St. Elizabeth's K-8 School, Denver, CO

Here are some new faces you might see around campus as well as some familiar faces in new roles. If you haven’t met these new team members make sure to say hello at Curriculum Night!

📷 1: Sara McAfee, Development Manager & Amanda Bissell, Librarian
📷 2: Emily Branam, K–2 Music Teacher & Danielle Corriveau, Middle School Learning Specialist
📷 3: Carletta Cowans, Kindergarten Lead Teacher & Ceci De La Torre, Middle School Spanish Teacher
📷 4: Tory Doerksen, Grades 3–8 Music Teacher & Andrea Floren, First Grade Teaching Associate
📷 5: Hilario Garfio-Sanchez, STEAM Teacher & Brian Jackson, Middle School Social Studies and Grades 4-8 Social Justice
📷 6: Destiny Jones, Third Grade Lead Teacher & Tyler B. Matlock, Kindergarten Teaching Associate
📷 7: Ellen Parman, K-3 Literacy Specialist & Erin Rupe, Lower School Learning Specialist
📷 8: Tyler Sabo, Fifth Grade Co-Lead Teacher & Kelsea Taylor, K - 4 Counselor

Our Middle Schhol Kickoff Field Trip to Evergreen Lake was a huge hit! We had a wonderful time getting to know each other and starting the year off with connection.

Not pictured the rain storm. 😂 ☔️

You know that tired you feel after a really great day- that’s the tired we feel now. Full of curiosity and excitement for the rest of the year, proud of how we compassionately moved through the day together, ready to rest.

Here’s to a great new school year, good night’s sleep, and then doing it all over again tomorrow.

Here’s the view from the windows in our two NEW fifth grade classrooms! Construction was recently completed and the teachers are getting moved it. We can’t wait to show you more!

We’re happy to answer any questions you have about an independent school education at St. Elizabeth’s.

Did you know that our school is housed in a building with a rich history? Centennial Hall, our current location on the Mosaic Community Campus, was originally Colorado’s Women’s College from 1909 until it merged with the University of Denver in 1982.

Now, it’s the proud home of St. Elizabeth’s School, our fourth campus since our founding. From our humble beginnings on the Clayton Early Learning Campus to our growth at the Ga***rd location, we’ve come a long way! Here’s to honoring the past and embracing the future in this historic space.

Here are some fun and easy science experiments that children can do at home. These experiments are not only fun, but also educational, allowing children to learn about scientific concepts like chemical reactions, density, and surface tension in a hands-on way!

Before you set out to do each experiment we suggest explaining the experiment to your child and asking them what they predict will happen. Remember the good old scientific method? After performing the experiment together, talk through what actually happened in relation to what your prediction was.

🌈Rainbow in a Jar: Fill a glass jar with water and carefully layer different colors of food coloring on top of each other. Then, slowly add oil to the jar. Watch as the colors mix and create a rainbow effect!

🌋Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano: Create a small volcano using modeling clay or playdough. Fill it with baking soda, then pour vinegar into the crater. Watch as the mixture erupts like a real volcano!

🧪Homemade Slime: Mix together equal parts of glue and liquid starch, then add food coloring if desired. Stir until the mixture forms slime, then knead it with your hands until it reaches the desired consistency.

Our campus is buzzing with energy as we kick off another incredible summer with Steve & Kate's Camp!

For the 3rd year in a row, we're thrilled to host a camp that celebrates creativity, exploration, and FUN. From coding to baking, filmmaking to sports, campers are diving into a world of endless possibilities.

Stay tuned for updates and glimpses into the amazing adventures happening right here at St. Elizabeth's School!

As we celebrate Independence Day, we recognize that this holiday has a complex history that includes both triumph and struggle. While we honor the ideals of freedom and independence upon which our nation was founded, we also acknowledge the need to confront the injustices and inequalities that have persisted throughout our history.

Today, let us come together to reflect on the values of equality, justice, and unity that unite us as a community. May this July 4th be a reminder of our shared commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Wishing you a safe and joyful Independence Day!

Summer is a time for learning! Our Director of Admissions and Engagement, Jamika McNally, recently attended the AISAP Annual Institute in Salt Lake City. This event was an amazing opportunity to connect with admissions professionals from around the world.

Jamika gained valuable insights into:
• Distinctive marketing messages
• Enrollment planning
• Collaborating with faculty
• Sustainability of independent schools
• Exploring AI tools
• Event ideation and much more!

We’re so excited about the new ideas and strategies she’s bringing back to our team at St. Elizabeth’s School!

Summer Reading Recs from Ms. Bissel in the library

Picture Books
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade, by Justin Roberts, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Even the smallest among us can make a difference!

Middle Grade (8-12 years)
The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor, by Aubrey Hartman. It’s about the importance of stories in our lives.

Chapter Books
Anna Hibiscus, by Atinuke. Anna lives with her family in Nigeria, and goes on several charming adventures in her first book. There are currently 7 titles in the series.

Rising 6th Graders:
Required Novel: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Rising 7th Graders:
Required Novel: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Rising 8th Graders:
Required Novel: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Today, we join millions around the nation in celebrating Juneteenth, a day that holds profound significance in the journey towards freedom and equality for all. At St. E’s, Juneteenth is not just a day on the calendar; it’s an essential part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States on June 19, 1865. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and a celebration of the resilience and strength of the Black community.

As an intentionally inclusive Episcopal school, we honor Juneteenth by fostering a learning environment that embraces diversity, celebrates cultural heritage, and promotes social justice. We recognize the importance of acknowledging and confronting the injustices of the past while working towards a future where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

Today, and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a community where every voice is heard, every story is valued, and every individual is empowered to thrive. Happy Juneteenth!

Three days later and we’re still so proud of our recent graduates we could burst! Here are just a few photos from that special day!

Field Day 2024!
We had the best time playing on our color teams! Teamwork, sunshine, and giggles made for a great day celebrating our year together.

We had a fantastic time yesterday in the library with author Carol Marra! She visited and did a special reading of her book, *How Tori Got Her Wings,* for each lower school class.

The students were captivated by her storytelling and the beautiful message of the book. Thank you, Carol, for sharing your wonderful story with us!

A few weeks ago, our Girls on the Run chapter participated in the Girls on the Run 5K at City Park. The event is part of the Colfax Marathon- it was an incredible experience!

The sun was shining and our girls ran like champions! Every step they took was filled with determination, joy, and the spirit of teamwork. We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work and dedication.

Here’s to many more races and empowering experiences!

Our eighth graders are off on their end of the year adventure of rock climbing, rafting, and camping!

Our 5th graders had an incredible overnight trip to Cal-Wood Education Center last week! They spent their time exploring the great outdoors, learning about nature, and building strong bonds with their classmates. From hiking and team-building activities to stargazing and campfire stories, this trip was filled with unforgettable experiences and personal growth. We’re so proud of our adventurous students!

Last week our incoming middle schoolers had the chance to hang out with our current middle schoolers at an ice cream social planned just for them. While the kids played parents and caregivers formed their own connections.

Our students shown SO BRIGHT last week at the annual Spring Showcase. Thanks to Mr. Ben, artwork from every student was displayed. Each grade level and our choir gave exciting performances thanks to Pastor Tory and Emily Branam. It was an unforgettable night that we’re still thinking about!

We’re getting ready for the Spring Showcase!

Our choir students got the opportunity to perform with recently and they were FANTASTIC! We’re so proud of them!

Today our middle schoolers got to try on some gear during another career day presentation. Thanks for coming out and sharing about your profession with us!

This Saturday we’ll be at Denver’s Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park! Come find us in the Colfax Vendor section and say hello!

Congratulations to our talented Royal Hawks Dance Team on their recent performance! Their dedication, teamwork, and passion for dance were on full display, and we couldn’t be prouder of their incredible performance! Let’s give a round of applause to these amazing dancers for their hard work and commitment to excellence.

Redevelopment of Denver’s former Johnson & Wales campus brings “once-in-a-generation opportunity” A nonprofit group’s conversion of the former Johnson & Wales University campus in east Denver is quickly taking shape, with affordable housing opening soon while a school, a cafe and job …

Come watch our amazing St. Elizabeth’s choir students perform with tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.

This free concert will be held at Park Church (3025 W 37th Ave.). Doors open at 3:30!

We’re kicking off our testing season with some important assessments to help track our students’ progress.

Here’s what you need to know:
• All K-4th graders will be taking AIMSWebPlus benchmark tests.
• All 5th-8th graders will be taking MAP benchmark tests.

Thank you for partnering with us to support our students during this important time!

Our 7th graders had an inspiring Career Day last Friday! They had the privilege of meeting professionals from various fields:

Cliff Lyons – Business Owner
Rachel Lacey – Therapist
Emily Branam – Communications Specialist
Jamika McNally – Director of Admissions

Our students didn’t just listen; they engaged with insightful questions, showing their curiosity and eagerness to learn. Way to go, 7th graders and a big thank you to Ms. Poulsen for organizing these visits!

We are thrilled to announce that our Lower Head of School, Amber Hornbacher, has been selected for the planning committee for the 2024 People of Color Conference (PoCC)!

The NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) stands as a beacon of equity and justice in teaching, learning, and organizational development within independent schools. This conference provides a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies across independent schools nationwide.
With over 100 workshops, seminars, and master classes exploring diverse experiences, PoCC equips educators at every level with new knowledge and skills to enhance the in*******al, interethnic, and intercultural climate in schools. Participants, including teachers, administrators, and trustees, leave inspired and empowered to drive positive change in their communities.

Ms H. brings to the planning committee 14 years of dedicated teaching experience across diverse educational settings. Her commitment to empowering students and fostering inclusive learning environments aligns perfectly with PoCC’s mission. We are confident that her perspective and expertise will greatly contribute to the success of the conference.

Please join us in congratulating Ms H. on this incredible achievement!

Lots to celebrate today.

Meet our incredible kindergarten teacher, Jessica Krueger! Miss Jessica graduated cm laude from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a BA in psychology, specializing in Early Childhood Education. She’s dedicated to teaching young children. As a parent of two St. Elizabeth’s graduates, Miss Jessica embodies our school’s mission and brings her passion for education to the classroom every day.

In kindergarten, students are working on exciting projects across different subjects:
• In math, they’re using unifix cubes to create combinations of 5-10 and writing equations to match them. They’re also learning about various measuring tools and what they measure, including length, weight, temperature, and capacity. Each day, they practice counting by tens and ones to track how many days they’ve been in school—133 and counting!
• In literacy, the class is mastering heart words and honing their reading comprehension skills by retelling stories in sequential order, focusing on characters, settings, problems, and solutions. They’re also learning to write about their favorite parts of the stories they read. This week’s text is *The Dot* by Peter Reynolds, following recent favorites *Knuffle Bunny* and *Knuffle Bunny Too* by Mo Willems. Next week, they’ll dive into *Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones* by Ruth Heller.
• In science, the kindergarteners are exploring the life cycles of ladybugs and chickens! They have ladybug larvae and chicken eggs hatching in the classroom. Plus, they’re going on a field trip to the zoo!

Miss Jessica’s enthusiasm for teaching is evident in her students’ curiosity and joy for learning. We are grateful for her dedication and commitment to our students!

Meet our amazing 1st grade teacher, Alexandra Meallet!

Ms. Meallet is a UC Santa Barbara graduate with a BA in Linguistics and Global Studies and an Orton-Gillingham literacy certification. Before joining St. Elizabeth’s, she honed her teaching skills at Stanley British Primary School as part of the Public Education and Business Coalition’s (PEBC) Teacher Residency Program.

In her 1st grade classroom, Ms. Meallet inspires her students with engaging lessons in literacy, math, social studies, and science. They recently finished writing personal narratives and a fun unit on the solar system! Now, they’re learning about the Magic E in reading—ask them about it! In math, they’re forming quilts with shapes to explore geometry.

Outside the classroom, you might catch Ms. Meallet hiking, doing yoga, or talking shop with her mom—a lifelong educator. We’re grateful for her dedication to our students and school!

Recently, 7th-grade student Ellie Donovan had the incredible opportunity to testify on behalf of Colorado Senate Bill 24-014. After several hours of discussion and testimony, the bill passed the Senate! The bill will now move to the House Education Committee and House Appropriations Committee for approval before Governor Polis signs it for adoption.

Bill 24-014 (or SB Awesome, as Ellie referred to it in her testimony!) provides a path for high school students to learn about climate-related issues outside of the classroom. In conjunction with their high school teachers, students can pursue activities and projects that are of interest to them and relevant to their communities. In the process, they will earn a Seal of Climate Literacy, a seal of distinction that will surely benefit them as they pursue higher education and future careers.

What would you choose to study?