Each month, we provide a closer look at critical safety topics impacting our schools and highlight how the Department of Climate and Safety is working to keep students, staff and families safe, supported and informed.

This month, we're focusing on facsimile weapons—replicas or look-alike firearms and other weapons that, while not real, can have very real consequences when brought into school settings.

What Are Facsimile Weapons and Why Do They Matter?

Facsimile weapons are imitation firearms, knives, or other weapons that can appear indistinguishable from the real thing. These items include BB guns, airsoft guns, toy weapons and realistic-looking props.

Even if they’re not functional, they are still considered threats when brought into schools. Under DPS policy and Colorado state law, facsimile weapons are treated as serious safety concerns and can result in disciplinary action.

Why This Issue Demands Attention

• Visibility and Perception: Facsimile weapons can cause panic, fear and disruption in school communities. Staff and students often cannot distinguish real from fake in the moment.

• Law Enforcement Response: Officers and security teams must respond as if the weapon is real until it is proven otherwise—placing everyone at risk.

• Student Impact: These situations may lead to school lockdowns, emergency responses or disciplinary action that significantly impacts a student's education and well-being.

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

Creating safe learning environments means recognizing that even non-functional weapons create real fear. Awareness, education and proactive prevention are key.

Learn more by reviewing our DPS Weapons Policy and visiting SchoolSafety.gov.

Stay aware. Stay involved. Stay safe. Together, we can reduce risk and ensure that all students feel secure and supported in their learning environment.

This week’s Senior Spotlight shines on Lupe, an outstanding student who has called Bruce Randolph her home since middle school. From taking AP and concurrent classes to supporting her family and classmates, Lupe embraced every challenge with grace and determination. 

Lupe credits her mom’s strength and belief in education for motivating her to push forward and take on new opportunities, like an EMT course that helped her spark her passion for healthcare. Lupe will be attending Regis University and plans to go into the medical field. 

Along her journey, she earned the title of Valedictorian, a recognition she rarely mentions herself, but one that speaks volumes about her dedication and perseverance. 

Congratulations, Lupe! Watch her full story.

DPS is proud to celebrate innovative young climate leaders who were awarded the Seal of Climate Literacy, a new diploma endorsement recognizing student action, advocacy and knowledge about climate change. During a special event at North High School, students from across the district gathered to celebrate the sustainability projects that earned them the seal. Watch the full recap.

This week, the Black Voices in Color podcast explores the power and potential of Black entrepreneurship. The conversation aims to inspire the next generation to dream big and think boldly about building their own business. Co-host Josh, founder of Keys to the City, shares his journey as a young entrepreneur, proving it's never too early to start creating your future. Tune in to get inspired or listen in on your favorite podcast platform.

More than 30 high school students gathered at CSU Spur for the Women at Work Day event, a day dedicated to empowering women and focused on exploring non-traditional careers. Women from male-dominated fields such as construction, engineering and executive leadership shared their experiences with students in a hands-on activity. Watch the recap video.

With DPS Parent Portal, families can access their child’s real-time academic information, track assignments, attendance and goals, and more. The portal also provides access to resources like +Pass scanning and MySchoolBucks. The portal is available in multiple languages so you always have access to your student's progress in the format that works best for you. 

Creating an Account*

Follow the steps below and in the Parent Portal one-pager, which is available in multiple languages.

• Visit myportal.dpsk12.org, click "Create an Account."

• Fill out the form with your student's lunch number (student ID).

• Activate your account via email. 

*You must be listed as a guardian with a valid email address in order to create an account.

If you have an existing account, please try logging in to make sure that it is still active. We recommend doing this soon so everything is ready to go when school starts! For technical support, please contact us at 720-423-3163 or submit an incident here.

Cómo acceder y crear su cuenta del Portal para Padres de DPS

A través del Portal para Padres de DPS, las familias pueden acceder a la información académica de su estudiante en tiempo real, dar seguimiento a sus trabajos, asistencia, metas y más. El portal también brinda acceso a recursos como el escaneado de la tarjeta Más que un Pase y MySchoolBucks. El portal está disponible en varios idiomas, por lo que siempre tendrá acceso al progreso de su estudiante en el formato que más le convenga.

Cómo crear una cuenta*

Siga los pasos que se indican a continuación y en la hoja informativa del Portal para Padres, que está disponible en varios idiomas.

• Visite myportal.dpsk12.org y haga clic en "Crear una cuenta".

• Llene el formulario con el número de almuerzo de su estudiante (ID del estudiante).

• Active su cuenta a través del correo electrónico. 

*Debe aparecer listado como tutor legal con una dirección válida de correo electrónico para poder crear una cuenta.

Si ya tiene una cuenta, trate de iniciar sesión para asegurar que la misma todavía está activa. Recomendamos que haga esto pronto para que todo esté listo cuando inicien las clases. Si necesita asistencia técnica, comuníquese con nosotros al 720-423-3163 o envíe un incidente aquí.

CoAlt English Language Arts (ELA) and Math student performance reports will be available online June 13 in the Kite Family Portal. This secure platform provides an easy way for families to view information about their student’s performance in ELA and Math on the CoAlt assessment. 

View the Kite Family Portal guidance document for instructions on how to look up your student’s score report. The “access code” needed for the Family Portal will be given to families by their student’s teacher. Paper score reports will be sent home in the fall along with handouts for families.

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is releasing preliminary online CMAS and CoAlt (science and social studies) online score reports for families in CDE’s new Family Portal starting June 11. These reports are available to families and include the student’s score, performance level, and a performance level description. View the Family Portal guidance document for instructions on how to look up your student’s score report. Score reports with more detailed information such as score breakdowns that indicate strengths and areas for growth, peer comparisons and tips for home support, will be released later in June. Paper score reports will be sent home in the fall along with handouts for families.

Supporting Students During Times of Uncertainty: Tuesday, May 27 from 5–5:30 p.m., live on Zoom.
Presented by Denver Children's Advocacy Network

Join us for a powerful 30-minute session designed to equip parents and caregivers with tools to support students facing stress and uncertainty. In this quick but impactful workshop, you'll learn practical ways to help your child cope with environmental stressors, build family-wide resilience and navigate challenges while waiting for therapy or additional support. Empower your family with connection, compassion and real-world strategies!

Oyuki, the valedictorian of her class, has consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout her educational journey. She is graduating early so she can begin pursuing her dream of becoming a pediatrician. Oyuki is thrilled to be attending the University of Colorado Denver this fall. Through ICAP, CTE and concurrent enrollment, she has completed a total of 32 college credits in preparation for her journey toward success as a first generation college student. Her parents' resilience-her mother’s victory over brain cancer and her father’s dedication to achieving U.S. residency-have instilled in her a strong sense of perseverance and motivation. Oyuki’s advice to freshmen is, “Be involved in extracurriculars, community service and enjoy your high school years.”