Looking ahead in the Upper School for February
Dear Upper School Parents and Guardians,
Happy February!
As we look forward to the shortest month of the year, I want to offer a few important announcements and reminders.
Mental health and wellness speaker:
During February, Soundcheck, a drug and alcohol prevention program, will speak to Ninth and Eleventh Grade students in separate class meetings, offering a differentiated message based on each grade's developmental needs. Soundcheck offers young people unbiased facts about alcohol and drugs to help students make informed decisions for a healthy life.
During February, Soundcheck, a drug and alcohol prevention program, will speak to Ninth and Eleventh Grade students in separate class meetings, offering a differentiated message based on each grade's developmental needs. Soundcheck offers young people unbiased facts about alcohol and drugs to help students make informed decisions for a healthy life.
Soundcheck will offer parents and guardians a short presentation about their work at Colorado Academy—and host a Q&A—on Tuesday, February 7, at 8:30 a.m. in Sadler.
February Break:
There will be no school on February 16-17 (Thursday and Friday) due to our February Break. Upper School faculty will engage in a day-long professional development day on Thursday, February 16.
There will be no school on February 16-17 (Thursday and Friday) due to our February Break. Upper School faculty will engage in a day-long professional development day on Thursday, February 16.
Course request process for 2023-2024:
All students in Grades 9-11 will be given an overview of the course registration process during Town Hall on Wednesday, February 22. During this overview, we will forecast the year ahead and highlight changes to next year’s offerings.
All students in Grades 9-11 will be given an overview of the course registration process during Town Hall on Wednesday, February 22. During this overview, we will forecast the year ahead and highlight changes to next year’s offerings.
More information will be shared with students and families later this month, including the updated Curriculum Guide, which sets out an important overview of our academic program, listing requirements, and courses by department.
Trimester transition:
The second trimester will end on Wednesday, February 15—the day before February Break. Parents and guardians will be able to view Trimester 2 grades on Friday, March 3, at 4 p.m. Our third and final trimester of the year begins on Tuesday, February 21, and ends on Friday, May 26.
The second trimester will end on Wednesday, February 15—the day before February Break. Parents and guardians will be able to view Trimester 2 grades on Friday, March 3, at 4 p.m. Our third and final trimester of the year begins on Tuesday, February 21, and ends on Friday, May 26.
Principal Coffee Chats and State of the Upper School:
For parents and guardians to gain a fuller understanding of events, topics, and initiatives that are driving life at the Upper School, I’ll be adding a series of “Coffee Chats” and a “Spring Update” in the coming months. Each event will be hosted in Knowles Hall, with timely agenda topics to be shared ahead of time. But please save the dates for now!
For parents and guardians to gain a fuller understanding of events, topics, and initiatives that are driving life at the Upper School, I’ll be adding a series of “Coffee Chats” and a “Spring Update” in the coming months. Each event will be hosted in Knowles Hall, with timely agenda topics to be shared ahead of time. But please save the dates for now!
Principal Coffee Chat (in Knowles Hall):
- Tuesday, February 28, 8-9 a.m.
- Wednesday, April 25, 8-9 a.m.
State of the Upper School (in Knowles Hall):
- Thursday, May 11, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Senior REDI Lab:
We encourage you to see REDI Lab in action! We will hold Senior REDI Lab presentations in the Coleman Center on February 15, from 6-7:30 p.m. Please join us for this opportunity to wrap up and celebrate all the work that our Senior REDI Lab students have produced this trimester. The Coleman Center is located at 1299 W. 10th Ave., Denver, CO 80204 (Mariposa Building).
We encourage you to see REDI Lab in action! We will hold Senior REDI Lab presentations in the Coleman Center on February 15, from 6-7:30 p.m. Please join us for this opportunity to wrap up and celebrate all the work that our Senior REDI Lab students have produced this trimester. The Coleman Center is located at 1299 W. 10th Ave., Denver, CO 80204 (Mariposa Building).
Parent/Guardian meeting for Grades 9 and 11:
Please watch for communications from the Ninth and Eleventh Grade parent reps regarding two grade-level meetings to discuss the course request process for current Ninth and Eleventh Grade students. Here are the dates and times to hold:
Please watch for communications from the Ninth and Eleventh Grade parent reps regarding two grade-level meetings to discuss the course request process for current Ninth and Eleventh Grade students. Here are the dates and times to hold:
- Grade 9: Thursday, February 9, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Knowles Hall
- Grade 11: Wednesday, February 22, 5:00-6:30 p.m. in Knowles Hall
Spring Fling Dance for Grades 10-12:
The annual Spring Fling dance for Grades 10-12 will be held on Saturday, March 4, from 8-10 p.m. at the Space Gallery, located at 400 Santa Fe Dr., Denver. We have secured CA-only parking near the venue for students. Grade 11 Dean Ali Kittle will share more details with students regarding guest passes and other details later this month.
The annual Spring Fling dance for Grades 10-12 will be held on Saturday, March 4, from 8-10 p.m. at the Space Gallery, located at 400 Santa Fe Dr., Denver. We have secured CA-only parking near the venue for students. Grade 11 Dean Ali Kittle will share more details with students regarding guest passes and other details later this month.
Finally, the All-School Calendar for 2023-2024 is now available here.
Stay warm,
MBD
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