Details are also available on the DPS website.
For more details, watch the FACE U one-minute overview video.
Remember to like and subscribe to stay updated! We'll see you next week, Team DPS!
1. Changing Student Populations and Ensuring Denver Schools Thrive This November, the DPS Board of Education will consider the Superintendent’s recommendation of consolidating or closing some of DPS schools.
DPS will be hosting a series of six regional meetings in September and October to inform the community about this process.
Those meetings are as follows:
More information can be found on the DPS website.
2. Join the Multilingual Education team at the District Advisory Committee (DAC) Multilingual learners, come join the Multilingual Education District Advisory Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Montbello Middle School. The team is kicking off the year with an MLE Parent Academy. Come and learn about MLE programs, the rights of parents of multilingual learners and much more! Plus, they’ll have performances celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Dinner, childcare and interpretation will be available. You may view the flyiers in several different languages. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register here. Staff are also highly encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the MLE website.
3. DPS Teacher Named Colorado Teacher of the Year Finalist Janet Damon has been helping students thrive in Denver Public Schools for more than 25 years. Currently Janet teaches history at DELTA High School, and she encourages students to think critically about the challenges in their own lives. Superintendent Dr. Marrero says, “Janet Damon is an exceptional educator and a prime example of the power of connection, engagement, and community. After 25 years of teaching, her unwavering commitment to her students and school community continues to be unmatched. We are grateful for her tireless efforts to ensure her students thrive.” Congratulations, Janet!
4. Denver School of the Arts Student Publishes An Academic Article Oliver Merkner, a senior at Denver School of the Arts, recently submitted an article about the Roman Empire to an online academic publisher, called Critical Debates HSGJ. His article was accepted for publication, giving Oliver his first academic publishing credit! Congratulations, Oliver! Link to his article
5. DPS Discount for Hamlet at the Wolf Theatre Support DCPA's production of "Hamlet" at Wolf Theatre from Friday, Sept. 13 to Oct. 6. You can receive a 15% discount on tickets in Premium seating, Price Level 2 and Price Level 3 seating for all performances. $5 from each ticket purchased will be donated to the DPS Foundation!
Buy your tickets today and be sure to use discount code DPSFUND at checkout.
EDUCA DPS Podcast: Back-to-School Success Strategies for a Strong Start
In this week's episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, Nathalie Valencia and Jason Nungaray of the Career & College Success Team share tips to start the school year off strong, including time management, study habits and self-care.
Tune in to watch the conversation in English and in Spanish.
1. Attendance Awareness Month
September is Attendance Awareness Month! When students are not at school, they miss out on valuable learning opportunities and can experience long-term impacts that hinder their development in later grades. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or DPS staff member, please do your part to get students to school on time, every time. We’ll link some attendance related resources in our show notes, as well as the 2024-25 School Year Calendar.
2. 2nd Graders at Green Valley Elementary Receive Free Bikes
Second graders at Green Valley Elementary recently received brand-new bikes thanks to Southwest Airlines, Kroenke Sports and Wish for Wheels. You can watch the PRECIOUS video of the students receiving their wheels and helmets on YouTube. Spoiler: The mascots Bernie and Rocky do make an appearance.
3. Apply to the Climate Champions Grant Program!
The Climate Champions Grant Program, which is run by the Sustainability Team, provides funding for DPS students to implement climate action projects in their schools. This program engages DPS students in real-world problem solving, leadership development and project-based learning that will allow for innovative and creative solutions to climate change. https://youtu.be/TX8bVr_j4xM
There is $225,000 available to fund multiple projects, and project teams can request up to $25k. Pre-application is due Oct. 22, and the application is due by Dec. 3.
There are a few restrictions. Students and staff from DPS schools are encouraged to apply, and projects must be based at a DPS school. The application is open to all grade levels. This program is meant to be student-led, but projects must have a DPS staff champion who will support the project team, be accountable for project deadlines, and ensure funding is spent appropriately. Please note, DPS charter schools are NOT allowed to apply at this time.
For inspiration, review the climate action projects that were funded last year.
4. Coming Up: Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is around the corner. National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 every year. There are many ways to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of those who came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Some examples include cultural performances, film screenings, art and literature exhibitions and more.
We’ll link to local events happening throughout the month in our show notes, but be sure to keep an eye out for celebrations happening at the school level.
5. It’s Not Too Late to RSVP for the 2024 Black Excellence Summit
Don’t forget, the 2024 Black Excellence Summit will be taking place on Saturday, September 14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Education Building at University of Denver. The RSVP form is linked in the show notes!
EDUCA DPS Podcast: How Multilingual Services Empower DPS Families
In this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, we sit down with Selena Nakamura and Joaquina Fuentes de Muñoz from the DPS Communications Department. Our guests share how DPS breaks down language barriers and connects families with needed resources.
Discover how their team ensures that all DPS families can access information in their preferred language, fostering stronger connections between families and their children’s schools. Listen to the podcast in English and Spanish.
DPS Snapshots Season 2 Episode #2
1. Colorado Measures of Academic Success Scores are Now Available
Colorado Measures of Academic Success, better known as CMAS, measures student achievement and growth for Language Arts and Mathematics for all students in grades 3-8, and Science for those in grades 5, 8 and 11.
Good news: Denver Public Schools students saw increases in overall CMAS scores in all three content areas evaluated.
If you want to read more about the CMAS results, be sure to check out the full article on the DPS website.
2. RSVP for the 2024 Black Excellence Summit
We are excited to invite families, staff, educators and friends of the DPS community to the 2024 Black Excellence Summit, a special event to celebrate and uplift Black Excellence within DPS. This summit offers professional development and learning opportunities for all, alongside a platform to honor achievements and advocate for even greater Black Excellence in our community. Additionally, there will be a resource fair with community partners who will provide opportunities to connect, share feedback and engage in meaningful conversations.
Join us on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Education Building at University of Denver. We’ll link the RSVP form in the show notes!
3. Please RSVP for FACE University’s Virtual Learning for Families
FACE University is a resource and learning hub for families in the Denver community. Register for the first live session titled , “Attendance- Every Day MATTERS! Tips, Tools and the Facts. ” The session will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 5-6 p.m. Three lucky families who attend the first live session will be entered to win tickets to the Children’s Museum, Museum of Nature and Science and the Colorado History Museum!
Visit the FACE University Family Learning Hub webpage to see the full event calendar. You can also subscribe to their YouTube channel to access the recorded sessions.
4. Six DPS Schools Receive ENERGY STAR Certification
The Sustainability Team announced that six schools earned ENERGY STAR certification fr
1. This Year’s BESS Screen is Open
DPS uses a survey system called the Behavior & Emotional Screening System, or BESS, to identify and match students with appropriate tiers of intervention. This survey supports school teams in knowing how and when to intervene when student safety or mental health concerns arise.
Guardians, Students and teachers alike are required to participate twice a year, once at the beginning of the year and once at the end of the year, and there is an optional window in the middle of the year.
The Beginning of the Year screening window for parents and caregivers began on Monday, Aug. 12, and the student and teacher form window will open on Sept. 23. The window for all forms will close in October.
The window to complete the End of the Year BESS should begin in March.
2. New Messaging Platform
DPS has switched to a new messaging platform, called Thrillshare by Apptegy! Here’s what you need to know:
All messages will be delivered in families’ preferred languages, as noted in Infinite Campus. If you would like to change the language you are receiving communications in, please update your profile in the Parent Portal.
In most cases, school communications will now be delivered from noreply@dpsk12.org. Please add this recipient to your contact list or monitor your Spam/Junk folder to ensure you are receiving new communications. Some schools have a front office email address. In that situation, school communications will be delivered from that specific email address.
This one is hugely important: if you “opt-out” of receiving communications at any point during the school year, you will be unsubscribed from all school and District communication and alerts, including emergency communications. For this reason, we highly discourage families from opting out of communications.
Students in 9th grade or higher can subscribe to receive school messages directly, but per DPS policy, guardians are required to receive the same messages as their students. Communications will not be sent to students only.
3. Early Release Heat Days
Schools may face extreme heat in buildings with limited or no air conditioning. To prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff, DPS may implement Early-Release Heat Days if indoor temperatures become unsafe in schools without air conditioning. In such cases, the decision will be communicated by 5 p.m. the day prior, with notices posted online and through email and robo-calls. On Early-Release Heat Days, modified bus routes will be provided, but parents can choose to pick up their children directly from school at the designated release time. If you have questions about Early-Release Heat Days, contact your school.
4. Upcoming 2024 Bond Package
Last Thursday, the DPS Board of Education unanimously approved a $975 million dollar bond package for DPS! In November, Denver voters will be asked to vote on whether or not to approve the package of proposed funding for our schools.
Here’s a quick rundown on the bond:
This bond package will NOT increase taxes for Denverites.
The bond will include funding for critical maintenance needs, arts, athletics, and innovation, new facilities, improved learning environments, and safety and technology upgrades.
At this time 29 DPS schools are without air conditioning and this package would help those schools receive the funding necessary to cool their schools!
For more information visit ourwordourbonddps.org.
5. New Newcomer Center
DPS is excited to announce the opening of Newlon Elementary School’s Newcomer Center. Newlon will serve ELA-E and ELA-S Newcomers who reside within their boundary.
DPS Snapshots
Infinite Campus Behavior Management Access for 2024
Infinite Campus (IC) Behavior Management access is typically valid for one school year at a time. With the release of the new Discipline Matrix for the 2024-25 school year, the recertification process is as follows:
School Administrative Staff (Principals, Assistant Principals and Deans) will have until mid-fall 2024 to complete the IC Behavior Management eLearning (which will be available in August) or lose access to IC until they do. No access will be removed before mid-fall 2024.
All other school-based staff with an access exception for 2023-24 will lose access on June 30 and will need to begin the access process when they return in the fall.
For more information, please visit the IC Behavior Management page on The Commons.
Mayor Johnston and Dr. Marrero Announce Summer Programs to Curb Youth Violence
In an effort to prevent the risks of summer violence, the City of Denver and DPS have partnered to announce the YouthWorks Initiative and summer opportunities that will connect Denver teens with jobs, summer camps and pop-up events. The program's goal is to engage Denver youth in positive opportunities over the course of the summer. Keep a lookout for local programs, jobs and events that your teen can participate in! Please share the opportunities with the youth in your community.
Denver In-person Hiring Fair
The City of Denver is hosting the Mayor's Job Fair in-person TOMORROW, Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the PPA Event Center. Denver employers who are interested in participating can RSVP here. If you have any questions, email Chance Hofmann.
Tables and chairs will be provided! Just bring your swag and good vibes. We expect attendees to be ages 14-26, creating a jobseeker pool with a variety of experiences!
Google Security Changes
In an effort to secure DPS data, DoTS will make changes to OAuth access beginning July 1. All Microsoft account OAuth will be blocked and team members won't be able to sign into websites utilizing their DPS Microsoft account. Additionally, the following applications/sites will be blocked for Google OAuth:
Form Publisher
Evernote
Khan Academy
Native mail apps (for example: Apple Mail, Samsung Mail, etc). The Gmail app will be the only approved mail app.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and Have a great summer
Class of 2024 is off in the real world, but they couldn’t have done it without your support. Thank you to all of the educators and faculty who have made a difference in these students’ academic journey.
That wraps up our last show for the season! We hope you have a wonderful and relaxing summer. Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode when we return.
Thanks, team DPS. We’ll talk to you again soon.
In this week's EDUCA DPS Podcast, members of the Multilingual Education Department, Allison Ratchford and Sary Portillo, discuss the remarkable impact of their efforts in supporting our new-to-country students. Our MLE Department works directly with students, families and educators to ensure that Multilingual Learners (MLLs) receive an equitable, high-quality education.
This year, DPS has welcomed nearly 5,000 newly arrived MLL students, a significant increase from the yearly average of 500. Not only are resources being provided to our students and families, but the MLE Department also offers instructional support to schools that are welcoming new arrival students.
1. Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and Food and Nutrition Service Offerings
Help inform families in your community about the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, is a new program that provides nutritious food to eligible students in the summer months when they are not in school. The Colorado Department of Human Services has created an outreach toolkit in English and Spanish to help spread the word about Colorado's Summer EBT program. https://foodservices.dpsk12.org/page/summer-meal
Similarly,
Every summer Denver Public Schools participates in the Summer Food Service Program. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program and refers to the free meal program offered during summer months that provides nutritious meals to children 18 years and younger at no charge, regardless of income, race or religion. We’ll link to the participating locations in our shownotes.
2. Ombuds has Finalized their Second Annual Report
The Ombuds Office has published their second annual report.
To jog your memory, the Ombuds team is a confidential and informal resource, committed to ensuring that fair and equitable practices exist for all employees throughout the systems and structures in DPS. http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/site/default.aspx?pageid=3039
This annual report includes information, data, and recommendations for how to enhance the district's culture and climate for all DPS employees. The report is linked in our shownotes!
For additional information about the Ombuds work, visit their webpage on The Commons or give them a ring 720-423-4776.
3. Register Your School For the FNE Hiring Fair
Do you work for or with a school in the Far Northeast Region? Register your school for the Far Northeast Region Hiring Fair on June 4 by May 29 at Northeast Early College from 5:30-7 p.m. The goal for this fair is to connect candidates who are open to employment opportunities with the DPS schools in the area. If you cannot attend, please invite someone who can represent your school on your behalf. If you have questions, contact Jeremy Eddie. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQ84Zwl5XBFfscpPvmhYP3OJQTtBQ3a6NWfujrYv4R1VYUzg/viewform
4. Reminder: Collect Chromebooks and Chargers from Students Before Summer Break
Students must return their Chromebooks and chargers for schools to be stored over the summer. Unfortunately there are no exceptions. Check out our show notes for more information about the recommended processes around device collection. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xlgASsLMSdBmoPnMHCouJ1IW6Uq_OiowXSZub6YRFQk/edit
5. Don’t Forget to Ensure Families Update their Addresses in Infinite Campus
Please encourage families to update their addresses in Infinite Campus (IC) before the end of the school year. Even though it’ll be summer before we know it, we want to remain connected with students and families to effectively support them.
1. Check your calendars! All room reservations at Emily Griffith Campus scheduled for dates from July 1, 2024 onward will be canceled from the Google Calendar. Users will need to reschedule rooms for all recurring and one-off meetings that have been scheduled on/or after July 1st. Rescheduling starts on June 3 .
2. The Team DPS End-of-Year Well-being Check-in survey will close Friday, May 17. Make sure you take the time to complete this confidential survey ahead of the 17th. . Invitations with unique links to complete the survey were emailed to all employees on May 1. If that email is long buried, don’t worry, a reminder email with the link is scheduled for Thursday, May 16.
3. Summer is around the corner! Make sure you’re sharing Community resources with your students before school is out of session. Visit the Family and Community Engagement webpage for resources, hosted by the City of Denver and DPS.
4. ICYMI: Effective July 1, SchoolMessenger, Constant Contact and Mailchimp will be deactivated and replaced by a new platform. Trainings on how to use the new Apptegy platform will be available soon! Contact DPS Webdeveloper Jacob Turner for more information. jacob_turner@dpsk12.net
5. The DPS Latinx Student Success (LSS) Team is now official! This team will lead the charge improving the experience for Latino students, families and employees within the district and help celebrate Latino successes. Speaking of Latino success, the DPS Communications team just highlighted the Latinx Student Alliance banquet. Make sure to check out that video. It lives on the district social media channels and the DPS website. dpsk12.org
Graduation season is here and with it the annual Seal of Biliteracy event. Members from the Multilingual Education Department joined our hosts to talk about their upcoming event.
The Seal of Biliteracy celebrates and recognizes students proficiency in two or more languages. Watch the show in English and in Spanish to see how the Seal of Biliteracy impacts students' opportunities and helps improve the student experience in the ever increasing interconnected world.
Spanish https://youtu.be/fG01vD8juZc
English https://youtu.be/ERXkHERLIQg
In this week's episode of Snap Shots, we're diving into a whirlwind of events and updates from the Denver Public Schools district. First up, it's all about expressing gratitude as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Tune in to hear heartwarming stories of the incredible educators shaping the lives of students across the district.
Next, we're shining a spotlight on Heritage Month celebrations. From vibrant cultural events to educational initiatives, discover how DPS is honoring diversity and heritage within its schools and communities.
But that's not all – we're also reminding families about the upcoming deadline for the Summer Connections summer program. Learn how your child can stay engaged and continue learning over the summer break.
In our technology update segment, we'll provide an important update on internet access for families. Ensuring equitable access to online resources remains a top priority for DPS, and we'll share the latest developments in bridging the digital divide.
Lastly, we'll take a look at some of the exciting events that took place recently, including the STEAM Expo and Lunch Hero Day. Plus, don't miss our special shout-out to three outstanding students who have been awarded the prestigious Boettcher Foundation Scholarship.
Join us for this dynamic episode of Snap Shots as we celebrate the achievements, initiatives, and milestones within the Denver Public Schools community.
Links:
Internet Connectivity - https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/
Photo of Dr. Marrero - https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=845986800897652&set=pcb.845987180897614
In the latest episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, representatives of the Gary Community Venture’s, MyFriendBen program, sat down with our hosts to talk about a new and unique program geared towards helping DPS families.
MyFriendBen is an online form that when filled out, will share benefits and tax credits that families are eligible to receive. The form takes around six minutes to complete and has over 40 programs that families could be eligible for.
To find out more about MyFriendBen, listen to the EDUCA DPS Podcast.
🎶Let's talk music! In this episode of the Black Student Voices in Color podcast, students chat about their favorite musicians, genres, and problems facing the music industry today.🎙️Listen in at youtu.be/jQER_9x_jR8 or find it on your favorite #podcast platform by searching for "The Denver Public Schools Podcast."👂
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.”
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