Parent Post 12/16/2022

Posted December 16, 2022

Dear Cory Community,

 I hope you and your families have peaceful, restful, and joyful winter breaks. We are grateful for all you do for our Cory Community. 

I do have some updates to share for next school year.  Our bell time appeal was denied so Cory’s start time will be 8:15-3:15 for the 2023-2024 school year.  Cory’s enrollment projections for next year has shared by the district, and Cory is projected to have 404 students for the 2023-2024 school year. Please join our CSC meeting on January 12th at 4:00 to discuss our budget priorities for next school year. 

It is absolutely imperative that we are following traffic laws in our Cory Parking Lot. If you are not in a parking space you cannot park your vehicle. There was an incident this week in which we had to involve law enforcement. The incident took place during morning arrival, and was witnessed by students. 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

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

• December 19th – January 2nd – winter break
• January 3rd – Non Contact Day – Staff Only
• January 4th – Students back in School
• 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 @Cherry Cricket 
• February  1st – 3rd – Vision & Hearing screening
• February 16th  – Early Literacy Night

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.

2023 Cory Auction Planning Meeting

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 parents 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.

Staff Holiday Fund Update

Thanks to the many contributions to the staff holiday fund, the PTA was able to provide Cory’s office staff, specials teachers, paraprofessionals, and custodial and lunchroom staff with monetary gifts that were distributed this week. We appreciate the generosity of Cory families in showing their appreciation and support for our amazing school staff!

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. 

Did you know that Merrill Middle School has a food pantry and provides free groceries once a month to Merrill families in need?! If you would like to help stock our pantry, please drop off items at the front office.  Please click the link to see items provided to our families.

 Merrill Meals Order Form

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.