April 8th News

Posted April 8, 2024

Hello Manual Families,

Welcome back from Spring Break and into the last few weeks of the year. The next few weeks of the year are extremely important because they allow us to see the growth we have made up to this point and set the the stage for a successful 2024 – 2025 school year. The message this week will provide celebrations, focus areas and reminders for events coming up for the rest of the year.

Celebrations:

Manual was selected to host the White House’s Power Up Education event in late April. Manual was one of just four schools selected nationally to host this series put on by the U.S. Department of Education and we will have 300 students from around Denver coming to learn from Manual about what this school has done to prioritize the success of our students.
Manual’s Student Voice and Leadership team will be traveling to the American Education Research Association Conference in Philadelphia next week to present their research and findings at one of the nation’s most prestigious academic conferences.
Manual’s attendance is 8% higher than this time last year and our enrollment is up nearly 20% from this time last year which has major positive implications for increased enrollment in the future.

Announcements:

Responding to Issues in Our Community: As I said in my previous email this week, Manual is taking heightened precautions with students who are outside because of the incidents of community violence that have taken place throughout the week. There have been two incidents of gun violence that have taken place off campus, after school hours and not involving our students but Manual will take increased precautions when students are outside including more staff members outside before school, during lunch and after school as well as working in closer partnership with DPD and DPS Safety and Security. It is also important to remember that these incidents affect us all and that our staff and mental health support teams are working hard to check in on students throughout the week.

Manual’s Drive for 95%: All 9th – 11th graders will be taking the PSAT/SAT on Thursday, April 18th. This test is of essential importance for students and what they desire to do after high school and for Manual’s opportunity to exit the State Accountability Clock for the first time since 2009. It is essential that 95% of our students take this test and do their absolute best in order to support their growth and Manual’s overall stability.

Morning Tardies: Manual is still seeing students arriving late in the morning. While our overall attendance is high, our morning tardy rate is a concern. Please support Manual by making sure students arrive by 8:25 as much as possible in order to maximize learning time throughout the day.

Looking Ahead:

Thursday, April 18th: Official PSAT/SAT Day for 9th – 11th graders. All 9th – 11th graders are expected to take the test on that day. Students will be released once they’re done which will likely be close to 12:00 p.m.

Friday, April 19th: No School for Students – Teacher Professional Development Day.

Saturday, April 20th: Prom for 11th and 12th Graders at Roof 16, located at 16th and Welton St. from 7:00 – 11:00. Students who do not have a minimum of 75% attendance will not be allowed to attend prom.

Tuesday, April 23rd: CMAS testing for 11th graders. All 11th graders are expected to take the test on that day. Students will be released once they’re done which will be around12:00 p.m.

Friday, May 10th: Senior Signing Day in the Auditorium at 2:30 for parents of seniors who want to attend this amazing event.

Saturday, May 25th: This year’s Graduation Ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Dr. Joyce Marie Davis Auditorium located at Manual High School.

Thank you so much for your continued support of our students and community. It is an honor to work with your students each and every day.

In Community,

Dr. Chris DeRemer

Principal

“Expect Excellence”