Happy Friday!
We had a great week back after the Fall break!
If your looking for something to do tonight, make your way to East High School for an amazing performance by East Dance Company. The last two performances of "Coffeehouse" are tonight at 4 pm and 7 pm. Great job to our students and our fantastic dance teacher Shannon Dunagan!
And finally, congratulations to our Constitutional Law team for winning the state championship in the Colorado "We the People" competition. Looking forward to going to Washington, D.C. for the national competition in April.
Have a great weekend!
- Principal Terita Walker
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December 5 Coffee House Dance Show (4 and 7 pm)
December 8 Future Angels Night (5:30 pm)
December 9 Instrumental Music Concert (6 pm)
December 9 Choir Winter Concert (7 pm)
December 10 Duet Competition (1:30 pm)
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Please find our most up to date calendar with all East events here. |
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December 11 Instrumental Music Concert (6 pm)
December 12 Snowball (7 pm)
December 13 Artist Workshop (10 am)
December 15-17 1st Semester Finals
December 22 - January 2 School Closed for Winter Break
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Additional Events:
Youth on Record, an organization dedicated to empowering young people through music and creative media. We have a bunch of FREE program offerings for young musicians!
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Creative Enrichment Classes for middle and high school students. Classes next session include Beatmaking, Songwriting, and Piano Lab.
Studio Bookings young musicians can book out space in our Youth Media Studio for recording, mixing, band rehearsals, songwriting sessions, and jam sessions Drop-in Fridays - Youth and Families are welcome to drop in on Fridays for tours, studio access, and a regular schedule of events and activations including First Friday Open Mic!
Here is our registration link. Once registered, artists and their families will have access to our scheduling system. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, and we hope to connect with you soon.
FREE Afterschool Meals for Youth All Year
Support Group for Parents of Asian Students with Disabilities
Monthly Know Your Rights and Safety Planning with Servicios de la Raza
Free Museum Days in Denver (Kids 18 and under always free at History Colorado, and Clifford Still Museum)
Tuesdays 5:30 p.m - 9 p.m: Free Walk-in Health Clinic at Center for African American Health
We Don't Waste Mobile Food Market Weekly Calendar
Free Eviction and Legal Resources
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Our second Future Angels Experience (in-person) will happen THIS COMING MONDAY on December 8th here at East High School from 5:30 - 8 pm.
RSVP for the Future Angels Night using the this link (Google Form)
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ACCESS
ACCESS testing for multilingual students will take place on January 14-15th in the library for students who are not in a designated ELD class and Feb. 4-5th for students in a designated ELD class. Please make sure to have a fully charged school Chromebook on testing days! This test is required, and students who miss the test will be required to make up the test by February 12th.
iReady
iReady mid-year testing for any student who is currently on a READ plan will take place during students’ English classes on January 21st and 22nd. The student's English teacher will ask that your students to go to the library to participate in the test. This test is required for any student on a READ plan.
Spring Testing Dates for PSAT/SAT & CMAS and Opt Out Option and Instructions
SAT - April 14th (Students classified as Juniors)
CMAS - April 15th (Students classified as Juniors)
PSAT 10 - April 16th (Students classified as Sophomores)
PSAT 9 - April 17th (Students classified as Freshmen)
While we encourage all students to participate in state testing, parents and legal guardians of Denver Public Schools students may excuse their child from the assessments listed below.
State assessments like CMAS and PSAT|SAT provide important insights into student progress across Colorado. The data helps families, schools and the community understand if students are meeting academic goals and are prepared for college and careers.
For more information on the importance of state testing, please see The Role of State Assessments in Increasing Academic Achievement document. You can also visit the DPS State Assessments website or contact your school’s leadership team.
To excuse your student: Follow the instructions linked below
2026 Updated Parent Opt Out
If you still wish to exempt your student, use the instructions above to fill out the application. The application will be open through February, giving families time to decide and schools time to plan for spring testing.
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Makeup Lockdown Training Sessions |
Dear East High School Community,
As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and prepared learning environment, East High School will hold a training on our lockdown emergency procedures for students who were not in attendance during the October 2nd Lockdown drill.
Two opportunities will be available:
Option 1: Wednesday December 10th, 3:15 p.m. during Enrichment in the Commons
Option 2: Thursday December 11th, 11:25 a.m. during Lunch in Room 119
We highly encourage all students who missed the October drill to attend one of these sessions. During the training, staff will review safety expectations and the Standard Response Protocols (SRP): Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
Thank you for your continued support in promoting the safety and preparedness of our school community.
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We know the holidays can be a challenging time, and we want to ensure our families feel supported. If you are experiencing an urgent need for food, clothing, housing, medical assistance, or other essential resources, please take a moment to fill out this Google form.
Please know that this information is only shared with a small number of individual staff members dedicated to supporting our community with additional resources. Your information will remain confidential.
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DPS's Highly Mobile Youth (HMY) program has begun its annual hygiene drive. The HMY program provides educational support for DPS Homeless, Foster, Migrant, and Military Students by offering tailored resources and assistance to students who face multiple school transitions beyond regular grade promotions. Our assistance includes, but is not limited to, access to school enrollment, community resources, and, on occasion, simple clothing and hygiene items.
If you would like to contribute to the drive, the most needed items are deodorant, body lotion, hair products for all hair types, toothbrushes (adult), toothpaste, travel-size combs and brushes, bar soap, and personal or baby wipes. You can also contribute to their Amazon wishlist. They have a Drop-Off location at 1617 S. Acoma St., Green Collaboration Space #212, Denver, CO 80223 (Monday - Friday, 8 am - 3 pm). Email highlymobileyouth@dpsk12.org to arrange additional drop-off or pick-up options.
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East Angel Foundation Holiday Party |
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Join the East Angel Foundation for their annual Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 9th from 6 - 9 pm. It will be a fun evening of drinks, hors d'oeuvres, community, music, and fundraising - ensuring every East student reaches their potential. Enjoy Jazz phenom Tenia Renee Nelson (Class of 1999) and connecting with other members of the East community. RSVP now! Location will be shared after you RSVP. |
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Families, we invite you to visit our Presentations & Slides page on the Senior Site! You’ll find helpful resources, including a recorded session for students interested in applying to colleges abroad, with guidance on application timelines and international requirements.
We’ve also added scholarship presentation slides where we shared opportunities for students who identify as Latino, so please encourage your student to explore and apply! As always, reach out to the Counseling Team if you have any questions or need support.
Last but, not least, the Senior Hub is updated and ready to go! Check it out on the East Website.
Be sure you take a look at the events happening below to stay up to date on all things related to our Counseling Department!
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If your student is interested in courses and career options in CTE (Career and Technical Education), CEC Early College will be enrolling students through the School Choice process this year. For more information on classes and programs at CEC Early College, click here. For instructions on how to apply, click here. School Choice Round 1 is open December 2nd -January 20th. It is highly recommended that you complete the School Choice application during this window for the best chance at being enrolled at CEC part-time. Questions? Have your student reach out to their counselor. |
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During our next Future Angels Night on December 8th, our Art department will also be having their "Empty Bowls" event. These bowls are created by our students and sold to raise money for our Angel Pack Food program. If you buy a bowl, you'll get free ice cream, too! |
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All East parents and students are cordially invited to attend our annual Winter Choir Concert on Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00 PM at Central Presbyterian Church (1660 Sherman St.). This concert features the entire choir department singing well-known and less familiar songs of the season in a festive setting. We look forward to bringing you comfort and joy through music this Holiday season! We hope you will join us!
Ticket link: eastchoir.seatyourself.biz
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East High has a 100 year history of student journalism. Along with publishing a monthly print edition, students in Casey Hudson's journalism class manage their own website: East Spotlight News website, and their own Instagram: Spotlight Instagram. Be on the lookout for more amazing student journalism this year! |
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Our Winter Sports have officially started! We are excited for the new season and hope to see you at some of our games. Be sure to check the Athletics website for a schedule of all upcoming games. |
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Is your student athlete committed to play at the next level? Our annual Signing Day will be held on February 4th. Please have your student fill out this Google form by January 24th with their information about what school they will be attending next Fall and details about their athletic journey. |
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East Teacher Appreciation |
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✨ This week's teacher appreciation goes out to Jason Reed — our Senior Army Instructor for JROTC!✨
Let’s show him some love and support by helping fulfill his wishlist.
Here is a link to his wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2CYC0F8ZFFNM7?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_3
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There is still time to get your Jostens order in. If you have questions or concerns about ordering or cost please see Tee MacDonald in room 100. A visit with Tee will save you money!
The Snowball dance is December 12th from 7-9pm. This dance is a student council project to raise money for East families in need. Typically we provide grocery store gift cards and small gifts for the children. Tickets are only $5. This is a smaller, casual dance with some throwback music mixed in with more current music. This is a fun way to help our fellow classmates. We will happily take donations to help purchase food and gifts. Email Tee for ways to donate: theresa_macdonald@dpsk12.net
Senior parents: February 4th is National Signing Day for those planning to play a sport in college. While some seniors have already committed/signed, this day is still for you. At East High School we one large event for our students where we celebrate everyone who has committed to play their sport. You are encouraged to click the link below and fill out the attached form as soon as possible so that we can get a head start on the program. If you have not committed, but hope to, please keep us in the loop.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZN3FN70usxOdOA9YaVBvExHgH__jZWTk-TpEcl2yOIM/edit?ts=69209999#responses
Lost and found is in Room 100. There are several pairs of glasses, water bottles and lunch boxes. Please encourage your student to stop by and check it out.
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Are you interested in getting involved at East? The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) a volunteer-led organization where parents, educators, students, and community members work together to make East the best it can be. If you are interested in joining, please fill out this form. |
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Family and Community Resources |
Click on the event to learn more/register:
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For Families Interested in STEM Pathways:
If your student is interested in engineering, computer science, or any STEM-focused major, this workshop will help them understand what top programs look for and how to stand out.
Join Columbia University Alumni Admissions Ambassador Erin Bailey for a free 60-minute virtual workshop:
The College Application Blueprint for STEM Students
Tuesday, December 9 at 5 PM - 6 PM Mountain Time
Families will learn:
• What competitive STEM programs prioritize beyond grades
• How to choose and frame experiences that strengthen applications
• How to write essays that sound like a real human, not a lab report
• Common mistakes STEM applicants make and how to avoid them
• What students can focus on between now and application season
Space is limited. Register here:
https://the-essay-artist.kit.com/454ec5b6bf
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Impact Internship is running their nine, Saturday afternoon Zoom STEM immersion programs, from Jan 3rd to Feb 28th. In the Health Science Immersion Program (H-SIP) high school students hear from health professional speakers as they learn about the academic, research and professional care settings of the health sciences field. In the Computer Science Immersion Program (C-SIP), students explore the changing world of technology as we hear from tech professionals and explore fields such as web development, software and user design. In our Engineering Immersion Program (E-IP) we explore subjects such as chemical, civil and computer engineering.
The application deadline for all programs is Sunday, December 14th. All class years can apply, and all programs are free for students who meet the family income qualification for the Free and Reduced lunch program. Students can learn more about the programs' curriculum and apply at impactinternships.org.
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Coffee with the Principal |
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To sign up for Coffee with the Principal, please visit this link! Please use the live link to sign up for the next session. All sessions will be hosted from 7:15 - 8:15 am in the Social Room on the second floor of East.
The dates for each session are below:
01/08/2026 02/05/2026 03/05/2026
04/09/2026 05/07/2026
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The Spirit Store is open for the school year and its operating hours are daily during the lunch break. The Spirit Store is run by volunteers and will be closed if a volunteer is not available. If you would like to confirm store hours, volunteer, or ask questions, please contact spiritstore@eastangelfoundation.org. All Spirit Store proceeds support the East Angel Foundation. For more on EAF, visit the EAF Website. Make sure you follow the Spirit Store on Instagram - @denvereastspiritstore.
Thank you for your support!
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