Sept. 7, 2018
Promising Futures Within Reach
"We are all different in the way we think and learn, and our graduation requirements for our students should reflect our diversity by providing our students with the ability to choose and thrive in their own path."
Dear Team DPS,
 
Supt. Tom Boasberg
For this year's sophomore class and all future classes throughout the state, the Colorado State Board of Education has made important changes to high school graduation requirements. We believe these statewide changes offer a terrific set of opportunities for our students. In keeping with the state's changes, o ur updated graduation requirements for the classes of 2021 and beyond provide many pathways to success for our students, so that each and every one of them graduate s prepared for college and career.
 
As educators, we know that traditional measures used for college access -- such as entrance exams -- don't always predict whether or not a student will be successful in college and in life. That's why our district is providing more ways than ever for students with different learning styles and career goals to demonstrate competency in English and math and/or career, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach that pushes all students down one path.
 
To help get them there, our students are supported by our DPS school counselors, educators and staff, as they each develop Individualized Career and Academic Plans ( ICAPs ). ICAPs create a roadmap for our students to explore their passions and select coursework that will help them achieve their college and career aspirations.
 
As we settle into the new school year, we will be working very hard to make sure all of our students understand the new graduation requirements and the options that are available to them, and that each learner's individual needs are supported. These efforts have already begun districtwide, including:
  • Collaborations with community groups and school supports to ensure that all families are informed and engaged.
  • Students with disabilities and their families are supported with individualized plans with accommodations tailored to their needs.
  • Our English Language Acquisition (ELA) programs continue to support students in accessing academic content while building literacy in English. Historically, students who successfully complete the ELA program services have higher graduation rates and lower dropout rates than all other DPS students.
One of the most exciting and interesting ways students can demonstrate competency is through our Capstone Portfolio, which collects examples of a student's best work over their high school experience so that they can show what they've learned and how it applies to the real world. Students are at the center and empowered to take ownership over their own learning, much like they will do one day in a career field.
 
We are all different in the way we think and learn, and our graduation requirements for our students should reflect our diversity by providing our students with the ability to choose and thrive in their own path. Whether graduates choose to go after a college degree, a certification or start a career, all students should leave DPS feeling knowledgeable and prepared for whatever comes after their high school diploma.
 
When students are exposed to different possibilities for college and career, they can envision themselves in careers they never thought possible. And, with the right planning and preparation, careers that might not have seemed possible are very realistically within our students' reach.
 
Best,
Tom
Introducing ¡Somos DPS! Nominate Your School for Our Next Video
As part of our effort to put Students First in everything we do, our DPS Features video team is embarking on a new project called ¡Somos DPS! Throughout the school year, we will showcase students and educators from classrooms in every school in Denver, highlighting a point of pride within that community.
 
For the week of September 4-7, we visited the Leadership Class at Swansea Elementary School. The amazing fifth-graders in this class are learning about how to deal with social and emotional challenges such as anxiety, empathy and conflict resolution.

Watch the video, and be sure to nominate your school or classroom by emailing our DPS Features video producer Ben McKee
Kicking Off Fall Parent Teacher Home Visits
Now through Sept. 16, teachers around DPS will be stepping out of the classroom to visit students and their families during our Fall Home Visit Kickoff. DPS has one of the highest rates of participation across the nation in the Parent Teacher Home Visit (PTHV) program with more than 11,000 visits completed last year!

During these visits, teachers, families and students have an opportunity come together to talk and get to know each other outside the school building. This allows for better supports and open communication, increased access to tools and resources and for families, teachers and students to work together to support student success. Please join us for DPS' fourth annual Fall Home Visit Kickoff where we work together to start the year by encouraging families, students and teachers to build
strong and positive relationships. Request a visit through your school and learn more here.
Updates about DPS' Search for the Next Superintendent and How to Get Involved
The first community meetings in the search for DPS' new superintendent happened on Sept. 4 and 5. More than 150 community members provided input about their hopes and dreams for a new superintendent! More meeting dates and locations have been announced and can be found on SuperSearch.dpsk12.org. All community members including students, educators, and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings.

Also, tune into Facebook for our series of livestream videos where members of the DPS Board of Education will answer questions from the community about the superintendent search process. On Wednesday, Board of Education member Dr. Carrie Olson participated in the first livestream video of this series and answered questions and provided updates on the search process so far. You can watch that video here.

Stay tuned to our social media channels for more livestreams and check SuperSearch.dpsk12.org for the latest news and updates.
 
2018-19 District Map and Handbook for Families and Students are Now Available 
The 2018-19 District Map and Handbook for Families and Students are here!  
 
The District Map is available to  print and view online.
 
The new and improved Handbook for Families and Students provides families with a directory of resources, programs, services and policies -- and it's now easier than ever to navigate. Printed copies are available in your school's front office. The handbook is also available to download, print or view online in  English and  Spanish; other languages will be available in mid-September online here.
Black Minds Matter, Black Families Matter: Join the Conversation
DPS is excited to invite DPS families and community members to attend the FACE University event. Choose from a variety of topics to learn important and effective educational information, strategies and resources to help support your children's academic, social and emotional growth!
 
In addition to the variety of workshop topics, there will be three sessions designed to address multiple concerns and needs of African-American families to support in successfully navigating our school and district system, including:
  • What does "Parent Engagement" means to us? (9:20-10:15 a.m.)
    • We will define African-American Parent Engagement and how it helps our children succeed in school.
  • How do you get what your child needs from the school? (10:25-11:30 a.m.)
    • Understand and work with the system to address the needs of your child.
  • Village Conversation (11:40 a.m.-12:35 p.m.)
    • Manage cultural conflicts with school staff; get your child off the couch and into something meaningful and productive; and support your child to graduation and beyond.
Join us from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 22 at Manual High School. Food, childcare and interpretation are provided at no cost. To register, go to face.dpsk12.org/faceuniversity, email  FACE_Events@dpsk12.org, or call at 720-423-3135.
COMING UP...