From the Desk of Schuba...
Welcome back from Spring Break! It is clear to me our community of learners are eager to enjoy warmer temperatures and take advantage of the glorious, extra hours of sunlight!
Staff and administration are extremely thankful for parents/guardians supporting our April 1 Professional Learning. Teacher professional learning is critical in supporting the increasingly complex skills students need to learn to succeed in the 21st Century. Sophisticated forms of teaching are needed to develop student-competencies, such as deep mastery of challenging content, critical-thinking, complex problem-solving, effective communication and collaboration, and self-direction. In turn, effective professional development (PD) is needed to help teachers learn and refine the instructional strategies required to teach these skills.
Highlights from this month's PD:
Compost Training: IBCS joins a growing list of Denver public schools leading the way in reducing waste. Together with Denver Recycles, we’re cutting down on our waste to provide composting and recycling collections in the lunchroom. To kick-off the program, students attended an educational compost assembly, where they learned how they can help the environment and their community by composting and recycling at school. Gaining the knowledge about what can and cannot be composted or recycled is only the beginning. IBCS strives to create a model of environmental stewardship. All it takes is a little teamwork!
Garden to Table: IBCS is partnering with Garden to Table (formerly Growe Foundation) to implement a new student- and teacher-led garden program aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards for Science. Learn more about the program. To make our school garden a success, we need parent support! Do you want to volunteer?
Fondly,
Principal Schuba
For questions or conversation, reach out to Schuba via email (lisa_schuba@dpsk12.org) or phone at 720-423-9900.
Take Action....
IBCS 19/20 School Year Calendar
The 2019-2020 IBCS School Year Calendar is now posted to the Isabella Bird Community School website. We need your help finalizing it as we’re considering three options for a staggered start. Click here for more information and to complete the survey.
King Soopers Rebates
It's now easier than ever to raise money for Izzi B. through your purchases at King Soopers (Clicklist included)! No more gift cards are necessary for this FREE program. All you need is a King Soopers rewards/loyalty card.
Steps to register your rewards account:
Visit www.KingSoopers.com/communityrewards (Don't have a rewards card? Use this link to sign up)
Click “Enroll Now"
Login to your account using your email and password
Search for "Isabella Bird Community School Council" or "CC756"
Select Enroll
These five easy steps and 5 percent of every purchase goes back to Izzi B.!
What's Going on With...
2019 CMAS Schedule
The 2019 CMAS testing schedule is now finalized. Grades 3-5 are scheduled to complete CMAS testing (Colorado Measures of Academic Success in English - language arts, math, science and social studies) on the following dates:
April 9-11: Grades 3-5 Mathematics
April 16-18: Grade 4 Social Studies; Grade 5 Science
Contact Assistant Principal, Caleb with any questions.
Save the Date
April Council Meeting
Make plans to join school admin, staff and IBCS community members at this month's Council Meeting, Thursday, April 11, 5:30-7 p.m., in the Community Room (Cafeteria). Agenda items include: 19/20 school year staggered vote outcome, 2019 Auction update, 19/20 Council budget and IBCS DPS budget for 19/20 school year.
Dine & Donate: Mici Handcrafted Italian
Join us Tuesday, April 23, 3:30-8:30 p.m. for a Dine & Donate night at Mici's Handcrafted Italian in Stapleton. Dine-in, delivery and carry-out are all included. Mention Izzi B. when you order or include our school name in the notes, if you order online. 20 percent is donated back to the school!
School Dance
Join us for a Beach Party-themed school dance on Friday, April 26, 5-6:30 p.m., in the cafeteria!! Leis and beach balls are sold, as well as snacks. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This is an event the entire family can enjoy! Purchase your tickets ahead of time at myschoolbucks.com and skip the line! Tickets are $1 each.
Mark Your Calendars...
Tuesday, April 9 - Thursday, April 11, times vary: CMAS Testing for 3-5 grades
Wednesday, April 10, 8:15-9:15 a.m.: Classroom Liaison Meeting
Thursday, April 11, 5:30-7 p.m.: April Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 16 - Thursday, April 18, times vary: CMAS Testing for 3-5 grades
Tuesday, April 23, 3:30-8:30 p.m.: Dine & Donate at Mici's Handcrafted Italian
Friday, April 26, 8:15-9:15 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation
Friday, April 26, 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Family Meeting at Hidden Brook
Friday, April 26, 5-6:30 p.m.: School Dance