From the Desk of Schuba...
It was wonderful seeing everyone Thursday evening for our 2019 Back to School Night - your partnership in your child(ren)'s education is greatly valued and appreciated! You may have already heard from classroom teachers and/or children that Izzi B. is proactively teaching all students a targeted social emotional skill each week during the school year. All staff participated in a summer training (thanks to your fundraising dollars), entitled “Well Managed Schools.” The goal is to create a positive school culture and well-managed classrooms by holding each of us accountable for following school-wide behavior expectations. Each week, we will focus on a social-emotional learning (SEL) skill. You can practice these skills with your children at home.
What is Social-Emotional Learning?
Six Correlations of a Well-Managed Classroom
Sound theoretical foundation and understanding of classroom management
Instructional methods to motivate students
Strong positive teacher/student and peer relationships
Empowering students to self-manage their own behavior
Teaching students problem-solving strategies
Maximize students’ on-task behaviors
Week #1’s skill: Greeting Others
Look at the person
Use a pleasant voice
Say ‘Hi’ or ‘Hello’
Week #2’s skill: Following Instructions
Look at the person
Say ‘Okay’
Do what you are asked right away
Check back
This program will not only positively impact our school culture, but also prepare our students for essential life skills needed beyond classroom education and into college and/or career readiness.
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....
Brave Coalition: Brave Beyond Words Book Club
Last Spring, Brave Coalition came to our school to host a Brave Beyond Words Book Club. It was a safe and powerful space to work through Ijeoma Oluo's book, "So You Want to Talk About Race." Participating in these discussions is a way we can continue to honor our diverse student body and build an inclusive school community, as we uncover our own implicit biases and learn how to engage in constructive race conversations. Brave is continuing this work across local schools and is coming back to Isabella Bird Tuesday, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 15, 3:30-5 p.m. This book club is open to all staff and parents; participants are asked to commit to all three weeks. Register at www.bravecoalition.com/events. Review the series flyer for more information. For questions, please email IBCS Parent and Brave Coalition Volunteer, Tina Lin, at tina@bravecoalition.com.
Run Girls, Run
Girls on the Run begins Tuesday, Sept. 10, and inspires girls to a lifetime of self-respect and a healthy lifestyle through an innovative program that combines training for a 3.1 mile run/walk race with a fun, health education lesson plan. We will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-4:30 p.m. after school. Girls on the Run is open to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade girls. Registration is now open! For more information about the program, go to www.girlsontherunrockies.org.
Don't miss out on a unique opportunity to work with and inspire young girls (grades 3-5 at Izzi B.) as a coach for Girls on the Run. Using provided lessons, you will help encourage body positively, provide education on healthy lifestyles and, most important, have FUN! We need two coaches willing to lead. No running experience necessary, just a desire to spend some quality time with an amazing group of girls! The group meets twice a week for 10-weeks, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 10. Each meeting is an hour and a half, 3-4:30 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All materials and lessons are provided.
Questions? Contact IBCS Parent, Special Education Teacher and IBCS Girls on the Run Coordinator, Liz Becze, lizbecze@comcast.net or 720-341-7245.
What's Going on With...
Check Out That Garden!
Hopefully everyone has had a minute to take a look at the IBCS garden over the summer. If not, it's worth a stop to check it out! Parent-volunteer, Sarah Lopez, works closely with Garden To Table, the organization that provided Izzi B. a garden grant. Part of the grant allows for a structured student curriculum to get our kids into the garden and learning.
As we move into the school year, we'd like to remind parents to please not harvest or pull any plants. Our kids have some exciting garden projects coming their way in the next few months. Below are the details. To make this curriculum a success, we need the produce and plants in the garden to remain!
ECE - Our ECE kids will put on their super-sleuth caps to dissect pumpkins and gourds, while making observations along the way.
Kindergarten - These garden explorers will use their 5-senses to look, smell, touch, listen and taste their way through the garden.
1st Grade - First graders will collect seeds from the unique plants in the garden, learning all about the life-cycle of a plant.
2nd Grade - Our second graders will go on an insect hunt, learning to identify the difference between harmful and helpful insects.
3rd Grade - Third grade will harvest the garden and learn to identify plants ripe for the picking!
4th Grade - Fourth graders will learn about taste and nutrition of the plants they planted last spring.
5th Grade - This group will finish out the growing season by tearing down the garden for compost as they examine plant structures and compare them to similar systems in the human body.
For questions about the garden, curriculum, or to provide assistance with garden-related activities, please text IBCS Parent and Volunteer, Sarah Lopez, at 720-335-8435.
Save the Date...
IBCS Harvest Festival
Join your fellow Isabella Bird families on the playground, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2-5 p.m., for our 6th Annual Harvest Festival. This is a fundraiser for the school and a great way to meet and enjoy an afternoon with our school community. Food is available for purchase from Biker Jim's; free popcorn and cider; games, crafts, inflatables, climbing wall, tattoos, live music and hayrides. Event tickets are $20/person and available at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/harvest2019. Purchase tickets by Friday, Sept. 27 and receive a free hayride ticket. See Main Office Staff for discount ticket options. For questions, contact IBCS Parent and Harvest Fest Chair, Catherine Schurger.
Mark Your Calendars...
Monday, Aug. 26, 5:30-7 p.m.: Council Board Meeting
Monday, Sept. 2, All Day: No School (Labor Day)
Thursday, Sept. 12, 5:30-7 p.m.: Council Meeting
Monday, Sept. 16, 5-9 p.m.: Dine & Donate at Next Door in Eastbridge (signup: https://isabellabirdcommunityschool254uatnextdoor.eventbrite.com)
Friday, Sept. 20, 8:15-9:15 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation
Tuesday, Sept. 24, All Day: Picture Day