Today Superintendent Jerry Wartgow is distributing the following letter regarding school safety issues. The complete text follows:

Dear DPS Parents, Teachers, Students and Members of the Community at Large,

I am writing you today to share information about what Denver Public Schools is doing to respond to reports of serious incidents affecting DPS students and employees.

Let me begin by reviewing these incidents. There has been a rash of indecent exposure reports in recent months. In an incident that could be related, two young girls were kidnapped while walking in their neighborhood last week. We are all grateful that the children who were abducted are safely home with their family. However, we must remain alert and vigilant until the kidnapper is apprehended.

In a separate incident, a former student came forward last month to report that his teacher had sexually assaulted him years ago. We cooperated fully with the Denver Police Department on the investigation. The teacher, who was still employed by DPS, was arrested and he is now in custody awaiting trial. I have recommended his dismissal. We continue to cooperate with police as they proceed with their investigation.

Attention also has been focused on an October sexual assault between students at Grant Middle School and on the manner in which DPS handled the reporting and subsequent investigation of that incident. In light of this, we have reviewed and clarified our policies and procedures for reporting and investigating serious incidents. The Denver Police Department has said the vast majority of these cases were reported promptly and appropriately. That is not good enough. We are committed to ensuring that every incident is reported promptly and appropriately.

I firmly believe our schools are safe and I am absolutely committed to ensuring that they remain safe. There is no higher priority in this district than the safety of our children. We are working hand in hand with the Denver Police Department, the District Attorney, and other agencies and organizations to prevent such incidents from happening again.

To that end, we have taken the following steps:

• I met with all school principals and assistant principals February 25 and sent a simple message: Report all incidents immediately to DPS and to DPD. When in doubt, report! Denver Police Chief Whitman attended the meeting and pledged his support.
  
• A March 12 follow-up meeting is scheduled with all principals. At that time, Chief Whitman and District Attorney Bill Ritter will join me in addressing specific questions raised at the February 25 meeting and in again reviewing all policies and laws that govern reporting of serious incidents.
  
• Principals will be reminded of resources available for victims' assistance, and of the availability of prevention and intervention programs related to bullying, harassment, assault and other forms of violence.
  
• We are working with the District Attorney and Denver Police Department to provide clarification on issues related to the definitions of sexual harassment, criminal assault and the appropriate reporting and investigative steps for each.
  
• We are cooperating with the Denver Police Department in the investigation of circumstances surrounding the teacher who was arrested for sexual assault. We want to make sure that similar situations are handled immediately and appropriately should they arise in the future.
  
• We will continue to review, clarify and update policies to make them as clear and responsive as they can be, and to ensure that there is immediate reporting of incidents and timely communication with parents and the community.

While we continue to improve our procedures, we are asking your help in improving safety between home and school. As police continue to pursue the indecent exposure and kidnapping cases, please help by serving as eyes and ears for all children as they walk to and from school. Also, remind your children to avoid contact with anyone they don't know, and to help watch out for each other. If you would like additional safety tips or suggestions for discussing these incidents with your children please contact your school principal or check the DPS web page (www.denver.k12.co.us).

The DPS community includes more than 72,000 students and 15,000 employees. The number of individuals who have been accused of inappropriate action is very small. However, these incidents reflect an absence of basic societal values and a lack of respect between individuals that is of grave concern. These issues don't begin and end at the schoolhouse door. DPS is also a part of a larger community. It is a reflection of the city's fabric, culture, and values. The problems we face are not only school problems, but community and societal problems as well. We share in the responsibility to improve these behaviors.

We need you to help by sending a message to young people in the city today – a message that matches the one they receive in school. First – violence, intimidation, bullying and harassment are not tolerated. Second – education is something to be cherished and valued.

Thank you for your continued support, assistance, and confidence in Denver Public Schools. We are committed to working with you to provide the safest possible educational environment for our children. We also remain committed to attaining our district goals of 1) setting high expectations for students, 2) improving the performance of all students, and 3) closing the gap between better and poorer performing students.

Sincerely,
Jerry Wartgow
Superintendent