Our DPS Weekly
April 10, 2020
Some of the Stars of DPS Remote Learning
Dear Team DPS,

I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy.

Today wraps up our first week of remote learning, and we’ve been very pleased overall with how things are going. Both Chalkbeat Colorado and Denverite did stories this week that showcase how our educators and families did on our first day of remote learning.

And it’s been so heartwarming throughout this week to see the hard work, creativity, sense of joy, and sense of humor that’s been reconnecting students with their schools and teachers. We’ve shared much of that on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, and I want to share a few of my favorite DPS Stars of Remote Learning with you ... from Larry the Service Dog at Collegiate Prep Academy to the South High School dance-off dancers. Just click on the images below to watch each one.

I hope you enjoy these videos. And thank you to everyone in the DPS community for everything you’ve done to help bring us all together in spirit while we’re apart.

Warm regards, 
Susana

Pictured above: Knapp Elementary students and their teacher gather remotely during a video call. (Photo courtesy of Chalkbeat and Principal Shane Knight.)
Kepner Beacon Middle School welcomed students back with a fun take on The Brady Bunch in their “The Beacon Bunch” video.
The famous Collegiate Prep Academy mascot, Larry the Wheaten Terrier, fired up Montbello and Far Northeast Denver with a quick rendition of the Warrior chant.
And since dog videos are always a hit, here’s another one -- this time, featuring a Denver North High School staff member’s dog with a reminder of how students can add some fun to their virtual learning schedules.
At McGlone Academy, grades 3-5 technology teacher Mr. Clifton shared a way that all of the school’s students can help stop the spread of coronavirus by making their own masks out of their school uniforms.
Ahead of remote learning, many schools like Westerly Creek Elementary created videos of staff displaying signs of love and encouragement to help ease student anxiety.
Lowry Elementary and Sabin World were among many school communities that couldn’t “Stop The Feeling” of dancing while participating in social isolation.
South High School principal Bobby Thomas and his family kicked off an upbeat “Shoulda Been A Rebel” virtual TikTok dance off.
Hot dog! CEC Early College principal Jamie Lofaro wore a hilarious outfit as she welcomed students back from the extended spring break.
When it comes to sleeping in, Cowell Elementary fifth-grade teachers expressed how many students were feeling after the extended spring break in this TikTok video.
Joe Shoemaker Creation LAB educator Reeves Macdonald put together a particularly fabulous video “Fashion Week," which inspires students to make hats out of materials most anyone can find at home.
General Information for Families on Remote Learning
We want to make sure our families and students have all the remote learning information they need, so please direct them to visit our Remote Learning website for resources, tips, and videos to help them be successful in the weeks ahead. Below is a snapshot of what we've shared with families:

Data Privacy
We take student and staff data privacy very seriously, which is why we have vendors sign a Data Privacy Agreement when we purchase technology tools in DPS in order to keep our students' information safe in a remote learning environment. Learn more about how we are protecting data privacy -- including a list of tools and resources your school is using to support instruction in the classroom -- on our Academic Technology website . 

Attendance
Many of our families have asked about student attendance during remote learning. As each school’s remote learning plan is customized to their community, we’ve asked our teachers and leaders to communicate their specific attendance expectations and processes to families directly. For specific questions about how your child’s attendance will be tracked or to raise attendance concerns, please call your school’s main office line, which is being monitored remotely by school staff. 

Mental Health Resources
Participating in school each day keeps students connected to their friends and teachers, which is so important for keeping their spirits up during this time of social distancing. We’ve put together a list of mental health resources for families, and encourage you to connect to the support you or your child may need. 
Donate Your Student’s Lunch Money to Support Families in Need
The DPS Foundation, in partnership with DPS, has launched the Food Security Fund. Many of our children rely on school meals, with nearly 64% qualifying for Free and Reduced Lunch. DPS is currently using funding and emergency waivers to provide meals to children through grab-and-go meals, but the food shortage and increased food prices will impact the most vulnerable families.

Your contribution to the Food Security Fund expands the reach of the grab-and-go meal service by providing meals to adults in need. The funds will go directly to supplies and materials, not staffing, and will be leveraged by the existing operations of the DPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services.

DPS parents can donate their students’ “My School Bucks” account balance to the DPS Foundation Food Security Fund to help promote family stability during these trying times. For more information and to fill out the short form, click here.
Resource Guide for Families
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