Hill/Steck Nearby Neighbors – October update

Submitted by Alise Kermisch

Hello Hilltop Neighbors!

Steck elementary school is moving successfully into the fall with the strong commitment and dedication of the teachers and administrators to take a slow, measured and safe approach to school. As many of you know DPS has committed to E-learning through October 21st for all students, however the district administration recognizes e-learning is toughest on our youngest students and has been working on a phase in plan to bring ECE, Kindergarten, 1st grade and Special Education students back into the live classroom before that date. There is still a full time e-learning option, which will remain available to opt in to the full school year should parents wish to. Currently, DPS district-wide, just slightly higher than 30% of families have already opted to continue e-learning through the December break. As of this writing, approximately 75 students have selected the e-learning option through the December break who attend Steck. Families have until September 18th to make their binding selection. If no selection is made by parents, those students will be placed into e-learning.

There are several ways you, in our community, can get involved and support Steck. Every DPS school has a CSC (Collaborative School Committee) which meets monthly and all schools have in their CSC rules to have a minimum of 1 community representative on the committee. It is always great to hear community perspectives and gain community partnership. Contact the school office for additional information (720-424-3870). You can also view the school calendar at https://steck.dpsk12.org/. One of the other ways I have been encouraging community to get involved is through the DPS Foundation. (https://dpsfoundation.org/volunteer-opportunities/) Not only does the DPS Foundation do great work raising fund that supplement the instructional initiative of teachers, but they also have lead the way with creative initiatives during the pandemic. One that I enjoyed learning about from speaking to Steck’s librarian,  was the community effort to read children’s books via zoom to create a read-me-a-story library. I love the partnership and creative thinking to put resources and skills into our children’s hands.

Finally, I wish to mention there has been a lot of construction activity at the Steck/Hill complex. All those activities are the remaining 2016 Bond dollars that are being implements. I believe the work has been a welcome face lift and a nice improvement to our neighborhood. Please thoughtfully consider if you are walking your dog by the complex to not use the school field as a dog park. The schools do not have funding or staff to pick up the dog waste that often is in the field and it is a true health and safety issue for our elementary students, especially, to step in it or fall in it. The improvements are all welcome additions that improve the property, neighborhood and help property values. With that in mind I am hopeful you will vote for the important work of continuing to fund our schools with the ballot initiatives you will see in November!

As a parent who has been actively involved for 6 years at Steck and 5 years on the DPS district level, if you have questions I hope you will consider reaching out to me at AliseKermisch@gmail.com

The post Hill/Steck Nearby Neighbors – October update appeared first on Cranmer Park/Hilltop Civic Association.

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