Links: 24-25 Calendar (Spanish Calendar)

• 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 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!

Denver Public Schools is committed to providing equitable and inclusive environments where all our students feel safe and socially and emotionally supported. With the potential change of federal policies, students, families, and staff who are undocumented are experiencing unease and uncertainty regarding potential mass deportation. DPS will continue to work with city agencies and community organizations to support our scholars, families and staff to ensure our community’s constitutional rights are respected.  Click here for more information. Please know that the Skinner Administration, Main Office, and Deans are fully trained on these policies and protocols.  All Skinner Staff have been made aware of the steps we will take to ensure our community will remain safe.

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.

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.

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

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!

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. 

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.