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Weekly News from Steele Elementary

09 17 2015  

Contents
From the Principal
School News
PTA News
Community News
Quick Links
Dates To Remember
From the Principal
Call for Crossing Guards
As traffic in Denver continues to increase and Steele's enrollment continues to rise, a growing number of us (including me) are concerned about our students' safety when arriving at and leaving school. I have discussed this concern with DPS Safety and Security and they have allotted two crossing guard positions for Steele. I would like to have the crossing guards at Dakota/Lafayette, and S. Marion/Alameda. I am open to feedback about these locations.
 
I would like to have a crossing guard before and after school. The times would be from 7:50 - 8:20, and 2:55 - 3:25. The positions do come with training from DPS Safety and Security, and a small paycheck. If you are interested in doing this, please contact me. I understand that some people may only be able to do a few days a week; if this is the case, please still contact me and let me know your parameters.
 
This is one way we're going to work to make the commute to and from school safer for our students. I look forward to partnering with you to keep our kids safe.
 
Link to Merrill Middle School's Newsletter
We have a new addition to the Steele Stallion Press. Every week in the Community News section below, there will be a link to Merrill Middle School's newsletter. This is a great way to learn about our home middle school. Merrill has attracted a greater number of Steele students each year I've been here. I'm excited that we'll make it easier for parents to check out what's going on there and be able to make informed decisions about middle school.
 
Thanks for all you do!
 
Cheers,
Kevin
School News
Lost & Found
Please check the Lost & Found area (outside the cafeteria) for any missing items. All items are donated to charity the last school day of every month at 3:15 PM.

DIDestination Imagination Meeting: Tuesday, September 22, 5:30 PM
What is Destination Imagination (DI)? It's a program that challenges kids!

From the DI website: "A fun, hands-on system of learning that fosters students' creativity, courage and curiosity through open-ended academic Challenges in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), fine arts and service learning." For more info, click here.

Interested students and parents are welcome to attend an informational meeting. Meet in the Steele auditorium with Mr. Miller. Please, no students without a parent or guardian.

Directory Update 
Thanks to the nearly 300 families (out of about 375) who added/updated/confirmed their family data for the Steele directory. An email will be coming soon (to staff and to all parents who have an email address in the directory database), with instructions for logging on and using the online directory. The print directory is also coming soon (to all families, whether in the directory or not). Stay tuned!

After-School Enrichment

After-school enrichment programs have started or are starting soon! There are many opportunities for your child to join in programs -- sewing, dance, cooking, running, and many more! Days and times vary, and programs change throughout the school year. For information about the programs offered, cost, and times check the Steele website.
PTA News
PTA Logo
PTA Meeting Report
Members at the September 9th meeting approved the 2015-16 PTA budget of $180,962. The single largest expense is the PTA's
$150,000 contribution to ensure second educators in every homeroom this year. We can do this because our community raised $183,262 last school year to fund this year's projected expenditures. Review the meeting minutes for details, read updates from Principal Greeley, teacher reports, and more.

PTAmeetingMark your calendars now to attend our next meeting on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 PM. If you plan to get involved but aren't yet a member, please join this month during our fall drive. PTA membership is only $10/individual and $6 for Steele teachers and staff.

Garden News
The Youth Farmer's Market will be on Friday from 3:00 - 3:45 PM with wonderful produce for sale from the Steele School Garden.

WeedingWine"Weeding and Wine" this Friday 3:00 - 5:15 PM in the school garden! Spend some time tidying up the garden beds and then plan to head over to Rich and Dedre Haynie's home from 5:30 - 8:00 PM. The garden committee will provide food, and you are encouraged to bring your favorite wine to this parents-only party. No childcare will be provided. Email Franci at mtngirl09@gmail.com for more details.
 
HavanaNights PTA Fall Fundraiser: Havana Nights, Friday, November 13, 6:00 PM
BIG-TICKET Auction Item Donations: Do you have a mountain home or other vacation property? Broncos tickets? Are you a local business owner who would like to support Steele?
 
Each year at our annual fundraiser we include a handful of Big Ticket auction items to benefit the Stallion Fund. If you have a donation or know if a local business interested in donating an event or service, please contact Amy St. John.

Room Parents Needed 
If you have a child in 114, 308, or 309 please consider being your teacher's room parent. Read more about this terrific volunteer opportunity.

Grocery Cards at Steele!
A new fundraising opportunity for Steele begins this year: Safeway and King Soopers grocery cards. These cards, which you can reload and use with ease, provide cash back to the PTA. To learn more, click here. Get your card at all PTA meetings, Steele Farmers' Market, and other Steele events.

CarnivalSave the Date!
The Steele Bike-a-Thon benefiting the Steele Specials (PE, drama, art, and music) will be Sunday, October 11 at 10:00 AM. The Carnival will follow from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Details and call for volunteers coming soon!
Community News
Merrill News
To check out what's happening at Merrill Middle School, click here.
To submit information to this newsletter, send it in edited, final-draft format to the appropriate person from the list below by 5 PM on Tuesdays:
For all other questions, please email Cynthia Swanson and Liz Marvan (parent volunteers) at steelestallionpress@gmail.com.