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Weekly News from Steele Elementary

11 12 2015  
Contents
From the Principal
School News
PTA News
Community News
Quick Links
Dates To Remember
From the Principal
StandardsStandards Night and Performance Review TONIGHT
We're excited to spend time with everyone tonight, Thursday 11/12, to review Common Core Math Standards and the implications of the new PARCC assessment our students took last year. (We still don't have our scores.) We will also discuss Differentiated Roles; this is a program where teachers are released to coach other teachers in the building. We look forward to sharing this work with you!

Child care is available (in the library) for $3 per child.

Havana Nights
I hope everyone is ready for the big Fall Fundraiser party this Friday night! I want to extend a special thank-you to Amy St. John for making this night a reality. This is one of our "Big Two" annual fundraisers (along with the Home Tour) and helps us pay for extra GT services, interventionists, and second educators. As a bonus, we get to celebrate together everything that makes Steele special.
 
Unfortunately, I will be at a funeral/memorial service in Michigan, and will not be able to attend. I hate to miss this evening; not only is it important to our school but it's a lot of fun! I'll definitely be there in spirit (and video), and I look forward to hearing all of the fun stories from the evening.
 
Lastly, if you bought a ticket and are unable to attend, please contact Amy St. John or me. We have a wait list for tickets, and are happy to facilitate the purchase of your tickets by someone wait-listed.
 
As always, thanks for everything you do to make Steele such a special school and community.

Cheers,
Kevin
School News
TurkeyTrotTurkey Trot: Friday 11/13 is the Last Day To Buy Tickets!
TixDeadlineOn Friday, November 20, we'll have our annual Steele Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving meal. Tickets for lunch must be purchased in advance for adults and non-students. No tickets will be sold after Friday, November 13. Meal prices are $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for non-students, and $1.60 for students attending Steele (this will come out of student's lunch account). Purchase tickets in the Steele office until November 13 at 3:30 PM. If you have any questions, contact Dee in the lunchroom (720-424-3726). The kitchen staff looks forward to serving you!

Want to help - in advance? A few volunteers are needed to donate a small amount of time between now and next Friday, to prepare silverware and napkins for the 400+ diners. Contact Melissa if you can help.

For a description of the Turkey Trot and the schedule, click here.

ScienceScience Fair
Please join us for a Science Fair information night on Wednesday 11/18 from 5:00 to 5:30 PM in the library. We'll share important dates/logistics for this year's fair and also review the scientific process with a live demo experiment. 
 
Aladdin
The 4th and 5th grade classes will be presenting Disney's Aladdin in December. For information about show times and costumes, click here. Please note that this is an updated flyer, with showings for the student body listed and costuming defined.

Book Fair was a Monster Success!
A great, big thanks to everyone who supported the Scholastic Book Fair in October. We sold almost $9,000 of books and accessories, which will bring in over $4,000 in Scholastic dollars to buy new books for the library!

I especially want to thank all the volunteers who helped set up, run the cash registers, and close down the fair. Your commitment ensured the fair's success!
 
- Patty Mather, Steele Elementary Library
 
School Choice Information
Choice season begins January 5, 2016. In order to use Online Choice form -- which saves you time -- you must have an active Parent Portal account. Click here to view the Parent Portal how-to guide. Note that if you do not log into your Parent Portal account, after two months it becomes a closed account.
 
If you have moved out of Steele's boundary or changed your address, you need to fill out School of Choice forms for the 2016-17 school year (even if your student is enrolled at Steele this year). Your student will still have placement here, but the paperwork has to be done. Questions? Contact Melissa in the Steele office.

After-School Enrichment
New sessions of enrichment programs are starting weekly! Check out all that's offered and register here!  
PTA News
HavanaHavana Nights: TOMORROW NIGHT!

HAVANA NIGHTS is officially SOLD OUT!

As you prepare your Cuban-inspired outfits for the Havana Nights festivities, please remember to bring CASH for bar and cigar purchases. A coat check will be available and encouraged, as there are no reserved seats. Please mingle to free up table space for those looking for a place to set their plates. The patio will be open and heated, so step outside and enjoy a cigar or fresh breeze!
 
Our inventory for Steele Exclusives and Teacher Experiences has been updated. Click here:
All proceeds benefit the Stallion Fund, so get ready to raise your paddle!
 
Remember to share pictures of the evening to Facebook, Instagram, and twitter using #steelestallions. We'll post a collage to the school's website after the party.
 
For more information including the schedule for the evening and menu, click here.  
 
We'll see you on the dance floor!

No Ticket for Havana Nights?
If you were unable to secure tickets to Havana Nights, why not meet Steele friends for dinner at Blackbird, and stick around for the after party? Mention Steele and they will give 15% of your purchase to the Stallion Fund! Reservations are suggested.

Blackbird is a Steele family owned business and we truly appreciate their support! 
 
null Stallion Fund
Come Raise Your Paddle at Havana Nights! Looking forward to celebrating Steele Elementary and our amazing school community on Friday night. All proceeds will benefit the Stallion Fund. Help us reach our $50,000 mid-campaign goal for the Stallion Fund. Your investment will help Steele Elementary School remain a thriving public elementary school and a hub in our local neighborhood and community.
 
Learn more about the Stallion Fund or contact Jessica Kottcamp.
 
SDOSteele Dines Out at Noodles & Company: November 18
Although the end of November is a busy time, on Wednesday, November 18, please make time to pop in to Noodles & Company at 1502 S. Colorado Blvd, on the corner of Colorado Blvd and Florida. Stop in for a quick dinner (or carry out) between the hours of 4:00 to 9:00 PM. Please be sure to mention that you are there for the Steele Elementary fundraiser, or present this flyer, and Noodles & Company will donate 25% of sales back to Steele.

Blackbird Thanksgiving Feast Fundraiser
Blackbird is offering a prepared Thanksgiving feast for 10 for $150, and will donate $15 to the Steele Stallion Fund for every $150 oPTA Logorder placed!  Download a flyer and order form here or look for a copy sent home with your child this week. 

Grocery Cards: Now Available in the Office 
You can now get your Safeway or King Soopers grocery cards in the school office. Stop in yourself or send cash with your child and they can pick one up for you! The initial cost is $5.00 for either card. This is not a fee but a reimbursement for the initial card value which will be available to you at your first use. Steele will receive 5% cash back every time you continue to add value to the card!  
Community News
Wash Park Playground/Restroom Improvements Public Meeting 
Please join Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) on Tuesday, November 17 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM for a kickoff public meeting to discuss Wash Park playground and restroom improvements. The public will learn about the project and is invited to provide DPR with input that will shape a regional-scale playground and restroom located at the "diagonal" area of Wash Park. For more information, click here.

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.