The holidays are a busy time for us all but it is essential to take care of ourselves and our loved ones and support those in our community who are in need. Included below are resources spanning from food banks, counseling services, hotlines and energy assistance that will be available to our DPS community over break. Please review the resources below and share them widely with those who could use the extra support.

• DPS’ Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team has compiled a comprehensive resource list of meals, housing, mental health winter activities/programming and other resources to share with students and families.

• Meals: In addition to the food banks mentioned in the FACE resources, the City and County's Office of Children Affairs is offering a free supper and/or snack at any Tasty Food site for youth (ages five-18) across Denver during the holiday break! No registration or ID is required. Access the Tasty Food schedule flyer (in English and Spanish) for more information. Details on holiday schedule changes and planned holiday closures will be available on the Tasty Food website.

FACE would love your feedback! Share your ideas or needs regarding their resource page.

Each year, 7,000 DPS fifth-graders embark on an unforgettable journey at Balarat, our district’s outdoor education program. Students learn essential wilderness skills like reading a compass and finding their way, while building confidence and teamwork through low ropes courses. Watch the video to see the magic at Balarat in action! For more information on Balarat, visit their website.

The Our Word is Our Bond newsletter is packed with essential updates, insights and reflections. 

What’s Inside

• 2024 Bond Industry Insider Series: Watch a clip from a program lead to learn more.

• 2024 Bond School Letters: Download your school letter to learn what your school will receive with the 2024 bond dollars.

• 2020 Bond Testimonials: Hear from our DPS community how your support has made an impact.

On Nov. 30, 2023, DPS celebrated the new gymnasium at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College (DMLK). Previously, students had to travel off-site for sports. The new athletic facility was funded by 2016 bond reserves. One year later, Denver7 reported on the positive changes the gym has brought to the community. Thank you Denver voters for making this possible! 

The Morey Middle School theater program wrote a musical, “Waiting For The Bus,” that was selected for the MainStage Show at ThesCon Colorado, which took place at the BellcoTheater on Dec. 12. This is the first time ever that a middle school production was chosen as the MainStage production. 

Their theater director Maxwell Schwartz, “has been a gift to the school and is giving all kinds of students a place to feel comfortable and build confidence,” according to Morey Middle School parent Nicole Forester. 

Read more about the show here.