticket!

Summer Academy

Summer Academy is a comprehensive, four-week academic program that is open to all rising first through fifth-grade DPS students at eligible schools. This half-day program focuses on preparing elementary students for future success. There is a fee of $5 per day, or $85 for the entire program. Registration opened on Monday, February 10 and will close Wednesday, April 16. Please ensure you have your Parent Portal account set up to be able to register. If you need support with Parent Portal please visit the My Portal Contact Us webpage. Submission of the application does not guarantee a seat.

DPS Multilingual Education District Advisory Committee (MLE DAC)

​​​​Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Please join DPS for the Multilingual Education Districtwide Advisory Committee (MLE DAC) meeting. This month we will have information on School Parent Advisory Committees (PACs), MLE Programming, and other supports for DPS parents. Link to join the Zoom meeting.

24-25 CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) Information

Please click this link to access our CMAS schedule for this school year and directions for opt outs. Questions? Contact Anthony Bryant at anthony_bryant@dpsk12.net.

Family Resources

Denver Water Lead Reduction Program: Denver Water is lead-free, but lead can get into the water as it moves through lead-containing household fixtures, plumbing and water service lines. If you use water for formula or cooking, check if you qualify for a FREE water filter from the City of Denver. Check if your address qualifies here

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