Weekly Communication 4.29

Posted May 4, 2022

4/29

Dear Denver South Students and Families,

Our countdown to graduation continues! There are 10 days of classes left for the Class of 2022, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them at graduation on May 17. Please read this communication in full; there is a lot of important information about final exams, summer school, concurrent enrollment summer opportunities, and more.

  • As we shared last week, we are looking for community input on Denver South’s new principal.  We value your input and encourage you to to provide feedback.  Please look at the detailed timeline shared below, as it outlines all the ways you can participate.
  • We know that many of you are ready to make summer plans as soon as school is out.  Some dates for you to note:
    • May 17: Asynchronous learning day for all 9-11th grade students. Graduation at DU
    • May 24-26: Final Exams. Students begin summer break at the end of day May 26th unless they have exam make ups.
  • Early Bird Enrollment Verification for the 2022-23 school year begins May 2. Please register your student in your Parent Portal account between May 2nd and May 20th. You can find more information linked here. This will save you time when we come back in the fall.
  • We are looking for gracious community members to sponsor prom tickets for students with financial hardship. Prom tickets are $40 a piece this year and any contribution is greatly appreciated. Click here to donate. Thank you so much for your support.

Have a great weekend,

Go Ravens

We are Denver South

Sincerely,

Principal Thomas


Upcoming Dates for 2021-2022 School Year:  

May 2-12: Art Show

May 2-May 6: AP Exams & Spirit Week

May 6: Senior Farewell Sunrise with breakfast

May 6: Spring Pep Rally (Senior Farewell)

May 7: Senior Dance Showcase.

May 9-May 13: AP Exams

May 10: Culture Fest

May 11: Senior Finals, normal bell schedule

May 11: Mx Raven 

May 12: Art Show Reception

May 12: Senior Finals, normal bell schedule

May 12: Senior Awards Night 

May 13: Senior BBQ at 12:45

May 13: Senior Checkout at 1:30

May 13: Mandatory Graduation Practice at 3:30

May 13: Senior Car Parade at 6:00 pm (set up will start at 4:30)

May 14: Prom at the Denver Athletic Club from 8:00-11:00 pm (Guests are permitted)

May 14: After Prom at South High School from 11:30-3:30 am

May 17: Asynchronous learning day for all 9-11th grade students

May 17: Graduation Rehearsal at 11:45 am at DU

May 17: Graduation Ceremony at 2:00 pm at DU

May 24-26: Final Exams

May 26: Last day for students unless they have exam make ups.

Spirit Week Days May 2-6

  • Monday: Anything But A Backpack (the elevator will not be available, students need to be able to carry it up starts, not clog up the hallways or classrooms).
  • Tuesday: Dress like A Teacher Day
  • Wednesday: Another Day in Paradise (summer time, beachy clothes)
  • Thursday: 9th & 10th Grade will dress as you did in Elementary School and 11th & 12th Grade will dress like Senior Citizens. 
  • Friday: Crazy Purple and White Day!  Pep rally in the gym.

New This Week

AP Exams 

Please remember that AP testing starts on Monday, May 2 at 8 AM.  Please make sure that you bring 2 number 2 pencils, a black or dark blue pen, water, and a snack.  If you are taking AP science or math test please bring your own calculator, we will have some scientific calculators for students to use but we will not have graphing calculators to provide to students. If you are taking AP Spanish or French you will need to bring your school-issued Chromebook, a personal laptop can not be used for these tests. 

Please reach out to Rachel Goss at rachel_goss@dpsk12.net with questions.


Final Exam Schedule Grades 9-11

  • Tues, 05/24 – Per. 1, 2
  • Wed, 05/25 – Per. 3, 4, 5 (with lunch in between)
  • Thurs, 05/26 – Per. 6, 7

Summer Opportunities (click to sign up!)

Regional Summer School (RSS) 

Who: Students who need to recover credits after failing a class or who have an “Incomplete” on their transcript older than two semesters. 

When: June 21-July 21 (no classes July 4 & 5), Mon. – Thurs. from 8 am-12 pm 

Where: Select DPS schools (see your counselor for more information on locations – **South will not be a RSS site this summer) 

Special notes: Counselors will take requests for RSS from students and families up through May 27th. 

Live Instruction Summer School 

Who: Students who need to recover credit and prefer in-person, live instruction (non-Edgenuity based)

When: June 7-July 15, Mon.-Fri. from 8am-12pm

Where: Emily Griffith High School

Special notes:

  1. Fill out application form with your primary school Counselor
  2. Bring application form down to EGHS registration office Room 327 (Mon-Friday 8am-12pm)
  3. Complete summer school registration and sign up for summer school orientation

Concurrent Enrollment Summer Courses (click for more information)

Who: Students who would like to earn college credit over the summer! 

When: June 21-July 21, Mon – Fri, 8am-12pm 

Where: CCD courses taught at Bruce Randolph and Lincoln HS, CCA courses are taught at Florida Pitt Waller 

Special notes: Students must be able to attend all sessions as they are condensed and accelerated. Registration ends 5/20. Please see counselor to sign up. 


Native American Student group

The Native American Student group is working on getting the word out about the SB22-150 MMIW Bill. This bill brings focus and opportunity for justice for indigenous communities in Colorado. The goal is to bring light to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and relatives, this will help build a collaborative effort amungst agencies, Police departments helping with reporting and recording cases to protect our indigenous relatives (Women, Two-Spirit[lgbtq], children, and men), also help bring justice to those families with missing familiy members. 


STEM Mentorship at McKinley-Thatcher and Merrill

Students in Denver South High School’s STEM program have been doing more than learning this year; they have been teaching as well. This school year, Denver South students have welcomed students from Merrill Middle School and Mckinley Thatcher Elementary (MCT) into their classroom. This work was the idea of Denver South teacher Mr. Rameesh Madourie. Students from Merrill and MCT would come to South and the STEM students would act as peer mentors to the visiting students.  

On Wednesday, April 27, the students from Denver South High School went to Merrill Middle School and McKinley-Thatcher to give those students free STEM kits to take home and to allow them to continue to increase their passion for STEM. The kits have been donated by the National Society of Black Engineers.


Principal Selection Timeline

Through April 29, 2022 

  • Community Feedback via School Principal Input Survey closes April 29 @ 10 a.m. 

Week of April 25, 2022

  • Regional Instructional Superintendents meet with CSC re: search process and community feedback on school principal profile and determination of questions 

Week of May 16, 2022

  • Candidate Virtual Presentations & Community Feedback Surveys opens May 18, 2022 
  • Candidate Virtual Presentations & Community Feedback Surveys closes May 24, 2022 
    • Given our commitment to providing equitable access through interpretation and translation, candidates will provide a pre-recorded candidate presentation to share their vision and address questions generated through the previous engagement structures.  All Denver South community members, including staff, parents, and students, will have the opportunity to provide input on strengths and challenges through a survey and a Family and Community Engagement (FACE) hotline. 

Week of May 25, 2022

  • Interview with Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero, Deputy Superintendent of Schools Michael Ramirez, and Associate Chief of Schools Cesar Cedillo

As soon as possible after May 25, 2022

  • Principal Announced

Social Emotional Wellness Week 2022

Our 4th Annual Social/Emotional Wellness Week will be Monday, May 9th – Friday, May 13th, 2022. There will be a mix of in person sessions and activities for students during the day and virtual sessions for  parents/guardians/students in the evening. Mark your calendars for our virtual evening sessions below. All sessions will be held virtually via google meet or zoom from 6:00-6:45 PM. Click for more information.


South Ceramics

Our South ceramics students will be partnering with the Colorado Potters Guild in the spring show and sale at First Plymouth Congregational Church  3501 S Colorado Blvd, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113 Thursday, April 28th – Saturday the 30th Click here for the flyer

  • Thursday, April 28th, 4-8 pm 
  • Friday, April 29th, 9 am-8 pm 
  • Saturday, April 30th, 9 am-5 pm

Ceramics and sculpture students will also be  partnering with the Second Star to the Right bookstore for a First Friday show on Friday, May 6th. The show will be up from Friday- to Sunday. Click here for the flyer.

  • Friday, May 6th, 4-8 pm
  • Saturday, May 7th, 9 am-6 pm
  • Sunday, May 8th, 9 am – 3 pm

Want to support our South community?  

The final PTSA meeting of the year will be May 4, 6:30 pm at Campus Lounge (701 S. University Blvd.).  See the agenda HERE.  Everyone is welcome!  Also, please help South finish the year strong by volunteering at one the following events:


Senior Class Car Parade

Friday, May 13, 5:30pm

Starting in school parking lot

Decorate your cars and join us for the annual Senior class car parade! We will gather in the school parking lot and parade around Washington Park. Please be sure to be in the parking lot by 5:30 PM, with your car already decorated, and you will line up to head out into the neighborhood!


Recurring News 

DPS ‘Your Voice/Tu Voz’ Survey Opens on May 2

The final round of DPS Your Voice/Tu Voz Surveys for this school year will be available beginning May 2. All surveys will include additional questions to support the Healthy Start Times initiative for the 2023-24 school year. Responses to the survey inform decisions on how we can better serve our DPS community. 

Families will have the opportunity to opt their students out of the survey, if they choose. An email communicating this opportunity will be delivered to families on Monday, April 18.