This semester, we are sharing monthly Safety Spotlights in Our DPS Weekly with the goal of keeping our community informed, engaged and empowered. This month’s topic is Bullying Prevention: Friendship, Upstanding and Support.

At Denver Public Schools, we are unwavering in our commitment to cultivating a school climate where every student feels safe, valued and included. 

Per DPS Policy JIDCE and JICD, “Bullying is prohibited against any student for any reason, including but not limited to any such behavior that is directed toward a student on the basis of their academic performance or any basis protected by federal and state law or District policy, including race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability, whether such characteristic(s) is actual or perceived.”

Friendship, that is genuine and sincere, is a powerful tool in the fight against bullying. We don’t bully those we care about.  

The Transformative Power of Friendship

Bullying and exclusion can have detrimental effects on mental and physical health. To the contrary, strong friendships and inclusive environments offer numerous benefits, such as:

• Enhanced sense of belonging and purpose: Feeling connected to peers fosters a supportive community.

• Reduced stress and anxiety: Positive relationships act as buffers against life's challenges.

• Increased happiness and emotional resilience: Supportive friendships contribute to overall well-being.

• Improved self-confidence and self-worth: Especially crucial during the formative teenage years.

Research indicates that people with strong friendships experience better health outcomes overall. Making friends isn’t always easy – this article shares some ideas.

Upstander Over Bystander

Upstanding is one of the antidotes to bullying. Bystanding is seeing something that’s not right and watching it happen. Upstanding is seeing something and taking action in the moment or soon thereafter. 

Four Ways to Upstand:

• Stand up: Advocate for peers who are being bullied, when it is safe to do so.

• Choose not to participate: Do not laugh at or encourage bullying behavior.

• Minimize further harm: Do not record or share bullying incidents online.

• Check in: Connect with the target to understand their experience and offer support.

Upstanding can be tricky. The ABC show, “What Would You Do?” is dedicated to staging scenarios to see how people would react and whether folks become upstanders over bystanders.

Support and Resources Available

If your child is experiencing bullying, support is available. Parents and guardians can:

• Listen and validate: Create a safe space for your child to share their experiences. Offer unconditional support and believe their story. Avoid dismissing their feelings or immediately suggesting solutions -- sometimes, they just need to be heard, seen and believed.

• Support a sense of self-worth: Show them consistent and unconditional love while actively celebrating their efforts and achievements. Notice and highlight their unique strengths, whether it's their kindness, creativity, or problem-solving abilities. Create opportunities for them to develop new skills and succeed at activities they enjoy. Remember to emphasize that others' actions or words don't determine their worth but their character and choices.

• Document everything. Keep detailed records of bullying incidents, including:

  • Dates, times, locations, and names of involved parties.

  • Description of what happened.

  • Any physical evidence (screenshots of cyberbullying incidents).

• Work with the school. Establish a partnership with school staff.

  • Schedule meetings with teachers, counselors, and administrators.

  • Request a written plan for addressing the situation.

  • Follow up regularly to ensure action is being taken.

  • Know your rights and the school's anti-bullying policies.

• Seek professional help. If students are experiencing severe emotional distress, consider working with a mental health professional. The community mental health resources listed below are available.

  • Safe2Tell: A confidential reporting system designed to provide people a way to anonymously report concerns related to safety, bullying, threats, or other dangerous situations.

  • National Lifeline: Call, Text or Chat 988. 

  • Colorado Crisis Services: Call (844) 493-8255 or text TALK to 38255. 

  • Crisis Text Line: Text ‘HOME’ to 741741

Additional Resources:

• One-Pager of Resources for School Teams

• One-Pager for Parents

• School Culture | Bullying Prevention Website

Together, we can build a school culture where every student feels safe, valued and included.

Sincerely,

Wes Ogburn, MSW
School Culture/Bullying Prevention Manager
DPS Department of Climate and Safety

Have you submitted your SchoolChoice application yet? Be sure to do it this weekend!

This enrollment process is for any student who wants or needs to attend a new school next year, particularly incoming ECE-3, kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students.* 

Log in to SchoolChoice by creating an account or using your Parent Portal username and password. Then, rank up to 12 schools in order of preference and submit your application before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. You’ll be notified of your results in late March. 

Find much more information on the SchoolChoice website. If you have any questions, review our FAQs, call 720-423-3493 or email schoolchoice@dpsk12.org.

*Families applying for ECE-4 must submit the Colorado Universal Preschool application. Learn more on the SchoolChoice website.

In this week’s episode of the EDUCA DPS podcast, Mario Quezada talks about the SchoolChoice process, important dates and how to navigate the system successfully. SchoolChoice empowers families to find the best fit for their students in DPS. Watch the conversation in English and in Spanish. You can also find it on your favorite podcast platform. 

Fuel your school year with a visit to a Tasty Food site! Enjoy free meals and/or snacks for youth ages 3-18. No ID or registration required. Dates and times are subject to change. Visit denvergov.org/tastyfood for updated info and dates of operation. For more information, read the flyer in your preferred language.

Prioritize your health and wellness by attending the free Self Care Health Fair at the Cool Event Center (1050 S Sable Blvd, Aurora, CO 80012) on Saturday, Feb. 22  from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Offerings include:

• Information and applications for case management agencies for people with disabilities.

• Services and providers for people with disabilities.

• RTD information and training.

• Health insurance for children and pregnant people, regardless of immigration status.

• Vaccines for adults and children.

• Medical checkups.

• Clinic appointments.

• Haircuts for adults and children, courtesy of Diego Huizar.

If you have questions, email julissamolinasoto@gmail.com.

DELTA High School’s own Janet Damon was recently named the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year. She was also named a finalist for the 2025 National Teacher of the Year! The Colorado Department of Education and DPS leadership surprised Mrs. Damon with heartfelt congratulations. In classic Mrs. Damon fashion, she plans to use her prize money to surprise one of her students with a birthday gift. Watch the recap video.

Two years ago, we shared the inspiring story of Angel and Atalia, two extraordinary students from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College who embodied Black Excellence through their dedication and achievements. Today, we share an update on their success. 

Now thriving at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Angel is on the path to becoming an attorney, while Atalia is pursuing her dream of becoming an oncologist. Watch to see how these remarkable young scholars are shaping their futures and continuing to inspire our community.

This year, FACE and the Vietnamese community celebrated Lunar New Year at Lincoln High School on Jan. 25. Despite the heavy snowfall, families, community members and DPS staff and students were able to attend the festivities. The event included insight into the cultural aspect of the Lunar New Year, making fortune-telling origami and savoring delicious food. It was a large and exciting celebration that is guaranteed to have brought some good luck into the year of the wood snake!

Summer Programs for All | Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 9-10 a.m.
Join the Facebook or YouTube livestream to learn about DPS summer program options like Achieving Excellence Academy, and other affordable summer programs in the Denver community such as Boys and Girls Club, Scholars Unlimited and more!

Family Meals Challenge | March 3-5 at 8-9 a.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m.
This free online workshop helps DPS families to grow closer, learn healthy family eating habits and increase students' school achievement. Register for the event.

Are you a member of your school’s Collaborative School Committee (CSC) or School Accountability Committee? Join the District Accountability Committee (DAC) for the DAC/CSC virtual meet-up on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 5:30-7 p.m. Connect with other CSCs and share best practices to strengthen the work of these important school committees. 

Discussion topics include:

• Equipping CSC members for meaningful engagement.

• Effective discussions on the Budget and UIP.

This district-level event is open to members of the CSC and School Accountability Committees from all schools (district-run, innovation and charter). Register today! Questions? Email denverdac@gmail.com.

The DPS District Accountability Committee (DAC) is a group of parents, community members and DPS staff members who provide recommendations to DPS at the district level. 

Read their quarterly newsletter, “The DAC Dispatch,” to learn more about their work, their coordination with the district and to connect with them on your questions about our school district as a whole. Read the newsletter in English or Spanish. 

The newsletter includes a "Ask the DAC" prompt and the questions are answered in the next newsletter! Do you have questions about the DAC or want to get involved? Email denverdac@gmail.com.