McKinney-Vento Act Support for Students!

You are receiving this communication because your student has been identified as part of the McKinney-Vento program, which offers vital support to students and their families facing unstable or temporary living situations.

Below, you will find important information about McKinney-Vento and the resources available to assist you and your student.

What is the McKinney-Vento Act?
This federal law helps highly mobile students—those without a fixed, regular nighttime residence—access education and essential resources.

What We Offer:

• Immediate Enrollment: Enroll without needing an address or immunization records (we’ll help you get these later).
• Transportation Assistance: We help students stay in their current school when possible.
• Waived Activity Fees: Fees for field trips and extracurricular activities may be covered.
• School Supplies: We provide necessary supplies through donations to SD27J.
• Community Resources: Connect with organizations for help with utilities, healthcare, food, and more.

Your child’s success is our priority!
For more information or to get started, please contact us!

If your family is experiencing housing instability or you have questions about support available through the McKinney-Vento Act, your Single Point of Contact (SPOC) at your child’s school can help.

Your SPOC can assist with:

✅ School enrollment and transportation options/ Inquirires
✅ Access to food, clothing, and hygiene items
✅ Connecting with community resources
✅ And more!

📍 Find Your School’s SPOC Below:
🔹 Not all schools currently have a designated SPOC, but we are working to expand this support for the next school year. If your school does not have a SPOC, you can still reach out for assistance!

🟠 27J Online: Dora Garcia

🟠 Brighton High School: Veronica Carrera

🟠 Northeast: Melissa Greenwald

🟠Overland Trail Middle School: Ataly Garcia

🟠 Padilla: Marina Quezada

🟠 Pennock: Jazzmine Amparan

🟠 Prairie View High School : Belinda Gonzales

🟠 Prairie View Middle School : Shaunda Steffen

🟠 Riverdale High : Tami Harbuz

🟠 South : Ana Saldana

🟠Southlawn: Diana Ramzinski

🟠 SouthEast : Tania Cahuis Corona

🟠 Thimmig : Kaitlyn Lagenbacher

🟠 Vikan : Eremita Estrada

📞 Contact your SPOC today for more information!

We get it. Taking a test is not most people's idea of a good time. But taking state tests is a big way your student helps their school.

STATE TESTS...

• hold schools accountable for providing high-quality education.
• help schools and teachers see where they need to improve.

STATE TESTS DON'T...

• count against your child's grade.
• put school funding at risk

• How long do tests take?
• Which grades take which tests?
• Why are state tests important to my child?

Did you know that Commerce City residents can apply for discounts at your local recreation centers (Bison Ridge & Eagle Point)? The City’s Parks, Recreation & Golf (PRG) Department offers scholarships that provide up to 50% off monthly memberships, 25% off annual memberships, and 50% off many programs.

For more info, call 303-289-3760 or email askrecreation@c3gov.com or click this picture to apply online or for more information. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

Did you know that if your kids are on Medicaid, they can get FREE access to the Brighton Recreation Center? Simply fill out an application in person at the rec center, provide proof of Medicaid, and it takes about 2 weeks for processing. Once approved, your kids can also participate in sports programs for half price!

Additionally, the city offers a Fee Assistance Program for individuals and families who qualify. If you need assistance, stop by the front desk to pick up an application and ask about specific activities eligible for the youth reduced rate program.

Don’t miss out on these great opportunities for your family!

Lochbuie residents can receive resident rates on annual memberships at the Brighton Rec Center! To access this discount, visit Lochbuie’s Town Hall, mention your interest in getting an annual membership, and they will issue a letter for you to present at the Brighton Recreation Center.

here’s great news for families who qualify for SNAP benefits!

FREE 30-Hour Online Driver's Education Course

Thanks to Drive Safe Colorado, teens eligible for SNAP can take the full 30-hour online driver’s ed course at no cost!

About the Course:

The be.Driving 30-Hour Program is an interactive, in-depth driver’s education course approved by the State of Colorado. It covers crucial topics to help your teen become a safe and confident driver, including:

• Driving in adverse conditions

• The impact of alcohol on driving

• Understanding the zone of control

• Space cushion management

• And much more!

This self-paced course can be taken on any device—computer, tablet, or even your phone—in both Windows, Apple, or Android environments.

Eligibility:

• Must be enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to qualify for the free course.

• Open to the first 1,000 students who apply.

• Available for students over 14 ½ years old.

Benefits:

• Complete the classroom requirement anytime, anywhere!

• 30 hours of driver’s education for FREE (does not include the written permit test).

Next Steps:

1. Visit Drive Safe Colorado’s Website

2. Enroll in the self-paced online 30-hour course at no charge.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to me directly.

Let’s get your teen on the road to success—safely and affordably!

Contact Us:

• Valeria Placencio – McKinney-Vento District Liaison
  303-655-2526 | vplacencio@sd27j.net

• Desiree Quintanilla – Family & Community Outreach Coordinator
  303-655-2930 | dquintanilla@sd27j.net

We’re here to help your child succeed and achieve stability.

Recap of changes

• Two-Week Shift: The first day of school (K-12) will be Aug. 21, and the last day will be June 4.
• Two Assessment Days: We’ve added two assessment days for elementary, middle and high schools.
• Tweaks to Bell Schedules: Middle and high school hours will be 8:25 a.m.–4:35 p.m. Elementary school hours will shift to 7:45 a.m.–3:25 p.m. As a K–8 school, Discovery Magnet School will adjust its schedule to meet its unique needs. Once the changes are finalized, Discovery will share them with its families and staff.