Panther Weekly 10/12

Posted October 12, 2026

Message from the Principal
Panther Families!

We are halfway through the trimester, with only six weeks remaining for students to earn credits and make progress toward graduation. I hope you take advantage of today’s parent teacher conferences. Please make sure you meet with your student’s teachers to review their grades, missing assignments, attendance, and academic progress.

Do not wait until the end of the trimester to address concerns. Check your student’s grades regularly through the Parent Portal and contact their teachers to discuss what needs to be completed and how you can support your student in earning credits.

Your involvement and follow-through are essential to your student’s success. Let’s work together to finish the trimester strong.

Parent-Teacher Conferences – Today, Monday, October 12
Conference Times: 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and 3:00–5:45 p.m.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
Enter through the main entrance and check in at the information tables in the front area.
Please let our office staff know if you need an interpreter.
If you arrive early, late, or without an appointment, check with the information table. We will do our best to accommodate you based on teacher availability.

PSAT/SAT DAy for High Schoolers Only – Wednesday, October 14 (No school for 12th Graders)
Attention all Summit High School Students and Families! On Wednesday, October 14, all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will take the PSAT test, which is an important test for graduation and getting access to more college opportunities. High school students should be at school at 8:20am and they will be dismissed between 12-1pm. Because all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be testing, there will not be any high school classes on this day. 12th grade students should stay home. Middle school students will have a regular full school day. Please call us at Summit if you have any questions!

Weekly Highlights and Celebrations
-Our Middle School Soccer team won their first game 13-1! Go Panthers!
-Some of our HS Students participated in an Automotive Experience thinking about their career path.

Important Dates & Looking Ahead

October 29-Fall Festival 5-7pm-We are looking for candy donations and volunteers to help out during the event. If you can donate candy, please drop it at the main office. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Ms. SImmons. (Kimberly_Simmons@dpsk12.net)
October 30-Professional Development day for teachers–no classes for students

Reminders
Attendance & Drop-Off: Please ensure students arrive by 8:15 AM each day so they are ready to start classes at 8:20am. If your student will be absent, please call our main attendance line at 720-424-9020
If your student is late to school or is late back from lunch, please have the student come through the main office and get a tardy pass from the office staff before heading to their classroom.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

With Panther Pride,

Juan Osorio
Principal Summit at Castro
Congratulations to all our Student Panthers of the Month!
6th grade: Camila Ramirez
7th grade: Lenin Lopez
8th grade: Emmanuel Reyes
9th grade: Yaretzi Castenada
10th grade: Naima Rodarte
11th grade: Jose Aguilera
12th grade: Carlos Gonzalez
Parent Announcements
Please read this important Attendance letter from our Social Emotional Team!
Please keep talking to your student about safe use of social media as well as the importance of reporting anything they see or hear that will impact the safety of our Summit Community.
Please read the FACE news letter for the month of September!
If your student is a middle school girl and is interested in architecture make sure they check this out: https://drive.google.com/file/u/0/d/1-SqGbQpkkdNJXqoB_fmgEhSW96uBa1OQ/view?usp=sharing&pli=1
Please make sure you revise and are familiar with our student handbook for any questions you might have about dresscode, cell phone policy, school expectations (social media, substance use etc.)
FAMILY RESOURCES
Denver Public Schools Community Hub – The DPS Community Hub offers services at no cost to DPS families and community members. The Community Hub closest to Summit at Castro is located at Johnson Elementary School (1850 S. Irving St., Denver, CO 80219). Please call at 720-424-2970 to make an appointment for any need you may need support with. Link to website here.
The Southwest Community Hub will begin monthly diaper distribution in October for DPS families in Southwest Denver. Families can receive diapers once a month for three months, with sizes available up to size 6.

To participate or learn more, families can call 720-424-2970 and provide their child’s current diaper size. If the child changes sizes during the three-month cycle, please let us know so we can update our records.
Vuela for Health – 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.
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) – We are the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department of Denver Public Schools. FACE provides access to resources, information, and support for everyone in the Denver Public Schools community at any point in their life journey. We strive to engage and empower our district’s diverse students and families. Check out 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.
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. Link here.
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. Link here.
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. Link here.
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). Click here for more information.
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 here.
Community Hubs -The DPS Community Hubs connect families with free resources and support, including educational programs, basic needs assistance, mental health services, financial literacy, and career development opportunities at locations throughout Denver. More information here. En espanol.
Safe2Tell – Safe2Tell is an anonymous report line to report anything that concerns or threatens you, your friends, your family, or your community. Reports are taken any time, any day. Call to make a report at 1-877-542-7233 to make a report or use their online reporting system at this link.
Important Links
School Bell Schedule
School Calendar
Parent-Student Handbook English
Manual para Padres y Estudiantes