Weekly Update 8/23/2026

🌎 Hello International School at Harris Park Families!

We had another wonderful week together! Students are settling into routines, building relationships, growing in independence, and showing us what it means to Choose to Be B.R.I.G.H.T.

Thank you for continuing to support strong attendance, on-time arrival, and safe and efficient dismissal. We appreciate your patience and partnership as our new school community continues to learn and grow together.

We truly love having your children with us each day and are excited about the year ahead!

⚽ Colorado Rapids Attendance Reward!

Every minute matters at school! To celebrate strong attendance, we have partnered with the Colorado Rapids to reward our students.

• The Goal: Achieve 95% attendance or better.

• The Dates: We are looking at attendance from August 12 through September 12.

• The Reward: Eligible students will receive a free ticket to any Colorado Rapids home game for the rest of the season!

📆 Early Release Monday – Tomorrow, August 24

Every Monday is an Early Release Day at the International School at Harris Park. School ends at 1:30 PM for ALL students, PK–6. Please plan ahead and arrive promptly for pick-up.

🧠🍎 Brain-Friendly Food = Energy for Learning!

What students eat and drink during the school day can make a difference in their energy, focus, and readiness to learn.

We encourage families to send brain-friendly foods that provide sustained energy throughout the day. Foods with protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious choices can help students stay fueled and ready to learn.

A few important reminders:

• 🚫 Please do not send candy or gum to school.
• 🥤 Please do not send soda, energy drinks, caffeinated beverages, or sugary drinks.
• 💧 Water bottles should contain water only.
• 🥨 Chips and similar snacks should be in single-serving size bags only. Please do not send large or family-size bags.
• 🚫 Students should not share food, drinks, or snacks with other students. This is especially important because of food allergies.

We know that some prepackaged lunches, such as Lunchables, may come with a small piece of candy or another sweet treat. This is not a big deal! If one comes to school, we will simply ask your child to put it in their backpack and save it for after school. If possible, we appreciate families removing the candy before sending the lunch to school.

Our goal is not to police lunches—it is to help students develop healthy habits and choose foods and drinks that keep their brains and bodies fueled for a full day of learning.

Thank you for partnering with us!

🚗 Arrival & Dismissal – Thank You!

Our students are doing a fantastic job with Hug 'n' Go, and we appreciate families helping them build independence each morning.

A few reminders:

• Students may enter the building beginning at 7:15 AM.
• School begins promptly at 7:25 AM.
• Please have your Driveline number visible and ready at dismissal.
• Families picking up students in Grades 1–6 from the back should remain at the fence line and provide their Driveline number to a staff member.
• Preschool and Kindergarten families may walk up to the building for dismissal.
• Please use sidewalks and crosswalks and never walk through active drop-off or pick-up lanes.

🚗 Safety First – Please Slow Down

Please continue to drive slowly and carefully around our school, especially along 74th Avenue, 75th Avenue, and Winona Court.

Come to a complete stop at the four-way stop at Winona Court and 75th Avenue, watch carefully for pedestrians, and follow staff directions during dismissal.

A few extra minutes of patience can make an enormous difference in keeping our students, families, staff, and neighbors safe.

⏰ Every Minute Matters

Thank you for getting students to school on time each morning. Students who arrive by 7:25 AM are able to begin the day with their classmates, participate in morning routines, and start learning without missing important instruction.

If your family is experiencing a challenge that is making regular or on-time attendance difficult, please reach out. We want to partner with you and help.

💙 Thank You, Families!

Thank you for the kindness, patience, and support you continue to show our students and staff.

Each day, International School at Harris Park feels a little more like the community we envisioned—one where students feel known, valued, challenged, supported, and proud to belong. We are grateful to build it alongside you.

Have a wonderful week!

With love,

Mrs. Mills (Richey)

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Easy access at your fingertips!

Picture day information, online ordering, and our customer advocate teams are all at your fingertips. Scan the QR code of visit mydorian.com, search for our school, and click on the green "Order" button or yellow "Help" button associated with our picture day.

You can order online now and up to 4 days after picture day.

Here are some helpful tips to make picture day great!

Wear simple clothing. Solid shirts or small patterns, along with sleeves, photograph best. A simple collared shirt is a timeless classic.

Avoid logos and text on clothing. Graphics or wording may not photograph completely and can become partially cropped out of your picture.

Dear International School at Harris Park Families,

Westminster Public Schools has adopted a new “Bell-to-Bell” Personal Communication Device Policy that will begin during the 2026–2027 school year. This policy is designed to protect instructional time, reduce distractions, support student well-being, and help create focused learning environments for all students.

Under this new district policy, students may not access or use personal communication devices during the school day from the first bell to the final dismissal bell. This includes devices such as:

• Cell phones
• Smartwatches
• Earbuds and headphones connected to personal devices
• Tablets and gaming devices with communication capabilities

District-issued devices used for learning are still permitted for instructional purposes.

At IS@HP, this policy will not create major changes to our current practices, as limiting personal device use during the school day has already been our long-standing expectation. We believe strong relationships, engagement, play, conversation, collaboration, and focused learning are essential for student success. This policy supports our continued commitment to creating calm, connected, learner-centered classrooms where students can fully participate in their learning and relationships with others.

We know families may have questions about communication during the school day. If you need to contact your child during school hours, please call our main office, and we will ensure messages are delivered promptly. Likewise, if your child needs to contact you, we will support them through the office.

Thank you for your partnership and continued support as we work together to provide the best possible learning environment for all students.

Warmly,

Mrs. Mills

As families begin back-to-school shopping, please use our district’s student dress guidelines to help your child choose clothing that is comfortable, safe, and appropriate for learning. These expectations apply to all students and are designed to support a positive school environment for everyone.

When shopping for school clothes, please keep the following in mind:

• Shirts should fully cover the chest, stomach, back, and sides.
• Tank top straps should be at least 1 inch wide.
• Pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, and athletic wear should fully cover undergarments, the buttocks, and upper thighs.
• All undergarments should remain fully covered by clothing.
• Clothing should not be see-through or mesh in areas that reveal private areas or undergarments.
• Crop tops, bralettes worn as tops, unbuttoned shirts that expose the torso, and sagging pants that expose undergarments are not permitted.
• Clothing may not include images or messages related to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, weapons, hate speech, profanity, or inappropriate language/images.
• Hats and hoodies should not be worn indoors unless approved for medical, religious, or cultural reasons.
• Clothing and accessories should be safe for school activities and should not include spikes, chains, or other items that could cause injury.

Students may wear clothing that reflects their personal style, culture, and gender identity, as long as it follows district guidelines. Religious and cultural head coverings are always permitted.

Please remember that final decisions regarding attire are made by school administrators and will consider safety, context, and student intent. Thank you for partnering with us to help students come to school ready to learn each day!

Westminster Public Schools provides free bus transportation for eligible students. Generally, students who live more than one mile from their assigned elementary school or more than one and a half miles from their assigned middle or high school may qualify for transportation services.

Because transportation routes and staffing can change from year to year, transportation services are not guaranteed for all eligible students. Families are encouraged to register as early as possible.

🚍 Traditional Bus Transportation

Families interested in traditional bus transportation should complete the Bus Rider Registration Form on the Westminster Public Schools Transportation website as soon as possible.

After registering, transportation information will be available in Infinite Campus later this summer. Families may see one of several transportation statuses, including a route assignment, walk zone designation, waitlist status, or a registration currently under review.

All bus riders are required to have a valid student ID and must scan on and off the bus each day.

🌎 Special Transportation Option: WAIS Pick Up Location

Families interested in having their child picked up and dropped off at the former Westminster Academy of International Studies (WAIS) building should not complete the Bus Rider Registration Form at this time.

Instead, please contact us directly so we can create a list of interested families.

📍 Westminster Academy of International Studies (WAIS)

7482 Irving Street

Westminster, CO 80030

Please let us know if you are interested by:

📧 Email: nmills@wps.org

📞 Phone: 303-428-1721

We are currently gathering information from families interested in this transportation option and will communicate additional details as they become available.

🚦 Important Transportation Notes

• Transportation availability depends on route capacity and staffing.
• Students on a waitlist may not begin riding until a seat becomes available.
• Students must be assigned to a route and appear on the driver's roster before using district transportation services.
• Families are encouraged to make alternate transportation arrangements until transportation assignments are confirmed.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as Westminster Public Schools continues working to provide safe and reliable transportation for students.

📢 Stay Connected

It is important that we have current contact information for every parent and guardian. Throughout the year, we use phone calls, emails, newsletters, ClassDojo, and Infinite Campus to share important information and celebrate student success.

If your phone number, email address, home address, or emergency contacts change, please update your information as soon as possible.

The easiest way to update your information is through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you need assistance accessing your account, please call our office at 303-428-1721. We are happy to help with usernames, passwords, and account access.

🕰️ School Hours

📞 Office Hours: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM

🏫 Student Arrival: Students may enter the building beginning at 7:15 AM.

Student Arrival Window: 7:15–7:25 AM

🗓️ Student Schedule

Every Monday (PK–6)
⏰ 7:25 AM–1:30 PM

Every Monday is an Early Release Day—great for scheduling appointments!

Tuesday–Friday Preschool (PK)
⏰ 7:25 AM–1:40 PM

Tuesday–Friday Kindergarten–6th Grade
⏰ 7:25 AM–2:40 PM

⏰ Tardy Policy

Arriving on time helps students start the day successfully and maximizes learning opportunities.

Students should arrive between 7:15 AM and 7:25 AM each day.

If your child arrives late:

• An adult must accompany them to the front entrance.
• Ring the doorbell and a staff member will check your child into school.
• Preschool students must be signed in directly by their preschool teacher.

Please note that, under Colorado attendance guidelines, tardies count toward a student's overall attendance record.

🍎 Free Breakfast for All Students

Breakfast is available free of charge to every student each morning beginning at 7:15 AM and is served in classrooms.

Please complete the Free & Reduced Meal Benefit Application each year. Even if your child receives free meals, completing the application helps our school qualify for important funding and services that support students and families.

The safety of our students, families, and staff is our highest priority. Our arrival and dismissal procedures are designed to keep traffic moving efficiently while ensuring every student arrives and departs safely.

💙 Hug 'n' Go

We encourage families to use our Hug 'n' Go system whenever possible. Give your child a hug at the car and allow them to enter the building independently. Learning to enter the building independently helps students build confidence, responsibility, and ownership of their school community.

Families should remain in their vehicles during drop-off and pick-up unless they are parking and walking a student to the designated arrival area.

Never walk through the Hug 'n' Go lane, pick-up lane, or parking lot. Please use designated sidewalks and crosswalks at all times.

⏰ Arrival

Students may enter the building beginning at 7:15 AM. There is no student supervision before 7:15 AM, so please do not drop students off early.

Front of School (75th Avenue)

• Enter the parking lot from 75th Avenue.
• Stay in the Hug 'n' Go lane and pull forward as far as possible.
• Students should be ready to exit the vehicle independently, quickly, and safely.
• Staff members will assist students and supervise arrival.
• Please remain in your vehicle and follow staff directions.

Back of School (74th Avenue)

• Pull forward as far as possible.
• Do not block the bus lane.
• Students should exit the vehicle and proceed directly to the entrance where staff members are available to greet and supervise them.

🏫 Preschool Arrival & Dismissal

Preschool families should park in the back parking lot off 74th Avenue and walk their child to the Preschool entrance. An authorized adult must sign Preschool students in and out each day.

📱 Driveline Dismissal

The International School at Harris Park uses the Driveline system to help ensure a safe and efficient dismissal process.

Every family will receive a Driveline number during the Back to School Open House or after the first day of school.

Please keep your Driveline number available for anyone authorized to pick up your child. Please display your number during dismissal so staff can quickly identify and safely release your child.

Only adults who are listed as authorized contacts in Infinite Campus and have your Driveline number may pick up your child. This additional layer of security helps ensure students are released only to approved adults.

🚦 Dismissal Procedures

Front of School (75th Avenue)

• Display your Driveline number.
• Follow staff directions and remain in your vehicle.
• Pull forward as far as possible.
• Staff will escort students to vehicles.
• Once your child is safely in the vehicle, carefully exit the parking lot.

Back of School (74th Avenue)

• Pull forward as directed by staff.
• If walking up, please use designated sidewalks and crosswalks.
• Provide your Driveline number to staff.
• Wait while your child is safely released.

⚠️ Safety Reminders

To keep everyone safe:

• Follow all posted speed limits and traffic signs.
• Use designated sidewalks and crosswalks.
• Do not park in fire lanes or block driveways.
• Do not leave vehicles unattended in the Hug 'n' Go lane.
• Please be patient and courteous with staff, volunteers, and other families.
• No pets are allowed on school property during arrival and dismissal.

Thank you for helping us create a safe, efficient, and welcoming experience for every student. Working together allows students to begin and end each day feeling safe, confident, and ready to learn.

If you need to pick up your child before the end of the school day, please notify the office in advance whenever possible. Calling ahead helps us maximize instructional time and prepare for your arrival.

For student safety and to support an orderly dismissal process, we do not release students during the final 30 minutes of the school day.

Early Release Mondays

• Students must be picked up by 1:00 PM.
• No early pick-ups between 1:00 PM and dismissal.

Regular School Days (Tuesday–Friday)

• Students must be picked up by 2:00 PM.
• No early pick-ups between 2:00 PM and dismissal.

✅ Authorized Pick-Up Only

For the safety of all students:

• Only adults age 18 or older listed as authorized contacts in Infinite Campus may pick up a student.
• A valid photo ID is required every time, even if you have visited before.
• Students will not be released to individuals who are not listed as authorized contacts.

📍 When You Arrive

• Come to the main entrance and use the security phone to contact the office.
• Be prepared to show your photo ID to office staff.
• Once your identity has been verified, your child will be called from class and escorted to the front office.
• Office staff will document the authorized pick-up and time of departure.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for all students.

At the International School at Harris Park, we believe every day counts. Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. When students miss school, they miss valuable learning experiences, classroom discussions, opportunities to build relationships, and important practice with new skills.

Colorado law defines a student as habitually truant when they accumulate four absences in one month or ten absences during a school year. We are committed to partnering with families to support strong attendance habits and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.

⏰ Tardy Policy

Students should arrive between 7:15 AM and 7:25 AM each day.

If your child arrives late:

• An adult must accompany them to the front entrance.
• Ring the doorbell and a staff member will check your child into school.
• Preschool students must be signed in directly by their preschool teacher.
• We will document the reason for the tardy and the name of the adult bringing the student to school.

Arriving on time helps students start the day with a calm, focused mind and supports classroom routines. Tardies also count toward a student's overall attendance record.

📞 Reporting an Absence

If your child will be absent, please call the office at 303-428-1721 as early as possible.

Absences must be reported within 24 hours by phone call or written note. If no communication is received, the absence may be marked unexcused.

✅ Excused Absences

Common excused absences include:

• Illness or injury
• Medical or dental appointments
• Religious observances
• School-sponsored activities
• Court appearances
• Pre-arranged absences approved by the principal
• Other circumstances permitted by district policy

Families are asked to provide documentation for excused absences.

📝 Pre-Arranged Absences

If you know your child will be absent for travel, family events, or other planned reasons, please obtain a Pre-Arranged Absence Form from the office.

To help us best support your child's learning, we ask that forms be submitted at least 48 hours in advance whenever possible.

🤒 When Should I Keep My Child Home?

Please keep your child home if they:

• Have a fever over 100°F
• Are vomiting or experiencing diarrhea
• Are in the contagious stage of an illness

Students should remain home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

❤️ Thank You

Thank you for partnering with us to support excellent attendance and timely arrival. Your commitment to getting your child to school every day helps ensure they are able to learn, grow, build friendships, and fully participate in all that the International School at Harris Park has to offer.

If your family is experiencing challenges that may impact attendance, please contact us. We are here to help.

At the International School at Harris Park, every day counts! Consistent attendance helps students build relationships, strengthen academic skills, and fully participate in all of the opportunities our school has to offer.

🎯 Our 2026–2027 Attendance Goal: 91% Average Daily Attendance

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure students arrive on time, attend regularly, and are ready to learn each day.

At International School at Harris Park, we believe birthdays are special milestones and meaningful opportunities to help every child feel valued and celebrated.

To ensure celebrations are safe, inclusive, and equitable for all students, we follow a schoolwide approach to birthday recognition.

🎉 Every student will be recognized and celebrated on or near their birthday by their classroom and school community.

🚫 Families may not send food, treats, cupcakes, candy, drinks, gifts, balloons, flowers, or party favors to school for birthday celebrations.

🎈 Classroom birthday parties are not held during instructional time.

📨 Birthday invitations may only be distributed at school if every student in the class receives an invitation.

This approach helps us:

• Celebrate all students equally.
• Maintain a safe environment for students with allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Protect valuable instructional time.
• Ensure every child feels included and valued.

If your family has cultural or religious considerations related to birthday celebrations, please contact the school office. We are committed to working with families to honor and respect individual needs.

Thank you for helping us create a joyful, inclusive, and student-centered school community.

To help us maintain a safe, focused, and distraction-free learning environment, we ask that students leave the following items at home unless specifically requested by a teacher or school staff member:

🚫 Toys, stuffed animals, trading cards, and collectibles

🚫 Personal electronics, including tablets, gaming devices, music players, and smart devices not approved for school use

🚫 Valuable items such as jewelry, money, or other personal treasures

🚫 Cameras, makeup, and other non-school items

🚫 Candy, soda, energy drinks, and bags of chips or snacks larger than one serving size

🚫 Sporting equipment such as footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, and similar items

🚫 Hats (unless specifically approved for a school activity or event)

🚫 Pets or animals (service animals excluded)

Please note that any item that becomes a distraction to learning or student safety may be collected by school staff.

Items brought to school that do not belong at school may be held in the office and may need to be picked up by a parent or guardian.

Occasionally, students may be asked to bring money for special events such as the Book Fair or Holiday Store. When this occurs, families will receive advance notice, and all money should be sent in a sealed envelope clearly labeled with the student's name.

Thank you for helping us create a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment where every student can thrive!

Every Monday is Early Release

• 7:25 AM–1:30 PM Hours for ALL students PK-6
• Every Monday will be early release—great for afternoon appointments!

Monday, September 7

• No School, Labor Day

Wednesday, September 9

• 4:00-4:45 PM Parent Leadership Meeting in the Library

Wednesday, September 9

• Picture Day

Monday, September 14

• No School

Monday, September 28 through Friday, October 2

• Spirit Week (days TBD)

Monday, October 12 and Tuesday, October 13

• No School, Fall Break

Thursday, October 15

• Picture Retake Day
• 3:30-6:30 PM Student Led Parent Teacher Conferences
• 3:30-6:30 PM Scholastic Book Fair

Tuesday, October 20

• 3:30-6:30 PM Student Led Parent Teacher Conferences
• 3:30-6:30 PM Scholastic Book Fair

Wednesday, October 21

• 4:00-4:45 PM Parent Leadership Meeting in the Library

Monday, October 26

• No School

Thursday, October 29

• 4:00-5:00 PM Trick or Treat Street and Haunted Gym

Monday, November 9

• No School, Holiday

Wednesday, November 11

• 4:00-4:45 PM Parent Leadership Meeting in the Library

Monday, November 23 - Friday, November 27

• No School, Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday through Thursday, December 1, 2, and 3

• 3:00-5:30 PM Holiday Store, Library

Tuesday, December 8

• 4:00-4:45 PM Parent Leadership Meeting in the Library

December 21 - January 5

• No School, Winter Break

Wednesday, January 6

• First Day Back After Break

Wednesday, January 13

• 4:00-4:45 PM Parent Leadership Meeting in the Library

📢 Staying Connected

Maintaining current contact information is one of the most important ways you can help us support your child. Throughout the school year, we use several communication tools to share important updates, celebrate student success, and keep families informed.

Here's how you can expect to hear from us:

📞 Sunday Calls and Emails – Our primary source of schoolwide information, reminders, and upcoming events.

📰 Monthly Family Newsletter – Delivered by email and filled with important dates, celebrations, and school news.

🏫 Teachers – Communicate through ClassDojo, email, and phone calls.

☎️ School Office – Primarily communicates by phone regarding attendance, health concerns, transportation, and other important matters.

To ensure you receive all school communications, please verify that your phone numbers, email addresses, emergency contacts, and mailing address are current.

The easiest way to update your information is through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you need assistance accessing your account, please call our office at 303-428-1721. We are happy to provide your username and help reset your password.

Thank you for partnering with us to stay informed and connected throughout the school year!

For more information click here.

WPS is excited to offer opportunities in athletics to students in elementary school. Each activity will cost $50 per student-athlete. Each activity will offer practices and games. Student-athletes will receive a uniform they keep. Transportation will not be provided to or from games. Games begin in September for elementary-based sports (Westy Juniors).

Westy Juniors (K-5) – approximate ages; levels are grade based

Grades K-1 (5-7 years old)

Grades 2-3 (7-8 years old)

Grades 4-5 (9-11 years old)

For the most up-to-date information about everything that is going on at the Dan Vallez center, please visit their website here.

update this section with new link for family handbook and IS@HP Calendar

• Breakfast and Lunch Menus: Click here
• Free and Reduced Lunch Application: Click here
• Family Handbook and Important Forms: Click here
• IS@HP Calendar: Click here

Email: nmills@wps.org
Website: harrispark.wps.org
Location: 4300 West 75th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Phone: 303-428-1721
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalSchoolatHarrisPark
Twitter: @WPSNewsNow