1/9 Community Updates

Dear Hawks Community,

Welcome back to school! I hope you enjoyed the holiday season and had plenty of opportunities to rest during the break. We are excited to jump back into learning this week - it's been great having our Hawks back in the building!

I am excited to share that for the remainder of the school year, we will have a Principal on Special Assignment supporting our school - Mr. Anderson! Mr. Anderson has a wealth of experience, a passion for education, and a deep commitment to supporting students, staff, and families. Read more about Mr. Anderson and his role at Hallett below.

And finally, as you probably know, safety is my number one priority here at Hallett Academy. On that note, I want to take a moment to remind you that in the event of an emergency, we will follow these protocols.

Stay warm out there!

Ms. D

“To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential if we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin.”

- bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom

Monday, Jan. 20: NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

Friday, Jan. 24: Kindergarten field trip to the Western Stock Show

Saturday, Feb. 1: Black History Month begins! (Stay tuned for more info on how we will be celebrating at Hallett!)

Friday, Feb. 14: NO SCHOOL (Non-contact day)

Monday, Feb. 17: NO SCHOOL (Presidents Day)

Chad Anderson will be joining Hallett Academy as a Principal on Special Assignment for the remainder of the 2024–2025 school year.

During his time with us, Mr. Anderson will play an integral role in enhancing our school’s mission and culture. His primary responsibilities will include:

• Providing administrative support for primary classrooms,

• Overseeing student supervision to ensure a safe and positive learning environment, and

• Conducting classroom observations and engaging in coaching conversations with teachers to foster professional growth and instructional excellence.

We are confident that his leadership will strengthen our school and look forward to the positive impact he will bring. Please join us in giving Mr. Anderson a warm Hallett welcome!

We've officially entered snowy season, which means we may occasionally have a late start due to weather. Here are some reminders about how that will work:

The decision to delay or cancel school will be made by the DPS superintendent. That decision is based on the expected accumulation of snow, the size of the storm and its duration. DPS aims to inform families about school delays or closures as early as possible with the goal to make the call by 5 a.m. the day of.

DPS announces closures or delayed starts via the following communications tools:

• Automated calls and emails – Families who provide phone numbers or email addresses to their school will receive a phone call and/or an email.

• News media – DPS immediately notifies news media for inclusion on their weather closing or remote lists.

• Website home page – An alert banner will be displayed across the top of the home page of this DPS website.

• Social media – Announcements will be posted to DPS's Facebook and Twitter.

• District closure/remote hotline – A message will be left on the school district’s closure hotline at 720-423-3200, as well on the DPS Transportation Services hotline at 720-423-4600.

In the event of a delayed start, we are usually start 2 hours later than normal, at 10:50 a.m.

For more information, please see the DPS weather page.

SchoolChoice round 1 goes from Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. to Feb. 18 at 4 p.m.

SchoolChoice is for any student who wants or needs to attend a new school for the following school year, particularly “transitioning” students, typically incoming kinder, sixth- and ninth-grade students. All incoming preschool students, as well as incoming students who reside in an enrollment zone, must complete an application.

See here for more information and here to complete a SchoolChoice application.

The Near Northeast Community Hub located at Hallett Academy is offering primary healthcare services in partnership with Denver Health Mobile Health Centers for DPS students and their siblings, ages 2 and older. This provides a convenient way for students and the adults in the family to access physical exams, vaccines, and other primary care services.

The Mobile Health Center will be parked outside Hallett Academy on 01/15/25 and 01/29/25. An appointment is required!