Park Hill School

Panther Pages

Park Hill School 5050 E 19th Ave., Denver CO 80220

Hello Park Hill Families,

It has been an incredible start to the school year. Thank you for all the ways you have supported your students and our staff to have a successful beginning! 

I would like to share some exciting professional news with our school community. I have been selected for a leadership-training program through Denver Public Schools called Learn to Lead. This year, in addition to my Assistant Principal responsibilities, I will also serve as a Principal Resident under the mentorship of Principal Burdette.

I am honored to have the chance to continue to grow and learn more about leadership. I am not planning to leave PHE any time soon, but I am committed to my personal and professional development as the best leader I can be for our Panthers. 

Thank you for all of your trust and support these past six years. I am excited to see what our future holds.

Maggie Bixby

Principal Resident and Assistant Principal

Bixby

No School on Monday for the Labor Day Holiday

Enjoy your Labor day weekend, and we will see students back on Tuesday, September 3!

Student Activity Fees coming soon

This year we will be collecting a $50 student activity fee for all students. Next week, families will receive an invoice through their email and can pay online at MySchoolBucks.com. The office can also accept cash or check. If you are new to MySchoolBucks, you can find more information on how to set up an account here.  If you are in need of a scholarship for the fee, please reach out to Principal Burdette.  Please reach out to Sarah Connolly in the office with any other questions.

Student activity fees cover field trips, buses, guest speakers and other special events throughout the year.

Mental Health Team

Our Mental Health Team is so excited to all be returning to Park Hill this year! We are made up of two full-time school psychologists and our school facility dog, Temple. She comes to school almost every day to support students and staff by visiting classrooms, being part of small group lessons, and spreading joy around the building! Please let your classroom teacher know if your child has a dog allergy or is uncomfortable around dogs for any reason. We are committed to keeping everyone safe and comfortable above all else! 

If your family is interested in following along with Temple’s work at Park Hill, please feel free to check out her instagram page, @livin_on_temple_time

Emily Ward, Ed.S, NCSP emily_ward1@dpsk12.net 

Cat Sennott, Ed.S, NCSP cathryn_sennott@dpsk12.net

Temple Ward, Golden Retriever, Facility Dog

Class Parties reminder

Park Hill does not allow individual birthday parties in the classrooms. These can be disruptive to the learning environment and may impact students with specific allergies.  If a teacher wishes to hold a celebration (birthday, academic success, reward, building class culture, etc), this will occur on Friday afternoons starting at 2:30pm, and will be held outside on the playground, not in the classroom.  By district policy, food provided to students must be store-bought and approved in advance by the teacher.

We ask families to adhere to this policy of Fridays only. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

COVID Guidelines from Nursing

In March 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its respiratory virus guidance for people with COVID-19. The guidance aligns with guidance for other respiratory viruses, including flu and RSV.

Guidelines

Symptomatic children and staff should remain out of school or child care for at least 24 hours, until both are true:

  • You are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

  • Your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours.

Check-in with your Pediatrician about Fall flu shots and COVID boosters in advance of the viral seasons.

MySchoolApps

My School Apps

Every family must complete the My School Apps Form to help the District attain federal funding for breakfast and lunch programs.  Please fill out an application even if your student does not plan on having school lunch / or receive Free or Reduced lunch.

Apply HERE: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Please note: There is an opt-out for benefits button on one of the introductory screens if you think your family is not eligible for benefits.  Check this box and then enter your student’s info to quickly complete the application. 

Mindfulness at Park Hill

Has your child come home talking about Mindfulness? Have you noticed them putting their hands on their bellies, closing their eyes and breathing mindfully?

Mindfulness sessions are going well and the children are very receptive. If we haven’t started Mindfulness in your class yet, we will be ramping up next week.

I'm Liz Rutledge, your child's Mindfulness teacher, and I'm excited to start my eighth year at Park Hill Elementary! Mindfulness helps students and teachers be present, reduce stress, and foster kindness, empathy, and focus.

Anxiety is rising, especially among kids, but Mindfulness can offer calm and balance. I’ve created videos and in-person sessions to support our community, and it’s been heartwarming to see the positive impact.

Mindfulness is more than just breathing exercises; it can be as simple as coloring or appreciating nature. It’s a powerful tool to help our children thrive.

Check out this Intro to Mindfulness video to try it at home. Next week, we’ll be focusing on “Mindful Bodies.” If your child is interested, you can watch the Mindful Bodies video together.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions at SustainableThree@gmail.com or #303-898-9496.  ~ Miss Liz

School Hours

School Hours: 8:10 am-3:10 pm

Lunch Menu

schoolcafe.com/DPS

Upcoming Dates

Sept 2 - Labor Day (No school)

Sept 9 - PTSA Meeting @ 5:30pm

Sept 9-13 - Enrichment programs start this week

Sept 16 - No YMCA 

Sept 17-18 - Student Photo Days

Sept 20 - Coffee with Ken

Sept 20 - Direct Giving/Movie Night

Sept 27 - Professional Learning Day (No school)

Oct 10-14 - Fall Break (No school)

Oct 31 - Halloween Parade

Nov 4 - No YMCA

Nov 25-29 - Thanksgiving Break (No school)

Dec 23-Jan 6 - Winter Break (No school)

2024/25 DPS Calendar

PHE School Calendar

Connect with the PTSA:

Facebook
Insta
PTSA

What is the PTSA?

The Park Hill PTSA is a volunteer-based service organization with two goals:

  • Bridge the gap between school and home by building community.

  • Raise funds to cover educational necessities that the district (DPS) does not cover. In addition to covering costs to better the school itself, our efforts in fundraising support essential school workers and programs that benefit our teachers and children. 

This week, let’s talk about MEMBERSHIPS! 

We have 2 options for memberships. You can join as an individual for $15 ($10 for teachers), or as a family for $20.

Join or renew your PTSA Membership

Why does it cost money to join?

Our dues go to 2 places. First; to pay our National and Colorado PTA (COPTA) dues. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was founded in 1897. Park Hill Elementary Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is a part of the national organization as well as the Colorado PTA, which was founded in 1907. National & Colorado PTA's mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. As a part of that mission, The Park Hill Elementary PTSA is a volunteer-based service organization under the larger PTA umbrella, and as such receives support, advice, training and resources to make us more successful. In return, we are supporting the more far reaching approach that a larger state or national organization can take; organizations like COPTA advocate and advance programs for children across CO, including our children here at PHE.  Second; these dues cover some of the administrative costs that our PHE PTSA incurs, so that fundraising can go to the places it is needed most, instead of overhead.

Check out the COPTA website at https://copta.org/

Do I need to be a member to participate in our PTSA? 

No, you do not! All parents, teachers and students are welcome at meetings, events and to volunteer. According to our bylaws, only members may vote on official PTSA business like budget approval, but that business takes place at our open meetings so all work is transparent and accessible to anyone who wants to learn more.

CORockies

 Park Hill Weekend at the Rockies

Get your friends, neighbors and family together to enjoy a game cheering on our Rockies! A portion of all ticket sales will go back to the school. One of our easiest fundraisers that also doubles as a great social and community building activity!

Get your tickets here!

Save the Date - Direct Giving / Movie Night - Sept 20 

Vote today on Instagram for which movie should be played at our upcoming Direct Giving / Movie Night. More details in the PTSA section in coming weeks!

Things to Remember

  • Join or renew your PTSA Membership 

  • Milk Caps for Moola - recycle your Longmont Dairy caps across from the front office

  • Set-up Cashback programs: King Soopers and Give Backs

2024 - 2025 PTSA Calendar

  • Monday, Sept 9th: First PTSA meeting at 5:30pm in PHE library

  • Sept 13th - 15th :  Park Hill Weekend at the Rockies ($5/ticket donated to PHE)

  • Friday, Sept 20th: Coffee with Ken at PHE playground

  • Friday, Sept 20th: Direct Giving/Movie Night

  • Thursday, Oct 21st: Screen Sanity Parent Night (more info to come)

  •  Friday, March 14th, 2024: The Park Hill Elementary School Auction!

PTSA Contacts

President

Shannon Spezialy 

president@parkhillptsa.com

Vice President

Courtney Swearingen

vp@parkhillptsa.com

Secretary

Lisa Sarno 

secretary@parkhillptsa.com

Treasurer

Gregg Cassarini 

treasurer@parkhillptsa.com

Helpful Links

  • PTSA Website

  • Join the Park Hill Elementary Directory!

  • Join or renew your PTSA Membership

  • Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @pheptsa

  • Set-up Cashback programs: King Soopers & Givebacks


Important Dates:

Sept 9th: First PTSA meeting at 5:30pm in PHE library

Sept 13th - 15th :  Park Hill Weekend at the Rockies ($5/ticket donated to PHE)

Sept 20th: Coffee with Ken at PHE playground

Sept 20th: Direct Giving/Movie Night

Oct 21st: Screen Sanity Parent Night (more info to come)

March 14th, 2024: The Park Hill Elementary School Auction!

About Us

The Park Hill PTSA is a volunteer-based service organization with two goals:

  • Bridge the gap between school and home by building community.

  • Raise funds to cover educational necessities that the district (DPS) does not cover. In addition to covering costs to better the school itself, our efforts in fundraising support essential school workers and programs that benefit our teachers and children. 

We’ll continue to provide more “what we do” information in the coming weeks and as the school year gets rolling!

PHERockies