Parent Post 10/6/2023

Posted October 6, 2023

Friends having fun at the Carnival 
All smiles, with friends celebrating the Cory Carnival
All the students signed the Walk to School Poster.
The South High School Cheerleaders cheering on the Cory Walkers
Isla in 3rd Grade was Librarian today
We love our Dance parties to celebrate Walking to School Day.

Dear Cory Community,

Our Cougars have been working hard to showcase our values each and every day.  Our students have earned 1,773 kindness tickets this year! We had our whole school assembly to focus on responsibility and what responsibility looks like everyday.  Students were sharing their ideas and celebrating peers who showcased our values and commitments.  A special shout-out to the student council who helped lead the assembly.  Please talk with your child about responsibility and how they can flex their responsibility skills each day. Here are resources to support caregivers discussing responsibility with children. 

Calling all caregivers who are interested in supporting Cory’s Equity Team! The Equity Team will meet the third Tuesday each month to discuss, problem solve and innovate our equity work. Our goal is to ensure that our systems, structures, and programing is equitable for each student.  We will be meeting October 17th at 4:00 in the library.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Joan Wieser by emailing jwieser@dpsk12.net. 

A couple of reminders:

  • Please fill out your meal Benefit form if you haven’t already. All parents need to fill this out as it helps with our budget and funding. Our Free and Reduced Lunch has increased from 12% to 19% which means more money for our school to support each student. 
  • Please remember NO dogs on school grounds. We love our pets but they can’t be on campus
  • The weather is changing and we go outside every day. Add a sweatshirt or jacket in your student’s backpack. 
  • Keep an eye on the Lost and Found area. It is starting to fill up with items. 


Updates: 

  • Pickup basketball is starting again! Please join Cory adults for a fun pickup basketball game at Merrill.  This opportunity for adults happens on Thursday nights from 6-7:30 in the Merrill gym. Please reach out to Tyson Sollenberger at tysollenberger@gmail.com. 

School pictures are live! At some point this week, you’ll want to send out a notification to all of your families letting them know galleries are ready to view and order from. Access to galleries and signing up for retakes can all be done through your picture day dashboard, so be sure to include the URL below in your communications. Picture Day Dashboard: https://bloomschoolpictures.com/cory

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • October 10th – Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • October 11th – Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • October 12th – NON-STUDENT CONTACT DAY – TEACHER P.D.
  • October 13th – No School 
  • October 16th – No Contact Day  – No school for Students
  • October 17th-  Equity Team meeting @ 4:00 in library
  • October 19th-  CSC Meeting @ 4:00 in library 
  • October 16th – 20th – PTA  Cory Gear Drive
  • October 24th & 25th – PTA Dine out @ Cleaver & CO.
  • October 25th – Picture Retakes for Students and Staff 
  • October 26th – Spooky Story Night – 6:00 – 7:30
  • October 26th – December 5th – Friends of Cory
  • October 31st – Halloween Party and Walk around the campus
  • November 13th – 16th – Scholastic Book Fair

Important District Updates:

Healthy School Meals for All: Complete the You Benefit! Form at Registration

All students in DPS will have access to free healthy, nutritious school meals beginning in the 2023-24 school year thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All program approved by Colorado voters! While meals will be provided for free to all DPS students through Healthy School Meals for All, families will still need to complete a form to ensure DPS gets full access to available federal funding.

What this means for families:Please continue to fill out the You Benefit! form (formerly referred to as the Meals Application). We ask all DPS families to please complete the You Benefit! form during registration for the 2023-24 school year. By completing the form, you will help us access all available funds to cover the cost of meals, and other nutritional programs for students.Families who fill out the You Benefit! form may qualify to receive discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, utilities support and more!All household income information provided through this form is strictly confidential and protected by law. Only one form is required for all children in the household. Immigration, migrant, citizenship or refugee status is not required when completing the form. Learn more about the Healthy School Meals for All program in a short video in English and Spanish, this flier (Spanish is on page 2), or by visiting the Healthy School Meals for All website.

If you have questions about completing the You Benefit! form, please contact the DPS Food & Nutrition Services department by calling 720-423-5600 or emailing the foodservices@dpsk12.org inbox.

PTA Updates

  • CORY GEAR DRIVE: We are hosting a Cory Gear Drive from October 16 through the 20! Thanks to the Cory Student Council, we will have fun, new offerings, including tie-dyed t-shirts, tube socks, and more! In addition, Cory-branded t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats will be available. An email will be sent out on October 16 with the link to order.
  • SPOOKY STORY NIGHT: Back from the grave… it’s Spooky Story Night! Join us for an evening of spine-chilling (but age-appropriate and not too scary!) tales told by teachers and parents. There will be fun Halloween games and a craft available too. Stay for hot chocolate and snacks… if you dare! Kids are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes or Cory spirit gear! Please note this is a family event and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Parent volunteers are needed to help that evening, so please watch out for a SignUp Genius that will be circulated soon. 
  • FRIDAY FARMERS MARKET: Stop by the Farmer’s Market today after school! There will be produce, fresh eggs from the Cory coop, and flower bouquets. Also, Farmer’s Market volunteers are needed––sign up here.
  • JOIN THE PTA: PTA membership is a great way to get involved in the Cory community, and members have a vote on many issues raised at monthly PTA meetings. Membership is $15 for an individual and $30 for a couple. Submit payment here, or checks made out to “Cory Elementary PTA” can be dropped off in the front office.

Volunteer Services coordinates parent and community resources through volunteer onboarding, training, consulting, and matching of in-kind donations to schools, all of which support students, staff, and families of DPS.
Volunteer Background Check Process
Individuals interested in volunteering in-person or virtually are required to complete the DPS Volunteer Background Check .  The Volunteer Background Check link is located on the DPS Volunteer Services website – https://equity.dpsk12.org/get-involved/volunteer-services/ 

DPS Discount Days are back!
We wanted to share more discount offers with your families, students and staff. Please see the information below for an upcoming Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) production:

Join us in supporting the DCPA from Friday, September 1 to Sunday, October 8 as they show A Little Night Music production at Wolf Theatre! Receive a 15% discount on tickets in Premium seating, Price Level 2 and Price Level 3 seating for all performances. $5 from each ticket purchased will be donated back to Denver Public Schools Foundation!

Buy your tickets today and be sure to use discount code DPSFUND at check out: Tickets & Events – Denver Center for the Performing Arts

You can also visit https://dpsfoundation.org/offers/ for more information on these discounts and other special offers. Any help you can provide in distributing these opportunities would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!