Happy Friday Park Hill Families,
It has been an emotional week at the school. There are not appropriate words for the profound loss we have felt with the passing of Ms Amy. She was a ray of sunshine in our school for more than 20 years. She taught both Kindergarten and 1st grade here at the school and was the first teacher for many of our students. We are forever grateful for her and her impact on students’ education.
In this difficult moment, we have been incredibly grateful for the support of our school community. Countless parents came by the school to help out and give staff and students a moment to grieve. Feeling the warmth from this community has helped many of us get through this week. From the bottom of my heart, I want to extend my gratitude.
- Ken Burdette, Principal
Dear Park Hill Community,
This week has been the most difficult week of my professional career. Our community lost someone that has been an essential part of so many lives for so many years. The impact of Amy’s love was truly immeasurable. On Saturday, and Sunday, I had no idea how our team was going to be able to face the week, but somehow, together we made it to Friday.
The outpouring of love and support that you all showed our staff has made an imprint on my heart that I will feel forever. The gestures of kindness were grand, and tiny, and each one helped us to carry on, in support of the children that we all care so much about. The food, the flowers, the hugs, kind words, extra hands, extra eyes at recess, and the grace made such a difference in our well-being, and it showed us how unique this beautiful school home is — for all the humans big and small.
I am so overwhelmed with gratitude as I reflect on each parent that lifted our spirits and carried our hearts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me and Ken ensure that our staff had the strength to keep showing up this week.
With So Much Love, Maggie
After-school playground reminder
As a reminder, if your child is staying around the school after bell hours (and is not participating in the YMCA, Enrichments or tutoring), they need to be accompanied by an adult. This includes our older students who walk home by themselves. Unaccompanied students will be brought to the office, and parents will be notified and asked to pick them up promptly.
School Choice and Universal Pre-K CLOSES February 14th at 4pm (Tuesday)
As a reminder we have just a short time left before the DPS SchoolChoice and Universal Pre-K (ECE only) windows close on February 14th. If you have questions about the process, our office is available to help. All current 5th grade families should be making their middle school elections. All incoming Kinder and ECE-4 families should also be making elections. Families should login to the DPS SchoolChoice website with their DPS Parent Portal credentials. The front office sent out a guide for families via email to help with the School Choice process.
Valentines Day
Please look out for notes from your homeroom parent about Valentine’s celebrations in class. Each teacher is choosing how best to celebrate in their classrooms. We have many students with food allergies, so please be mindful of the food directions especially.
Request for spare clothes for student
We are in need of extra clothing in the office. We use these for spills, accidents, rips, etc. We are most in need of spare Leggings, pants, girls tops for ages 9-12. Thank you!!
Reminder: New PHE Calendar
We had to switch accounts for the PHE School Calendar. As always, the new calendar can be found on the school website. You can add it to your personal google calendar using this link.
Next year’s DPS calendar can be found here: 2023-24 DPS School Calendar
PHE Girl Scouts - Cookie Sale
Girl Scout Cookie Season! Come out and support Troop 68346 (PHE 4th graders) as you stock up for Super Bowl Weekend. Troop 68346 will be selling cookies at Grape Expectations on Saturday from 12-4 pm and at King Soopers (1355 Krameria) on Sunday from 10 am - 12 noon. Last year, the girls were able to use the money they raised to go camping, horseback riding, and to see The Nutcracker. So come get your cookie fix while supporting a wonderful troop! Thanks in advance for your support!
PTSA
Thank you
On behalf of the Park Hill Elementary PTSA board and committees, thank you for everything you did as a community this week to support our students, teachers, staff and friends. We will continue to share opportunities to come together, and to honor Ms. Amy, in the near future. This is a fantastic community.
Family Tech Talk
If you missed the tech talk, there will be a video recording available. We will share that once it is in hand.
Next Week’s PTSA Meeting and Coffee with Ken
These will be canceled. Take this time back for yourselves, to honor what you need this next week. We will see you on March 13th.
PTA Resources
As members of the National PTA, you have access to a wide array of resources. We want to share this with all of you, in case it offers further comfort or support as we continue to move through grief as a community.
