Dear DPS Community,
Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! Whether you’re a parent, student or staff member, it takes some time to immerse ourselves back into routine at the start of a new academic year. To help you stay on top of all the things happening during this busy time, here are some important things to know.
Accessing the New DPS App and Rooms
In case you missed it, DPS is launching a new two-way messaging feature called Rooms and a DPS app! Download the app via Google Play Store or Apple App Store to access Rooms. With Rooms and the DPS App, schools and families will have one universal platform to directly discuss and share information about individual students’ progress, all while keeping everyone informed about what’s happening in specific classrooms and at the school.
Attendance Every Day Matters
Student attendance continues to be critical in ensuring all students are learning and growing, from the very first day of school to the last. Our aim is to provide support, resources and guidance so schools and families can partner together to ensure each student feels a strong sense of belonging at their school. When students feel they belong and have the support of their family and school, arriving to class on time and remaining in class for the full day, every day becomes the norm. If you have concerns about your child’s attendance or your family needs support, please reach out to your school directly or through Rooms via the DPS app.
Access the 2025-26 school year calendar to plan appointments and vacations around important days so your child does not miss valuable learning time. We commit to continually working with families so that no students are considered chronically absent. Chronically absent means missing 10% or more of the time enrolled for any reason, including both excused and unexcused absences. To monitor your child’s attendance throughout the year, log into Parent Portal. For more attendance information, guidance and resources, visit the Attendance webpage.
Early-Release Heat Days
Schools may face extreme heat in some buildings, particularly those with limited or no air conditioning. To prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff, DPS may implement Early-Release Heat Days if indoor temperatures become unsafe. In such cases, the decision will be communicated by 5 p.m. the day prior, with notices posted online and through email and robo-calls. On Early-Release Heat Days, modified bus routes will be provided, however, families can choose to pick up their children directly from school at the designated release time. If you have questions about Early-Release Heat Days, contact your school.
Find Out-of-School Time Programs
The Denver Public Schools Foundation is helping spread the word about the Denver Afterschool Alliance’s Youth Program Locator—a free tool to help families find programs and resources across Denver that fit their needs. Search by age, cost, location, or type of activity, to find options that work for your family. This tool connects families to both options at school sites like Discovery Link, and also connects families to broader community services and resources that support health, wellness and learning.
Safe and Welcoming Schools
Over the summer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increased its activity across the state. Our priority at DPS is protecting our students while they are in our care. This remains at the forefront of ensuring our schools continue to be safe and welcoming. In the event that a government official arrives at a school, staff are expected to follow district protocol for allowing or denying entry to visitors.
Families are strongly encouraged to revisit the Family Resource Toolkit (available in English, Spanish and several languages), which contains information and resources about your rights, current DPS policies, training, mental health support, and a list of community resources. In addition to the toolkit, the Safe and Welcoming webpage includes other resources, such as the Student Resource Toolkit, Rights Cards, a Family Legal Webinar recording (in both English and Spanish) and directions on how to update emergency contacts (in both English and Spanish).
Save the Dates for SchoolChoice Round 1
For the 2026-27 school year, the SchoolChoice Round 1 window will open on Dec. 2, 2025 at 10 a.m. and close on Jan. 20, 2026 at 4 p.m. Families will be notified of placement results in late February. This change will allow families more time to submit their application and learn of their placement or waitlist positions earlier in the year. Visit the SchoolChoice website for more information.
School and Department Contacts
Get in touch with the right team to get your child ready for the new school year.
Contacting your school: Visit School Finder to see a list of all schools and their contact information.