October is here. Stores are full of costumes, Halloween decorations and bags of candy. Trees are losing or have lost their leaves. Days have less sunlight and longer nights. Hopefully most students are working hard during those long nights. In order to ensure these students have the tools they need to succeed, make sure you register to vote. Not only is this the year of a presidential election; Denver voters are being asked to vote for a bond and mill levy to support the schools. For more information, readers can go to bond.dpsk12.org.
If you’re a parent who’s looking for a new school for your student, DPS will be hosting a Great Schools Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, at Mile High Stadium. This is a good way for parents and students to learn more about Denver schools before the school choice process begins. Visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/greatschoolsexpo for more info.
Behind the scenes, CareerWise Colorado is building a statewide system of youth apprenticeships to create pathways for students to access high-demand, high-paying careers at leading Colorado companies. Student apprentices also work toward high school graduation and earn postsecondary credit, industry credentials or both in their chosen career path. CareerWise Colorado will launch 250 apprenticeships in 2017 in school districts in metro Denver and around the state. About 10 percent of students in their last two years of high school are expected to participate by 2027. For more information, go to careerwisecolorado.org.
On Sept. 9, 2016, Emily Griffith Technical College, 1860 Lincoln St., celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the founding of Emily Griffith Opportunity School, the first school of its kind in the nation. A time capsule placed under a marble plaque in 1956 at the school was opened for the 100th anniversary. Several relics from this capsule will be on display at the main branch of the Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, as part of the exhibit, For All Who Wish to Learn, 100 Years of Emily Griffith’s Legacy.
Congratulations to several members of the East Theatre Company at East High School, 1600 City Park Esplanade. The students below applied for the 2016 Innovate for Good Grant with the Rose Community Foundation in conjunction with CoBiz Financial and 9News. At the award ceremony, these East students were recognized and celebrated for their innovative ideas. They were awarded a $5000 grant to reach out to schools around the district and perform workshops based on a technique by Augusto Boal on Social Change. Be sure to congratulate Henry Korneffel, Liam Comaskey, Toby Lichtenwalter, Ruby Sumners, Jessica Nekritz, Teá Ned, Maddie Bronson and Audrey McGlothlen. Way to go, Angels!
Internationally distributed Capri Records will donate $5 of every $15 of the pre-release of Keith Oxman’s (East’s own instrumental music teacher) East of the Village CD purchased at East High School starting Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, through Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016. The official release date is January 2017. All proceeds will benefit the East High School Instrumental Music Program. To purchase or for information, contact: Keith_Oxman@dpsk12.org.
On Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, the Fall Speech Presentation Night and Dessert will take place at East Commons at 6:30p.m. The cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Presentations range from humor to extemporaneous speaking. Come support the Speech and Debate Team students. Funds raised will support the Denver East Forensics Team (DEFT). For more information call 720-410-3443.
On Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, 7:00-9:00p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, 6:00-8:00p.m., the East Choral Cabaret will be held in the East Panek Gym. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. All East choirs are performing. Contact eastchoir.com for more information.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, the East Dance Company presents A Dance Noir: A Haunting Tale of Narrative Dances Exploring Shadows, Darkness, Life, in the East Dance Studio at 7:00p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Call for more information: 720-423-8468.
Lastly, plan to attend the East Theatre Company’s production of Second Samuel starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016.
Dora Moore K-8, 846 Corona St., will be holding its book fair, Monday, Oct. 24 through Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, 8:30a.m.-2:45p.m. Additionally, the Annual House Tour will be Sunday, Oct. 23 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Beautiful homes from the neighborhood will be open for visitors to see. This fun event helps raise money for the school. Everyone is welcome to attend. For ticket information, contact Dora Moore at 720-424-5300.
The Morey Middle School, 840 E. 14th Ave., Parent Satisfaction Survey showed improved parent perception about Morey in all categories; many were double digit increases from the previous year. As a result of increased satisfaction, Morey is proud to report enrollment is over projection this year, the first time that has happened in five years.
Morey Middle school’s students, staff and parents recently participated in an exciting student leadership lock-in at Morey. They listened to an inspirational speaker, took part in a variety of leadership-based activities and generally enjoyed each other’s company.
Upcoming events at Morey include the October Service Learning Day. On Service Learning Days, Morey students go out into the city to help the community in a variety of ways. They might join up with an organization such as Project Angel Heart, GrowHaus or an elementary school to help improve people’s lives. During this hands-on learning experience, students are with their teachers in classroom groups. If there are any organizations interested in having Morey students conduct Service Learning with them, please call Morey’s main office at 720-424-0700.
Morey’s annual “State of Morey” school performance conversation is scheduled for 6:00p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the school library. Expect a discussion of a number of key improvements in school data as well as a presentation concerning the progress on the innovation plan.
Morey offers an extensive selection of adult classes which began September 26 and run through early December. Classes range from Spanish and water aerobics to zumba and knitting to name a few. Classes are offered in the evenings at low prices.
Registration may be completed by email, which is the preferred method: moreyneighborhoodcenter@dpsk12.org, by phone at 720-424-0791, by fax at 720-424-0726 or in person by appointment. Be prepared to provide your name, gender, date of birth, address, phone numbers, email address and name of the class you would like to take.
Payment may be made after registration by phone or in person with VISA, MasterCard, check, money order or cash (no debit cards). Checks should be made out to DPS Community Education. Cancellations of registrations may be subject to a $20 cancellation fee. Scholarships are available. Classes canceled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control will not be made up. There are no makeups for missed classes.
Last month at Teller Elementary, 1150 Garfield St., the Garden Team of Lan Spengler, Meghan Hughes and Jennifer Baptiste reported students harvested basil, tomatoes, green beans and zucchini, all of which was donated to the cafeteria. Catrina Jones, Teller’s cafeteria manager, transformed the bounty into 175 zucchini muffins, 50 servings of zucchini chips, 50 servings of bruschetta and 30 servings of green bean and potato salad. For some Teller students, it was their first exposure to these healthy and delicious foods—all fresh and recently harvested.
Enjoy this time. October is a boo-tiful month.
