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What You Need to Know Heading into 2023-24 |
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Dear Team DPS,
Next week kicks off the beginning of the 2023-24 school year for many of our schools. To help families, students and staff feel prepared, here are important things you need to know before we head back to school!
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COVID-19 Reminder: What to Do After Testing Positive |
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DPS students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate for five days. Day Zero is defined as the day symptoms begin or the day of the positive test.
Isolation may end on Day Five if:
- Symptoms have ended or symptoms are improving.
- Individuals are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.
After the five-day isolation has ended and individuals are feeling better, they should wear a high-quality mask -- such as a KN95 or N95 -- through Day 10. If symptoms are not improving and/or a fever persists past Day Five, isolating until Day 10 is recommended.
Please review these additional resources:
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Healthy School Meals for All: Complete the ‘You Benefit!’ Form |
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All students in DPS will have access to free, healthy school meals for the 2023-24 school year thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All program approved by Colorado voters! While meals will be provided for free to all DPS students through Healthy School Meals for All, families will still need to complete a form to ensure DPS gets full access to available federal funding.
What this means for families:
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We ask all DPS families to please complete the "You Benefit!" Form (formerly referred to as the Meals Application). Completed forms will help us access all available funds to cover the cost of meals and other nutritional programs for students.
- Families who fill out the You Benefit! form may qualify to receive discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, utility support, and more.
- Only one form is required for all children in a household.
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RTD Zero Fare for Youth Pilot Program: Free Rides for Students |
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Starting in September, RTD will offer free bus and train rides for students 19 and under as part of their new Zero Fare for Youth pilot program. Students can ride for free starting Sept. 1 until Aug. 31, 2024. To board the bus or train, students will need to show a form of ID. This can be a current school ID, valid government-issued ID, registration/permanent resident card, Military ID/dependent card with DOB, or RTD-issued youth special discount card.
With the pilot program in place, please note that DPS Transportation will not be providing paper or virtual RTD tickets for the 2023-24 school year. Although RTD is allowing students of all ages to ride for free, DPS strongly encourages parents or guardians to accompany their children who are in elementary school.
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New! Families Can Now Submit Absence Requests Online |
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Save time by letting us know that your student is going to be absent or arriving late. Starting this year, DPS families will be able to use their computers or smartphones to know about absences or late arrivals so they can focus on taking care of their children. Guardians of DPS students must have an active DPS Parent Portal account to use this new feature. Visit myportal.dpsk12.org to sign up, or to check that your account is active and ready. Directions are available in English or Spanish. Visit the Attendance webpage for more information.
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New Mental Health Supports for 2023-24: Hazel Health and Care Solace |
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Connect Your Child to Mental Health Support with Hazel Health |
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Our new mental health service, Hazel Health, can help address your child’s mental health concerns at no cost to you.
With your permission, your child can connect with a licensed Hazel Health therapist for weekly virtual therapy sessions, at school or at home. Hazel Health therapists can help your child cope with what they’re feeling, and develop strategies to start to feel better.
Weekly therapy sessions can help students with depression, anxiety, loneliness, personal relationships, anger, academic stress, motivation, and more.
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Care Solace Connects DPS Community to Mental Health and Substance Use Services |
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DPS has partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, their family members and DPS staff. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance.
If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
- Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language.
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Visit caresolace.com/dps and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
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