Links: 24-25 Calendar (Spanish Calendar)

• Jan 29        CSC Budget Meeting 4-5:30pm (closed to the public)

• Feb 5           PTO 5:30-6:30pm

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

• Feb 14         No School -  DPS Staff Development Day

• Feb 17         No School - Presidents’ Day

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

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

Families can now update students’ emergency contact information as needed throughout the school year and provide alternative contacts if no parent or guardian is available. To make these updates, families will use this step-by-step guide (also available in Spanish) to add, remove or modify emergency contact updates for students in Infinite Campus.

It is important that families update emergency contacts. Each student should have at least two emergency contacts. These individuals do not need to be family members; they can be any trusted adult known by the family. We also ask that families identify those authorized to pick up their students (including older siblings) from school if a parent or guardian cannot.

If you are unable to log into Parent Portal because you forgot your username and/or password, please visit the MyPortal Support Contact webpage for links to reset. Note: You will need access to the email address associated with your Parent Portal account.

You will need to submit a support ticket or call 720-423-3163 for the following issues:

• Failing usernames or passwords.

• Updating email addresses.

• Missing a student account.

DPS is excited to begin piloting new technology for enhanced safety.  Students will scan a QR code when they enter/exit the school bus.  Parents will be able to get notifications if buses are running late and have visibility when to see when their child is loading and unloading the bus to make sure they arrived at their proper destination. 

• This flyer is for the community and staff. It gives an overview of our pilot, what to expect, important dates, and app features.

• This flyer is for students and parents. It provides a tutorial on how to download and set up the My Ride K-12 app.

• All questions can be directed to transportation@dpsk12.net

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

Erica VanNest is the Denver West High School Girls Flag Football coach and she’s coaching with Team Full Gorilla--a Colorado based premier flag football team.  She is excited to announce Team Full Gorilla Middle School Programming. This program will be all inclusive to anyone who wants to participate.  No formal tryouts, kids should want to learn and become prepared to play at the High School level. Indoor practices 2x/month (every other Sunday) at South Suburban Sports Dome in Englewood. Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls. 

Questions? Contact Erica VanNest, Coach Team Full Gorilla Girls, erica_vannest@dpsk12.net, 7084157408 or Alexis Rosholt, Program Director Team Full Gorilla Girls, (303)819-7348, alexis.teamfullgorilla@gmail.com

We’ve been seeing an increase in students contacting their family directly if they are not feeling well, instead of going to the Clinic.  As a reminder, ill students should report to the nurse’s office or main office. Parents will be notified immediately if the illness is determined to be serious. Students will remain in the clinic until transportation arrangements are made and confirmed with parents.  If students bypass the Clinic and get in touch with their parents directly (by email or cell phone) for pickup, it will result in an unexcused absence. 

UPchieve is a nonprofit organization that provides free, 24/7 online tutoring and college counseling to middle and high school students in the United States. Our mission is to democratize academic support, ensuring all students have equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their financial situation. Students can connect with a live, volunteer tutor in under 5 minutes using our website or mobile app. This week, all students set up an account in their Learning Family class. Learn more at UPchieve's website. 

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!

We are happy to announce that our Wellpower Group Facilitator, Cassandra Garcia, will be back for 2nd semester on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to facilitate small groups for students.  Group topics this semester include:  

1) Tuesdays during period 2-Anxiety Group -What is it and how do I manage it?  - An interactive group where students can learn a variety of skills to use when they experience anxiety. Trying out and practicing the activities in the group sessions will give students many ideas on how to both prevent and handle their anxiety. 

2) Tuesdays during Period 1-Girls Empowerment Group - How do I navigate my friendships? - A group that will incorporate education and skills that will build problem solving skills, healthy communication skills, confidence, and self-esteem - just for the girls! 

3) Wednesdays during Period 5-Could I be a Perfectionist?  - This is a group for students who struggle with perceptions of the need to be"  perfect "- whether it's with their grades, their achievements, as a friend or who they are as people - Students will learn what perfectionistic tendencies look like in our day to day lives and how we can manage our perceptions so it doesn't become unhealthy or unhelpful! 

In addition, there is a Voz Y Corazon Art Club available with Cassandra and local Denver artist, Cal Duran offered after school on Tuesdays from 3:25 - 4:25pm. This weekly art group was designed by young people for young people. Learn from a professional artist and receive mentor and group support. No art skills needed!  This has been an ongoing group that will run until end of school year but there are openings for our creative students!

All groups are space limited so register soon! - Placement will be first registered, first served. Deadline for all of the groups and Voz Art Club registration is due no later than Monday 1/27/2025.

All groups are held at Skinner during the school day for 45 minute group sessions for 6 weeks starting the week of January 27th, 2025  (Voz Art Club is after school for one hour and will meet weekly yearlong through May 20th, 2025 ) This year, families will need to register directly with Cassandra Garcia by calling 303-300-6293 OR email her at cassandra.garcia@wellpower.org.  Family Health Insurance or Medicaid information will need to be provided so have your health card available to register. Scholarships may be available for students without health care coverage or who have Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance.

The 8th Grade Science team is planning a lab where the students will disassemble old speakers to see how magnets play a role in how they work as part of our magnets unit.  To do this we are in need of old speakers and/or headphones.  If you have any broken/extra sets of speakers or headphones that you don't need and are willing to donate we would really appreciate it.  Please just drop off items in the Skinner main office. Thank you so much for your support! 

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. 

If your student failed a course in the first semester, they will need to do credit recovery in order to be eligible for Continuation. Your student's learning family mentor should be reaching out in the next week if this applies to your student. Credit recovery consists of a combination of assignments and assessments that demonstrate mastery of a content area. These can be done either with the specific teacher whose course your student failed or with their Learning Family mentor in Learning Family. The goal is to have all credit recovery finished by Spring Break. Please reach out to your student's LF mentor if you have any specific questions.

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

8th Grade Families Reminder! North High Prospective Family Information Night:

• Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 6:30 – 8 pm

Attending a Prospective Family Information Night is a great way to learn all about why North is the right high school choice for your student. Families will have an opportunity to learn more about North High School, meet Principal German Echevarría and other members of our admin team, teachers, and current students and parents. School tours will also be offered. All prospective families are encouraged to attend. No RSVP necessary. We look forward to meeting you!

North High Daytime Tours/Classroom Visit Experiences: North offers daytime school tours including an optional student classroom visit experience for prospective Viking families. Tours are available from October – February most Mondays at 12:30 pm and Tuesdays at 9:40 am. CLICK HERE to sign up for a tour.

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