Happy first day of school eve! If you're anything like me, it will be tough to get to sleep tonight, because I'm always so excited about the first day of school!

Kindergarten begins on Friday, 8/26/22, and PreK begins on Friday, 9/2/22. Teachers in those grades will contact families to set up meeting times prior to students starting.

Again, if you have any enrollment needs, please contact Ms. Lewis in the main office. For our youngest Dragons in PreK, please reach out as soon as possible, because PreK requires more paperwork and appointments. We still have some spots in both PreK and Kindergarten, but we are reaching enrollment capacity quickly in all grade levels, so don't wait! PreK especially requires more paperwork, and our PreK team will be calling families to assist. If you know of a family who is trying to enroll at Denison, please pass along this information, as well. We have a few students on the waiting list in some grades, and I will start accepting those students after I take headcounts this week. There are some kinks to work out with our new system, but we are working diligently to get students enrolled.

Speaking of diligence, our core value of the month is DILIGENT. Being diligent means having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties. Every month, teachers will present mini-lessons on our core value of the month, and Dragons who embody the core value will be recognized through our PBIS system.

Remember to tell our Dragons daily:

DRAGONs Are:

Diligent

Respectful

Accountable

Goal-oriented

Open-minded

Noble

This is the longest newsletter I will send all year, but it is full of important information. Thank you all for your continued support! As always, please reach out at any time if you need anything. All staff email addresses are available on our website, http://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/denison

We can't wait to see everyone on the first day of school!

GO DRAGONS!

Yours In Education,

Principal Sullivan

• Every Friday is Spirit Day at Denison! Encourage scholars to wear their school shirts from last year, or anything green and white.
• We have already ordered new Dragon gear for this year, and it will arrive shortly. Please start showing your Dragon Pride Early!
• Student of the Month will be displayed in our newsletters and on Instagram. We also will continue our Positive Behavior Referrals, which always make everyone proud!

• Say Yes Cleveland is a local organization that provides two big things for CMSD students: support services in school and scholarships after high school.
• Say Yes Cleveland provides support services to CMSD students from PreK through 12th grade. During the 2022-2023 school year, Say Yes support services will be in 104 schools, which is 100% of all CMSD and partner charter schools. Services include afterschool programming, legal services, mental health services, and a Family Support Specialist in each school to connect students and their families to needed assistance.
• Say Yes Cleveland also provides scholarships covering the cost of college or postsecondary tuition, after federal and state grants, to every eligible CMSD graduate, for the next 25 years. Our scholarships can be used at all public universities, community colleges, and Pell-eligible certificate programs in Ohio – as well as over 100 private colleges and universities across the nation.

Denison's Say Yes Family Support Specialist is Mrs. Jackelyn Caskey, who will be helping families with resources and is on-site daily. She can be reached by calling the main office, or through email at jcaskey@sayyescleveland.org. Mrs. Caskeywill have MANY more updates and information in the coming weeks. We are so lucky to have her!

• No more temperature checks – please check at home
• Everyone in the building is encouraged but not required to wear a mask
• Regular sanitization
• Please keep your children home if they are sick
• Students with symptoms will be sent to the care clinic and must be picked up immediately

K-5

• 16 count Crayola crayons
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pen
• 12 Pencils
• Pencil cap erasers
• 2 Folders
• Filler paper
• Supply box

6-8

• 12 count colored pencils
• 6 Pens
• 4 Folders
• 3 Notebooks
• Pencil bag
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Ruler
• 12 Pencils
• Filler Paper
• 4 Folders
• 3 Notebooks

ALL Students will receive a free backpack!

CLICK HERE FOR THE EDULOG PARENT PORTAL

CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO DOWNLOAD THE EDULOG APP

• All scholars should bring devices fully charged, with chargers, daily to school. Any device issues should be reported to the help desk at 216.838.0440. Remind scholars to take proper care of newly issued devices. We cannot issue a loaner without a ticket to the help desk for broken devices.
• Scholars in need of a device due to new enrollment or due to damages will enter a ticket during the first week of school (damaged devices need to be brought to the building). Our device distribution day is Tuesday, 8/23/22.
• Per District Technology Policy, there will be a $50.00 fee related to 3rd issuance of a CMSD 1:1 Program device and a $10.00 fee for the 2nd replacement of associated accessories, i.e. keyboards, chargers and cords.
  

• Denison's camera system has been updated, and all cameras are functioning. We are on the list to have our system fully replaced this year, as well!
• All door locks have been inspected and all teachers have classroom keys in the event of a lockdown.
• We are conducting regular safety, fire, and tornado drills per state regulations.
• All students must have their bags checked daily.
• No weapons may be brought into the building (this includes parents/guardians/guests), and we cannot hold items (including pepper spray, lighters, etc.).
• Please contact Officer Rivera with questions regarding any Saftey and Security regulations.

Student Code of Conduct

• Students are expected to adhere to all policies in the CMSD code of conduct.
• We will conduct our Discipline Assembly on Tuesday, 8/23/22, for all students of Denison.
• Although we usually do not see extreme behaviors at Denison, we want to remind all students and families of the expectations.
• Please review the Code of Conduct, and contact any administrator, teacher, or staff member with any questions. Officer Rivera is also an expert and will ensure that Denison is safe and secure at all times!
• We focus on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports so that our Dragons can stay away from negative consequences, but it is important to stay informed.

CLICK HERE FOR THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Student Dress Expectations

The responsibility for the dress and appearance of a student rests primarily with the student and their parents or guardians. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment, the district believes in the following basic principles:

• All students are encouraged to dress in a manner that is appropriate, comfortable and conducive to an active academic school day.
• Students should be able to wear clothing without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.
• The student dress code should serve to support all students to develop a body-positive self-image.
• The district standard dress and appearance policy is gender neutral and applies to all students equally regardless of gender on school campuses and at school-sponsored functions and will be enforced consistently and fairly by all members of the school staff.

To read the rest of the Student Dress Expectations, including examples of inappropriate clothing and potential consequences, please click here.

• School starts at 8:35. If your child misses one hour per day for 180 days, that is the equivalent of missing 30 days of school! Be on time!
• Breakfast starts at 8:15. PreK-3 lunch is 11:05-11:45; 4-8 lunch is 11:55-12:35. Menus are attached.
• All students will attend recess outside daily unless temperatures are below 32 degress, so please dress students according to weather.
• Dismissal is at 3:05 (Please pick up your scholars on time, as we do not have aftercare)
• Drop off: Park in the lot, walk your child to the front door, exit on the Denison Side from lot.
• Pick up: Park in lot or on street, come to front of building, exit on the Denison Side from lot. ​
• Zero period clubs (Art, PE, and Music) will begin in September. Encore teachers will be surveying students to determine interests and sending home permission forms.
• Esperanza will be onsite this week to sign up scholars for our after school program, which will begin in September.
• Cell phones need to be turned off upon entering the building - the first time taken will be a warning and the scholar can retrieve their cell phone at the end of the day. The next time, a parent/guardian will have to pick up the cell phone.
• Families can access many resources by using the Cleveland Metro Schools Parent Page (click the parent tab) at https://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/domain/172

August

• 8/22: First Day of School (1st-8th)
• 8/26: First Day of Kindergarten

September

• 9/2: First Day of PreSchool
• 9/5: Labor Day: No School for Students & Staff
• 9/15: Open House & 8th Grade Parent Night
• 9/22: Father's Walk
• 9/23: Professional Development Day: No School for Students

CLICK HERE FOR CMSD CALENDAR