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Your weekly news source!
Quick links to this week’s articles: Click the links below to jump directly to a specific article Calendar of Events
December 15
Cookie Exchange (at Charmatz’ Home): 10:00 a.m.
Elementary Play: Tacky the Penguin (Theater): 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
December 16
HS Basketball Games vs. Jim Elliott (Home): Girls at 5:00 p.m.; Boys at 6:30 p.m.
December 17
Elementary Play: The Untold Story of Snowy Island (Theater): 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
HS Basketball Games vs. Silver State (Home): Girls at 4:00 p.m.; Boys at 5:00 p.m. From our Deans
By Mark Wood and Lori Hull
Thanks to all of you who braved the cold and joined us for our Middle School and High School Information Night.
Transitioning from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school brings many questions and concerns from both parents and students. This time can be both exciting and scary. We are here to help make this transition a positive one. Below is more information on what was discussed last night as well as links to the Power Point documents that were presented:
Middle School
Starting the transition process early on will help our current 6th graders be prepared for the changes ahead. Last night our 6th grade parents learned not only what to expect academically next year but also the social and athletic opportunities available. Our middle school faculty recognizes that the middle school years are extremely important in developing social skills. Middle school students are in the process of growing from dependence to independence and all of them are at different stages! We discussed how our middle schoolers have more responsibilities around time management, choosing their electives, maneuvering independently around campus, increased homework load, and involvement with after school activities. Please click here for a copy of last night’s presentation.
During second semester our 6th grade students will have opportunities to spend time in our middle school classes observing and getting to know the teachers and other students. We will have a panel of current middle schoolers address our 6th grade students and talk about their own transition to middle school and explain from their own point of view what the transition was like. We are also planning a BBQ in the spring.
High School
In the high school session we presented the background and purpose for unifying the high schools. Excitement was generated in the discussion as we talked about opportunities for next year and the future. Those in attendance raised many thoughtful questions and responses. Please click here for the presentation and FAQ regarding the unification of the high schools. We look forward to continuing the discussion. For those who could not attend last night’s high school presentation, we will provide more opportunities for you to hear about the exciting changes that are planned for next year.
We will have a repeat performance for those of you who were unable to attend last night’s meeting on February 4 at 8:00 a.m. Look for more information to come.
Have a great weekend! Elementary News Author of the Month
Chris Van Allsburg is our Author of the Month in Elementary school. He wrote “The Polar Express” among other stories. We are having a Polar Express Day on December 18 from 8:30 to 11:45, in which students will get to wear their pajamas (like the kids in the story!). We will start the day with a reading of “The Polar Express,” and later we will watch the movie and have a treat of hot cocoa!
Elementary Drama Performances
The elementary students in drama and music will be performing next week: Dec. 15, 10:30 am and 1:00, Tacky the Penguin and choir performances, Lower Elementary Reader’s theatre (1st to 4th grade) Dec. 17, 10:30 am and 1:00, The Untold story of Snowy Island, Upper Elementary original (5th and 6th grades)
Cookie Exchange!
Parents - you are invited to the Denver Academy Cookie Exchange on this coming 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.
Bake as many cookies as you want to trade and put them in bags of six with the recipe. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Jody at 720-560-4023 or josews702@aol.com.
College and Transition Night for Juniors
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 6:30-7:45 pm 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.
Mustangs Victorious!
Congratulations to the high school boy’s basketball team! They won last night 61-30 against Sunshine Peak. Show Your DA Spirit!
When you are doing your holiday shopping, don't forget to stop by and check out all of the DA spirit wear in the front office of the administration building. We have a variety of items for both students (youth and high school) and parents! Click here to see pictures of all the spirit wear that is available.
Track Annual Fund Participation Online!
We have created a thermometer to track participation in the “Parent Participation Challenge” for the annual fund. Currently, 42 percent of DA parents have donated. We are hoping to get to 100 percent by June 15, 2010!
Click here to view the thermometer, which will be updated on a monthly basis. Attention High School Students: Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity has an opportunity for DA students to help build townhomes for needy families. On Thursday, January 7 during SEC, there will be an orientation for Habitat for Humanity in Mr. Duhamel’s room in Core. All interested high school students can attend.
For his Third Quarter Passage, Mark Norin is setting up a school–wide community service project with Habitat for Humanity. The plan is that every Thursday a group of 15 or more high school students ages 16 or over will work from 9:00am–4:30pm at the Bails Townhome community site at Colorado Blvd and I–25 (right behind the Best Buy on Colorado).
No experience is needed – just a willingness to learn and work hard. Please contact Mark Norin or Linda Sears for more information.
DA Student Earns IMDB Profile
Kudos to Progressive student Michaela Kahan, who is now featured on the “Internet Movie Database” Web site for her work in a short film called DMV for Vendetta. The film qualified for entry in several film festivals. Click here to view her profile. Parents – let us know about the amazing things your children are doing both on- and off-campus! Please send the information to Bridget O'Toole for consideration. FYI: iPhone App Offers Instant Speech-to-Text Transcription
Now you can use Dragon Speaking Naturally technology on your iPhone! Dragon Speaking Naturally is a speech-to-text program that is widely used at Denver Academy.
A new iPhone application called “Dragon Dictation” makes it easy for you to dictate notes, e-mails or text messages, which are then instantly converted to text. It will be available for free for a limited time. Click here to learn more.
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