January 21, 2025

Dear Swigert Families,

I hope everyone stayed warm, what a chilly weekend. With a late start we always follow Denver Public School guidelines and procedures. I know it can be a bit confusing. All buses pick up two hours later at the same time (hopefully) and school starts two hours later, so for Swigert that is 10:10 with morning supervision available at 9:55. We modify our specials schedule so all students still get their regular special for the day but it is a shorter time frame.  Here is the DPS website for more information - DPS Weather. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Our Kindergarten students went to one of our favorite fieldwork sports last week, the Morrison Natural History Museum, as part of their History Unit, Where We are in Place and Time, they learned more about fossils and dinosaurs in hands on experiences. Here are a few photos:

Our fourth grade students will have their social action posters up for display this week at the Stanley Market Place. They will be all across the second floor balcony areas. If you are in the area of want to learn more about issues that our students are passionate about, check it out. I am so proud of our students and teachers, the IB units are authentic and tied to real world, hands-on learning. 

Sincerely,

Shelby Dennis

---> ECE4 choice/UPK applications due February 3rd! <---

Kinder, 6th, and 9th grade choice applications due February 18th.

There are important changes to the ECE application process for the 2025-26 school year. 

• Those applying for ECE-4 must complete a Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK) application and a DPS SchoolChoice application, however, the school match will come from UPK. This is a change from the last several years when DPS made the matches.

DPS SchoolChoice Round 1 opens at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15 and closes at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18. In order to ensure families can submit their UPK and SchoolChoice applications, they need to submit both by February 3rd.

1. Visit upk.colorado.gov to complete a UPK application.

• If your student does not have an IEP, make your school selections. 

• If your student has an IEP, the application will guide you to submit your application without making school selections. 

2. Visit dpsschoolchoice.my.site.com to complete a DPS SchoolChoice application. 

• Select “Universal Preschool Colorado” as your school selection. Applicants will not make school selections in the DPS SchoolChoice application. DPS will support applicants with an IEP in selecting a school at a later time.

For help, we suggest reaching out to UPK as of now:

Online: Help.UPK.Colorado.Gov
Email: universalpreschool@state.co.us
Phone: 303-866-5223, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

****We're a little worried about how the new system will be tracking and matching up our siblings. Could you please email Hannah (hannah_bickford@dpsk12.net) to let us know you have a 4 year old by October 1 and are hoping for an ECE 4 spot this fall so that we have an ongoing spreadsheet of all the siblings we need to make sure get in?

For details on the dates of CMAS testing coming in April, please see THIS LETTER or head to the website: https://swigert.dpsk12.org/2025/01/07/cmas-information/.

The fourth Read Around the World book club text will take us to the continent of Africa. We will be reading the graphic novel, When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 19th from 3:30-4:30 in the Swigert library. Any student is welcome to join us, just please sign up so I can best prepare for snacks and activities. 

Here is the link to register for our fourth book club meeting. 

Questions? Reach out to Ms. Mosley at l_holcomb-mosley@dpsk12.net.

Student council is having a fundraising night at Noodles & Co. on Wednesday, February 5th from 4pm-8pm. Families can either use the provided code on the flier and order online, or go in person and bring the flyer or mention the fundraiser. Swigert student council will receive 25% of sales back to support their Swigert news channel production supplies and future student council events.

The science fair registration is still open through January 28th. To register, complete THIS FORM!

For more details, visit this website (https://sites.google.com/site/swigertsciencefair3) or email Racha_kobitary@dpsk12.net with questions!

1st and 3rd grade:

The 1st and 3rd grade concerts are coming soon! 

The 1st graders will present “A Continental Concert” and the 3rd graders will present “Mother Nature” on Thursday, February 6.

At 5:45 PM, 1st grade students will meet in their classrooms. Their concert begins at 6:00 in the gym.

At 6:25 PM, 3rd grade students will meet in their classrooms. Their concert begins at 6:40 in the gym.

Dress for this concert is nice clothes.

If you cannot make it to the evening concert, you may attend the dress rehearsals, Wednesday February 5 and Thursday February 6 during the school day: 10:25 (3rd grade) and 2:10 (1st grade)

See you there!

Kindergarten and 2nd grade:

Mark your calendars! The kindergarten and 2nd grade concerts are on Thursday, March 13.

Attention 5th Grade Singers:

Selections for DPS Elementary City-Wide Honor Choir are coming soon! 

WHAT

Every year, DPS has a city-wide music festival for elementary students. We are putting together a group of 5th graders to represent Swigert. They will join kids from around Denver to sing in the choir at the music festival.

WHEN + WHERE

Singers will practice with Mrs. Baker after school 4 times and will practice at home with practice tracks.

Swigert practices are from  3:15-4:00 on Wednesdays

• February 5 

• February 12

• (No practice February 19) 

• February 26

• March 5

On the day of the festival, students and Mrs. Baker will take a bus to Montbello for a full day of rehearsals followed by a concert.

Festival Day: Thursday, March 6th, 10am - 7pm rehearsals and concert concert @ Montbello (exact concert time to be announced).

HOW

If your student is interested, fill out this form. Students will participate based on teacher recommendation. Please only nominate your students if they can attend at least 3 out of 4 after-school rehearsals and the whole-day event on March 6. 

Registration ends January 20. Selected students will be notified by January 28. 

Sign up HERE.

We are excited to announce the upcoming Summer Academy, designed for students below and significantly below grade level. This program aims to enhance math and literacy skills while fostering creativity and social growth in a supportive environment.

Program Highlights:

• Math and Literacy Enrichment

• Computer Science (LEGO activities)

• Qualified teachers and staff

Registration opens soon and spaces are limited. Watch for registration details and deadlines announced in the next few weeks. If you have questions, contact the DPS Activities team or email summer-academy-2025.groups@dpsk12.net.

1/26 Denver Zoo

2/02 Denver Museum of Nature & Science

2/05 Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave

2/09 Denver Zoo
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2/13 & 2/20 Denver Botanic Gardens

2/22 Denver Art Museum

2/22 Lunar New Year Celebration - Longmont, CO

2/27 Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​More information here

We strive to have great communication about all things Swigert.

Please visit our website at www.swigert.dpsk12.org learn more about Swigert and events that are coming up.

You can also join our Friends of Swigert International School, a private Facebook page. We post pictures of events at school, interact as a school family, and you can see friendly reminders of upcoming events.

Wondering who to contact if you have questions about? See table below:

Swigert uses Google Calendar. Do you? If so, you can stay up to date on all school activities.
Just add the Swigert Calendar to your personal calendar. Learn how to do that here.

To reach Swigert International School:
Office: (720) 424-4800
Attendance: (720) 424-4740

We love our Swigert Sponsors! Check out and support their businesses!