Our DPS Weekly: A Denver Plan Update: What We’ve Heard, Seen and Learned So Far

Dear Team DPS,

We are transforming DPS into an equity school district, and that starts with being inclusive, inviting all voices into the planning process and transparently sharing progress along the way. I want to share with you what we have been hearing, seeing and learning from our community members, parents, students, teachers, leaders, support staff and central office teams.

So far, we’ve received feedback from around 200 members of our community, met with student groups, the Teacher Advisory Council, more than 35 community partner organizations – and we have many more opportunities planned as we continue to gather insights into what you see as our strengths and what you would like to see more attention on.

Themes we’ve heard so far

• Recent DPS alumni would like DPS to more broadly define success.
• Students and families care about schools supporting academic achievement as well as the students’ overall connection to school and social-emotional health.
• Students should be supported and affirmed for who they are as individuals.

I cannot emphasize enough how valuable your contributions are to transforming DPS into a district where equity is our core identity. It is so important that we connect with each of you, learn from your experiences and hear more about your vision for our district, because that is how the real change happens. There’s still plenty of time to take our brief survey in English or in Spanish by April 1, so please take a moment to share your point of view!

Visit our website to view the Community Insight Report, which shows the latest responses we’ve received on our survey. (This report is updated every two weeks.) The feedback we receive will inform our future strategies and approaches. Together, we’ll craft a shared definition of equity and establish key areas to benchmark districtwide equity efforts.

Denver Plan Community Conversations

I’d like to invite you to participate in one of our upcoming Community Conversations, where we’ll be listening to your ideas and perspectives about a shared definition of equity and an ideal vision of what a DPS graduate will be able to do and become. We’ll use your feedback to help shape these important parts of the next Denver Plan.

Tuesday, March 17 | Central, Northeast and Southeast Denver

5:30-7:30 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Blvd.

Wednesday, March 25 | Northwest, Southeast and Southwest Denver

5:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Cajetan Church Community Center, 4235 W. Byers Place

Tuesday, April 7 | Northeast and Far Northeast Denver

5:30-7:30 p.m. at Rachel B. Noel Campus, 5290 Kittredge St.

Save the date for citywide Denver Plan Summits in May and July!

It excites me to have such an invested group of parents, educators, community leaders and students. I’m tremendously grateful for your partnership in sharpening our vision for our schools and developing our plan focused on equity, to give all of our students a clear path to a great future.

Warm regards,
Susana