Dear Room Parent,
Thank you for volunteering as a Room Parent at Denver Montclair International School! As
any Room Parent will tell you, this is a wonderful way to become more involved in your child’s
educational experience. Your child will notice your involvement and the value you place in
his/her school and education.
This manual was created to help clarify your responsibilities and help answer the questions
you may have about being a Room Parent. It is full of important information. Please read it
carefully and return to it as a reference tool.
Room Parents serve as one of the primary communication links between parents, teachers,
staff, and the Parent Teachers Organization (PTO). We are seeking one or two Room Parents
per class. For the bi-lingual immersion classes in grades 1-5, the Room Parents should also
go to the English teacher and ask what assistance they need and include them with gift giving
etc. Typically since the immersion teacher is the main teacher, most of your duties will
surround that teacher.
Our most important role is to help create a sense of community within each class and the
school.
For added support there is a Room Parent Coordinator, Natalie James
(nataliejames@uwalumni.com). The DMIS PTO Room Parent Coordinator oversees the Room
Parents, identifies and shares best practices and works actively with other PTO Officers.
Please feel free to contact us at PTO@dmischool.com, or the administration and staff, if you
have any questions or concerns. I look forward to sharing an exciting and fulfilling year Room
Parenting with you!
This Room Parent Manual is divided into the following sections:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Support Your Child’s Classroom Teachers
Welcome Families
Other Ways to Facilitate Communication
Assist in Parent Teacher Organization Goals
Gala Project Ideas
Room Parent Checklist
2013-2014 School and PTO Events
2013-2014 Appendix
1
2
6
7
8
9
11
12
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PART 1. SUPPORT YOUR CLASSROOM TEACHERS
At the beginning of the year, please arrange a short meeting with your Co-Room Parent, if
there is one, and your child’s teachers (immersion and English) to introduce yourself and
discuss how you might support them during the year. There are checklists in Section 6 of this
manual. If needed, please contact the main office for a list of parent emails. Ways that Room
Parents can support their teachers and school include:
1.
Communicating with parents
Collect contact information and then please share the class information with
parents during the first weeks of class. Parents appreciate having the
names and contact information of parents in the class in order to help with
mailing invitations, organizing play dates and finally it helps to remember the
names of all the parents in the class! Email parents and ask:
 The best way to communicate, i.e. email, note in child’s folder, phone call.
 Names of parents, siblings, address, best phone, other emails, interest in
volunteering, and whether their child takes the school bus
 Send out an introductory letter with your contact info. In the child’s folder,
example seen below.
 Send out emails as needed (consider using Shutterfly Share, a Google
Group or a Yahoo Group to send mass emails and post photos).
 Attend as many PTO monthly meetings, Board meetings and school-wide
meetings as possible and consider sending out a brief summary to class
parents. This is greatly appreciated by many parents who cannot attend.
2.
Reminding parents about upcoming events.
Posting a sign-up sheet, emailing or making a few phone calls can make a real difference.
Remember that some children use the bus service or are dropped off by friends. Those
parents won’t see a sign up sheet. For class parties, Room Parents typically email and ask
parents to donate certain items or food needed for the party. There is a school event list in
Section 7 of this manual. However, the PTO has a comprehensive and up to date calendar on
the DMIS Website that you can check for current events and fundraisers. The Room Parent
Coordinator will also email you important information during the year to forward to parents.
3.
Reminding teachers about upcoming events
On top of meeting at the beginning of the year with the teacher, also ask the teacher what will
be needed starting about two or more weeks before a holiday party or event. This will start a
discussion that will create well-organized class events and projects. Some events like
Chinese New Year and Mardi Gras may take more than two weeks of planning.
4.
Fundraising
The PTO organizes all fundraisers for the school. These fundraisers are carefully chosen so
that parents will not be overloaded with fundraisers all year long. Items that were previously
funded by individual class fundraisers are now supported by other means such as the
Activities Fee paid by each student. Room Parents are not required to organize any
fundraising events for their classroom. Questions or comments regarding fundraisers should
be directed to the PTO.
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5.
Field Trips
Some teachers will ask you to find chaperones for field trips while others take care of it
themselves. Room parents should remind their classes to dress children in their DMIS smock
or polo shirt on field trip days, so that teachers and chaperones can identify our students
quickly and easily. All students are issued age appropriate “Spirit Wear” at the start of the
school year and is covered by the Activities Fee. Please see the Appendix for field trip ideas.
6.
Yearbook (Procedures subject to change for 2013-2014 pending new vendor)
 Class Appreciation Ads: All classes are asked to create an “Appreciation Ad” for their
teacher (and assistant) in the yearbook. Each class will be given a full page in the
yearbook to express their gratitude for their teachers. Upper grades should include their
Language Program teacher as well as their English teacher. You can design these ads
yourself or ask another parent to help you. If you need technical help, please contact the
yearbook Chair (kathykay228@gmail.com). The deadline for class ads is February 27th
2014.
 Distribution & Hardcover Upgrade: Each student will be issued a hard cover yearbook
at the end of the school year and is covered by the Activities Fee.
 Photos: One of the most important jobs of the Room Parent is to take photos at various
events or classroom candid shots and collect photos from other class parents. These
pictures include class parties, events, performances, etc. Room parents should submit
photos to their teacher so they can be placed on the school server.
7.
Gala Projects
Kindergarten, 5th Grade, and 8th Grade classrooms create a project to be auctioned at the
Gala. Historically, Room Parents have collaborated with their child’s teacher to create a class
project to be auctioned at the annual Gala. The method in which the Gala projects are
made/funded is under review. You will receive more information as it becomes available.
8.
Celebrating birthdays.
Times and styles of birthday parties are at the discretion of the teacher. Some teachers prefer
to have one joint monthly birthday party, other teachers allow any parent to have a party for
their child and other teachers only allow the parent to send in a cake for the class to celebrate
without a party. Please check with your teacher and relay their preference to the class.
9.
Holiday Celebrations
Room Parents should work with their teacher to help organize any parties or celebrations
throughout the year. Your task may be as simple as finding parents to bring food, drink, paper
goods, etc. (Ex: Halloween or Holiday parties), or as involved as making costumes for a larger
event (Ex: Mardi Gras). Check with your teacher at the start of the year to see what events will
need planning, and how you can help. Some teachers will have specific ideas about what they
need while others will ask for more input from parents.
10.
Creating End of Year Gift for Teacher
This can be a wonderful way to show a teacher that you appreciate him or her. Starting with
the 2013-2014 school year the school will collect monetary end of year gifts and distribute
them evenly among staff. However you can help coordinate something personal. Ideas can
vary, but one example is creating a yearlong scrapbook of photos of the teacher with the
students and pictures drawn by students about the teacher. Older students can write a letter or
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a poem. Each student can bring one flower to the teacher to make a bouquet. A gift group
basket with something small from each child (a homemade jam, a beaded bracelet, a
homemade card, favorite chocolate etc) A Room Parent can organize this project or ask
another parent to help.
11.
Collecting Funds (when it’s not allowed, when it is)
Room Parents can no longer collect funds for group-gifts for teachers. To increase fairness
and equality amongst teachers and staff the school will collect funds for holiday and end of
year gifts and will distribute to staff evenly. In the event that a Pot Luck style volunteer sign up
is not appropriate for a class party you & your teacher are planning you can collect funds.
There are a few stipulations. Room parents cannot ask for a specific dollar amount; Francois
views this as collecting a fee from parents and feels strongly that only DMIS can collect fees
from parents. If you do want to take up a collection from parents, financial participation must
be optional, each family can give what they want, and all families must be invited to participate
whether they contribute financially or not (as all events should be designed to build community,
its important the entire community can be present). If you have questions, or need help
navigating this policy, please contact the PTO room parent coordinator, Natalie James,
nataliejames@uwalumni.com, 303.521.7951.
***The “Welcoming Families” Section has many more ideas for get-togethers, none of which
require the Room Parent to collect money. Many room parents prefer to stay away from
collecting money completely.***
Here is a sample letter for a back to school party if funds are needed:
Dear Fellow Parents,
We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves as the Room Parents for
(teacher’s name and class grade) class. We’re excited to spend a great year with
you! The role of Room Parents is to increase communication and to serve as a
liaison and helper for the teachers, staff, PTO and other parents in the classroom.
We will be sending you a list of class contact information that you can use to keep in
touch with other parents in the class. Please let us know if you have any questions
or concerns.
We will be having a party [insert date and type of back to school party], due to the
nature of this party it will not be pot-luck style. If you would like to contribute funds
toward the cost of the party that would be greatly appreciated, however keep in mind
that it is totally voluntary. Contribute whatever amount you’d like. If you would like to
contribute but are unsure what is a fair amount please contact me.
I hope that everyone will attend!
12.
Compile and post a wish list and volunteer schedule.
The classroom relies on helpful families to volunteer to make play-dough, provide snacks,
donate needed supplies, volunteering for chaperoning field trips, helping with class parties,
etc. Solicit help with a simple sign-up genius, an online sign-up sheet, and/or e-mail to the
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families. Use whatever method is best for each parent. A sign up sheet on the bulletin board
may be the most efficient for parents who drop off/pick up their children, but is difficult for
parents who use aftercare, carpool, ride the bus etc, make sure everyone is included.
13. Check in with your teachers throughout the school year to see if needs are
changing, or if there is other volunteer efforts needed.
14.
Don’t be afraid to delegate various tasks throughout the year. Although you
have stepped up to be the Room Parent, other parents in your class can and should be
helping you. Use sign up sheets, emails and people skills in your favor to recruit help for
things like yearbook ads, making costumes, chaperoning field trips, etc. Remind parents that
they can earn work-bond hours for their time!
15.
How to address concerns when they come up. As the Room Parent, some
parents may prefer to share school or classroom concerns with you. However, try not to get in
the middle of any conflict. Instead encourage the parent to communicate first with the teacher
and/or then with the appropriate administration staff. Many times classroom concerns stem
from a cultural and/or language breakdown. Don’t hesitate to share feedback or concerns you
are hearing from other parents with the Room Parent Coordinator and with the administration.
They will know how to address the concerns quickly and efficiently. Teachers greatly
appreciate the effort and support of involved parents. You help foster the idea of parents and
teachers working together to create the best possible school experience for the children.
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PART 2. WELCOME FAMILIES
One of the key roles of Room Parents is to help create the sense of community that makes
children feel safe and families feel welcomed. It takes little effort, but it means so much!
You can find your classroom contact list in the Thursday Folder email within the first few weeks
of school. If desired, please feel free to collect additional information by emailing or placing a
contact sheet with the sign-in sheet(Kinder sections). A class list with families’ phone numbers
and e-mails is a good start to getting people in touch with one another. You should also add
contact info to your classroom website (ex:Shutterfly) or blog.
With your Co-Room Parent send out the above introductory email and, if you can, try to call
the new DMIS families in your class within the first month to welcome them to the new
classroom and to their new school. If you have time, it would be great to also make a quick
call to returning parents that you don’t know. Let them know that they can contact you with
questions or concerns. This will also help later on with collecting money and asking for
volunteers.
An example of that phone conversation could be:
“This is ___. I am one of the room parents for (name of their child) class at DMIS. I just
wanted to call and introduce myself. My son/daughter is______. I wanted to let you know
that you can come to me if you have any questions about the class. You can email me or call.”
There are a variety of ways to welcome families and foster a sense of community in your
classroom. Whatever you and your Co-Room Parent decide to do depends on your time and
availability. These are only suggestions.
• Make a phone call to each new DMIS family.
• Drop a note in each child’s mailbox with a welcome message.
• Introduce parents and children to other members of the class, teachers, and staff.
• Offer to show new families around to help them find their classroom, the bathroom, the
office, etc.
• Greet families in your classroom at the Back to School Night
• Plan classroom get-togethers.
Arrange classroom all-family get-togethers, especially early in the year (and bring name tags).
This is an excellent way to get to know the families in your class and create a close-knit
community. Enlist the support of other parents, and don’t forget to invite the teachers! You
might consider having one of the following:
Potluck Picnic or BBQ in a park after school or on the weekend
Coffee talk after drop-off
Class get-together to make teachers’ gifts
Potluck dinner at someone’s home
Class outing to the zoo, botanical gardens, or a museum
Playgroups for school vacations or sibling playgroup
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PART 3. OTHER WAYS TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION
As a Room Parent, you are integral to communication in the school. When teachers need to
get information to families, you are their first choice. If parents come to you with questions that
you do not know, you can refer them to your Liaison or to the appropriate person in the
administration. And, of course, you are always in the loop with the PTO to help spread news
and promote events. It is important to check the DMIS website regularly and direct parents to
the website as well. It is a great resource for the parents.
In addition to the suggestions encompassed in earlier sections, you can help by:
• Introduce yourself in person
Let your classroom families know who you are. After your initial phone calls to new
families at the beginning of the year, you could hang around for a few extra minutes
at pick-up and drop-off to introduce yourself in person. This is more appropriate for
he classes before 1st grade due to drop off procedures.
• Use Google Groups or Yahoo Groups to communicate by e-mail
Technology can be useful, but it is not for everyone. One option is to ask parents
to sign up and use Google Groups or Yahoo groups. Google Groups and Yahoo
Groups allow emails to be sent and archived so parents can check class news and
updates.
In Yahoo groups you can set up an automatic reminder to send out emails to
parents of upcoming events like their turn for bringing snacks to class, etc.

Use Shutterfly Share, Facebook, or blogs to share class information
Parents and teachers can securely post and share pictures on these sites. It is very
easy and quick. Shutterfly allows video sharing or the option to purchase prints of
photos posted on the site. Shutterfly share sites offer the most features including signup sheets, calendar reminders and blog style entries.
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PART 4. ASSIST IN PTO GOALS
Mission of the PTO as of 9/4/12:
The purpose of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to enhance the educational
experience at DMIS through volunteer and financial support.
We will do this by:
 Fostering a close community encompassing students, parents, teachers, and
administration across all language programs.
 Providing immediate or short-term improvements that are outside of the normal operating
budget, which will complement the strategic and long-term, plans of the board (i.e., Music and
Art Programs, Roof Tiles, Garden, Stage, Technology in Classrooms, etc.)
 Supporting and promoting international, community-building events (International Bash,
Annual Gala, World Tea Fair, Talent Show, etc.).
Why is the DMIS PTO important? In addition to these events and projects, the PTO is a way
to meet other parents within the DMIS community across all language programs. It allows
parents to complete work bond hours in fun and social ways while helping to improve the
school.
How can parents get involved? All parents and legal guardians of current DMIS students are
automatically PTO members. One way to get more involved is to attend a monthly meeting,
generally held the third Thursday of the month 8:45-10:00am(subject to change). Another way
is to sign up for a committee (a committee Sign Up Genius is linked in the Thursday Folder
email at the start of the school year). PTO committees are listed in Section 8 of this manual.
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PART 5. GALA PROJECT IDEAS
Kindergarten, 5th Grade & 8th Grade Classes
The tuition at DMIS does not cover all the expenses of running the school. To help
raise additional funds the PTO puts on a semi-formal GALA evening to fundraise money
for the school. All proceeds go directly to the school. During the elegant evening,
which includes dinner, there is a silent auction and a live auction. Classroom projects at
the silent and live auctions are sold to the highest bidder. This is a great resource for
fundraising and a favorite part for the parents.
The Room Parent is responsible for organizing the GALA classroom project. Although
the Gala is typically in March or April, the planning for the project should be started
months in advance. Ask the teacher and the art teacher for creative ideas. You can find
other ideas on the Internet by searching phrases like “school projects fundraiser”.
Here are some past GALA projects that were successful.

Large canvas paintings - general appeal (like the Jackson Pollack paint splashed painting),
or "themed" (like those including students' names next to their parts of the paintings)

Adult size furniture - a custom painted desk & chair with a desk set, mosaic coffee table,
etc.

Child size furniture - Adirondack chairs & love seat with kids' hand prints as decoration,

Quilts

Sculptures - made of clay

Stone door mat

Masks

Herb garden in painted pots

The totem sculptures

Ceramic bird bath
There was one class that had a parent who was a professional photographer and did the
alphabet with the kids posing in shapes of letters.
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Silent Auction
For the silent auction, parents donate different types of items or services. Tell parents that the
most successful way to obtain items is to approach businesses that they frequent, personal
friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
Children’s Activities
 Group parties such as ice cream, pool, pizza, picnics
 Job for a day such as principal, firefighter, veterinarian, police
 Parents night out or babysitting services
 Children’s photo session
 Children’s lessons such as ballet, gymnastics, music
Travel
 Vacation homes
 Airline tickets or points
 Hotel accommodations
 Ski or golf packages
Event/Attraction Tickets
 Sports (professional or college)
 Performing Arts (symphony, opera, theatre, concerts, dinner theatre)
 Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo, Downtown Aquarium, Six Flags Elitch Gardens
Gift Certificates
 Restaurants
 Movies
 Retail (department stores, boutiques, electronics, home)
 Car wash or detailing
Adult Outings/Parties
 Adult lessons such as golf, tennis, ski, snowboard, fly fishing
 Round of golf
 Hot air balloon ride
 Theme parties such as martini, French wine and cheese, Mexican fiesta, Chinese dinner,
dessert
Services
 Botox from local dermatologist
 Lasik eye surgery
 Architecture, interior design, landscaping
 Spas, salons
Sports
 Signed memorabilia
 Meet players or coaches
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PART 6. ROOM PARENT CHECKLIST
Beginning of Year Checklist
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Meet with the teacher and gather parent contact information
Meet with Co-Room Parent and divide responsibilities
Collect missing contact information
Set up optional web tools i.e. Shutterfly/Yahoo/Picasa/Facebook
Contact new families
Send out introductory letter
Plan an optional all family get-together for the class
Send out class updates
Create and post a wish list and volunteer schedule
Ask questions whenever you need to, and HAVE FUN!
Checklist to Go Over With Teachers
1. Collect class contact information
2. Ask about class projects Gala, Francophonie week, Chinese New Year, Carnival etc.
3. Ask how he/she handles class snacks sign up, rotating or no class snacks, field trips
and who organizes the chaperones etc.
4. Ask the teacher if they have a wish list for the class.
5. Ask the teacher if they would like you to get volunteers to make or do projects.
6. Ask the teacher about her/his favorite food, color, place to eat, dessert, restaurant, way to
relax, stores to shop. Get to know them! This will help with all sorts of things all year!
7. Ask how the teacher will handle birthday parties
8. Ask which holidays will be celebrated and how (i.e. class party with or without parents,
volunteers needed, type of food etc…) For the immersion classes, ask the English
teacher as well (grades 1-5 only) Examples:
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Winter Holiday Party
PJ Day
Chinese New Year
Valentine’s Day
Francophone Week
Carnival/Mardi Gras
Mother’s Day
End of Year Party
Thank you for volunteering as a Room Parent at DMIS!
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PART 7. 2013-2014 SCHOOL/PTO EVENTS
DMIS Community Support and Social Event Calendar
Dates and events are subject to change. View current calendar online www.dmischool.com.
Grocery Cards (cards distribution TBD, year round): Cards will be distributed at the
beginning of the year to each family who would like one. Your can use this card throughout
the year and reload it at your local store. Every time you load money onto the card, 5% will
come back to DMIS. Please check with the office if you or a parent from your class would like
a card.
Pizza Friday (ongoing): Purchase pizza on Fridays for your child/children and the proceeds
go into the general PTO fund. Order pizza via the regular hot lunch website.
Box Tops for Education (deadlines throughout the year): During the year, be sure to
collect the Box Tops for Education logos off cereal boxes, Kleenex and other items. Turn them
in to DMIS and monies earned will be directed to the classrooms.
Original Works Art Projects (deadline TBD): Each child will create an image in class. This
image will then be available for parents to purchase on items such as t-shirts, mugs, towels
and note cards. These items make great holiday gifts for parents and grandparents. Profits
are given to each classroom.
Usborne Book Fair (Typically held in Spring): Support DMIS by purchasing books for your
children or as gifts. DMIS receives books for the teachers and library based on the amount
raised at the fair.
Night of the Tales (September 2013): Join DMIS teachers for an enchanting evening of
storytelling in English, Spanish, French and Mandarin. Students and their families are
encouraged to participate in the animation of stories from around the globe. Held in Wash
Park.
World Tea Fair (January 2013): The DMIS community celebrates tea, the world’s drink. Learn
more about other cultures and this healthy, aromatic drink from tea experts. Sample an array
of teas and teatime treats.
Talent Show (March 2013): DMIS students from all grades are welcome to share their talents
with the school community. Auditions/act preview take place several weeks in advance of the
show date.
Gala (April 2013): Attend this gala dinner and silent auction to show your support of the
school while enjoying a classy evening out.
International Bash (June 2013): Bring friends, family and neighbors to this festive outdoor
event at DMIS. There will be activities for all ages as well as vendor booths.
 More fundraising details will be provided by the PTO throughout the year as needed
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PART 8: 2013-2014 PTO COMMITTEES, BOARD AND SCHOOL
CONTACT LIST
Morning Minglings
Average time commitment 9-20hrs. Plan, set-up, and clean up for monthly Morning Minglings usually
the first Friday of the month. Volunteers are needed to ensure teachers get their coffee and set out
breakfast treats for parents.
Staff Appreciation Committee
Average time commitment 10-20hrs. This committee helps with conference luncheons, Christmas
and birthday recognition, and other staff appreciation events.
Dad’s Group
Average time commitment 5-10hrs. Help with small tasks around school, such as moving, hauling,
creating sand box, and other odds & ends jobs.
Community Service Committee
Average time commitment 10-20hrs. This committee works with the IB students and local non-profits
working to help the environment, children, the elderly, and the community as a whole.
Fundraising:
Box Tops for Education
Average time commitment 3-5hrs. Collect and count box tops and mail once in October and again in
February. This can be done from home.
Fall Book Fair
Average time commitment 5-10hrs. The Fair is not scheduled yet. May be off-site.
Original Works
Average time commitment 5-7hrs. Entails distribution of forms in October and Distribution of products
in December.
Usborne Book Fair
Average time commitment 5-10hrs. This is scheduled for the Spring. We need people to work with the
Usborne rep. and to set-up fair and oversee book sales.
Yearbook
Average time commitment 3-10hrs. We need creative parents to help with yearbook layouts. We also
need photographer for special days such as Valentine’s Day, Spirit Week, and PJ Day.
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EVENTS:
Night of the Tales
Average time commitment 5-10hrs. Held at the end of September. We need volunteers to set up
signage, maps, some lights, and information booth.
World Tea Fair Committee
Average time commitment 15-30hrs. This event is scheduled for the last Sunday in January to
coincide with the DMIS Open House. Sign up to help plan, set-up, or work this event. This committee
will plan, budget, and organize the World Tea Fair, scheduled to take place at the end of January.
This involves recruiting hosts for each country represented, selling tickets, marketing the event,
creating “passports” for attendees, and recruiting volunteers to set-up, clean-up, and oversee the
event. This committee is for you if you have excellent management and organizational skills, or would
like to be part of our exciting international celebration!
Talent Show
Average time commitment 15-30hrs. This event takes place in the Fall. Sign-up to help plan, set-up,
or work this event. This committee will be responsible for planning, budgeting, and hosting the DMIS
Talent Show, scheduled to take place in the Fall. This will include recruiting and scheduling student
acts, promoting the event and recruiting and organizing parent volunteers for set-up, clean-up and to
oversee the event. This event has been a growing success at DMIS and fun for all of our families! If
you have good organization skills and would like to help out, this is the committee for you.
Gala
Average time commitment 15-30hrs. Anything from physical planning to securing items for the silent
auction, from programs and advertising to coordinating volunteers and much more. (this is not a PTO
event). This committee is in charge of planning and implementing the annual Gala Fundraiser held in
the Spring. Committee members will work on all aspects of the event, advertising, programs,
securing silent auction/live auction items, physical planning, registration, volunteer coordination and
much more.
International Bash Chair
Average time commitment 20-40hrs. If you like to lead events, this is the position for you. The Bash
needs someone to oversee and organized food, activities, and logistics. Sign up now to help plan the
2014 International Bash. Food, activities, logistics and many more areas need your help. Sign up for
working the day of the event will be posted much closer to the event. This committee is responsible
for planning, budgeting, organizing, promoting and implementing the International Bash in June. This
event is one that DMIS families look forward to all year! In order to put on this event, several subcommittees are formed for: Entertainment, Food & drink, Marketing & PR, Games & rides, Finance &
ticket sales, Set-up & breakdown, etc. Come and join the fun and let us know which subcommittee fits
your interests and talents!
Please see link listed below for a complete school calendar with all event dates:
http://www.dmischool.com/for-dmis-families/parent-calendar/
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Appendix 2013-2014
School Administration Responsibilities and Contact Information
DMIS Main phone number: (303) 340-DMIS (3647)
E-mail Address: info@dmischool.com
Website: www.dmischool.com
Development Director – Adam Sexton, adam.sexton@dmischool.com
Head of School – François Penalver, francois.penalver@dmischool.com
• Contact for all curriculum and teacher issues
• Contact for disciplinary concerns, school policies, security questions
• French government scholarships and official communications
• Student academic performance and records
Director of Early Childhood Education – Carrie Joe, carrie.joe@dmischool.com
• Contact for early childhood classroom, teacher, or student related issues
Director of Administration & Finance – Lori Pacheco, lori.pacheco@dmischool.com
• Request DMIS financial aid information
• Organizing fundraising and development efforts
• Liaison between school staff and PTO
Finance Manager – Laura Shulda, laura.shulda@dmischool.com
• Contact about DMIS financial account
Admissions and Extended Day Program Coordinator – Mieke Bushhouse,
mieke.bushhouse@dmischool.com
• Contact for school visits and enrollment
• Questions regarding school programs, extended day programs, lunches and bus service
• To report a change of address, work, phone, e-mail, etc.
• School newsletter (including announcements) and Friday folder information
• Work bond projects and volunteering at the school
• Student administrative files (including medical records, authorizations for field trips, and
emergency contact information)
Marketing and Communications Manager – Jenny Clawson, Jenny.Clawson@dmischool.com
• Contact with any questions regarding school events, internal or external communications, website
updates, community outreach, or master calendar revisions.
Information Technology Facilitator - Bruce McCormick can be reached at
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bruce.mccormick@dmischool.com.
Director of Camps – Manu Bidan, manu@dmischool.com
• Contact for questions regarding summer camps
English Program Coordinator/Middle School IB Coordinator – Hope Forgey,
Hope.forgey@dmischool.com
• Contact with any questions regarding the English curriculum & teachers, or the middle school.
Mandarin Program Coordinator – Yun Doyle, yun.doyle@dmischool.com
• Contact with any questions regarding the Mandarin program curriculum or
questions/concerns with the Mandarin program teachers.
French Program Coordinator – Edith Riedel, edith.riedel@dmischool.com
• Contact with any questions regarding the French program curriculum or
questions/concerns with the French program teachers.
Spanish Program Coordinator – Luis Diaz, luis.diaz@dmischool.com
• Contact with any questions regarding the Spanish program curriculum or
questions/concerns with the Spanish program teachers.
Field Trip Ideas
The following is a list of ideas for field trips. Many teachers have an agenda of field trips that
they like to follow. Sometimes Room Parents are invited to suggest trips, so the following list
may be useful. As the actual times and programs available will vary, please consult each
individual organization for the latest calendar and details.
 The Denver Art Museum
 Denver Center for the Perfoming Arts
 Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
 The Wildlife Experience
 Swallow Hill Music Association
 Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
 Butterfly Pavillion
 The Hudson Gardens & Event Center
 Colorado Symphony
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 Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
 Colorado Mountain Club
 Lakewood’s Heritage Center
 Children’s Museum Denver
 Denver Puppet Theater
 Denver Botanic Gardens
 Anderson Farms
 Cottonwood Farms
 The Colorado Ballet
 The Denver Mint
 The Denver Zoo
 Denver Museum of Nature & Science
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