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Weekly News from Steele Elementary

05 26 2016   
Contents
From the Principal
School News
PTA News
Community News
Quick Links
Dates To Remember
From the Principal
Parent Satisfaction Survey Update
I'd like to thank all parents who filled out their Parent Satisfaction Surveys earlier this month. We'll get the results from those surveys in the beginning of next school year. In September, the Collaborative School Committee (CSC) will review those results and share a report with the Steele community.
 
Unfortunately, due to confusion with the School Performance Framework, we did not look at last year's results until April of this year. I want to share some of last year's highlights with you. Hopefully we'll have just as many to share next year!
  • General overall positive responses was 88% in 2014 and 91% in 2015
  • In 2015:
    • 95% of Steele families would recommend Steele to another family (a 2% increase)
    • 97% of Steele families said that the school makes them feel welcome (a 3% increase)
    • 98% of Steele families said that Steele is a safe place for their child to learn (a 4% increase)
    • 96% of Steele families said that they had confidence in the staff at Steele (a 6% increase)
The greatest need for growth was in providing training and workshops for parents. Only 44% of Steele families said that they were satisfied with the workshops and training offered. This is an area we obviously want to grow in.
 
Based on the survey we sent out a few weeks ago, parents were most interested in classes that address using technology safely in the home, as well as Love & Logic classes. Multiple parents also mentioned a class titled "Parenting Safe Children" by Feather Berkower. We'll look into these options for next year.
 
Only one week left! Thanks for all you do!

Cheers,
Kevin
School News
ContinuationFifth Grade Continuation Party Help Needed - June 2
To celebrate Steele's outgoing 5th graders, we are having a party immediately following continuation at South High School and we need the help of non-5th grade parents! We just need an hour of your time to help collect/set-up potluck items that will be dropped off at South as well as help replenish items during the potluck. This will allow 5th grade families to enjoy this special time with their kids.

If you can help on June 2 from 4:45 - 5:45 PM or from 7:00 - 8:00 PM, it would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to bring along any middle or high schoolers who might want to help! Please email Rachel Morley or Nikki Dawson with which time works best for you.

LostAndFoundLostFoundLost & Found
All Lost & Found items will be donated on the last day of school, Friday June 3 after dismissal. Please check the Lost & Found area outside the cafeteria for any missing items.

Registration for 2016-17 Available Online!
Registration tough to fit into your summer schedule? Here's a great way to get it done! If you don't have one, open a Parent Portal account by visiting myportal.dpsk12.org and clicking on "Getting Started." You'll need to enter an email address and your child's student ID number. There are no more wait times for an account. You can create your account instantly! Register your student online between July 11 and August 15. Address changes, immunization records, and so on still need to be turned in to the office. 

We will also have in-person registration at Steele on seven selected dates in August. For more information, click here.

PlaydatesSummer Playdates 
Come and join us for family summer playdates. Family playdates are where families meet at the Steele playground (near the tire swing). It's a chance for the kids to run around and meet other classmates and the opportunity for parents to meet incoming and existing Steele families.  Please join us this summer!

Saturday, June 11, 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Friday July 15, 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Tuesday August 9, 4:00 - 6:00 PM

Questions?  Contact Kim McGuire.
 
Summer Camps
Many terrific summer camps are offered by our enrichment providers, teachers, and associated community partners. Lil Rockers added a camp this week! To view this and other opportunities, click here -- and make sure to check back, as camps added when information becomes available.
PTA News
PTA Logo AuditSteele PTA Treasurer Looking for Six Volunteers to Audit the Books 
Wednesday, July 13 from 6:30 - 9:00 P.M. Every summer, the PTA Treasurer is required to have volunteers review the PTA's income and expense accounts for the past school year. To be eligible for this one-night audit, you will be asked to become a PTA member (if you are not one already). Interested? Please contact Kim Kobernusz. Thank you!

Adopt-A-Bed in the Steele Garden for the Summer
The Steele Garden Committee is looking for families to "adopt-a-bed" for the summer in our school garden. Volunteers are asked to weed a bed once a week (June through August) and monitor the bed to assure the drip irrigation system is working. Any watering issues will be handled by a garden committee member. Committee members will also be available if you are going to be out of town and need help finding a substitute family in your absence.

In addition to knowing you are supporting the school garden's Seed to Cafeteria program, you may harvest and keep what is in your bed over the summer!

Contact Aimee Corazzari for more information and to sign up.

2016-17 Room Parents
It's time to consider being your child's classroom Room Parent for the next school year! The room parent network consists of two volunteers in each classroom to assist teachers with class parties, share classroom news, and find ways to build classroom community. Learn more here.  Once you know your child's classroom for the coming year, email your name and the teacher's to next year's room parent coordinator, Nisha Ashley.

FirstDayPre-Order School Supplies by June 30
Back-to-school shopping for next year right now...are you kidding me? Let me remind you of the chaos that comes with last-minute back-to-school shopping in the summer. Why not shop on-line with 1st Day School Supplies? In just a few clicks, you'll get the exact supplies your child's teacher requested, without the hassle and aggravation that comes with shopping last minute at big box retailers. A portion of each purchase benefits Steele PTA. Orders must be placed by June 30. To get started, click here.

-Candice Kingston, School Supplies Program Coordinator

Note: Supply lists and more information are on the Steele website - click here. 

Grocery Card Reminder
Keep using your Safeway or King Soopers grocery cards all summer long! They don't expire.

FallFundraiserSteele Elementary's  2016/17 Fall Fundraiser
It's never too early to...SAVE THE DATE!
  • When: Saturday, October 8, 7:00 - 10:00 PM
  • Where: Cableland (Official Residence of the Mayor of Denver), in Hilltop
This parents-only, all school event brings together parents and educators for a night of community and celebration! 2016/17 Co-Chairs are Crissy Lucado and Kim Kobernusz.

Planning is underway! Wanna be a part of it? Contact Crissy.

More information to come!
Community News
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.