October 21st, 2025
Dear Swigert Families,
As I shared in this Community Letter on Friday, we are in the review process for our Innovation Plan. We adjusted our Innovation Plan this year and will vote as a staff at the end of October. The Denver Public Schools Board of Education will vote on our plan and our LLN Zone Plan in January. Being an innovation school, within an innovation zone, allows our school important flexibility in our budget, flexibility and time. We are able to implement our IB program due to this flexibility and innovate to meet student and staff needs. If you want to learn more about our innovation plan and the LLN we are hosting a meeting on Wednesday, 10.22 at 4:00 in the Swigert Library. We are in an election cycle for the Denver Public Schools Board of Education, we encourage you all to vote and learn about the candidates. It matters a great deal to our school community.
We are continuing to adjust our drop off and pick up procedures at Swigert to make sure everyone is safe and we are as efficient as possible. Señor Amador and Mr. Miller created this video to help explain the drop off procedures in the morning. I have to admit the video is quite well done, we will see if they earn an Oscar. Take a look and let me know if you have any further questions:
Direct Video Link: https://youtu.be/qNRlpoMn9mM
Please join us this week as we have two grade level student presentations of learning. As part of our IB program every year students will present their learning to the community in one of their units. Our fourth graders are displaying their social action posters at the Stanley on Wednesday from 5-7. They will be up for the next three weeks, come check out what issues our students are passionate about. Our ECE students are presenting their artwork, poetry and songs to the community on Thursday between 5-6 in the Swigert Library. They have been working hard on some impressive sculptures, collages and songs to share with you all.
As always, please reach out with any questions. Sincerely,
Shelby Dennis
NOW - CANDY DRIVE!
October 22nd - 4th Grade Social Action posters open house @ Stanley
October 22nd - Innovation Plan Meeting
October 27th - thanksgiving lunch tickets so on sale
October 30th - Yearbook cover contest due (5th graders only - pushed back one week)
October 30th - Halloween Parties & Parade, Trunk or Treat
October 31st - No school for students, 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
Innovation Status Info Meeting
Are you interested in learning more about Swigert's Innovation Status and Innovation Plan? Please join Swigert Leadership on Wednesday, October 22nd from 4:00-5:00 in the library to learn more about our Innovation Plan, Innovation Review Process, and Innovation Zone. If you need translation services, please reach out to Megan Tate (megan_tate@dpsk12.net).
4th Grade Social Action Posters
Please join us for the opening of our Swigert art exhibit:
4th Grade Social Action Posters
Stanley Marketplace: In the Walkway Above the Denver Biscuit Company
2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010
Wednesday, October 22nd
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Open house, come when you can!
The posters will be up from October 22 through November 3rd, so you are also welcome to come any time during the exhibit.
Halloween Details
We are excited to get to celebrate the Halloween festivities with your student next week. Kindergarten through 5th grade students should pack their costumes in a bag to change into before the after parties and parade. ECE kids are coming to school IN costumes. Please make sure your costumes are not gory or super scary, and there no weapons (fake sword, numb chucks, etc).
See all the details about the day here - https://swigert.dpsk12.org/2025/10/13/halloween-details-2/
Reminder: 5th Grade Yearbook Cover Contest
Reminder to all 5th graders. Submission for the yearbook cover are due to Emily Pool by Friday, October 30th - I extended the deadline a week. See all the details here:
https://swigert.dpsk12.org/2025/09/08/5th-grade-yearbook-cover-contest/
We're Hiring!
We are hiring two Para Professional for our MI-Autism Classroom. If you or someone you know is interested, please reach out directly to Shelby Dennis! shelby_dennis@dpsk12.net.
October 31: NO SCHOOL, Conference Day
There is NO SCHOOL for students on Halloween, October 31st. Teachers are using the full day to host parent/teacher conferences. Some teachers are offering conferences ahead of that time as well. Please reach out to your classroom teacher for specific questions on scheduling your conference. We'd love to touch base with every family!
Thanksgiving Lunch
Save the date for our Community Thanksgiving Lunch on Thursday, November 20th. More details will be coming very soon!
Music - 4th & 5th Grade Concerts!
4th and 5th grade:
Mark your calendars! The 4th and 5th grade concerts are on Thursday, November 13.
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
Trunk or Treat: Candy Drive!
It's startling how much candy we need for Trunk or Treat!! Please bring a bag of candy to school now-10/29 for Trunk or Treat, our nighttime community Halloween celebration. We have an amazing lineup of creative trunks but still need giant carts of candy. Thank you for contributing and...
Please join us for Trunk or Treat on 10/30 at 5pm on the playground. Costumes encouraged, families (minus actual live animals) welcome, and parents must be present!
Auction Committee Meeting
Are you wanting to get involved with the auction committee? You're invited to their next planning meeting on Friday, October 24th right after drop off at 8:15 in a classroom TBD. Reach out to Cara (cara925@gmail.com) or Holly (hmaggio@gmail.com) for more info!
Luminary Learning Network: Who We Are, part 2
“Innovation is a tool of empowerment. We build inclusive and asset-minded schools… Our work is not done until opportunity gaps are closed.” #luminarylearningnetwork
Check out this video from the LLN: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19oyEn92mx/
McAuliffe Trick or Treat
Join us on Friday October 24th, from 5:30-7p for the McAuliffe Trick or Treat extravaganza! Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend with students, to help navigate students through the trick-or-treating line (each student can go through the line one time). There will also be food trucks and local vendors present to purchase from.
Students - dress up & bring your own candy collection bag.
Events will be taking place in the North Gym and the Staff Parking Lot (both are on the 26th Ave side of campus).
East High School Trick or Treat
East High School: Trick or Treat Street - East is hosting their annual Trick or Treat Street event on October 29th, 4-6pm at East High School. There will be candy, games, music and more! Come dressed in a costume and enjoy getting to know people from all over the larger-Denver community.
Coat Drive & Giveaway
Community Cares Coat Drive now thru October 23rd at all District Stations: click here for more information.
Community Cares Coat Giveaway – this Saturday, October 25th from 10 AM to Noon in the community room at the District 2 Station located at 3921 Holly Street. All are welcome!
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.