Paw Print
August 16, 2021
The Search for the Correct Answer
My mom suffers from dementia - a disease that has left her a shell of her former self, requiring constant care and one that is frustrating both for her and for those who love her. A few years ago, my father had knee replacement surgery, and I went home to help. Right before Dad went into surgery, he asked me to do him one favor: call his brother and tell him when he was in recovery. My relationship with my dad is one that if he asks me to do something, I do it. I never question; I just do whatever he asks. It seemed simple enough - make a phone call. But when surgery was over, and I pulled out my dad’s phone, I realized he had a lock code on his screen. I asked my mom if she knew the code; she just replied, “Dial 9”. What? I dialed 9 numerous times and nothing happened. I asked Mom if she knew my uncle’s number. She said, “9”. I tried 9 again and nothing. I tried 9999; still nothing. As the afternoon turned into evening, I became more agitated. I could not ask my dad for help because he was too groggy; plus I did not want to admit that I was unable to complete the one task he asked me to do. I continued to question my mom, asking if she could think really hard and remember the number. The answer was always 9. My brother-in-law came to the hospital for the night so that my mom and I could go home. She was extremely sad to be leaving my dad in the hands of my brother-in-law and was also sad to be going home with me because “I don’t do it right”. I felt a strong sense of helplessness as we emerged into the darkness of the parking lot.
When we finally arrived home, I sat down for a moment to rest. I eventually saw my parents' cordless phone sitting on the kitchen island. When I picked up the phone, I realized numbers were stored in it. I dialed * 9. Within seconds, I heard my uncle’s voice.
Later that night as I crawled into my childhood bed, I thought about the day and recognized that I had been reminded of two lessons: one professional and one personal. On a professional level, I reflected that sometimes the answers that we receive from students are not the ones that we anticipate, but they are correct answers all the same. And, on a personal note, I was reminded that even in her later years surrounded in a cloud of dementia, Mom is always right.
Kim Oliver
Administration Spotlight - Mr. Patrick Coffield
This is my 17th year in education and Denmark will be my 4th school. Before coming to Denmark, I was at DeSana Middle School (5 years), Mount Vernon Presbyterian School (9 years) and Brookview Elementary School (2 years). I am originally from Stone Mountain and attended Georgia State University for my undergrad and masters degrees and Mercer for my specialist degree. I am a big Atlanta sports fan and cheer on all our sports teams. I am excited for a great school year! Go Danes!
Please consider joining PTSO. They are an outstanding group who loves to support all of us!
New Educator Spotlight
A Note from School Safety
- We will be conducting our first fire drill this week.
Reminder: Virtual Curriculum Night is This Week (Wednesday, August 18th). Please refer to the email from Mrs. Geralds about information required in each introduction video.
Student Support Information
TEACHER HELP SESSIONS—DAYS/TIMES NEEDED:
Please complete the following survey with the days/times of your before and after school academic help sessions. This information will help me support students and encourage them to attend sessions when needed. If your department organizes sessions on a shared spreadsheet, please just forward that to me instead. Thanks!
STUDENT SUPPORT—REFERRAL FORM:
Please complete the following for any student who you feel needs additional support despite classroom strategies and remediation. This form will be used for a variety of reasons including skill gaps, failing grades, attendance concerns or emotional needs. The intention is to consider the whole child in our support process. Please note that this form includes areas for you to designate what has been implemented in the classroom as additional support. Please be specific with what you have done as the classroom teacher, so we can move forward with a plan that is most appropriate for the child. Please reach out to Shannon Covington with any questions!
Counseling Updates
Scheduling
We appreciate your willingness to roll with the schedule changes so far this year. Things should be slowing down at this point save for finding a few errors here and there. Students are being informed that virtual classes are no longer an option (Forsyth Virtual or GA Virtual) as all deadlines have passed.
New Enrollments
We have enrolled 124 new students so far this year (and get more every day). As we add students to your classes, starting Monday on, we will send you an email to let you know.
Appointments
Students and parents can now request an appointment with their counselor through the counseling website (https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/domain/4700) or by scanning a QR code next to their counselor’s name in the counseling office. Of course, no appointment is needed if student is in crises or needs something done urgently.
Senior Seminars
The DHS Counseling Department will be hosting our Fall Senior Seminars next week. Student seminars will be run through English classes on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Students who are dually enrolled, virtual, or do not have an English class on campus are welcome to attend any of the attached times in person, or they can attend the virtual session on Thursday night at 6pm.
All parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to attend the virtual presentation on Thursday, August 19th via Microsoft Teams.
We will be reviewing important information regarding graduation, medallions/seals, postsecondary planning, scholarships, and MORE!
Instructional Coaches' Corner
We would like to thank everyone for letting us stop by your rooms the past few days! We have seen some excellent teaching AND learning going on and cannot wait to spend more time seeing you all work your magic. We have a few quick announcements for this week:
- Team facilitators - please fill out the Google Form sent to you by Department Chairs last week regarding when your team will meet. Please have that information in by Wednesday, August 18! Here is a link to the form if you need it: Content Team Information
- ALL teachers – we have already seen you get super creative and interactive with your classrooms this first week – if you use a resource or a tool in your classroom that promotes engagement and interaction regularly, please add your name to our list of “Resource Experts” so we can come to pick your brain or observe you in action. We are looking to compile a “toolbox” of great resources for our new teachers and anyone looking to switch things up, help with formative assessments, utilize technology, or increase engagement. Would you please add your name to this document: Denmark Resource Experts
- If you would like to book some time on our calendar to collaborate, need an extra pair of eyes in your classroom, meet to discuss instructional strategies, or anything else – we are using Calendly to help you get on our calendar. You can use these links to see when we are free and book an appointment with us. We are happy to come to your classroom, or if you want, you can come to our offices. We will be sending out more specific information on WHY you might want to book some time with us – there are so many things we can do to give you the support you need!
Tony Cafarella – Click here to schedule a meeting with Tony
Lindsay Bacon – Click here to schedule a meeting with Lindsay
Both links can also be found in our email signatures.
This week, we will be popping into classrooms for informal observations. We are simply getting an idea of what classes and students are looking like and seeing some more great teaching happening! These are not tied to TKES or any evaluation 😊 If we pop in, don’t be alarmed! If, for some reason, that is not a good time for us to be in there, don’t be afraid to let us know. If you have any AWESOME lessons or activities coming up, PLEASE let us know so we can come to check it out!
Lindsay Bacon & Tony Cafarella
EL Perspective
Please click HERE for this week's presentation.
Please click HERE for a screencast that will help you examine all the digital resources that supports SIOP.
Scenes from this week
(Please click in the box to see the schedules for each sport)
Schedules for Fall Sports
Family Tailgate
Wellness Nights
Optimist Club Mini Grants
Please visit the website for additional information and application. www.fcoptimists.org
Denmark's Mission
School-wide Collective Commitments
We will work together - interdependently - in collaborative teams.
We will demonstrate a personal commitment to the academic success and social/emotional well-being of each student.
We will develop positive relationships with students and with each other that promote a positive learning environment and a strong Denmark Community.
About Us
Website: https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/dhs
Location: 645 Mullinax Road, Alpharetta, GA
Phone: 470.533.2521
Twitter: @DenmarkHS