ODW Header
Kids in Wagon on Playground

Nov. 1, 2024

Prioritizing Attendance Around the Upcoming Holiday Breaks

As we transition into the holiday season, we want to take a moment to remind you of the importance of consistent school attendance. Regular attendance not only builds students’ ability to follow daily routines but also is important to their personal, social, academic and emotional development.

With the upcoming holiday breaks, we encourage you to plan family activities around our school calendar to ensure your child is present in school all day, every day. Each day of instruction is vital in helping our students meet their educational goals and maintain their learning progress. Make-up work does not fully help students recover missed instruction, and one student’s absence affects classmates’ progress due to the collaborative nature of learning.

Access the 2024-25 school year calendar to plan appointments and travel around the following breaks:

  • November Break: Nov. 25-29

  • December Break: Dec. 23, 2024-Jan. 6, 2025

Note: Some schools may have their own calendars so be sure to also check your child's school calendar for any important, school-specific dates.

The Colorado Department of Education also has printable calendars for families and students to track their attendance. These calendars are available in English and Spanish.

We appreciate your partnership in supporting your child's education and look forward to seeing them at school each day!

Save the Date: SchoolChoice Round 1 for 2025-26

The DPS SchoolChoice Round 1 open enrollment window for the 2025-26 school year opens at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 18, 2025 at 4 p.m. 

SchoolChoice Round 1 is for any student who wants or needs to attend a new school for the following school year. All incoming ECE students, as well as incoming students who reside in an enrollment zone, must complete an application. Learn more about the ECE application process here. 

Keep an eye on schoolchoice.dpsk12.org and visit our School Finder to start researching schools. Call the SchoolChoice Hotline at 720-423-3493 or email schoolchoice@dpsk12.org if you have questions.

Window Extended to Share Your Voice!

Your Voice Tu Voz Family Survey Extended to Friday, Nov. 8

Family participation in the DPS “Your Voice/Tu Voz” survey is very important for individual schools and for the district overall. The more family opinions and experiences we learn about, the more accurate our data is, enabling school and district leaders to make informed decisions. 

To give schools the opportunity to hear from as many families as possible, the “Your Voice/Tu Voz” family survey has been extended to Friday, Nov. 8. Complete the survey by clicking here.

Wrapping Up National Principals Month

We closed out National Principals Month with a special visit to Oakland Elementary School, where Principal Quiroga-Beck sat down with one of her students to answer questions about being a principal. Dara, an Oakland fifth-grader, asked questions that covered everything from a dream of having a real eagle mascot, to the school’s secret candy stash. Watch this heartwarming video.

Honoring Dia de los Muertos at Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment

Students at Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment celebrated Dia de los Muertos with beautiful ofrendas (altars) honoring ancestors, delicious churros and music. This rich tradition, celebrated with colorful marigolds, photos and cherished mementos, gave students the opportunity to connect with Mexican heritage and reflect on the importance of remembrance. 

Shout out to our DPS Culture, Equity and Leadership Team for helping bring this memorable event to the students at Montclair. Watch the celebration!

Celebrating Pride and Achievement at the LGBTQ+ Student Awards Banquet

Students across the district gathered for the LGBTQ+ Student Awards Banquet, an event celebrating student accomplishments and honoring LGBTQ+ History Month. The event featured student performances, delicious food and awards. Watch the event recap. 

Our Word Is Our Bond Updates

2020 Bond Testimonial: CEC Automotive Shop Remodel

This week’s 2020 bond testimonial is brought to you by film program students at Career Education Center Early College (CEC). CEC film students helped produce the video for CEC automotive program students, showcasing how the 2020 Bond provided funding to remodel the automotive shop with industry-standard equipment. Watch how these improvements have been shaping the automotive program experience for students.

Read Your Entire Ballot: An Important Message from Polaris Elementary Students

Remember to Vote Video

This year’s ballot is the longest in Denver history! School initiatives are often at the end of ballots. The students at Polaris Elementary have an important message: vote and remember to read your entire ballot!

Sign Up for the 'Our Word is Our Bond' Newsletter

Our Word is Our Bond Promo

Our Word is Our Bond is a quarterly district newsletter that reports on school bond projects. Stay informed by signing up to get future editions of the newsletter and visit the archive to catch up on previous editions.

#MyPlanDPS Student Achievement Award Recipient: Ajah

Ajah's journey has been one of resilience, exploration and growth. Her DPS journey started during her sophomore year when she faced the cultural and academic adjustments that came with being an immigrant in a new country. 

With the support and opportunities offered through Thomas Jefferson High School and DPS College and Career Success (CCS) Programs, Ajah took concurrent enrollment classes, participated in AVID, engaged in an internship and gained hands-on experience in aviation through OBAP and Mile High Flight. 

These programs opened doors for her first discovery flight experience and UNITED flight simulator. Ajah plans to attend a university that offers a comprehensive aviation program. Her advice to freshmen is, "Take advantage of the programs and resources available to you. You will never know the doors it could open for you!"

Ajah MyPlanDPS

Nourishing Minds for More than 45 Years: Mary Dully Featured on CBS Colorado

Miss Mary hands out food to her students

Meet Mary Dully, a beloved member of the Merrill Middle School community and a dedicated Nutrition Services employee for more than 45 years. With a deep passion for nourishing young minds, Mary believes that a full stomach is key to a successful learning experience. Her unwavering commitment to providing healthy, delicious meals ensures that every student is prepared to thrive in the classroom. Through her tireless work and heartfelt interactions, Mary has become not just a provider of food, but a source of support and inspiration for countless students over the decades. Check out her feature story on CBS Colorado!

Photo credit: CBS News Colorado

Student-Athlete of the Week

Genesis Lujan Student Athlete of the Week
Brian Villalba Student Athlete of the Week

The DPS Student-Athlete of the Week highlights students who excel not only in their chosen activity but also in academics, leadership, sportsmanship, citizenship and teamwork.  Congratulations to our student-athletes of the week, Genesis Lujan and Brian Villalba! Keep up the great work!

First Annual Native American Student Alliance Banquet

NASA

On Nov. 18, DPS will hold its inaugural Native American Student Alliance Banquet and Awards Ceremony. This event is an opportunity to celebrate our Native American students and highlight their talents and accomplishments. Sign up here. Transportation and lunch will be provided. For more information, reach out to Delano Duncan or Malcolm Quattlebaum.

Southwest Parent Village: DPS Family Advocacy Program

Parent Village, a part of the DPS Family Advocacy Program, exists to create a world where parent voices are elevated and strengthened through advocacy practice and community-building. Learn basic advocacy skills and community resources to support causes that are important to your family and school community.

Join us on Nov. 14 from 4:45-7 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln High School for the first session, “Foster Community and Collective Identity.” Dinner and childcare will be provided.

Stay tuned for time and location information for the second session, “Explore Your Advocacy Style” on Nov. 21 and the third session, “Fight for Change” on Dec. 5.

Upcoming Webinar: Talking with Your Kids About Substance Use

Join the DPS Substance Use Prevention Team on Nov. 20 at noon for an informative session on how to discuss substance use with your children. This conversation can be daunting, but we are here to help you navigate it. Register here. Spanish interpretation will be available.

November Reads and Read-a-likes on Sora

As the days get shorter, chase away the darkness with a good book on Sora! Whether you like a bit of whimsy, a serious topic or a celebration, DPS Library Services has you covered with collections, recommendations and new title requests.  

Check these reads out in November: Diwali, DINOvember, Indigenous Authors, Transgender Week of Remembrance and Dog Man Read-Alikes. Plus, the Big Library Read, a global ebook club, is coming to you Nov. 7-21!

DPS Library Services

Contact Us

newsletters@dpsk12.org
www.dpsk12.org

Denver Public Schools Every Learner Thrives Logo

Connect With Us

Denver Public Schools | 1860 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203