Panther Weekly 1/17/25

Posted January 17, 2025

Message from the Principal
Dear Families,

As many of you know, I have been serving as your acting principal at Summit for the past two weeks in order to learn and grow as a school leader. It has been an honor and a tremendous learning experience to work alongside families, students, and teachers as the principal. Mr. Osorio will be returning to his regular role as principal on Tuesday, January 21, and I will continue in my role as principal resident at Summit. I’m looking forward to our continued work together to support our amazing community!

Please ensure you continue reading for important announcements and resources. Stay safe and warm this weekend!

Warm Regards,
Ms. Beck
Principal Resident
Summit Academy
Congratulations to our January Panthers of the month for living our PAWS value of being Purposeful! Go Panthers!
Sports Corner
Middle School Basketball games start this week. We have two middle school teams competing this year. High school continues with more regular season games. You can follow our teams online at this link. Go Panthers!
Parent Announcements
Important Dates:
-January 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Day – No School
-January 21-24: ACCESS Testing for Multilingual Learners. All students will attend school with a regular class schedule.
-February 14-17: Teacher Planning and President’s Day – No School
Please read this important Attendance letter from our Social Emotional Team!
Please consult our student handbook for any questions you might have about dresscode, cell phone policy, and other school expectations. Reach out with any questions you have.
Announcements from Teachers
Please continue to talk to your students about being to class on time and completing class work.
Student Announcements
Come to Office Hours from 3:08-3:40 Tuesday-Friday to get individualized support from your teachers and get your grades up! You got this!
FAMILY RESOURCES
Health Insurance
As of January 1, 2025, you may qualify for full health coverage through Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus
(CHP+), regardless of your immigration status, if you:
• Live in Colorado
• Meet the income and household eligibility requirements
• Are pregnant or are 18 years old and younger.
Visit CO.gov/PEAK
Virtual Parent Workshops for Supporting your Child’s Emotions
Click HERE to register for the Virtual Calm and Kind Family Program: Feb. 3-6, 8-9 a.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m. This program equips parents with tools to support their children emotionally in three key areas: mental health, self-regulation and managing emotions. You’ll learn practical strategies to help your child handle emotions healthily while regulating your own emotions to provide calmer, more effective support. Parents receive a certificate of completion and ticket giveaways for families at each session. This program is offered in English and Spanish. Limited spots are available.
FREE Days at the museums are here!
Click here for more information.
Food Resources
Please download the FoodFinder app from this flyer if you would like to find free food around your home. Spanish English
Vuela for Health
Is a Denver-based organization focused on engaging the Latino community through partnerships that builds leaders, promotes public health, and promotes well-being. Vuela Health does this by providing families with access to nutrition, physical activity, obesity, heart disease, cancer, sexual health, child health, mental health, substance abuse, domestic and intimate partner violence, injury prevention, access to health services, and more!
Learn more on their website here.
Check out other family resources here!
Servicos de la Raza es una organizacion que ayuda con asesoria legal, recursos de comida, ropa, y otras necesidades. Para mas informacion vaya a este enlace: https://serviciosdelaraza.org/es/
Denver Parks and Recreation
Kids ages 5-18 can sign up for a free My Denver Card, which gives them access to recreation centers, pools and cultural facilities.
Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies distributes food through partner agencies in 30 counties in Colorado, including most of Metro Denver. Click here to enter your zip code or address and find the food pantry closest to you. Food Bank of the Rockies only distributes food directly to the public from its warehouse the third Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.-noon.
Mile High United Way
Mile High United Way has an online food assistance resource center, where families can find information on food pantries, food vouchers, soup kitchens, community meals and more.
Child Care
Colorado Shines Child Care Referral at Mile High United Way offers a free child care resource and referral service. Contact a Child Care Navigator 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-877-338-2273 or email childcareoptions@unitedwaydenver.org.
Clothes to Kids of Denver
Clothes to Kids of Denver provides free clothes to kids, so kids can feel comfortable and confident in the classroom and focus on success. Click here for eligibility information.
Toys for Tots
The local Toys for Tots campaign provides holiday toys to families in need. Families can request toys by contacting one of Toys for Tots local partner organizations; click here for a list of those organizations.
Energy and Utility Cost Assistance or Rental Assistance
Administered by Denver Human Services, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps qualifying low-income households with winter heating costs by paying a portion of home energy bills. In Denver, 8,309 households received help with their utility costs during the 2016/2017 winter months thanks to LEAP. Residents who wish to apply may call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (432-8435), or visit www.denvergov.org/LEAP.
Housing Crisis
The Temporary Rental Utility Assistance Program TRUA program provides rental and/or utility assistance to residents experiencing a housing crisis, offering up to six months of rent assistance and up to $1,000 in utility payments. The city is using the 3-1-1 call center to route residents looking to access housing assistance. Residents can dial Denver’s main information line, 3-1-1, and press 6 for help. Information is also available at www.denvergov.org/housing.
Southwest Food Coalition
Click here to see an interactive map of food pantries in Southwest Denver, or click here to see all the resources available with the Southwest Food Coalition.
Tasty Food/Free Meals
Free after school meals for youth ages 3-18 are available at your neighborhood recreation center. Visit denvergov.org/tastyfood to find your neighborhood recreation center and for more information.
Important Links
School Bell Schedule
School Calendar
Parent-Student Handbook