Mesa Newsletter
October
There is ton of great information in the newsletter: check it ALL out!!!
Principal's Note
We hope all is well. October was an extremely busy, but exciting month at Mesa. As an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program School, we get evaluated every 5 years to see how we are doing with implementing the program. On October 25th, 26th, and 27th, three evaluators came to Mesa and DCHS to review our programming. The final report will be out in February, but the initial feedback has been positive. The evaluators were impressed with the climate of the building and with how friendly and engaged our students, parents, and community were with the school. We will share information from the final report when it comes out.
Also in October, we had Microsoft visiting our school. Mesa is working with Microsoft to develop a partnership around technology and with introducing our students to classrooms around the world to solve real world problems in context of the Colorado Academic Standards. We will share more information as this partnership develops.
Lastly, in October ESPN came to Mesa because of our amazing Unified Sports program. ESPN met with Mary Caricato, students, and myself to learn more about the program and to create a training video for schools around the nation. This video will debut in February.
We have been so fortunate to receive so much positive attention for our work at Mesa and we thank our parents/guardians and community for their support.
Sincerely,
Tony Jackowski Principal
ESPN, Special Olympics North America, DCHS, Rock Ridge, and Mesa Unified Sports Event
QUOTE FROM THE EVENT:
One of the ESPN staff members stopped by the concessions and said, I travel all over the country filming events like these and he has never seen a crowd as amazing as Mesa! SO AWESOME!"
Great job to all of those who participated and what a great experience for our entire community!! There are pictures from the event below.
District Honor Band and Orchestra
This year, we saw a huge increase in student auditions from across the district. Using the last 2 years as a guide, we expected around 100-110 students to audition. We had 170 this year. Not only did we have more students, but the quality of auditions and musicianship were kicked up a HUGE notch. Competition was very fierce and we had SO MANY great students to choose from. Below are the students from Mesa that made it into this years Middle School Honor Band and Honor String Orchestra.
Honor Band
Caleb ​Podany - Tenor Sax
Keenan Glimpse - Bari Sax
Lucy Brusoe - French Horn
Niklas Larson - Trumpet
Josh Dulin - Tuba​
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Honor String Orchestra
​Marina Tinari​​ - Cello
OUR NEW SOURCES OF STRENGTH CREW!!!!
Counseling Corner
During the month of November, Mesa students will take part in a "21 Day Gratitude Challenge." Each day they will have the opportunity to write down 3 things they can be grateful for. According to Shawn Anchor, a Harvard researcher, studies have shown that something as simple as participating in this exercise for 21 days, "significantly increases your level of optimism, and it holds for the next six months. The research is amazing." It may be time for us all to ask ourselves, "What do I have to be grateful for today?"
How does gratitude work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5lZBjWDR_cMath Night at Mesa: Fun for the Whole Family (10/24/17)
Special thanks to Mrs. Amos, Mrs. Noble, Mr. Butler, Mrs. Bache, Ms. Likes, Mrs. Webster, and Mr. Weiss for setting up and running the event.
Edgenuity (formerly Compass) Helps Mesa Students Achieve Academic Success
This year Mesa students are using an innovative computer program to assist with their growth and achievement in Language Arts and Math. This program is set based on MAP scores. The program is set at the student’s level and allows them to move at their own pace.
All students in 7th and 8th grades are using Edgenuity once a week in Language Arts and Math with meaningful assignments and assessments that help students engage with lessons, ensure they master key concepts, and provide immediate and actionable feedback. The program includes formative and summative assessments that test for mastery and checks for understanding when completed.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
11/2- 11/4- Fall Play Performance 7:00 pm
11/6- Mesa SAC Meeting- Mesa Library 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
11/6- Band Feeder Concert 7:00 pm (Mesa Gym)
11/7- No School (Professional Development-Teachers)
11/8- Career Connect 8th Grade Expo
11/8- Fall Feeder Choir Concert 6:30 pm
11/9- 8th Grade IB Information Meetings @ DCHS Auditorium 5:30 pm
11/9- Mesa MS PTO Meeting 6:30 pm at Applebee's
11/13- 2017 Patriotic Celebration 6:30 pm
11/14- Parent/Guardian Visitation Day
11/13-11/17- NJHS Food Drive
11/20-11/24- Thanksgiving Break (No School)
11/28- Orchestra Feeder Concert 6:30 pm
11/30- Rink at the Rock for Mesa MS - 4 pm to 8 pm
12/1- Dodgeball Tournament 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
12/2- MESA MIDDLE SCHOOL CRAFT FAIR 9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Flyer
TWIN DAY AT MESA: WE LOVE MS. MUIR
September Students of the Month: Inquirers
Atlas-7: Katie Saunders, Hayden Gaal
Polar-7: Mayson McKinney, Ammon Gaynor
Grizzly-7: Abigail Carter, Joshua Udlock
Grizzly-8: Shea Corken, Brandon Bussey
Sun-8: Rosemarie Ayers, Connon Linn
Panda-8: Marisol Castilleja, Jack Etherton
October Students of the Month: Principled
Atlas-7: Jordan Browning, Zachary Eilers,
Polar-7: Mona Rojas, Michael Heidinger
Grizzly-7: Abigail Carter, Max Clausen
Grizzly-8: Monet Smith, Wyatt Krzycki
Sun-8: Sara Gray, Gunner Parker
Panda-8: Emely Bacon, Jesus Chavez
Save the Date! Other Upcoming DCSD Community Events
"The Snowy Day" - DCPA Now through November 18 Tickets $15 This production kicks off the new Theatre for Young Audiences program, which focuses on performances especially tailored for youth audiences. Bring your little ones to their first theatre experience and relive the moments of your childhood through their eyes. Purchase tickets here. Use promo code DCSDFUND. Park Meadows Holiday Shopping Event Sunday, December 3 - 3 pm to 6 pm Hosted by Kendra Scott and Athleta
Join us for an afternoon of special discounts from participating merchants, snacks, drinks, activities and more! A portion of all proceeds will benefit DC Schools! More info coming soon.
"A Christmas Carol" - DCPA
November 24 - December
Tickets $35
Essential to the holiday season in Denver, A Christmas Carol is a joyous and opulent musical adaptation that traces money-hoarding skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge's triumphant overnight journey to redemption. Purchase tickets here. Use promo code DCSDFUND.
DCSD Days at the National Western Stock Show
January 6 - 21, 2018
Receive special discounts on most events! Save up to $6 per ticket plus $4.95 per ticket in service charges AND $2 from each ticket purchased will be donated to DC Schools. To see schedule and to purchase tickets click here. Use promo code DOUGCO.
Community Event with the Colorado Mammoth vs. Calgary Roughnecks
Friday, February 2 at 7:30 pm
The Pepsi Center
Tickets starting at $10
Discounted tickets AND a portion of the proceeds go back to the DC School of your choice! Link available soon.
Community Day with the Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators
Sunday, March 4 at 1 pm
Tickets starting at $25
The Pepsi Center
Discounted tickets AND a portion of the proceeds go back to the DC School of your choice! Back up game Friday, March 16. Find tickets here.