Middle School Weekly Update
2020-2021
Weekly Update - 9/2/20
Dear eDCSD Middle School Parents and Students,
Today marks the beginning of week 3 of the quarter! This Monday, September 7th is Labor Day and our school is closed. Students still have access to their courses and may work but teachers and staff will not be available. There will be no Blended Learning meeting on Monday. However, we hope to see all of your Tuesday, Sept 8th for school pictures.
Just a reminder that tonight, Wednesday, September 2nd, from 5 - 6 pm, we will hold a virtual parent orientation. This is a great time to learn how to facilitate student learning in your home. See the announcements below for details and a link to attend. Please read below for this week’s announcements.
Announcements
Virtual Parent Orientation
On Wednesday, September 2nd from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, we will be holding a virtual parent orientation. We will cover technology tools that parents can use to support their student, tips for online student success, and have an open question session. Click HERE to attend on Wednesday, September 2nd. We will record the session. If you are not able to attend, please check our website on Thursday, September 3rd for the recording.
Picture Day
Mark your calendars! Tuesday, September 8th is picture day. Students will take pictures for purchase and will also receive school IDs.
Grades 9-12 will take pictures from 8 AM - 10 AM.
Grades K-8 will take pictures from 10 AM - 2 PM
Students who attended Blended this past week received picture paperwork on how to order pictures. If your student did not attend blended, please use the information below:
Unfortunately, parents are still not permitted in the building. Students should be dropped off with any paperwork for pictures. We will walk them to the picture location and bring them back out front when they are finished. Parents may wait in the parking lot or outside.
Meet Our Staff
With the inability to welcome parents and families into our building, we thought it would be great for you to get to know our amazing staff!
Meet Holly Withers - Registrar
Holly enrolls all of our students, keeps track of information in IC for families, and creates transcripts. Holly is from Oregon. She loves hiking, yoga, running, and camping. She has lived in Colorado for 14 years. She lives with her husband, her son who is a CVHS senior this year, and her two dogs, Harlow and Poe.
Meet Justin McNall - School Psychologist
Mr. McNall is someone you can talk to when you are struggling and also runs our Mindfulness groups. Mr. NcNall is a proud Colorado native. He grew up near the front range in Littleton. He is a proud husband and stepfather to a 25 year old! He is my nieces and nephews favorite uncle; they all call him Unky Funky. AND everyone knows that his most favorite thing to do, because he talks about it waaaay too much, he is an avid and obsessed mountain biker! Yay Bikes is what he would like to say!!
eDCSD Blended Learning
eDCSD will have OPTIONAL blended learning first semester. Blended learning is eDCSD Online’s Face to Face opportunity. While students are usually either required or recommended to attend blended learning sessions, we are giving families the option to attend Blended Learning each week.
7th - 8th Blended Learning
No Blended on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
Middle School Blended Learning for 7th-8th occurs each Monday from 9 am -12:30 pm while school is in session. Blended Learning is held in our new location at 373 Inverness Parkway, Suite 207, Englewood, CO 80112. While at Blended, students will participate in projects and activities to support relationships between the teachers and students as well as peer connections, all at a safe distance. In addition, students will have time to work with teachers for support in coursework. Also, all staff including administrators, counselors, tech support, school psychologist, learning coach, learning specialist and office staff are all available to support students with any questions or needs during Blended.
What to Bring to Blended
Students must wear a mask to Blended Learning. Students need to bring their own devices as we will not be able to check out devices for temporary use during Blended at this time. Students should also bring a lunch/snack and a refillable water bottle. Drinking fountains are currently unavailable but water to fill bottles will be available.
Blended Drop Off and Pick Up
We have spaces reserved for blended pick up and drop off in front of our entrance. Please enter on the south side of the building and exit by continuing along the back of the building and driving out on the north side of the building. Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to welcome parents into our building during Blended. We can’t wait to show it off when we can safely gather together!
Single Sign On Change
A significant change for all students is a change to the single sign on service through the district. Students must be logged into their student Google account before attempting to log into Canvas as this works as a second verification of their identity into Canvas. If you have trouble logging into Canvas, please verify that you are signed into your school district Google account first.
eDCSD New Location
In case you missed our previous communication, eDCSD has a new home! We are now located at 373 Inverness Parkway Suite 207, Englewood, CO 80112. Please do not enter the building through the main lobby. Drive around to the South West Corner of the building and enter through the Suite 207 entrance. We can’t wait to celebrate our new building when we can safely gather together.
Support Opportunities
Nutrition Services
Fueling bodies and minds is crucial regardless of where the learning occurs! DCSD Nutrition Services is providing weekly meal bags, available by pre-order only and curbside pickup, for all students enrolled at participating sites during eLearning and hybrid learning. Weekly meal bags for 100% eLearners contain 5 breakfast meals and 5 lunch meals, including fruits/veggies and milk for each meal. Weekly meal bags for Hybrid learners will contain 5 breakfast and 3 lunches. A lunch only bag will be available for Hybrid learners as well with lunches. For Hybrid learners, days when in-person learning, traditional hot meals will be served at the participating school sites. Here are the updated eLearning weekly meal bag fliers - ENGLISH SPANISH
Parent Canvas Accounts
Please use THIS link to access the Canvas Parent Login Page.
eDCSD parents who are new to Canvas, below are directions on how to create your account. You will begin by generating a Pairing Code from your student’s account and then you will use this code to create your own account.
How to generate a Pairing Code
How to create a parent account in Canvas
Mental Health Resources
STEM Center For Strength Courses
Virtual Gentle Yoga
Click HERE for information about a virtual gentle yoga class.
Virtual Support Group - General
Click HERE for information about a virtual general support group meeting.
Virtual Support Group - STEM tragedy
Click HERE for information about a virtual support group for adults affected by the events of May 7th, 2019.
Virtual Support Group - STEM tragedy
Click HERE for information about a virtual support group for students affected by the events of May 7th, 2019.
Healthy Teen Relationships
Click HERE for information about a course on Health Teen Relationships
Denver Springs
Click HERE to view a mental health resource provided by Denver Springs.
Calm Program
Click HERE to view a community resource for anxiety.
Resilience for Parents & Families
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Time: 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. (MT)
Description: In this snippet, parents and families will gain resilience skills, tools and strategies to help ensure a healthy start to the new school year.
Register HERE
Technology Support
Meet Ms. Gant! If you are experiencing technology issues and need support beyond what your student’s classroom teacher can provide, please contact Ms.Gant at tgant@dcsdk12.org
Computer Check Out
If your student needs a computer, you may check out a device from eDCSD. We encourage your student to use their own device, if possible. Please note that a $100 deposit is required for check out and will be collected before checkout. The deposit will be refunded when you return the device in good condition. The deposit may be made by either cash, check or credit card. If you would prefer to pay electronically, you will need to contact the office before you visit the office so that we can put a $100 fee on your My School Bucks account. P
If you have questions regarding technology, device specifications, or to check out a device, please contact CJ Santiago at csantiago@dcsdk12.org or call 303-387-9600.
Office Hours
The eDCSD office is open for visitors Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Office staff are available by phone or email on Fridays from 7:30 am- 3:30 pm. If you need assistance, you can always call the office at 303-387-9600 or send us an email.
We are here to help! Reach out if you need anything!
Your Partner in Learning,
Greg Wiley, Principal
Laura Sharp, Assistant Principal
** Like us on Facebook and Twitter!
Weekly Update - 8/26/20
Dear eDCSD Middle School Parents and Students,
Welcome to week 2! Next Wednesday, September 2nd, from 5 - 6 pm, we will hold a virtual parent orientation. This is a great time to learn how to facilitate student learning in your home. See the announcements below for details and a link to attend. Please read below for this week’s announcements.
Announcements
Virtual Parent Orientation
On Wednesday, September 2nd from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, we will be holding a virtual parent orientation. We will cover technology tools that parents can use to support their student, tips for online student success, and have an open question session. Click HERE to attend on Wednesday, September 2nd.
Picture Day
Mark your calendars! Tuesday, September 8th is picture day. Students will take pictures for purchase and will also receive school IDs.
Grades 9-12 will take pictures from 8 AM - 10 AM.
Grades K-8 will take pictures from 10 AM - 2 PM
Students who attended Blended this past week received picture paperwork on how to order pictures. If your student did not attend blended, please use the information below:
Unfortunately, parents are still not permitted in the building. Students should be dropped off with any paperwork for pictures. We will walk them to the picture location and bring them back out front when they are finished. Parents may wait in the parking lot or outside.
Meet Our Staff
With the inability to welcome parents and families into our building, we thought it would be great for you to get to know our amazing staff!
Meet CJ Santiago - Attendance Secretary
When you call our office, CJ might be one of the first voices you hear! CJ is our Attendance Secretary and also takes care of computer check outs and reimaging. CJ is from Missouri. She loves the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues hockey! She enjoys hiking, dancing, traveling and reading. She has lived in Colorado for 3 1/2 years, and is enjoying all it has to offer. She has 3 grown children, two grandchildren and a Maltese named Percy Jackson.
Meet Josie Pulliam - Science Teacher
Josie is our middle school and high school physical science teacher. In her free time, she loves playing games with her family and baking. She also really enjoys rock climbing and playing on jungle gyms with her son. She is also our resident bird catcher when birds try to visit us in our new building!
eDCSD Blended Learning
eDCSD will have OPTIONAL blended learning first semester. Blended learning is eDCSD Online’s Face to Face opportunity. While students are usually either required or recommended to attend blended learning sessions, we are giving families the option to attend Blended Learning each week.
7th - 8th Blended Learning
Middle School Blended Learning for 1st-8th occurs each Monday from 9 am -12:30 pm while school is in session. Blended Learning is held in our new location at 373 Inverness Parkway, Suite 207, Englewood, CO 80112. While at Blended, students will participate in projects and activities to support relationships between the teachers and students as well as peer connections, all at a safe distance. In addition, students will have time to work with teachers for support in coursework. Also, all staff including administrators, counselors, tech support, school psychologist, learning coach, learning specialist and office staff are all available to support students with any questions or needs during Blended.
What to Bring to Blended
Students must wear a mask to Blended Learning. Students need to bring their own devices as we will not be able to check out devices for temporary use during Blended at this time. Students should also bring a lunch/snack and a refillable water bottle. Drinking fountains are currently unavailable but water to fill bottles will be available.
Blended Drop Off and Pick Up
We have spaces reserved for blended pick up and drop off in front of our entrance. Please enter on the south side of the building and exit by continuing along the back of the building and driving out on the north side of the building. Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to welcome parents into our building during Blended. We can’t wait to show it off when we can safely gather together!
Single Sign On Change
A significant change for all students is a change to the single sign on service through the district. Students must be logged into their student Google account before attempting to log into Canvas as this works as a second verification of their identity into Canvas. If you have trouble logging into Canvas, please verify that you are signed into your school district Google account first.
eDCSD New Location
In case you missed our previous communication, eDCSD has a new home! We are now located at 373 Inverness Parkway Suite 207, Englewood, CO 80112. Please do not enter the building through the main lobby. Drive around to the South West Corner of the building and enter through the Suite 207 entrance. We can’t wait to celebrate our new building when we can safely gather together.
Support Opportunities
Nutrition Services
Fueling bodies and minds is crucial regardless of where the learning occurs! DCSD Nutrition Services is providing weekly meal bags, available by pre-order only and curbside pickup, for all students enrolled at participating sites during eLearning and hybrid learning. Weekly meal bags for 100% eLearners contain 5 breakfast meals and 5 lunch meals, including fruits/veggies and milk for each meal. Weekly meal bags for Hybrid learners will contain 5 breakfast and 3 lunches. A lunch only bag will be available for Hybrid learners as well with lunches. For Hybrid learners, days when in-person learning, traditional hot meals will be served at the participating school sites. Here are the updated eLearning weekly meal bag fliers - ENGLISH SPANISH
Parent Canvas Accounts
Please use THIS link to access the Canvas Parent Login Page.
eDCSD parents who are new to Canvas, below are directions on how to create your account. You will begin by generating a Pairing Code from your student’s account and then you will use this code to create your own account.
How to generate a Pairing Code
How to create a parent account in Canvas
Mental Health Resources
Denver Springs
Click HERE to view a mental health resource provided by Denver Springs.
Calm Program
Click HERE to view a community resource for anxiety.
Resilience for Parents & Families
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Time: 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. (MT)
Description: In this snippet, parents and families will gain resilience skills, tools and strategies to help ensure a healthy start to the new school year.
Register HERE
Technology Support
Meet Ms. Gant! If you are experiencing technology issues and need support beyond what your student’s classroom teacher can provide, please contact Ms.Gant at tgant@dcsdk12.org
Computer Check Out
If your student needs a computer, you may check out a device from eDCSD. We encourage your student to use their own device, if possible. Please note that a $100 deposit is required for check out and will be collected before checkout. The deposit will be refunded when you return the device in good condition. The deposit may be made by either cash, check or credit card. If you would prefer to pay electronically, you will need to contact the office before you visit the office so that we can put a $100 fee on your My School Bucks account. P
If you have questions regarding technology, device specifications, or to check out a device, please contact CJ Santiago at csantiago@dcsdk12.org or call 303-387-9600.
Office Hours
The eDCSD office is open for visitors Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Office staff are available by phone or email on Fridays from 7:30 am- 3:30 pm. If you need assistance, you can always call the office at 303-387-9600 or send us an email.
We are here to help! Reach out if you need anything!
Your Partner in Learning,
Greg Wiley, Principal
Laura Sharp, Assistant Principal
** Like us on Facebook and Twitter!