Panther Weekly 4/11

Posted April 11, 2025

Message from the Principal
Dear Families,

We hope you are doing well. Please make sure you are taking care of yourselves as we have seen an increase in respiratory illnesses. Also, please make sure your students are caught up with their immunizations. I am sure you have heard about the measles cases in Colorado. Parents, please talk to your students about social media safety. Remind them of the importance of keeping their personal information locked, not sharing username or passwords.

We have a busy week ahead of us with important state exams for our students. Continue reading for key dates:

April 15: PSAT and SAT Exams for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders from 8:20am-1:00pm – Early dismissal for high school ONLY-No school for 12th graders only.
April 16-17: CMAS Science Exams for 8th graders – No early dismissal

Click HERE for a more detailed middle school CMAS schedule.

Please encourage your students to do their best and help your students arrive on time every day during testing. This will ensure that they do not miss valuable, regular class time for make-up testing.

Please continue reading below for more important announcements and resources, and as always, thank you for partnering with Summit to support our students’ learning!

Warm Regards,
Mr. Osorio & Ms. Beck
Principals
Summit Academy
Congratulations to our March Panthers of the month for living our PAWS value of being Willing! Go Panthers!
Sports Corner
Our Co-ed Volleyball teams have started their season! For more information on the teams and schedules, please talk to our Atlethic Director, Jordan Nathanson. Go Panthers!
Parent Announcements
Important Dates:

Friday, April 18 – No School for Students – Teacher Planning Day
Thursday April 24- Mandatory Graduation meeting 5-6pm in school cafeteria (pizza and drinks will be provided)
Monday, May 5 – Cinco de Mayo Carnival at Summit

BESS Screening
Parents/Guardians, please complete the BESS screening using tinyurl.com/bessparent. You will need your student’s DPS ID number and date of birth to complete a screening form. The BESS screener give the school important information about your child’s social emotional health. Your participation helps us support our students!
Please read this important Attendance letter from our Social Emotional Team!
Announcements from Teachers
Please continue to talk to your students about being to class on time and completing class work. There are only about six weeks of school, it is important that students close out the year strong making the most of it and getting another 30 credits towards their graduation.
Student Announcements
Latine Educational Advisory Council Scholarship
The Latine Educational Advisory Council (LEAC) currently has a scholarship opportunity for graduating seniors (Click HERE for more information.) This scholarship supports students committed to dismantling oppressive structures, increasing family and community engagement, and pursuing post-secondary academic, professional, or vocational education. The scholarship value will be $500.
We seek to award students who identify as Latine and embody values such as resilience, leadership, cultural pride, advocacy, and a commitment to equity and justice. Our mission is to invest in our comunidades, ensuring they have the support and resources to thrive and pursue lifelong learning.
Criteria:
– Must be a DPS Graduating Senior in 2025
– No GPA requirement
– You must be planning to further your learning post high school (college, trade school, etc).
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE: MAY 2nd, 11:59pm
We will notify recipients by early May 2025.
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
Immigration Resources: Please ready this information about immigration to know your rights. Spanish English
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