Links: 24-25 Calendar (Spanish Calendar)

• Feb 12-13   Math & ELA Interim Assessment #2

• Feb 14        No School -  DPS Staff Development Day

• Feb 17         No School - Presidents’ Day

• Feb 19         Skinner Fundraiser at Cosmo's Pizza, 3-8 pm

• Feb 24        No School for students - Skinner-only Staff Development Day #3

• Feb 27        Parent Teacher Conferences 4-8pm *more info to come!

Our second round of interim assessments will be coming up on Feb 12-13.  Students will have an adjusted schedule, with testing the first hour of the day. For the 24-25 school year, DPS has revised the implementation plan for Math and English Language Arts Interims across the District as a whole. To learn more about this shift, please review this document. 

The school year calendar for the 2025-26 school year is now available. 2025-26 School Year Calendar

We will be hosting our National History Day Showcase Event on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.  We are looking for volunteer judges!  As a judge, you will assess projects (we will have evaluation forms and a quick training session) to help us identify exemplar student projects which we will nominate and encourage to move on to the Regional showcase event at UCD. We will provide lunch and would request you plan to be at Skinner on 2/19 from 8:30 - 2:30pm.

If you or someone you know might be available to volunteer as a NHD judge, please complete this form. We will be following up with more details soon. Thank you for considering!

Summer Programs for All -- Feb. 26 from 9-10 a.m. Join the livestream  FACE Facebook livestream or the FACE YouTube livestream to learn about DPS summer program options like Achieving Excellence Academy (AEA) and other affordable summer programs in the Denver community, such as Boys and Girls Club, Scholars Unlimited and more. Stay updated on all things FACE University by signing up for the monthly Family Resource and Learning Newsletter.

Several Skinner teachers have DonorsChoose projects posted hoping to obtain classroom and project supplies for their students. Please click here to see the projects and consider a donation today! Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Click for the registration link for both events.

Vapes in 2025: What’s Changed & What Parents Need to Know with Dr. Aaron Weiner - Tuesday, February 18th at 11 AM Vaping products are more powerful and dangerous than ever, with youth-targeted marketing and new ways to evade regulations. Dr. Aaron Weiner is returning to provide an in-depth look at the latest trends in vaping, the risks to physical and mental health, and how parents and educators can guide students toward healthier choices.

Unpacking the Risks of Modern Marijuana with Laura Stack - Tuesday, March 4th at 11 AM Today’s marijuana products, like dabbing concentrates and delta-8 THC, pose serious risks to adolescent brain development and mental health. Laura Stack, founder of Johnny’s Ambassadors, travels across the country sharing her powerful story of loss to educate schools and families. Her presentation will equip parents and educators with the knowledge to address these issues and start essential conversations with students.

We’re excited to announce that early winter sports registration is now open for Boys & Girls Basketball 7th and 8th grade only!  Unfortunately, due to the anticipated high number of students trying out, we are unable to accommodate our 6th graders.  

Registration is due February 13th. Students will not be allowed to try out if they have not fully completed registration. Students will not be allowed to try out if they are failing any classes. 

Important Dates:

• Mandatory Parent Meeting - February 11th 3:30pm in Skinner Auditorium

  • Athletic Registration support for those who might need it

• Tryouts:  Week of Feb 17th - more info to come

  • Boys Basketball - East Gym: Coach Julia Robinson

  • Girls Basketball - West Gym: Coach Jessica Frahm 

Registration Resources:

Skinner Middle School Arbiter Registration-Boys/Girls Basketball

Arbiter Sports Registration Guide for Parents

If you have any questions or need any support, please contact Assistant Principal Shawnette_Ward@dpsk12.net or Principal Julie_Stephens@dpsk12.net.  Sierra Garcia is no longer serving as the Athletic Director.

Achieving Excellence Academy (AEA) is a free, cultural, summer enrichment program for rising ninth through 12th graders, taking place June 9-July 2 with orientation on June 5. This program highlights the experiences of Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Black/African-American, Latine/LatinX and Indigenous students and families. 

Registration opens soon, and spaces are limited. For more information, email Ashlea Skiles at a_skiles@dpsk12.net

North High Vikings Futures Football is returning this spring and is open to all 7th and 8th grade co-ed future Viking students. Scan the QR code in the graphic or follow this link to let us know you are interested. Go Vikings!

Skinner's support staff team is in need of your help! Please check our Amazon wishlist and consider making a donation so we are able to provide to our students in need. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our community's youth. Please click here and order some items today! Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Several teachers have DonorsChoose projects posted hoping to obtain classroom and project supplies for their students. Please click here to see all of the projects and consider a donation to one ore more projects today! Thank you in advance for your generosity.

CSC: Collaborative School Committee - first Wednesday of every month 4:00-5:30 in the Skinner Library. CSC includes parents, admin, staff meeting to discuss issues, impacts, and solutions for the school

PTO: Parent/Teacher Organization - first Wednesday of every month 5:30-6:30, usually in the Skinner Library (Please check the Skinner calendar to confirm date.)

• Fundraising, teacher appreciation, parent volunteers. 

• Check out Skinner Website PTO for more information. 

8th Grade Families - SchoolChoice for 2025-26 is NOW OPEN! Visit dpsschoolchoice.my.site.com. Create an account or log in with your current Parent Portal username and password. Rank your schools and submit your application by Feb. 18. Results will go out in late March. Find much more information at schoolchoice.dpsk12.org

Want to see a prior issue of Skinner Family News? Links are posted on the Skinner website, click here to access.