RASA Radar

Greetings RASA Families!

We have made it through  week four (4) YAY!. Again, we hope the week has gone well for your students and yourselves!   

Since the beginning of the school year  our local community as well as our national and international communities have experienced many tragedies. In light of these actions we acknowledge the stress, frustration, chaos, and uncertainty that accompany these situations. Nonetheless, we believe that the healing of any entity begins within, with the support of a connected, empathetic, and collaborative community.  With that being said, know the RASA team is here to support you in any manner that we are able. To begin, we are providing you with links to resources that Denver Public Schools have provided for families.

Included is a link DPS has provided  as available resources for families.

The resources provided here are for personal use only and have not been vetted or endorsed by the City of Denver or the Denver Public Schools District. The city or district does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information provided. Nothing on this website is intended or should be taken as legal advice. Users should independently verify any information before relying on it.

In addition, the following resources may be accessed by students, families and staff to support in times of crisis and/or grief:

• Safe2Tell Colorado: An anonymous way to report any concern impacting students (phone, app, online reporting options.) Reports can be submitted by calling 1-877-542-SAFE (7233), through their website, through the mobile app (download via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store) or by texting S2TCO to 738477.

• School-based Health Centers: There are 19 School-based Health Centers located in our schools around the city. If there is not a location at your child's school, you may use the one located closest to you.

• Care Solace: Offers behavioral health care coordination services for students, family members, staff and their family members.

• Lock2Live: Lock2Live is an interactive web-based tool to aid in decision-making about temporary strategies for safe storage. Read the FAQ for more information. The Lock2Live website is also available in Spanish.

• Colorado Crisis and Support Line: A resource for mental health, substance use and emotional crisis help – information and referrals. Call 844-493-8255 or Text TALK to 38255.

• I Matter Colorado: Directs students to an online survey for their needs and connects them to a therapist.

• 988 Lifeline: A resource that aids in mental health struggles, emotional distress and more. Call or text 988, or chat with a counselor.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A confidential, no-cost service available to all DPS employees and their dependents.

For additional support or assistance in accessing resources, please reach out to our school psychologist  or school social worker. Additional assistance may be accessed by contacting the Family and Community Helpline at 720-423-3054 or FACEHelpline@dpsk12.org.

In partnership,

RASA Leadership:

Principal: Dr. Anthony McWright | anthony_mcwright@dpsk12.net 

Assistant Principal: Mrs. McClellan McRoberts | myrtis_walcott@dpsk12.net  

Dean of Culture: Mr. Steven Jones | steven_jones1@dpsk12.net

Teachers, and Staff

Thank you to all who attended RASA’s  Back to School Night. We hope you enjoyed the evening and got to meet and speak with your student(s) teachers and staff members. Our next evening to meet teachers will be during our Parent / Teacher Conference Nights (October 1, 2025 and October 8, 2025). Sign up forms for the evenings will be provided in our upcoming newsletter.

In case you missed it, Denver Public Schools offers Community Leadership Courses.

DPS 101 is an in-person, eight-part leadership course that is open to all DPS community   members, including parents and DPS community members. The course offers transparent insights into DPS structures, systems and leadership. Participants explore past and present DPS events, providing collaborative learning opportunities that foster curiosity and civic responsibility.

Through this course, participants will:

1. Be empowered to identify roles and contribute to the DPS Strategic Roadmap.

2. Cultivate collaboration and belonging through cohort-based learning experiences.

3. Gain a deeper understanding of DPS department functions.

4. Develop a sense of belonging. 

The course consists of nine meetings from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Emily Griffith Campus 14er located at 1860 Lincoln St. Meetings occur on a monthly basis and are scheduled for Oct. 8, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, April 1 and May 6. 

Any DPS community member is welcome and encouraged to apply, whether you have a child/adolescent learning in DPS, or work with or for DPS! The application closes Wednesday, Sept. 24. We will select 20-25 cohort members from the application pool and selected individuals will be notified by Sept. 26.

Thank you to all who have completed this survey for your student. At present we have about 23% of families that have completed the survey. We are hoping to achieve an 80% participation rate.  The parent window for the BESS survey is open now until Oct 31, 2025.   We are asking parents / guardians to take a few moments to complete the BESS survey before the fall deadline (October 31, 2025).

If you are unsure about the process or have questions, please reach out to RASA’s main office for support.  Be reminded that parents / guardians have the right, upon request, to review the items on the BESS survey. This can be accomplished via in-person, phone call, or through district approved electronic platforms with the student’s school. However, due to copyright protections, school personnel are not allowed to send a copy of the materials or questions home prior to screening.

Information on how to access the survey in English and Spanish has been provided below via the screening flyers. Note, parents / guardians will need to have set up their Parent Portal account to access this survey. In addition, parents / guardians will need to know the student’s DPS identification number and date of birth to complete the screening process.

Bess Family Screening Flyer (English)

Bess Family Screening Flyer (Spanish)

School Picture Information 

School picture day was a great success. The students were dressed to impress what wonderful smiles and energy!. Now it is time to review and consider purchasing pictures. Life touch has provided the following information to support families.   

Dear parents,

Thanks for a great Picture Day at Rasa Responsive Arts And Steam Academy. School pictures are ready and available for purchase!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program here.

Thank you!

Families may purchase picture packages at that time from www.lifetouch.com. If students missed the September Picture day please note that October 3, 2025 from 8:30am to 10:30am  will be picture make-up day for those who missed the first picture take or would like to re-take pictures.

Throughout the school year 25/26 , students may be photographed, videotaped, or recorded during classroom activities, school events, and special programs. These images and recordings may be used in school publications, on our website, in newsletters, on social media platforms, or shared with local media outlets to highlight the wonderful things happening at our school. However we understand some may not wish to have their student’s photo released. Attached is a media release form that we ask families to complete and return to the main office in regard to media publications.

A complete Breakfast and Lunch will be offered free of charge to students during the 2025-2026 school year. 

Second entrees and any a la carte items may be purchased with cash or using a student’s MySchoolBucks account.  Adult meals are available for $4.00 for breakfast and $5.00 for lunch.

All DPS families are encouraged to complete a You Benefit! form to receive other benefits, including fee waivers, P-EBT, and to maximize funding for the district and for additional funding for your child’s school.

Elementary Breakfast and Lunch Menus may be found here.

If any families are interested in registering for Denver Public Schools Extended Learning and Community Schools program, please use this Arux for Denver Public Schools  Link to register: 

Hours are below: 

3:35 - 6:00 PM (MON, TUES, WEDS, FRI)

1:10 - 3:30 PM (THURS)

For any questions, your point of contact will be Andrea Ramirez-Hilton. 

720-423-1781  phone

Discovery_link@dpsk12.org 

You may access the district’s attached flyer for more reference.

In case you missed it, DPS  recently launched a new two-way messaging feature, Rooms and the DPS app! Families can Download the app to communicate with teachers directly:  

• Download the Denver Public Schools app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

• Once installed, open the app, then tap “Rooms,” then “Continue to sign in.”

• Type in your guardian email address or phone number.

• If you typed in your email address, tap “Log in with code.” If you typed in your phone number, you will automatically receive a code. Type this code in when prompted.

• You will be prompted to select your preferred communication language.

• You will be automatically signed into your students’ Rooms.

Still have questions about Rooms? Visit theRooms FAQ page.

Please review the RASA School Support Letter for information and questions about parent involvement.

For information about and how to become involved with RASA’s CSC please use this link.

As we enter the school year, please be aware of our visitor policy. We currently use DPS Safety & Security’s Raptor System, which ensures that any visitor to the school is safe to be around students. ALL visitors to the building during the school day must first make an appointment through the main office staff and sign in at the front office before entering the building. Please also make sure to let your student’s  teacher know, especially if you are planning to visit in class during the school day. We honor and value both the connection to home/families as well as the safety of our students and appreciate your cooperation in following these procedures.

Information pertaining to the DPS Rapture Visitor management  systems may be accessed here.

Denver Public Schools Volunteer Services provide resources to the greater community that supports the engagement of volunteers. At RASA, we welcome  and actively encourage your involvement  in the school community. We believe the overall success of the whole child depends upon the entire community working together for the betterment of all students. However, prior to volunteering, individuals must take specific steps to qualify to participate. 

The steps below include the following:  The process takes about 30 minutes.

1. Fill out the Application form first.
   This will give you the links you need.

2. Complete your background check
   Use the Sterling Volunteers link (below).

3. Watch the Volunteer Orientation video
   And read the Volunteer Handbook (link below).

4. Sign the online Confidentiality Agreement, Release and Waiver.

5. Submit your application
   After you finish all the steps above.

Check your email (Junk/Spam) for confirmation of submission from Sterling Volunteers.
When you get the email from Sterling Volunteers, send a message to: Volunteer Services Manager, Sarah Rice.
📧 sarah_rice@dpsk12.net
We’ll help you get placed at a school!

Transportation notifies families of their eligibility and availability for identified students. Yellow bus transportation is provided for certain school students within DPS boundaries. All transportation requests are completed in the Parent Portal.  

The FarNortheast shuttle schedule can be accessed through this link.

The RASA shuttle schedule can be accessed through this link:

My Ride K-12 (NEW DPS Transportation App)  

This app now allows parents and guardians to view their student’s transportation information all in one place. A major feature of this app is that it allows the user to see when and where their student boarded and departed the bus each day when they ride. Parents learn more about this new platform or sign up for My Ride@DPS here.

Alerts (ThrillShare)

DPS has transitioned to a new platform to send alerts to parents. This service will also be used in transportation to report service related issues. Any concerns or questions regarding stops/transportation should go directly to DPS Transportation at 720-423-4600 or transportation@dpsk12.org. Parents may access the Elementary Transportation Page by clicking this link. 

There is an exception process for students who would like access who do not currently have it. Please visit this link for more information. If you have questions regarding DPS transportation, please contact their customer service center at 720-423-4600.

September 18: Coffee with Administration   9:00 am in the School Commons

September 22: Staff Planning Day: No school for students

October 1: Family Conferences

October 3 :  Student and Staff Picture Make-up Day

October 8: Family Conferences

October 17: Staff Professional Development / No school for students

Principal: Dr. Anthony McWright | anthony_mcwright@dpsk12.net 

Assistant Principal: McClellan McRoberts | myrtis_walcott@dpsk12.net  

Dean of Culture: Steven Jones | steven_jones1@dpsk12.net 

Office Support  / Registration : Angelica Contreras | angelica_contreras@dpsk12.net

Office Manager / Registration : Miriam Arneros | miriam_arneros@dpsk12.net