Community Newsletter
Denny International Middle School | September 15, 2023
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Dolphin Families,
I am delighted to take a moment to celebrate the incredible work being done at DIMS to foster a culture of belonging and inclusivity. Our school is committed to nurturing an environment where every scholar is valued, supported, and empowered to be their best selves.
Over the past week, our staff have engaged our scholars in meaningful discussions about what it means to be a part of a community. These conversations have revolved around the core principles that bring people together, as well as exploring how each of us can contribute to creating a stronger, more supportive community.
One of the highlights of our efforts was the recent assembly held for our 8th-grade class. During this assembly, a panel of students and staff members responded to students' concerns of what is preventing a true culture of belonging at DIMS. This activity fostered a dialogue that allows us to openly discuss and address these concerns. But it's not just about addressing concerns; it's also about celebrating the positive contributions that our students have already made toward inclusion and belonging. We took this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the remarkable efforts and achievements of our students who have gone above and beyond to make our school a better place.
In the coming weeks, we plan to extend this to our 6th and 7th-grade classes. They will have similarly structured assemblies, providing them with the opportunity to engage in important discussions and share their thoughts on building a culture of belonging within our school.
Furthermore, each class will go on a field trip to Lincoln Park. During these outings, our students will participate in a series of community-building activities designed to help them form stronger connections with each member of our school community. These experiences will help solidify the bonds that make our school a place where everyone knows they belong.
Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in your child's education. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these initiatives unfold within our school community. Together, we can achieve our goal of ensuring that every student at Denny International Middle School knows that they are an integral part of our community.
Warmly,
Mary Ingraham
IMPORTANT DATES
- 10-12 Open House/Curriculum Night
- 10-20 Picture Day
Schedule Change Process Through Counselors: Deadline September 22nd
School Counselors:
Ms. Danielle (dnblechert@seattleschools.org): 7th grade students and 6th grade (last names A-L)
Ms. Wright ( smwright@seattleschools.org): 8th grade students and 6th grade (last names M-Z)
You can change your classes if:
- there was an error in your schedule
- you don’t like your elective and there is space in a different elective at the same time as your current elective
You cannot change your classes if:
- you want to be with your friends
- you don’t like the teacher or students in your class (but your counselor can help you work through any conflicts)
Students interested in being a TA need to do the following:
- Get permission from a teacher
- Have said teacher email Ms. Wright or Ms. Danielle confirming the TA position
We will not make students a TA without first having confirmation from a teacher
The deadline to change your classes is September 22nd. No changes will be made after that
Fall Athletics: Ultimate Frisbee & Girl's Soccer
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee started practicing this past week and is also still taking players. The first game is Saturday, September 23rd. If your scholar is interested in playing follow the steps below.
Girl's Soccer
Girl's Soccer will start practicing on Monday, September 18th. If your scholar would like to play follow the steps below.
Grade Level Assemblies and Fieldtrips
Assembly 9/27 during Advisory
Fieldtrip to Lincoln Park 10/4**
7th Grade
Assembly 9/20
Fieldtrip to Lincoln Park 9/27**
8th Grade
Assembly 9/13
Fieldtrip to Lincoln Park 9/20**
**Please make sure that your scholar turns in their signed and completed fieldtrip permission slip the Monday before their fieldtrip.
REPEATED INFORMATION
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.
**The Family Income Survey will be available in multiple languages shortly
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.
Join DIMS PTSA
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.
White Center Salvation Army
Holiday Assistance
The Salvation Army Seattle White Center Corps Community Center is providing toys for children
ages 0–17 during the Christmas season.
Registration will be held on the following days:
- September 27–October 1, 2021
- October 4–8
Ways to Register:
- Call Us: (206) 442-8361
- Register Online:
Request an appointment: www.tsamm.org/at_request_intake.dpi
Register via online portal: www.saangeltree.org - In-Person: At The Salvation Army Seattle White Center Community Center
Please Note: Registration will only be open on the dates listed above.
Programs at Seattle Library: High Point Branch
Youth Drop-in Chess @ High Point Branch, Thursday, September 21, 2023, 4 - 5:30pm - Event Calendar | The Seattle Public Library (spl.org)
Youth Drop-in Chess for Children and Teens under 18 years of age. Come learn, practice and improve your chess playing skills.
Thursdays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (weekly, ongoing)
Solar Eclipse "Double Header" @ High Point Branch, Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 4 - 6pm - Event Calendar | The Seattle Public Library (spl.org)
Tuesday, October 3rd from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Join award-winning astronomy educator, Dennis Schatz, and learn more about how, when and where to view the upcoming October 14th solar eclipse. Free eclipse viewing glasses available (2 per family as supplies last) starting September 15th.
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, September 23, 2023, 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.
After School Opportunities - Starting in October!
Please Check Out the Delridge Farmers Market
Here is more information from those that run the market-Our market runs every Saturday from 10a-2p at 9421 18th Ave SW, Seattle WA 98106 until the end of October. We are Seattle’s only BIPOC-priority farmers market, and the only farmers market where no fees are taken from vendors, so folks keep 100% of their revenues.
All our vendors are BIPOC-owned businesses focusing on a wide range of culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables, prepared and packaged foods, artisan products, jewelry, and more. Our market is rooted in community care and solidarity, focused on increasing fresh healthy food access and offering a wide range of community programs for communities across Southwest Seattle.
We host the market in a lovely courtyard at Hope Academy, a Somali language school, which shares its site with the Masjid Al-Furqan – we maintain a halal standard, meaning no pork, alcohol, or other products that would be considered haram are sold, and many of our prepared food vendors use certified halal ingredients.
At the end of each market day, we even buy back the leftover produce from our farmers at full price for free community distribution, ensuring our farmers are meeting their financial needs and nothing goes to waste.
Folks can follow along on IG @delridgefarmersmarket or check out our website for more info – https://www.achdo.org/delridgefarmersmarket
At each market we offer:
$5 youth bucks so all kids who join us get a chance to practice healthy shopping habits
50+ bags of local, organic produce available free of charge with no questions asked
Free basic needs and resource distribution i.e. hygiene, personal care, and cleaning products
Unlimited SNAP-EBT matching (for every $1 on SNAP, we match with $1 Market Match), and our vendors accept Fresh Bucks, WIC and Senior FMNP programs
Youth activities each week offered by our partners at Hope Academy
Fitness classes for families to learn low-impact exercises together
Cooking demonstrations from a wide range of African Diaspora chefs (starting 8/5!)
A wide range of culturally appropriate products for sale representing cultures from across the globe
Save the Date: Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias Parade
Sea Mar Community Health Centers is happy to announce that after several years of absence due to the pandemic, Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias parade is back this year in South Park. We want to gather the community once again on Saturday, September 16, 2023 to celebrate our culture and we are excited to invite you to be part of this wonderful event.
The event will be full of music, folkloric dance, floats and different representations of our culture.
This year’s theme for the parade is “Celebrating the Colors of Our Culture/Celebrando los Colores de Nuestra Cultura” to honor the beauty in our different skin tones and celebrate the vibrant colors of our clothes, spices and food. We will also be appreciating the amazing colors found in our rivers, oceans, forests and the countless colors of the animals in our natural environment, all mixed as one big Latino/a culture.