Our Mission

Creativity Challenge Community (C3) fosters a learning environment that empowers students to think creatively, to solve problems, to learn in collaboration with local artistic, scientific and cultural partners, and to challenge and care for each other to our highest potential as leaders and learners. We emphasize independent learning in a collaborative setting to develop kind, courageous thinkers.

Our Vision

Students, families, caregivers, educators, and all community partners work together to create a strong culture of kind, courageous thinkers. At C3, every member of the community takes responsibility for their learning and contributes to the learning of others. We embody compassion — to ourselves, to others — and advocate for our community. We think creatively, achieve at high levels, and embrace challenges. Our collaborative community is committed to culturally responsive practices and restorative approaches, ensuring all students are seen, heard, and celebrated.

Our Values

C3's Definition of Creative Thinking

Our Commitments

• Develop a collaborative community of learners where all members have an opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other.
• Devise, carry out, and evaluate creative thinking strategies to ensure students master 21st Century critical thinking, reasoning, and invention skills.
• Collaborate with the cultural and business community to create learning experiences outside the classroom.
• Support self-directed learning and encourage perseverance in academic pursuits.
• Create a strong culture of kindness and diversity at all levels by strengthening family engagement.

Luminary Learning Network (LLN)

In 2016, C3 became part of the Luminary Learning Network (LLN), which provides greater autonomy for member schools to select educational models that best meet diverse student needs. LLN schools operate as Innovation Schools under Colorado's Innovation Schools Act (2008).

Current plans: C3 Innovation Plan  ·  LLN Zone Plan

The full calendar is always up to date at c3.dpsk12.org. Download the printable PDF here.

Trimesters

Key Dates

Communicating with Teachers

Email works best. You can also make an appointment with your teacher. Please don't try to discuss specific issues at drop-off or pick-up when teachers are occupied with student safety, and do not use teachers' personal cell phone numbers. Teachers and staff will try to respond within 48 business hours.

Resolution Hierarchy

1. Phone, email, or meet with grade level teachers (classroom and/or specials teachers)
2. Conference with teacher and/or team
3. Conference with the teacher/team and the principal partner(s)
4. Phone and/or conference with principal partner(s)
5. Write a letter of concern to Denver Public Schools Family and Community Engagement

Conferences

Teachers hold conferences with families each year. Fall conferences are required. Additional and student-led conferences may happen in the spring. Any family may request a conference at any time. Additional conferences may also be scheduled around September 21 and October 30.

ThrillShare

ThrillShare is C3's communication platform used for school-wide messages, grade level newsletters, the Chatter, and emergency notifications from DPS, C3 Admin, grade level teachers, and the PTSA.

The Chatter

C3's school-wide weekly newsletter goes out via ThrillShare. Please read the Chatter weekly — it contains important dates, updates, and community engagement opportunities.

Thursday Folders

C3 sends home a Thursday Folder with general school information, flyers, and student work. Please go through the folder and return any needed forms by the following Wednesday.

Standards-Based Progress Reports

Progress reports are issued each trimester and measure performance against grade-level standards. Reports are accessed through the DPS Parent Portal.

Websites

• C3: c3.dpsk12.org
• Denver Public Schools: dpsk12.org

Family involvement is a core part of our mission and crucial to our success. A culture of volunteerism helps families learn more about classes and curriculum, build relationships with teachers and staff, and shows our children how the community works together for their success.

Innovation Accountability Team (IAT)

As an Innovation School, C3 has an IAT responsible for strategic direction and ensuring fidelity of the C3 Innovation Plan. The committee includes the principal partner, 3 elected family representatives, one community member, 2 elected teachers, and one classified staff member. The committee meets monthly.

Family Teacher Student Association (PTSA)

The PTSA is a volunteer-led nonprofit that supports C3 fundraising, coordinates volunteers, and provides family programming. Families, teachers, students, businesses, and community members may join. We are members of the Colorado PTA and National PTA.

Family Service Hours

Background Check Requirement

To volunteer with students, you need a Level 3 background check through Sterling Volunteers. Email Julieana at julieana_gallegos@dpsk12.net with the subject "Background Check Level 3." Forward your confirmation email to Julieana once complete.

Ways to Earn Volunteer Hours

• Lunch and recess supervision  ·  Classroom support
• Student Conferences, Back-to-School Night, Community Evenings
• PTSA events, board membership, or committee work
• Chaperoning community partner excursions or school events
• Supporting school-sponsored events  ·  Clerical office support
• Assisting with drop-off/pick-up supervision  ·  Building/grounds work
• Doing work for teachers or administrators at home

At C3, our expectations are guided by our motto: "A safe and caring community of kind, courageous thinkers." C3 students are taught how to demonstrate these attributes in all areas of the building and throughout the community.

Discipline & Restorative Justice

When student behaviors require intervention, C3 follows the DPS Discipline Matrix. We practice Restorative Justice — a culture where people who have caused harm acknowledge wrongdoing, take responsibility, repair harm, and are welcomed back into the community.

Community Partner Excursions

When students are in the community for partner trips, they are expected to be Kind, Courageous Thinkers and respectful to all. If students are reminded more than once about behavior on a trip, parents will be contacted. In some cases, parents may be asked to attend the next trip. The DPS Discipline Matrix applies during all community partner trips.

Rock Ceremonies

Monthly rock ceremonies acknowledge students who have displayed exceptional Kind, Courageous, Thinking behavior. Each grade level honors three students for a KCT accomplishment that enhances the C3 community.

Attendance & Daily Schedule

• Call 720-424-0630 or log in to Infinite Campus (IC) every day to report an absence.
• Habitual truancy (over 10 absences) will be reported to the attendance team and a letter sent home.
• Habitual tardiness (over 10 tardies) will be reported to the attendance team and a letter sent home.

Morning Drop-Off

Children may not arrive before 8:15 AM. Families may drop off on the playground from 8:15 AM. The inside whistle blows at 8:23 AM and teachers escort students inside. School begins at 8:25 AM. Students arriving after 8:25 AM must check in at the front office for a tardy slip. Breakfast is served at 8:15 AM outside only — items are not allowed inside the building.

Afternoon Pick-Up

Students not in Discovery Link or Enrichment should be picked up from their designated playground spots starting at 3:30 PM. All students must be picked up by 3:45 PM.

Before & After School Care

Discovery Link: Call (720) 423-7981 or email discovery_link@dpsk12.org.

Enrichment Programming: Contact Monique Gallegos at monique_gallegos@dpsk12.net.

Building Security

• All C3 doors are locked throughout the day.
• Enter through the main entrance on South Monroe Street after buzzing in, then proceed to the C3 office for a visitor pass.
• Teachers greet students on the playground at the bell.
• No dogs are allowed on school grounds at any time.

Visitors at School

All visitors must sign in, show a valid ID, and receive a visitor's pass. Please wear your badge at all times in the building.

Cancellation of School

Cancellations are communicated via ThrillShare, local TV news, the DPS website, and KOA Radio. An email blast will also be sent.

Toys, Cell Phones & Smartwatches

Bikes, Skateboards & Scooters

• Students may ride to school with guardian permission. Helmets are strongly encouraged.
• Walk bikes and carry scooters/skateboards on all campus grounds at all times.
• Park bikes in the west-side bicycle racks and secure with a lock.
• No riding during the school day, including recess or lunch.
• The school is not responsible for damaged or stolen items.

Celebrations

• Student birthdays may be recognized with special classroom activities — consider donating a book in your child's name.
• No food birthday celebrations and no food items at any in-school celebrations.
• Celebrations focus on music, games, and culturally relevant activities.
• Party invitations should not be distributed during school. Please use the school directory.

Emergency Procedures

Practice drills are conducted regularly per DPS requirements. Full Lockdown, Lock Out, Shelter-in-Place, and Evacuation procedures follow the Standard Response Protocol.

In an Emergency

• ✅ DO check email and ThrillShare text messages for updates.
• ✅ DO wait for communication of arrival and release times.
• ❌ DON'T come to school unless notified — traffic can block emergency personnel.
• ❌ DON'T call the school — excessive calls can jam emergency communications.

Lost and Found

Label all clothing, gloves, hats, water bottles, and lunch bags. Lost and Found is near the C3 front office and is donated on the last Friday of each month.

Fire, Tobacco

No fires, lighters, or open flames allowed on DPS campus. Denver Public Schools is a tobacco-free district — no tobacco products allowed on school grounds.

Student Illness

When students say they don't feel well, we take their claim seriously. They are sent to the office, where staff determine whether the child needs to go home. Families are called if there is a fever or if the child needs to leave.

Accidents at School

We administer first aid immediately. In extreme cases, we call 911. A school accident report is filed for obvious injuries or head injuries, and families are notified.

Medications at School

Child Protection

Colorado state law requires all school personnel to be mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect. Physical proof is not required — only reasonable suspicion. We take this duty very seriously.

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

If you have concerns about your learner, please reach out to their classroom teacher first.

Lunchroom Expectations

• Be patient in the food line and eat only your own food
• Clean up after yourself — throw away all garbage
• Use inside voices and stay seated; raise your hand to use the restroom or get water
• Listen and respect all cafeteria and C3 staff
• Walk silently in the hallways — Merrill classes are in session during our lunch hour
• Students are assigned seats; these will rotate throughout the year

Can I Join My Child for Lunch?

Yes! Families are welcome to bring a lunch or purchase a hot lunch. Sign in at the front office first.

Peanut & Allergy Policy

There is an allergy table for students with severe allergies and their invited friends (allergy-free lunches only). To request daily seating, email Brent (bappleb@dpsk12.net), AJ (akeglov@dpsk12.net), and Jean, our school nurse (jeehyun_lim@dpsk12.net). Please communicate all allergies with the nurse and admin so proper staff training can take place.

For DPS meal info, payment, and Free & Reduced Lunch details: foodservices.dpsk12.org.

Literacy Curriculum

All K–5 literacy teachers, the reading intervention teacher, and special education teachers have completed the evidence-based Science of Reading training required by the State of Colorado and have been trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Our core reading program is CKLA by Amplify. Questions about reading instruction? Please reach out to our team.

Mathematics: Illustrative Math (IM)

C3 and DPS use Illustrative Mathematics (IM) as our math curriculum. IM's collaborative model invites K–5 students to talk and write about math, listen to each other's ideas, justify their thinking, and critique the reasoning of others to deepen mathematical understanding.

Science & Social Studies

Taught in accordance with DPS expectations at each grade level, following the DPS curriculum. Field trips and enrichment classes enhance this curriculum.

Multilingual Learners (MLLs)

C3 has a Language Content Lead and a 0.5 English Language Development (ELD) teacher supporting MLL testing (WIDA, ACCESS) and classroom instruction. C3 is a program school for MLLs with a designated 45-minute ELD Block, daily.

Morning Meetings

Classes hold daily meetings focused on our KCT motto and social-emotional learning, following our Scope and Sequence with a large emphasis on Empowering Education. We also work on equity and inclusion through community-centered activities.

Community Partners

C3 collaborates with Denver's cultural and business communities for creative learning experiences outside the classroom. Students meet with at least 3–4 Community Partners each year in partnerships lasting 4–6 weeks with approximately one excursion or visit per week. Kindergarten completes 4–6 total trips per year.

Family chaperones must complete the DPS volunteer form and background check — see the DPS Community Engagement page. Sign-ups via ThrillShare and Grade Level Newsletters.

Curiosity Crews

Three weeks throughout the year, students take part in special enrichment clusters based on the work of Joe Renzulli. Students pursue their passions through authentic projects in multi-age collaboration, culminating in a presentation of learning. Curiosity Crew weeks will be noted on the C3 website — watch the Chatter for updates.

Field Trips

Field trips outside of community partner visits are connected to classroom curriculum. Teachers will provide information about destinations, activities, and dates. Family volunteers are always welcome!

General Rules

1. Safety first, always.
2. Respect for all, all the time.
3. Stay within boundaries (lunch recess: playground, garden, and first half of field — not beyond last bench; short recess: teacher's discretion).
4. Line up immediately upon signal.
5. Only use the playground with adult supervision.

Handling Conflict on the Playground

1. Bring children to a picnic bench or safe place to calm down and talk.
2. If there is a physical altercation, involve teachers to de-escalate. Notify the principal.
3. Ask each child to share their version of events.
4. Ask each child what they could have done differently to solve the problem.
5. Ask children if they feel safe to return to playing.

Students, families, and staff read and sign this agreement at registration. Together, we commit to upholding a safe and caring community of kind, courageous thinkers.