From the Desk of Schuba...
Isabella Bird’s “Teaching from the Mind by Reaching the Heart” states our community will build a culture of compassion, respect, resilience and courage. This includes relying on brain research to drive our practice and improvement plan. Diversity and Inclusivity are key tenets of our original and ongoing mission and vision. So what are we up to?
Did you know we are on year No. 2 of DPS’ Opportunity Gap Cohort?
EQUITY: Dr. Eddie Fergus, author of Solving Disproportionality and Achieving Equity: A Leader’s Guide to Using Data to Change Hearts and Minds, and faculty at New York University, is working with Isabella Bird’s leadership team to support our Opportunity Gap Cohort improvement strategies using school-based strategic planning and team-designated activities.
HANDICAP PARKING SPOTS: The two handicap parking places in the west parking lot (by the kindergarten/ECE classrooms) are reserved for our families with disabilities ONLY. Only cars with visual handicap passes can be in these two spots. These spots cannot be used even if you are running into the building for a short time. I sent a reminder to staff to park on the street, so we have space for cars to come and go throughout the day.
NO COUNCIL MEETING IN DECEMBER DUE TO OBSERVANCE OF HANUKKAH.
~ Schuba
For questions or conversation, reach out to Schuba via email (lisa_schuba@dpsk12.org) or phone 720-423-9900.
Take Action....
Colorado Gives Day
Tuesday, Dec. 4 is Colorado Gives Day, an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy for non-profits through online giving. Consider giving to IBCS to help support our school. Any amount helps. Donate at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/GIVEIBCS.
Holiday Food Drive Sign-up We’re hosting a holiday-themed food drive to benefit families within our community. Please consider signing up and donating what you can. Items need to be dropped off at Izzi B. in the Main Office by end of the school day on Tuesday, Dec. 11. You and your students are also invited and encouraged to attend the following day on Wednesday, Dec. 12, after school to help organize and pack up donated items for delivery. Thank you in advance! Visit www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f48a8ae2ea1f94-holiday to sign up.
Izzi B.'s Holiday Giving Tree
It's that time of year again! Our Izzi B. Holiday Giving Tree is officially up and running. These are items that will enable our students to have a great holiday season. Since we have asked our families who need a bit of help to tell us one thing their child needs and one thing their child wants, please kindly take a tag or two, purchase the items, wrap the gifts, attach the mitten or train on the outside of the package, and deliver it to the Main Office no later than Wednesday, Dec. 12. Come check out the giving trees in the Main Office and in the main entrance hallway.
What's Going on With...
Spring Semester Enrichment Enrichment flyers for the spring semester were sent home in last week’s All School Thursday Folders. Registration starts this Monday, Dec. 3. If you have registered this year for Discovery Link, Dismissal days, or enrichments, please click here. If you are a new family and have not registered with Discovery Link, please click here. If you have questions, please email Discovery Link Coordinator, Carly Spears or call 720-423-9920.
IBCS Backpack Program
Our Izzi B. Backpack program has officially launched! This year, we’re providing weekend meals for 30 families at our school. We’re looking for volunteers to help make the program a success. We need one volunteer to check in the backpacks each week. This volunteer position requires 20 minutes of your time on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Once we’ve assessed our return rate, staff will send reminder notes to students who forget their backpacks. We need another volunteer to come in on Friday afternoons to pack and deliver backpacks to classrooms. This volunteer position would take about 30-45 minutes. The more volunteers we have, the quicker we can get this job done. Please consider contributing to our school and community by volunteering to help with the Backpack Program. For questions, contact ELS Teacher, Kim Hundley.
Stapleton Neighborhood Art Studio: Penguin Art Camp Wondering what to do with the kids while they’re home on Winter Break? How about registering your 4-12-year-olds for Stapleton Neighborhood Art Studio’s Penguin Art Camp? During camp, kids will discover the natural habitat of penguins, while creating spectacular 3D diagrams to take home. You can register for one or two days. The cost is $65 for one day, or $120 for two days; 20 percent of proceeds will be donated to Izzi B. Camp is Monday, Jan. 7 and Tuesday, Jan. 8, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Morning snack is included. Please pack a lunch each day (no nuts). To register, visit https://neighborhoodartstudio.pike13.com/categories/79360.
Save the Date...
First Friday School-Wide Gathering
Join your IBCS leadership team, teachers, staff, students and neighbors for our inaugural First Friday Celebration on Friday, Dec. 7. We’ll gather outside on the playground before school, 7:45-8:10 a.m.; students can play, while adults conversate and enjoy hot, fresh coffee from Doppios Organic Coffee cart. Teachers will usher students inside the building and onto classrooms at 8:10 a.m.
Denver Santa Claus Shop
Everyone deserves an opportunity to delight in the holiday season. Learn more about the Denver Santa Claus Shop or visit https://denversantaclausshop.org/.
All Cultures Night 2018
We’re quickly approaching the date for one of the best-attended community events at Isabella Bird Community School - All Cultures Night. Join us, Thursday, Dec. 13, 5:30-7 p.m., for our fourth annual event. This is a time for us to break bread with our friends and neighbors. It is an evening to try new foods and meet new people. Each family brings one dish representing their country of origin or a family favorite. We set up the Community Room by courses - appetizers and salads, vegetarian dishes, meat dishes and best of all, desserts. Please make time to join us! For questions, contact ELS Teacher, Kim Hundley.
Mark Your Calendars...
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 5:30-6:30: Fundraising Committee Meeting
Friday, Dec. 7, 7:45-8:15 a.m.: First Friday
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 8:15-9:15 a.m.: Classroom Liaison Meeting
Thursday, Dec. 13, 5:30-7 p.m.: All Cultures Night
Friday, Dec. 14, 8:15-9:15 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation
Friday, Dec. 21 - Jan. 4, All Day: No School (Winter Break)
Monday, Jan. 7 and Tuesday, Jan. 8, All Day: No School (Professional Development Days)