Announcements

If you have any questions regarding the registration process for next school year or have any questions regarding School of Choice please email our registration secretary.

We are not in the building during the summer and e-mail will be our only form of communication.

Thank you and have a great Summer!

Gaby Nava Hernandez-Registration Secretary

Norma_NavaHernandez@dpsk12.org

Sarina Compoz, Principal
Southmoor Elementary School
3755 South Magnolia Way
Denver, CO 80237
Main Office: 720-424-3930
Fax: 720-424-3955

Dear Parents:

It is the time of year we begin planning for the 2017-2018 school year. An important part of the planning process is classroom placements for next year. This process takes careful thought and consideration to ensure that we make successful classroom assignments. These assignments are made with the following specific considerations (not listed in any particular order):

Learning style – How each child learns best, are they visual, active, auditory?
Special academic concerns – Are there learning or language needs that impact learning?
Special behavior concerns – Are there behaviors that impact learning?
Balance for new students – Are they placed where they can make friends and learn?
Independence and Responsibility – How well does each child take responsibility for his/her work and social relationships?
Health concerns – Are there specific health needs that may impact classroom placement?
Relationships – are there certain past relationships that can impact classroom placement?
Class size and boy to girl ratio – Is each class as balanced as possible?

All of these considerations are weighed for every student and his/her needs. Your child’s teacher and his/her team members have created classrooms for next year and then had the list reviewed by other personnel in the building such as special teachers, administrators, ESL, GT, and our special education staff.

As a school community we are planning on platooning next year in grades 3-5. This will ensure that all students will have all teachers in that grade level. An example of this would be a fifth grade student going to Mr. Coursey for math and Ms. Riley for literacy.

If you would like to send an email to admin regarding learning styles or students you would like to see your child separated from please do so by APRIL 21^st.

Staffing for the 2017-2018 school year will be:

K- Nicole Lopez, Elise Hoover and Jamie Hencmann
1st – Britney Horton, TBD and Erica Krause
1 /2HGT – Pricey Russell
2nd – Deb Whisnant, Aubrey Friedrich and Nicole Brady
3rd – TBD, Shane Farley, Laura Hagon and Alice Bauer (HGT)-
4th – Madison Stockton, Krissy Neumann and Parker Fulton- (HGT)
5th – Steve Coursey, Katie Riley and TBD HGT

I also want to recognize Kelly Hynes, assistant principal. As a result of budget constraints and an overall focus on small class sizes we were unable to increase teachers and keep an assistant principal. Kelly is an incredible educator who has touched our community. Kelly, thank you for chartering our PBiS committee, creating endless schedules, facilitating Superkids implementation in grades K-2, supporting PASSION PROJECTS and countless other items. Ms. Hynes you will be missed!

We are fortunate to have many wonderful staff at Southmoor and appreciate the thoughtful input they provide in the classroom assignment process. Please be assured that all the factors listed earlier will be considered for every child regardless of whether you choose to fill out a form or not.

Thank you,
Sarina Compoz (Sarina_Compoz@dpsk12.org)
Kelly Hynes (Kelly_Hynes@dpsk12.org)
Principal & Assistant Principal

March Principal Letter

It is hard to believe that we are moving into our 3^rd trimester. Students have been working hard and are growing physically, evident by the high water pants, and emotionally. I am so proud of each of them.

There are a few updates that will take place this Trimester:

Video Announcements-

We have started video announcements every Monday. Our Student council reps are going to share “Weekly Happenings!” Happenings include field trips, assemblies, student celebrations, at school and from home, and the weather. We are also going to say the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance will occur at the end of the announcements and will be optional. All students will be asked to stand and will be able to say the pledge or stand in silence. Teachers will share announcements on Monday’s at the beginning of the day in student’s homerooms!

If you have questions or ideas- we welcome the feedback and support.

Spring Forum-March 6th

Our annual Spring Forum is going to take place on March 6^th. This is our chance to share changes that have been made as a result of the Fall Forum. For example, we received feedback that classroom communication is inconsistent. As a staff we built common websites with standard content and agreed to keep information current. We also identified how to use our PTO parent liaisons and keep parents informed.

Please attend to give feedback on a new Math model for HGT and traditional students, communication, wellness, etc.

Spring Conferences-

We will be hosting conferences with some families for the remainder of February and a small portion of March. Teachers will be reaching out to families to schedule these conferences. If you are not contacted by the teacher you do not need to attend a conference.

In May, we will also host Student Led Conferences for all families. Based on our parent survey, parents have asked for an opportunity to hear how all students are doing! Student Led Conferences will empower your child to talk about areas of strength and growth.

Thank you for your support and sending us your incredible children every day!
Sarina Compoz
Principal

December Principal Letter

Dec. 7, 2016

Dear Southmoor Families:
I am writing to update you on Tuesday’s situation. Yesterday afternoon at around 4:30 p.m., we received concerning information about an un involved parent of one of our students. The DPS Department of Safety partnered with the Denver Police Department to investigate and keep all of our students and staff safe. Police and school officials made the determination to have a special dismissal yesterday for our afterschool program students. We sent a robo-call home to all Southmoor families to inform them about the situation at hand. We encourage our families to keep their Parent Portal information up-to-date so we can be sure to disseminate emergency information to the proper individuals.

The results of the police investigation showed that there was never any threat to the school or our students. We take all safety situations very seriously and took all precautions, as instructed by police and DPS Safety. To that end, police and the Department of Safety provided additional security at Southmoor today.

I want to assure you that we will do everything we can to ensure your child’s learning is uninterrupted. I also want to commend our staff for their professionalism and hard work yesterday and our students for carefully following all instructions.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Sarina Compoz
Principal

7 de diciembre de 2016

Estimadas familias de Southmoor:

Les escribo para informarles sobre la situación del martes. A aproximadamente las 4:30 de la tarde del día de ayer recibimos cierta información inquietante sobre uno de los padres de uno de nuestros estudiantes que no mantiene relación alguna con este niño. El Departamento de Seguridad de DPS llevó a cabo una investigación junto con el Departamento de Policía de Denver a fin de garantizar la seguridad de todos nuestros estudiantes y del personal escolar. La policía y los funcionarios escolares decidieron cambiar los procedimientos a la hora de la salida de la escuela en el día de ayer para los estudiantes que asisten al programa después de clases. Hicimos una llamada automatizada a los hogares de todas las familias de Southmoor para informarles de la situación. Pedimos a nuestras familias que actualicen su información en el Portal para Padres de modo que podamos enviar la información de emergencia a las personas adecuadas.

Los resultados de la investigación policial indicaron que la escuela no corrió peligro en ningún momento. Nos tomamos todas las situaciones relacionadas con la seguridad muy seriamente y adoptamos todas las precauciones, tal y como nos indicaron la policía y el Departamento de Seguridad de DPS. Por este motivo, la policía y el Departamento de Seguridad implementaron medidas adicionales de seguridad en Southmoor en el día de hoy.

Deseo asegurarles que haremos todo lo que esté dentro de nuestro alcance para que no se interrumpa el aprendizaje de sus hijos. También quiero reconocer el profesionalismo de nuestro personal escolar y sus esfuerzos en el día de ayer, y a los estudiantes por haber seguido al pie de la letra todas las instrucciones.

No duden en comunicarse conmigo si tienen alguna pregunta o inquietud.

Sarina Compoz
Directora

عوائل تلاميذ مدرسة ساوثمور الأعزاء:

أنا أكتب لكم لأحدث معلوماتكم عن حالة يوم الأربعاء. يوم أمس بعد الظهر في الساعة 4:30 عصرًا، تلقينا معلومات تثير القلق بخصوص ولي أمر غير مسؤول عن واحدًا من تلاميذنا. شارك قسم السلامة في مدارس دنفر العامة قسم شرطة دنفر للتحقيق وللحفاظ على كل تلاميذنا وكادر موظفينا آمنين. حدد كل من أفراد موظفي المدرسة والشرطة ضرورة عمل انصراف خاص من المدرسة يوم أمس لتلاميذنا في برنامج ما بعد المدرسة الخاص بنا. قمنا بإجراء اتصال هاتفي إلكتروني لمنازل عوائل مدرسة ساوثمور لإبلاغهم عن هذه الحالة. ندعو عوائلنا للمحافظة على تحديث معلومات بوابة أولياء الأمور (Parent Portal) (myportal.dpsk12.org) لنتأكد من نشر معلومات الطوارئ للأشخاص المناسبين.

أظهرت نتائج تحقيقات الشرطة بأنه لم يكون هناك أي تهديد على المدرسة أو التلاميذ أطلاقًا. إننا نأخذ حالات السلامة بصورة جدية جدًا واتخذنا جميع الاحتياطات اللازمة، وفقًا لتعليمات الشرطة وقسم السلامة في مدارس دنفر العامة. في هذه النهاية، فقد قامت الشرطة وقسم السلامة بتوفير أمن إضافي في مدرسة ساوثمور اليوم.

نريد أن نؤكد لكم أننا سنعمل أي شيء نستطيع فعله لنضمن استمرارية تعليم طفلك. أود أن أثني أيضًا على كادر موظفي مدرستنا للمهنية التي يتمتعون بها وعملهم الشاق ليوم أمس، وعلى تلاميذنا لاتباعهم كل التعليمات بعناية.

الرجاء لا تتردد في الاتصال بي إذا كان لديك أي أسئلة أو مخاوف.

مع خالص تحياتي،
Sarina Campoz
مدير المدرسة

Security

At our school, student safety is a priority. Our goal is to keep students safe by fostering a school climate where all students feel welcome and respected. Prevention is our primary focus, and our crisis response plan helps us respond quickly and effectively in case of an emergency.

Each year we look at multiple areas to ensure student safety. The five areas include:

1) Establish an academic focus for all students

2) Implement prevention initiatives, including developing school norms, creating a welcoming environment and enforcing the student Conduct Code. We are implementing the following district approved prevention programs:

Second Step Program: which teachers social and emotions skills for violence prevention
Restorative Justice: teaches peaceful ways to resolve conflict and to develop understanding, respect and the ability to cooperate with others
PBiS: communicates clear positive behavior expectations and recognizes positive academic and character behavior
Common Sense Media: teaches students about internet safety and provides resources for families.

3) Plan intervention strategies to work with students who are at-risk

4) Cultivate partnerships, working closely with law enforcement and social service agencies to help keep our school safe

5) Prepare to respond to crises through our crises management plan

In addition, once each month we hold an emergency response drill in cooperation with the police and fire departments. I have included district Emergency Procedures in the pages that follow.

As a school community we continue to keep safety at the forefront . Talk with your child about school rules and reinforce being Kind, Responsible, Respectful and Collaborative. Ask your child to report any incident where your child feels unsafe or thinks another student is unsafe.

Together, we will continue to make Southmoor a safe, welcoming place.

Enjoy the fall weather and thank you for your support!

Sarina_Compoz@dpsk12.org
Principal

P.S. For up-to-date happenings at Southmoor, download our App for any Apple or Android smart phone. Accept notifications so you’re sure to get helpful reminders!

Emergency Procedures

In a serious emergency, school administrators must decide to lock down, shelter-in-place or evacuate. Practice drills are conducted on a regular basis as required by Denver Public Schools.

In the Event of a School Emergency

We understand that every parent’s first reaction is to come immediately to the school site to make sure their child is safe. In order to increase the chances of all students remaining safe during an emergency, we ask the following of our parents (in the event of an emergency):

DO check the DPS webpage for updated information
DO tune into local TV/radio stations for school news alerts
DO listen for information regarding reunification with your child
DO contact DPS Communications at 720.423.3414 should you need to talk to someone
Refrain from going to your child’s school. This will create traffic congestion hampering the efforts of first responders
Refrain from calling your child or your child’s school. Excessive phone calls could jam the phone system and interfere with emergency communications

Lock Down Procedures
When a threat is inside or very close to the school.
School administration secures the building and safely shelters all students, staff and visitors INSIDE the school building. A school will go on lock down if a threat is in their building or their neighborhood and endangers the occupants of the school.

School business and classroom activities cease.
NO person is allowed to enter or leave the building.
Facility Manager/Staff lock all exterior doors
Teachers/Staff lock classroom/work area doors
Staff and students are DOWN, QUIET and OUT OF SIGHT

Lock Down Drills: Parents will receive an email notification that a Lock-Down Drill has taken place.

Lock Down: Parents will receive an email and/or phone communication from the school when feasibly possible at the end of a Lock-Down.

Modified Lock Down Procedures

Threat is definitely away from the school.
School administration secures the building and safely shelters all students, staff and visitors INSIDE the school building. A school will go on modified lock down if a threat is in their neighborhood and does not endanger the occupants of the school. NO person is allowed to enter or leave the building. For a modified lock down, follow procedures for lock down except:

Interior doors DO NOT need to be locked
School business and classroom activities continue as normal

Shelter-In-Place Procedures for Severe Weather
Severe weather is any weather condition that may cause injury to students and staff or damage to structures. Different types of weather call for different type of actions. Schools will go into shelter-in-place if the threat of severe weather is in the area. Examples of severe weather are:

High winds
Thunder and lightning storms
Hail
Tornadoes

Site Administrator will monitor the National Weather Service announcements and will notify staff and students to move away from rooms on the perimeter and go to the designated Inside Safe Assembly Locations as necessary. Site Administrator will direct students and staff to take the protective kneeling position if indicated.

Evacuation
If it is unsafe for students, staff, and visitors to remain inside the building they will evacuate to designated evacuation locations on campus or off-site. The most common evacuation is a fire drill.

All students and staff will exit the school and go to designated locations.
Everyone will remain outside until the “all clear” message is given.
If students and staff need to leave school grounds, we will walk or go by bus to our designated off-site emergency evacuation locations
Students will be released to parents or guardians who are listed on the emergency card and have proper I.D.

There are two off-site emergency evacuation locations for Southmoor Elementary: