Newsletter September 2015
Sally Whitelock, Principal ~ Joan Wieser, Assistant Principal
Secretaries: Michelle Miller, Barbara Schrant
Office: 720-424-7780 Attendance: 720-424-7784
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From the Principal…
Dear Edison Community,
Welcome to the 2015-16 school year at Edison! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer with family and friends. I am always grateful for the adventures I have each summer with my husband and children. I was so very excited to see our wonderful community gathered on the school lawn again for our annual Lawn Party and Back-to-School Night. I continue to appreciate how committed and supportive the Edison community is of its children and school. As I see the small faces each August return from a fun and playful summer, I am reminded of how quickly our children grow up and how limited our time with each child is.
We are excited to be celebrating Edison’s 125th Anniversary! The original Edison School, named after the inventor and scientist Thomas Edison, was built in 1890 and was located in the Highlands at 31st and Quitman and consisted of 4 classrooms. By 1924 the school could no longer accommodate the growing number of students in the Highlands. Therefore, the current building was built and dedicated in September, 1925. I hope you all look forward to celebrating our 125th anniversary with us.
At Edison, our school vision and our community values lead our decision making throughout the school. I therefore, would like to remind everyone of Edison’s core values: students first, community, fun, respect, integrity, collaboration, equity and accountability.
And our vision: Edison Elementary is committed to being a collaborative learning community where rigorous academics and character education ensure the development of the whole child. We design learning experiences to meet the unique learning needs of each student so that all of our children develop 21st Century skills: critical thinking and reasoning, information literacy, self-direction, collaboration and invention/innovation. We celebrate curiosity and creativity in the development of life-long learners.
I would like to invite all of our parents to join us in achieving our vision for all of our students.
Teachers have spent the first few weeks of school teaching students expectations and building a positive school community. Teachers and students will now begin a challenging academic year of learning. We always appreciate parent support both within the school walls and at home. Please support your children by encouraging them to complete their homework and read at home. Please volunteer at school whenever you can – helping the PTA, reading in the classroom, going on field trips, and participating in community events. We love seeing parents and children in our halls! We are off to a great start. Thank you to everyone – parents, students and teachers – who have helped this school year begin successfully!
“If we did the things we were capable of, we would astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison
Sally Whitelock, PrincipalSally Whitelock, Principal
Upcoming events:
September 2 PTA Social Pizza Party at Edison in the auditorium at 6:00 PM
September 3 CSC meeting at 4:30 in the conference room at Edison
September 4 PTA Social Coffee at Edison in the auditorium at 6:00 PM
September 4 ABC Catalog Fundraiser kick-off
September 7 No School
September 10 PTA Meeting and vote at 3:45 in the auditorium
September 19 Spruce up the school day
September 23 HGT and ADK Parent information night at 5:00 PM
September 30 Picture Day
October 1 CSC meeting at 4:30 in the conference room at Edison
October 12 PTA meeting at 6:00 PM in the auditorium
October 19 No school for students
October 20 No school for students
October 23 Box Top collection day
October 23 Fall Festival at 3:45 on the playground
October 27-30 5th Grade Balarat overnight trip
November 2 No school for students
November 4 & 5 Parent Teacher conferences
November 5 CSC meeting at 4:30 in the conference room at Edison
November 12 Picture retakes
HGT and Advanced Kindergarten Parent Information Night
DPS will be holding a Parent Information Night for all parents interested in having their children tested for the Highly Gifted and Talented (HGT) program or Advanced Kindergarten (ADK) program for the 2016-17 school year on September 23 at 5:00 PM in the Auditorium (HGT) and Library (ADK) at Edison. If you are interested, please plan to attend.
In the Denver Public Schools, “gifted and talented children” means those students who demonstrate abilities, talents and/or potential for accomplishment which are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational needs. These students perform, or show the potential of performing, at remarkably high levels in intellectual, specific academic or creative areas when compared with others of their age. Gifted and talented children are present in all student groups, regardless of gender, disability, English language proficiency, economic status, ethnic or cultural background.
The HGT program at Edison, and select other DPS schools, provides an educational option for students in first through eighth grades whose extraordinary educational, emotional and social needs are best met in a setting that clusters these students. This program is available for all students who qualify based on demonstrated achievement, tested potential, teacher recommendations, identifiable characteristics and/or demonstrated need. These students make up approximately 1% of the student population.
The Advanced Kindergarten program at Edison, and select other DPS schools, provides an educational option for students in kindergarten who demonstrate advanced academic abilities and would, therefore, benefit from advanced curriculum and extension educational activities. This program is available for all students who qualify based on demonstrated achievement.
Parent Portal
DPS has an online Parent/Student Portal to make it easier to track a student’s progress and plan for their future. Students can log into the Parent/Student Portal to see if they have all their assignments handed in. Parents can log into the Parent/Student Portal to check on their child’s grades and test results. If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please come in to Edison’s office and complete the paperwork.
Traffic Safety Around Edison
Edison is proud to have so many students coming to school every day from all over Northwest Denver, however, the amount of cars surrounding the school often becomes a problem. We have had neighbors and parents complain. We are worried about the safety of students. In order to make sure that all students are safe and accounted for at all times, kindergarten students are picked up on the southwest side of the building on Quitman Street and all 1st-5th grade students are picked up on the playground on the east side of the building. Additionally, we have three school buses which take a group of students to and from school which parks on the east side of the school on Perry Street. Therefore, we are requesting that ALL parents please follow traffic laws. Please support us by:
· Dropping your students off at school between 8:30 and 8:40. Supervision begins at 8:30 and the students line up to enter the building at 8:40 AM;
· Not parking in front of driveways;
· Not stopping in the middle of the street;
· Not parking in the school bus zone;
· Not parking on the west side of the street on Perry Street – this is either school bus loading/unloading or passenger pick up;
· Dropping your students off on Edison’s side of the street so they do not have to cross the street;
Due to continued complaints, the Denver Police may be giving tickets. Please respect our neighbors and keep our kids safe around the school.
In order to improve traffic in the morning, we are asking that parents who do not want to park and stay with their 1st-5th grade students on the playground, drop off their 1st-5th grader at the Kiss and Go in a student drop off zone between 8:30 and 8:40. We have two student drop off zones which we ask parents to NOT park in:
The parking lot, by the community garden,
The northwest side of Perry Street, by the playground.
In order to help with the afternoon traffic, we are offering a new service: Greet and Get which will begin on September 21. Families who have 1st-5th grade students may sign a child permission slip (this will come home in Thursday Folders) and their children will be ready and waiting at the pickup area in the parking lot, by the community garden daily at 3:30.
The following guidelines apply to the Greet and Get lane:
This is only for cars. Walkers and students of parents who park will be picked up on the playground.
Cars must enter the parking lot on Quitman Street and exit on 35th Avenue.
Cars may only stop long enough for their child/ren to get into the car.
Cars must continue to move and leave the parking lot immediately after picking up their children.
You must pick up your child at 3:30. If your child is not picked up by 3:40, we will bring them to the office and you must find parking and come inside to sign them out. Please notify the office if someone other than those on the permission slip will be picking up your student.
Cell phones must not be used in the Greet and Get lane. All Colorado motor vehicle laws (seat belts and car seats) must be observed.
We are hoping our Kiss and Go lane and Greet and Get lanes are helpful to parents.
Sign Up For Edison Communication and Directory
Please go online to http://goo.gl/forms/Ucxuava49d and sign up to get your students’ names in Edison’s grade level directories, receive PTA communication, and receive information on volunteering at Edison.
This form will help your child’s teacher, administration, and the PTA communicate effectively. Data will not be saved from year to year. Data will be shared by your child’s teacher, Edison Administration/Office, and/or the PTA Board if you give consent. At no time will your information be shared with any outside parties.
Contact information will be used in the following ways, each of which you can opt in or out of.
By your child’s teacher for classroom info
By the PTA/Office team to compile a grade-level directory, which will be given out to all children in this grade level
By the PTA to compile a volunteer/event email list and to connect with interested members
Do You Know How We Support Rules and Bully-Proofing at Edison?
At Edison, every classroom engages in a bully proofing program to provide students with strategies and problem solving activities for the first two weeks. Teachers will revisit strategies and problem solving techniques through morning meetings that occur daily in classrooms. By providing students with this opportunity, they are more informed and aware of how to solve problems with their peers. Please engage in a conversation with your student about these strategies and how they can prevent conflicts.
During our first monthly First Friday celebration, we supported students in understanding the hallway, cafeteria, playground, bathroom and auditorium expectations through a video created by Edison students. Many students were excited to see themselves or a peer interacting in appropriate ways. Please take a moment and discuss with your student the expectations at Edison.
Box Tops
Have you seen ‘box tops’ on your groceries? Did you know that this is an easy, free fundraiser for Edison? Have you ever taken the time to cut them out and send them in to your child’s teacher at school? Please help us make a little money to support our classrooms by cutting out the box tops and sending them in to your child’s teacher on or before October 23. Thank you in advance!
ABC Catalog Fundraiser
Edison’s PTA is partnering with the Denver based company, ABC Fund Raising Inc., for our Fall Catalog Fundraiser. We have been pleased with their excellent customer service, local items such as Bronco themed gifts, Johnson’s Corner cinnamon rolls, and flower bulbs to plant for the spring. Edison will receive up to 50% profit on all sales and 100% profit from all donations. Remember that donations made in $20 increments will count as one item toward the prize program. Last year, Edison raised over $9,000. Let’s exceed that goal this year! Look for the catalogs to come home Friday, Sept. 4th.
SALE RUNS FROM FRIDAY, SEPT. 4th – FRIDAY, SEPT. 18th.
This is a PRE-PAY SALE.
All money must be turned in with orders by Friday, Sept. 18th.
Turn in orders and money to your classroom teacher.
Ensure all checks are made out to EDISON PTA.
Please include all correct contact information on forms.
Online ordering available at www.abcfrshop.com. Student registration required.
Teachers who have at least 50% class participation will earn a shopping spree!
Thank you in advance for your support!
PTA CORNER
Have you ever wondered, “What does the PTA do?” Come and find out!! Your PTA would love to see you at the socials planned this week, Wed. Sept 2 at 6pm and Fri Sept 4 at 8:45am, both in the auditorium. Come and find out what your PTA is up to and how you can get involved. We love helping families find ways to connect with PTA activities that are a match for their interests and availability. And even if you don’t get actively involved, your membership supports our efforts, and lets you help decide and keep up to date on what we do to make a great school environment for all our kids.
PTA Membership
It’s that time of year again: PTA membership dues are, well, due for renewal! Your 2015-16 dues run from Oct 1, 2015 to Sept 30, 2016. You can pay in the office by check or cash, in person by cash/check/charge at one of the upcoming PTA meetings, or online (https://edisonpt.ejoinme.org/AnnualDues).
Dues are:
$10/year per Individual
$15/year per two-member Household membership
$6.25/year for Edison staff
This is a fantastic way to stay in the know with Edison events, and your membership also grants you membership into the Colorado and National PTA chapters. For the latest newsletter from COPTA, read on: http://eepurl.com/bwLjcT
2015-16 PTA Officers and Contact Information
President: Alex Cisney – ptaedisondenver@gmail.com
Vice President: Kristi Guinn – edisonvpdenver@gmail.com
Treasurer: Kim Adams – edisonptatreasurer@gmail.com
Secretary: Michelle Kettleborough – edisonptasecretary@gmail.com
