Posted on Sunday / September 11
In this week’s Family Update we invite everyone to share in a happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Each week in the Family Update you will find information relevant to families in the DPAC community. We commit to keeping this weekly communication brief, accurate, and encompassing of all the critical information you need for the next 7 days at DPAC.
This week we have an action item for all families to please fill out THIS MASK MANDATE SURVEY, we want your input as we consider removing DPAC’s mask mandate. You will also find details about a high school soccer meeting, a highlight video, your invitation to Back to School Night, and more!
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Action Items for Every Family
Mask Mandate Survey
We are considering whether or not to remove the current DPAC mask mandate beginning on Monday, September 19th. We ask that every DPAC family fill out THIS BRIEF SURVEY and share your opinions. Your input will weigh heavily in the decision making process! Please share all questions and concerns directly in the MASK MANDATE SURVEY. Questions will be addressed in the following Family Update next week along with the results of the survey.
Photo/Video Release
Please take a moment to fill out this two question MEDIA RELEASE FORM. We are excited to share the many great things happening on campus, and by filling out this form it allows us to share some amazing highlight videos and photos with you all! If you want to see these great photos and videos please fill out the MEDIA RELEASE FORM, thank you!
This Week’s Events
Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff
This month is a time for our network to celebrate Hispanic culture and honor the heritage of this community. Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, runs nationally from September 15 – October 15.
The Latinx population is not a monolith. There are a wide variety of cultures, ethnic and racial backgrounds, and countries represented within the group. We understand the importance of knowing and honoring one’s history, and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is one of the ways we accomplish this.
We are excited to see all of the celebrations in the coming month and stay tuned for more highlights! We hope that you have a wonderful and educational Hispanic Heritage Month!
#HispanicHeritageMonth #DPPS #DemocracyPrep
High School Soccer Team Meeting
Monday, September 12th. 3:30 – 4:30pm: All families interested in learning more about the 2022/2023 High School Soccer Program are invited to attend this informational meeting. See the new DPAC uniforms, learn about league opportunities, and discuss expectations of scholars. Questions? Please contact Coach Gonzalez via email at armando.gonzalez@democracyprep.org
Ice Cream Social Highlight Video
We are excited to begin sharing highlight videos taken duren the various DPAC events, like this ICE CREAM SOCIAL VIDEO. Thank you again to everyone to attended the Ice Cream Social! We hope everyone has an opportunity to watch THIS HIGHLIGHT VIDEO FROM THE ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Policy Updates & Reminders
Arrival & Dismissal – Be RESPECTFUL
Respect others time. Ensure you are quick to drop off your scholars. Do not exit your vehicle, if you need extended time you are welcome to park in an available spot and help your scholar exit the vehicle.
Respect that children are present. The music we listen to and the language we use as adults should be appropriate for all ages when on school property.
Respect the safety guidelines. Do not disobey the safety guidelines. If you disregard the safety of scholars and staff you will lose your privilege of being on campus, including your vehicle’s access to the parking lot for arrival and dismissal.
No Re-Entry to Campus After School
After dismissal at 2:50pm, the South Gate will be closed at 3:00pm and there will be no re-entry permitted to campus. If scholars have practice or after school activities they are to go directly to their scheduled program at dismissal and not exit campus. We recognize some scholars have responsibilities with younger scholars, they are to pick up their siblings from the elementary school and come back through the South gate before 3:00pm.
Uniform Policies
Scholars with dress code infractions will begin to receive phone calls home. Please ensure your scholar has proper uniforms each day upon arrival, including a mask until at least Monday, September 19th, black belt, shirts tucked in, and proper closed-toed shoes (no crocs or sandals.) Please follow THIS LINK to read in more detail from the Family Handbook what color shirts and pants are available for each school.
Resources for Families
Are You Experiencing Homelessness?
DPAC FAMILIES, we’d like to inform you that there is a program that provides support to families facing homelessness. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act allows our school to provide educational support and other resources to families experiencing homelessness. It is important to note that homelessness encompasses several categories including families that lost their housing and are living with other families or relatives due to economic hardship. It also includes families living in a motel, car, park, emergency or transitional shelter.
Please complete THIS SURVEY so we may determine whether or not your family qualifies for educational support and other resources through the McKinney-Vento Act.
Coding Classes for Middle School Scholars
Please CLICK HERE for the full flyer. Beginning on Wednesday, September 21 from 3:00 – 4:15, 6th – 8th grade scholars are invited to join in a community wide Coding class through EFTW (Engineer for the Week). Scholars interested should sign up using the registration link on THIS FLYER. There will be two groups over the course of the year. The first group starts September 21 and goes to Winter Break. The second group will begin after Winter Break and end at the end of the school year. There will be a second registration for the second group closer to the end of the year so scholars should only register if they are able to attend right now.
Save the Date: Open House Wed. September 21st.
We are excited to open the campus and the classrooms for an Open House on Wednesday, September 21st! This will be an opportunity to meet teachers and see your scholar’s classrooms. The event will go from 4:00 – 6:00pm, with main introductions in the gym and cafeteria occurring from DPAC leadership at 4pm and 5pm. Following the introductions, families may visit their scholar’s classrooms for a brief presentation from their teacher. Each teacher presentation ends with a Q&A session with the entire group. This is not to be mistaken with Family Teacher Conferences, which will occur on November 10th. Open House allows you to visit the classroom, meet your scholars teachers, and ask questions in a group setting. Family Teacher Conferences will provide an opportunity to discuss your scholar’s specific academic or behavioral updates in a 1 on 1 setting with teachers.Public Notices – Staff Members of the Month
We are so incredibly proud of the entire DPAC community for their hard work during the first month of school! We want to take an opportunity each month to highlight the staff members who demonstrate the DREAM BIG values and go above and beyond in their profession to serve DPAC scholars and the mission of the school. Thank you to our first staff members of the month for the month of August! Please be sure to celebrate their grit and enthusiasm!
High School – Paulette McCue
Middle School – Alfredo Gutierrez
Elementary School – Ashley Blake
K-12 – Nurse Johnalyn