Links: 24-25 Calendar (Spanish Calendar)

• Sept 23-26 Spirit Week

• Sept 25       GT Screener 

• Sept 27       No school for students - DPS Staff Development Day

• Oct 1           Parent Teacher Conferences 4-8pm 

• Oct 2          CSC 4-5:30pm/PTO 5:30-6:30pm 

• Oct 4          Picture Day 

• Oct 5           Fall Festival 10-2 pm

• Oct 7-8       Interim #1

• Oct 9            Parent Teacher Conferences 4-8pm 

• Oct 10-14    No School 

• Oct 22        Community Arts Night 5-7pm

• Oct 24          Skinner Cares Day

  
  

Registration for Boys Flag Football and Girls Flag Football is now open! The season starts October 21st. We need at least 15 boys, and 15 girls registered in order to have a season. Please click the link to register - Skinner Flag Football Registration - or stop by Ms. Sierra’s office (located in the Support Staff Suite) to get a QR code to register at home. Registration closes at October 9th at 4pm. Once registration closes, it will not reopen, so please make sure you have it completed before October 9th at 4pm. 

Skinner Community, Plan to join us for our epic Fall Festival! Saturday, October 5 from 10 am – 2 pm. Location: Skinner Fields, Gyms & Cafeteria – Enter from 41st Avenue (North side of the campus). Food and Drinks, Games, Activities, Music, Crafts! So much fun for the whole family! Cash only please!

Fall Festival - Cake Walk, Decorating Contest & Volunteering The Skinner PTO is busy stirring up a plan for the upcoming Fall Festival on October 5th from 10am-2pm! We will sponsor a Haunted House as well as Cake Decorating Contest in conjunction with a Cake Walk for the event. We need your help: Donate baked items for the cake walk (can be anything...store bought or homemade) AND/OR .channel your inner Jacques Torres (Nailed IT!) and enter your best decorated cake and/or cupcakes into the cake decorating contest! Last year's entries were INSANELY GOOD so bring your A-game AND/OR Volunteer for the cake walk & haunted house the day before (setup) and the day of the event. 

CLICK HERE to sign up for cake walk donations and/or volunteer slots!  

Additional Details: - You can drop cake walk baked goods donations on 10/4 during school hours in the front office or drop them on 10/5 between 9-10am in the Skinner gym.- Haunted House: We need day before volunteers (for setup) and day of volunteers. We are also looking for two TALL parent volunteers to help scare inside the haunted house AND if your Skinner student is interested in a "scare shift" during the Haunted House, please reach out directly to Cristin Davis at: cristin.elia@gmail.com 

Cake Decorating Contest Details: Cake and Cupcakes entries only. Your entry must be Fall or Halloween themed and must be hand decorated (not store-bought). Click here for all the details and to sign up.

Questions regarding the haunted house contact: Cristin Davis: cristin.elia@gmail.com Questions regarding the Cake Walk/Cake Decorating Contest contact Michelle Chiodini: michelle.chiodini@yahoo.com  THANKS FOR YOUR HELP & SEE YOU THERE!

We are grateful to Speak Orthodontics for sponsoring the “Screenagers” 3 part series for our students and community!  Last year, all 6th-8th grade students saw all three movies in their Learning Family class.  This year, we are offering the same opportunity for our 6th graders to view these movies in Learning Family.  These screenings will occur in the next month. 

Film #1 : Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age  Film Trailer 

Film #2: Screenagers: Next Chapter Film Trailer

Film #3: Screenagers: Under the Influence  Film Trailer 

Reach out to Julie_Stephens@dpsk12.net if you have any questions. 

Are you interested in learning more about the CoorsTex Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair? Families, curious about how you can support your students this fair season? Students, need more information on how to get started on your research project? 

Please consider registering for the virtual kickoff event to learn more about what this year's science fair will look like. Join the DMRSEF Team, special guest presenters, and science fair pros for a morning of learning, connection, ideas, and more - right from the comfort of your own home!

Register here! A Zoom meeting invitation will be provided to those who have registered prior to the event. We look forward to seeing all of you online - ready to learn, connect, and ask questions - on Saturday, October 5th from 9-11 am!

September 23-26 is SPIRIT WEEK! Monday - Pajama Day; Tuesday - Sports Day; Wednesday - Cartoon Day; Thursday - Class Color Day (6th-Yellow; 7th-Green; 8th-White). Hats and Hoodies allowed if they are part of the costume/look. Hoods must stay down all day. Students will receive details in their Learning Family on 9/19 and 9/20 or check Skinner’s social media for details.

We are pleased to inform you that our 6th and 7th grade students have been provided with protective cases for their school-issued Chromebooks. These cases are designed to ensure the longevity and protection of the devices throughout the school year.  8th grade students will receive their cases shortly, and we appreciate your patience as we work to distribute them.  To maintain the integrity of the Chromebooks, it is an expectation that the protective cases remain on the devices for the duration of the school year. 

Families are invited to join the Family and Community Engagement team for the following virtual learning opportunities:

• Trauma-Informed Restorative Practices: Sept. 30, 5-6 p.m.

  • Up to 80% of students may be identified as needing Tier 1 supports. Learn what it means to overcome behaviors and improve overall social-emotional wellness in your child.

• DPS Bullying 101: Oct. 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

  • Bullying statistics are decreasing, but that does not mean it's not a concern (particularly with cyberbullying/social media). Join us for an overview of what bullying means, how to identify it and how to support your student. 

All sessions have Q&A portions to hear from parents. Plus, join for a chance to win giveaway tickets to the Museum of Nature and Science, The Denver Children's Museum and History Colorado!

Edgewater Rec Center is offering a class to learn Roller Skating & Blading At The Park this fall! It is a 7-week program with sessions on Sundays beginning at 9:30 am Sept 29-Nov 10 at Edgewater Skatepark. Ages 8-17 and all skill levels are welcomed! You can register for this and other classes at PlayEdgewater.com!

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. 

Skinner is excited to announce that we have installed several new bike racks, both outside the 6th grade entrance and near the existing bike corral. Please ask your students to only lock bikes to a bike rack or the fence, NOT TO TREES! Locking bikes to trees can cause damage. We’re working on expanding bike parking in the future. Thank you!

We are happy to announce that our Wellpower Group Facilitator, Cassandra Garcia, will be back this school year on Tuesdays to facilitate small groups for students.  This year's first semester group topics include:  

1)  Anxiety -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)  Introduction to Mindfulness - Students will practice how to be more aware of their thoughts and feelings, and how to manage them in a healthy way. Mindfulness can help students with daily stress/ things that upset them.

3)  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.

In addition, there will be a Voz Y Corazon Art Club available with Cassandra and local Denver artist, Cal Duran offered after school on Tuesdays. 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!

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

All groups are held at Skinner during the school day for 45 minute group sessions for 6 weeks.  (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.

Ms. Garcia will have an information table regarding our group offerings at our Back to School Night on Thursday, 9/12/2024 so stop by for more information!!

Grief/Loss Group by Judi's House - Has your child experienced a significant death of a loved one recently or in the past?  Judi's House, located in Aurora and started by former Denver Broncos Quarterback, Brian Griese and his wife, will be offering a Grief group at Skinner this year.  We need a minimum of 6 students to start a group. The one hour, 10 week group will be held at Skinner during the school day (day/time TBD).  This group allows for education to students on the universal experience of grief and loss, and provides healthy grieving strategies and sacred time with peers who have also experienced loss, to memorialize the deceased loved one in a positive way.  There is no charge for this group.  For more information on the Grief group, contact Skinner Mental Health Team: Valerie Tomasi, Social Worker -Mon-Thursdays at 720-424-1426 or Lauren Wingender, Psychologist - Mon-Fridays at 720-424-1528.

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.

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.

Trying to figure out next steps for high school? Regis Jesuit would love to invite you to our campus to show you what our community is all about. Experience RJ Days: Sept 18 & 27, October 15, November 8. Attend some classes, meet some RJ students, and get a feel for campus. There is a tour and an informational meeting for parents as well! (8th graders only)

Future Raider Football Game and Athletics Showcase: Friday, October 18. This family event will give you an opportunity to talk to coaches and enjoy food and a football game on us! (6th -8th grade students)

Middle School Mixer: Saturday, November 9 - Enjoy a night of games and fun with other area middle schoolers. (6th -8th grade)

To sign up for any of these events, create your online admissions account here: Regis Jesuit High School Application Process. We hope to see you on campus soon!

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.