Cowell Newsletter

Cowell Elementary                                       Vol. I, Iss. II    April 17, 2008
                                           Newsletter

Dear Parents:
    Happy Spring! It seems the school year has flown by from Christmas right into Spring Break, yet looking back we have accomplished so much. For one, our CSAP testing is complete. Thanks to all parents for your help with student attendance on our testing days. The students at Cowell completed 100% of their tests and make-ups. CSAP scores will be available in the fall.
    After returning from Spring Break we realized only eight weeks of school remain for this year. With that in mind, we wanted to inform you of the upcoming events that will occur at Cowell. Please check the Cowell Calendar for important news. Additional information and times for these events will follow, so check your Thursday folders.
    We are currently taking training in a new curriculum called Peace4Kids which focuses on students building strong character and positive leadership. We are trying the program for the next few months and will deliver it school wide in the fall. There is also a parent component that will be available! Ask your student about a character trait or “the melt.”
    As always, we are very proud of our Cowell students and their work. Some have won recognition and awards for art or poetry, and are featured in this issue of our newsletter.
    Please keep in mind that this time of year is crucial to student success. We still have much to accomplish this year. Classes will continue with all subjects being taught daily, homework expectations and rules in place up to the very last day of school, which is on May 29th. We look forward to providing your children with a safe and productive environment and thank you for your continued support.
                    Sincerely,
                    The Cowell Staff

Cowell Students in the News
     These students have artwork in the Denver Public Schools’ Art Show! Their artwork will be on display from April 7 to April 27 at the Denver Public Library at 10th and Broadway.

Michael Dominguez-5th
Damaris Barcacel-Figueroa - 4th
Joseph Pacheco-3rd

    Nathan and Savannah:

     Two Cowell 5th graders, Savannah Cruz and Nathan Zimayala will be leaving on April 26th to participate in the America SCORES poetry slam in New York City! They will be accompanied by Theresa McGuire, Cowell Art teacher and soccer coach. The two students won the trip, all expenses paid, after competing in a poetry competition in Denver last fall at the end of the SCORES season. Congratulations to both of them. Their hard work really paid off!

School Dress Code
    As the weather warms, we wish to remind students and parents that there is a dress code at Cowell. This code in is place to ensure safety and respect for all students. Please keep the following in mind when purchasing school clothes.
➢    Shirts – shirts and tops need to cover the entire body. Straps on shirts need to be at least 1” wide. Spaghetti straps, halters, backless shirts, and tank tops with large, open arm holes are not allowed for boys or girls.
➢    Shorts/skirts – shorts and skirts need to be as long as the fingertips when the arms are placed at the side of the body. As always, when wearing a skirt, girls should wear shorts underneath.
➢    Shoes – Keep in mind that students are active at school. Open toes, flip flops, high heels and slip-ons present a safety hazard for our students. Shoes should fasten or tie on the foot and cover the whole foot. They should stay on when the student runs and be flat enough to allow the child to walk normally.
➢    Jewelry – Please keep all excess jewelry at home. We are seeing more heavy chains, multiple chains, big hoop earrings and large, chunky items that get in the way of learning. Small earrings, necklaces, crosses or rings are acceptable and comfortable for students to wear. When jewelry is removed from the body and is being played with, it will be saved for the student to pick up at the end of the school day.
➢    All clothing that has words printed needs to be school appropriate. Clothing that advertises drugs or alcohol or promotes inappropriate ideas or gestures is not allowed.
➢    When a student wears an item that is deemed inappropriate by staff they will be invited to the office to change into something else.

Arts and Literacy Night
    On April 10th from 5:15 to 7:00 p.m. Cowell will be celebrating an evening of Art and Literature. The night will begin with different areas of interest for students and their families to participate in. There will be artwork to enjoy, storytellers, guest artists and art projects families can make and take home.
    At 6:30 everyone will move into the gym for the dance performances from all kindergarten and first grade students. Please plan to attend.