Asbury Thursday Folders – March 14, 2024

Posted March 14, 2024

Principal Message:

Asbury Community,

I wanted to take a moment to honor Arab American Heritage Month! April is Arab American Heritage Month! To celebrate, we want to recognize the amazing programs, events and celebrations involving Arab culture around the district. Please remember that during this month it is also Ramadan- so Happy Ramadan everyone!

In addition to Arab American Heritage Month, I also want to take a moment to share some resources for our newcomer families. This year, DPS is welcoming more families from other countries than we have in past years. The DPS Communications, Enrollment Services, Multilingual Services (MLE), Family and Community Engagement (FACE) and the Homeless Education Network (HEN) have created a one-pager for newcomer families. This is available in all consent decree languages. This information explains all resources available to new families and how to contact these resources.

In Partnership,

Jeanna Doung

What’s top of Mind?

Report Cards NOW available Available

You can access report cards through Parent Portal. Reach out to Amber if you have any questions.

Class Picture Day Tuesday, March 19 – please send in the form that was sent home with your child last week with $10 exact change or check payable to Strawbridge Inc or order online at www.strawbridge.net with code FM432948.

Invitation for Families of Multilingual Learners to Join MLE DAC

Join the Multilingual Education (MLE) District Advisory Committee (DAC) on Wednesday, March 20 from 5-7 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Early College. This month, the Department of Climate and Safety will share information about district safety processes. Share the attached flyers with your families of multilingual learners and encourage them to register here. Staff are also highly encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the MLE DAC website or contact Olga Olivas at 720-423-3058.

Check out 1st Grade’s “The Best Part of Me” PBL Website.

Note: Give time to let the videos load on the class pages before trying to open them up.

Community Engagement opportunities coming up where family voice is imperative

The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department is partnering with Periscope Theory to deep dive into what community engagement means to the DPS community. With this information we can better partner with you, our families and schools, to support your needs!

We are hosting 3 opportunities starting next week and we need your help getting the word out to families.
1. March 13th from 5:15-6:30pm at the Eloise May Library 1471 S Parker Rd Denver, CO 80231
2. March 16th from 9-10:30am at Lincoln High School (Rooms 116 and 117) 2285 S Federal Blvd Denver, CO 80219
3. April 10th Via Zoom – link provided upon registration (register using the flyer below!)

Be sure to use THIS FLYER

Hallway Pictures Updated

I want to take a moment to say a huge thanks to Monet Moutrie for taking such amazing pictures of students here at Asbury. We have updated the photos that line the walls at Asbury- please stop by anytime and check out these pictures! We love Asbury, especially the students that are the heart of who we are!

Asbury’s 100 Year Planning Committee

Asbury is gearing up for our 100 year celebration- this will take place fall of 2025. To set us up for success, we need your help! We are looking to create a powerhouse planning committee and we may need your expertise. Please reach out to Jeanna Doung if you are interested!

CSC Nominations

We are opening up the nominations for CSC next year. If you know any community members or staff that would be interested in joining our Collaborative School Committee please contact Jeanna Doung.

HR Update

We are eager to announce our newest staff member, Susie Park, the Long Term Substitute for 3rd grade Literacy. She will be joining us in mid-April!

Mark your Calendars

April 30 will be our Dish a Story and Student Led Conference evening. We will be hosting this at Asbury from 4-6! Please look for additional information to come!

Lost and Found

Lost and Found Items will be donated on March 22 so please take a look at the pictures to see if your student has anything in the lost and found that they can grab next week. Click HERE to see what is in lost and found.

Upcoming Days Off

Asbury Release Day on Friday, March 22: Don’t forget that we have a non-student contact day on March 22. Teachers and paras will come together to take time to plan, grow as professionals and plan for the students.

Spring Break Reminder: March 25-April 1. Please take time to enjoy spring break. We will not have school this week.

A Message from Mrs. Ravel (Technology)

Save the Date:

STEAM Expo ( 9-3 May 4) – CSU Spur
CSU Spur Denver Campus – 4777 National Western Dr., Denver, CO 80216
Video
Website for STEAM Expo
Information Flyer
This is not something we are specifically participating in this year as a school, but anyone is welcome to attend the STEAM Expo. It also includes the DPS Science Fair to check out and many different robotics, coding, STEAM type of things going on. It will be very cool. I will be there helping out. Hope to see you and your families there if you want to check it out!

Kindergarten had a Job Fair recently as a culmination of their Careers/Character Traits PBL!

Their driving question was: How can our interests and character traits guide us to a career?
Check out some pictures from the big event! Click HERE.

Mental Health Minute

BESS End of Year Screening

The End of Year (EOY) screening window for the BESS Parent/Caregiver report opens March 16th and closes on April 26th. Your participation is vital to ensure all students’ needs are being met. The form takes less than 5 minutes to complete and can be found at tinyurl.com/bessparent2324.

What’s Still Relevant?

Announcement: 24/25 School Year Calendar Released for Asbury:

Please take a moment to read through the Asbury Calendar for next year. Asbury does have a few extra non-student contact days in our calendar, so please make sure to mark your calendars with these dates. These extra days are crucial to Asbury’s success in supporting students. We take these days to hone our professional practice, collaboration, and focus on building supports for students! Here is the calendar:

Asbury 2024-25 School Year Calendar

Talent Show Update from Mrs. Batesmith

TALENT SHOW PERFORMER INFORMATION

Rehearsals (2:40-3:45 each day):

Monday 3/18 3rd-5th grade students* and stage crew

Tuesday 3/19 K-2nd grade students* and stage crew

Wednesday 3/20 ALL acts* and stage crew

*unless previously arranged

Performances:

Thursday 3/21 at 1:00pm and 5:00 pm

Students will need to be at school ready to perform by 4:50 pm on 3/21 for the 5:00 show

We are asking families and supporters to attend the 5:00 show if possible and leave the 1:00 show for the Asbury students. If you cannot make the evening performance and would like to watch your student perform, please reach out and we will save you a spot at the 1:00 show.

If there are any questions or concerns please reach out to Mrs Batesmith at tillifinney_smith@dpsk12.net.

CMAS Testing Schedule for 3rd-5th graders

Testing Schedule – Please save the dates and plan accordingly with trips/appointments/etc. Attendance is important during this testing window. Thank you in advance.
- Note: All students will follow this schedule, but depending on accommodations that your student may have according to their IEP or 504 plan, they may test in the afternoon on these days instead of the morning. Also, if we have proctor absences during testing we may need to reschedule testing to the make-up weeks for students with 1:1 accommodations. FYI.
CMAS Parent Information Deet – will be sent out – Wednesday, March 13. Instead of a Virtual Live Parents Night, you will be able to watch a screencast all about CMAS and have an opportunity to practice with your student at home to see what the CMAS test will look like.

Summer Connections (Summer School)

Summer Connections is a free, five-week academic program that is open to all rising first through fifth-grade DPS students at eligible schools from June 17-July 19 (no classes will take place June 19 or July 4-5). This full-day program focuses on preparing elementary students for future success.

Registration for Summer Connections is now open and spaces are limited! Please utilize the sign up through the Parent Portal to register.

Shuler Spotlight Series Video Podcast Link

We had an opportunity to do a video podcast with another elementary school in Iowa. Thank you to the Holstine family for making this connection!
We had an application that 4th and 5th graders could fill out to be a part of this process if they were interested and then students were randomly chosen.
Michael, Rhys, Adilyn, Alexa, Andrew, and Elsa

What’s new from PTSO?

FREE skating over Spring Break!
1. Skate City Littleton location is offering FREE skating passes over spring break!
2. See the link in the Community Flyers section below or click HERE. for more information, and happy skating!
University of Denver Lacrosse!- Another great opportunity to spend time with some great Asbury Families, watch an exciting game, and support Asbury!
1. Saturday 4/13.
2. Here is the link to buy tickets: https://fevo.me/asbury-denverpioneers2324.
3. Information Flyer
Spring Wing – save the date!
1. This event is a SUPER fun way to get to know other amazing Asbury parents (adults only) and support our school
2. Mark your calendars for Friday, May 3, 2024. Fun. Is. Coming.