Posted April 5, 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Cory Families,
I hope everyone is safe and finding fun ways to support social distancing as a family.
I appreciate the community support and positivity as we work through this difficult time! Online school is going to be a change for the community and the staff so we need to remember that we are all in this together. During a transition like this, it is important to approach the transition with an open mind, heart, and willingness to think outside the box. We have been working diligently to determine the best plan to support our students with online instruction. We appreciate your patience now and in the future as we navigate this together.
As a reminder, Cory is closed from March 18-April 6. Students are scheduled to return to virtual classrooms on April 7 for online instruction. Our priority is to ensure that each student feels supported, valued, and connected to a community while learning in a virtual learning environment. With that said, we will continue to provide our students with pre-planned and purposeful learning activities that create lifelong learners who are empowered to create and find their own opportunities when faced with adversity. We will start simple the first week and as we all get more comfortable we’ll make adjustments.
All grade levels are collaborating to design lessons that support rigor and productive struggle. Specials, Interventionists and Specialists will continue supporting students with engaging lessons. Students receiving services from these teachers will be added to additional Google Classrooms.
Starting on April 6, families will get an invitation from their child’s teacher for Google Classrooms. During this time, we will share grade level schedules, virtual conferencing times for students, parent support/communication, and guidance on when assignments will be posted as well as requirements for assignment submissions. Learning will be a balance between online and off line activities to support students. This will allow for breakfast, lunch, family time, and outside time during the day.
April 7 will be a soft start for online learning so we can support families and students as they learn to access their virtual classrooms This will also be a time for creating a caring and productive on line learning environment. I will provide a schedule for this day after break.
ALL of our teachers are working tirelessly to learn new skills for delivering an entirely new type of learning to our students. Please join me in applauding all of our staff for the amazing work they are doing to ensure we are ready to launch Remote Learning next month. Look for a communication from your child’s teacher about Remote Learning on April 6. Feel free to send your child’s teacher an email of encouragement for all of their hard work.
Thanks for your support and encouragement along the way. We look forward to re-engaging with students and parents on April 7!
Resources for Families:
Internet Services
Comcast internet has created a response to support families with internet access. Please follow this link to get the latest information on internet for families.
Food Services
Denver Public Schools will offer free meals to students and adults at 12 locations throughout the city, using a grab-and-go style system, weekdays from Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 3. Both meals can be picked up during either time. Here is the list of sites that will provide food. In order to maximize our federal funding for meal services, we ask that children be present to receive meals. If needed, adults can pick up meals for their children. The adult and weekend meals are thanks to fundraising from the DPS Foundation. Vegetarian options will be available. DPS does not plan on providing transportation for people to obtain the meals.
Breakfast will be served from 8-9 a.m.
Lunch will be served from 12-1 p.m.
Select Denver recreation centers will be serving dinner to children 18 years old and younger, weekdays from Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 3. Dinner will be served from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Here is the list of sites that will provide food.
Facts and Questions
We know there are lots of questions and logistics that need to be answered and addressed for the extended spring break. Please visit dpsk12.org for live updates and information. We’ll update it as needed over the next three weeks, and if you have questions that aren’t addressed here, please email coronavirusinfo@dpsk12.org and someone will reply as soon as possible.
Be safe and stay healthy!
Joan Wieser
Joan_Wieser@dpsk12.org
Principal
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
IT’S TAX TIME – SUPPORT CORY WITH OUR STATE TAX REFUND
If you get a state income tax refund in 2020 (for your 2019 filing), you will have a new opportunity to donate to support Cory. If you would like to donate some or all of your refund to Cory PTA, follow these steps:
1. Decide how much of your refund to donate.
2. Enter Cory PTA and our registration number 20093011391 in the Donate to a Colorado Nonprofit Fund line on your state income tax return or tax software – or just give this info to your tax preparer when you share your tax documents.
That’s it! Thank you for your support!
If you are interested in learning more about this program, visit RefundWhatMatters.org.
AMAZON SMILE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE ANDROID APP
Support Cory while you shop using the app (Android only for now, we will let you know when iOS is available). Click here for instructions on how to turn on AmazonSmile in your app and select “John Cory Elementary PTA”!
STOCK THE CELLAR IS POST-PONED
Due to the closure of all DPS schools next week, we will be moving Stock the Cellar to early April. We will announce the new date sometime soon! However, if you already have your wine & whiskey and would like to drop-off during our “extended spring break” please feel free to contact Travis Wanger or Rachel Dickerson at traviswanger@hotmail.com or rachelpinon@gmail.com.
CORY COUGARS & COWBOYS AUCTION
Luckily the auction is still 42 days away! Which should allow time for the country, state and the Cory community to get back to some normalcy. Even with the events of this week we will still need our full-time paras and full-time specials (Mr. Conklin, Ms. Alexander, Mrs. Miller and Ms. Ferguson) for the 2020/2021 school year.
We are still moving forward with the auction and more now than ever need your support to make the 2020/2021 school year a success.
While on break please purchase your tickets as early bird pricing of $50 each ends soon and prices go up to $75 each next Friday! Additionally, take time to think about any items, tickets, gift cards you may have for additional donations.
TICKETS
WHEN
Friday, April 24
6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
DU’s Cable Center Saloon
HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Please contact: Naurin Gilger or Danielle Gooden at coryauctionteam@gmail.com
MERRILL MIDDLE NEWS
JAGUAR JOURNAL
MERRILL ANNUAL AUCTION
Merrill’s Annual Auction (Auction Powers: International Merrill of Mystery) will be Friday, April 17th from 6-10pm at the Space Annex. Details about the auction are at: https://merrill.ptapal.com
COMMUNITY NEWS