Parent Post 1/6/2023

Posted January 6, 2023

Dear Cory Community,

We had a great first week back after winter break! It has been wonderful to see all of the smiling faces. Please attend our CSC meeting next Thursday at 4:00 pm if you are interested in learning about the budget and the decisions we need to make for next year.  I am committed to focusing on student’s first, social-emotional support and open and transparent communication. I value you, our community and the student’s at Cory!  I can’t wait to see what this new year brings! 

Here are some updates to start this semester as successfully as possible:

• Please make sure students dress for the weather as students will be going outside this week.  Please make sure students have hats, gloves, boots and a heavy jacket as the temperatures will be cooler this week.  
• It is absolutely imperative that we are following traffic laws in our Cory Parking Lot. If you are not in a parking space in the parking lot you cannot park your vehicle. Please use the kiss and go lane on Iowa Street if you are dropping students off. If you are parking, then you must be in a parking space. Another option if you want to park is to park in the neighborhood and walk your child to school. Also, you may only use handicap parking spaces if you have a handicap designation. This is a public school ground, and It is the law.  As adults we are the first examples for all of our children. Our next course of action would be to close the parking lot altogether, and we do not want to have to do that. Moving forward, parents will be issued conduct letters for inappropriate and unsafe behavior. We thank you for your partnership.

The School Choice enrollment application window for the 2023-24 school year begins 10 a.m. Jan. 13, 2023 and ends 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!

● 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

All are invited to see the Cory 4th Grade showcase what real learning is all about as they present their musical comedy, The Rumpelstiltskin Method. The show is atMerrill Auditorium, Wednesday January 25.  Doors to Merrill open at 5:30 and the show begins at 6:00.  We hope to see you there!

UPDATES: 

• Focus Group Opportunity for Parents: Assessments in DPS: DPS is seeking feedback from parents. DPS would like to invite families to join us at any of the four upcoming virtual opportunities to discuss assessments at DPS. All focus groups will be held at 5 p.m. on Jan. 10 and Jan. 12. Parents can scan the QR code or click here to share feedback and sign up for a focus group.
• 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 9th – Equity Team Meeting @ 3:45 – Cory Library
• Jan 11th – PTA Dine out Homegrown Tap & Dough 
• January 12th – CSC Meeting at 4 PM- Agenda
• January 13th – PTA Meeting @8:30
• January 16th – No School Martin Luther King Day 
• January 25th – 4th Grade Musical 6:00 @ Merrill 
• January 30th – PTA Dine Out @ Viale
• February  1st – 3rd – Vision & Hearing screening
• 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 

Thank you,
Joan Wieser 
Principal
jwieser@dpsk12.net 


Amber  Bourgeois 
STL 
amber_bourgeois@dpsk12.net

Happy New Year Cory Elementary Parents!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their year. Just a friendly reminder to all, I will  need all updated immunizations records including documentation from the doctor  sent to The Health Office  by the end of January. You can either email me at lindssay_weber@dpsk12.net or drop off a copy  to  the front office. If you have any questions please feel free to  email me or reach me at
 720-424-8384. We want to make sure all student records are updated during school year as required by state law. 
Thank you!
Lindssay Weber, School Nurse

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.

2023 Cory Auction Planning Meeting, 1/12

It’s hard to believe but the 2023 Cory Auction planning has begun! We currently have a great team of new and old volunteers, and the Committee is hoping to add a few additional volunteers to our team! 

We are hosting an informational meeting on January 12th at 6:30pm to go over planning goals. If you think you have interest in joining the committee, we would love to meet you! 

We are looking for volunteers to help with the following areas of our auction:

• Donation Procurement 
• Assistance with Teacher Treasures and Class Projects 
• Handy / artistic individuals to assist the theme committee as we get closer to the event in April
• Sign Up Genius coordinator (to manage various auction item sign ups like Monday Night Meals and Monthly Wine Club)  
• Kinder Liaison to run communication between SKCEE and Cory 

The meeting will be held at the Sollenberger residence (1040 S. Madison Street) and light snacks and beverages will be provided.

January PTA Meeting, 1/13

Join us for the January PTA meeting on Friday, January 13 at 8:30am in the cafeteria. The agenda for this meeting and minutes from the last meeting will be circulated next week.

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. 

At Cory we love learning and laughter.
We grow by trying new things and learning from our mistakes.
We embrace challenges with the courage to do our best.
We persevere.
We show respect for our community through caring, responsible actions.  
We celebrate each others’ differences and accomplishments.
At Cory we love learning and laughter.