Teacher Weekly
Jan. 24, 2024
Celebrating Black Excellence
Dear Educators,

As we celebrated the legacy of Dr. King earlier this month, we are reminded of our collective commitment to educational equity for our Black students. 

In the coming school year, the Black Student Success Team will work with six schools, exploring the successes and impact these instructional teams have had with their Black students.  

Congratulations to the following schools for being selected to be part of this work during the 2024-25 school year:
  • Columbine
  • Joe Shoemaker 
  • Lowry 
  • Oakland
  • Green Valley Ranch Elementary 
  • Montclair

We look forward to working with these schools to scale best practices to support Black students, families and educators districtwide.

DPS, in collaboration with the Denver community, is also excited to announce our inaugural Black Excellence Summit early September 2024! This summit offers parents, educators, and community members a unique chance to delve into many aspects of Black Excellence, its celebration within Denver Public Schools, and our commitment to ensuring that all families, students and educators are given the resources they may need in order to best support their children and the children we serve. This full-day event provides an abundance of resources, amazing scholars, practitioners and community partners, and is designed to amplify recent investments in our Black Student Success Team, our Black Student Alliance Banquet and more. 

While there are many opportunities to celebrate Black Excellence in the near future, we recognize the need for more opportunities to inspire a deeper appreciation for Black Excellence collectively! Stay tuned for more information and if you'd like to support, reach out to Trevon Brandhorst.

Respectfully,

Dr. Tony Smith
Deputy Superintendent
This Week's Top 5 Things to Know
Feb. 16 Central Professional Learning Day
Registration Now Open
Central Office teams are looking forward to seeing all educators at the upcoming Central Professional Learning Day on Feb. 16, from 12:30-4 p.m. Access the Session Guide for more information. 

  • Registration for Professional Learning must be completed by midnight on Feb. 14.
  • Note: Pre-registration for sessions is required for credit. 
  • Participants who do not pre-register for sessions will not receive credit for any sessions they attend. 
  • Educators who did not pre-register may join sessions as space is available and should plan to check in with the PL team at the welcome table to determine which sessions have availability. 
  • For virtual sessions, if you have not registered, please contact the facilitator to determine if space is available prior to joining. 

Questions? Email the Professional Learning Team.
PDU Lunch & Learn
Join Professional Development Unit (PDU) Program Manager, Michele Deats, for a Lunch and Learn.

A brief overview of the Professional Development Unit (PDU) program and a question and answer session will be provided.

The Lunch and Learn is in-person from noon-12:25 p.m. on Feb. 16, at Thomas Jefferson High School. There is also a virtual attendance option provided in the PL Session Guide.

If you have questions, contact Michele Deats.
Summer Connections: Share With Families or Apply to Teach
Summer Connections 2024 is returning as a free five-week program from June 17 to July 19. DPS students at eligible schools entering first through fifth grade are invited to participate in this full-day program. Designed for student readiness, Summer Connections introduces students to next year’s curriculum with a special focus on STEM subjects. Students will also enjoy a variety of activities including Inventor’s Week, the Lego challenge, career exploration and computer science. Plus, there’s an exciting field trip in store! Registration for families begins mid-February. 


If you have any additional questions, contact Linda Frias.
Free SAT Prep Program Registration Deadline Extended to Jan. 29
The deadline for 11th-graders at district-run schools to register for free SAT Prep has been extended to Monday, Jan. 29! Students who sign up now are entered into a drawing for $500! Please help share this opportunity with your 11th-grade students by using this toolkit. Students can learn more and register at dpsk12.org/freesat.
Earn Extra Money this Summer Teaching a Concurrent Enrollment Course
The Career & College Success team is seeking DPS adjunct instructors interested in teaching a concurrent enrollment course this summer. This opportunity helps students gain access to free college credits, saving time and money on their path toward career and college. Summer dates are June 10-July 17 and instructors will earn $46.31 per hour. Summer school courses will be in person Tuesday-Friday, with Mondays as remote days. If you are interested in helping our students get a head start on their futures, complete this interest form. Email concurrent_enrollment@dpsk12.net if you have questions.
Share Upcoming Community Hub and Talent Acquisition Career Opportunities
Do you know any parents or caregivers who might be interested in a role with DPS? The Community Hubs and Talent Acquisition team are hosting two career opportunity events. There will be an informational session about the different career opportunities with DPS, as well as recruiters and workforce coordinators on site to support with any questions and to assist with getting applications submitted.

  • Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Far Northeast Community Hub at John H. Amesse Elementary
  • Friday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Southwest Community Hub at Johnson Elementary 

More information is available in this flier. Contact Kristi Waters if you have questions.
Additional Resources and Information
Additional resources and opportunities can be found here.

  • Xito Professional Learning Opportunity

  • Save the Date: African American Young Lady Summit (AAYLS)

  • Registration for the May 4 STEAM Expo is Now Open

  • Free February Resources from Discovery Education
Contact Us
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