• September 22: Staff Professional Learning and Planning Day

  • No school for students.

• October 1: Early Release Day

  • ECE dismissal is at 12:45 pm.

  • K - 5 dismissal is 1:00 pm

  • Discovery Link dismissal is at 4:30 pm

• October 7: Picture Day (corrected date!)

• October 13: Family Conferences

• October 15: Early Release Day

  • ECE dismissal is at 12:45 pm.

  • K - 5 dismissal is 1:00 pm

  • Discovery Link dismissal is at 4:30 pm

• October 31: Staff Professional Learning and Planning Day

  • No school for students.

We had our first attendance celebration on Tuesday, September 9! Students that attended school received an Ellis temporary tattoo and a visit from Ellie the Eagle! Please do YOUR part by helping build strong attendance habits with your child(ren). You never know when the next attendance celebration will be, and your student won't want to miss it!

We still have a few members of the Ellis community that have not completed the Free and Reduced Lunch Application. Please complete this application as soon as possible. This form helps secure resources for our school. The application can be found here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/.

Reminder: there is NO school for students on Monday, September 22 due to a district-wide staff Professional Learning Day. We'll see our Eagles back at school on Tuesday, September 23.

Autumn officially begins on September 22! As we move further into fall and the weather gets cooler, we want all our Eagle students to feel comfortable and ready to learn. Please remember to dress in layers and wear clothing that matches the season. Wearing jackets, sweaters, and closed-toe shoes will help keep students cozy throughout the day.

Many members of our community have heard about the tragedy that occurred at Evergreen High School last week. Ellis Elementary, and Denver Public Schools as a whole, is extending our deepest sympathies to the Evergreen community and our neighbors in the Jefferson County school district. 

We would like to emphasize that Ellis is here to support any student that may be struggling to process this news. Our school Mental Health Team members are always available for any Ellis student who would like to share their feelings.

Additionally, we ask guardians to note if their student(s) is exhibiting any of the below behaviors.These signs could indicate that your child is having difficulty in the wake of this news. Signs of stress include: 

• Marked changes in usual ways of behaving, such as mood changes.

• Difficulty sleeping.

• Difficulty making decisions or following through with plans.

• Withdrawing behaviors.

• Physical symptoms such as loss of appetite, stomach pain, headaches.

• Acting out behavior, including aggression.

• Tearfulness.

We wanted to share these additional, external resources that students and families can also access in times of crisis and/or grief:

• Safe2Tell Colorado: An anonymous way to report any concern impacting students (phone, app, online reporting options.) Reports can be submitted by calling 1-877-542-SAFE (7233), through their website, through the mobile app (download via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store) or by texting S2TCO to 738477.

• School-based Health Centers: There are 19 School-based Health Centers located in our schools around the city. While Ellis does not have a school-based health center in our school, students and families are encouraged to use the facilities located nearby.

• Care Solace: Offers behavioral health care coordination services for students, family members, staff and their family members.

• Lock2Live: Lock2Live is an interactive web-based tool to aid in decision-making about temporary strategies for safe storage. Read the FAQ for more information. The Lock2Live website is also available in Spanish.

• Colorado Crisis and Support Line: A resource for mental health, substance use and emotional crisis help – information and referrals. Call 844-493-8255 or Text TALK to 38255.

• I Matter Colorado: Directs students to an online survey for their needs and connects them to a therapist.

• 988 Lifeline: A resource that aids in mental health struggles, emotional distress and more. Call or text 988, or chat with a counselor.

For additional support or assistance in accessing resources, please reach out to Ells’ Mental Health Team.

Your child’s social emotional and behavioral screener, called the BESS, is now open for parents/guardians to complete. The fall screening window is open through October 31st. Please go to tinyurl.com/bessparent to complete your student’s screening today. If you would like to learn more about the BESS and universal social emotional and behavioral screening, please review our BESS Overview for Parents/Guardians document.

Every month Ellis will have a fire drill, and we will have lock down drills twice a year where we practice protocol for emergency situations. Our first lockdown drill took place this week. If we were to encounter a real emergency situation, families will be notified with additional communication.

Ellis is launching a new initiative with the help of POSSIP, a tool designed to gather quick feedback and better understand your experiences, ideas, and concerns.

Here’s How It Works:

• Every month, Ellis guardians will receive a brief survey, called a Pulse Check, via text and email. You can respond directly to the text or email. (There is no need to download anything or make an account for Possip.)

• Respond to the text/email and share your thoughts on what’s going well, any challenges you’re facing and suggestions for improvement. Please respond in your preferred language.

• Your feedback is confidential, and you can choose to remain anonymous.

We want all families to participate, so we can get a complete picture of how our school is doing and where we can grow. Your input will be invaluable as we continue to improve.

The first Pulse Check Survey will be sent on September 23. It only takes a minute or two, but your contribution makes a big difference! Thank you in advance for participating!

Please join our Parent Action Committee for their first meeting on Tuesday, September 30 at 7:30- 8 a.m. in Room 129. The meeting will focus on accessing and understanding goal reports and scores (ACCESS).

Our second graders have plenty of fun coming up this fall! on September 26, second grade will be engaging in a calligraphy experience based on their literacy unit on September 26. Later on in November, second grade will be hosting Denver Parks and Recreation team members for an in-house field trip! Be on the lookout for more information from your Eagle's second grade teacher about these events.

Mark your calendar! Picture day will be October 7! Please make sure that your Eagle student attends school on October 7 to ensure they can get their picture taken for the 2025-26 school year.

There will be no school for students on October 13. This is a compensation day for Parent-Teacher conferences. Please be advised that communication about Parent Teacher conferences will come directly from your Eagle's teacher. Be on the lookout for communication to arrange a time for your Parent Teacher Conference.

• Celebrate an Ellis staff member!

• Follow us on Instagram.

• Follow us on Facebook.

• View our School Website.

• View the 2025-26 Calendar.

• Call the Main Office: (720) 424-7700