Posted October 25, 2021
Update from Principal Thomas
Dear Denver South Students and Families,
Thank you for a great week. We hope you had a restful October break and are ready for a strong finish to the semester.
Just a few reminders for our community:
You can access current and past communications, as well as other important information on our website.
Have an excellent weekend!
Go Ravens!
We are Denver South!
Sincerely,
Bobby Thomas
Principal, South High School
Upcoming Dates for 2021-2022 School Year:
October 28th Trunk or Treat Street 4:30pm-6:30pm in the main parking lot (more details below)
November 4th College Fair 1pm-2pm (More information to come)
Transition to Higher Education course for students with IEPs and 504s.
Help your 11th and 12th-grade students with IEP and 504 Plans get connected to learn the essentials for making a seamless and successful transition from high school to higher education! The Transition to Higher Education course is a free spring semester course for DPS and Cherry Creek School District held virtually and taught by MSU Denver faculty/staff on Wednesday evenings from 4-5 pm from January 12th-April 20th.
Your student is perfect for this class if they:
-are in 11th grade, 12th grade, or receiving 18-21 Services and have an IEP or 504 plan,
-have the ability, skills, and motivation to access college-level coursework upon high school completion
-have a postsecondary goal to attend a 2yr, 4yr, or vocational school after high school and
-meet requirements as outlined in the application
Please see this flyer for more information and reach out to your student’s counselor to get registered. The registration deadline is November 19th.
Seal of Biliteracy is now open!
Is your student a Junior or Senior who reads, writes, and speaks in a language (or multiple languages) other than English? The application for the Seal of Biliteracy is now open!
Did you know that:
Check out this video (featuring some South alumni!) to hear from students who’ve earned the Seal of Biliteracy. Then encourage your student(s) to go HERE to apply by October 30th
Questions? Contact your World Language Teacher or Counselor
Athletics
Winter sports registration is now open!
If you are interested in participating in a winter sport, registration is now open!
Winter Sports Available:
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Girls Swim and Dive
Boys Wrestling
Girls Wrestling
Registration Link: https://www.familyid.com/denver-south/denver-south-2021-winter-season
In order to be cleared to participate in tryouts, all student-athletes MUST:
Any DPS student who needs an annual physical for sports participation may call 303.602.8958 to reach the Denver Health School-Based Health line. We are often able to schedule same-day or next appointments that are free to students and families. If you would like more information or to complete our e-consent to enroll your student, go to https://www.denverhealth.org/services/school-based-health-centers.
Trunk or Treat Street
Student Senate is proud to host Trunk or Treat on October 28th from 4:30-6:30 pm. We would like to support our community by providing a safe place for kids to come play games, dress up and get some candy! The event will be held outside in our main parking lot.
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS)
Click here to read the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Signs of Suicide Program for 9th Grade Students:
PTSA
I AM DENVER SOUTH (IADS) CAMPAIGN! www.denversouthptsa.com
For those families new to Denver South High School, the PTSA runs an annual campaign from Homecoming through the end of the calendar year. Due to the support of our amazing community, we raised $86,099 last year. This is incredible given how challenging last year was and the generosity you showed with the rebranding campaign.
This year, we have two goals:
These funds will continue to support teachers through up to $30,000 in individual mini-grants to support the school and every student through direct support of more than $30,000 to the four A’s (Academics, Arts, Athletics and Activities). In addition, we are embarking on building the new Ravens Center this summer. See renderings and make your donation here: https://www.denversouthptsa.com/fundraising
Save the Date – November 11th – 6pm – I Am Denver South (IADS) Event at Space Annex – 95 South Cherokee Street, Denver, CO 80223
This event supports the campaign but more importantly is an opportunity for the community to come together. The event is free of charge, but this is a fundraising event and we would appreciate donations of any amount. Register for this event here: https://www.denversouthptsa.com/iadscelebration
THANK YOU to those of you in the community who have already donated – we are so appreciative of your early support. Denver South PTSA is a non-profit, and you will receive a receipt for your donation. If your company provides Corporate matching, please take advantage of that opportunity.
Questions? Danielle Vitale dvitale@adobe.com
Healthy Start Times Virtual Community Events
To help support the health and well-being of our adolescent students, the DPS Board of Education has voted to move to later start times for all middle and high schools for the 2023-24 school year. This initiative will mean middle and high schools will start their day at 8:20 a.m. or later, and elementary students will start their day earlier. Please join us for one of the upcoming virtual community events to provide feedback, ask questions, and learn more about why Healthy Start Times will help our Denver students thrive.
For more information, event links and to register, please visit HealthyStartTimes.dpsk12.org or call 720-423-3054.
Transportation
To help improve our customer service at Transportation, DPS has hired more phone representatives for the new Customer Service Call Center. Representatives will be able to either answer any questions about transportation or direct the caller to someone who can help. Need to reach us quickly? We have consolidated all of our various phone numbers into one place so schools and families only need to call one number for all their transportation needs. Moving forward, please call 720-423-4600 for any transportation issues or questions. If you have questions about the new Customer Service Center, email Transportation@dpsk12.org.
Due to a massive driver shortage that is severely impacting our ability to provide timely service, we are consolidating our routes. This means we will stop servicing stops that have no riders or are otherwise not being used. If eligible families decide they would like their eligible student to start riding the bus, they can reach out to us and we will look into reinstating their service. They can call us at 720-423-4600 or email transportation@dpsk12.org
Free RTD Passes for Denver Public School Students!
Youth between the ages of 13 – 18 who attend Denver Public Schools (DPS) and have a MY Denver Card can sign up for On MY Way! This is a youth transportation program provided by Denver’s Office of Children’s Affairs in which students can receive monthly RTD passes through their phones from October 1 – December 31, 2021.
Shadow/Tours for prospective students
Denver South High School will be hosting shadow/tour days starting next month. We will be inviting middle schools to come and tour on certain dates. The tours are intended for students only. Parents will be able to attend our virtual showcases to learn more about South.
Virtual Showcase Dates – Zoom Links will be available on the South website.
November 11th at 6:30pm
December 7th at 6:30pm
January 20th at 6:30pm
If you are interested in having your student tour south, please fill out this form linked here!
We will contact you for tour dates available, if you do not attend one of the middle school.
Sculpture Program
The Denver South Sculpture program is looking for sculpture-building material donations. If you have some stuff in your garage, playroom, junk drawer, garden shed, basement, etc. that you want to get rid of, the sculpture program is always looking for new interesting materials to work with. Such as old art supplies, buttons, string, wire, small toys, small electronics, old tools, interesting tins, hardware, small farm equipment, really anything you think might be interesting to make a found object sculpture out of. Donations can be brought to the front office addressed to Kim Beckeman. Thank you so much!
Health and Safety Reminder:
Please remember to come to school each day with an approved mask (no gaiters). A well-fitting mask that goes over the mouth and nose is required for everyone to enter the building. If you are unable to provide your own mask, just ask at the front door or main office. As a reminder, all teachers will also have masks available in their classrooms. At this time, parents and families are not allowed in the building unless an appointment has been previously scheduled.
Ravens Spirit Store
Click here to access the spirit store!
Giving Grocery
If you and your family need extra groceries for the week, The Giving Grocery provides free groceries to South Families. For More information click here!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL GIVING GROCERY!