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Arts Street finds home at DCIS at Montbello

Mon, 23 May 2011 06:00:00 GMT

DCIS at Montbello is home to some of the world's most promising future workers and community leaders -- many of whom know the joys of hanging out at Arts Street.

Founded in 1995 to help at-risk youth channel their artistic talents, creative ideas and natural curiosity into real-world work experience and limitless professional opportunities, Arts Street is nationally recognized as one of the best after-school arts programs in the United States.

And now it's calling DCIS at Montbello home. The organization has been awarded dedicated space on our campus for its operations and outstanding workshops, which are designed for students ages 4-18. Our school's mission aligns with Arts Street's exuberant tagline: "Creative kids today. Smart workforce tomorrow!"

"The world's biggest challenges will be solved by creative thinkers," said Arts Street founder and Chief Executive Officer Stella Yu, who has worked for decades in art education and as the owner of "To unleash that creativity, we must care for young people. We must nurture them. We must inspire them. We must expose them to exercises and activities that teach discipline, work ethic and practical skills -- all things that will serve them and their communities well."

DCIS at Montbello students are invited -- and highly encouraged -- to participate in Arts Street's after-school programs, which are offered at no cost or low cost. Programming for students ages 11-18 emphasizes hands-on work in cognitive media, data visualization, digital theater and global communications. The organization's "Team Jobs" program is designed for students ages 14-18. Participating youth work as apprentices to professionals and are sometimes paid to complete projects -- such as the construction of public art installations -- that give them both real-world job experience and a sense of the satisfaction that comes from employment and community service.

Find Arts Street's latest program schedule here .

Keeping kids safe this summer

Mon, 23 May 2011 06:00:00 GMT

To reduce kids’ chances of becoming the victims of crime and violence, Denver Police officers are stepping up their enforcement of citywide curfews until Sept. 25.

Denver’s curfew ordinance requires youth 17 years old and younger to be off the streets from midnight to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, youth found in violation of the city’s curfew ordinances will be ticketed and taken to the SafeNite Curfew Site at Denver Police District One Station, 1311 W. 48th Ave. Parents and legal guardians of youth found in violation of the Denver ordinance also may be cited for allowing those youth to violate the ordinance. There are some exceptions to the ordinance:

Youth who are in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel
Youth who are going to or from work without any detour or stop
Youth in the custody of, and accompanied by, an adult, only if the youth has a note signed by his or her parent or guardian that is dated for that night. The note must clearly state that the youth has permission to be in the company of a specific adult
Youth in the company of their parent or legal guardian.

Have questions? Contact Tiffany Vu of the Denver Safe City Office at 720-913-4619, or Lt. Magen Dodge of the Denver Police Department at 720-913-6717.

Fix-it skills needed

Mon, 23 May 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Green Valley Ranch’s Metropolitan District is working to launch a volunteer “fix-it” program that would assist seniors and others in the neighborhood who need small household repairs.

This could be a good fit for DCIS at Montbello students looking for ways to serve their community.

Contact: LaVatta Murray, manager of community programs for Green Valley Ranch Metropolitan District, 303-307-3240

See the world in a day - from Denver

Thu, 12 May 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Want to get to know other Denver-area families who share your passion for globally focused studies, intercultural understanding and multilingualism? Then consider taking your family and friends to Denver Montclair International School’s 5th Annual International Bash.

This is a fun day of music and dance; carnival games and rides; arts and crafts and good food from Chinese, English, French and Spanish-speaking cultures.

It’s also a great chance to meet new people.

Admission is free, although small fees are associated with the purchase of food and some activities.

When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sat., June 4
Where: Denver Montclair International School, 206 Red Cross Way, Denver

Principal Sharp is actually pretty sharp

Wed, 11 May 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Pssssst! Hey, students. Want to know how to impress Trent Sharp, the principal of DCIS at Montbello?

Here goes:

Be excited about learning and passionate about using what you've learned to make a positive difference in the world.

OK, so that might be more difficult than it sounds -- but Mr. Sharp is convinced you can do it because you are, after all, a DCIS at Montbello student. You've been selected to attend this innovative and internationally minded school because you've demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a desire to know more -- much, much more -- about our world and how you can help serve and lead it.

Mr. Sharp knows a thing or two about leadership. He arrived in Denver in 2010 from Austin, Texas, where he worked for a decade as a teacher and education administrator for the Austin Independent School District. During his time there, Mr. Sharp co-founded an administrative office that focused exclusively on creating new, innovative schools much like DCIS at Montbello, and on improving college-preparation systems at every high school in that district. He and his team in Texas raised more than $30 million to support the work of more than 3,000 teachers, 35,000 students and the openings of more than a dozen new schools focused on international studies and 21st century technologies.

But you know the number Mr. Sharp is especially proud of? It's 100 -- as in 100 percent of the students he instructed while working as a teacher at a high school in Austin were accepted to four-year colleges or universities.

Now Mr. Sharp is living in Denver with his wife and two children because he wants to help you set worthy goals and achieve them.

At DCIS at Montbello, you'll get opportunities to travel. You'll learn new languages. You'll know the personal rewards that come from public service. And you'll be prepared to succeed in college, career and life.

Recently, Mr. Sharp answered some questions about himself so you can see that he's not a stuffy school principal.

What's your favorite kind of music and why? I love all kinds of music, including hip hop, rock and roll, classical, techno, French cafe music and jazz from the United States and Latin America. Music transports me to different times, countries and cultures, which makes me very, very happy.
What's your favorite kind of food and why? My wife and I were engaged in Spain, and I am still crazy about Spanish food. I love almost anything served at a tapas restaurant and am particularly crazy about jamon, manchego cheese and olives.
What's your favorite thing to learn about? I love to learn about interesting people who have lived interesting lives. I read books and watch documentaries about artists, inventors, priests, political activists, athletes, architects -- pretty much anyone who has lived life to the fullest and helped others along the way. I'm reading the new Malcolm X biography now and am loving it.
What's your favorite book and why? My favorite book is 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Every page is like walking into a magical painting.
Who would you most like to meet and why? I would love to meet Jackie Robinson just to hear the wonderful and awful stories about breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Frida Kahlo would be a close second because I would like to know more about the arts and political scenes of Mexico City of the 1930s.
What's your favorite hobby? Cooking and traveling are my two favorite hobbies but being a good dad to my children, Sailor and Daisy, and a good husband to my wife, Heather, is my passion.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be, and how would you like to use it? I would love to be able to teleport to faraway places in the blink of an eye. I love traveling, but I'm not a fan of long plane rides.

Mr. Sharp looks forward to getting to know you, too. He invites you to answer the same questions he did and to send your responses to him at trent_sharp@dpsk12.org.

And remember: say hi when you see him around campus or your neighborhood. He'll always be delighted to hear from you.