Asbury Thursday Folders – December 19, 2024

Posted December 19, 2024

Principal Message:

Dear Asbury community, 

As we round out this school year,

As we start the new semester and new year, it is that time of the year that we continue teaching in this school year and start looking forward to the next school year. This includes planning and supporting our priorities through our budget. Asbury is a committed community school that values the support for students. One of the critical parts is ensuring we have identified priority areas from our students, staff, and the community. Based on that, I wanted to ask that you take about 10 minutes to fill out this priority input survey. 

Your voice and input will be crucial as we make decisions for our students in the future. My commitment always is to lead with grace, transparency, and with Asbury at the center of what can be a difficult time. 

I wish everyone a happy and healthy winter break. As we near Winter Break, I want to share some important local community resources supporting those in need this holiday season. The holidays are a busy time for us all but it is essential to take care of ourselves and our loved ones and support those in our community who are in need. Included below are resources spanning from food banks, counseling services, hotlines and energy assistance that will be available to our community over break. Please review the resources below and share them widely with those who could use the extra support.

  • DPS’ Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team has compiled a comprehensive resource list of meals, housing, mental health winter activities/programming and other resources to share with students and families.
  • Meals: In addition to the food banks mentioned in the FACE resources, the City and County’s Office of Children Affairs is offering a free supper and/or snack at any Tasty Food site for youth (ages five-18) across Denver during the holiday break! No registration or ID is required. Access the Tasty Food schedule flier (in English and Spanish) for more information. Details on holiday schedule changes and planned holiday closures will be available on the Tasty Food website.

In Partnership,

Jeanna Doung  

What’s top of Mind? 

Winter Break Dates

  • Winter Break Starts Tomorrow!: 12/19- 1/6- Students will return to school on January 7. Teachers have staff development days on 12/20 and 1/6 , so they will be working hard to set students up for success upon their return to school!

PBL Support Request!!!  

  • Looking for a parent or someone you know who is either an architect or a city planner who might want to come in and talk with our kindergarteners in January.  
  • The students are working on a new Shapes PBL and they will be using their knowledge of shapes to build cities.  
  • Please reach out to Amy Ravel (Amy_Ravel@dpsk12.net) if you are interested or know someone who we could convince to be interested!!  Thanks!

Asbury News in the Air Newspaper 

Student Council 2024-2025

The Student Council has been hard at work so far this year.  Here are this year’s representatives: 3rd Grade: Emery, Zoe, Beckett, and Jimmy, 4th Grade: Adrienne, Stella, and Wilson, 5th Grade: Callen, Sloane, Lucille, Eli, and Jack. Student Council Advisors: Mrs. Baker and Mr. A (5th Grade)

Message from 5th Grade:

Coming Soon!  5th Grade is asking for donations for our yard sale that will be coming in the new year.  More information to follow, but for now, as you are going through things over the holidays and doing a little winter cleaning, please pull aside some things that you could donate to the fifth graders’ yard sale.  Thanks so much!

Save the Date for the Winter Ball – January 24

Information Flyer

Register before Tuesday, January 21st at:

https://forms.gle/2e7mrxtNNPDD9Fzh9

$5 admission Fee goes to Asbury Office funds. You can bring $5 to event or Venmo @AsburyPTSO-AsburyPTSO

If you are interested in volunteering, either fill out the google form above or email Meaghan McCabe @ Meaghanomccabe@yahoo.com

Read-A-Thon Bookmarks

Calling all artists! If you would like to submit a design for the Read-A-Thon bookmark contest, you can create your design on a 2″ by 7″ piece of paper or pick up a template from the office. Designs are due on January 13, so there’s plenty of time to do them over winter break. Happy creating! If you need a blank one see Ms. Baca in the office!

Message from Mr. Howard

Speed Stacking Tournament:  “2025 WSSA Colorado Open” (all ages and levels) Information Flyer

I just wanted to quickly share that Speed Stacks, Inc. is hosting a cup stacking competition at Douglas County High School on Saturday, Feb. 15th, 2025 in Castle Rock, CO. 

I would love to have your students participate in this event, whether they’re new to cup stacking or experienced. This competition is for students for all ages and abilities! We’ll have individual events and if they want, they can participate in relay events too. Plus, students can participate in only certain events such as 3-3-3, 3-6-3 or even the cycle – it’s not mandatory to do them all. 

Note – Your students do not need their own cups! I will provide cups for students who do not have their own.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Matt Burk

Director of Physical Education & Afterschool Programs

National Field Trainer Program

Speed Stacks, Inc.

www.speedstacks.com

Direct: 877.468.2877 

Cell: 319.541.9467

HR Updates

  • Welcome:
    • We want to welcome Mr. Chris, our new long term sub in Ms. Arza’s room. He will start on January 6. 
  • Please join us in thanking Ms. Elvira, our long term sub in third grade. Her last day will be December 19 and we are so thankful for her support and wish her a warm farewell!
  • Ms. Knez stepped down due to a family emergency. We wish her all the best. 
  • Open Positions: 
    • We have a few DAS (1 on 1 paraprofessional) positions 
    • MI Special Education Teacher position open. If you know of anyone or are interested in yourself, please let Jeanna know.
    • 1st Grade Long Term Substitute Position is open. If you are interested, please reach out to Jeanna Doung

What’s Still Relevant? 

Mark Your Calendars: 2025-26 SchoolChoice Round 1 Dates

SchoolChoice Round 1 for the 2025-26 school year will open on Jan. 15, 2025 and close on Feb. 18, 2025. These dates will be publicly announced in Our DPS Weekly on Friday, Nov. 1

Families can apply here. Families with existing Parent Portal accounts can log in using their username and password. Families who don’t have Parent Portal accounts will set up a new account. 

CSC/PTSO Meetings 

CSC and PTSO Meetings will be hosted on Tuesday, January 7. CSC or Collaborative School Committee will be an online training for this month, so we will not be hosting an in person meeting. As CSC supports the budget decisions, CSC members will be attending a virtual Budget meeting hosted by the district. PTSO or Parent, Teacher, Student Organization will be an in person meeting that will take place in the auditorium. We will have childcare and  look forward to seeing you at the meeting!

Lost and Found will be donated Friday December 20th. 

What’s going on with PTSO?

  • Next Level Burger dine-out is TONIGHT, Thursday, Dec. 19! Mention Asbury at check-out.
  • Skate City is offering Asbury families FREE skating passes to use this holiday break! See the flyer below for the passes and more information.
    • You can print out the passes or just show the email with the passes for complimentary admission to the dates and times listed for the holiday skating. Hope to see you there!
    • Free Passes to Skate City over Winter Break
  • Interested in helping with Asbury’s Backpack Program in the new year? We’re looking for volunteers! Sign up here, and please reach out to the PTSO if you have any questions or are interested in learning the ropes.
  • DU Women’s Basketball is partnering with Asbury for a VERY COOL EVENT!
    • On Saturday, Feb. 8, Asbury students are invited to high-five players in the tunnel before the game, sing/play the National Anthem, and play basketball at halftime! If interested in any of these opportunities, please fill out this google form. 
    • Tickets are available now, and they are BOGO!! One free ticket for each discounted ticket. https://tinyurl.com/AsburyEagles-DenverPios
    • **Select seats in sections 6 or 7 to ensure sitting together.**
  • Mark your calendars for a few fun upcoming DU Community Ticketing events!
    • DU Women’s Gymnastics: Sunday, 1/12 at 1:45 p.m. Get your tickets here! (Flyer)
    • DU Hockey vs Cloud State: Saturday, 3/01 at 6pm. Get your tickets here!

What’s going on with Enrichments?

Please visit the Asbury Website for more information and details about enrichments offered during this session: Asbury Enrichments Schedule (update in progress) 

Enrichment Flyers

Community Flyers

Upcoming Dates

  • 12/19 – Next Level Burger Dine Out Fundraiser
  • 1/6 – No school for students- DPS Release Day
  • 1/12 – DU Women’s Gymnastics Community Ticketing Event 1:45 pm (Flyer)
  • 1/20 – No school for staff or students- Holiday
  • 1/24 – School Dance
  • 2/8 – DU “Asbury” Women’s Basketball Game (tickets)
  • 2/13 – Grand Friends Day (Flyer) (More Information)
  • 2/14 – No school for students- DPS Release Day
  • 2/15 – Speed Stacking Tournament – “2025 WSSA Colorado Open” (all ages and abilities) – (Flyer)
  • 2/17 – No school for staff and students- Holiday
  • 2/25 – 3rd Grade Field trip to Bluff Lake Nature Center (more information to come!)
  • 2/25 – 2/27: Book swap for Read a Thon
  • 3/1 – DU Hockey vs Cloud State Community Ticketing Event 6pm
  • 3/1-3/7 Read A Thon
  • 3/21 – No school for students- Asbury Release Day
  • 3/24 – 3/31- No school for staff and students- Holiday
  • 4/18 – No school for students- DPS Release Day
  • 4/22 – 4/23 and 4/23 – 4/24 – 5th Grade Balarat (Each 5th grade class assigned to a session soon)
  • 4/25 – Spring Wing!
  • 4/30 – Rockies Game – 5th Grade
  • 5/9 – No school for students- Asbury Release Day
  • 5/26 – No school for students and staff- Holiday
  • 6/3 – Half Day for students- last day of school