Panther Pages, May 30, 2025

Happy Friday PHE Families:

As we wind down these last few days of the year, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for this year's 5th grade class that will be continuing on to middle school. I've been here long enough now to see this group of students start out as kindergartners and watch as they've grown over the years. I'm proud of all that they have accomplished here at PHE and am certain they will be our leaders and innovators of the next generation! The best part of my job is getting to know each of these students over the years, and I am so proud of each of their successes.

Our staff and students have had an incredibly busy, but fun May. We now have just a few days left before summer vacation starts which will be filled with a few last lessons, parties, ceremonies, and some goodbyes. Please take a moment to thank everyone that has helped your students succeed this year. I'd like to thank all of the parents and family members who did the same for our staff and students.

We expect to have class placement sent out at the end of next week. They will be going out by email as they have the past few years, so please keep an eye out for them. A reminder that Tuesday is a 1/2 day (11:40am dismissal) for 1st - 4th grades and buses will still run. There will be no lunch served on Tuesday.

Finally, a huge Shout Out to Chantel Hayward and our 5th grade students for their efforts with the Talent Show. It's always incredible to see the wide range of skills our students perform!

Let's all have a great summer and get everyone recharged for the Fall!

-Ken Burdette, Principal

New Teacher Bios

Kindergarten - Emma Bourgain

Hello! My name is Emma Bourgain, and I’m excited to be joining the Park Hill community as a kindergarten teacher this school year. After spending the past two years teaching kindergarten in Fort Collins, I’m excited to return to my hometown of Denver and continue doing what I love. Kindergarten is such a special year. It’s a time of tremendous growth as children begin to develop the foundational skills for both learning and life. My goal each day is to help students grow in confidence and curiosity, and to leave the classroom with an excitement for learning. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this chapter in their journey and can’t wait to get started with our amazing students and families! Outside of school, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, going on walks, and trying new restaurants around the city.

1st Grade - Anne Dankner

Hello! My name is Anne Dankner, and I’m so excited to teach first grade at Park Hill Elementary! I have been a teacher for over ten years. I’m from upstate New York and come from a big family. I went to Syracuse University for elementary and special education. I also have a master's degree as a literacy specialist. I taught special education in New York and, soon after, first grade in the Washington, D.C. area.

First grade stole my heart, and I loved every minute of it! My favorite part of teaching is working with children and getting to know each and every one of them! It’s so special to see your students grow academically and socially in first grade. They soak everything up and love learning. It’s truly a magical year!

After having my first daughter, we moved to Colorado for my husband's job, and I took time off to be a mom. I have two amazing girls, a nine-year-old and a twelve-year-old. They keep me busy driving all over Denver for swim team and gymnastics. We love traveling as a family, spending time in Steamboat, CO, and going on adventures. When I’m not teaching, you can find me spending time with family, friends, reading, doing yoga, pilates, and taking walks all around the neighborhood. If you see me, make sure to say hi!

3rd Grade - Heather Brulet

Hello! My name is Heather Brulet, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Park Hill community as a new third grade teacher! I recently earned my Master’s in Education with a specialization in reading, and I had the wonderful opportunity to complete both my student teaching and reading intervention internship right here at Park Hill. I’m so excited to continue my journey with this amazing school and can’t wait to dive into a fantastic year of learning with my third graders!

I absolutely love living in Denver with my husband and our son, who’s heading into sixth grade. I earned my undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University—Go Pack!—and while most of my family still lives in North Carolina, Colorado has truly become home.

Outside the classroom, I’m passionate about the outdoors and enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, international travel, and gardening. I’m committed to creating a warm, inclusive, and engaging classroom where every student feels supported, valued, and excited to learn each day.

I’m so happy to be part of the Park Hill team and look forward to a wonderful school year ahead!

4th Grade - Brian Sweeney

Greetings! I’m so excited to be joining the Park Hill Elementary community this year. While it’s my first year at Park Hill, I bring 17 years of teaching experience with me—including several years supporting students with special needs in both the Bay Area and Denver. Most recently, I taught 3rd grade at Teller Elementary, and I’m thrilled to now be working with the 4th grade team!

I earned my Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Literacy from the University of Colorado, and I’m especially passionate about helping students build confidence, embrace challenges, and grow into resilient learners.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my wife, Hilary, and our two boys, Jack and Will—both proud (current and future) Park Hill Panthers!

Paraprofessional positions open for next year

Any parents or friends interested in being a classroom paraprofessional next year? Please reach out to Principal Burdette.

Park Hill earns Green Level EcoSchool Designation

We learned this week that our school was designated an EcoSchool by the National Wildlife Federation. We were awarded the highest level of recognition (Green Level) for our efforts. This year’s 4th Grade Sustainability Club helped get students involved throughout the year with different initiatives ranging from cafeteria composting to supporting the bike bus on cold weather days with hot chocolate to community education around recycling. Club students volunteered their free time to make this happen and we’re excited to see their hard work recognized!

Shout-Out to the Amazing 5th Grade Care Committee!

We see you, Care Committee! Thank you for all the kindness, teamwork, and heart you brought to our 24/25 school year! From hosting our Warm Fuzzie Drive with Love-well Foundation to hosting your first assembly and kicking off our Kindness Campaign. You all showed your peers how to spread positivity and kindness. You showed everyone what it means to care using kindness, smiles, and leadership.

Keep being awesome and keep making a difference. You truly made 5th grade shine!

Medication Pick-up

All medications and medical equipment must be picked up from the school health office at the end of the school year. Please make a plan with your school nurse or health office staff for pickup.

Medications cannot go home with your student.
Medications will be disposed of if they are not picked up by:
JUNE 3rd @ 12:00 PM
Summer Programming: If your student is participating in a summer program, parent/guardian must pick up the medication/equipment on the last day of school and bring it to the summer program on the first day.
Medication forms for the upcoming school year can be found HERE

If you have any questions, please contact your school health office. Phone:720-424-4915 Email: wendy_harper@dpsk12.net

School Supplies for next Fall

Order Securely Online Starting Now thru July 1, 2025. Supplies are shipped to the school and students will receive school supplies on the first day of school.

1. Go to https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/19237

2. Follow the directions to complete your order. Choose the grade level your student will be next fall

3. Keep your online confirmation as your receipt.

Please note: you are welcome to purchase supplies on your own. The lists are available using the same link above. We have found the bulk supplies to be cheaper and simpler for families.

Reminder: Coaches Needed for Girls on the Run - Fall 2025!

Interested in coaching Girls on the Run? It is a great program for girls and very popular at Park Hill. I am looking for a few more volunteer coaches for fall for our Girls on the Run program. Here is a little bit of information about the program: https://www.girlsontherunrockies.org/programs. If you want to find out more information about what is involved with coaching Park Hill, contact Mrs. Horeis at kcupp@dpsk12.net and check out at this site: http://parkhillpe.weebly.com/girls-on-the-run.html.

Girls on the Run for 3-5 grade Park Hill girls! - Fall 2025

So… What is Girls on the Run? Girls stretch themselves – physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Girls will be inspired to a lifetime of self-respect and a healthy lifestyle through an innovative program that combines training for a 3.1 mile run/walk race with a fun, health education lesson plan. This program promotes individual achievement and self–confidence. Girls gain self-esteem and learn healthy lifestyle habits while training for a 5K run/walk race.

Dates: Monday and Wednesday from 3:10-4:40 pm.

Meets in the gym and finishes outside on the field at Park Hill Elementary.

Season begins: Week of September 8th; Final 5K: November 9th; Season ends: November 10th

Cost: $195 (Scholarships available)

Girls on the Run Registration opens Monday, August 4th at noon and goes until Wednesday, August 13th at noon. It will be a lottery system depending on how many girls end up registering for the 3 teams. You must attend Park Hill Elementary in order to sign up. Contact Mrs. Horeis at kcupp@dpsk12.net
Register here: https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/fall24 - It will open on August 4th. All girls will be waitlisted initially until registration ends and we see how many signed up.

School Hours

School Hours 8:10 am - 3:10 pm

Lunch Menu

schoolcafe.com/DPS

Upcoming Dates

24/25 School Year

May 30-June 3- No YMCA Before or After School Care

May 30 - ECE End of Year Party

June 2 - Kindergarten Continuation Event

June 3 - Last day of school (½ day for Grades 1-4) - 11:40 dismissal

2024/25 DPS Calendar

2025/26 DPS Calendar

PHE School Calendar

Connect with the PTSA:

Kindergarten Graduation information

Monday, June 2

8:45-9:15- Gulley
9:30-10:15- Hurley
10:30-11:15- Lulu
11:30-12:15- Neale

Thank you from Park Hill PTSA Board

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Coffee Cart! We hope you felt appreciated. It’s been a wonderful school year at Park Hill, and we are so grateful for all you’ve done as parents and caregivers to support the growth and success of every student.

2024 - 2025 PTSA Calendar

Friday, June 20th - Sunday, June 22nd: PHE Rockies Weekend
Wednesday, August 13th: New Family Happy Hour - Location TBD
Thursday, August 14th: Meet Your Teacher Social
Friday, September 19th: Direct Giving Movie Night

Sponsorship Opportunities

A huge THANK YOU to all of our 2024 - 2025 school sponsors! If you are interested in receiving information on school sponsorship for 2025 - 2026, reach out to sponsorship@parkhillptsa.com.

Yearbook Distribution

Yearbook distribution is complete. Yes, you can still order a yearbook HERE and have it mailed to your home. If you have questions regarding yearbooks, reach out to yearbook@parkhillptsa.com. Click on the ‘Purchase older yearbooks from Park Hill Elementary School’ button. You’ll want the 2024-25 yearbook. Please ship to your home address at this point as the school is closed for the summer.

Park Hill Bike Bus - A HUGE thank you to all who participated in our Park Hill Bike Bus this year - what an incredible success!

32 Park Hill Bike Bus rides completed!
Four routes: A huge thank you to Shannon Spezialy for leading 25th & Holly, Bret Taber for leading 22nd and Dexter, Lisa Brownlee & Kera Murphy for leading 22nd & Kearney, & Liz Brodahl for leading 19th & Niagara.
Denver DA John Walsh and District 9 Councilman Darrell Watson rode with us.
Jeff Anastasio from Channel 7 covered our inaugural Bike Bus ride “Lots of smiles on two wheels as Park Hill Elementary celebrates first Bike Bus” and Andrea Kramar with Rocky Mtn PBS highlighted us “Climb on the magic bike bus” and this YouTube video “Rolling on the bike bus.”
Nicole McSpirit, our fabulous crossing guard, typically announced 79-125 bikes parked in our bike racks, which additional racks made this Bike Bus possible by Mr. Ferguson’s 2023-2024 5th graders writing a grant and partnering Hardt Family Cyclery to get the racks and pumps at cost.
Woom sponsored us with some fun giveaways
We partnered with the 4th grade sustainability club
We leaned in on two National “Walk Bike & Roll”
“Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan was our most played song via the bike bus playlist

***Call to action going into the summer ***

When driving to and from around the neighborhood, keep an eye out for bikers and walkers. Let’s slow down and encourage freedom for our kids to explore on foot, on blades and bikes.
Kids: Join the Pedal Adventure Camp
Parents/Kids: Join Front Rangers Cycling Club (it is low key race-focused), or Avout Racing (Mtb, cx & gravel)
Share your voice with our Denver Bicycle Lobby or Denver Streets Partnership, a coalition of community organizations advocating for people-friendly streets in Denver.

Park Hill Weekend at the Rockies - June 20th - 22nd

The Rockies have offered ticket sale donations on additional games this summer, since the weather was bad for the April fundraiser. Gather your friends, neighbors and family 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! If you want to see your PHE friends, purchase tickets in section 112. Get your tickets here!

Park Hill Skate City Membership Card

Does your kid love to skate? Want to discover a new talent while entertaining your kids this summer? Skate City is offering a $5 membership card which gets you unlimited entries for just $1/visit. Click HERE for details and to purchase your membership.

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