ESCUELA VALDEZ
Vision Statement:
The Power of Together
Mission Statement:
Committing to equity through Dual Language Immersion and culturally relevant, individualized education for all learners.
Our Mission
High Expectations for Academic Success: providing authentic, personalized learning through intentional, collaborative, data-driven planning to create meaningful and lasting academic success.
Dual Language Immersion: closing the achievement gap and increasing equity by creating authentic, research-based education for all students, in order that they experience both sociolinguistic and academic success in two languages together.
Commitment to Community and Culture: creating a community together that works towards an equitable society by valuing the culture and identities of all community members.
“Dual Language programs promote bilingualism and biliteracy, grade-level academic achievement and cross-cultural competence in all students. Students maintain their native language while adding another language, and they develop pride in their own culture while developing an understanding of others.”
-The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
In studies covering six states and 37 districts, they have found that, compared with students in English-only classrooms, dual-language students have somewhat higher test scores and also seem to be happier in school. Attendance is better, behavioral problems fewer, parent involvement higher.
-nprED
How Does Dual Language Work at Valdez?
ECE:
Montessori/Creative Curriculum 90/10 models
All students get about 90% of instruction in Spanish
K/1st grade:
80-90% of instructional time in Spanish
10-20% of instructional time in English
2nd -5th grades:
50% of instructional time in Spanish
50% of instructional time in English
Spanish becomes the vehicle for content instruction and the subject of instruction itself, particularly in the primary grades, where primary age students are taught the Common Core State Standards in Spanish with an emphasis on concrete objects, first-hand experiences, visual aids and hands-on cooperative group learning.
Valdez uses a 90:10 model of Two-Way Immersion (TWI) in which a majority
of the school curriculum is taught in Spanish starting in ECE. Students in kindergarten and first grade receive 80-90% of their daily instruction in Spanish and 10-20% in English, regardless of the student’s native language. Each year, students will receive more instruction in English as the percentage of Spanish instruction time begins to decrease. By 2nd and 3rd grades students will receive 50% of their daily instruction in Spanish and 50% in English.
Montessori
A Montessori classroom is thoughtfully designed to offer children opportunities to develop their own capabilities, whether it is learning how to dress themselves independently, multiply a multi-digit equation, communicate their needs effectively, or problem solve with others. Each classroom is filled with developmentally appropriate activities that encourage children to interact with specific learning materials, as well as to work cooperatively with others.
Play Based Creative Curriculum
The Creative Curriculum is a whole-child approach to education—one where children develop
not only math and literacy skills but also social–emotional, physical, and cognitive skills—is developmentally appropriate and better prepares children for life well beyond their time in a classroom.
Note: Once accepted into Valdez, school leadership will work with your family
to determine best program fit for your child.
ECE Programs
8:15-8:45 Welcome Circle/ Breakfast
8:45-10:15 Centers/Work Time: Literacy, Math, Play
10:15-10:30 Snack
10:30-10:45 Literacy
10:45-11:15 Recess
11:15-12:00 Choice Time
12:05-12:30 Lunch in the Classroom
12:30-1:30 Nap
1:30-2:30 Centers/Work Time: Literacy, Math, Play
2:30-3:00 Recess
3:00-3:15 Closing Circle
ECE Sample Schedule
K-5 Learning
Literacy includes shared reading, guided reading, Independent reading, work stations and writing based on current research on how kids learn to read.
Mathematics instruction is concept based, focused on problem solving, differentiated, and includes games.
Science is actively taught to allow students to explore their world and discover new things through hands-on labs and experiments.
Social Studies includes civic engagement, as well as knowledge from the core content areas of civics, economics, geography, and history.
Specials Classes
K-5th Students attend:
Music
Physical Education
Library
Visual arts
Technology
Positive School Culture
PANTHER POWER
Perseverance
Optimism
Wise choices
Excellence
Respect
We foster a safe, positive, nurturing school culture
We support social and emotional growth
We hold students accountable and responsible for their actions
Uniforms
Valdez requires the following uniform for ALL students:
Collared shirt – White, grey, or navy
Dark blue or navy pants, shorts, dresses/jumpers or skirts with shorts underneath
Students may wear any shoes, but are required to wear closed toe shoes on gym days.
Students may wear Valdez POWER t-shirts and jeans on Fridays only.
Family Involvement
PTO
Support the mission of the school
Fundraising to support arts and school
programming, like after-school enrichment
Volunteer
School, Classroom, Cafeteria, Help with Events, etc.
Events throughout the year
Dia de los Muertos, Las Posadas, Spanish Night, Academic Nights, Movie Nights, etc.
Before/After School Care
Discovery Link offers on-site before and after school care from
6:30 am – 6:00 pm.
Click here for more information.
Application Process
DPS manages choice process
We balance enrollment by native language
Applications will be sorted by random lottery within priority categories
Priority Categories
1. Siblings of current students
2. Children of staff
3. Resides in Brown or Edison boundary
4. All other Denver Residents
5. All other Non-Denver Residents
Numbers
We admit 50 new 3 yr olds every year: 25 on the English enrollment list and 25 on the Spanish enrollment list.
We fill any empty spots in ECE4 and K.
How to Apply
For more information about the DPS SchoolChoice process, visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org.
Create your account. Then, fill out and submit the SchoolChoice application – including ranking your most-preferred schools (up to 12) – any time during the month-long Choice window.
Spanish Enrollment List
To qualify for the Spanish enrollment list, your child must be a native Spanish speaker or have native Spanish comprehension and language production levels. Please fill out this form. Your child must also pass a Spanish language screener. To schedule the assessment or for more information, email: jessica_buckley@dpsk12.org.
Why Choose Valdez?
If you are looking for a school community that represents our diverse culture, provides a bilingual/bi-cultural academic program and challenges students in a caring environment – join the Valdez community!
We care about your children!