Falcons Newsletter

As parents, we all want to raise kids who are kind, grateful, and hardworking. But let’s be honest, it’s hard to know sometimes if they’re really hearing us. Are they listening when we talk about kindness or responsibility? Do they really understand how lucky they are?

Here’s what I’ve learned after spending a lot of time with middle schoolers: they don’t always listen to what we say, but they definitely watch what we do. They see how we handle frustration, how we treat people, and how we show appreciation.

If we want them to be kind, they need to see us being kind. If we hope they’ll be thankful, they need to see us saying “thank you.” If we tell them to work hard, they need to see us pushing through when things get tough.

And trust me, I’m no expert on this. I’m learning right alongside you. As a parent, I have that same responsibility to model it in front of my two girls. Every time we show patience, gratitude, or compassion, our kids are learning what it looks like to grow up with heart and character.

These middle school years matter so much. The words we say help, but it’s what they see from us that sticks the most.

Greetings Art Friends! I am Mx. Cummings and this is my 13th year teaching Art at Shaw. I run a TAB program – Teaching for Artistic Behavior. This is a student-directed curriculum that is based on 3 pillars:

1. The Student is the Artist.
2. The Classroom is their Studio.
3. (To learn) We do what Artists do.

The benefit of this style of teaching is that each student gets to learn how to make choices, set goals, follow their interests and set priorities about their own learning. I have seen students at Shaw make some of the most amazing, sophisticated, expressive and fun artwork. We work hard, and take care of our shared studio together. I’m also adding more academic games this year to help reinforce the basic concepts that are the building blocks of a rich creative practice. Ask your art student what they have been learning about, what they are excited to make and what they envision their next project to be. To model growth mindset and nurture my own creative practice I am working on an MFA in Visual Studies. I am excited to finish my thesis show and give my artist talk this summer. It has been a blast to remember what it is like to be the learner in the classroom and my teaching has blossomed because of it.

In addition to running the Art Studio, I also co-host our Stranger Things after school club. This is a place for kids to explore new ideas, expand on their art practice, learn about Japanese language and culture, as well as anime, drama and some role-playing games. Our ultimate goal is that our kids have fun, make strong social connections outside of class and enjoy doing the things they love in a safe environment. If you are interested, please contact me for more information!

Please join us in wishing a very happy birthday to our amazing principal, Mr. Uridil! We appreciate your dedication, leadership, and the positivity you bring to Shaw Heights every day. We hope your day is filled with celebration and joy!

Westminster Public Schools now offers free food boxes for families in need! Each box includes a variety of non-perishable items such as canned meats, fruits, vegetables, cereal, macaroni and cheese, and a few hygiene essentials like toothpaste.

Families can pick up boxes at the Daniel C. Vallez Family Education Center on Tuesdays or Fridays from 2:00–4:00 PM.

Please note that the number of boxes is limited each day, depending on what we receive from our community partners. We will give out all available boxes during each pickup time and continue to work with Community Table to restock for future distributions.

Pickup Location:
Daniel C. Vallez Family Education Center
7125 Mariposa St, Denver, CO 80221

Additionally, families can access food assistance directly through Community Table at their main location:

• 4600 W. 60th Ave, Arvada, CO 80003

Thank you for sharing this information with your school communities and helping connect families to these important resources. Your Community Education Specialists are aware and are also spreading the word to families that may need it.

Below you will find a portion of the information shared last week with the community, for your reference.

Accessing Community Food Resources

We understand that school meals alone may not be enough to bridge the gap left by the temporary end of SNAP benefits. We urge all families in need to utilize the following community resources:

• Community Table: Community Food, resource, and assistance program providing a client-choice food pantry, mobile food services, and a host of human services to promote self-sufficiency for struggling families in the northern Denver metro area, including Westminster
• Client Choice Food Pantry- 4600 W. 60th Ave., Arvada, CO
• Growing Home: A WPS partner within the community, “Growing Home advances access to food, housing, parenting education, and lifelong stability to create lasting change for the future”
• Food Pantry- 3489 West 72nd Avenue, #112 Westminster, CO 80030
• Dial 2-1-1: Call 2-1-1 or (866) 760-6489 (Mile High United Way's 211 Help Center) or visit www.211colorado.org to find food pantries, assistance programs, and other essential services in your area.
• Food Bank of the Rockies: The Food Bank of the Rockies and its network of Hunger Relief Partners are preparing for increased demand. You can use their online tool to locate a food distribution site near you.
• Adams County Human Services: Adams County is working with community partners to mobilize support. You can find their resources and updates on their official website.
• Adams County Food Resources: Adams County is closely monitoring the federal government shutdown and ensuring our community can access resources and support.
• Hunger Free Colorado: Visit www.hungerfreecolorado.org for their Find Food tool, which provides a comprehensive list of resources.

How You Can Help the WPS Community

This situation creates a critical need for local support, and our community's generosity can make a profound difference. If you are able to help, please consider one of the following actions:

• Financial Donation: Local food banks can purchase food at a significantly lower cost than retail, often stretching every dollar to provide multiple meals. Consider making a monetary donation to organizations that directly support our community:
• Community Table: Donation to the Westminster Public Schools Foundation marked as Food Assistance will be provided directly to Community Table to directly support WPS families
• Food for Hope: This non-profit directly partners with Westminster Public Schools and other local districts to provide nutritional support for students and families.
• Food Bank of the Rockies or Feeding Colorado: These organizations are on the front lines, responding to the massive surge in demand across the state.
• Volunteer Your Time: Our community food banks and pantries rely heavily on volunteers to sort, pack, and distribute food. Check with local organizations like FISH of Westminster or Growing Home for urgent volunteer opportunities.
• Donate to the WPS Foundation: The Westminster Public Schools Foundation maintains an Emergency Benevolent Fund to support students and families with critical, immediate needs beyond just food.

As we pause to reflect, on this Month of November the Shaw Middle School community is filled with immense gratitude. It is a privilege to share this journey with such dedicated students, staff, and families!

Our Gratitude List:

• For Our Inspiring Team:

  • We are thankful for the dedication and passion of our teachers and staff, who inspire us daily.

  • We deeply appreciate the extra effort and caring hearts of the entire Shaw team, who make our school a supportive place.

• For Our Amazing Experiences:

  • We are grateful for the memories we are making together this year.

  • Thankful for the shared laughter in the hallways and the powerful team spirit at events.

• For Growth and Opportunity:

  • We are thankful for the diverse programs and electives that let all our students discover new talents and pursue their passions.

• For Our Essential Partnership:

  • We are most thankful for the strong partnership we share with our families. Your support truly makes a difference in your student's success and in strengthening our community.

We are so grateful to have you as part of the Shaw Middle School family!

For guests who might be “pie-ed out” or looking for something different, this category delivers. You’ll find options like pumpkin cheesecake bars, sweet potato sheet cake with marshmallow frosting, and spiced cookies. Sugar Spun Run+2King Arthur Baking+2

Add fruity brightness with apple-based or cranberry-infused desserts — e.g., an apple crumble pie or a cranberry cake. These lean into harvest-flavors rather than just pumpkin. King Arthur Baking+1
Newsletter note: “A good way to balance out the heaviness of the main feast — lighten up the dessert table.”