Today is the last day of the 2016-17 school year -- and as our students (and educators) celebrate the well-deserved break ahead, I wanted to take a moment to look back on all that we accomplished together this past school year.
I also want to encourage you to make this summer a time when you encourage the students in your life to read, to spend time talking with you about their hopes and dreams, and to take advantage of the Denver Public Library and the other wonderful cultural opportunities our city offers.
It's been an exciting year for DPS, full of one-of-a-kind celebrations and national recognitions, as well as key progress toward our goals and sometimes difficult, but important, conversations along the way.
It was hard to narrow down to just a few, but here are my top
12 favorite moments from the school year:
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A student showcases her artwork at the new Sandra Todd-Williams ECE Center, which opened this school year.
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10. Rallie Ginsberg, an hourly secretary and DPS' oldest employee, turned 100 -- and is
still going strong.
6. For the second year, DPS was named the
No. 1 Choice District in the nation by the Brookings Institution, thanks to
the equity in enrollment rules and practices among all our public schools, both district-run and charter.
3. Our DPS Board of Education unanimously declared
our commitment to protecting the legal rights of all students, regardless of immigration status, national origin, religion or race, with the
Safe and Welcoming School District resolution.
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Seniors celebrate at CEC Early College's graduation.
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2. The Denver community gave
us their vote of confidence by
overwhelmingly passing the
2016 Bond and Mill Levy, and
dramatic renovation and improvement projects
are already underway, including at the
Montbello Campus.
1. Our
number of graduates continued to soar with our largest graduating class ever in 2016 -- with 70% more graduating seniors than a decade ago! And,
while commencement ceremonies continue for this year's seniors, we're anticipating the Class of 2017 will be even larger!
These accomplishments couldn't have happened without the dedication and commitment by you -- our families, our teachers, our students and the entire DPS community. Thank you for everything you do for DPS and, most importantly, for our kids.
Have a wonderful summer, and I look forward to coming back together in the fall to continue our work.
Best,
Tom
Pictured above: Students at Traylor Elementary in Southwest Denver.
