Links: 24-25 Calendar (Spanish Calendar)

• Oct 10-14   No School for students 

• Oct 17         Screenagers ‘Under the Influence’ Screening & Panel Discussion 5 pm

• Oct 22-23   Math & Language Arts Interim Assessment  #1

• Oct 22         Community Arts Night 5-7pm     Sweet Cow Fundraiser 11 am - 10 pm

• Oct 24         Skinner Cares Day Postino Fundraiser 11 am - 11 pm

I wanted to take a moment to discuss our school's dress code policy and our commitment to respecting student expression and equity. At Skinner, we believe that fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment is essential for the success of all our students. Our dress code guidelines are designed to promote a focus on academics while also allowing for self-expression and individuality.

We also recognize the historical purpose of school dress codes, especially as they relate to females and marginalized communities, is complex and often rooted in problematic societal norms and biases.  We want to be mindful of this history and ensure that our policies are applied equitably and with respect for the diverse experiences and identities of our students.  For example, dress codes have often required female students to cover up more of their bodies compared to male students, reinforcing the harmful idea that women's bodies are inherently sexual and need to be policed. This sends the message that the responsibility for any perceived "distraction" lies with the student, rather than addressing the root issue of sexist attitudes and behaviors.

To that end, we have carefully reviewed our dress code guidelines to strike a balance between maintaining a focused learning environment and upholding the rights and dignity of our students. In recent years, Skinner has worked to revise our policies to be more inclusive, equitable, and focused on creating a positive learning environment for all students, regardless of their gender, race, or cultural background.

• The bottom hem of your top must touch the waistband of your bottoms while standing. All private parts and undergarments must be covered (no underwear/bra straps/etc. should be showing).

• The length of all bottoms must fall to the student’s knuckles or longer. If bottoms have shreds or tears, there can be no visible skin above a student's knuckles.

• Tank top/sleeveless shirts are allowed but need to be at least 2 inches wide (3 finger-width)

• No hats/hoodies/pajamas (except on incentive days)

• No clothing depicting drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or any offensive or sexual material

• No sunglasses, slippers, blankets, pillows, toys, or stuffed animals

• No purses, fanny packs or large bags allowed in class or at recess

Beginning next week, we will begin the day with an announcement and a reminder for Period 1 teachers to check students for dress code.  Students were given a reminder last week of dress code policies and a warning that announcements would begin this week. This school-wide effort is intended to ensure that we implement our dress code policy consistently and equitably.   We are not intending to single out or shame any students based on their clothing choices. If students are not in compliance with our dress code, they will have the opportunity to call home, and have a parent bring a change of clothes, or borrow an item of clothing aligned to our dress code. 

If you have any questions or concerns about our dress code policy, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are committed to working together to create a school community that is safe, inclusive, and supportive for all. 

Thank you for partnering with us,

Julie Stephens, Skinner Principal Julie_Stephens@dpsk12.net 

Skinner has such an amazing community and we are GRATEFUL!  Thank you to all of our Skinner parents who have volunteered their time and resources  - organizing classroom supplies, distributing student schedules, Parent Teacher Conference potluck dinner, Fall Festival!!! Library Volunteers, CSC, PTO, PTO Social Night out, and much more!

Skinner Middle School is hosting a Screenagers Under the Influence documentary screening on October 17th at 5:00 pm in the auditorium. Following the screening, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and share reflections with a panel of community experts. Please RSVP at: https://tinyurl.com/SkinnerMiddle

Skinner's support staff team is in need of your help! We have many students who are in need of a snack on a daily basis. Please check our Amazon wishlist and consider making a donation so we are able to sustainably offer healthy snacks to our students in need. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our community's youth. Please click here and order some items to stock our pantry today! Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Tuesday, October 22 at Sweet Cow, all day from 11 am - 10 pm. Mention “Skinner” when you check out and 40% of your total will be donated to Skinner! Excludes retail and gift card sales, online orders, and delivery orders.. Sweet Cow Ice Cream is located in Highlands Square on 32nd and Lowell. Excludes retail and gift card sales, online orders, and delivery orders. https://www.sweetcowicecream.com/highlands/  MOO 💚🍦💛

Thursday, October 24 at Postino Lohi, all day 11 am - 11 pm. Dine Out for Skinner! Mention “Skinner” at checkout and 20% of your bill will be donated back to Skinner! Online/takeout orders also included, use code “Skinner Middle” Postino Lohi, 2715 17th St.   https://postino.olo.com

Families are invited to the Multilingual Education (MLE) District Advisory Committee (DAC) on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 9-11 a.m at the Denver Zoo. Learn about the Seal of Biliteracy and other important programs for middle and high school students at our College and Career Resource Fair. The meeting includes fee entrance to the zoo. A light breakfast and interpretation services will be available. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register here. Staff are also highly encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the MLE website or contact Olga Olivas at 720-423-3058.

Brown PTA is hosting a special topic meeting around ballot measure 4A, the DPS bond. Dr. Carrie Olson, DPS Board President, and Marlene De La Rosa, District 5 rep and Board Vice President, have agreed to join us at Brown to share more about the bond and speak directly with parents and caregivers about their questions. The Skinner community is invited to attend and have the opportunity to discuss the bond directly with our Board of Education representatives. 

Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Time: 5pm - 6pm
Location: Brown International Academy - Auditorium, 2550 Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO 80211

Potential areas of focus for the conversation:

• Why is a bond needed?

• What is in the bond at a high level? What will it mean for DPS students and families?

• What was the process for deciding what would be in the bond?  Role of CPAC and role of DPS Board of Education?

• How much will the bond cost Denver taxpayers? How is it different from the 2020 Bond?

• How will the bond specifically impact DPS District 5 schools?

• Was a mill levy considered (for salaries)?

• How can parents get engaged and support?

• Other priority topics for the DPS Board of Education right now?

October 23rd at noon - Dina Zainy, from the DPS Trauma-Informed Practices Team will provide attendees with information about the impacts that trauma has on youth, and how to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to build healthy relationships and feel safe in their environments. Dina will also provide parents with tools for how to support their child.
Register here. Spanish Interpretation will be available.

2024-2025 CSC - Skinner Collaborative School Committee (CSC) launched our first meeting!  Feel free to review our slide-deck to learn more about CSC Duties, Skinner 23-24 School Performance Framework, and ‘We are Skinner’ Classroom Culture Tracker.

Caring for Grieving Kids Workshops Tuesday, Oct.15 | 6 – 7:30 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 19 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. Twice a month, we host an online workshop that allows caregivers to connect, ask questions, and learn how to care for grieving kids. Register for one of our free upcoming monthly workshops and learn about tools and resources to best support the grieving children in your life. Register at: https://judishouse.org/workshop-registration/

In addition, Skinner is very lucky to have Judi's House come to our school to provide a 10 week Grief Group for our students each year - if you have a child that is dealing with a recent or past loss and would benefit from support and tools for healthy grieving, please contact Valerie Tomasi, Social Worker for more information. valerie_tomasi@dpsk12.net There is no charge for this group and it is held during the school day.

Skinner has a loaner closet for students that are out of dress code or in need in other ways. We also stock hygiene kits for our students in need. Our Social/Emotional team has set up an Amazon wish list for the items they need for the kits and loaner closet. Please click here and order some items to stock our closet today! Thanks in advance for your generosity. 

Teachers have a whopping 13 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. 

CEC Early College Open House - December 4, 5:30-7:30 pm. https://cecdenver.dpsk12.org/ 

• Choose from 18 dynamic, in-demand career programs - from coding & design to healthcare and business, gain experience and certifications that matter. 

• Earn an Associate's Degree in high school - get ahead, save money and hit the ground running before you even graduate.

• Real-World Industry Experience - get practical skills that will set you up for success.

• Graduate with a rock-solid plan - leave with a clear path to your future, no guesswork needed.

Hello 8th Grade Families, You have a very important decision to make in the next few months, which high school will you choose for your 8th grader? North High is an absolutely outstanding choice and we would like to invite you to learn more about our community of Vikings and why North is the right choice for your family. We have two Information Nights coming up, and we offer daytime tours for families as well. 

North High Prospective Family Information Nights:

• Thursday, November 14, 2024 from 6:30 – 8 pm

• 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.