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Getting Ready for the New School Year! |
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Dear Team DPS,
This week, our teachers and school-based staff members have been busy preparing for the start of a new school year -- one unlike any we’ve experienced before. We’re all looking forward to reconnecting with students and building relationships that enrich their learning. As a reminder, the school year begins Monday, Aug. 24 (some school schedules may vary, so please check your school’s calendar), and we are starting with remote learning.
With all of us having to adjust to so much that’s different at back-to-school time this year, we’d like to share some reminders and resources to help you feel ready for the start of school.
Family Guide for the New School Year
As families and students get ready for the start of remote learning, we encourage you to read through our K-12 Family Guide together to help you know what to expect and how to prepare. Some of the key topics covered in the guide include:
- Health and safety standards and procedures, as we work to gradually and safely return to in-person learning. For most students, remote learning will run until at least Oct. 16. Some in-person learning could begin as early as Sept. 8 for small groups, such as early childhood education (ECE) or other high-priority students.
- Colorado’s COVID response levels and DPS learning scenarios (remote, in-person, or a mix/hybrid model).
- Social-emotional and mental health supports.
Technology Resources for Remote Learning
All students in kindergarten through 12th grade need a computer and internet access for remote learning. We encourage families to test their computers and internet access prior to the start of school and to reach out to their school if they need support. Schools may have internet hotspots available for families that need them. Affordable internet options are also available through Internet Essentials and Starry Internet.
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At-a-glance Highlights for Families:
- For most students, school starts on Aug. 24. All schools will be in remote learning through Oct. 16.
- Be sure to test out your computer and internet access before school starts, and reach out to your school if you need support.
- All district-run schools will use Seesaw or Schoology for managing online learning. Be sure to set up your parent/guardian account.
- You have until mid-September to make a final enrollment decision for your students, whether a virtual program or as much in-person learning as health conditions permit.
- Breakfast and lunch will be available for curbside pickup from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Unfortunately, weekend meals will no longer be available as of Aug. 24.
- Some elementary bell times are changing, and all elementary school days will be 6.5 hours long. To see the latest elementary bell times, click here.
- Don’t miss our telephone Family Forums next Tuesday and Wednesday from 6-7 p.m.
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Moving forward, DPS will be using two primary online programs, which are known as “learning management systems (LMS).” They are Seesaw for kindergarten through fifth grade, and Schoology for grades 6-12. (Charter families should check with their schools on which LMS they will use.) We want to be sure that families have access to these systems that students and teachers will use throughout the school year for coursework, assignments, feedback and more.
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Seesaw (grades K-5): On Aug. 20, parents/guardians will receive an email invitation to create an account to connect their students. Parents/guardians with an existing account will be able to use their previous login information.
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Schoology (grades 6-12): Parents/guardians who already have access to the Parent Portal will automatically have a Schoology account connected to their students. Parents/guardians who do not have a Parent Portal account should visit parentaccountcreation.dpsk12.org to create one.
To access resources for your student’s learning, parents can check out this remote learning resource hub on the Parent Portal. You can also reach out to your school or the DoTS Service Desk (720-423-3163) for support at any time during remote learning. (Charter families should reach out to their schools for learning support and resources.)
Making a Final Enrollment Decision for When In-Person Learning Can Safely Resume
Families will have until mid-September to make a final enrollment decision for their students, whether they prefer a virtual program or as much in-person learning as health conditions permit. (As we previously announced, all schools will start with remote learning through Oct. 16.)
In the next few weeks, we will share the information on COVID risks and the health guidelines we’ll be using to determine when we’ll be able to shift safely from remote to some or full in-person learning, as well as a more specific deadline for families to make their final enrollment decision for the first semester. As a reminder, families can select their preferred option on the Parent Portal or by contacting their school. (Families whose students attend a charter school should check with their school for enrollment procedures and deadlines.)
Student Meals
DPS will continue to serve meals for curbside pickup at locations throughout Denver. Breakfast and lunch will be available for curbside pickup from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Unfortunately, weekend meals will no longer be available as of Aug. 24.
- Families can pick up both breakfast and lunch meals at the same time at any school that is close to their home.
- Students do not need to be present to pick up meals – you just need to provide each student’s name, school and student ID number.
Updated Elementary Bell Times
In order to provide transportation services to as many students as possible when we return to in-person learning, we will be adjusting some elementary bell times and standardizing the length of elementary school days. Each elementary school will be in session for 6.5 hours a day and will operate on one of three schedules: 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; 8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m; or 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. To see the latest elementary bell times, click here.
Working Together to Make This a Great School Year
Although it’s not under the circumstances that any of us want, we’re so excited to reconnect with our students for the new school year. We continue to work toward gradually and safely reopening our school buildings for our students and families. That’s so important to us as educators and to our children and families. We remain committed to ensuring that we’re sticking to the highest standards of health and wellness in all of our planning, and I want to say again how much I appreciate the involvement, support, and understanding of our educators and our community.
Together, we will make this a great school year for our kids.
Warm regards,
Susana
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Join Telephone Family Forum to Discuss School Year Ahead |
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Superintendent Susana Cordova, along with other DPS leaders, will be hosting a series of live telephone Family Forums next week. We will discuss the new school year and the extra supports being provided to our families and the community. All families are invited to join in the calls based on their students' grade level:
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ECE-5th grade families: Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 6-7 p.m.
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6th-12th grade families: Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 6-7 p.m.
At the start of the forum, families will receive a call from DPS on the telephone number you provided to DPS. From there, participants will be prompted on how to automatically join the call. We look forward to connecting!
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Return-To-School Information Session for ELA Families |
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Families who have a student learning English in one of the English Language Acquisition programs in DPS are invited to join a virtual meeting to discuss the upcoming school year. These meetings will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20; and 8:30-9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21.
Will there be Spanish instruction and English Language Development classes this fall? What will online instruction be like and how will it be different from the spring? Families will have the opportunity to ask DPS leaders questions like these and more to help prepare for the start of school. Interpretation is available by request, provided at no cost to participants. Register here. |
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DPS Foundation Virtual Volunteering Opportunities |
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The DPS Foundation, DPS' strategic fundraising partner, had to postpone its annual Achieve Gala 2020 due to COVID-19. Yet to continue supporting our kids, the gala evolved into a new opportunity, taking the community outdoors in a rebuilding event. On Aug. 7, volunteers supported projects that elevated four DPS school grounds, so that students can be even more proud of their building when they return to school and know they have community support behind them. A variety of outdoor projects were completed, including painting, mulching, weeding and general clean up. Thank you to all of those who supported our schools and community.
There is still time to get involved! Virtual volunteer opportunities are open to anyone in the community, with five more planned through Labor Day. Learn more and get involved. |
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