Hagan clic aquí para leer este mensaje en español.
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Reminder about City's School-Mask Order |
With the city’s mask mandate for indoor businesses expiring today, we wanted to provide an update on masking in schools.
There continues to be a standing Public Health Order from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) that requires all individuals ages 2 and older to wear a mask while in an indoor school setting. Denver Public Schools will abide by that order as long as it is in place. At the current time, quarantines are still required when a student has been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID. Masking allows our students to be exempt from quarantines, which helps maximize in-person learning and support.
As we have since the start of the pandemic, we are prioritizing the health and safety of our students and staff and following the guidance of our partners at DDPHE and Denver Health. We remain in close collaboration with these trusted and valued partners, and we will share updates on the city’s school-masking order as soon any new information is available.
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Hagan clic aquí para leer este mensaje en español.
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Shifting to Healthy Start Times to Support Our Scholars’ Well-being |
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Dear Team DPS,
As you may know, DPS has been preparing for the shift to Healthy Start Times, following the Board of Education’s resolution last year. Beginning in the fall of 2023, all middle and high schools will start no earlier than 8:20 a.m. in order to support healthy sleep habits in teenagers.
This change is based on multiple research studies that show later start times support the academic performance, as well as the overall physical and mental health, of adolescents.
We want to make sure the new schedule is informed by what our community values most, so we’ll be hosting virtual events -- beginning next week -- to talk you through some options. Please join in to learn more and let us know what you think.
In the meantime, there’s a lot of great information available about this shift. Visit our website at HealthyStartTimes.dpsk12.org, watch our informational video (available in English and Spanish), and mark your calendar for a Zoom call next week to hear about the proposed options. And keep an eye out for a survey in the weeks ahead where you can share your thoughts with us.
With your participation and feedback, we’ll be able to make a positive impact for scholars and families across the district!
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Watch this video for more information about the Healthy Start Times initiative. |
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Update to COVID-19 Notification Process for DPS |
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As we move into a new phase of the pandemic, DPS schools will no longer send general COVID-19 notification letters to families when there is a COVID-19 case in a classroom or at school. Instead, families are encouraged to check the DPS data tracker to see the latest updates with cases that are reported to us.
Families and staff will still be notified if they need to quarantine after an in-school exposure.
Please continue following the DPS 5, our health and safety procedures, including monitoring for symptoms and staying home if you are sick. We also know that getting vaccinated is the best way to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please visit www.vaccines.gov to search for the vaccine provider closest to you.
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Last Call to Complete the ‘Your Voice/Tu Voz’ Survey |
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The “Voice/Tu Voz” Survey closes today, Feb. 4! If you haven’t completed your survey, please take a few minutes to share your responses now. Survey responses inform decisions on how we can better serve our DPS community.
As a reminder, student and staff survey links were sent from Superintendent Alex Marrero directly to DPS email addresses on Jan. 24.
The family survey only takes five minutes to complete and can be accessed here.
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Declining Enrollment Advisory Committee Application Closes Today |
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Today is the last day to apply to be part of the upcoming Declining Enrollment Advisory Committee. Students, families, staff, and members of the DPS community are welcome to apply.
The Declining Enrollment Advisory Committee will work to create recommendations on how the district should address ongoing declining enrollment. Additional details, including committee responsibilities, can be found on the Declining Enrollment page.
Committee members will be announced the week of Feb. 21.
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Cultural Moments: Black History Month Callout |
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Throughout the month of February, DPS honors Black History Month, a time when the nation reflects and pays tribute to the generations of African-Americans who fought adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.
We are currently seeking student submissions that highlight how they are learning about, connecting with, and celebrating Black History Month. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 18.
To learn more about the history of the month, how to submit your work, and find celebration resources, click here.
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Denver Scholarship Foundation Applications Now Open |
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DSF offers need-based scholarships to qualifying graduates of Denver Public Schools. The scholarship can be used at DSF's College Partners in Colorado, including technical, community, and four-year colleges and universities. Students must enroll full-time.
Increased award amounts for 2022-23
- Four-year college/university: Annual amount awarded will increase by $800 to $3,600.
- Community college: Annual amount awarded will increase by $300 to $1,700.
- Technical college: Annual amount awarded will continue to be $1,700.
- All DSF applicants and current DSF Scholars will receive the increased award amount.
Denver Public Schools Enrollment Eligibility
- Students who move to the district from out of state or out of the country will be eligible for the DSF Scholarship if they graduate from DPS.
Extensions of Eligibility due to COVID-19
- 2020 or 2021 DPS high school graduates will have an additional year to apply and qualify for their first DSF Scholarship award:
- 2020 high school graduates: Must apply by May 1, 2022.
- 2021 high school graduates: Must apply by May 1, 2023.
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Denver Scholarship Foundation Hosting Upcoming Information Session |
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Join the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) for an upcoming hour-long virtual information session, “DSF 101,” from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Get an inside look at DSF and how it’s helping DPS students attain their college dreams. RSVP here.
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Bond and Mill Levy: Promises Made, Promises Kept |
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The year 2021 brought the first phase of the new bond and mill levy investments to our schools. Denver voters approved a $795 million bond measure in November 2020 that helped us get straight to work in adding air conditioning to more schools, making technology more accessible to more students, improving aging buildings, updating athletic facilities, and much more. The voter-approved mill levy also added more funding to health services, wage increases, special education and more.
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Join the Upcoming AAYLS Global Leadership Conference |
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The DPS community is invited to the Global Leadership Conference hosted by the African American Young Ladies Summit (AAYLS) on Feb. 18-19. All African-American young ladies in sixth-grade through college are welcome to participate.
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