February 21st: Women's Basketball Field Trip, Saturday School Denver Aquarium Field Trip 10a.m.- 12-p.m.

February 20th: Coffee With Your Principal Cruz/Cafecito con su Directora Cruz, 8 - 9 AM

February 26th: Night of Soul, 4 - 6 PM

February 28th: No Saturday School

Oakland is proud to be part of an extraordinary global project connecting education, innovation, and space exploration. In 2025, 3,237 messages from students, teachers, community members, and visionary leaders around the world were collected and laser-inscribed into a 5D crystal that will travel to the Moon, preserving a snapshot of humanity for potentially millions of years.

Through the Moon Mission experience, Oakland students built Python time capsules, practiced real technical skills, explored STEM careers, and saw their learning become part of an actual lunar mission. The crystal is scheduled to be integrated onto Astrolab’s FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform rover this February, alongside a historic mission patch and artwork that will be among the first to return to the Moon since the Apollo era. Launch is currently targeted for July 2026 aboard Astrobotic’s Griffin Mission One.

This collaboration, supported by global organizations and school partners is an opportunity empowering students to see themselves as future innovators, scientists, and explorers. Oakland is honored to help inspire the next generation of leaders who will shape humanity’s future, on Earth and beyond!

CMAS testing is just around the corner, and we are entering the final stretch with focus, confidence, and excitement!

All year long, our Eagles have been building strong reading, writing, and math skills. CMAS is simply an opportunity for students to show their growth and demonstrate what they’ve learned.

Here’s how you can support your child over the next few weeks:

✅ Ensure your child gets a full night of sleep (8–10 hours)
✅ Provide a healthy breakfast each morning
✅ Encourage a calm and positive mindset
✅ Remind them to take their time and try their best

At school, we are preparing students through:
📚 Strong daily instruction
✏️ Strategy practice
💪 Confidence-building activities
🎉 Celebrations of growth

We believe deeply in our students. Together, we will move from Red to Rising — on the Path to Green.

Week 1 (Feb 17–20): Own Your Growth — “From Practice to Power”
Students explored their growth data, reflected on progress, and celebrated how their hard work is paying off. Understanding their own progress helps students build confidence and take ownership of their learning.

Week 2 (Feb 23–27): Brain Fuel Week — “Fuel Your Brain to Train Your Brain”
Next week, we’ll focus on the importance of healthy habits for strong academic performance, especially sleep and breakfast. When students fuel their bodies, they power their minds!

Oakland is excited to host our Night of Soul on February 26 from 4:00–6:00 PM, and we invite all families to join us for an afternoon of community, culture, and connection.

This special event celebrates the rich traditions and stories within our community. We especially encourage families who identify as Black or African American to share a dish that reflects your family’s unique experience and history. Whether it’s a recipe passed down from your grandmother’s Sunday suppers or a favorite meal that reminds you of home, we would be honored to share it with our community.

If you would like to contribute a dish, please fill out this form by February 24th. Please plan to provide enough food for at least 20 people, with food delivery on February 26 at 3:30 PM.

Form link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMdEIGoCe3W30_Mm7JHDsJkzkmH54F16YZ9oT8uV-4nGgE1Q/viewform

We look forward to celebrating together and sharing the flavors and traditions that make our community so special.

What to Expect Each Saturday

Focused Reading & Math instruction to accelerate learning
Engaging enrichment activities that make learning meaningful
A positive, supportive environment that builds confidence and friendships
Recognition and incentives for attendance, effort, and participation

We are so proud of our Saturday School Eagles and grateful for your partnership. Your commitment to showing up and supporting learning makes a powerful difference for our students. 

Let’s continue our momentum and making Saturdays something our students look forward to!

We can’t wait to see you this Saturday at 9:00 AM!

Eagles are encouraged to submit original artwork for a special opportunity! Selected art pieces may be turned into greeting cards used by DPS Superintendent, Dr. Alex Marrero, throughout the year! This is a chance for our Oakland students to share their creativity, celebrate their voice and have their art seen and shared across DPS and beyond. Submissions are now open through Feb. 27. More details are linked in this submission form. We can’t wait to see what our students create!

Calling all Eagle chefs! If you have a favorite recipe that uses iconic Colorado foods or locally grown ingredients, share it with the DPS Communications team here. In addition to the recipe, please add your contact information, so a member of their team can contact you if your recipe is selected for their upcoming surprise!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdu2__sYpUEQgopvuZw86huzIyLT4hvlt3IizyKBXxHJoV-Bw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=117338815525497351116 

Here is the schedule for the PTO meetings in February. You can find all translated calendars on our website here. 

Leah and the Oakland Art Student Council were recognized for their outstanding work on the school-wide mural project. Read the full story: More than a Mural: Power Lives Here.

We understand that times may be rough and are here to wrap around you and your family in whatever ways you need. Please fill out the form so we can best support you. This is a private form and will only be used to assist in meeting the needs of your family. Any requests will be fulfilled based on availability, but please list any needs that we may be able to meet from our Food Bank. We love you and value you as part of our Oakland Village!

Fill out the form here.

Access or Donate to Local Food Resources

As a reminder, our school meals at DPS will not be impacted. School breakfast and lunches will continue as normal and remain free to families.

If you need support securing food…

• City and County of Denver: Visit their website to find food assistance across the city.

• Tasty Food Program: After school meals for children will be offered at Denver recreation centers. Visit the Tasty Food website for locations and hours of operation.

• Food Bank of the Rockies: Find a food pantry near you using their Pantry Locator tool.

• Colorado 211: This confidential and multilingual service connects people to vital resources across Colorado. Call 2-1-1, 866-760-6489 or visit 211colorado.org. Note: The hotline is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, however, expect long wait times. To avoid waiting, use the call-back feature.

• Feeding Colorado: The collaborative effort of the 5 Feeding America food banks that serve Colorado and Wyoming to coordinate and enhance food resources, ensuring food insecure Coloradans have access to healthy, fresh foods. Visit feedingcolorado.org/find-food or email info@feedingcolorado.org.

• Hunger Free Colorado: Connects Colorado families and individuals to SNAP/food stamps, food pantries, free meal sites, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and other nutrition programs geared toward families, children and older adults. Call 855-855-4626 Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

• Struggle of Love offers a food pantry every day Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Address: 12005 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80239

• FACE Community Hub offers support at John H. Amesse Elementary School. 

The City and County of Denver’s Department of Human Services (DHS) will continue processing SNAP applications and renewals to make sure benefits are processed in a timely fashion as soon as the government shutdown ends. SNAP beneficiaries will receive SNAP benefits retroactively once the government reopens. DHS strongly encourages families to continue submitting SNAP paperwork in the meantime.

If you would like to support local efforts…

• Denver Public Schools Foundation: Support the DPS community by donating to the DPS Foundation Food Security Fund.

• City and County of Denver: Visit their website to learn more about donating food, money and/or time.

• Denver Recreation Center Drop-off Locations: Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any Denver rec center. Visit the City and County of Denver website to learn more.

• Denver Animal Shelter: Donate pet food to the Denver Animal Shelter located at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. or through their Amazon wishlist.

• 10 Ways to Support Your Community Now:This slide deck from the City and County of Denver provides resources, suggestions and ideas on how to take immediate action in your community.

Interested in supporting our immediate community? Reach out to Ms. Long at rachel_long@dpsk12.net. Ms. Long will be leading an Oakland Family Drive to provide extra food and essential items to our families in need. The Food Bank can be found in the main office.

We’re launching our i-Ready Monthly Challenge—a fun and motivating way for students to build strong Reading and Math skills and earn presents all year long! 

Weekly Awards starting November 21st!

How it works:
👉 Students complete i-Ready lessons each week (2 Reading + 2 Math)
👉 Aim for 49+ minutes in Reading and 49+ minutes in Math
👉 We celebrate growth every month with trophies, medals, stickers, posters, diplomas, and fun prizes!

How to support at home:

1. Go to your district Clever portal or visit login.i-ready.com

2. Log in using your student’s school username and password

3. Encourage short sessions (10–20 minutes) throughout the week

Ask your student: “Did you hit your minutes and lessons this week?”

Click here to see more about iReady.

Quick Decision Tips for Parents - Ask Yourself: 

1. Does my child have a fever? → If yes, stay home 

2. Are they acting like their normal self? → If no, consider staying home 

3. Can they participate in regular activities? → If no, stay home 

4. Could they spread something to other kids? → If yes, stay home 

Remember: When in doubt, contact nurse Lupe. She is there to help you make the best decision for everyone's health.

Please note: Instant noodles that require microwaving are not allowed, as we only have one microwave available.