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This is just the beginning of what's sure to be a great year."
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Dear Team DPS:
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Supt. Tom Boasberg |
The start of school is one of my favorite times of the year -- a time that highlights all that's ahead and all that's possible for our students. I was able to visit more than 100 classrooms in 20 schools on Monday and Tuesday to share in this special time and welcome our students and educators back for a great year. It was wonderful to share stories and laughs and hopes for the year ahead.
The celebrations kicked off Monday at Kepner Beacon Middle School, where Principal Alex Magana and Board President Anne Rowe joined me in greeting the first-ever class of sixth-graders and speaking with the community about the importance of building supports for the Whole Child -- throughout DPS. (Watch this DPS Features video of our back-to-school event.)
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Students at High Tech Early College (top left), Farrell B. Howell (top right) and Vista Academy, with special guest Rodney Billups (bottom).
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No matter what grade level our students are entering this year, in no
matter what region of the city, it is one of our Denver Plan 2020 goals to ensure every student is part of an equitable and inclusive
environment where he or she can be healthy, supported, challenged and safe. These foundations of the whole child are brought to life throughout DPS in myriad ways -- from mental health supports to athletics, from healthy food to the arts, from restorative justice to school gardens.
I saw highlights of these whole child programs, activities and opportunities thriving as I visited schools in the Southwest and Far Northeast regions of our district.
At Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy and Noel Community Arts School, I was joined by Denver's First Lady Mary Louise Lee, who spoke about the benefits of art in education and joined our talented students in powerful singing performances. (Watch the video press conference at KCAA here.)
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First Lady Mary Louise Lee at Noel Community Arts School (top left), Tom Boasberg at Goldrick (top right) and students at Marie L. Greenwood Academy (bottom).
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DU basketball coach and George Washington High School alumnus Rodney Billups made a special appearance before all the students at Vista Academy on Tuesday, sharing the importance of academics alongside athletics and then trouncing me in a three-point shooting match.
And at Marie L. Greenwood Academy, the school's namesake, 103-year-old Marie L. Greenwood, who broke barriers as the first African-American teacher at DPS more than 80 years ago, enthralled students during a healthy lunch from the cafeteria.
This is just the beginning of what's sure to be a great year. I encourage you to take this new start as an opportunity to recommit to our vision Every Child Succeeds and remember all that's possible.
Best,
Tom
Pictured above: Marie L. Greenwood is surrounded by students and special guests Superintendent Tom Boasberg and board members Happy Haynes and Rachele Espiritu.
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DPS Dedicates Campus in Honor of Longtime Denver Educator
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The Regis F. Groff ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighted the school campus, which opened their doors last school year.
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On Wednesday, DPS leaders, city officials and community members officially dedicated the school campus in Far Northeast Denver named in honor of the Honorable Regis F. Groff. Family members and loved ones of Groff were well represented at the ceremony.
"Regis helped us discover who we were as African-Americans," said Happy Haynes, DPS board member. "He taught us that history isn't just looking backward, it is in the making. He truly made a mark in history by bringing African-American history into our high schools."
Regis F. Groff was a DPS teacher of American History, U.S. Government and African-American History, who continued his career as a university instructor and later as a state Senator from 1976 to 1994, where he became known as "the conscience of the Colorado Senate." He was the first African-American to hold the leadership position of Colorado State Minority Leader in 1980.
The campus construction, design and engineering was supported by a diverse group of contractors -- 34% or $8.3 million was paid to minority- and women-owned businesses. Through the 2012 bond funds, DPS continues to create new facilities and renovate buildings across the city, including phase one of the Regis F. Groff Campus.
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Lead Testing Information for Families and Community
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DPS and Denver Water are partnering in a proactive effort to sample drinking water in all DPS buildings to ensure it meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for schools. Lead isn't present in the water Denver Water sends to our schools, but lead can get into water as it moves through lead-containing plumbing and fixtures.
While we do not have evidence at this time that our schools have elevated levels of lead in their water supply, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority.
On Aug. 23, we began our effort to sample the water in drinking fountains, kitchen food prep sinks, lounge sinks and any other fixtures used for drinking water in all DPS schools. We plan to complete sampling of all elementary schools by the end of October and all remaining schools by the end of the year.
Results will be provided to schools and posted online on this page as soon as they become available.
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