Asbury Thursday Folders – January 30, 2025

Posted January 30, 2025

Thursday Folders

Principal Message:

Dear Asbury Community, 

I want to spend a moment re-extending our commitments as a school to create and maintain a safe and welcoming school. Our vision states, ‘we are a diverse, vibrant community of inquisitive and engaged learners. We are committed to excellence and equity to foster self-directed, respectful, and empowered lifelong learners.’ As part of our commitment to our vision, we encourage children to excel in all they do by being their BEST:

  • B – Be Kind and Caring
  • E – Excel in Learning
  • S – Show Respect
  • T – Take Responsibility

We are committed to living the DPS Values that define Asbury and the district as those who support an equitable, successful, and personalized education for all Asbury students.

As part of the commitment to this vision, there is a foundational underpinning of creating a safe and welcoming space to ensure we are able to focus on our academic and whole child success. This starts with our commitments to a safe and welcoming environment. 

In Partnership,

Jeanna Doung  


What’s top of Mind? 

Immigration Resources for Family and Staff:

A Family Resource Toolkit is available in English and Spanish, and contains information and resources about rights, current DPS policies, training, mental health support, DPS resources, community resources and more. To request the toolkit in another language, email office_communications@dpsk12.net.

CSC/PTSO Meetings on 2/4

Monthly CSC/PTSO Meetings 2/4: Please join us for our monthly CSC and PTSO meetings. CSC or Collaborative School Committee meeting will be hosted virtually from 5:00-6:00 (see the link to join below). During this time, we will be reviewing the calendar for next year, any budget updates, and have open discussions. So, if you have something to share, please attend. Our PTSO or Parent, teacher, student organization will be hosted virtually (see link below) from 6:00-7:00. This meeting will be great to hear about all that is happening at Asbury and our community! 

  • Link to Join Zoom Meeting: 
  • Topic: Asbury CSC and PTSO Meetings
  • Meeting ID: 860 1019 6049
  • Passcode: 895132

We are excited to celebrate Asbury staff in February with gift baskets filled with their favorite things!  Please check out our sign up genius here to donate time or treats for our staff members.  

Drop off items in the front office with Ms. Baca by Friday Feb 7th.

Jillian Coplan-Staff Appreciation Committee

Jillianbuck@gmail.com

720-514-2739

Green Eagles Denver 7 News Story 

https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/students-lead-the-way-in-tackling-food-waste-at-denvers-asbury-elementary

HR Updates

  • Please welcome Mr. B, our 4th grade student teacher- he is a student at Metro State and we are thrilled to have him here! If you see him, please introduce yourself. 
  • Ms. Mills, who has been helping out in 3rd grade has decided to step into 3rd grade as our full time Long Term Substitute. We are thrilled to have her here full time! 
  • Open Positions: 
    • We have a few DAS (1 on 1 paraprofessional) positions that support our students with special needs. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to reach out! 
    • MI Special Education Teacher position open. If you know of anyone or are interested in yourself, please let Jeanna know.
    • 3rd Grade Long Term Substitute Position is open. If you are interested, please reach out to Jeanna Doung

Monday, 3/3 – Guest Author Coming to Kick off Read A Thon – Mina Javaherbin

  • Two options to order books (online and on paper – were sent home Wed)
  • Note:  She is a good friend of Mrs. Ravel’’s (she visited Asbury to to a presentation once before back in 2017) – 
  • Check out her website for more information:  minajavaherbin.nethttps://minajavaherbin.net/

2025-26 SchoolChoice Round 1 is Open!

SchoolChoice Round 1 for the 2025-26 school year is open and will close on Feb. 18, 2025.

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. 

Message from Mrs. Batesmith – Talent Show Committee Members Wanted!

Mrs Batesmith is looking for a few more people to be on the Talent Show Committee for this spring’s upcoming Talent Show! Members of this committee will serve as a think tank for logistics and processes on how to improve the Talent Show. Members of this committee may also have the opportunity to serve on the audition panel if that is a direction the panel chooses to go. The time commitment on this is low, culminating with the Talent Show performance, and will involve a handful of virtual meetings and information exchange via email.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send an email to Mrs Batesmith (tillifinney_smith@dpsk12.net) by Thursday 1/16. Thanks for your consideration!

PBL Request for 5th Grade

Do any of you have any connections to shoes!  We are looking to get new white sneakers (one pair for each student in their size ideally!) for a Geometry PBL that they will be working on coming soon.  Please reach out to Amy_Ravel@dpsk12.net if you have any connections or ideas on how to make this dream a reality!

Prospective Parent Tours Extended

Prospective parent tours have been very successful. Prospective families have been signing up for times to tour Asbury. On these tours they talk to current students and parents while walking around the building. Then prospective parents talk to teachers and Ms. D about the school. We usually run tour weekly from October-January. They have been so popular this month, that we have decided to extend tours through March 7! If you are interested in volunteering to lead these tours, please reach out to Ms. D! 

Bell Times At Asbury for 25/26 SY

Earlier this year, a survey was sent out gathering information about bell times. Asbury currently has a 7:40 start time and 2:40 end time. The survey included options for a later start time (9:00-9:30) or the option to keep the same bell times. With the Board push for later start times for middle and high school, Asbury does not have the opportunity for an 8:00-8:30 start time. Eighty percent of community and staff indicated through the survey that the current bell time schedule worked for them. Based on this, Asbury will maintain their current bell time schedule for this coming school year. 

Safety Drills at Asbury

Each year, all schools participate in drills to ensure our building is safe given any circumstance. We have our Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Drills.

In the coming weeks, students will participate in their second Lockdown Drill of the 2024-25 school year. During a lockdown drill, all students and staff practice locking doors, turning off lights, and staying out of sight. These drills typically last less than ten minutes.

Throughout the drill, team members from the DPS Department of Climate and Safety will monitor the building. They ensure hallways are clear, doors are securely locked, and that students and staff understand the safety procedures. These drills are a vital part of our commitment to creating safe and prepared school environments.

What are SRP Drills?

Follow Up from the Visit with the Avs today

  • Thank you to Mr. Howard for bringing such a fun experience today to Asbury for the 1st-5th grade students.  Everyone had a blast!
  • If you would like more information on the Hockey 101 Events click HERE and scan the QR code.

What’s Still Relevant? 

Grandfriends Day

Your students cordially invite you to Asbury’s Third Annual Grandfriends Day! 

February 13th, 2025

Kindergarten – Second Grade – 7:40 am-9:10 am

Third Grade – Fifth Grade- 9:10am-10:40am

Please fill out this form regarding your participation in Grandfriends Day by February 7th. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Batesmith at tillifinney_smith@dpsk12.net.


What’s going on with PTSO?

  • Marquez Charter Elementary School is a public school in Los Angeles that was recently significantly burned by the Palisades Wildfire. Asbury PTSO has partnered with other area Denver schools to help support this community. Please see the attached flyer and help this community that has lost so much.
    • Donations can be made through their school’s Venmo with both a QR Code and the @friendsofmarquez that can be typed in. After you donate you’ll get an email with a receipt. Please put in the memo “Love from Denver” or something so the donation is flagged coming from Denver. 
    • Click HERE to view the flyer with more information. 
  • It’s time for our biggest fundraiser of the year: Direct Givewill kick off Monday, Feb. 3! Help us reach our goal of raising $125,000 for our school! Join us on the blacktop at drop-off on Monday morning for coffee courtesy of Kaladi, donuts, and everyone’s favorite feathered friend, Barry the Eagle!
    • And in the meantime, please tell us – Why do YOU give to Asbury? 
    • Your answers could make it into our Direct Give communications material!
  • Want to be in the know with the funnest group of folks around? Of course you do! Join the nextPTSO Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. We will be meeting VIRTUALLY: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86010196049?pwd=ODN0YSszdVlwYmRNQS9CT2llb3g5dz09
    • Meeting ID: 860 1019 6049
    • Passcode: 895132
  • We’ve got a Double Giveback/Dine-Out event coming up! On Tuesday, Feb. 11 and Wednesday, Feb. 12, both Second Star to the Right and Chook Chicken on Pearl Street will be giving back a portion of their day’s sales back to our school! Stock up on your Read-A-Thon material before grabbing a delicious dinner!
  • DU Women’s Basketball is partnering with Asbury for a VERY COOL EVENT!
    • NEXT 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.**
  • On Saturday, March 1 at 6 p.m., come support Asbury and watch DU Hockey vs. Cloud State! Get your tickets for this DU Community Ticketing event 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

  • 1/30 – 4th Grade Artivism Showcase @Free – (Harp – 5:00-5:45; Van Sant/Haskins – 6:00-6:45)
  • 2/4 – Virtual PTSO meeting
  • 2/8 – DU “Asbury” Women’s Basketball Game (tickets)
  • 2/11 & 2/12 – BOTH 2nd Star to the Right AND Chook Giveback/Dine Out
  • 2/12 – Book orders due for Guest Author Visit – Mina Javaherbin (PAPER or ORDER LINK)
  • 2/13 – Grandfriends Day (Flyer) (More Information) – RSVP by 2/7
  • 2/14 – No school for students- DPS Release Day
  • 2/15 – Speed Stacking Tournament – “2025 WSSA Colorado Open” (all ages & abilities) – (Flyer)
  • 2/17 – No school for staff and students- Holiday
  • 2/22 – Asbury 5th Grade Yard Sale (9:00 am-1:00 pm)
  • 2/25 – 3rd Grade Field trip to Bluff Lake Nature Center (more information to come!)
  • 2/25 – Birdcall Dine Out and Giveback
  • 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
  • 3/3 – Guest Author Visit – Mina Javaherbin (www.minajavaherbin) – Read A Thon Kick Off Event! (K-5th grades) – Order Books Online
  • 3/4/25 – In Person PTSO meeting
  • 3/18 – Shake Shack Dine Out and Giveback
  • 3/20 – Talent Show
  • 3/21 – No school for students- Asbury Release Day
  • 3/24 – 3/31- No school for staff and students- Holiday
  • 4/7 – Skate City Asbury Night 6-8 pm
  • 4/16 – Sweet Cow Dine Out and Giveback
  • 4/18 – No school for students- DPS Release Day
  • 4/22 – 4/23 (Baker’s Homeroom) and 4/23 – 4/24 (Altenburger’s Homeroom) – 5th Grade Balarat 
  • 4/29 – WOW Show/Dish a Story 
  • 4/30 – Rockies Game – 5th Grade
  • 5/2 – Spring Wing! *DATE CHANGE*
  • 5/9 – No school for students- Asbury Release Day
  • 5/13 – Sexy Pizza Dine Out
  • 5/26 – No school for students and staff- Holiday
  • 6/2 – 5th Grade Continuation
  • 6/3 – Half Day for students- last day of school