Links: 24-25 Calendar (Spanish Calendar)

• Mar 6        Community Arts Night 5-7pm

• Mar 14        8th grade Continuation Pictures       

• Mar 17        Citywide Instrumental Festival

• Mar 24 - 31  No School - Spring Break 

The deadline for Eligibility for 8th Grade Continuation Photos is THIS FRIDAY March 7th at 3:30pm. The photos are being taken on Friday March 14th are no retakes or make-ups for this event for either absences or for ineligible students who become eligible at a later date. Please review your student’s grades (in Schoology) and attendance (in Student/Parent Portal) with them as soon as possible so if they need to catch-up next week, they have that opportunity. Please remember that the Continuation Eligibility Requirements are:

• 2.5 GPA

• No F’s

• 94% Attendance (Reach out to Ryan_Cronshaw@dpsk12.net if you have concerns about this)

• No Significant Discipline Events

• 5 Hours of Community Service (Due May 1st–Not a requirement for pictures)

Skinner CMAS Schedule & Opt-out Information: See letter for more information

We will begin the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessments on Tuesday April 8, 2025.  CMAS is a standards-based state summative assessment designed to provide a picture of student performance to schools,districts, educators, parents, and the community. If families would like to opt-out their child(ren) from testing, it is essential to follow the opt-out process outlined in the document linked below.  Skinner will be penalized for students who are not properly opted out.  You must go through the opt out process if you plan to have your child refrain from the testing sessions.   Please submit your student(s) opt-out form by Friday, March 14th.

• CMAS Opt-Out Directions 2024-25

Great news from the Denver Metro Science Fair held last Friday! Skinner represented strongly with 8 students, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, we took home some awards and 3 students are invited to the State Science Fair!

Juliet Huckabay won 7 awards and $500:
1st Place: Junior Social & Behavioral Sciences
2nd Place: Junior Best in Fair
CoorsTek Award ($500)
Nugent Family Best Use of Statistics Award ($100)
Award for Best Use of Statistics in a 2025 Regional Science Fair Project
CO/WY American Statistical Association Award
Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge 2025

Zhaleh Gonzalez won Honorable Mention Junior Best in Fair as well as 1st place in her category (qualified for state).  

Lily Beeby won 3rd in her category (qualified for state).  

Ainsley Salaz won Honorable Mention from CoorsTek.

Annabelle Cookinham & Margaret Nourse won special awards.

The DPS “Your Voice/Tu Voz” Student Survey opened Monday, March 3 and will close Friday, March 21. Students in 3rd through 12th grades will receive an email from Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero with a unique link to complete the survey.

Students will have the opportunity to take the survey in class on a date designated by their school, however, we encourage families to check in with their children to ensure they completed the survey. Preview the questions and review the FAQ. If you have questions, email surveys@dpsk12.net.

Responses to the survey inform decisions on how we can better serve our students, and we want to hear from as many students as possible! 

Click here to see last year’s survey results.

Are you a parent, teacher, student, educator, school leader or community member who is passionate about improving our local schools and making sure that all DPS students thrive? Consider applying to join the District Accountability Committee (DAC)! As an advisory body, the DAC provides feedback to DPS on decisions that impact our schools.  

The DAC is accepting applications through March 21. The application is available in multiple languages. Learn more about the DAC and apply. View the flyer in your preferred language.

“Big Conversations with Little Children,” by Lauren Starnes: March 19, 5-6 p.m. via Zoom. Learn how to address questions, worries and fears to build and nurture trust. Review key concepts from the book using trivia, and have giveaways for attendees! Register to receive a free copy of the book (while supplies last).

Virtual Calm and Kind Family Program: April 7-10, from 8-9 a.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m. Learn practical strategies to help your child handle emotions healthily, while regulating your own emotions to provide calmer, more effective support. Parents receive a certificate of completion and there are giveaways for families at each session! This session will be offered in English and Spanish.

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.

The Family Resource Toolkit (available in multiple languages here) contains information about rights, current DPS policies, Know Your Rights training, mental health support, DPS resources, community resources and more. Access more resources in this letter from Dr. Marrero.

Families and community members are invited to attend upcoming Facility Usage Discussions. A third-party facilitator will be leading these meetings to discuss community feedback on how DPS should utilize school facilities after the 2024-25 school year, and Dr. Marrero will be present to discuss how we make the recommendations come to life. This meeting is open to all, but we want to ensure the voices of impacted families are heard!

Interpretation services, childcare and light refreshments will be provided at these meetings. We hope to see you there!

Castro Elementary: March 10 from 5:30-8 p.m
Palmer Elementary: March 12 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Columbian Elementary: March 17 from 5:30-8 p.m.
International Academy of Denver at Harrington: Fall 2025
Schmitt Elementary: Fall 2025

Sincerely, Marlene De La Rosa - Board of Education District #5

K-12 Chess Tourney -   Saturday, March 22nd, 2025. 8:30 am check-in, 9:00 am player meeting, Games 9:30 am, Awards 12:30 pm
Location: North High School, 2960 Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80211  Entrance & Parking Lot located at 32nd Ave & Eliot St.
For Details, Signup, Stats & Status visit: http://www.tinyurl.com/DPSandNHS-CHESS

• Tryouts this Mon & Tues, March 10 & 11, 5:30-7 pm at North High

• Open to all 7th and 8th graders planning to play for North in high school

• For more information contact Coach Jacob at jacob_cordova@dpsk12.net

Dear 8th grade students and families, North High School is thrilled to announce the Student Galapagos Ecuador Trip-2027. To receive updates, enrollment information, fundraising opportunities, and scholarship details, please fill out the Stay Connected Form HERE. 

The 2027 Travel Learning Experience offers an exceptional opportunity for students to broaden their horizons, engage with diverse cultures, and gain a deeper understanding of the world. In addition to personal and educational growth, students can earn the Seal of Climate Literacy, elective high school credit, and potentially college credit. We hope you'll join us for this exciting adventure!

Dr. Martin - Hernandez   i_martin-hernandez@dpsk12.net
AP Spanish Teacher/CE Spanish teacher 
North High School

Costa Rica in 2026 & Japan in 2027! Reach out to Jamie Brnilovich (6th Grade Lang Arts Teacher), Group Leader with questions  jamie_brnilovich@dpsk12.net

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

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.

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.

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. 

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