Dear DPS Community,
I trust that the new school year is off to a promising start, filled with opportunities for learning and growth. I would like to share significant progress regarding our discipline policies and seek your involvement in shaping the future of discipline within Denver Public Schools.
In our unwavering commitment to providing the best educational experience for our students, eight of our leaders dedicated their summer to advancing our discipline practices. These leaders attended the Harvard University Public Education Leadership Project (PELP) Summer Institute, and utilized the opportunity to address critical aspects of discipline. The DPS team who attended PELP drafted both our district’s discipline “problem of practice” statement and a comprehensive theory of action. These documents will drive our continued work with PELP during this school year.
Another noteworthy milestone of our discipline work has been the development of an updated, comprehensive discipline matrix. This essential tool will soon be shared with our school leaders and community members in the following weeks. Your valuable feedback will be sought through a feedback survey, ensuring that the matrix aligns with the unique needs of our diverse community.
We’re not stopping there; to ensure that our proposed discipline matrix is truly representative of the diverse range of perspectives within our DPS community, we are convening a Discipline Matrix Committee. This committee’s mission is to review the proposed matrix and consider any additional revisions deemed necessary. To be considered for the committee, please apply here by September 8, 2023.
Your participation and feedback are instrumental as we endeavor to construct a discipline framework that nurtures a safe and welcoming learning environment for every student. We are committed to making Denver Public Schools a place where Every Learner Thrives.
In Collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent