October 7th, 2025
Dear Swigert Families,
Thank you ALL for your generous support last week, we met our goal and then some. It means so much to our school community. The spirit week colors were fun to see across the school and we all enjoyed the festive color run!
This month is Dyslexia Awareness Month. We know dyslexia impacts about 20% of our students in different ways and to different degrees. We are proud of our systematic and early approach to screening and supporting students with dyslexia, and we see dyslexia as a true super power. There are so many different strengths that our dyslexic students share, including strong problem solving skills, big-picture thinking, reasoning, critical thinking, and creativity, to name a few. We also know that students with dyslexia have brains that are wired a little differently and they often need extra support with literacy skills. At Swigert, we address those needs through a Science of Reading approach which includes Orton Gillingham and Heggerty in our language blocks for all students as well as small group pull-out support for students that need an extra dose. Here is some more information about Swigert’s literacy approach and some resources (see slide deck for literacy night) for families.
International Dyslexia Association - Rocky Mountain Branch: Rocky Mountain Branch of the International Dyslexia Association – #UntilEveryoneCanRead
Colorado Department of Education- Dyslexia: Colorado Dyslexia | CDE
DenCO Kid: Denver County Kids Identified with Dyslexia
Check out the Dyslexia display in Ms. Jones' room and the hallway that both share about famous people who have dyslexia.
Lastly, I wanted to highlight one of our fourth grade students, Leta Jones, who wrote a piece about having dyslexia from her perspective.
Sincerely,
Shelby Dennis (shelby_dennis@dps12.net)
What it is like to be Dyslexic
By: Leta Jones
If you are not dyslexic please do not judge people who are dyslexic, because when I was judged being dyslexic I was really sad and it made me want to give up on reading. but I told myself no, keep doing it so I kept doing it. I got into tutoring and I kept working and working. And then I went past grade level and I surprised my whole family and I was so excited. What is dyslexia, dyslexia is when it does something in your mind that Messes with it and makes it harder for you to read the words and lots of people have it. But like Albert Einstein he's dyslexic but he's good at lots of other things so dyslexic people are not good at reading but good at other things Like math, science, and writing. I hope in your future, you do not judge people if they are dyslexic and now you know what it's like for them to feel.
October 7th - Sweet Cow & Maria Empanada Dine and Donate
October 10-13th - No school, Fall Break
October 16th - Community Event: Parenting Childhood Anxiety
October 17th - Community Coffee - All About IB
October 17th - 1st and 2nd Grade Family Meetup
October 18th - Swigert Community Night w/ CO Rapids
October 30th - Halloween Parties & Parade, Trunk or Treat
October 31st - No school, Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 3rd - Food Drive, Yearbook orders open
November 4th - Chick-Fil-A Dine and Donate
November 10-12th - Fall Book Fair
November 13th - 4th & 5th Grade Music Concert & Art Show
November 20th - Community Thanksgiving Lunch
November 22-30th - Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL
School Pictures are LIVE!
Our amazing school photos are LIVE! Here’s how to view them and place an order if you want.
Go to https://thebloombeehive.com/swigert. Scroll to the teal box named “Fall 2025 Galleries.” Press that button, then press view gallery. Enter your email address, then the pink continue button, then the pink Fall 2025 button. Kids are listed by last names and to view the pictures, you will need their student ID number. You can find that in your parent portal. You can order prints and packages directly from their website!
If you are not happy with your photos, you can sign up for retakes from the same page! Retakes will be taken on Wednesday, October 15th, first thing in the morning around 8:30. All kids that were absent have been automatically signed up for retakes. Let me me know if you have any questions!
Community Event: Parenting Childhood Anxiety
Thursday, October 16 · 5:30 - 7pm
Come join us at Swigert International School for an informative workshop on Parenting Childhood Anxiety. This event is designed to give parents valuable information about childhood anxiety and help parents navigate the challenges of raising children who may be struggling with anxiety. Learn practical tips and strategies from Stacy Babbitt, LCSW. Stacy is a mom to two Swigert Eagles and a therapist with over 15 years of experience treating anxiety disorders and OCD. Connect with other parents facing similar situations and share your experiences. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and support. See you there! Please note that this is the same workshop that was offered last Spring
Register Here: Swigert Childhood Anxiety Workshop
Community Coffee
Join our admin team and IB Coordinator, Mrs. Dane to learn all about IB at our next Community Coffee.
Friday, October 17th after drop off in the library
Community Event: 1st & 2nd Grade Family Meetup
1st and 2nd Grade Family Meetup
What: Please join us for a casual meetup for students and families to get to know each other and spend time together
When: Friday October 17th, 5pm-7pm
Where: Denver Beer Company
7070 E Lowry Blvd Denver, CO 80230
RSVP appreciated, not required: stacybabbitt4@gmail.com
Read Around the World Book Club
✈️It's time for the next Read Around the World Book Club. It is open to all Swigert students, with book choices best suited for grades 3–5. Parents can decide if selections are right for their child.
🌍 Each month, we’ll read an own-voice book set on a different continent—celebrating the joy of reading while exploring new perspectives. Students can read independently, listen to an audiobook, or enjoy being read to. Participation should fit each family’s style.
📚 No fee to join, but families provide their own copies of the books if possible. Swigert will provide copies if needed--we want anyone interested to participate!
🛂 Members will receive a Book Club passport, stamped each time they attend. Students may come every month or just when it works for them.
📅 Meetings: 3:15–4:15 in Room 212 (Mosley’s Classroom). Pickup outside the main office.
Questions - reach out to Ms. Mosley at l_holcomb-mosley@dpsk12.net
Sign up now for October's book!
Wednesday, 10/29/25: Australia
Art - Artist of the Month!
October’s Artist of the Month is Elena Vasquez! Elena is a 5th grader in Ms. Ramos’ class. Elena is always very principled and open minded! Here she is holding her Loon Lake project. Her creativity and style are inspiring! Way to go, Elena!
Ms. Carlson
Music - 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade: Recorders
As a part of the music curriculum, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are learning to play the soprano recorder. The 3rd grade classes are starting their recorder unit now. The 4th and 5th grade classes will have their recorder units later this year.
Every student has a recorder to use at school, but some families like to purchase a recorder so students can practice at home as well. We will be ordering 3-piece Yamaha recorders. Each recorder (including shipping) costs $5.00.
Students may also wish to purchase a copy of Recorder Express for $9.00. This book is supplemental to the work the students are doing in class.
Here are some helpful practice hints:
Cover all the holes tightly- leaks lead to squeaks!
Left on top-forget me not!
Blow gently with “warm” air.
If you choose to purchase a recorder, you can order online through MySchoolBucks.You will have the option to choose a recorder alone (standard), recorder and book, or book alone. Your student will receive their recorder during music class.
Thank you for your continued support of your child’s creativity in music!
Mrs. Baker
Swigert Gives
Congratulations! Your generosity has helped Swigert cover their IB costs and enabled so many enriching programs and learning opportunities! Thank you for donating to make our school an exceptional educational environment for all 710 Eagles! The kids showed amazing spirit, and many special events like International Night, Winterfest, and more can continue thanks to your support.
Dine and Donate - TODAY!
Support Swigert by dining and donating at Maria Empanada and Sweet Cow at the Stanley Marketplace tonight, 10/7!
Trunk or Treat: Call for Creative Trunks
Save the date for Trunk or Treat on Thursday, 10/30 from 5pm until the candy runs out! More information and a giant candy drive will happen closer to the event, but we need all the creative, fun trunks to start crafting!
Please sign up here to decorate your trunk!
Swigert Community Night with CO Rapids
Swigert International friends, families, and community are invited to Swigert Community Night, where you will receive special discounted ticket pricing for the Rapids home match on Saturday, October 18th at 7pm.
For each ticket sold, the Rapids will be donating a portion of your ticket purchase back to the Swigert PTA.
Check out more details and get tickets here: https://rapids.spinzo.com/colorado-rapids-vs-los-angeles-football-club-2025-10-18-HPWCU?group=swigert-international-school-rb3b
DSA Open house
Denver School of the Arts combines conservatory-style arts training with some of the strongest academics in Colorado. Students study with board certified teachers and guest artists from across the country while also excelling in AP and college level classes.
Our students are consistently recognized on national stages, performing across the nation and internationally, while also ranking among the state’s best in college readiness.
If your child dreams big, DSA is where those dreams find support and challenge. Please join us for an Open House November 3 for MS or November 5 for HS.
DSA Leadership Team
We strive to have great communication about all things Swigert. Please visit our website at www.swigert.dpsk12.org to learn more about Swigert and events that are coming up.
If you need translation services for ANY Swigert event, please reach out to Megan Tate at Megan_Tate@dpsk12.net
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.