Weekly Update 11/8/26

🌎 Hello International School at Harris Park Families!

Happy Sunday! 🍂

As we continue our month of gratitude and teamwork, thank you for the encouragement and support you give your children each day. Your partnership helps students build confidence, develop strong learning habits, and take pride in their progress!

📌 November at a Glance

• Monday, November 9: No school—Holiday.

• Wednesday, November 11: Parent Leadership Meeting, 4:00–4:45 p.m. in the library.

• Tuesday, November 17: Glow Party at Skate City Arvada, 4:00–6:00 p.m.

• Monday, November 23–Friday, November 27: No school—Thanksgiving Break.

• Monday, November 30: Students return to school.

🏫 Reminder: No School Tomorrow

There will be no school tomorrow, Monday, November 9, for the holiday. We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, November 10!

📚 Weekly Homework: Building Habits and Celebrating Teamwork

At IS@HP, students receive weekly homework on Mondays, and it is due the following Monday. This gives families a full week to plan time for practice around their schedules.

We also celebrate responsibility and teamwork through a friendly classroom competition! Each Monday, one primary classroom (K–2) and one intermediate classroom (3–6) earn a special prize for having the highest percentage of students turn in their homework.

Every student’s effort helps their class! You can support your child by:

• Setting aside a regular time and place for homework.

• Encouraging your child to share what they are practicing.

• Helping your child put completed homework in their backpack so it is ready to turn in on Monday.

Because there is no school tomorrow, please check with your child’s teacher about homework dates for this shortened week.

Thank you for helping students build responsibility, practice their skills, and contribute to a shared classroom goal!

🌎 November International Theme: Celebrations Around the World

This month, students are exploring how people around the world celebrate special occasions, honor traditions, and connect with family and community.

These conversations help students take pride in their own traditions while building curiosity and respect for others.

Try this at home: Share a favorite family celebration with your child. What makes it meaningful? Is there a special food, song, activity, or tradition you hope they will remember and carry forward?

💛 November Social-Emotional Focus: Gratitude and Teamwork

Students are practicing noticing the people who help them, expressing appreciation, and working together toward shared goals.

At home, invite your child to name someone they appreciate and explain why. They might draw a picture, write a thank-you note, or tell that person directly!

You can also practice teamwork through an everyday task, such as preparing a meal or tidying a shared space. Afterward, ask: “How did we each help? What was easier because we worked together?”

🤝 Parent Leadership Meeting: This Wednesday, November 11

Please join us for our Parent Leadership Meeting on Wednesday, November 11, from 4:00–4:45 p.m. in the library.

Your ideas, questions, and perspectives matter. We look forward to connecting with families and working together to support our school community!

🛼 Skate City Glow Party: Tuesday, November 17!

Join us for a private Glow Party at Skate City Arvada on Tuesday, November 17, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Students, staff, families, and friends are welcome!

• Admission: $7

• Skate rental: $5

• Free ice cream for every skater

• $5 meal deals available

We hope you can join us for an afternoon of skating, laughter, and time together!

🍂 Plan Ahead: Thanksgiving Break

There will be no school Monday, November 23, through Friday, November 27 for Thanksgiving Break. Please mark your calendars and make any needed arrangements.

Students return on Monday, November 30.

💙 Grateful for Our Families

Whether you are helping with homework, encouraging kindness, or making time to hear about your child’s day, your support matters. Thank you for being part of our International School at Harris Park community!

With love,

Mrs. Mills (Richey)

📊 Your Voice Matters: Panorama Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in our beginning-of-year Panorama surveys! We appreciate our families, students, and staff taking the time to share their experiences and perspectives. Your feedback helps us celebrate our strengths, identify opportunities to grow, and make International School at Harris Park a place where every student feels supported, connected, and ready to learn.

🎉 Congratulations to the two families who received gift cards through our survey drawing!

Thank you to every family who participated—your input is valuable, and we are grateful for your partnership.

Below, you’ll find highlights from what our school community shared and how your feedback will help guide our work!

What students shared

We heard from 110 students in grades 3–5 and 36 sixth-grade students. Every student survey topic improved compared with our winter/spring survey, and both groups scored above the district comparison in every topic shown.

Some highlights include:

• High expectations: Scores were 94% in grades 3–5 and 96% in sixth grade, reflecting teachers’ encouragement to work hard, persevere, and do their best.

• Supportive relationships: Scores were 93% in grades 3–5 and 97% in sixth grade.

• Valuing school: Scores were 94% in grades 3–5 and 98% in sixth grade, showing that students see school as important and useful.

• Cultural awareness: Sixth graders scored 97%, an increase of 36 percentage points since the previous survey—a meaningful connection to our international focus!

The two charts included with this update show the complete student topic results. The chart labeled “Grades 6–12” reflects our sixth-grade students; the heading identifies the survey version.

What families shared

Family feedback highlighted strong communication and positive school experiences:

• 95% favorable for satisfaction with communication from our school.

• 97% favorable for the accuracy of school communications.

• 93% favorable for children feeling happy at school.

• 92% favorable for children feeling successful at school.

Families also identified opportunities to strengthen how we listen to concerns and explain how family input influences school decisions.

What staff shared

Our instructional staff survey showed strong confidence in school safety, communication, and teamwork. Responses were 100% favorable on both “Our school is a safe place” and “My school communicates effectively with parents and families.” The topic score for teacher collaboration and support was 98%.

Where we can grow

These results give us much to celebrate while helping us identify our next steps:

• Belonging and confidence: Both student groups had a belonging topic score of 88%. We want every child to feel known, included, and confident taking on challenging learning.

• Safety and respectful relationships: Student responses show that feeling safe and concerns about online bullying deserve continued attention, even with strong overall school climate scores.

• Family partnership: We can make it clearer how to share questions and ideas, how we respond, and how your feedback shapes our work.

We will use these findings to guide our school improvement conversations and share the next steps we identify. Please continue reaching out to your child’s teacher or me with questions, concerns, and ideas. Your experiences matter, and your partnership helps our school grow!

🎯 Our 2026–2027 Attendance Goal

Last Week's Attendance:

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, November 9

• No School, Holiday

Wednesday, November 11

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

Tuesday, November 17

• 4:00-6:00 PM Glow Party at Skate City Arvada

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

Thursday, December 10

• 5:30-7:30 PM Westminster High School International Festival @ WHS Cafeteria, free admission

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