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Weekly News from Steele Elementary

04 21 2016   
Contents
From the Principal
School News
PTA News
Community News
Quick Links
Dates To Remember
From the Principal

New Parent Orientation
I wanted to cordially invite our incoming parents to a new parent orientation on Wednesday, May 4th at 5:30pm. The orientation will take place in the auditorium and last about an hour.  We will review the day in the life of a Steele student, have a video of our current kindergartners in action, discuss Steele traditions and do our best to cover all of the frequently asked questions that we get every year. There will be a lot of experts present: all of our current kindergarten and first grade teachers, veteran parents and myself. I want to stress that this is for all of our new parents. A lot of the information is geared towards kindergartners because that will be the majority of our new students. However, we will make sure to include information that all new parents need and also be able to answer questions for any grade level. I hope to see you there. 

We will have child care for this event. It will cost $3 per child. Please call the front office at 720-424-3720  to let us know if you plan on using child care, this will allow us to plan appropriately. 

CMAS...almost over
We are in the final stretch of CMAS testing, our state test. I am incredibly proud of our students and staff. They have worked incredibly hard, had a great attitude and just as importantly done a fantastic job before and after the test. We have an amazing group of teachers and students and I want to publicly thank them for all of their hard work. At this time our 5th graders are taking their last test (science) today and our 3rd graders will finish up their last test (math) on Friday. Thanks for helping us keep a calm and relaxed atmosphere that allows children to do their best. 

Thanks for all you do--cheers Kevin


School News
 National Archery in the Schools Program is Beginning- Old Knee High Socks Needed!
Thanks to our Steele PTA and The Colorado Division of Wildlife, our 4th and 5th graders are beginning their learning into the sport of Archery. We are beginning by studying the parts of the bow, arrow, and targets. We'll talk about the history and present uses of bows in modern times and learn how to use a string bow to practice our 11 steps for success. Finally, we'll enjoy the actual shot and reflection/strategy of target shooting for fun as well as learning about scoring. I used last Monday to set up the range and to make sure our equipment and space was ready and safe.
My Basic Archery Instructor suggested we provide students with bow arm protection- so the string does not scrape the inside of the students arm after the release. He shared with me that many programs use socks with their feet cut off as an arm sleeve. I'm asking the Steele community to donate any pairs of used knee high socks to our program you have laying around the house. No problem if the socks have holes in the feet, they'll be cut off anyway! Any and all sizes welcome. I'll locate a bin in the front office to drop them in.
I'm excited to begin teaching archery to your children. Archery is another great life-long sport to add to their tool box of health. We'll be able to watch official Olympic Archery Events this summer in Rio with added appreciation. Thank you again for your support of our program. 
Tim Welch 

Cafeteria News 
We are coming to a close of another school year. As in the past, Food and Nutrition Services requires that all students that eat hot lunch have money on their accounts, so that we can start the end of the year process.  Starting May 13th 2016, the student will be unable to charge meals over the amount that is in their accounts. This ultimately means if they do not have enough funds on account they will receive an alternative meal. I would like to apologize in advance for the inconvenience and if you have any questions please call Miss Dee at 720-424-3726. I am in the kitchen between 6 am and 2:30 pm Monday through Friday. We hope that everyone has a wonderful summer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Dee Sauer, Cafeteria Manager


Registration Information 
  Are you tired of trying to fit registration into your summer schedule? Well parents/guardians here is a great way to get it done! Open your Parent Portal accounts by visiting myportal.dpsk12.org and click on "Getting Started". You  will need to enter an  email address and  your child's student ID number. There are no more wait times for an account, you can NOW create your own account instantly! On-line Registration can be done  starting any time between July 11th  through August 15th. If you have any addresses changes, shot records, or information you still need to turn those into the office.

Volunteer Breakfast
Please join the staff at Steele as we honor you our fabulous hard working and generous Volunteers.With your support and dedication you help us all at Steele shine.
Place: Steele Elementary School Lunchroom
Time: 8:30 to 9:30
Date: May 10, 2016
RSVP by May 5th 2:00 pm
melissa_nawrocki@dpsk12.org  or 720-424-3720

Art Show Help
Help Needed for Matting Artwork for the Art Show
Thursday May 12th will be our school Art Show. Ms. Unger needs help matting the art before the show. Here are the dates that she needs help,
Tuesday April 26 3:00-7:00
Monday May 2nd 3:00-7:00
Tuesday May 3rd 3:00-7:00
Monday May 9th 3:00-7:00
Tuesday May 10th 3:00-7:00
Sign ups are posted on myschoolanywhere 
 
Earth Day Campus Clean Up at Steele!
Coach Welch and Family Programs invite all Steele Families to celebrate Earth Day at Steele on Friday, April 22nd from 3pm - 5 pm.  Trash bags, buckets and plastic gloves will be provided - come help us clean up the Steele campus!  This is a wonderful opportunity to get outside with your kids and give back to Steele - plus celebrate Earth Day!
 
After School Enrichment
Many spring Enrichment Classes are underway! Visit the Steele website for details on the programs offered.  Sticky Fingers started their cooking class last week but still have space for more children. They are pro-rating the remaining classes. Click here for more information. 
 
Summer Camps
Looking for fun activities for your children this summer? Many terrific camps will be offered by our enrichment providers, teachers, and associated community partners (such as South High and SPREE). To view all current opportunities, click here -- and make sure to check back, as other camps will be added when information becomes available. Information about Movement Madness and Adventures Outside camps just added.

PTA News
Steele Dines Out at Wahoo's: April 17-23 
April's Steele Dines Out is at Wahoo's, at 1233 S Colorado New PTA Logo Blvd.for 3 more days!  Stop by any day or night through Saturday, April 23rd. Be sure to let the cashier know that you are there for Steele Dines Out.  25% of proceeds will be donated back to Steele.

Steele Amazing Race: April 24
Due to the weather we had to reschedule, so you still have time to sign up for the Steele Amazing Race!  Come to Wash Park for an afternoon of family fun. Your family will work together as a team to complete fun and silly challenges within a time limit. We will have prizes for the winners and treats for everyone.  Sunday, April 24th from 4-6PM.  $25 per family (all proceeds go to Steele).  Please email Kathryn Sorrells to register.

Wash Park Home Tour: May 9 
This year's Wash Park Home Tour is just a few weeks away, and Steele's biggest fundraiser needs YOU!
 
Volunteering
Congratulations to our first volunteer winner - Room 312's very own Ms. Grahf! She'll be dining at the Wash Park Grille with a gift certificate courtesy of 1st grade parent Ann Marie Hart! You could be our next winner - just make sure you're signed up to volunteer for the Wash Park Home Tour on MySchoolAnywhere. One name will be selected each week, so the earlier you sign up, the more chances to win! Prizes include a massage at The Work, a gift certificate to Rosedale, and another for Wash Park Grille!
 
There are plenty of volunteer spots yet to be filled. And volunteering is open to anyone (and includes free entry to the Home Tour), so if you have family, friends, or neighbors who might be interested, please encourage them to sign up.
 
Tickets
We have three class ticket sales competitions going on: between K and 1, 2 and 3, and 4/5. The winning class in each group will earn Bonnie Brae Ice Cream gift certificates for every student!
 
Please turn in ticket money to the front office ASAP rather than waiting until right before the Tour - and make sure to include your child's classroom on the envelope. This helps us with accounting, staffing, tracking, etc. And if your child needs more tickets (hooray!), you can pick up more from the front office when you drop off the money raised so far. 

Steele Garden "Dig It!" Day: May 14 
"Dig It!" Day will be Saturday, May 14th from 9AM-1PM.  Bring the whole family!  NO experience necessary; plenty of ways for adults and kids to help prepare the beds for the planting season!  Some tools are provided, but if you have garden tools at home we encourage you to bring them.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Open House After Party at the Leidner's from 6-8PM.  Food will be provided; please bring a drink to share. Please, no children.  The Garden Committee is looking for new members to join and help make the garden flourish!  This open house is a great way to learn more about what we do. Email Andra Homans for answers to your questions.
Community News

 
Denver Public Schools Resource Fair 
 
Please join us for the Denver Public Schools Resource Fair on May 7th at Manual High School 9-1pm

There will be resources that will benefit every child, all Denver Public School Resources as well as outside community resources there as well!  Child Care and Breakfast provided.

SPREE Spring Programs
Spree is offering two great programs this spring along the South Platte River. Click here for more information. 

Merrill Middle School 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.