In this week’s episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, our hosts are joined by Grant Van Pelt, Wes Ogburn and Carson Biederman, members of the DPS Team who all have a hand in bullying prevention. 

“Problems are going to come up between students all the time that are not going to be categorized as bullying,” said Biederman. “Conflict is a totally normal part of human interactions. If there is equal power and they are disagreeing, then it is just conflict. But if there is an imbalance of power, if there is intentional harm, then it's bullying.”

The DPS EDUCA podcast hosts are joined by staff members and students of the Student Voice and Leadership (SVL) program. With Challenge 5280 on the horizon, this showcase, spearheaded by the SVL participants, sees student leaders presenting policy solutions and leading educational workshops to foster collaboration in DPS. Students from across the district showcase their initiatives through competition, engage in meaningful dialogue and inspire change on a broader scale.

“Student voice and leadership is important to me because I think it allows kids to utilize their voice in a good way,” said Sesina, a junior at Northfield High School. “I think everyone has a voice, but they may not know how to use it.” 

Listen in on the latest episode of the Black Voices in Color Podcast where our hosts discuss Black Movies that have influenced their experience. 

In the latest episode of the BVC podcast, students are joined by Montbello Principal Neisa Lynch and Mr. Roman. Listen in as they discuss the black student experience at Montbello High School. 

In the second episode of the Black Voices in Color podcast (BVCP), students chat about what they found while getting ready for Black History Month. The BVCP is joined by special guest, Ms. K’iara Roberts, who's not just a teacher, but also an advisor of the podcast. Ms. Roberts has made it her mission to make sure that black students achieve academic excellence. In her interview, she shares this saying that really hit home for her, "If you want to hide something from a Black person, put it in a book."

The BVCP hosts get into a deep discussion about black culture and how it has not only shaped their experience as students but how it is also shaping the world. From colloquialisms to fashion and music, black culture has been a heavy influence. 

Find the Black Voices in Color Podcast on our YouTube channel, or listen on any podcast platform by searching for The Denver Public Schools Podcast. 

https://youtu.be/cMgcN9O1DI0 

Led by students at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College, East High School and Montbello High School, the Black Voices in Color Podcast covers Black Excellence and the student experience in DPS. In this episode, students engage in authentic conversations that go beyond the surface and take a deep dive into the importance of elevating black student voices. 

Tune in and be part of the conversation as we strive to uplift and honor the voices that contribute to the dynamic tapestry of the DPS community. Find the Black Voices in Color Podcast on our YouTube channel, or listen on any podcast platform by searching for The Denver Public Schools Podcast. 

⚽My Spark Denver gives students the opportunity to explore their interests without worrying about the financial burden. DPS middle school students who qualify for free and reduced lunch can receive $1,000 to cover the cost of enrollment and after school program participation.💸 With over 185 programs to choose from, there are extracurricular activities that fit every student’s needs. 🎙️Learn more about My Spark in this week's DPS EDUCA Podcast episode.

🔗More info- MySparkDenver.org

Financial Literacy will be a graduation requirement beginning in 2027. Tune into this informative conversation, in English and Spanish, with two of our district leaders as they discuss the comprehensive courses that will be offered to our students. In addition, you will learn where the financial literacy initiative came from and why it is an essential part of our duty to ensure that every learner thrives at DPS.

In this special episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, guests Mario Quezada and Claudia Tarango, members of the Enrollment services team at DPS, sit down with our hosts to talk about School Choice, Universal Preschool (UPK) and general enrollment. 

In this podcast episode, families can learn about the important changes regarding enrollment schedules, application dates and the new unified process that allows families to enroll their students from Jan. 11 to Feb. 12.

Families can visit the enrollment centers in person, dial the enrollment hotline or email directly to get help with the enrollment process. 

Watch the show in English and in Spanish. You can also listen on your favorite podcast platform here, or say “ALEXA, play the Denver Public Schools Podcast.” 

Enrollment Centers:

Green Valley Ranch

4800 Telluride St.

Building 5

CMS Elementary

1300 S. Lowell Blvd

Main entrance, door 10

Enrollment Hotline: (720) 423 - 3493

Email: schoolchoice@dpsk12.org

Watch in Spanish: https://youtu.be/RfKlGJBujOA

Watch in English: https://youtu.be/OKO9mypkIuo

On the latest episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, our hosts are joined by Troy Alexander and Saira Galindo Vazquez, members of the Transformative Social Emotional Learning (tSEL) team for DPS. In this episode we talk about the differences between tSEL and mental health, how tSEL improves academics and how tSEL connects to culture and equity. 


“That's the culture piece of social emotional learning, the transformative piece, students are using their voice and listening to what they need. The more we learn about who they are, the better off our students are,” said Troy Alexander. 


“tSEL is about creating the space where students feel comfortable, when students feel seen they are more likely to be successful academically," said Saira Galindo Vazques.

Applying for colleges can get expensive- did you know Colorado waives college application fees for a few days each year? This year’s Colorado Free Application Days are Oct. 17-19. 

In this episode of the Educa Podcast, Senior Manager of PR and Media Javier Ibarra sits down to discuss FAFSA, also known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, with DPS’ Senior Manager of Counseling and Career Success, Katie Gianastacio. 

What’s Katie’s superpower? “I think my superpower is helping students figure out what their superpowers are. I get to work with kids all the time talking about what their strengths and interests are and how to connect those passions to their future,” she shared on our show. 

Katie wants to simplify the college application process for students and help them reach their dreams.

Watch the full episode in English and Spanish to learn how to navigate the entire college application process, including how you can apply to receive free money for education from the government through FAFSA. For those applying to a post-secondary school in Colorado, you may also benefit from CASFA, also known as Colorado Application for State Financial Aid.

DPS’ College and Career Success Team is deeply committed to engaging families, students and communities and fostering student agency, voice and choice.  

This informative talk with Jen Hanson, Director of Higher Education and Academics, gives insight into nine programs that motivate and educate students on the choices they have after high school. 

In this week’s EDUCA DPS Podcast, our hosts are joined by Danielle Ford, Manager of DPS School-based Health Clinics to discuss the importance of oral health. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) up to 10% of children aged two to five have untreated cavities and more than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.

“Some studies have linked common oral problems to illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, premature birth, osteoporosis, and even Alzheimer's disease,” said Ford. 

Thanks to our School-based Health Clinics, all of the services talked about in this episode are free to our students. 

In the week's EDUCA DPS Podcast, our experts, district psychologist Grant Van Pelt and Student Safety Coordinator Dr. Jane Lineman, debunk common myths about suicide and discuss resources available to students, families and staff. Listen to learn about the importance of suicide prevention and how you can help!

In the latest episode of the Marrero Moment, Dr. Alex Marrero is joined by Dr. Simone Wright, DPS’ new Chief of Academics. 

Dr. Wright shares more about her role and how her teams impact the education of our students. 

In the latest episode of the Marrero Moment, Dr. Alex Marrero is joined by Trena Marsal, DPS’ new Chief of Operations. 
Trena combines a wealth of knowledge with a passion for student success. She and her team are dedicated to ensure that every aspect of the district operates seamlessly.  

In this episode of the EDUCA Podcast, we talk with Joseph Rosas, Physician Assistant at Rachel B. Noel School Based Health Clinic. Joseph tells us more about vaccines and the requirements DPS has for their students. 

In this week’s EDUCA Podcast episode, we sat down with Denver Public Library employees. Leisel Schmidt is a school-aged services administrator, and Lupita Ramos is a translations coordinator. Listen in to learn about the importance and the significance of public libraries in helping support our children and our Whole Child approach to education.

Where is the love? The Black Voices in Color podcast is back with a thoughtful discussion on #blacklove and the lack thereof.  Students express their feelings on the topic by exploring subjects like the commodification of #blackculture, school dress codes, childhood toys, and more with guest Ms. Tia Davis.

Did you know that everyone 18 and younger can go to the Denver Art Museum for free? 

Find out more on the Denver Art Museum summer programs for students on this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast. 

To celebrate Pride Month, we made a special EDUCA DPS podcast episode about the LGBTQ+ initiatives in our district. Learn directly from one of our students about how the accepting environments in our schools help all students feel comfortable, supported, and ready to learn and excel!

In this epsidoe of the Marrero Moment, Dr. Marrero answers three questions from our online survey. 

Ask Dr. Marrero your questions, here https://forms.gle/wiPatWFA2NWyUums9

We’re excited to share the new Black Voices in Color Podcast! This podcast is hosted by Black students sharing their experiences in DPS. In the first episode, students from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College interviewed Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tony Smith.

"I am extremely proud of the students in creating this Podcast. They helped design the logo, pick the music and picked their own topics. They researched, wrote, and learned the ins and outs of being social advocates for their communities through Podcasting. This is a space for students by students. This podcast is for our Black students to create, collaborate, and show Black Excellence in its most authentic form," said Kiara Roberts, Advisor.

Zulma Oronia, Outreach and Enrollment Specialist for Denver Public Schools, and Silvia Lopez, School Medicaid and Outreach Specialist for Denver Public Schools, are this week’s special guests on the DPS EDUCA Podcast. Both find their work to be very rewarding because of the impact that Medicaid benefits and outreach programs have on DPS families.

“The most gratifying and fulfilling part of my job is that I get to meet wonderful people and families everyday. Just knowing that you’re contributing to help them out in some way is just very rewarding to me,” said Oronia. The work that Zulma, Silvia and the Enrollment Outreach team do to get students and families their benefits helps keep our students healthy and taken care of so they can focus on their education.