Happy Friday!

It was another great week here at East! Our amazing Students Demand Action group was awarded the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award for registering at least 85% of their senior class. This is a huge task for our students to take on so, we applaud their hard work to make this happen!

We also hosted the Colorado Special Olympics basketball tournament this week and had the chance to host several other DPS schools for a day full of friendly and fun competition. Thanks to our fantastic SPED teachers and staff for making this happen. 

Remember, no school on Monday due to President's Day so, we will see you all on Tuesday!

As always, stay safe and have a fantastic weekend!

- Principal Terita Walker

2025-26 School Year Calendar

February 16 School Closed - President's Day

February 18 Sustainable Fashion Show (6:30 pm)

February 21-24 DECA State Competition

February 24 Health Fair

February 25 Level 3 Performance (7 pm)

February 27 No Classes - Professional Development

March 5 Community Coffee w/ the Principal (7:15 am)

March 11 Musical Student Matinee (10:30 am)

March 12 TEASER (11:15 am)

March 12-14 Spring Musical Performance (5 pm)

March 15 Spring Musical Performance (12 pm)

March 14 Instrumental Music Performance (6 pm)

March 18-19 Senior Project Auditions (4 pm)

March 20 Middle School Recruitment Tour

March 20, 23-24 Senior Project Callbacks

March 30 - April 3 Spring Break - School Closed

Dates above are subject to change. Please find our most up to date calendar with all East events here. 

After receiving feedback about the student parking lot gate closure and assessing the situation, we have decided to keep the gate closed until we observe improved behavior from our student population. In an attempt to gauge the traffic flow after the initial closing of the gate, we reopened the gate earlier this week and, unfortunately, still saw the same illegal traffic movement on Josephine Street. This raises a safety concern to East High School students as well as the surrounding community. We understand the challenges this may pose, however, safety will always be our top priority.

To alleviate afternoon traffic, we encourage students to stay for the Enrichment period, a time for students to receive additional academic and school support, or consider taking a left out of the parking lot onto E 16th Street as most of the traffic happens when students turn right out of the lot.

We appreciate your continued understanding and support and will keep you informed about this matter moving forward.

Our very own nurse, Brian Fun, has been nominated to be recognized for his commitment to the nursing profession. The FOUR nurses with the most votes will be honored with exclusive on-court recognitions pre-game, including: Game Ball Presentation (Top Nurse – 1 winner) and Pre-Game Nurse Recognition (3 winners)! Each winner will receive 2 game tickets, Clove shoes and a pair of Fabletics scrubs! 

PLUS, the TOP 30 nurses and their families will be invited to participate in a Warm-Up Watchers experience, giving them special access to watch the Denver Nuggets warm up on the court before the game. Tickets must be purchased through the official link to participate in this experience. The game is on March 25, 2026.

The nurse winners are decided through an online vote, ending on 2/19/26.

>> VOTE FOR A NURSE FUN HERE!

Let's show Nurse Fun how much we appreciate him for all that he does for our students and the community at large!

Need some East swag AND want to support our amazing teachers at East? We are cleaning out the storage closets, and all proceeds go towards Teacher Appreciation Week. 

Item of the Week (2/13 - 2/19): White "Choose Joy" Crewneck Sweatshirt - $20 each

Please note: Limited Quantities Available! Online purchase only. You will receive an email when your order is ready for pickup at the EHS Main Office. 

Link to item: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZQ2XQU04MZG_ZZ69W9HPZZBPQYD

Please help support the East High School Unified Community by purchasing your Easter and Mother's Day Chocolates from See's Candies!

https://www.yumraising.com/store/spring-2026-east-high-school-unified-abdd/Bribri77245

Help send our East Con Law Scholars to D.C.!

If you are an adult in the community, come join us for a Civics for Colorado fundraiser at Wyman's No. 5 (2033 E. 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80206) on March 11th from 5 - 7 pm. RSVP now at civicsforcolorado.org.

**Make up Testing Begins Monday April 20th at 8:20 in the Library**

- From April 14th - 17th East High School students will participate in SAT, PSAT, and CMAS Science tests as required by the state of Colorado. 

- This is a chance for students and their families to get feedback on student progress and college readiness. 

- All 11th grade students taking the SAT free of charge have the opportunity to send their scores to colleges to be considered for admissions decisions.

- Parents or guardians who would like to decline their student’s College Board approved testing accommodations for the April administration of the SAT or PSAT should email our Site Assessment Leader Jessica Perkins at jperkin@dpsk12.net by March 13th. Any requests made after that date may not be guaranteed because accommodations are built into the digital testing format. 

- These test scores affect East High School’s ratings on the state of Colorado’s School Performance Framework.

- The guardian of a Denver Public Schools student, can request to excuse their child from participating in the state assessments. If you wish to opt your child out, follow the directions at:

Parent Opt Out Instructions English

Parent Opt Out Instructions Spanish

- Please note: only opt your child out of the specific test(s) you do not wish them to take. For example, if you do not want your student to take the CMAS test only but DO want them to take the SAT, then you will only choose CMAS. If you choose all tests, then their P/SAT registration will also be removed. 

- The deadline for opting out is February 27th. After this date any opt out requests need to be in writing and directed to mark_saucedo@dpsk12.net. 

This year East DECA will be taking 129 kids to state competition on February 22nd! Wish them all luck - they have been preparing for this since September.

Our very own teacher, Davon Johnson, is having his film, “Cinema”, presented at the 31st Annual Black History Month Film Festival. The film will be shown on Saturday, February 14th, from 2 pm - 4 pm at the Pauline Robinson Branch Library located at 5575 E 33rd Ave, Denver, CO 80207. We hope you’ll come out and support!

Original Works: Theatre Level 3 Honors Tuesday, Feb. 24th @ 7pm in the Blackbox. Tickets $5 at the door.

Stay up to date on all Athletic events by visiting the Athletics calendar!

With Spring Tryouts/Practices starting over the next several weeks, we wanted to provide you all with the following information. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Head Coach of individual sports for more information.  

Please follow the link below to begin the registration process. Remember to upload your current physical on the CHSAA form while completing your registration. We will conduct a registration event at the school from 4-5pm for anyone needing help registering in Arbiter.

25-26 Spring Sports Registration (Denver East) | Arbiter

2026 PPE Form - All Pages (PDF) - Colorado High School Activities Association

Baseball

Tryouts will take place on February 23, 24, 25 on the East High School Baseball Field from 4-6pm. Teams will be announced on February 25th.

Head Coach - Brett Pieratt pierattbw@yahoo.com

Boys Lacrosse

Tryouts will take place on February 23rd and 24th at Bruce Randolph Turf Field from 6-8pm.

Head Coach - Tyler Russell tylerrussell028@gmail.com

Boys Swim & Dive

Boys Swim tryouts will take place on February 17th at Carla Madison Rec Center from 4-6pm. Boys Dive tryouts will take place February 17th at Manual High School from 4-6pm.

Swim Head Coach - Alexander Troxler alexandertroxler@gmail.com

Dive Head Coach - Kevin Sage coachkevb2b@gmail.com

Boys Volleyball

Tryouts will take place February 17th and February 18th with Juniors/Seniors and invited underclassmen from 4:30pm-6:00pm and Freshmen/Sophomores from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Tryouts will take place in the Calloway Gym.  

Head Coach - Gregg Tucker ggtuck@gmail.com

Girls Lacrosse

Tryouts will take place February 23-27 from 6-8pm on the East High School Turf. Additional information can be found on the East Girls Lacrosse page: https://eastangelslax.com/

Head Coach - Katie Macleay katiemacleay@yahoo.com

Girls Golf

Tryouts will take place February 23rd and 24th at Stick & Feather Indoor Facility from 4-5:30pm. Additional information will be given at the two tryout dates and can be found on the team website: https://www.ehsgolf.net/

Head Coach - Quinn Hornecker quinn_hornecker@dpsk12.net

Girls Soccer

Tryouts will take place February 23-27 on the East High School Turf from 4-6pm.  

Head Coach - Ryan Short rshort2@dpsk12.net

Girls Tennis

Tryouts are self-select and anyone wanting to try out for the Varsity 1 or 2 Team will go to the Denver Tennis Park on February 23rd from 4-5:30pm.  Anyone wanting to try out for the JV Team will meet on the "E" in front of the high school on February 23rd at 3:30pm and then walk as a group over to City Park for a 4-5:30pm tryout.

Head Coach - Michelle Topf mtopf@dpsk12.net

Track & Field

Track is a no-cut team and the first practice will be held on February 23rd on the East High School track at 4pm.  All athletes are welcome and additional information can be found on the team website: denvereasttrack.com

Legacy Stole Deadline is February 20th: If your senior is a legacy (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle who graduated from East) they can pick up a form in room 100. The price is $15 payable with check, cash or credit card at the Treasurer's office. 

Are you a local business looking to give back and get involved? We want to team up with YOU! By partnering with our school, you'll have the chance to support our students, engage with the community, and help create unforgettable experiences. Whether it's sponsoring events, offering mentorship, or providing resources, your business can make a big impact. 

If you are interested in partnering with East High School, please reach out to Michelle Moore (michelle_moore@dpsk12.net) for more information.

Our Women of Kolour Empowerment (WOKE) Student Group will be hosting a game night during Black History Month on February 18th at 4:00 PM in the Social Room at East. Get ready for a night full of laughter, challenges, and friendly competition to celebrate black history. Bring your A-game and your squad! If you have any questions about the event, please contact janeh.batson@gmail.com, michelle_moore@dpsk12.net, or 855610@dpsk12.net.

Our Latino Students United (LSU) student club has created an opportunity for students, specifically those who may have transferred to East or are new and missed the standard soccer season. If interested in playing, feel free to register for League LSU! To qualify, you must be a current student at East, attend the club regularly on Wednesdays during lunch (Room 210), show respect and play fair, have a responsibility in providing assistance, and keep the court clean. Team selection will happen on February 28th.

Each month, Compass hosts a series of free, open-access SAT and ACT events that help families better understand their testing options and experience our approach to preparation firsthand. 

Details of our upcoming events can be found below. Families may register at: https://www.compassprep.com/webinars/

Free SAT Prep Group Session + Practice Test (for students)
A live, interactive SAT class experience, plus access to a full-length practice test offered in a separate testing window.
Saturday, February 21
1:00 p.m. PT | 4:00 p.m. ET

Navigating College Admission Tests (for parents + students)
A practical overview of SAT vs. ACT considerations, testing timelines, recent policy shifts, and preparation strategy.
Tuesday, February 24
10:00 a.m. PT | 1:00 p.m. ET

Free ACT Prep Group Session + Practice Test (for students)
A live, interactive ACT class experience, plus access to a full-length practice test offered in a separate testing window.
Sunday, March 22
3:00 p.m. PT | 6:00 p.m. ET

Career Bloom Job/Networking Fair

ELK and Cottonwood Institute will be co-hosting our teen-led environmental job/networking fair from 9:30-3:30pm on February 21, 2026 at the ELK Center & with some workshops being held at the FreshLo. 

This opportunity is free & open to youth ages 14-24 and will include opportunities for youth to build/check resumes, learn about networking, participate in mock interviews, and apply or find out about environmental job opportunities for youth this summer in the metro area. Lunch is included. 

Please RSVP here!

STEM Immersion Program

Impact Internships is, again, running their 9 Saturday afternoon Zoom STEM immersion programs, from March 7th to May 2nd. 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 they hear from tech professionals and explore fields such as web development, software and user design. In the Engineering Immersion Program (E-IP) they explore subjects such as chemical, civil and computer engineering. 

The application deadline for all programs is Saturday, February 28th. 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. 

American Driving School for East Students

American Driving Academy has taught hundreds of Denver East students over the years; however, with the new law starting January 1st of next year, they would like to make driver's education more affordable and accessible to Denver East students. Starting January 1st, 2027, everyone under the age of 18 will have to take a driver's education course to get a permit. Currently, only 15-year-olds have to take a course. American Driving Academy wants to make it as little a financial burden as possible and give students an easy way to find driver's education information.

The average online 30-hour course from local schools here in Colorado charges $75. American Driving Academy would like to offer it to Denver East students for $29.85. They would also like to offer students discounted prices on their in-person and driving lesson packages.

To sign up, please visit bookings.americandrivingacademy.com/East. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call 303-623-1404.

La Raza Youth Leadership Institute Program

The La Raza Youth Leadership Institute is excited to invite high school students to apply for a meaningful leadership experience this spring semester. Applications for the Spring 2026 La Raza Youth Leadership Program are now open! 

The La Raza Youth Leadership Program offers Chicanx/Latinx high school students (grades 9–12) the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills through an engaging and transformative experience. Participants will explore topics including policy, history, art and culture, mental health, and leadership development. 

Our mission is to empower Chicanx/Latinx youth to reach their full educational and leadership potential, while cultivating a desire to give back to their community. The program is rooted in the values of social justice, quality education, human rights, environmental justice, and the advancement of the Latinx community. 

The program will meet in person every Tuesday from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, beginning February 10th through May 5th, with the possibility of a few Saturday events along the way. We encourage participants to attend consistently so they can get the most out of the experience. Sessions will take place in Denver, and the location will be shared with families once students are accepted into the program.

The application deadline is February 1st at 11:45 pm. Applicants will receive an update after the deadline. If accepted, families are invited to attend a Parent/Youth Welcome & Orientation on Saturday, February 7th. The application can be found here: La Raza Youth Leadership Program Spring 2026 – Fill out form  or in our linktr.ee.

For any questions, please call (303) 285-3710 or email miriamjd@serviciosdelaraza.org. 

Community Hubs Basic Mobile Skills Training

DPS Community Hubs is now offering in-person Spanish/English Basic Mobile Device Skills training at both our Central and Near NE Community Hubs (80216 and 80207). They have small (5 -7 members) classes taught on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 am with childcare available. Topics available include basic smartphone, Google apps, and Internet usage. To be eligible for the course, you must be a DPS parent or a Denver resident. For more information, call 720-424-3711 or visit this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NqKns3TsXzZD5IRkD2d8UOGGl8gR31TNyh6Z-TFM-uY/viewform?edit_requested=true

Northeast College Transition Program

The Northeast Early College (NEC) 18-21 Transition Program will be hosting an in-person Resource Night on February 24th from 5:30 pm - 7 pm. The in-person event will take place at NEC which is located at 11200 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80239. They will also be hosting a virtual Resource Night on March 5th from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm via this link: meet.google.com/urb-vpbh-kiz. You are invited to come and meet several different agencies that NEC utilizes including DVR, SWAP, IN!, RMHS, Project Search, Community Hub, Wonderyears and more!

Boys & Girls Club: Metro Denver

Basketball Registration is now open and free for all members!

All sports are included in your monthly Club members. Here is a list of the available clubs to join: 

- 6-9 CO-ED

- 10-11 BOYS

- 10-12 GIRLS

- 12-14 BOYS

- 13-18 GIRLS

- 15-18 BOYS

To register, visit www.bgcdenvermch.my.site.com to complete the sports registration form in MyClubHub. For questions on how to join a team, stop by the front desk and speak with a staff member.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated

The 2026 Mu Omega Omega Scholarships application is now open! There are several scholarships available for you to apply for. The requirements are that you must have a 2.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale, a completed application, transcript, resume, and one letter of recommendation. The deadline to submit your application is March 1, 2026. You can submit your application to the following link: https://www.akamuomegaomega.org/scholarships-grants

If you have any questions, please contact Principal Terita Walker!

Welcome New Americans!

The Ready for American Hospitality (RAH), a 4-week immersive service learning program for refugees and Frits Knoebel students at DU, begins this month! Mentees will learn US workplace norms, food preparation and handling, practice workplace English, U.S. customer service, and cultural exchange. Mentors will gain managerial experience, cross-cultural communication, comprehensive employment practices, and servant leadership skills. The benefits for RAH grads are a RAH certificate, employment support, cost of living incentives, and connections in the DU network. The winter 2026 cohort begins 1/26 and runs through 2/24 at the Joy Burns Center. Please contact the Program Manager, Jessi Kalambayi at 303-871-3726 or jessi.kalambayi@du.edu with any questions!

Additional Community Events and Resources

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!

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)

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

Free Day Events in Colorado

✨ This week's staff appreciation goes out to Maryann Roth — one of our fantastic CTE teachers and DECA sponsor!✨

Let’s show her some love and support by helping fulfill her wishlist.

Here is a link to her wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GL1TG2YCTMB5?ref_=wl_share

The East PTSA will be hosting a meeting on February 22nd at 5 PM via Google Meet. If you are interested in joining the PTSA, membership for the year is $10. Some of the upcoming initiatives are updating the bylaws, fundraising and social event planning, Teacher Appreciation Week, and creating a health wellness and safety survey. Please reach out to ehsptsa25@gmail.com with any questions!

COFFEEAST FUND

East HS PTSA will now be hosting an ongoing coffee fundraiser that will replenish our faculty's coffee station. This includes:

- K Cups (coffee and tea)

- Tea Bags

- Sweeteners

- Creamers

- 12oz Coffee Cups

- Coffee Lids

- Coffee Stirrers

- Coffee Sleeves

If interested in donating, check out this link!

Teacher Appreciation Week Fundraising (5/4 - 5/8)

Where we feed, caffeinate, and pamper our 200 teachers anyway we can! We will be reaching out to local vendors and creating gift bags using your donations to really show our educators that we care.

If interested in contributing, check out this link!

Class of 2026 – Students and Parents!

The 2026 East Angel Foundation (EAF) Scholarship Application deadline is quickly approaching: March 20, 2026.

Scholarship Application Requirements:

To be considered, students must submit the online application form and:
Student Aid Index (SAI) – An estimated SAI determining financial need
Personal Statement & Essay – Can be an essay used for the Common Application
One teacher recommendation – Letter should be from an East High teacher

In addition, in-person interviews will take place at East High School on: April 7-8, 2026

In the last 15 years, the East Angel Foundation has awarded over $2Million to 505 graduating seniors. Students attending trade schools or any post-secondary institution are encouraged to apply!

Apply here: https://eastangelfriends.org/programs/student-scholarships/

The Cleworth LEAP Scholarship – $100,000 ($25,000 per year for four years)
This prestigious, need-based scholarship supports a student with exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements in making the “LEAP” to a top-tier postsecondary institution.

This is a separate application:

Apply here: https://eastangelfriends.org/programs/student-scholarships/

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:

• 03/05/2026

• 04/09/2026

• 05/07/2026

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!