Welcome to Asbury’s Thursday Folders page! This is our main mode of communication from school to parent. Below each date, you will find the body of the School Deet that was sent to parents as well as any correlating fliers for the week. If you are looking for something specific and can’t find it here, drop by the office and we will be happy to help.
2021-2022 School Year
Thursday Folders – September 2, 2021
Principal’s Corner
Asbury Eagles,
As a school we are always balancing social-emotional, academic and the health and safety of students and staff. These three areas are our pillars to success. I know many of you are sitting with many questions about health and Safety. Please know that both the health and safety of our students and staff are at the forefront of all the decisions that we make. I wanted to dedicate this Thursday Folder’s Principal Corner to detailing out what our COVID-Related policies and guidance and send out a separate DEET with this information.
In my partnership with you, it is my goal to get you as much information as I have so that we can continue to keep health and safety at the forefront. With that, I wanted to take time to answer some questions about our guidelines. I will also be on the playground after school today and tomorrow starting at 2:40 to answer any questions. If you are not able to make that time, then we will host a virtual Q&A tonight on zoom starting at 6:30. More details about these gatherings are below.
Questions:
Where does Asbury come up with their COVID-19 guidelines?
We, as educators, do not claim to be health experts, so we work with our partners in the health field with any and all decisions related to COVID-19. DPS works closely with CDPHE to determine all policies, including decisions on cohorting, masks, and quarantining. These policies are then shared out to schools and schools implement these policies.
What is our mask policy?
Beginning Monday, Aug. 9, masks are required for all students, visitors and staff while in all DPS schools and buildings, regardless of vaccination status. When staff and students are outside, they do not have to wear masks. During mask breaks, students should have their masks off the entire time.
Once someone tests positive, how is it determined who quarantines and who does not?
DPS and Asbury align with CDPHE quarantine guidance for routine classroom exposures which does not require quarantines for close contacts with positive COVID cases for students or adults resulting from typical classroom exposures because Denver county exceeds the 70% vaccination rate metric.
When Asbury receives information about a positive COVID-19 case we follow the guidelines given to us from the district. So what is this process?
We receive the information that someone tested positive for COVID-19
We then begin to collect information on who was in close contact, where this exposure happened, for how long and if any exemptions were met. We do not make any decisions at the school level at any time in this process.
Our COVID Coordinator, Tanya, who is also our Health Tech, calls the COVID hotline and leaves a message (there is no longer a live person we talk too)
Once Tanya receives a call back from the medical expert on the hotline, she gives the data that was collected and the medical expert makes the determination for who, when and how long those are to be quarantined and not
We then take this information and work on letters. These letters we receive from the district are batch letters that we plug in the information and send out.
For more information about the decision tree, please see the guidance document here.
What is our communication policy to inform the community and staff about a positive COVID-19 case?
In each positive COVID-19 case reported, we send out multiple layers of communication. We work with our district partners to determine the specifics for the dates, who is to quarantine and for how long. Once we have this information, we work to send out these layers of communication:
School-Level and Staff -Level Communication: Each time their is a positive COVID-19 case, we will send out an all staff and an all community level email detailing out which grade level was impacted by positive case
Class-Level Communication: Each time there is a positive COVID-19 case, we will send a follow up email to the impacted class to let them know that the positive case. In this letter, we will also share the soonest you could test, if this is something that you would like to do.
Individuals who Need to Quarantine: For those that need to quarantine, we will share a separate communication detailing out the information on when and for how long individuals will need to quarantine. We will also include information for the soonest you could test.
In order to protect the individual and not infringe on the health care privacy act, we can not share any information beyond positive cases at the grade level.
Pick Up and Chat Afterschool Today and Tomorrow: I will be on the playground, under the green structure, at 2:40 today and tomorrow to answer any questions and chat through any of these questions
Once you have read the family handbook, please use this link to submit your acknowledgement of the information read here.
Please fill out the DPS Student Data Privacy, Parent Consent Letter for Asbury Elementary (NOTE: Please fill this out for each of your students at Asbury. When you submit the first one, you can click to submit an additional one. Thank you for your time.)
Important Information
During Pick Up and Drop Off please do not block driveways- let’s remember it’s a neighborhood school!
Picture Day will be on October 4, 2021- More information to come
Health Reminders:
Please send your students with a water bottle to school every day. We have started a ‘stop everything and drink’ initiative at the school so that we can all be reminded to drink more water!
Please send your child with a mask everyday to wear while inside the school building.
Open Para Positions: We have a few open paraprofessional positions at Asbury. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about this rewarding and exciting work, please reach out to Jeanna Doung!
Student and Adult Safety: We want to ensure students are able to safely arrive and leave school. So we have information about a Crossing Guard and a reminder about drop off and pick up:
Crossing Guards: To ensure our students safety as they come across Evans, we are looking to hire a crossing guard. If you are interested in this position, please see more information here and reach out to Jeanna Doung with potential candidates.
Reminder about drop and pick up: To ensure student safety and to avoid congestion, please do not park in the Kiss and Go lane. Also, please do not drop off across the street and have students run across the street.
Quarantine Plans: SLT met and determined guidance around If a student or group of students needs to quarantine (we will be sharing this out with CSC to get further input):
If a student goes on quarantine, teachers will share work within the first 48 hours. The work will be reflective of the developmental age of the students and what is going on in their classrooms. There will be no live or hybrid learning option, so the work will not include live learning or ‘Zooming’ into the classroom. Students can expect both math and literacy work to complete during their quarantine period. Students and families will always have the option to reach out to teachers for guidance and support. This guidance does not apply if families self-select to quarantine.
The PBL (Project Based Learning) leadership team is looking for three adult Asbury Community Volunteers to help support our incredible PBL program at Asbury. If you are interested in learning more about any of these positions, please contact Meaghan McCabe at momccabe24@gmail.com. Thanks!
PBL Materials Supporter: Are you an organizer who loves to create Sign Up Genius posts? This might be the volunteer job just for you! You will be working with all grades, K-5, helping grade level teams to collect items for PBL units. This job will involve working with Meaghan McCabe to get a list of items needed for each unit, create sign ups, send sign ups via School Deets to specific grade levels, and collect/organize the items for the teachers. This volunteer position will be needed throughout this coming school year and will be needed in spurts.
PBL Guest Speakers/Teachers Supporter: Are you a connector? Do you know a lot of people throughout the community or are willing to seek out resources to support PBL units Kinder-Fifth grade at Asbury? If yes, this is the volunteer job for you! You will work sporadically throughout the year with Meaghan McCabe to find guest speakers and teachers for PBL projects in grades Kinder-Fifth.
PBL Field Trip Supporter: If you like to plan excursions, this volunteer position has your name on it! You would help Meaghan McCabe to find and schedule field trips to enhance the PBL experience. The workload would involve supporting grades Kinder-Fifth and will be sporadic throughout the year.
Meet your Specials Team!
Our specials team – Ms. B, Mr. Howard, Ms. Ravel, and Ms. Werner – are so very excited to be able to see students in our classrooms regularly again this year! We wanted to take a minute to share a bit about ourselves, our classes, and teaching philosophies. If you have any questions regarding any of our classes, please reach out! We hope to see you soon!
Want to join PTSO? 2021-2022 membership forms can be found HERE
PTSO memberships are $10/year. You can pay via Venmo @AsburyPTSO-AsburyPTSO, cash or check
We are looking for Room Supporters! Do you enjoy supporting teachers and paras to make sure they have everything they need? This is the job for you! We are looking for one room supporter per kindergarten class, two room supporters per 1st-5th grade, volunteers to support the specials team, and the multi intensive teams. If you are interested in learning more please contact Meaghan McCabe at momccabe@gmail.com
Asbury Backpack Program. We are currently looking for 2-3 individuals that would like to lead the Asbury Backpack program. This would include obtaining fresh food and packing backpacks on a weekly basis. If you are interested please contact Amy Fitzgerald at amy.jo.fitzgerald@gmail.com
Do you have old toys or prizes at your house? Or did you order too many pencils for your gift bags? Donate them to Carnival! We want your toys, games, puzzles, legos and other small prizes your kids no longer want! Please drop them off in the office by September 20th. Please make sure donations are age appropriate. All donations will be sanitized prior to Carnival.
Did you love the “Welcome Back Eagles” Sign? Want to celebrate the people in your life in a BIG way AND support Asbury Elementary? Order any greeting from Card My Yard Denver until September 30th and you will receive $10 off the greeting and CMY Denver will donate $10 to Asbury! Use coupon code ASBURY21 for the discount. The greeting can be ordered up to 12 months in advance but must be in the following zip codes: 80206, 80209, 80210, 80220, 80222, 80224, 80231, 80246, 80247, 80230, 80205, 80218, 80207 and 80238.
What a wonderful first week back to school! It was so great to start this year in person and have some things shift back to a more ‘normal’ school year, while still maintaining health and safety protocols! This week I got the privilege of sharing out with many classrooms. During my time in classrooms, I did a read-aloud of the book, What do You do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada. If you haven’t read it, the book contains a great message that we all have ideas and we should foster and grow those ideas. These ideas then have the ability to change this world. I shared with students that our belief in them is that each and every one of us has amazing ideas and that they each have the ability to positively impact their class, their school, their community and the world! At Asbury, we have a vision for all learners:
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 life-long learners.
With that vision at the heart of all we do, we also have students at the center of every decision we make! Last year, as a community of staff, students and parents, we determined our 21/22 school year priorities. Those priorities and their goals are below:
Equity Through Inclusion: Asbury is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all our students, including LGBTQ+ students. We will maximize and prioritize time in general education and plan for purposeful support both in and out of the classroom and foster a sense of belonging and honoring the individual. We will do this by providing a welcoming, happy, safe, and supportive learning environment fostering equity and all achievements are celebrated.
Acceleration: All students will have meaningful, enriching classroom experiences that set them up academically, socially, and emotionally to reach the goals they have for themselves. Students will feel a sense of belonging (SEL) and will receive grade-level content which is the academic priority for all students (academic).
Engagement Through PBL: Asbury learners will take ownership of their learning through inquiry, curiosity and voice & choice. They will engage in projects based on authentic real-world experiences in our community.
Students will grow as critical thinkers using their voice to create change in their community.
Teachers will support each other to build capacity through continued professional development and strategic planning.
Community will be informed about projects and lend their expertise to help elevate projects to make them meaningful for all stakeholders.
I believe in true partnership and can’t wait to continue our work together.
Jeanna Doung
School Notes
Back To School Night Reminder: Back to School night (BTSN) is tonight! If you miss it, we will be recording the sessions. BTSN is from 5:00-6:00. During this time you will learn more about Asbury, our priorities for this school year, you will have a chance to connect with your student’s teachers and learn more about the instruction in the classroom. In addition, we will be hosting a Health and Safety Q&A from 6:00-6:40 to review our health and safety implementation procedures. You can join us on the Zoom link below.
Updated Zoom Room Information: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7672397930
Meeting ID: 767 239 7930
Health Reminders:
Please send your students with a water bottle to school every day. We have started a ‘stop everything and drink’ initiative at the school so that we can all be reminded to drink more water!
Please send your child with a mask everyday to wear while inside the school building.
Speaking of masks, what is our mask policy at Asbury? As you know DPS’ mask policy requires everyone to wear a mask while indoors. DPS has also shared that masks do not need to be worn while outdoors. The intention with the policy is that while students and staff are without a mask, they must maintain social distancing. With that in mind, we started the week off with students wearing their masks during recess to ensure that we could set the routine for social distancing. So, for the remainder of this week you may still see students still wearing masks while at recess while teachers work to establish rituals and routines so they are socially distanced while outside. At the start of next week, students will no longer need to wear masks while outside. My ultimate commitment is to ensure that students and staff coming to Asbury are a healthy and safe environment!
Air Quality Measures: We have had some people reach out about air quality systems at Asbury. Last year DPS moved to “RV13” filters for all of our classroom univents and air handlers. The vents were cleaned out earlier this year and all Asbury filters were replaced last week for the start of school. We have pneumatic controls and 2 steam boilers, the univents blowers are always running- all this to that DPS is doing all they can to ensure air filtration is occurring!. In addition to what has been done at Asbury, the district has requested ESSER funds and has received some- but not enough to revamp everything. They are working with a building readiness vendor to support and determining deficiencies.
Heat Mitigation: We recognize that it has been hot and we want to let you know that we are closely monitoring the temperatures in our classrooms and working with our heat mitigation specialists in the district to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our students and staff as cool as possible. DPS does have an option for schools to close half or full days due to the heat. We will be working with these district partners to monitor the heat and will be in touch if Asbury should need to take a heat day (or half a day). In the meantime, our earlier start time and use of fans in the building has allowed for us to keep the building cooler longer.
Open Para Positions: We have a few open paraprofessional positions at Asbury. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about this rewarding and exciting work, please reach out to Jeanna Doung!
Student and Adult Safety: We want to ensure students are able to safely arrive and leave school. So we have information about a Crossing Guard and a reminder about drop off and pick up:
Crossing Guards: To ensure our students safety as they come across Evans, we are looking to hire a crossing guard. If you are interested in this position, please see more information here and reach out to Jeanna Doung with potential candidates.
Reminder about drop and pick up: To ensure staff safety and to avoid congestion, please do not use the staff parking lot during drop off or pick up. Also, to be respectful of our neighbors, please do not block any driveways.
Reminder: No Dogs on School Property. If you are bringing your puppers here during our drop off or pick up, please keep them off the blacktop. Thanks!
The PBL (Project Based Learning) leadership team is looking for three adult Asbury Community Volunteers to help support our incredible PBL program at Asbury. If you are interested in learning more about any of these positions, please contact Meaghan McCabe at momccabe24@gmail.com. Thanks!
PBL Materials Supporter: Are you an organizer who loves to create Sign Up Genius posts? This might be the volunteer job just for you! You will be working with all grades, K-5, helping grade level teams to collect items for PBL units. This job will involve working with Meaghan McCabe to get a list of items needed for each unit, create sign ups, send sign ups via School Deets to specific grade levels, and collect/organize the items for the teachers. This volunteer position will be needed throughout this coming school year and will be needed in spurts.
PBL Guest Speakers/Teachers Supporter: Are you a connector? Do you know a lot of people throughout the community or are willing to seek out resources to support PBL units Kinder-Fifth grade at Asbury? If yes, this is the volunteer job for you! You will work sporadically throughout the year with Meaghan McCabe to find guest speakers and teachers for PBL projects in grades Kinder-Fifth.
PBL Field Trip Supporter: If you like to plan excursions, this volunteer position has your name on it! You would help Meaghan McCabe to find and schedule field trips to enhance the PBL experience. The workload would involve supporting grades Kinder-Fifth and will be sporadic throughout the year.
PTSO
Want to join PTSO? 2021-2022 membership forms can be found HERE
PTSO memberships are $10/year. You can pay via Venmo @AsburyPTSO-AsburyPTSO, cash or check
Earlier DPS shared their thoughts for how the 21/22 school year will look. I also want to take a moment to share my hopes for next school year. I want students fully engaged in learning, communicating together and enjoying learning! I am hoping that many things return back to what it looked like pre-covid (and have been planning with this in mind). I am planning (and hoping) for fuller classrooms and continuing in-person specials- I am so excited to tend to our garden (not only the real one outside, but the one metaphorically in each classroom)! Of course, we will still have health and safety at the forefront of all that we do and we will have to keep flexibility at the forefront. With that in mind, I do suspect that we will continue to plan for every protection to ensure the health and safety while also the adults and children in our buildings.
Warmly, Jeanna Doung
School Notes
EOY Checklist: Please check out our end of the year/beginning of next school year document HERE.
EOY Celebrations: We are excited to announce that we are able to host end-of-year celebrations with students. We are working on the schedule for these events for the last week of school. Be on the lookout for more information!
Please help me in welcoming our CSC Parent Members for 21/22! Here are the bios from our CSC parent voting members.
Current DPS families – save time during fall registration by updating your student’s information online! By completing this process using your Parent Portal account, you can avoid paper forms and save time at the school during the fall return. There are two windows during which current students can register online for 2021-22:
The “Early Bird” window, April 26-May 21
Current year, July 26-late August
To register online, primary legal guardians of current DPS students must have an active DPS Parent Portal account. Visit myportal.dpsk12.org to sign up, or to check that your account is active and ready.
For more information on how to complete online registration, contact the front office or visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org.
We have singers, dancers, instrumentalists, artwork, and original songs to share with everyone.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Ms. B at: Sara_Brunnschweiler@dpsk12.org Hope to see you there!
Also, if you are interested in adding some fun to your viewing experience during the talent show, we are selling Talent Show Party Baskets. These super fun baskets come with popcorn, popcorn cups, pretzels, chocolate, sparkling juice and so many other goodies! If you are interested in purchasing at Basket for $10, please fill out this form!
Pay by cash, check (made out to Asbury PTSO), or Venmo @AsburyPTSO-AsburyPTSO
Internet Solutions for over the summer:
Family-paid low-cost options:
Internet Essentials – (broadband) – $10/month for reliable access. Download and upload speeds will increase from 25/3 to 50/5 on March 1, 2021 (for new and existing
customers). The first two months are free for any new customers signed up by June 30, 2021 (Spanish/English).
Starry Connect – (broadband) – $15/month for reliable, fast access (currently only available to households in apartments or other multi-family units)
EveryoneOn Offer Locator – (resource) – helps users search for available low-cost internet solutions for their household, by zip code)
School outdoor WiFi:
DPS is extending outdoor wireless access on school campuses (starting in the FNE) to make internet accessible in a wider area, in and near the school’s exterior common areas. This will give students another means to safely access the Internet in their neighborhood. Outdoor wireless is expected to be available at all district schools by the start of the 21-22 school year.
Free local access:
The Boys and Girls Club, Denver Public Library (DPL), and other organizations provide free wifi access on or near the site/location. These may not be feasible solutions if additional restrictions are put in place to facilitate social distancing, and they may not be available in inclement weather. DPL is exploring offering tents and heaters at some sites to extend access.
Summer Learning Opportunities: Here is a Summer Program Toolkit guide with ready-made resources to understand what summer learning opportunities are available. The programs listed in this toolkit are free or may be offered at reduced rates, and provide students with opportunities to grow and thrive this summer.
ASBURY’S EDUKIT WEBSITE IS NOW OPEN! ORDER BY JUNE 10, 2021 FOR BEST PRICING AND FREE SHIPPING. www.edukitinc.com
Asbury Elementary offers the EduKit program as a convenient option for busy families to order school supplies for the upcoming school year. EduKits include the supplies approved by your school. Your student’s order will be ready at the school before the first day.
Please consider making a donation to help support deserving students in our school community. If you would like to donate a complete kit, please use “Donate Kit” as the first and last name.
Extended ordering is available from June 11 – August 04 for an additional fee and will be delivered to your home shortly before school begins.
For those of you who don’t know yet, Mrs. Hoffer is leaving Asbury at the end of the year. She is taking a job as a halftime STEM teacher and halftime Art teacher. We are very excited for her but sad to see her go. Many of you have known Mrs. Hoffer over the years. Please take a moment to do a flipgrid video for her using this link https://flipgrid.com/f623624a. If it asks for a passcode it is hoffer05. Please share this link with former students/parents/friends. If you have trouble with the flipgrid, you can also email me a video (amy_ravel@dpsk12.org). Thanks.
Looking for a private in-home tutor? Check out the flyer below for Olive Branch Learning! Visit olivebranchlearning.com for more information!
PTSO
Congratulations to our newly elected 2021-2022 PTSO Board and many thanks for volunteering to take on these roles!
President – Amy Fitzgerald
Vice President – Kelly Bryant
Treasurer – Jenny Eno
Secretary – Kira Romero
Parliamentarian – Rhonda White-Mitchell
Join us for our next Dine Out event with Papa John’s next Thursday, 5/13! The event will take place ALL DAY LONG which means you can eat pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’re welcome:) Valid at any Papa John’s location for carry-out or delivery using code: SCHOOL2. 20% of your order total will go back to Asbury! Flyer is attached.
Help wanted! The Asbury Backpack Program provides families in our community with a backpack of nutritious food every Thursday. If you’d like to receive a backpack and are not already a part of the program please sign up by clicking on one of the links below:.
The Backpack program is run by volunteers. If you would like to help by filling and delivering backpacks Sign Up HERE.
If you would like to provide a monetary donation to support families in our community you can send your donation via Venmo to @AsburyPTSO (in the comments put a note that it’s for the backpack program).
If you have questions please contact the co-Chairs of the program:
