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Calendar of Events
December 7
MS Boys Basketball (Home): 4:00 p.m.
December 8
HS Girls Basketball vs. Excelsior (Home): 4:00 p.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting (Core Commons): 5:00 p.m.
December 10
HS Boys Basketball vs. KIPP Academy (Home): 5:00 p.m.
MS/HS Information Night (Core Commons): 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
December 11
Faculty In-service – Student Dismissal at 1:00 p.m.
Date Night for Elementary Parents: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
From our Headmaster
By Kevin Smith
As the end of the year approaches, I like to take time to reflect on all of the events and opportunities of the last twelve months. I would imagine that, like me, those who read Dateline DA are fortunate to have had opportunities in life to explore their interests and to appreciate the unique value of a DA experience. DA transforms lives, not just for the students, but also our staff, school families, benefactors, and friends. Speaking personally, DA challenges me to be the best educator and leader that I can be and gives Maria and me the opportunity to support an institution that really “gets IT.” Just before Thanksgiving, 30 members of our DA community gathered for a “Town Hall” meeting. Notes from the meeting can be accessed here. In reading these, you will likewise gain appreciation for DA and its excellent transformative community.
The concept of transformation is also at the heart of the upcoming holidays. A common component of many faith traditions is the transformative power of the connection to a higher power, thought, belief, etc. It is like that at DA as well, the system of education here is truly “enlightened” in its program to know each student individually, differentiate instruction strategically, and empower students with not just academic, but life skills such as advocacy, initiative, creativity, and teamwork. I look forward to this season as it truly is a most wonderful time of the year. Further I will use this as an opportunity to take time to appreciate and celebrate all the great gifts in my life.
Season’s Greetings!
Middle School/High School Information Night
Please join us on Thursday, December 10 at 7:00pm to get information on transitioning your student into Middle School or High School for the 2010–11 school year.
- Middle School Information: Middle School Commons
- High School Information: Core High School Commons
Sally Foster Orders are Here!
Sally Foster orders are in and every student has been given their order. If your order has not come home yet, ask your student. Thanks, DAPA
Follow Travis Macy in the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge!
Core High School teacher Travis Macy started competing in the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge today! Over the next six days he and three other team members will race in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the following disciplines: Sea Kayaking, Cross Orienteering, Mountain Biking, Adventure Running and Rope Activities.
If you are interested in following the competition, you can visit http://www.abudhabi-adventure.com/. He is part of “Team Salomon/Crested Butte.” Good luck, Travis!
Teen Driving: Laws, Liabilities, and Who Holds The Keys
Thursday, December 10 , 8:45 – 10:45 a.m., Cherry Creek HS
Frank Moschetti, Chief Deputy District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District, will share his popular PowerPoint program and his no-nonsense (but often humorous) comments on what it really means to have a young driver in your family and your responsibilities as a parent in that regard. Mr. Moschetti spoke at Denver Academy on this topic earlier this year.
The program is being hosted by the Circle of Concern Consortium. There is no charge to attend. Please send your RSVP to Circleofconcern@aol.com or leave a message on the CCC voice mail at 720-488-1700.
It will be held in the Community Room (next to the library) on the second floor of the Information Center Building at Cherry Creek HS.
Elementary Parent Date Night
Elementary Parents – the Elementary Student Council is sponsoring a free “Date Night” on Friday, December 11 from 6 – 9 p.m. Drop off your kids at DA and go out on a date! Click here for more information or contact Evan Borg.
Adopt-A-Family
Mr. Turnier's class will be having a bake sale during lunch (11:45-1:25) on Tuesday, December 8 in the Core Commons. Proceeds will go to DA's Adopt-A-Family program.
Additionally, if you are planning to donate items to the cause, they must be delivered to Linda Sears by Friday, December 11. Please contact Ms. Sears with any questions at 303-777-5870.
Coat Drive for Clothes to Kids Denver
Denver Academy is hosting a coat drive for Clothes to Kids (CTK) Denver – a non-profit organization that provides, free of charge, new and quality-used clothing to low-income, school-aged children in Denver County.
CTK is currently in need of warm winter coats for children ages 4 through 18, roughly a children’s size 4 through an adult XL. Please bring your gently used winter coats in to Denver Academy December 7-11.
For more information contact DA parent Jo Ann Wickens at 303-883-2221.
Cookie Exchange!
Parents - save the date for the Denver Academy Cookie Exchange on Tuesday, December 15 at 10:00 a.m.! Jody Charmatz will host the gathering at her house, and it is open to all DA parents.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Jody at 720-560-4023.
Annual Fund Phon-a-Thon Was a Great Success!
Thank you to the more than one dozen volunteers who made calls for the DA Annual Fund Phon-a-thon in November. Every member of our parent community received at least one phone call/phone message. It was a great start to our Annual Fund Campaign that continues until June 15, 2010.
The Annual Fund provides resources critical for tuition assistance, retaining top faculty and improving student services, academics, technology and the arts. The success of the Annual Fund has a direct impact on the quality of DA’s programs. The Annual Fund, together with tuition and endowment earnings, are the three primary sources of income for the school.
A donation from every family is our goal and will make a significant difference at Denver Academy. Currently 42% of our families have made a pledge or given a donation. Thank you! If you have not yet given, please give from the heart and to the best of your ability. Click here to be directed to our secure donation site. College and Transition Night for Juniors
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 6:30-7:45 pm (new time)
All junior students and parents are requested to attend this event. If you are unable to attend, please RSVP to Amy Macy for the makeup workshop on Thursday, January 14th at 3 p.m. in Room 204 in the Prep Division.
DA Grad to Appear on “Parks & Recreation”
Graduate Scott Portlock (Class of 2002) has a small part on a TV show called Parks & Recreation, which airs on NBC at 7:30 p.m. The episode will air on an upcoming Thursday night episode before Christmas.
Since graduating from DA Scott has done a lot of modeling, commercials and some acting gigs. He currently lives in Los Angeles.
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