Links: 25-26 Calendar (Calendario 25-26)

• Nov 24 - 28         Thanksgiving Break

• Dec 2          Science Fair Family Night    5-7 pm

• Dec 2          DPS SchoolChoice for 2026-2027 School Year OPENS

• Dec 3          Science Fair Day

• Dec 10        Skinner Choir Performance 6 pm - 7 pm

• Dec 16        Skinner Instrumental Performances 6 pm - 7 pm 

• Dec 17        Winter Snowball Dance 6 pm - 8 pm

• Dec 19        NO SCHOOL - Skinner Only PD Day #2

• Dec 19 - Jan 6       Winter Break

Students will have the opportunity to take comprehensive sexual education classes, giving them the information and resources to make healthy decisions and have healthy relationships in their lives. All lessons are age-appropriate, medically accurate, inclusive, and culturally relevant. Classes will be taught by your student's science teacher.

The topics we will cover in class will include:

- Building Healthy Relationships

- Consent

- Puberty and the Male/Female Reproductive System  

- Pregnancy

- Health and Safety (contraception, STDs and STIs)

If you would like to opt your child out of Sex Ed, please complete this form by December 5th. 

If students experience symptoms of illness or receive injury during the school day, a Skinner Staff member must be notified immediately so students can be checked out in the Clinic. Students who are picked up without the health staff’s recommendation to leave campus will incur an unexcused absence for the remainder of the day.

Feel free to review Parent/Scholar Handbook for schoolwide expectations/policies. 

CSC: Collaborative School Committee - first Wednesday of every month (December 3) 4:00-5:30 in the Skinner Library

Meet with parents, admin, staff to discuss issues, impacts, and solutions for the school

All meetings are open to the public

Check website for more info 

December’s agenda - Skinner Restorative Justice League will be presenting! 

PTO: Parent/Teacher Organization - first Wednesday of every month (December 3) 5:30-6:30 in the  Skinner Library 

Fundraising, teacher appreciation, parent volunteers

Check out Skinner Website PTO for more information

If you’d like to join virtually, use this link

The buzz is happening around Skinner for SNOWBALL 2025!!! Check out dance details here. 

We are all looking forward to another fun evening of dancing and socializing for the students on Wednesday, December 17 from 6-8pm.  

We would love and appreciate your help to make it happen!

Please CLICK HERE to review the available slots below to volunteer or donate.

Thank you so much! 

PTO Dance Committee

Skinner would like to welcome you to attend the Science Fair Family Night from 5-7pm on December 2nd.  This will be your one chance to see all of the projects from all of our 710 students, mingle with friends and other families, rehearse and celebrate our student's hard work and discoveries together.  Both gyms and our library will be filled with projects for you to enjoy in this open house style event.  Please enter through Skinner's main entrance or the doors on either side of the cafeteria located on the north side of the building near the bike rack and be prepared to be impressed!

Here is a video of the previous year's Science Fair to build some excitement. 

Winter prep league sign-ups are now open. Below, you will find the information you need to sign-up. This next season, we will be offering 7th/8th grade girls volleyball and 6th-8th grade boys volleyball. We have one team for each sport. The girls team will only be for 7th and 8th graders, and the boys team will be for 6th-8th grade.  Sign-ups will close Friday, December 5th at 6pm. There are no exceptions to this deadline as Arbiter will close. 

To tryout, parents/guardians will need to: 

Complete the registration in Arbiter - all families MUST register here:  Skinner Middle School

You will complete everything within Arbiter - upload your athletes physical, and complete payment. 

If your child doesn't make a team, you will receive a refund. 

Student athletes will not be able to participate until registration has been completed. You will receive a confirmation email from Arbiter once you submit the registration. 

Academic Eligibility Requirements:

Student-athletes must be academically eligible to tryout and maintain participation.  Grades are checked weekly!

Student-athletes can have no Fs or 2 Ds

New to Arbiter? See this Arbiter step by step guide for parents. 

Tryout Dates/Practice Info:

Girls Coach - Aisha Ramirez (email Aisha_Ramirez@dpsk12.net) 

7th Grade: 12/9 - 3:30-5:00 (West Gym)

8th Grade: 12/10 - 3:30-5:00 (West Gym)

7th & 8th Grade 12/11 - 3:30-4:30 (West Gym) 

Students will need knee pads, black shorts and tennis shoes (appropriate shoes are needed - if not in correct shoes, you will not be able to tryout)  

Boys Coach - Meghan Law (email meghan_law@dpsk12.net) 

Grades 6-8: 12/9 - 3:30-5:00 (East Gym)

Grades 6-8: 12/10 - 3:30-5:00 (East Gym)

Call-backs for Athletes - 12/11 3:30-4:30 (East Gym)

Students will need knee pads, black shorts and tennis shoes (appropriate shoes are needed - if not in correct shoes, you will not be able to tryout) 

Because of your kindness and quick response, we raised over $2,400 for food security support. With Walmart’s 10% match, that impact grew to more than $2,650, going right back to Skinner families who need it most. This community continues to show up—thank you for making a difference.

Sweet Cow Results - Thanks to everyone who participated last week. The event raised $374 for the school! 

The Skinner Writing Center opened its doors on October 31 and will continue through mid-May. This welcoming space gives students a calm, supportive environment to focus on schoolwork, collaborate with peers, and get help from teachers and trained student tutors.

Students can work on any subject—not just writing! They might collaborate on science fair projects, book discussions, or other class assignments. The goal is to help students strengthen their academic skills, build confidence, and stay on top of their learning in a relaxed setting. Attendance is taken each day to help us track participation. On Fridays, students may come and go as needed.

Hours:

• Thursdays: 2:40–4:00 p.m.

• Fridays: 3:30–5:00 p.m.

Encourage your student to take advantage of this stress-free, academic space to catch up on work, collaborate with friends, or simply have a quiet place to focus!

Skinner Middle School has been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) this year. NAEP, often called “The Nation’s Report Card,” is a national assessment that helps measure what students across the country know and can do in various subject areas.

While we understand the importance of the data collected through NAEP in helping shape educational policy and practice, nationwide, we also want to ensure that families feel informed and comfortable with their student’s participation.

Only a random sample of our 8th grade students will be selected to participate.  However, families do have the option to opt their student out of this assessment, similar to CMAS. If you would like to opt your student out, please complete the form below or log into your Parent Portal to indicate your preference.

• Parent Portal Opt-Out Directions:

  • CMAS Opt-Out (English)

  • CMAS Opt-Out (Spanish)

  • CMAS Opt-Out (Arabic)

• OR print and turn in the following Opt-Out Form to the Main Office

  • Testing Opt-Out Form (English)

  • Testing Opt-Out Form (Spanish)

Mark Your Calendars: The SchoolChoice Round 1 window is earlier this year! For 2026-27, the application will open at 10 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2025, and close at 4 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2026. Families can submit their SchoolChoice application anytime during the window. 

Big dreams start at Denver North!

• 38 college-level classes

• 6 Career/Tech pathways

• Art, music, theater, sports, clubs & more

• A vibrant, diverse community

• Minutes from home. A world of opportunities

Come tour North & see for yourself! tinyurl.com/NorthTours25-26 to sign up

Para español-llame al 720-423-2720 o envíe un correo electrónico a graciela_guevara@dpsk12.net

Skinner PTO
The Skinner PTO is a community of parents, guardians, and staff working together to support our school and create memorable experiences for our students. You don’t have to commit to attending every monthly meeting — you can jump in on projects that excite you or bring you joy! Whether you love planning, decorating, organizing, or just lending a hand when needed, there’s a place for you. Contact PTO President Frank Coyne at fcoyne7@gmail.com to get involved!

Parent Engagement Opportunities:

CSC: Collaborative School Committee - first Wednesday of every month 4:00-5:30 at Skinner Library

• Meet with parents, admin, staff to discuss issues, impacts, and solutions for the school

• All meetings are open to the public

• Check website for more info 

PTO: Parent/Teacher Organization - first Wednesday of every month 5:30-6:30 at Skinner Library 

• Fundraising, teacher appreciation, parent volunteers

• Check out Skinner Website PTO for more information

• If you’d like to join virtually, use this link

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