Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Feb 7, 2012, 1:11 pm
Many of you are beginning to think about the various preschool options available in Denver. Eileen Piper, CEO of the Denver Preschool Program, contacted us recently with  information regarding the DPP. I visited their website and learned a lot. A neat feature on the website is a tool where paren...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Feb 2, 2012, 12:34 pm
DPS recently announced a later start date to the school year. Next year, DPS will start school on August 27th and the students last day of school will be June 4, 2013. Parents were up in arms last year when children were diagnosed with heat-related illnesses at the start of the school year. The majo...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 30, 2012, 11:06 am
It’s freezing cold outside.  You’re finally recovering from holiday planning and bills.  Super viruses are rampant and your kids have been out sick for a week at a time.  We parents have been sick for a week at a time.  You just can’t catch a break because now you are tasked with focusing ...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 27, 2012, 3:42 pm
Head of School, Stephanie Flanigan, stood before the Montessori School of Denver community Wednesday night and announced the exciting news that the school will be launching a middle school in August of 2013.  The MSD Board of Trustees had voted unanimously to extend MSD’s grades from Toddler thro...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 12, 2012, 2:08 pm
... to the school (north of the tennis courts).  Cole has a huge field north of the school that is used for P.E. outdoor learning, middle school sports and by DSST for outdoor P.E. (soccer, flag football, and baseball). There are basketball courts north of the field used primarily afterschool. A...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 11, 2012, 12:13 am
 At times, it’s very confusing when looking at data regarding public schools in Colorado. Recently, a new website was unveiled to help bring some clarity to this task. This new system has taken all of the data collected by the Colorado Department of Education and translated it into a simpler lang...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 4, 2012, 9:56 pm
The impending first round of school choice is fast approaching. If you are feeling a bit stressed about the new enrollment process or have questions now is the time to seek some clarity. Be sure to attend one of the two information sessions being offered by Get Smart Schools to get the answers you ...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Dec 13, 2011, 4:20 pm
ScoopToo Readers, Recently, two different media organizations, 5280 Magazine and the DIY Network, have reached out to us hoping to make you aware of some things they are working on here in Denver.  Though it is not core to the educational theme of the blog, we do feel that you might be interested ...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Dec 5, 2011, 9:31 pm
This recent article from the Denver Post highlights the different middle school programs across the city and the push by DPS to market and recruit families to learn further about their middle school options. Although our blog focuses on elementary schools in the Denver area, I thought parents would...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Nov 29, 2011, 12:31 pm
The new enrollment program for DPS seems to be the talk of the town. I am curious to see how this new system will roll out. Parents are looking forward to an easier and streamlined application. While there are many changes that happen year to year regarding schools within a district, it’ll be reas...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Nov 21, 2011, 12:13 am
Packages: NEW!!  “Get the Scoop” Consult This one on one (video or in person) consult is designed for parents of Denver Public School elementary students who seek clarity on the new Denver Public School enrollment program. This package with Kerri Barclay, ScoopToo blog expert, includes advisi...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Nov 20, 2011, 5:24 pm
About: ScoopToo mom and expert, Kerri Barclay, will be providing educational consulting services to families. As a result of continual research and knowledge acquired these past couple of years visiting schools and learning more about school choice and the educational options available in Denver, w...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Nov 18, 2011, 2:31 pm
About: ScoopToo mom and expert, Kerri Barclay, will be providing educational consulting services to families. As a result of continual research and knowledge acquired these past couple of years visiting schools and learning more about school choice and the educational options available in Denver, w...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Nov 15, 2011, 11:33 am
Last spring, I had the opportunity to tour a charter school in Aurora. Annette Sloan, The Director of Communications, led the tour. After speaking with Annette regarding the role she has at the school, I couldn’t help but wonder how great it would be if every school could have a communications per...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 25, 2011, 12:37 pm
My boys are in third grade this year. Cursive writing is generally mastered this year while being introduced, typically, in second grade. It’ll be interesting to see what, if anything, comes home regarding cursive handwriting. I remember back in the day, my friends and I couldn’t wait for the d...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 19, 2011, 12:30 pm
Interview Series-No. 9 Parent-This parent transitioned her child from a high achieving DPS school to a faith-based school. Q. Describe your transitional experience or scenario.  A. We were very concerned about the impact of moving our child into a new environment after spending two years at our ...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 17, 2011, 12:43 pm
Melanie Withers, Marketing Director of Monarch Montessori School in Denver, reached out to ScoopToo recently. Please take a minute to read the information she provided describing Monarch Montessori and all it has to offer. Currently, Monarch Montessori is a private school, however they recently appl...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 13, 2011, 8:13 pm
This is your last chance to hear from the DPS school board candidates! Please come to this forum to learn more about them. This is a critical election so be sure to vote! Ballots are due November 1, 2011. Please read the information below regarding this important event.  (Submitted by Get Smart Sc...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 12, 2011, 1:14 pm
Please be sure to click here (DPS Advanced Kinder Application) to learn further about the Advanced Kindergarten process and whether your child qualifies for the program. Applications are due on October 26, 2011! Read more about the Advanced Kindergarten Program from the DPS website below: Advance...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 11, 2011, 4:49 pm
Interview Series-No. 8 Parent-This parent transitioned her child from a high achieving DPS school to her neighborhood school, a DPS Innovation School. Q. Describe your transitional experience or scenario.   A. Our transitional experience has been seamless. We filled out the paperwork and showe...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 6, 2011, 12:25 pm
... for all to learn about the various schools and their programs. ... (ECE-8th grade) to visit the Expo to learn more about ... Public Schools (DPS) is hosting the Middle & High School Expo, ... traditional, magnet and charter schools. The event will take place from ... DPS. In addition, fa...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 5, 2011, 12:48 pm
What’s the recipe for a successful school? “What makes a school successful?” is a question we’ve been asked again and again over the past few years. After visiting a wide variety of schools in the Denver area, we decided to put together a list of criteria that we feel makes a good school gr...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Oct 4, 2011, 11:58 am
Thank you to Laura Barr for the following submission regarding Open House information for various private schools in the Denver Metro area. Open House Dates 2011-2012 Aspen Academy Application deadline for 2012-13: February 4th Birth date cutoff: October 15th—flexible based on social interaction...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Sep 29, 2011, 12:50 pm
We posted a series on “redshirting” a while back and it still seems to be a hot topic.  Many of us question whether to advance our kindergartner or keep them back for a second year so they can mature or get ahead, especially we are told, if they are boys.  It’s a common dilemma many parents...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Sep 27, 2011, 7:54 pm
Submitted by Johanna Mallory: The first Christ the King School Open House of the year will take place on Thursday, October 20th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Christ the King School is committed to preparing students academically, spiritually, morally, physically, and socially to be the leaders of tomorrow,...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Sep 6, 2011, 12:10 pm
Brooklyn Garcia, from 5280, sent us information regarding 5280′s Second Annual School Fair. Here is what she shared with us: “Unlike other fairs, 5280 has created an intimate environment where parents can meet representatives from Independent, Charter, and Public Schools for grades PK-12 to gai...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Sep 1, 2011, 9:59 am
Sandra Konta, Application Processing Representative at DPS, has contributed this post regarding the MANY Preschool and Kindergarten options available through DPS. Parents need to start researching their options, now, for the 2012-2013 school year. This post includes many DPS links where you will le...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Aug 31, 2011, 12:48 am
Yes, it’s that time of year again, folks, back to school! Honestly, I could’ve enjoyed one more week of summer vacation because I wasn’t ready for the new school year to begin. However, my children were. They began the countdown to school a week before the first bell rang. The thought of early...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - May 16, 2011, 8:08 pm
School: HIGH POINT ACADEMY Website: http://www.highpointacademy.net/ Type: Charter School — Authorized by the Charter School Institute Enrollment: You must contact the school directly for information regarding the application process when applying to a charter school (please go to their websi...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Apr 22, 2011, 8:15 pm
Want to learn more about charter schools in Colorado or simply lend your support on behalf of charter schools and the charter school movement? Please read below to learn more information about next week’s rally. Join Hundreds of Colorado Charter School Students, Teachers, Parents and Supporters f...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Mar 23, 2011, 7:14 pm
Last week, I attended the Mayoral Forum at East High School. I wanted to get a better sense of the candidates and where they stood on education. After all, as mayor of Denver, this person will play a significant role helping to improve public education in our city. The event was hosted by the educa...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Mar 21, 2011, 7:40 pm
School: CHRIST THE KING ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Website: http://www.ckrcs.org/ Type: Private, faith-based Catholic School Tuition: $4,800 for a registered Christ the King Parishioner, $5,800 for a non-Parishioner Open Houses/Tours: There are open houses and tours and you can call the main office t...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Mar 19, 2011, 9:39 am
If you are interested in getting a feel for the community and culture of various private schools in the Denver area, you may want to attend some of the springtime events below. Read Laura Barr’s article to learn more about the school events that will be taking place over the next couple of months....
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Mar 10, 2011, 11:51 am
Hello Readers, We’ve discovered another wonderful education resource and introduced it on the blog not too long ago. The website is called EdNews Parent . This online resource for parents highlights the latest educational news and hot topics relating to kindergarten through graduation. The site ...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Mar 8, 2011, 4:00 pm
Recently, I was invited to observe the afterschool program called OpenWorld Learning (aka OWL). Lea Ann Reitzig, the Managing Director of OpenWorld Learning, invited us to come and learn more about the program at one of its sites. OpenWorld Learning is an after-school technology and leadership prog...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Feb 17, 2011, 11:14 pm
School: Asbury Elementary Website: http://asbury.dpsk12.org/ Type: Public-DPS Tours: No scheduled tours currently Main Phone: (720) 424-9750 Principal: Anita Theriot Location: 1320 East Asbury Avenue Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:15 PM Grades: Kindergarten -5th grade Average Class Size: There are...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Feb 16, 2011, 10:41 pm
Here’s another way to get invested in education! Come meet Denver’s mayoral candidates and learn more about their vision regarding public education. To learn more about the forum and how to register, see below. Wondering where the Denver mayoral candidates stand on public schools? Find out Tues...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Feb 15, 2011, 11:24 pm
School: Lowry Elementary Website: http://lowry.dpsk12.org/ Type: Denver Public School – DPS Tours: There are no formal tours at Lowry Elementary School.  Parents can just show up and check in by going to the office.  There is one open house in November and you can check the Lowry website in O...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Feb 6, 2011, 11:17 pm
Laura Barr, an education consultant, has some good advice to share with parents who are waiting to hear about where their child will be attending school this fall. Please read Laura’s blog post below to see how you can survive this waiting game! Whether you are living in Denver or have applied t...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 31, 2011, 8:11 pm
*Kerri does not know I am writing this post, but she will soon enough… So, amidst school applications and decisions about where to send your children to school, I’d like to give a shout out to all of the teachers out there – public, private, parochial – who have been an inspiration in o...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 30, 2011, 9:12 pm
Update:  Receive $20 off your registration for Altogether Outdoors Camps (aocamps.com) by mentioning ScoopToo! Boy, have we seen a flurry of mommy group, blog and news posts about summer camps – and it’s only January!  Last year, our post on summer camps was out in May but we realize that mo...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 27, 2011, 5:18 pm
If you are frustrated with education in America, or more locally in Colorado and Denver, then do something.  It’s as simple as that.  We all can’t sit on the couch and complain about what is happening if we are not doing our part.  So many of us say that we want a solution but are expecting t...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 25, 2011, 11:53 pm
Bruce Randolph, one of Denver’s innovation schools, received high praise in President Obama’s State of the Union this evening. It’s no surprise that education was a top priority. Let’s celebrate this school, the progress made, and the direction it is going. Hopefully, more schools in our sta...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 25, 2011, 10:51 pm
If you haven’t heard of Race to Nowhere yet, you will soon.  This is another eye opening film by Vicki Abeles on the subject of the failing educational system in America.  This is the second of two documentaries in the past year about this very issue. How much more will it take for the country t...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Jan 11, 2011, 9:05 pm
It’s that time of year again! DPS School of Choice forms are available for 2011. By now, your homework is done and the research these past few months (may seem more like years) which included touring schools of interest, garnering information off school websites, taking advice from friends and yo...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Dec 31, 2010, 5:13 pm
I recently met with the editor of EdNews Parent, Julie Poppen. Read below to see what the buzz is regarding this new educational site for parents in Colorado. New website for Colorado school parents! We would like to alert you to a new website/e-mail newsletter providing updates on the week’s hot...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Dec 13, 2010, 9:44 pm
Last week, we received an email from Michelle Rhee’s new organization, Students First, an advocacy group created by the former Washington, D.C. school chancellor. Students First is a national movement to transform education here in the U.S. Her hope is to sign up 1 million new members and raise $1...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Dec 3, 2010, 8:26 am
Be sure to register for next week’s Early Education Scoop. Read details below. Get Educated at the Preschool and Kindergarten EARLY EDUCATION SCOOP Events This Fall!  There are also Middle School and High School Events as well.  See the DPS Announcement here. REGISTER TO ATTEND For new pare...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Nov 30, 2010, 5:55 pm
Letter from Superintendent Tom Boasberg: Breaking Ground…and Setting the Foundation for a Great Education Dear DPS Community: One of our critical priorities in the Denver Public Schools is increasing our kids’ access to high quality preschool and full-day kindergarten.  Research is clear tha...
Comment - Like

Jenn Massie posted an article on ScoopToo - Nov 18, 2010, 11:52 pm
Waiting for ‘Superman’ Ticket Giveaway! Denver Public Schools, along with  ScoopToo.com, are  giving away free tickets to the “must see” documentary of the year, Waiting for ‘Superman’.  This documentary film, created by Davis Guggenheim, explores the current state of our public scho...
Comment - Like