Our community of DCIS families, students, and staff rallied together to send messages of support to DPS leadership. We are pleased to see the result of this vocal and powerful organizing in the decision to preserve bussing at DCIS at least through the 23-24 school year. This decision reflects how DCIS is a valued school in DPS and an understanding of how bussing supports our students.
As the district operational team made some flexible changes to preserve bussing at DCIS and a number of other schools, they also announced the following in regards to our bell times. For the 22-23 school year, our bell times will remain the same as they currently are. However, for the 23-24 school year, our bell times will shift to be in line with other high schools as outlined in the Healthy Start Times Resolution. In 2023-2024, our bell schedule will be 8:25 - 3:25.
I also want to assure our community that at this time, I have not heard or seen any list that includes DCIS as a school considered for closure in the future. We are not on the list of small schools published earlier this year. I appreciate your engagement in the survey sent out related to decisions about school closures (survey closed on 4/22), as I do believe our advocacy and community voice are important and result in decisions favorable for DCIS as evidenced by the bussing decision made last week. I intend to advocate for our school as strongly as I possibly can.
I believe that the power is in our hands as a school to show the results of our students’ achievement, community engagement, and unique school model. Through these achievements, we earn the continued support of DPS as a valuable and beneficial part of the DPS community. At no other school in Denver do students have the opportunity to travel to Italy as the culmination of their study of Italian or to travel to Guatemala to reflect their commitment to service-learning, or to participate in the national American Exchange Project. In no other school, do Senior presentations to peers and family connect provide powerful examples of leadership and action. In no other school is an entire class dedicated to supporting student interest and college-level research and presentation skills the way that our Passages class is.
Truly, our school is the embodiment of what a public school experience can be for students who seek a smaller school environment that empowers them to discover their voice, their strengths, and their contributions to our global community.
Volunteer for Prom Here! Come join the fun at the Children's Museum!
Volunteer forGraduation Here! Excited to celebrate our Seniors!
DCIS Foundation Spring Gala 2022
Join us as we celebrate ten years of the DCIS Italian Exchange Program and other accomplishments on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 6-8:30 PM at History Colorado Center, Denver.
All proceeds benefit DCIS travel and educational excursions. Please consider supporting the many ways the DCIS Foundation makes unique experiential opportunities possible for our DCIS students.
Congratulations to the eight DCIS MS student artists whose work will be displayed at the Citywide Art Show at the Denver Art Museum starting with the opening reception at 5-6:30 pm on Tuesday, May 10, and running until Thursday, May 26. Please congratulate these artists if you see them!
ICYMI: Please join us in celebrating our DCIS Baker HS student artists and their work featured at the Citywide HS Show at the Wellington Webb Bldg on March 10-25
Madeleine Doyle (gr 9) digital poster Logan Reed (gr 10) sculpture Sadie Masket (gr 11) acrylic series Max Free (gr 12) pencil drawing
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Spring Finals Week Calendar — May and June 2022 Please check out the spring finals week schedules below for May 23-27 and May 30-June 3.
If you have any questions, call our main office at 720-423-9000. Thank you!
Opt-In Window for 2022-23 Transportation Open Now through June 30 The Transportation Opt-In Program for the 2022-23 school year is now live on the Parent Portal. Opt-in instructions are availablehere. Please ensure families of eligible students opt-in via Parent Portal by June 30. If families do not opt-in by June 30, we will plan our bus routes without their student. This doesn’t change their student’s eligibility, but may cause a delay in service.
Career and Technical Education Certification (CTE) Student Interest Form DCIS Students! Please fill out this CTE student interest form. We are looking for your feedback and hoping to understand what certifications you would be most interested in. Thank you!
Senior Families Pleaselet us know HEREif you and your guests will need interpretation/translation support at graduation! We want to make sure our graduation is inclusive of all languages so everyone can enjoy and celebrate together!
SAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 9- MAKE UP Tuesday April 26 (Regular school day schedule, except for those testing)! We need your help!
90% of students tested is our completion goal for the SAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 9 tests! We are at 92% for SAT, 77% for PSAT 10 and 60% for PSAT 9.The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) uses our completion rate and performance to determine our School Performance Rating (SPF). We know all the hard work your students, you, and staff have put into the socioemotional support and academic focus will show growth for our school.
Tuesday, April 26 is the SAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 9 make-up day! If you did not test on April 13, please know you are scheduled to test on April 26. We know testing can bring up feelings of anxiety and stress, especially because students haven't taken a standardized test like this in some time. And at the same time, these tests can give a snapshot of how students are doing in math and English for their grade level and what they may need to work on, and prepare them for one of the ways they can show graduation readiness- the SAT test.
Please know the scores are for your students' and teacher's classroom use. The scores are not shared with colleges or other postsecondary institutions.
Practice AP Saturday Tests If your student is taking an AP class, there are opportunities for students to take a practice test at school. Please check with your student, and/or their teacher for the specific information.
Office Hours As we are nearing the end of the school year, if students are struggling in a course- F or D, please know that office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:33-3:57 PM are a great time for students to get extra help, turn in work, etc.
DCIS Parent Survey: Ethnic Studies Greetings from the Challenge 5280 Core Team!
Ethnic Studies are an interdisciplinary approach to studying race in the United States, through analyzing the history, culture, and identities of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other self-identifying people of color (BIPOC). It can also include the study of intersectionality, including the experiences of queer, disabled, or female-identifying BIPOC.
For our policy this year, we hope to implement this course as a graduation requirement, first at DCIS, then branching out to a district-wide policy. As a result, we hope to uplift students of color, educate our generation on race and racism, and give students the tools to speak up for themselves and their peers.
The following survey is for parents of DCIS to express their thoughts, comments, and concerns about our policy. bit.ly/DCIS_EthnicStudiesParentSurvey
— Amplifier Artwork created by Camila Rosa, Thomas Wimberly & Nurul Yaqin
KEY DATES
SAVE THE DATE! DCIS Baker Spring Events 2022 Please mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details
DCIS Senior Check Out — May 12th and 13th, 2022
DCIS High School Prom — Saturday, May 14, 2022
DCIS High School Graduation — Friday, May 20, 2022
DCIS 8th Grade Continuation — Thursday, May 26, 2022
DCIS Community Mural Meeting #6 — Thursday, April 28, 2022
DCIS students, we will be painting the mural on this date and would love for you to join us!
This meeting will be hosted on Thursday, April 28, 2022 from 11-11:45 AM during the DCIS art club.
Cinderella by the DCIS Drama Club — Thursday, April 28 - Saturday, April 30
Join us for our spring production of Cinderella presented by the DCIS Drama Club. This will be hosted on Thursday, 4/28, Friday, 4/29, and Saturday, 4/30 at 6pm.
Tickets are only $5! They can be purchased onwww.myschoolbucks.com(to access, make sure to login with your DCIS info) and at the door as well.
Hope to see y'all there!
Cinco de Mayo Community Celebration — Thursday, May 5, 2022 Join us for a special Cinco de Mayo Community Celebration on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
We are asking all attendees to bring food and dishes special to them to share with the community potluck style. In addition, we will have a limited number of burritos provided by Santiagos, drinks for sale, a food truck on-site, and a paleteria with ice cream for sale.
Event Details:
- 2-4 PM (DCIS Students/Families) | 4-6 PM (Open to all)
- Hosted outside at DCIS Baker (574 W. Sixth Ave., Denver, CO 80204)
- Music. Live Dance Performances. Student Celebrations. Unveiling of our Community Mural.
Get free at-home COVID-19 tests today! Thanks for your help keeping our students, teachers, staff, and community safe! Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Judi’s House for Grieving Children and Families We are excited to let you know about the FREE servicesJudi’s Housewill be offering: Caring for Grieving Kids virtual workshops for parents and guardians.
FREE Mental Health Support for Colorado Youth ClickHERE
What can parents do to prevent bullying? TIPShere!
Do you need to talk to your counselor?
Fill out the form below and your counselor will get in touch with you either via email, phone or Google Meet.
Safe2Tell Colorado: 877-542-7233, https://safe2tell.org Note that DCIS staff and DPS Safety & Security and DPD monitor Safe2Tell 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. This is the quickest way to reach out if you have safety concerns that are imminent.
Colorado Crisis and Support Line: 844-493-8255, or text TALK to 38255
FAMILY COMMUNITY RESOURCES
DCIS Clothing Closet and Food Pantry We are continuing to accept donated food, water, and canned goods, as well as clothing to support students, families, and community. If you'd like to contribute or would like to receive support, please feel free to contact DCIS' School Social Worker, Vincent Scudella at vincent_scudella@dpsk12.org.
Please check outthis listof recommended foods and household items.
COMMUNITY NEWS
DCIS PTSA 50/50 Raffle Spring 2022 Enter the 50/50 Raffle and you could win up to $2500! DCIS PTSA is holding a Raffle to raise funds for new Auditorium Chairs. The winners will be announced at the Cinco De Mayo Event at school on May 5th at 6 PM. Buy tickets now onlinehttps://app.memberhub.gives/5c33a8/Campaign/Details
Let’s show our DCIS Teachers and Staff how much we appreciate them! Teacher appreciation week starts May 2nd.
We want to give each staff member a $25 Amazon gift cards and need 67 total. Please select as many slots as you can on our SignUp Genius Page and click on the button to sign up. We are requesting that all gift cards are delivered to the DCIS Main Office by April 27, 2022.
Thank you so much for your generous support of our school community! DCIS Baker PTSA
Boletín Requests Please send bi-weekly boletín requests (key announcements, community updates, and feedback) to our School Communications Specialist at Stephenie_Lock@dpsk12.org.
Spring Opportunities to Celebrate and Volunteer 
Darien Palmon, Iseph Derani-Thorpe, and Silver Trujillo (gr 7) sculpture
