From Leadership...
Thank you for taking the time to complete the Family Satisfaction Survey last school year. The information we gathered helps us to create classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where our caring teachers engage their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences so all children excel. It also helps us to ensure our school is a warm and welcoming environment for every member of our community, and gives us the feedback we need to keep getting better at serving and supporting families. We use the results of this survey for planning improvement strategies for the school upcoming year, and look forward to learning from your feedback. If you would like to take a look at our school’s survey results, please visit https://assessments.dpsk12.org/family-student-surveys. Please feel free to reach out to Schuba or Caleb with any questions or suggestions you may have.
Sincerely,
Principal Schuba and AP Caleb
For questions or conversation, reach out to Schuba and Caleb via email: lisa_schuba@dpsk12.org, caleb_melamed@dpsk12.org; or phone: 720-423-9900.
Take Action....
Volunteers Needed
It takes a village to run a school. Sign up to assist with one or more of Isabella Bird's many committees benefiting our school and community. Some committees are more involved than others, some are short-term, some take all year, yet all are flexible with working-parent schedules. Please take a moment to add your name to a committee of interest to you. We can use you and your skills in any capacity! Review the volunteer sign-up.
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. Childcare is provided for each of the sessions. For questions, please email IBCS Parent and Brave Coalition Volunteer, Tina Lin.
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.
Questions? Contact IBCS Parent, Special Education Teacher and IBCS Girls on the Run Coordinator, Liz Becze.
What's Going on With...
Liaison Committee News
Plans for this year's Liaison Committee are underway! IBCS Paraprofessional, Tarah Buckner, and Parent, Jennie Castles, are Committee Co-Chairs this year. If you are interested in signing up as a Liaison, please email either Tarah or Jennie. If you have already signed up with a teacher, please also reach out to Tarah or Jennie to let them know. Many classrooms already have a Liaison. The role of a Classroom Liaison will look slightly different this year - much more focused responsibility, taking charge of in-classroom volunteering and other teacher-support. An initial kick-off meeting is scheduled for the coming weeks - more details to be announced in the next issue of Notes from the Dragon Cave.
3rd Grade Brownie Troop Looking For a Few New Members
A new Brownie troop is organizing at Izzi B. This troop is for 3rd graders only, and has space to take a few additional girls who are interested. The troop will meet the second Wednesday of each month beginning Wednesday, Sept. 11. The meeting time is from 5-6 p.m. at the school. Girl Scouts is a volunteer-based organization focused on developing girls as leaders, and building character and confidence. f you are interested, please contact Parent Volunteer, Heidi Patrick, for information on membership dues and other details.
Save the Date...
Dine & Donate: Next Door
Hangout, grab good food and enjoy your Izzi B. friends and classmates on Monday, Sept. 16, 5-9 p.m., at Next Door (10155 East 29th Drive). The restaurant will donate 25 percent of the check total back to our school (this excludes gift card sales and to-go orders). Together we can raise funds to support our community. Be sure to RSVP. For questions, contact Fundraising Co-Chair and Izzi B. Parent, Tricia Houston.
IBCS Library Event: Overdrive, School Deets Access
Join IBCS Library Para, Andrea Rothstein, along with other staff members and parents on Thursday, Sept. 19, 5:30-7 p.m., to learn more about DPS' digital book collection available to students through Overdrive. A short demo followed by hands-on access is planned. Please bring a portable electronic device, if you have one. In advance of the event, please install the free Overdrive to your electronic device and gather your students' login information. Assistance with School Deets, IBCS' school-wide communication platform, is also available during this event. See the September school calendar for more information. Childcare is provided. For questions, email Andrea.
New Family Happy Hour
If your family is new to Isabella Bird, or you have a kindergarten or ECE student, make plans to join fellow families and community members at Los Chingones (10155 E. 29th Dr.) Thursday, Sept. 26, 6-7:30 p.m., on the upstairs patio. For questions, contact Izzi B. Parent, Tricia Houston.
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.
GRAND Book Event
Students will be inviting their Grandparents, Relatives, Aunts or uncles, Neighbors, or Devoted caregivers to join them on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Izzi B. Fall Book Fair for a daytime event full of book-shopping, fun and photo ops! Details and invitations coming soon!
Mark Your Calendars...
Thursday, Sept. 12, 5:30-7 p.m.: Council Meeting (Community meeting)
Monday, Sept. 16, 5-9 p.m.: Dine & Donate at Next Door in Eastbridge (signup: https://isabellabirdcommunityschool254uatnextdoor.eventbrite.com)
Thursday, Sept. 19, 5:30-7 p.m.: Community Library Event
Friday, Sept. 20, 8:15-9:15 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation (Community meeting)
Tuesday, Sept. 24, All Day: Picture Day
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 3:30-5 p.m.: Brave Coalition Book Study Group
Thursday, Sept. 26, 6-7:30 p.m.: New Family Happy Hour (Los Chingones)
Monday, Sept. 30, 5:30-7 p.m.: Council Board Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 5:30-7 p.m.: Fundraising Committee Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 2, 5:30-7 p.m.: Council Meeting (Community meeting)