Community Newsletter
Denny International Middle School | December 1, 2023
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Dolphin Families,
I want to express my sincere gratitude for your active participation in our first Family Forum. Your thoughtful insights and proactive approach were truly inspiring, and we are grateful for the valuable feedback you shared.
Our Building Leadership Team is reviewing the notes so that we can draw from the topics and suggestions raised to use in our next Family Forum. Our aim is to collaboratively create an action plan that addresses your concerns and aspirations. Your partnership is crucial, and we are committed to keeping you informed about the steps we are taking as a staff to enhance the overall experience for our students and families.
Once again, thank you for your dedication and engagement. Together, we are building a stronger and more vibrant Denny International Middle School community. We look forward to sharing the progress we make based on your valuable input.
Warmly,
Mary Ingraham
IMPORTANT DATES
- 12-4 to 12-8 Annual Book Fair
- 12-5, 12-12, and 12-14 Girl's Basketball Tryouts
- 12-7, 12-8, and 12-11 Boy's Basketball Tryouts
- 12-7 Choir Concert CSIHS Auditorium 6:30
- 12-12 Orchestra Concert CSIHS Auditorium 6:30
- 12-14 Band Concert CSIHS Auditorium 6:30
- 12-18 to 1-1 Winter Break No School
Request for Holiday Donations
It is that time where Denny International will be collecting funds or gift cards for families that are in need of food for the holidays and unplanned emergencies (housing, change in family living situation, etc.)! If you are able to donate a gift card for Safeway, Fred Meyer, Target…that would be amazing! Smaller increments of gift cards are preferred as we will be able to help more families with something instead of 1 or 2 families with a lot. If you would like to donate cash towards a gift card, that would be terrific as well! Please drop your donations off at the Main Office. If you have any questions, please email Mary Wilson at mewilson@seattleschools.org or call me at 206-252-9000.
Last year, we were able to support several families with the generous donations received from families and staff and that made a HUGE difference!
Winter Athletics: Girls and Boys Basketball
Varsity Girl's Basketball
Girl's Basketball Tryouts will be December 5th, 12th, and 14th. If your scholar is interested in playing follow the steps below. The Coach is Mr. Boney smboney@seattleschools.org. Games start in January
Varsity Boy's Basketball
Boy's Basketball Tryouts will be December 7th, 8th, and 11th. If your scholar would like to play follow the steps below. The Coach is Mr. Hall ithall@seattleschools.org. Games start in January.
- Complete Registration forms. Registration forms must be completed every year.
- Complete Physical form. Physical forms are good for 24 months.
- Forms are available in the links here or in the main office. All forms must be on file before a scholar can participate. Physicals can be scheduled through our partner NeighborCare with appointments right in our school's Wellness Center.
Students may register for a physical at our teen health center using this link: https://powerforms.docusign.net/07eec3b3-e9b7-428c-893f-334cd7f22980?env=na2&acct=fd0c9a5a-fd06-439b-94f7-b7bfb96b5e28&accountId=fd0c9a5a-fd06-439b-94f7-b7bfb96b5e28 and then either calling (206) 923-2809 or emailing SBHC@neighborcare.org to schedule an appointment.
- Please contact your coach for further details. You can also contact Michael Anderson (Athletics Coordinator) at mianderson@seattleschools.org.
Annual Book Fair
Our annual book fair is coming up December 4- December 8! During this week, students will be able to shop all that the fair has to offer before school starting at 7:40, during lunch, and after school until 3:15. They are able to pay using cash, credit/ debit cards, Apple/ Google Pay, or an online e-wallet that can be set up ahead of time. All funds from the fair support our ability to buy books for students who cannot afford them and to buy additional books for our library.
More information on the fair can and setting up your student’s e-wallet be found here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/dennyintlmiddleschool1
Family volunteers are always appreciated, especially during lunch times (10:30- 12:57). If you are interested in volunteering, reach out to Ms. Risi at karisi@seattleschools.org.
Winter Break Academy 2023 QR Code Registration Below
Sexual Health Education in Science Classes
Our science classes will be teaching Sexual Health Education (SHE) during the month of January and February. The teachers will be sending a family letter home with your student with information for you to reach out with questions, preview the materials, and opt out of part or all of the lessons. I have included the specific dates that each grade level will be teaching SHE below as well as the link to Seattle Public School's Sexual Health Education website for your reference.
Here are the dates that each grade level will begin SHE:
- 6th Grade – 2/5
- 7th Grade – 1/16
- 8th Grade – 2/5
Seattle Public School’s Sexual Health Education website: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/health-education/sexual-health-education/
Join DIMS PTSA
The PTSA is doing a ton of amazing things, use the link below to get involved and become a part of it.
The next meeting will be on January 4, 2024 at 6:30 virtually on Zoom
PTSA Mod Pizza Fundraiser: December 19th
All day at MOD Pizza on December 19th Dine-Out and raise funds for Denny International Middle School's PTSA so that they can continue there incredible support of our scholars and school community as a whole. Please mark this on your calendar and see the details below:
- Fundraiser for: Denny International Middle School PTSA
- Fundraiser date: Dec 19, 2023
- Time period: All day
- Restaurant location: 2800 SW Barton St Seattle, WA 98126
Lost and Found
All lost and found that is not claimed by December 15th will be donated. Please check the lost and found to be sure that none of your families belongings are there.
Fentanyl Awareness Campaign
Hello Families,
We wanted to bring to your attention the alarming increase in overdose-related deaths in King County, particularly from pills and powders containing fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is stronger than other common opioids such as heroin and morphine. The issue is compounded by the fact that these drugs can be disguised to look like prescription pills, putting users at risk of consuming lethal doses without realizing it.
With the growing concern about the misuse of prescription drugs and opioids, we at Denny International Middle School are taking a proactive approach to address this issue. We will be organizing a week-long awareness campaign from December 4-8th. to educate our students on the risks associated with prescription drug abuse, and how to protect themselves and their peers from overdosing. The campaign will cover topics such as identifying the signs of opioid overdose and the steps to take in case of an emergency.
Drea Jones (She/Her)
Prevention Intervention Specialist
RESOURCES & INFORMATION
Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter Weather Preparation
When winter weather arrives in Seattle, SPS must determine schedule changes for the entire district. We recognize this decision may not always fit with what individual neighborhoods are experiencing. The city of Seattle has a wide variation of weather conditions because of our landscape.
Winter Weather School Schedule Options
If snow or ice in the Seattle area affects road conditions, our schools may have schedule changes. Student and staff safety is a priority when making decisions related to inclement weather.
Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association have created a plan to use technology and remote learning instruction so students can continue to learn from home during inclement weather/snow days.
Based on weather conditions, we have two possible scenarios – two-hour late start with in-person learning or school buildings closed with students at home engaged in remote learning.
6th Grade 2 Hour Late Start Schedule
7th Grade 2 Hour Late Start Schedule
8th Grade 2 Hour Late Start Schedule
Sistema Escolar, Villa Comunitaria, & Seattle Public Schools: Workshop this Week on Bullying!
Talleres Familias / Family Workshops 2023-2024
Sistema Escolar, Villa Comunitaria and Seattle Public Schools are excited to once again host monthly workshops for families in Spanish. The list of dates and topics are below. Reminders and informational flyers will be shared in advance of each meeting also. Meetings will be on Zoom and are no cost to families.
Financial Aid Night
Tuesday, December 7th 6pm – 7:30pm
- College costs and how to pay for it
- Explanation of financial aid resources
- FAFSA
- WASFA
- Private Scholarships
- Financial aid letter from colleges.
- Documents to gather to fill out financial aid forms.
Financial Aid (Filling out Information & Support)
Thursday, January 25th 6 – 7:30pm
- WASFA and FAFSA fill out night.
Special Education
Thursday, February 8th 6 – 7:30pm
- Process for Special Ed qualification
- Guidance Team
- Evaluation
- IEP
- 504
- Prior Written Notification
Elementary – 5th to 6th Grade Transition
Thursday, March 21st 6pm – 7:30pm
- Brain development of pre-teens and how to navigate the emotional, physical, and academic changes.
- Main Changes from Elementary to Middle.
- How Middle School Works
Middle School – 8th to 9th Grade Transition
Thursday, April 4th 6pm – 7:30pm
- Main Changes
- How High School Works.
- How to prepare academically to succeed in HS and to work toward post HS education.
Guiding Good Choices Workshop
Hey parents! It is a challenge to raise happy, healthy kids these days. Help is here! Sign up for the free online Guiding Good Choices workshop series to learn some effective tips and strategies to keep your kids safe and help them make healthy decisions as they get older. For parents of kids ages 7-14.
Next online series starts Wednesday evenings by Zoom. November 8th-December 13th from 6:30-8:00pm (if you can’t make it this week join us next week).
To confirm your spot please reply to Abdu Gobeni, abdug@nhwa.org, 206.355-4791
Or register online: https://bit.ly/GGC-SignUp
Family Income Survey: Action Item for All Families
Why is this Survey Important?
The Family Income Survey provides your student’s school with a way to collect household income information. This information is important because it helps your school receive federal and state funding (Learning Assistance Program, teacher incentives, etc.).
The form is simple to fill out and confidential. The information will only be used to help your school receive funding from state and federal programs.
In addition to healthy and nutritious meals, the Family Income Survey helps to fund programs such as:
- Before and after school enrichment programs
- School counselors
- Health and wellness services
- Resources for classrooms and teachers
Please complete and submit this form. Families with multiple students will only complete this form once. Regardless of income level, families with students at Denny International should complete the Family Income Survey.
New School-based Health Center Service Provider: Neighborcare Health
We are excited to announce that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, services at our Wellness Center will be provided by Neighborcare Health, the largest provider of school-based health care in Seattle Public Schools (SPS).
The Neighborcare SBHC Wellness Center at Denny International Middle School will be a full-service clinic providing:
· Medical care
· Oral health care
· Mental health services
· Health education
· Youth-friendly setting
· Before, during, and after school appointments
Denny International Middle School, SPS, and Neighborcare Health have a long, successful history working together. For 23 years, Neighborcare was the SBHC for Denny. Neighborcare CEO Rashad A. Collins said, “We are very excited to once again partner with and serve the school community. Our goal is to build strong and supportive partnerships with Denny staff and help students and families to have a smooth transition of care.”
Neighborcare Health is a community health center that has been serving the Seattle community for over 50 years. They have been a provider of school-based health center services for more than 30 years and operate 14 SBHCs across Seattle and on Vashon Island. Many in our community may also know Neighborcare as the school-based health center provider for Chief Sealth High School as well as several elementary schools in our community.
Homework Help at The Seattle Public Library
We can help students succeed in school. Our trained Homework Help tutors can assist with school assignments, provide reading support and skill-building activities at select Library locations.
Students in Seattle can also get free virtual tutoring from Tutor.com with a Library card or a Library Link number - www.spl.org/VirtualTutoring
Broadview Branch (12755 Greenwood Ave. N.): Tuesdays & 4 - 7:30 p.m. & Wednesdays 3 - 5 p.m.
Columbia Branch (4721 Rainier Ave. S.): Mondays 4 - 5:45 p.m. & Tuesdays 4 - 7 p.m.
Douglass-Truth Branch (2300 E. Yesler Way): Tuesdays & Wednesdays 4 - 7 p.m.
High Point Branch (3411 S.W. Raymond St.): Tuesdays 4 - 7:30 p.m. & Wednesdays 4 - 6 p.m.
Lake City Branch (12501 28th Ave. N.E ): Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
New Holly Branch (7058 32nd. Ave. S.): Thursdays 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Northgate Branch (10548 Fifth Ave. N.E.): Mondays 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays 4 - 7:30 p.m., & Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Rainier Beach Branch (9125 Rainier Ave. S.): Mondays 4 - 5:45 p.m. & Wednesday 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
South Park Branch (8604 Eighth Ave. S.): Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Programs at Seattle Library: High Point Branch
Homework Help | The Seattle Public Library (spl.org)
Get help with your homework in-person at the High Point Branch from trained volunteers. Free for K-12 students. Snacks provided!
Tuesdays 4:00-7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Family Story Time @ High Point Branch, Saturday, 10:30 - 11am - Event Calendar | The Seattle Public Library (spl.org)
At story time, kids ages 0-5 and their families can enjoy stories, songs, and fun learning activities. Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m. September 23rd – December 9th.