McAuliffe International School

McAuliffe School News

March 13, 2025

Dear McAuliffe Families! 

"Now you understand just why my head’s not bowed. I don’t shout or jump about or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing, it ought to make you proud. I say it’s in the click of my heels, the bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, the need for my care. ’Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me."    ~ Maya Angelou

We want to take some time to honor the women in history, but most importantly the women in our building! For all the women that work so hard in our cafeteria to make sure each student has a good breakfast and lunch everyday, to ladies on our facilities team that do an amazing job in the early morning to the end of the school day to help keep our building clean each day.  To the office staff in both the community office and main office for always supporting our students with attendance, uniforms, school supplies and more! Thank you to the social workers who do an amazing job in supporting our students in each grade and always being there when we need you! For all the women throughout history who have given us a voice to stand up and speak out, to be advocates and fight for what we believe in, we salute you. 

Angela Davis- Thank you for giving us the courage to stand up for my community

Amelia Erhart- You taught us that the sky is only the beginning

Susan B. Anthony- We fight like a girl, and for our girls because you helped create a platform for us! 

Frida Kahlo-  Beauty is within our own eyes, and creating art is a way for the world to see it. 

Audre Lorde- Words spoken and words written give us a reason to stand up for the girls in our community. 

We hope you all continue to celebrate the women in your lives and that you have an awesome spring break! 

~ From the Empowered Girls of McAuliffe

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday 3/19

8th Grade Dance, 4:45pm

Chipotle Dine & Donate

Thursday 3/20

6th Grade Dance, 4:45pm

Friday 3/21

Early Release @ 12:30pm

Monday 3/24-Friday 3/28

Spring Break

TOP NEWS

Traffic Around School

This is just a friendly reminder to be mindful and courteous of our residents in the neighborhood during drop off and pick up. Please do not block the resident's driveways and alleyways and do not park in the bus lane or bike lane when waiting for your student(s). Let's work together to keep our neighborhood and students safe! 

7th Grade SHINE Applications - Due March 21st
It’s that time of year! We are looking for current 7th graders who are good role models, have excellent communication and leadership skills, are responsible, and show kindness to others. SHINE leaders (Showing How Inclusion Nurtures Excellence) will work with the 6th graders to teach them strategies for a successful transition into middle school.
 
SHINE applications can be found here and are also posted on Schoology. Hard copies of the application are available in the Community Office. Completed applications can be emailed/shared to michelle_moore@dpsk12.net or turned into the Community Office, Ms. Beardshear or Ms. Moore by Friday, March 21st by 4:00pm.

Late Spring Prep Sports Sign-up - Deadline Changed to March 18th

Registration for boys soccer and girls softball tryouts.  The district athletics office has changed the Registration deadline to Tuesday, March 18th at 6pm. There will be one team for girls softball, and one team for boys soccer. Tryout dates will be released Wednesday, March 19th .

To tryout, parents/guardians will need to:

  1. Complete the registration in Arbiter - this is new, and all families MUST  register here 

                                                        McAuliffe Late Spring Prep Sports Registration

  1. You will complete everything within Arbiter - upload your athletes physical, and complete payment. You will receive a confirmation email from Arbiter once you submit the registration. 

    • If your child doesn't make a team, you will receive a refund.

  2. New to Arbiter? See this Arbiter step by step guide for parents.

If you have any questions, please contact Natalie Barrios at n_barrios-marquez@dpsk12.net. 

Dine & Donate @ Chipotle - March 19th

Calling all burrito lovers! Foil your dinner plans and stop by the Chipotle (7400 E 29th Ave) in the Towncenter for our next dine & donate on Wednesday, March 19th from 5:00 -9:00pm. Show this flyer, mention McAuliffe, or use online order code FRXQGZV and Chipolte will donate 25% of the proceeds to the McAuliffe at Smiley Foundation!

Chipotle

CMAS Testing - April 7-25th

The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessments will be held from April 7th-25th for all students. These state-mandated tests measure students' proficiency in math, literacy, social studies, and science and provide valuable insights into their academic progress and performance.

At McAuliffe, we use CMAS data to guide instructional decisions and support student growth. Last year, our school received a Green rating on the School Performance Framework (SPF). However, we had a significant number of parent excusals which limits our ability to gather meaningful data. To ensure every student’s progress is accurately reflected, we are working to increase participation this year.

If your child is considering opting out, please schedule a meeting with Principal Brian Duwe at brian_duwe@dpsk12.net by Friday, April 4th. If you have any questions about CMAS or its impact on student achievement, feel free to contact Mr. Duwe.

CMAS

Save the Date! 7th Grade Service Learning Day - Thursday, April 17th
Our 7th grade annual Service Learning Day is Thursday, April 17th. All 7th grade staff and students will be leaving on buses to work on a variety of service projects. All 7th graders will have an early release at 1:30pm. DPS bus transportation will NOT be provided at 1:30 pm for 7th graders. If students need to stay until 4:10 to ride a bus, supervision will be provided by 7th grade admin. Due to the early dismissal and students being off campus volunteering, NO early dismissal for 7th graders will be permitted at school or from service sites. 7th grade students needing to leave before 1:30pm should not attend service day. 

Chaperones Needed For 7th Grade Service Learning Day - Thursday, April 17th
Have you wanted to do community service with your child? The 7th grade McAuliffe community will be involved in service learning day on Thursday, April 17th. To make this wonderful experience possible for our 7th graders, we are in need of parent chaperones.  If you can help from 9:30 am-1:30 pm please sign up here. Questions email Sherry Beardshear at sherry_beardshear@dpsk12.org.

Auction Tickets are on Sale NOW!

Let's par-tee for McAuliffe!

Join us for an un-fore-gettable adults only night of drinks, fantastic food, and tee-rific fun. Channel your inner John Daly, Happy Gilmore, or anyone in between. Just come ready to chip in, have fun, and support McAuliffe!

  • When - Friday, April 11, 2025 - 6:00-10:00 p.m.

  • Where - Hangar Club Denver - 7600 E. 1st Place, 80230

  • What - Indoor golf games and competitions, lawn games, darts, dancing, and more! A dinner unlike any other: iconic Masters Tournament concessions. Beer, wine, and cocktails

Visit misauction.givesmart.com for more information and to purchase your tickets today! Questions email Mary Beth McErlane at mcauliffeauction@gmail.com.

MM

Donations Needed for Auction!

The Auction Committee is seeking donations for our silent and live auctions. Please email Mary Beth McErlane at mcauliffeauction@gmail.com or fill out the donation form.

Buy-A-Shares on Sale!

The McAuliffe at Smiley Foundation is excited to excited to announce that our very first Buy-A-Shares are available for purchase!  Click on THIS LINK to join in the fun before all the spaces are gone*.  All proceeds benefit McAuliffe at Smiley Foundation, with the mission of supporting our students, teachers and staff.

  • Lets Do Our Nails with Ms. Kershaw (8th grade students only) - April 2nd directly after school (students only)

  • Pottery Painting and Pizza Party with Ms. Thesius and Ms. Brown - April 19th 1pm - 3 pm (students only)

  • Starbucks Run During Homeroom with Ms. Beardshear and Ms. Thompson - April 30th (students only)

    *Scholarship Slots available for all Student Buy-A-Shares.  Please contact the staff member hosting if you are interested in a scholarship spot.

Stock the Teacher's Lounge!

Let’s show some love to our teachers this Spring! We want to thank all our McAuliffe Teachers and Staff for all their hard work. To show our appreciation, we need your help to stock the 2 teacher’s lounges with snacks, drinks, and supplies! YOU CAN BRING DONATIONS TO FRONT OFFICE OR MICHELLE MOORE'S OFFICE.

NEEDS: Paper Plates, Plasticware (Forks and spoons), Keurig pods (tea and coffee), Coffee creamer, Disposable Coffee cups with lids, Granola bars
Quantity:  2 lounges; 75 teachers in both spaces on a regular basis.


March – 8th grade
April – 7th grade
May – 6th grade


SIGN-UP HERE! Questions? Email Sara Peters at saraparkerpeters@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for showing our teacher's some love!!!

McAuliffe Basketball Club

The McAuliffe Basketball Club is an after school club organized by Ms. Sievert. This is an opportunity for students at beginner to intermediate levels to learn basic skills, develop knowledge of the rules, and practice fundamentals. Practice will be dependent on how many sign ups there are for the basketball club. You can anticipate at least one practice a week that will run from 4:20-5:45pm beginning April 7th. Practices will be run by myself and coaches from the Denver Nuggets Basketball Academy.  We will celebrate the club season with an end of season Saturday tournament with the help of coaches from the Denver Nuggets Basketball Academy.

Sign ups are a first come first serve basis. Each player must have a physical, sign up through the google form, and pay a fee of $25. Please only sign up if you are sure you can make the practices and the tournament. An email will be sent out confirming your players spot on Friday March 20th.  Sign up HERE. Please contact hannah_sievert@dpsk12.net for any questions.

Spring Club Sports

2025 Girls Lacrosse

  • Tryouts: Wednesday March 19th 4:30pm. Meet on the North Side of MIS by the gardens

  • Please bring: Lacrosse stick, goggles, mouth guard, cleats, and water (Extra sticks available if necessary, reach out to allison_rase@dpsk12.net) 

  • Practices: Mondays and Wednesdays beginning April 2nd. 4:30-6:00pm 

  • Sign up HERE!

Girls Golf

  • What: An all-levels program that includes lessons, skills games, and Par 3 play. 

  • When: Mondays 4:45-6 pm April 8-May 12

  • Where: Common Grounds Golf Course (Transportation not provided, Carpool encouraged)

  • Cost: $85

  • Sign Up Here!

  • Questions: Reach out to allison_rase@dpsk12.net

Tennis (provided by the SNTA)

This intensive, high-skills acquisition and fast-paced course teaches one aspect of the game. For new and experienced players. Free racquets for all participants.

  • When:   April 7 - May 2, Monday-Friday, 4:30-5:30pm

  • Cost:    $400  (Cash, Check, Money Order or MySparkDenver Card)

  • Registration:  Please preregister here. 

  • Scholarships: My Spark Denver  mysparkdenver.org.  and The Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation CYTF Scholarship

  • Questions or more Information:  Anne Ginnold (720) 461-7904 or annesnta@gmail.com or stevennashtennisacademy.com

CMAS Testing Schedule

We will be completing CMAS assessments in April. Please find the assessment schedule here.

CMAS

Need a Math Tutor?

Does your student need math support? Ryan Stone is a seasoned educator with over 15 years of teaching experience including previously teaching mathematics at McAuliffe. For more information click on this flyer or email stone.ryan.james@gmail.com.

McAuliffe CSC Minutes - 2/25/25

Click HERE to read the minutes from the 2/25/25 McAuliffe CSC meeting.

Follow us on Instagram @McAuliffeIntlSchool and check us out on Facebook!

WEEK IN REVIEW

8th Grade February Learner Profile Winners

The following staff and students were recognized as the February Learner Profile Winners.

Teachers: Ms. Smith, Ms. Van Egbert, Mr. Daniels, Ms. Hansen

Challenger Students: Aicha Camara, Carly Hicks, Leila Lynn, Cece Pelsco, Charlize Wassam-Delgado

Fusion Students: Levi Gonzalez, Daniel Lucio, Lulu Porter, Christopher Skinner, Cooper Swientisky

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THANK YOU SPONSORS!

Thank you to our sponsor: The Brena Team – Keller Williams – A team of individuals dedicated to bettering the community and themselves through the power of real estate.

BT

Become a McAuliffe Sponsor! 

Are you a local business looking for ways to support a school? Or are  you a local dentist or optometrist looking to sponsor a student that needs braces or glasses? Maybe a local organization looking to get involved with the biggest middle school in the neighborhood. If this is you, please join us as a McAuliffe International sponsor! Our sponsors are local businesses that support in various ways, from offering services, providing support to our teachers with supplies, or donating to different groups such as drama, athletics, clubs and more! Becoming a sponsor for our school means that you are not only supporting the school needs, but also being a part of our community in a bigger way. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for our school, please reach out to michelle_moore@dpsk12.net for more information.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Art Garage - Spring Break Classes

No school? No problem! Come to The Art Garage for school day out classes, spring break camps, and after school clubs! Visit our website or click on the FLYER.

George Washington High Cheer Tryouts

Are you going to GW for high school? Do you have spirit? Come tryout for the George Washington Cheer team! Tryout clinics are April 21st-24th and the formal tryout is April 25th. For more information click on the flyer.

GW Cheer

Spring Break Camps - Redline Denver East

Looking for something for your student to do over Spring Break? Redline Denver East will be holding Volleyball camps and Basketball tournaments. For more information click on the flyer or visit their website.

Gold Boys Basketball Organization Tryouts 

We are looking for 4th - 8th graders.  Our tryouts are March 16th, 10:45am to 12:45pm at Moorhead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana, Aurora.  For more information, please call Debra Cain, 303-877-8739 or email us at denver@goldboysfoundation.org. 

Denver NFL Alumni Youth Football Camps

Safe, Non-Contact Football Instruction for Kids ages 6-14. Led by Pro Coaches With NFL Alumni Broncos. Save Additional 10% with discount code "Play10". Click to see the summer camp web schedule or click here for the summer camp flyer.
Visit AlumniCamps.com, Choose Denver NFL Alumni Youth Football Camps or call 877-226-9919

Mighty Movement - Building Confidence is Our Strength!
Get Outside, Work Hard, Have Fun with Mighty Movement! Speed and Strength Summer Camps | weeklong, half-day camps in the gym to learn how to safely lift weights with outdoor training to boost speed and power.  

www.MightyMovement.com

Front Range Cycling Club

Front Rangers Cycling Club educates and promotes bicycle safety and the rules of riding on the open road. We encourage healthy active rides, teamwork and positive communication.  Please reach out for more information at 720-732-9559 or visit our website.

FRCC

Denver Rec Centers

Now is the perfect time to check out fall programs at the Denver Rec Centers. Visit their website or any Denver Rec Center to enroll.

Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver

Don't miss out on another school ear of growth, fun, and unforgettable memories at Boys & Girls Club! Click on the flyer for more information or visit www.bgcmd.org/clubs. English flyer - Spanish flyer

My Spark Denver
My Spark Denver increases access to extracurricular programs for Denver Public School middle school students whose families qualify for free or reduced lunch. Eligible students and their families will receive a $1,000 debit card to enroll in participating programs. There are a variety of options such as sports, theater, music, art, coding, dance, martial arts, tutoring services, and more. For more information, visit the My Spark Website. Limited spots available.

NUTS AND BOLTS

2024-2025 McAuliffe Calendars

  • McAuliffe 2024-45 School Calendar

  • McAuliffe Red/White Calendar

  • DPS Calendar

Transportation Options

  • DPS Transportation - If your student qualifies for DPS Transportation (lives within enrollment zone AND 2.5 miles from school), you can sign up for transportation through your Parent Portal account. If you have any questions about DPS Transportation, please contact them at 730-423-4600 or visit the Transportation website.

  • Northeast Denver Carpool Group - Plan carpools with other families in the Park Hill/Central Park areas.

  • Way to Go Schoolpool - This is a free program for families to coordinate their own carpool. This option is ideal for families who live outside Central Park/Park Hill. Sign up for Schoolpool here.

  • RTD - Zero Fare for Youth - All students under the age of 19 can ride RTD buses free of charge. Students will need their school ID to ride for free. 

  • Bike to School! Many of our students ride their bikes to school and we have a great bike corral for safe keeping! Please make sure your student has a bike lock.

IMPORTANT LINKS

McAuliffe Website
Calendar and Bell Schedule
DPS Choice and Enrollment
DPS Transportation Services
DPS Parent Portal