From the Desk of Schuba...
I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful, long weekend!
When every teacher succeeds, every child succeeds. Strong teaching practice is essential to achieving the mission and vision of Isabella Bird Community School. Effective teaching happens when teachers learn together, take risks together, and strive to live and work with growth mindsets. Staff and I had an amazing day on Friday doing just that! We started the morning by participating in a required, 2-hour Parent Teacher Home Visit (PTHV) training. This program certifies and pays teachers to start the year by building strong relationships with families through home visits. When school staff work closely with parents and families to achieve goals, we create a better chance of success for students.
From there, a large chunk of the day was spent using a form of curriculum design known as Understanding by Design (UbD) by Wiggins and McTighe. Understanding by Design relies on backward planning by unpacking Common Core Standards to design rigors and stimulating units of study with the student outcomes in mind. As part of a data-rich, global society, it is important that we give students the tools needed to decipher and understand how to transfer the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom to unfamiliar situations, whether academic or non-academic, so they are said to truly come away with enduring understandings of how the world works. We can't wait to share more soon.
For questions or conversation, reach out to Schuba via email or phone 720-423-9900.
Take Action...
Picture Day is Tuesday; Volunteers Needed
Picture Day is Tuesday, Sept. 25. Your help is needed. You can help by lining up students, making sure order forms are organized and helping them get to and from the cafeteria, where pictures will be taken. Signup today.
Fundraising Update
At Izzi B. we've made good progress toward our fundraising efforts, but we need to keep plugging along! Our goal is to have 200 families signed up via DonorPerfect by the end of this year.
In June, 14 families signed up for monthly contributions totaling about $529/month.
So far, YTD we have 56 families signed up bringing in about $3,100 a month AND we have had about $6,800 worth of one time donations.
So as of now, we have raised about $12,000 and all of last year we raised only $16,000.
What's Going on With...
DPS Initiates Texting Initiative
Families will now receive emergency texts from the Denver Public Schools in time of crisis. The District communications team will also send emergency robo-calls. Messages will be sent during lockdowns, evacuations and weather delays/closures. DPS is excited about this change because sending text messages will inform families of crises in a much shorter time frame than what it takes for a robo-call or robo-email to be delivered. Parents and guardians, you are automatically opted-in to receive emergency texts based on cell phone numbers provided during registration. Please check to make sure your information is up-to-date in the Parent Portal. Messages will be sent in English and Spanish. Learn more about lock downs and lockouts here.
HGT Testing Nomination Form Available
The HGT testing application is now available for interested parents for grades 1, 3, 4 and 5 (kinder and second grade will have universal screening). The application deadline is Saturday, Oct. 6, and these applications must be received at the address listed on the application. The application cannot be turned into the school. It must be sent downtown or filled out electronically with the link below. Access the physical form to print and mail. Access the electronic file to complete and submit.
Save the Date...
8th Annual Stapleton Community Food Drive
Izzi B. has partnered again this year with New Perspective Real Estate and several local business and organizations for the 8th Annual Stapleton Community Food Drive, Sept. 29 – Oct. 8. The Food Drive helps families and children who suffer from hunger and poor nutrition in and around the Stapleton community. The Drive will help us stock our school’s pantry. For more information, please visit: www.StapletonFoodDrive.com. There are three ways to donate:
A Drive collection barrel will soon be placed in the school’s east side foyer. You can deliver canned goods and other non-perishable donations here, from Sept. 29 - Oct. 8.
Look for the white Collection Bag, delivered to your home by Saturday, Sept. 29 (Stapleton residents), generously fill it with non-perishable items, place the bag on your front porch by 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 and Drive volunteers will pick-up your donation that day.
Make a cash donation directly to Izzi B. by visiting the link below and clicking on the “Donate” button: www.stapletonfooddrive.com/donate. Make sure you type Isabella Bird Community School in the “Notes” section to encourage our pantry for students and families in need receive your generous donation.
Fall-Themed Fun at Izzi B.’s Annual Harvest Festival
Harvest Festival is only three weeks away and this year is promising to be better than ever! New to the mix this year is a Hay Ride, as well as Hungry Hippo Inflatable and an Obstacle Course. Don't forget we also have our Izzi B. Pumpkin Patch! We need volunteers to help run this fun event so please sign up, there are many things you can do that take small amounts of time and effort. Tickets are $20 each. Purchase your tickets early and sign up for volunteering shifts.
Mark Your Calendars...
Monday, Sept. 24, 5-9 p.m.: Dine & Donate at Next Door in Eastbridge (10155 East 29th Drive, Suite 160) (RSVP required by the restaurant)
Tuesday, Sept. 25, All Day: Picture Day
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 8:05 a.m.: Auction Committee Meeting
Saturday, Sept. 29, 4-8 p.m.: Direct Give Party (RSVP requested by hosts)
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m.: Fundraising Meeting
Sunday, Oct. 7, 2-5 p.m.: Annual Harvest Festival
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 8:15 a.m.: Classroom Liaison Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m.: Council Meeting
Friday, Oct. 12, 8:15 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation
Monday, Oct. 22-Tuesday, Oct. 23, All Day: No School for Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences; Book Fair