From the Desk of Schuba...
Dear Isabella Bird Families and Friends,
I can’t believe how fast the last three weeks have flown by. We’ve got so many amazing new initiatives happening in and out of the classrooms. Here are a few fun highlights:
Garden to Table Garden lessons are taking place at each grade-level. The Garden to Table Program, orchestrated by the Growe Foundation, is a comprehensive elementary school initiative incorporating academic-learning into a school garden. Growe has developed standards-based lessons to provide students with opportunities to use science, math and language arts in a garden-setting, while learning first-hand about ecology, economics, meteorology, and the importance of supporting healthy ecosystems. A special thanks to IBCS Parent and Volunteer, Sarah Lopez, for making our school garden a beautiful work of art.
Collaboration Planning Time (CPT) allows grade-level teachers to work with academic team specialists to implement our new rigorous EL Curriculum (EL). The EL Education K-5 Language Arts curriculum is a comprehensive, standards-based core literacy program that engages teachers and students through compelling, real world content. Created by teachers for teachers, this highly-acclaimed curriculum draws on EL Education’s 25-years of experience in engaging teachers and students in active and meaningful learning.
Morning Arrival is at its finest when we all work together to ensure the safety of our students. Thanks to parents and caregivers for supporting us with morning drop-off routines. The designated “Kiss and Go” for cars and walkers provides students an opportunity to walk independently to class, while ensuring the regulation of visitors into the building during this important transition period. Please remember our school parking area is a CELL FREE ZONE.
Monthly Council is next Thursday, Sept. 11, 5:30-7 p.m. I invite all members of the IBCS Community to join us in the school cafeteria for the first Council Meeting of the school year. This monthly meeting is an important time to foster meaningful relationships and partnerships as we discuss key topics that impact the teaching and learning at Isabella Bird Community School. We want to hear your voices.
Passion ~ Joy ~ Optimism
Sincerely,
Principal Schuba
For questions or conversation, reach out to Schuba via email lisa_schuba@dpsk12.org or phone 720-423-9900.
Take Action....
What's for Lunch?
DPS' Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) recently launched a new system for families, students and staff to access school meal menus. Monthly breakfast and lunch menu PDFs are no longer available via the FNS website; to view this information families must now access School Café. School Café is easy to access and provides more information about school meals, including photos of entrees, nutritional and allergen information. A detailed flier provides an overview of the new system and step-by-step directions for accessing menus. If you have questions or need help, please contact Food and Nutrition Services via email: foodservices@dpsk12.org; or phone: 720-423-5600. A link to School Café is available within the mobile and desktop versions of School Deets, as well. Select the Resources icon (shaped like a flag on the mobile version) for immediate access. You can set-up a username and password, or simply access menu details as a guest and search for Isabella Bird and your student's grade. For questions with School Deets, email ibcscommunications@gmail.com.
Volunteers Needed
It takes a village to run a school. Sign up to assist with one or more of Isabella Bird's many committees benefiting our school and community. Some committees are more involved than others, some are short-term, some take all year, yet all are flexible with working-parent schedules. Please take a moment to add your name to a committee of interest to you. We can use you and your skills in any capacity! Review the volunteer sign-up.
What's Going on With...
Liaison Committee News
Plans for this year's Liaison Committee are underway! IBCS Paraprofessional, Tarah Buckner, and Parent, Jennie Castles, are Committee Co-Chairs this year. If you are interested in signing up as a Liaison, please email either Tarah or Jennie. If you have already signed up with a teacher, please also reach out to Tarah or Jennie to let them know. Many classrooms already have a Liaison. The role of a Classroom Liaison will look slightly different this year - much more focused responsibility, taking charge of in-classroom volunteering and other teacher-support. An initial kick-off meeting is scheduled for the coming weeks - more details to be announced in the next issue of Notes from the Dragon Cave.
Save the Date...
Dine & Donate: Next Door
Hangout, grab good food and enjoy your Izzi B. friends and classmates on Monday, Sept. 16, 5-9 p.m., at Next Door (10155 East 29th Drive). The restaurant will donate 25 percent of the check total back to our school (this excludes gift card sales and to-go orders). Together we can raise funds to support our community. Be sure to RSVP. For questions, contact Fundraising Co-Chair and Izzi B. Parent, Tricia Houston.
IBCS Library Event: Overdrive, School Deets Access
Join IBCS Library Para, Andrea Rothstein, along with other staff members and parents on Thursday, Sept. 19, 5:30-7 p.m., to learn more about DPS' digital book collection available to students through Overdrive. A short demo followed by hands-on access is planned. Please bring a portable electronic device, if you have one. In advance of the event, please install the free Overdrive to your electronic device and gather your students' login information. Assistance with School Deets, IBCS' school-wide communication platform, is also available during this event. See the September school calendar for more information. Childcare is provided. For questions, email Andrea.
Mark Your Calendars...
Thursday, Sept. 12, 5:30-7 p.m.: Council Meeting (Community meeting)
Monday, Sept. 16, 5-9 p.m.: Dine & Donate at Next Door in Eastbridge (signup: https://isabellabirdcommunityschool254uatnextdoor.eventbrite.com)
Thursday, Sept. 19, 5:30-7 p.m.: Community Library Event
Friday, Sept. 20, 8:15-9:15 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation (Community meeting)
Tuesday, Sept. 24, All Day: Picture Day
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 3:30-5 p.m.: Brave Coalition Book Study Group
Thursday, Sept. 26, 6-7:30 p.m.: New Family Happy Hour (Los Chingones)
Monday, Sept. 30, 5:30-7 p.m.: Council Board Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 5:30-7 p.m.: Fundraising Committee Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 2, 5:30-7 p.m.: Council Meeting (Community meeting)
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