January 28, 2025
January 28, 2025
Dear Swigert Families,
I know school safety is incredibly important and we want to share as much information as we can with the community on both school and district policies and procedures. I wanted to clarify some information about our safety protocols, as well as share information and guidance regarding any ICE visits in the upcoming months.
Last week Denver Public Schools called a secure perimeter at Swigert due to an adult behaving erratically near the school grounds. A secure perimeter is called when there is a threat or police activity in the nearby community and they want to keep the students and staff inside the building safe. When this is called, we lock all exterior doors and no one is allowed inside or outside the school building. School business inside the school can continue as normal - meaning students are walking to and from specials, engaging in classwork, etc.
The secure perimeter was called near dismissal time, so it was even more challenging. We are not allowed to dismiss students until we get an all clear from Denver Schools Safety and Security. They need to do a sweep of the outside area and be able to say it’s safe to dismiss students. They recommend families wait to come to pick up their kids or stay in their cars. Teachers, staff, and admin often don’t know what the threat is but know we need to follow the guidelines to keep our students safe. Denver Public Schools sends out an immediate message to let you all know what is going on but there is little detail to the why or what is happening. I know this is very challenging and difficult. We will update you with our own communication as soon as we are able to do so or when we have additional information. Here is a write up of our safety protocols so you can better understand what each one involves - Safety protocols.
There is currently news about potential ICE raids at schools. We are following Denver Public Schools guidance regarding what to do if ICE shows up at our school. We have been guided not to allow federal officials into the building and to put the school on a secure perimeter until we can talk to legal or our operational superintendent. Please see the attached information here- DPS Policy. I don’t know the likelihood of this happening but do know we all need to be aware. It is also another reason we might call a secure perimeter in the future.
On an entirely different topic and positive note, we just received news that Swigert will be opening a Kindergarten-Second Grade Autism Center in the 2025-2025 school year. It will be one classroom with 8-10 students, a special education teacher, and three paraprofessionals. We are excited for this opportunity. If you know anyone who is passionate about working in this environment, please reach out to me - Shelby_Dennis@dpdsk12.net.
Thank you all for your support and collaboration. It means a great deal. I feel proud to work in a school that honors and supports our students' diversity and supports an inclusive learning environment.
Sincerely,
Shelby Dennis
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/.
Student Council would love to announce these upcoming Friday spirit days! The first one is this Friday, January 31st. Students can dress like teachers and teachers can dress like students.
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.
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 PTA is looking for leaders to support our school for the next school year to help continue to make Swigert Elementary a place where every child can reach their potential. The PTA is a volunteer organization where all are welcome.
"I love being a part of the Board because it allows me to be even more closely connected to the school and our community. The Board is a great group of people who are all committed to our kids' success and love to laugh and have fun while supporting Swigert!” - Ankita Jhaveri PTA Co- President ‘24-’25
Submit your nominations for the 2025-26 School Year before February 15, 2025. Nominees can include yourself or another PTA member. The nominating committee will contact all nominees to confirm they wish to accept the nomination. The election will be held at the PTA meeting by voting members on March 19, 2025.
PTA Officer roles to be filled:
President
Vice President
Communications Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Learn more about the PTA Officer roles and responsibilities.
If you have questions about the roles or process, please contact Laurel Walk at laurelwalk@gmail.com
A Swigert family needs our help! Over the last several months they have experienced several unfortunate events. From losing their possessions in a storage fire, to having their rental home become unhabitable. If you'd like to learn more about their story or contribute to their GoFundMe, you can read more details here. This is being shared with permission from the family.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/arianas-family-recovering-from-two-tragedies
news article:
Jake is a 4th grader here in Mr. Jones' class. The Cupid's Undie Run is fundraiser his family is participating in to support those affected by Neurofibromatosis (NF), a group of genetic conditions that cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body.
In November 2020, Jake had to start the MEK Inhibitor treatment to save his eyesight! We had no idea that all the donations we raised leading up to this point in time would literally save his eyesight! After two years of daily treatment, the tumor on Jake's optic nerve is stable meaning his eyesight has been saved. To those who have donated in the past - thank you! Without all the donations Cupid's and CTF raise who knows if the MEK Inhibitor would have been developed!
We're not done! Each day brings new challenges. Something as minor as a headache makes us think the worst and we don't know if there is something in the near future that will show up. So...we need your help! Please sign up and join our team on Saturday, February 22nd, run with us, donate to #TeamJDPowl, pass the link on to your family and friends and ask for your company to match your generous donation!
Learn more about it here: https://my.cupids.org/fundraiser/5961056
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:
ROLE
NAME
Instruction, Programming, etc
Shelby Dennis
Amber Holthus-Pera
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
February 6th
1st & 3rd Grade Music Concerts
February 13th
Valentine Celebrations
February 14-17th
NO SCHOOL
February 20th
Swigert's Got Talent
February 28th
Science Fair
March 6th
Family Bingo Night
March 13th
Kinder & 2nd Grade Music Concerts
March 19th
PTA Meeting
March 22-April 1st
Spring Break!
May 3rd
Save the Date - Auction!
We love our Swigert Sponsors! Check out and support their businesses!