Teller Elementary School

PRIDE Post: September 19th, 2024

09/19/24, 12:40 PM

 

1. Farmer’s Market:

Our first farmer’s market of the 24/25 school year is TODAY! We are starting off strong with Mr. Kraft’s 5th grade class! 

The market will be located on the south end of the Teller field and it will start once the dismissal bell rings. If you plan to attend, please try your best to bring cash there will be an option for card but cash is preferred!

We appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing you there!

2. October Count:

The official October Count date for the 24/25 school year is October 1st. It is imperative that we have all students in attendance on this date. October Count is important because it helps the state distribute funding to districts. It also assists the district with demographics, eligibility, and data validation. 

3. Minutes from 9/10 CSC Meeting:

The Collaborative School Committee (CSC) met on Tuesday 9/10.  The Teller Community is invited to read the Meeting Minutes and to provide feedback or pose questions to the CSC Members.  

During the meeting, Mrs. Bates shared that enrollment at Teller is 43 students less than the projected enrollment that the budget was built off this past January.  During budget development in January there was a deliberate effort to reduce class sizes, knowing that the budget would be affected.  However, there were additional unanticipated student losses due to the loss of the MIA program, an unprecedented number of no-show students, a change in the Choice Process, and the movement of families out of boundaries. The loss of 43 students created a $280,704 deficit in the budget which needs to be balanced.  Mrs. Bates proposed a combination of cost savings measures to balance the budget including using unused dollars from last year's budget and salary savings from changes in positions, a combined reduction of 0.425 FTE across two different positions, and using money offered by the PTA during the budget development process in January.  Both in the meeting and after the meeting via an email conversation, CSC members discussed the proposal and provided a statement that they would prefer to not have positions reduced, but trusted the judgment of the Administrative Team to make the best decision for Teller both in the short term and long term and would support whatever decision they made.  As of right now, a final decision has not been made.

The next CSC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 12, 2024 from 5-6 pm.  Childcare will be available.  All members of the Teller Community are invited to attend the meeting. More details will be shared closer to the meeting. 

4. Congress Park Market- Teller Give Back:

On Thursday, October 3rd, Congress Park Market will support Teller Elementary by donating 10% of all sales made throughout the day back to the school. Located at 2620 E 12th Ave, Congress Park Market invites the community to participate in this fundraising event, encouraging shoppers to enjoy their favorite products while contributing to the school. For more information, visit their website at www.spinellismarket.com. 

5. Parent-Teacher Conferences- 10/8-10/10:

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on the following dates and times:

1. 1. Tuesday, October 8th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
   2. Wednesday, October 9th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
   3. Thursday, October 10th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Sign-up information will be communicated by classroom teachers. 

Please note, all enrichment activities will be canceled on 10/8 and 10/9. Families will either be refunded for the day or the class will rescheduled for a makeup class in November. Exact details for each class will be shared in next week’s PRIDE Post. DL will run their program like normal.

6. RSVP for Family Meals Challenge Virtual Program:

 

The Family Meals Challenge boosts family wellness and student success by increasing the number and quality of shared family meals. Our surveys show that the number of families sharing five or more weekly meals doubled during previous challenges! The average family will also add over 100 shared family meals a year. One family each day will be entered to win tickets to the Children’s Museum, Museum of Nature and Science or Colorado History Museum! The first round will be offered virtually on Oct. 2-4 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. This session will be offered in English and Spanish. Register here. 

7. Lost and Found:

Lost and found items are located on the first floor outside the gym. We are starting to see an increased amount of items. Please remember, all lost and found items that are left unclaimed will be donated to local charities at the end of each month.

We encourage all families to label their student’s belongings to avoid them getting lost. 

8. DINE OUT Dates:

Bull and Bush 

• • Tuesday Sept 24th 
  • ALL DAY! 
  • 11am-10pm
  • 15% of all proceeds donated back to Teller 
  • 4700 Cherry Creek South Drive 
  • Denver CO 80246
  • BULL AND BUSH FLYER

Maria Empanada 

• • Tuesday October 15th 8AM-9PM
  • Location: Stanley Marketplace Only  (2501 Dallas St, Aurora) 
  • Make sure to use Promo Code MMMM when placing your order for 25% of sales donated back to Teller!
  • MARIA EMPANADA FLYER

9. Black Education Advisory Council (BEAC):

Application Now Open! 

DPS is looking for council members to be part of this critical work. The Black Education Advisory Council (BEAC) is a group of Denver Public Schools community members who value and honor the richness and diversity that our Black culture brings to the educational system in Denver Public Schools. We are DPS parents, grandparents, guardians, students, educators, community members, district employees, and other stakeholders who believe in diversity and equality for all students.

The purpose of the BEAC is to lead and influence positive change. BEAC seeks to improve educational opportunities and to provide quality education for all students, particularly students of Black heritage. 

BEAC is accepting applications through October 11, 2024. The selection process will take place between October-November.  BEAC is open to all community members. Click HERE to apply! 

10. DPS Family Virtual Learning Opportunities:

Families are invited to join the Family and Community Engagement team for the following virtual learning opportunities:

• • Trauma-Informed Restorative Practices: Sept. 30, 5-6 p.m.
    • Up to 80% of students may be identified as needing Tier 1 supports. Learn what it means to overcome behaviors and improve overall social-emotional wellness in your child.
  • DPS Bullying 101: Oct. 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
    • Bullying statistics are decreasing, but that does not mean it's not a concern (particularly with cyberbullying/social media). Join us for an overview of what bullying means, how to identify it and how to support your student. 

All sessions have Q&A portions to hear from parents. Plus, join for a chance to win giveaway tickets to the Museum of Nature and Science, The Denver Children's Museum and History Colorado!

11. TOTALLY TELLER: 

Roll back the clock and step into the thrilling era of the Space Race at Totally Teller: Fly Me to the Moon. Travel to a time when the world was focused on the star-filled expanse of the galaxy, mid-century modern ruled the day, and astronauts and space aliens were on their way to extraterrestrial adventure!

Details of the Night

Join us at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on November 9th at 7pm for a cosmic journey filled with delicious food, fantastic silent and live auctions, great music, and dancing.

The evening starts with cocktails on the 4th floor balcony gazing at Denver’s skyline framed by the Rocky Mountains against the starry night sky. We’ll finish the night dancing, singing and exploring space with access to the Museum’s Space exhibit.

Attire: Come dressed in your most out-of-this-world attire, combining elements of 1960s glamour, alien accessories, or celestial patterns and colors to reflect the overarching space theme. Get as dressed up as you would like. Pinterest board with ideas coming soon.

Can't make the event: You can still join the fun and bid on our out-of-this-world auction items. More details to come on remote bidding.

What is Totally Teller?

• • Totally Teller is our annual adults-only auction fundraiser for Teller Elementary where we raise over 50% of the money the PTA donates to the school each year.
  • We get together for conversation, food, great music and dancing, and a fantastic silent & live auction.
  • Teller's teachers and staff also join the fun!
  • Your attire for the evening is inspired by the theme! Have fun dressing for a night out with friends. Some will be in costume, but it is definitely not required to attend.

Totally Teller’s Purpose

Just like the moon launch and the space race changed everyone on Earth, our generosity at Totally Teller can launch all our kids to a new level of success and learning. Tax revenues and other government funds do not cover the cost of the education kids get at Teller. Funds raised at Totally Teller help bridge the gap and support things like classroom paraprofessionals, Teller’s librarian and school nurse, sustainability of specials (music, art, PE, library), critical curriculum and equipment, teacher/student grants and Teller staff & faculty appreciation activities.

Totally Teller Den Night

Your Teller Tiger(s) can get in on the intergalactic fun too at the Totally Teller Den Night on November 9th! Includes overnight babysitting, dinner and lots of fun and games. More details and sign up information coming soon!

12. Fall Festival: 

Teller’s annual Fall Festival will be on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH! We will have an assortment of fun activities like a pumpkin patch, costume contest, apple cider, and more! 

We need your help to make the event a success!!!: 

• • Candy donations can be made now! Please drop off any candy to the main office between now and 10/25! 
  • We are excited to bring back Trunk or Treat for another year! We are looking for families to come and participate in trunk or treat! If you are interested, please complete this Google Form!

13. MLE Parent Academy:

14. Upcoming Dates:

• • Friday, September 20th: 
    • Early Release at 12:30pm
  • Monday, September 23rd:
    • BESS BOY Student/Teacher Screening Window Opens
    • 2nd NNAT Opens
  • Tuesday, September 24th
    • 1st - 5th Grade September STAR Testing
  • Wednesday, September 25th
    • LOCKDOWN DRILL between 8-10am
  • Thursday, September 26th
    • Reading Buddies 830-9am
    • Assessment Binders Go Home
    • 3rd Grade Field Trip: Denver Zoo (All classes)
    • Farmer’s Market- 5th Schwarz 2:40-sold out
  • Friday, September 27th: 
    • TEAL Day- No Students

 

Sabrina Bates, Principal

Jason Smartt, Assistant Principal

Cheryl Ruiz, Dean of Operations