Driving and School Access

• Please help us keep our kids safe! Drive slowly through the Lowry neighborhood and follow the designated parking routes in all parking lots. 
• Please always follow verbal and hand signals from our staff who our on duty -- they are charged with keeping everyone safe.
• Perimeter gates and front doors to each building are open from 8:15-8:30 AM and 3:30-3:45 PM and locked at all other times, including during school hours. Specific doors are unlocked for after-care and club pick-up at 4:45 PM.
• For access during school hours, parents and authorized visitors MUST sign-in and out at the ISDenver Welcome Center and wear a visitor badge during every visit to the school.

 

Campus Safety & Drills

• Our campus and buildings remain locked at all times, but for daily drop-off and pick-up times.
  • As with all schools, we follow state and local licensing guidance as to how often we have fire, tornado, and lock-down drills.
  • In particular with lock-down drills, we make them as unobtrusive as possible with our youngest students, as studies have shown that these can adversely affect their well being.
  • We do not conduct ‘secure perimeter drills.’ In this situation (renamed from lock-outs to avoid confusion), everyone moves  indoors behind locked doors, without additional changes to routine.
• We conduct routine safety audits (most recently in Fall of 2022) with a 3rd party campus safety and security firm, to assess threats across our campus and buildings, policies, and procedures. 
  • We continually  received high marks on our external assessment, thanks in part to our completely enclosed campus, full-time locked buildings, and advanced access control system. All recommendations are shared with the Board.
  • At the advice of the safety and security firm, we do not share specific details about safety protocols.
  • Safety protocols are evaluated regularly.

 

Supporting Teachers and Students

• While drills and training are an important part of school safety measures, so is simply being present.
• Our division directors work closely with teachers as individuals and teams to promote safety and wellness.
• Our counseling team is integrated across the divisions (ECE, Primary, Middle School) and work with classrooms and individuals as needed.

Dropoff Map and Procedures: 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.

Our drop-off procedures are designed to facilitate the safest and healthiest start to the day for our learners, which includes teachers beginning their class’ day promptly and consistently, day-to-day.

School Year Dropoff:

All ECE children must drop-off all children via:

• The MLE carline headed north on Red Cross Way with drop-off in the Mary Louise Evans parking lot on the corner of Red Cross Way and 4th (see the orange carline and drop-off zone on the Dropoff map), or 
• The MLE Walk-up gate at the Mary Louise Evans building.  
• Check your child into school via the SchoolPass app.
• K3 children may not be dropped off using the Welcome Center drop-off gate/carline.
• If you have older children, you can either drop them off with your ECE child(ren), or at one of the gates listed below.

All other families must drop-off children: 

• By car via the Hug & Go line in the Welcome Center parking lot (see the purple drop off zone on the Dropoff map ). This is an independent carline and children must be able to exit from the passenger side of the car on their own and move to either the South Gate or the Welcome Center gate, whichever is closer. If your child requires assistance exiting the car and moving to the gate, please use the MLE carline. -OR- 
• On foot via the Welcome Center and South walk up gates (see the purple dots on the Dropoff map). 

 

---

Pickup Map and Procedures: 3:30 - 3:45 p.m.

 

Effective September 13, parents are able to set a schedule for their preferred pickup method and make same-day changes to that schedule through the Parent Portal. (Please note that this information does not apply to Middle School students as they are permitted to walk off campus at the end of the school day.)

• Each K1-G5 ISDenver student has a preferred pick up schedule based on the pickup method your family has been using this year (e.g. classroom pickup or carline).
• If your child participates in an Extended Day School activity club, the EDS schedule overrides your preferred classroom pickup method for the applicable days.

How to change your pickup method for today:

Similar to arranging for an early pickup, you will change your pickup method for today by submitting a transportation change request via the Parent Portal before 2:00 pm. Here’s how:

1. Log into the Parent Portal
2. Scroll down to your child(ren)
3. Click on “Report Attendance or Afternoon Transportation Change”
4. Choose the applicable child
5. Click “transportation from school”
6. Choose the new transportation method for today.
   1. If you select “car” you must have and use your RFID tag in the line.
   2. Bike and Walk are not currently an option for K1-G3 students, however G4-G5 students may walk or bike home with parents’ approval.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 for each child.
8. You will receive an automated email after the Welcome Team approves or denies your request.
9. If your request is approved, your child(ren)’s teacher(s) will receive that information automatically.

Want to change your default preferred pickup method for the rest of the year?
Please email info@isdenver.org and we will set up your child(ren)’s schedule.

• Please note that you must have an RFID tag to participate in the afternoon carline. If you do not have an RFID tag, please stop by the Welcome Center to pick up your tag.
   

Is another family picking up your child(ren) in a carpool or in the classroom today?

• Submit a transportation logistics request by 2:00 pm (see above)
• Choose the pick up method the other family is using to pick up your child(ren)
• Write “going home with [family name] today” or any other information for the school in the logistics request comments
• Please note that each family must complete a logistics request for their own child(ren) as we must have direct pick up instructions from the child(ren)’s parents.

Pickup by carline (selected as default for trimester, or switched into for the day by 2 PM via SchoolPass)

• Enter the carline headed north on Red Cross Way with pick-up in the Mary Louise Evans parking lot on the corner of Red Cross Way and 4th (see the orange carline and pick-up zone on the Pickup map). 
  • Families with children in K1-G5 must show their SchoolPass RFID tag*, to be scanned by ISDenver staff in the carline
  • *At the beginning of each trimester, we will ask all G1-G8 families to select your default pick-up method in this form. Specifically, will you be picking your child(ren) up via carline or will you be walking onto campus to pick your child(ren) up in the classroom.
    • If you select carline as your default, you will need to register each trimester. RFID tags and procedures will be provided.
       
• On-campus walk up (selected as default for trimester, or switched into for the day by 2 PM via SchoolPass)
  • Children who are not registered via the carline opt-in process, and are not otherwise registered for EDS programs, will be expected to be picked up on campus at 3:30 each day.
    • Enter campus via the designated gates at the north and south end of campus (see the purple dots on the pickup map). 
    • Meet your child in their classroom for pick-up! You can pick up multiple children in whatever order works best for you, talk with teachers and fellow parents, and be able to see what’s happening in the class, as well.
    • All families must show SchoolPass credentials to your child’s teacher directly so the teacher can check your child out. 

  • G6-G8 children may pick up younger G1-G5 siblings; however all K1-K3 siblings must be picked up by a parent or authorized pick-up adult per Colorado state  licensing guidelines.

Students not picked up by 3:45 PM:

• All students not picked up by 3:45 will be enrolled in the Extended Day School after care session for the day and parents will be charged $25/hour for each full or partial hour attended. If a child is consistently picked up late, the full trimester after care charge will be billed. 

Campus Parking

Please be a good neighbor and do not park in any lots or spaces other than our own, which include:

• At the Welcome Center (enter off 1st Pl)

  • Please avoid parking spots in this lot reserved for neighboring offices, CFU,  as well as a few labeled for our own families who bid and won year-long parking on campus at our annual Gala! 

• the Mary Louise Evans building (enter off Red Cross Way) 
• Our designated overflow area (near 1st and E. Spruce St. in the hangar; see map above)

Please respect our neighbors (NCSL, Lowry Lofts, etc) and their private property - and do not park in these spots no matter how short a time.

How to Report an Absence

• Watch this video to see how to report an absence. 
• In the Parent Portal select the button "Report Attendance" under the My Children header on the main page.
• Create an attendance request for absences, tardies, early dismissals, and multi day absences.
• Choose a reason and add any additional notes.
• Your information will be submitted to our Welcome Team (and the Nurse's office if applicable)

E-mail info@isdenver.org if you have any additional questions. Please do not email info to report an absence.

Late dropoff procedure:

• Log in to the Parent Portal to submit notification that your child will arrive late. 
• Drop your child off at the Welcome Center, and a Welcome Center team member will get them signed in and let them know what class they're currently in. 
  • If your child is in ECE, a staff member will walk them to class.
  • If your child is in G1-G2, they will be given a code to access the Lower Primary building
  • If your child is in G3-G8, make sure they have their fobs with them so they may gain independent entry into the locked buildings.

Early pickup procedure:

• Log in to the Parent Portal to submit notifications of early dismissals.
• NOTE:  All early pick-up notifications must be received by 2:00pm. 
• If you don’t have immediate access to the parent portal, email info@isdenver.org with the date and time you want to pick up your child. 
• At your scheduled pick-up time, please check your child out in the Welcome Center. The Welcome Team will then page your child(ren)’s classroom(s) (G1-G8) and your child will be sent to the Welcome Center. If your child is in ECE, you will need to sign in and will then be directed to the ECE building to pick up your child in their classroom. 

Teacher emails

• This is your primary source of communication about your child. You can find your teacher’s email address in their bio as well in our directory in the Parent Portal. 

  • For security purposes, we ask that you do not communicate with teachers outside of their @isdenver.org email address (e.g. via text, whatsapp, etc.)

  • See “Toddle and Vidigami” section for more information about student-specific communications.

World E-News

• Our weekly World E-News covers everything you need to be in the know about ISDenver on a weekly basis. It  is your main whole-school communication, including Head of School updates, important reminders and/or policy changes, volunteer opportunities, and happenings across ECE, Primary School and Middle School  - plus, community events and engagement opportunities . 
• Make sure to keep your contact information up to date in the Parent Portal to receive this on a weekly basis! See Parent Portal  section for directions on updating contact info.

Parent Portal

• Our Parent Portal is your one-stop shop for all things ISDenver: calendars, schedules, attendance, registrations, invoices, announcements, and more – we have what you need!
• It’s alive and well now, and we’re also updating the layout and organization through this fall for easier access to information. 
• Pro tip: Bookmark this log-in page, or just leave it open as a browser tab on your phone or desktop for easy access whenever you need.
• Make sure we have your most up to date phone number and email address by updating it in the Parent Portal:
  • Select "Update Family Profile" button under Important Links (right side of screen, or scroll to bottom to the yellow buttons if on a phone)
  • Fill in your up to date information and save
  • If necessary, change your directory preferences (scroll down to Directory Preferences) - you can adjust if you’d like to share certain contact information with our community.

Social Media

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
• Have a great photo or an exciting piece of content to share about your child(ren) or ISDenver? Share it with Katie Kroeger!

School Calendar

The best way to stay on top of the happenings for your kids (and yourself) is to subscribe to your Household Calendar in the Parent Portal.

• Click “subscribe to calendars” in the top navigation of the Parent Portal (or in the three button menu in top left of the portal homepage on your phone).
  • Check the Google calendar box if you use Google calendar. (If not, the subscription will open in your default calendar app, like on an iPhone.)
  • Under “My Household,” you will see “My household calendar.” Click subscribe on the right. Your calendar application will open!
• This calendar will give you all school events (breaks, conferences, holidays), PLUS all events specific to you/your children (field trips! ECE playdates!), on your calendar feed (aka, your Google/Outlook calendar and/or on your phone.)
• We are still populating this calendar with events for the 2023-24 school year; your subscription ensures that you’ll have them in your personal calendar within ~1 hour of us loading them into the portal calendar.
• Note that school calendar dates may still be subject to change and all changes will be communicated in E-News and updated in our subscription calendar. 

ISDenver’s Extended Day School (EDS) begins at 7:15 AM and ends at 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Available options include: 

• Before Care
• After Care/Study Hall
• Co-Curricular Programs (after school clubs, third language, performing arts, etc)
• Middle School Athletics

EDS offerings change each trimester and registration is for the full trimester:

	Trimester 1	Trimester 2	Trimester 3
Registration Open	8/2/23 - 8/9/23	10/18 - 11/1/23	1/31/24 - 2/7/24
EDS Trimester Dates	8/21/23 - 11/10*/23 *11/3/23 for athletics	11/13/23 - 2/16/24	2/26/24 - 5/31/24

 

• Even if you’ve been using our EDS program for years, please review our full policies here;  We’ve made some changes based on feedback from families. Major changes include: 
  • EDS is unavailable the first week of School (8/17/23-8/19/23) and the last week of school (6/2/24 - 6/4/24).
  • Children who are not picked up during the normal school pick up time will be taken to After Care, and the parents will be billed $25 for every hour or partial hour the child remains in After Care.
  • Music lesson registrations are for the entire school year, not just one trimester. 
  • We’ve developed a comprehensive cancellation/late sign up/transfer policy with fees around various deadlines - see this document for more.
     

Full Extended Day School Guidelines and Policies

Break Camps

• We offer break camp during October Break (10/23 - 10/27), February Break (2/20/24-2/23/24) , and Spring Break (4/22/24 - 4/26/24).
• We will release registration dates for these camps in the coming weeks, as well as a preliminary interest form to help us get a rough estimate of how many children may be interested in attending.
• Please note that space in break camps is extremely limited. We recommend having a back-up plan in mind as these camps do fill quickly. 

Our Dragon-Parent Association (DPA) focuses on community building among families, from within a class, to across divisions, to our entire school. Through functional committees of volunteers, parents join together to support our school’s mission, vision, and strategic initiatives through events, communications, and service opportunities. 

• Interested in welcoming our newest families to the ISDenver Community? Join our Dragon Buddies Program and mentor a new family. It’s as simple as checking in periodically and being a fellow parent resource as they get acclimated to the school.
  • Sign up as a returning family, or
  • Join us as a new family! 
• Recruitment for our Room Parents (K1 through G3) is also in full swing. Please note we won’t assign any classrooms until we finalize teacher assignments for the school year.
  • If you’re interested in getting involved for the 2023-24 school year, please contact DPA Liaison Janet Yenter.

Looking for other opportunities in ISDenver's vibrant volunteer community? Contact PTO Liaison Janet Yenter.

Please continue to report COVID-19 or other communicable disease cases to nurses@isdenver.org. Our nurse's office is still reporting positive cases to our local public health authorities. School will monitor for absenteeism related to illness and will also contact DPH if an outbreak is suspected.

• Isolation and/or quarantine may be required for positive cases. The ISDenver Health & Wellness Center will determine and communicate required timeframes and return-to-campus protocol for staff and students in conjunction with public health experts. 
• Masks are available to all students and staff. Masks are located in the nurse’s office as well as each building.
• Notification to the ISDenver community will only be sent if an outbreak has been determined by DPH.

If we are advised that a quarantine is required for your child's class

• Parents will be texted immediately to come pick up your child(ren). 
• Email will follow with more information on quarantining, testing and other requirements.

Outbreaks

• A COVID-19  or any other disease outbreak in a cohort / classroom is monitored by ISDenver nurses in conjunction with public health experts. 
• Testing may be required in order for students/staff to return to campus. 
• Events may be canceled or rescheduled if needed due to outbreaks.

ISDenver continues to strongly encourage vaccination for all eligible students, employees, and community members. 

• ISDenver offers an annual flu shot clinic to all employees, with access to other vaccinations including shingles, pneumococcal, and the TDAP booster.
• We strongly encourage all students to be appropriately vaccinated, including the annual flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, as available, in accordance with the recommendations of their medical provider.
• We track and report student vaccination status in our health system through the Parent Portal. To upload your child's vaccination card: