Parent Post 1/27/2023

Posted January 27, 2023

Dear Cory Community,

We had another great week at Cory Elementary! The 4th Grade musical was a huge success! I am proud of the work students and staff are engaging in at Cory.  Students are having thoughtful and meaningful discussions using content rich language to build understanding and mastery of content.  Students are being challenged daily so we can support the gifts they bring each and every day! 

I am grateful for our passionate community who advocates to support all students. I want to thank all of the families and Cory’s CSC for engaging in a progressive dialogue about Cory’s budget next year.  Once the budget is accepted by the district, I will send communication on the state of our budget for next year.  

The School Choice enrollment application window for the 2023-24 school year is now open, and it closes 4 p.m. Feb. 14, 2023.

 At Denver Public Schools, we believe all families should have equitable access to the schools they think are best for their kids. Any student who wants or needs to attend a new school for 2023-24 can take part in SchoolChoice. This includes students transitioning to kindergarten, sixth and ninth grade. (All incoming preschool students must participate.) SchoolChoice is as easy as Find, Apply, Register!

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL INFORMATION IS UPDATED IN IC. IF YOU HAVE MOVED PLEASE BRING IN A COPY OF YOUR NEW ADDRESS WITH A XCEL, WATER OR CABLE BILL TO THE FRONT OFFICE. 

● Find: First, to prepare for SchoolChoice, learn more about schools in which you might be interested, starting with your neighborhood school. Check out the School Finder, read the Great Schools Enrollment Guides, and contact individual schools.
● Apply: Create your account. (We recommend using your Parent Portal account username and password to log in). Then, fill out and submit the SchoolChoice application – including ranking your most-preferred schools (up to 12) – any time during the month-long Choice window, 10 a.m. Jan. 13 to 4 p.m. Feb. 14, 2023.
● Register: Once placement notifications are sent in late March, connect with your school for registration information. Need assistance?
Contact the Office of Choice and Enrollment: call 720-423-3493 / email schoolchoice@dpsk12.org / visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org

Dear Families,

      In February, we will begin “One Book One Cory” by reading a book called Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Maker by Zanib Mian. Thank you PTA for purchasing this book for all students and staff at Cory. This book focuses on some aspects of muslim culture, handling bullying, hate speech, and how to get through the ups and downs of life. 

As we read this book together as a whole school during the month of February, we ask that you talk to your child about the book, the topics covered, and their feelings towards it. Asking them about bullying, friendship dynamics and questions they have will generate rich discussions at home as we will also be having them in class. 

In addition, Mr. Davis, the school librarian, has created a website with activities and questions you and your family can do together at home during the Month of February.  https://sites.google.com/dpsk12.net/corylibrarywiki/one-book-one-cory

Whole school reading schedule….

• Jan 30: Chapters 1-6 (1-46)
• Feb 6: Ch 7-11 (47-99)
• Feb 13: Ch 12 – 17 (100-151)
• Feb 22: Ch 19-23 (152 – 205)
• Feb 27: Culminating project (windows and mirrors)

Finally, to further build excitement for literacy at Cory we will be having a family literacy night on February 16th from 4:30-6:00. There will be literacy themed stations set up in classrooms throughout the school. Your family can choose how long you stay, which activities you complete, and how many you do. We look forward to celebrating literacy with you on the 16th. 

We thank you for your support,

The One Book One Cory Planning Committee 

The Cory Elementary Equity Committee is excited to present the Cory Elementary Parent Equity Education Series!

This series will include 4 learning opportunities for parents in the Cory community to gather together and engage in learning around different topics that impact equity in education. 
Session 1 (Hate Speech) – Tuesday, February 7, from 5:30 – 6:45 pm, in the Cory Cafeteria 
Session 2 (Building a Shared Why) – Monday, March 6, from 5:30 – 6:45 pm, in the Cory Cafeteria 
Session 3 (Color Blind vs. Color Brave) – Thursday, April 13, from 5:30 – 6:45 pm, in the Cory Cafeteria 
Session 4 (Summer opportunities and Equity BINGO) will be after school on Monday, May 1, from 3:20 – 3:40 pm, on the Cory blacktop 

Please RSVP for session 1 by Wednesday, February 1!

You may RSVP by emailing Amber Bourgeois, at amber_bourgeois@dpsk12.net by Wednesday, February 1. (Information will also be coming in Friday Folders)

* Pizza will be provided for sessions 1 – 3! Please indicate if you are a vegetarian when you RSVP. 

** If you need child care, it will be provided in a different room at Cory Elementary. Please indicate if you need child care and the age of the child when you RSVP.

*** Please let us know if you will need an interpreter and for what language when you RSVP.

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Multilingual Parent Meeting

Thursday, February 16 

3:30-4:15 pm in Room 209A with Mrs. Butte

 Writing with Family Journals

We will have a workshop where you can learn how to support your child in writing and reading at home. We will learn how to use family dialogue journals to practice writing at home. Family Journals help families know what your students are learning at school. They also help students practice important literacy skills.

This is also Literacy Night at Cory, so stay for more fun literacy activities that start at 4:30.

UPDATES: 

• Need energy bill assistance or access to other supportive resources such as holiday gifts, rent assistance, job search support, etc. See this Denver Community Resource Directory and reach out to the school psychologist, Caraline Vaughn (caraline_vaughn@dpsk12.net) if a school referral is needed for anything you would like access to: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-EXAdM0anAvbA2N0_lOxjL_jW-Bs8IaQ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117819804226493722199&rtpof=true&sd=true  
• First, TO is in search of applicants for our FREE braces program, TO Smiles. For the past 13 years, we have given away ten sets of free braces annually to children who could otherwise not afford them. Dr. Theroux even received the “Channel 7 Everyday Hero” award for this program. The best part of the program is that the recipients perform a 40 hour community service project to “Pay if Forward” and create a ripple effect of goodwill in the community. Please spread the word to teachers, counselors, and anybody who works with kids. We are an official Health Partner of Denver Public Schools.  The annual family income thresholds are quite generous and in general if a child qualifies for free or reduced lunch then they will likely meet the criteria to apply. HISTORICALLY, JUST OVER 50% OF THOSE WHO APPLY ARE ACCEPTED! Those are great odds, so spread the word! All the information is on our website, https://total-orthodontics.com/tosmiles. Thank you in advance!

IMPORTANT DATES

• January 30th – PTA Dine Out @ Viale
• February  1st – 3rd – Vision & Hearing screening
• February  3rd – PTA Meeting @8:30
• February 7th – Equity Parent Ed Series Session 1 @ 5:30 in the Cory Cafeteria
• February 8th – Girl Scout cookie Sale outside after school
• February 14th – School Choice Closes at 4:00 pm
• February 14th – Girl Scout cookie Sale outside after school
• February 16th – Multilingual Parent Meeting 3:30 – 4:15
• February 16th  – Early Literacy Night
• February 20th – No School Presidents’ Day 
• February 21st – Non Contact Day – Teacher Work Day
• February 21st – PTA Dine out @ The Cherry Cricket 
• February 22nd – Spring Individual Picture Day 
• February 22nd – Girl Scout cookie Sale outside after school
• February 28th – Girl Scout cookie Sale outside after school
• March 3 – Report Cards Viewable
• March 6th – Equity Parent Ed Series Session 2 @ 5:30 in the Cory Cafeteria
• March 15th – Class Picture Day 
• April 13th – Equity Parent Ed Series Session 3 @ 5:30 in the Cory Cafeteria
• April 21st – Cory Auction @DU Cable Center
• May 1st – Equity Parent Ed Series Session 4 @ 3:20 on the Cory Playground

Thank you,

Joan Wieser 
Principal
jwieser@dpsk12.net 


Amber  Bourgeois 
STL 
amber_bourgeois@dpsk12.net

COVID Reporting Update:
Anyone can report Covid positive students or staff members. Please be sure to report all cases. Please use this COVID Report Form. 

How Sick is Too Sick? 
When Children and Staff Should Stay Home from School or Child Care 
Evaluation of a sick child must consider which diseases are currently circulating  among students, staff, and the community. Known exposure to cases or an outbreak  of a contagious disease (including but not limited to those listed here), even without  a confirmed diagnosis, may necessitate more stringent return to school  requirements.  During Colorado’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, children and staff  who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should receive testing, and follow the  COVID-19 isolation guidance until testing is completed or if they test positive. If the  individual tests negative for COVID-19, the individual should then follow the  recommendations for their disease or symptoms using the below guidance.  There are four main reasons to keep children and adults at home: 1. The child or staff is at risk of infecting others with COVID-19 or another contagious illness, either because of symptoms or recent close contact. 2. The child or staff member does not feel well enough to take part in usual 
activities. For example, a child is overly tired, fussy or will not stop crying.  3. A child needs more care than teachers and staff can give while still caring for the other children.  4. The child or staff member has symptoms or an illness is on this list, and staying home is required.

Save the Date: Cory 90s Night, 4/21
This is how we do it… Cory is bringing back the 90s! The PTA’s annual auction––our biggest fundraiser of the year––is happening on Friday, April 21 at DU’s Cable Center. Tickets go on sale February 9! 

 Amazon Smile & King Soopers Community Rewards Program
Recently, Amazon announced that it is winding down its AmazonSmile program by February 20. All purchases made before that date will still accrue donations for our school.

Although AmazonSmile is ending, there is still an opportunity to raise money for Cory through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program, which is linked to the loyalty program (SooperCard/AltID) number that you typically use at check out! Be sure to link your loyalty number to Cory so our school can earn rewards. Learn more, and here is more information on registering on your laptop or mobile device.
School Yearbook
The yearbook team is collecting student life pictures for the 2022-2023 Cory yearbook. If you have photos of recent events, please share them with us! We are currently looking for photos of Halloween, STEAM night, Thanksgiving lunch, book fair, band performances, field trips, theme days and other school related events.

Photos can be uploaded to the community google share site here. Please include names/grades of students. If you have any questions, contact Kristen at swindellkristen@gmail.com. 

Our quest has begun! We have kicked off American Heart Association’s KIDS HEART CHALLENGE. Students saw THIS VIDEO and learned that our campus goal is to have 100% of families learn hands-only CPR and raise $22,000.00 in donations to fight heart diseases and stroke!

GET STARTED ON THE QUEST:
Visit our school’s Kids Heart Challenge page: http://www2.heart.org/goto/CoryElementarySchool OR download the Kids Heart Challenge app to get started working on Finn’s Mission.

I’m sure students are eager to Be the Torch! This week Breeze’s Quest is to get signed up! Students who are signed up by Monday will be entered into a drawing for a Large Squishmallow or a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate!

Kids Heart Challenge is a tradition in schools across the country – SEE how the envelope/parent letter in your child’s backpack helped save one father’s life.

Want to be Extraordinary? See how Kash brought Kids Heart Challenge to his whole family and got them thinking about how to be healthy and support his goal. Check back each week for great ideas from real-life kids or visit the WEBSITE for even more great stuff from great kids.

We hope every student will join the Kids Heart Challenge and learn the life-saving skill of hands-only CPR! Any student who raises $50 will qualify to get a special ON COURT experience with the Denver Nuggets! Every student who raises $200 or more will get to “Dragon Snot” Slime Mr. C. and the classroom that has the highest percentage of students register will get an extra PE Class! And, if we reach our goal to raise $21,500 during KHC this year we will get a schoolwide dance party! Don’t forget to complete Finn’s Mission to earn a special Finn keychain for your collection!