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Weekly News from Steele Elementary

08 26 2016   
Contents
From the Principal
School News
PTA News
Community News
Quick Links
Dates To Remember
From the Principal
What a Great Start!
I'd like to thank everyone for a great start to the school year. The students and teachers have hit the ground running and are doing great work. They have been busy building routines, getting to know one another, and jumping right into the curriculum. It's our goal to challenge our students academically, while also creating an environment that helps students become global citizens who have a true love of learning. Thanks for partnering with us to develop an amazing school community.
 
School Rules/Logistics (PLEASE READ THIS!)
  • Dogs on Campus: Please do not bring your dog onto school grounds. I love dogs as much as the next person, but it's against DPS policy. There are a variety of reasons for this. The most important is that some children are allergic to dogs and others are scared of them. We need to maintain a safe environment for our children. Thank you for adhering to this rule.
     
  • Kiss and Drop Zone: The front of the building is a Kiss and Drop Zone. This means that you can't park there. The Kiss and Drop Zone is on the east side of S. Marion (in front of the school). It encompasses the entire block. Please do not park your cars here. It causes congestion and is unsafe for students, motorists, and pedestrians.
BackToSchoolBack To School Night
Back To School Night will be next Wednesday, August 31! Our goal is for you to get to know your child's teachers better and discover what your child will be learning this year. This is a great way to have a mini-elementary school experience.
 
We have two starting times. I will do a brief, all-ages session in the auditorium both before and after classroom visitation times. Please feel free to attend either of my sessions (at this time they're scheduled for 5:15 and 6:30). Teachers will start their classroom presentations at 5:30. I'll send out a more comprehensive schedule soon.
 
Thanks for all you do!

Cheers,
Kevin
School News
Changed Your Address?
Welcome back, everyone! If you changed your address on your registration paperwork or made notation of an address change during online registration, please remember to bring proof of the new address to the office, so it can be corrected in the system. Thank you!

-Melissa Nawrocki, Steele Main Office

School Directory
Each year, Steele publishes a school directory (both online and print versions). The directory lists all staff, provides rosters of each classroom, and includes family data (addresses, emails, phone numbers) provided by parents. Your participation in the directory is optional, but it's a great way to stay in touch with other Steele families. The directory is only provided to Steele staff and parents.

The directory is sponsored by the PTA and is put together by a parent volunteer. The directory is different from registering your child at Steele. Your family's data will only be displayed in the directory if you choose to be included.

If yours is a returning family, you should have received a link to update/confirm your family's data. The link is sent to one parent per family. You must confirm your data and opt in if you want your family listed. This is true even if your family was listed last year.

If yours is a new family, click here to add your family data. Enter the invitation code Steele.

Questions? Contact Cynthia Swanson, Directory Coordinator.

DIMeetingDestination Imagination Kickoff Meeting: Tuesday, September 13
Destination Imagination is a creative challenge and problem solving competition for kids. Challenges vary from structural / technical / mechanical to all out improvisation - and everything in between. Children work throughout the year in teams to develop solutions to the challenges. Solutions must be child-created and child-driven. Teams show their solutions to appraisers at a competitive tournament in March. There is also a non-competitive category for the younger kids.
 
The skills children develop are too many to list, but here are some big ones: collaboration, creative problem solving, communication, improvisation, performance/presentation, and sense of responsibility. I feel this is one of the best educational experiences for children offered.
 
Interested? Come find out more on Tuesday, September 13 at 5:00 PM in the auditorium. Children are invited, but they must be with an accompanying adult.

- Mr. Miller, Steele Drama Teacher

After School Enrichment 
We're very excited to offer many wonderful after school enrichment activities this fall to allow children to broaden their educational and cultural horizons. Classes are filling up fast! For a description of the programs offered and registration instructions, click here. Questions? Contact Jen Horn (970-509-9183).
PTA News
PTA LogoPTAMeetingFirst PTA Meeting: September 13
ptaThe first PTA meeting of the year will be held in the auditorium on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:00 PM. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Learn about the events being planned now. Childcare will be available in the library for $3 per child.

Get Involved with the PTA
Help shape your child's educational experience by joining the Steele PTA. Annual dues are $10. Learn more at the PTA website. The teachers, staff, CSC, and PTA have events and activities to plan this school year and need your help to make them happen! There are many volunteer opportunities available throughout the year.

If you have questions about volunteering, have great ideas, or need help figuring out how to best match your talents or interests, please contact Christy Rimkus.

SDOSteele Dines out at Illegal Pete's: Tuesday, August 30
The first Steele Dines Out of the school year will be at Illegal Pete's, 270 S. Broadway, on Tuesday, August 30 from 3:00 - 9:0 PM. Come hang out and celebrate back to school on the patio! 50% of sales for all food, bar, and retail will go back to Steele - but please remember that you must tell the cashier you are there for the fundraiser.

Room Parents 
Thank you to all the folks who have signed up to be their child's classroom Room Parent! Just a few more volunteer spots to fill: 
  • Sarkesian (308) - One Room Parent Needed
  • Lantz/Summerville (209) - Two Room Parents Needed
  • Parks (304) - One Room Parent Needed
  • Donaldson (309) - Two Room Parents Needed
  • Morris (313) - One Room Parent Needed
Read online about Room Parent responsibilities. Email the Room Parent Coordinator, Nisha Ashley, if you are interested or have questions.

School Garden
The Steele Youth Farmer's Market (YFM) is looking for adult volunteers to help run the market each Friday afternoon with 4/5 students, September 9 through October 21.

Time slots and opportunities available:
  • 1:00 - 2:00 PM: Pick up supplemental produce at Denver Urban Gardens, 1031 33rd St.
  • 1:30 - 3:00 PM: Help set up YFM. This includes harvesting from the school garden, weighing produce, and pricing produce with the 4/5 class.
  • 3:00 - 4:00 PM: Help run the market with the 4/5 class, break down and clean-up.
Our Steele School Garden is the largest within DPS and is currently used as the model garden for other DPS schools!  If you want to be a part of this special program please contact Andra Homans.

FundraiserSteele's Fall Fundraiser: Saturday, October 8
Join us for an adults-only event to raise awareness, community, and dollars for our school. This year's fundraiser will be held at Cableland, the Official Residence of the Mayor of Denver, from 7:00 - 10:00 PM.  Invitation and additional information coming soon!

FundraiserPlanningBe A Part of It! Fall Fundraiser Planning Meeting: Thursday, September 1
Lots of planning has been underway, but we have much to do! Share your talents and time for this amazing event! We'll meet on September 1 at 3:00 PM in a classroom (TBD). Kids are welcome; snacks provided.  Can't make the meeting but still want to help out? Contact Crissy Lucado.
Community News
Merrill Middle School News
Merrill is our neighborhood middle school, and we have a collaborative effort to keep Steele families informed about Merrill. 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 Wednesdays:
For all other questions, please email Cynthia Swanson and Jessica Meehan (parent volunteers) at steelestallionpress@gmail.com.