Our DPS Weekly
Sept. 23, 2022
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Update on Denver East High School
Dear DPS Community, 

On Monday evening, I sent a message to the Denver East High School community after they endured the trauma from the phony report to law enforcement of an active shooter inside the school. East High School was one of four schools throughout the state that received similar false threats. I came to the East High School campus that day and saw that the trauma for the students, educators and families was real.

Just 12 days earlier, these same families dealt with the shock of shootings at a nearby recreation center. A fistfight turned into a gunfight. An East High School student and a former East High School student were shot. Both survived. Denver police are investigating the shootings. Back in May, I was at the Paul Sandoval Campus with Denver police after a report of a student in school armed with a gun. Officers recovered a paintball gun, and took students into custody. The District Attorney charged four students in relation to this incident.

These and other instances of gun violence and/or related to gun violence at or near our schools have been happening far too much. Members of the Board of Education and I are concerned. Our educators throughout the school district are concerned. The leadership of the Denver Police Department is concerned. Just before I rushed over to East High School on Monday, I was about to head to DPD headquarters to meet with DPD Interim Chief of Police Ron Thomas, the mayor’s nominee to be the next chief of police. Our plan was to talk about ways to maintain safe and nurturing schools, address violence at its earliest stages, and prevent easy access to firearms by those who would do harm. 

We want you all to know that this is not the first time the school district and police have gotten together to work on ways to help keep our students safe. It will not be the last time. As many of you know, we are also Denver Public Schools parents. So, this work is as close to our hearts as it is to all of you. Please know that our team will continue to work with law enforcement to determine ways to stop shootings and gun violence in and around our schools. We must all work together to stop this violence. Our children are counting on us.

In collaboration,


Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent
 
Board of Education,
Denver Public Schools
DPS ‘Your Voice/Tu Voz’ Surveys Launch on Monday, Sept. 26
The DPS “Your Voice/Tu Voz” survey opens on Monday. This is your opportunity to share your experiences in DPS. Responses to the survey inform decisions on how we can better serve our DPS community. Student and staff surveys will be sent to their DPS email address. Beginning on Sept. 26, families can access the survey link via email, in the Parent Portal and at dpsk12.org/survey. 

Please make sure to take the survey by Sunday, Oct. 9. Thank you for your support in making this year’s surveys a success!
Watch Episode One of “Marrero Moment’ 
Get to know Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero through the new video series, Marrero Moment, as he answers questions submitted by our students. Do you have a question for Dr. Alex Marrero? Submit it here and your question could be featured in the next episode!

Catch up with Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero by following him on Instagram and Twitter, both @DrAlexMarrero!

DPS Educator Wins Denver Scholarship Foundation's District Partner of the Year Award 
Hap Ming Ling Chi Legg -- School Counselor at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College -- has been awarded the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) 2022 District Partner of the Year Award! This award represents an individual who upholds DSF's values and is committed to their mission of inspiring and empowering DPS students to and through college graduation.

“Without DSF, our ability to help students reach their postsecondary goals would be diminished. DSF has been a true partner to our school counselors and each DSF representative is wholly committed to caring and serving for our students,” said Hap. Hap has served DPS students for 12 years, starting as a Parent and Community Liaison at Montbello High School.

Congratulations, Hap Ming Ling Chi Legg!
'Lights On After School' Grant Application
Denver Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce funding availability for afterschool programs for the 2022-23 school year – made possible by the generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, VF Foundation and Strear Family Foundation. 

Lights On After School has been positively impacting children in Denver since 2003 through its mission to provide Denver students with high-quality out-of-school time (OST) programs, offered after the traditional school day ends. 

Any DPS school that serves students ECE through eighth grade that does not have a current comprehensive afterschool partner (e.g. Discovery Link, Boys & Girls Club, Right at School, etc.) is eligible for a Lights on After School Grant. Intensive Tiered Schools will receive priority points on our scoring rubric, as well as schools with a Free and Reduced Lunch rate of 70% or more.

Please submit your application no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Late applications will not be considered for funding.
 
We will review the applications and email funding announcements no later than Tuesday, Oct. 25. Current grantees are welcome to apply, however please note that previous receipt of this funding does not guarantee funding in 2022-23.
 
Thank you for the work you do to provide opportunities for DPS students! If you have any questions or concerns, please email Lauren Mason. 
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