February 4, 2025

Dear Swigert Families,

February is the official month to recognize Black History Month, knowing that Black History is not something we solely focus on during the month of February but throughout our days, throughout our curriculum, and throughout every school year. That being said, it is critically important to take this time to understand, reflect and honor the lives and accomplishments of Black Individuals. The purpose of this month was originally created to teach school-aged children about Black History so we could spearhead change and transformation in our society; and that holds just as relevant and true today. In Denver, Five Points was considered the Harlem of the West - History of Harlem of the West.

I know this work is more than just the month and we are continuously adjusting our IB units to reflect Black History and diversifying our resources and libraries. Throughout this month we will take some additional time to elevate Black history for our students during morning meetings. Each staff member is choosing a black person who has influenced or inspired their life and sharing a one page about their influence.  As we kick off Black History Month at Swigert, we are excited to share our student and staff Black History Month video, highlighting African Americans we admire and the IB attributes that they embody.  Here is our Black History Month video!

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/.

1st and 3rd grade:

The 1st and 3rd grade concerts are this week!

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.

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: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvLxvAmuz_f5doKdM2p3U771-2fFtwqtiZeUW-KLpbq5zS0A/viewform

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.

Student Council would love to announce upcoming Friday spirit days! The next one is Friday, February 21st and is dress like a TV/Movie Character day, or dress themed like your favorite TV show or movie. See more details here: https://swigert.dpsk12.org/2025/01/28/spirit-days/

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:

https://kdvr.com/news/local/commerce-city-family-dealing-with-2nd-tragedy-in-a-year-after-driver-crashes-into-home/

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:

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!