Last night, the Board of Education voted on the recommendation presented to them by the Superintendent on Nov. 7. For the results of the Board’s decision, read this letter from Superintendent Dr. Marrero and visit the Denver Schools Thrive Initiative webpage.
Nov. 22, 2024
Update on the Denver Schools Thrive Initiative
Tasty Food Offering Over Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving break is here! Tasty Food sites are open all week (Nov. 25-29) serving free meals and snacks for kids ages 3-18. No registration or ID needed. Click here for details.
DPS Leader Named 2025 Colorado Outstanding Assistant Principal (COAP)
Hazael Roman-Lagunas, Munroe Elementary’s Assistant Principal, was named the 2025 Colorado Outstanding Assistant Principal (COAP) for elementary schools by the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals. During his time at Munroe, Hazael has helped enhance instructional expertise across the school through a strong Professional Learning Community (PLC). This change led to an improvement in the status of the School Performance Framework (SPF). He also created a system to promote biliteracy and linguistic development through targeted professional development sessions, which increased the impact of student’s voices in the classroom.
Read more about Hazael’s impact.
#MyPlanDPS Student Achievement Award Recipient
Since the age of nine, Jaylin wanted to be a police officer. She would like to advocate for others and help her community. She has been recently accepted to the DPS Cadet Program while being employed 30 hours a week. Jaylin has overcome adversity that has developed her character and her path to success. She has an understanding of how hard it can be to struggle in school while navigating life. Jaylin believes all of her challenges have prepared her to be a police officer and an example to those who are facing challenges. Her advice to freshmen is, “Change can be scary but nothing is more terrifying than letting your fears get in the way of accomplishing your goals."
Challenge 5280 Fall Roundtables
Challenge 5280 is an opportunity for student leaders to present policy solutions, facilitate educational workshops and generate a call to action for their school communities.
The Fall Roundtable is an opportunity for students to ideate, discuss and receive feedback and fresh perspectives on their research plans with community partners and their peers. We welcomed 200 students from 16 schools and around 20 community partners. Follow Student Voices and Leadership on Instagram for more details on the culminating Challenge 5280 Summit in the spring!
DPS Student-Athletes of the Week
The DPS Student-Athletes 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, Eva Miller-Sanchez and Dylan Hagerty! Keep up the great work!
Upcoming Offerings at FACE University
Homework Help for Parents: Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 3-4 p.m.
Register here or join the Facebook live. Attend to learn more about academic skills by grade level (preschool to high school), study tips, how to partner with your school and other academic support tools for families. This is a self-paced interactive training.
DPS College and Career Success: Dec. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Register here or join the Facebook live. This session will provide an overview of services offered by the DPS Career and College Success Department and an overview of the Financial Aid process including the FAFSA and CASFA application. A Q&A for families, staff and community will also be provided.
Family Leadership Programs
Round 2 of the program launches in January 2025! Pre-register using this interest form.
Check out the 2023-24 Climate Action and Accountability Annual Report
The DPS Sustainability Team’s 2023-24 Climate Action and Accountability Annual Report, which documents progress toward DPS' 2028 climate action goals, is now available. Thank you to all the collaborators who make this work happen for our students, community and livable future.
The report is available in English and Spanish. One-page summaries are also available in English and Spanish. According to LeeAnn Kittle, Executive Director of Sustainability, "The Climate Action Plan was made for progress, not perfection, and we are seeing progress already.”
To get involved in climate action at your school, email dept_sustainability@dpsk12.net.
Sustainability Team Winter Updates and Offerings
Read the Sustainability Team's most recent newsletter for opportunities to get involved with programming, curriculum and classroom resources, and learn about climate action projects implemented across the district.
Sign up to receive the DPS Sustainability Team's quarterly newsletters. Be informed and get involved to help reach the goals set in DPS' Climate Action Plan!
Healthy Food for Denver's Kids Grant Opportunity
Are you a school interested in serving Denver youth through food access and food education? Join the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids Virtual Open House on Dec. 10 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to:
Learn more about our next funding opportunity.
Walk through our Request for Proposal and scoring rubric.
Discuss the application process and timeline.
Workshop program ideas before the grant period opens (this is prohibited once the grant period opens).
Click here to register. This open house will be recorded for those who are not available to attend live. If you have questions, email Jessica Murison.
DPS Spirit Night at Urban Air Adventure Park
Join us for DPS Spirit Night at Urban Air Adventure Park (Denver East, 9550 E 40th Ave, Denver, CO 80238) on Dec. 8!
Enjoy exclusive DPS Spirit Night pricing from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tickets are available at the front desk on Dec. 8. Be sure to mention DPS Spirit Night at time of purchase. 20% of all ticket sales will be donated to the DPS Foundation! For questions, email events@dpsfoundation.org.
Time for Togetherness and Gratefulness with Sora
Reading with your family and friends is a great way to stay connected and learn something new. Visit the Sora app during the cold months for read-alongs, ebooks, audiobooks and magazines. Offline reading is also available.
Experience food from other cultures around the world with our collection of 150+ cookbooks. Learn how to craft something new! Celebrations this December include Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Advent/Christmas and Winter Solstice, so don’t forget to check out the Winter Celebrations collection to celebrate these events.
Plus, make a request for your next read with our Blind Date service!
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