Our DPS Weekly
May 3, 2024
Doull Elementary and Dr. Marrero Celebrate School Lunch Hero Day
Today is School Lunch Hero Day! Doull Elementary students and staff dressed up as their favorite superheroes to celebrate their food services team for School Lunch Hero Day. Superintendent Dr. Marrero stopped by to chat with the kids and help the team and Principal Carrigan serve lunch. Thank you to the DPS food services team for keeping our kids healthy, full and focused!
North High and Denver School of the Arts Receive Multiple Bobby G Award Nominations 🎭
Congratulations to North High School and Denver School of the Arts (DSA) for their multi-nominated productions in the 10th annual Bobby G High School Musical Theatre Awards. The state-wide high school musical theatre awards recognize Colorado students and educators for excellence in areas such as performance, design, direction and more. Congratulations to all the nominees!
North High's Northside Black Masque Theatre Company and their production of “Rock of Ages” received four nominations: 
  • Outstanding Overall Production in a Musical
  • Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design
  • Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
  • Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role: Tate Dewhurst
DSA and their production of “Bright Star” received five nominations: 
  • Outstanding Performance by a Chorus 
  • Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction: Erin Pettitt 
  • Outstanding Achievement in Direction: AndrĂ© Rodriguez and Nick Sugar
  • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role: Hudson Halverstadt
  • Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role: Charlotte Hearn
Northeast Early College Students Win 2024 Community Volunteer Group of the Year Award!
The Northeast Early College (NEC) Transition to Independence (TIP) and Community Plus students received the 2024 Community Volunteer Group of the Year Award from the Food Bank of the Rockies.

Twice a week, students from NEC’s TIP and Community Plus programs volunteer at Food Bank of the Rockies, learning valuable life skills and helping nourish the community. 

Students in DPS transition programs have Individualized Education Programs (IEP), are between 18 and 21 years old and have completed all requirements for graduating high school. Transition services include volunteer and employment opportunities, targeted classes and community experiences that increase participants' employability and independent living skills.

Volunteering at Food Bank of the Rockies has been an outstanding experience for transition students at NEC!
Celebrate Youth Apprenticeship Week (May 5-11)
Next week is Youth Apprenticeship Week (May 5-11) where we celebrate the power of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) for people ages 16-24. Being an apprentice can change your life for the better because you can:
  • Earn competitive wages while learning.
  • Gain hands-on training.
  • Receive mentorship.
  • Earn college credit.
  • Build a sustainable and profitable career path.
The Apprenticeship Training Division at Emily Griffith Technical College is the largest apprenticeship provider in Colorado and offers apprenticeships such as bricklayer, HVAC, certified line cook, plumber, ironworker and more. Email apprenticeship@emilygriffith.edu for more information.
May is National Speech Language Hearing Month!
May is National Speech Language Hearing Month! This month, we raise awareness around hearing and speech concerns while encouraging people to think about and get their hearing checked. Early identification and intervention for hearing loss is important. Thank you to our wonderful DPS Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists for all you do to support our students with hearing and speech needs!
40th Annual DPS Shakespeare Festival
Hark! Attention, ye who yearn for the stage and hold dear the works of Shakespeare! DPS recently celebrated the 40th Annual DPS Shakespeare Festival, solidifying the title of the world’s largest and longest-running student Shakespeare Festival. 

Students from across the district gathered at the Denver Center for Performing Arts to perform scenes, show off their costumes and celebrate the work of William Shakespeare. Set thine eyes upon the complete video here.
EDUCA DPS Podcast: Exploring the MyFriendBen Program
In this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, representatives from the Gary Community Venture share a new and unique program geared toward helping DPS families called MyFriendBen program. 

MyFriendBen is an online form eligible families can complete to receive benefits and tax credits. The form takes around six minutes to complete and includes over 40 programs families could qualify for. Learn more about MyFriendBen by watching the EDUCA DPS Podcast in English or Spanish.
JFK High School Debuts New and Improved Library
The School Determined Fund (SDF) category of the 2020 bond provides $32 million of funding for 133 DPS schools. 

John F. Kennedy High School held Design Advisory Group (DAG) meetings with school leaders, teachers, parents and a JFK student to discuss potential improvements for the school using the SDF. The renovation of the school library was chosen as their highest priority. The renovation included new furniture, shelves, carpet and paint in pursuit of a quality learning environment.

Denver voters made this series of school improvement initiatives possible.

To receive stories about bond-funded school improvement projects directly to your inbox, subscribe to the “Our Word is Our Bond” quarterly newsletter.
Internet Access and Support for Families
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provided discounts on high-speed internet access to low-income Americans, ended Tuesday, April 30. The end of this program could impact some students’ ability to do classwork at home.

If a student does not have access to home internet, they can work with their school to request a hotspot through the DPS Department of Technology Services (DoTS) help desk.

Additional resources for families looking for internet access and support:
Registration Deadline Extended: Summer Connections 2024
The registration deadline for Summer Connections 2024 has been extended to Sunday, May 12. If you're interested in registering, please do so through the Parent Portal or call 720-423-1797 for assistance. 

Spaces are still available at the following locations: 
  • Center for Talent Development at Greenlee  
  • Farrell B. Howell ECE-8  
  • Swansea Elementary 
Students will get to preview their upcoming grade's content and enjoy enriching activities such as Legos Week, Inventor's Week and a field trip. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis and requires a commitment to all five weeks, from June 17 to July 19. Visit the Summer Connections site for more information.
Opportunity for All Middle School Students: Apply for the Spark Summer Job Shadow Program
Have you ever wondered what it's like to step into the shoes of a professional for a day? Join us for an exciting four-hour job shadow program this summer right here in the Denver Metro Area! 

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at career paths, meet professionals in the field and get hands-on experience. Choose from industries ranging from technology to healthcare, and gain invaluable insights to help shape your future. This unique opportunity will help you to explore your interests and ignite your passion for success! Register by May 24.
ProComp Trust Board Opportunity
The ProComp Trust Board is seeking a new community member to join the Trust Board. This position will hold a three-year term, starting in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested. Those interested should complete this form. 

The ProComp Trust Board ensures the financial stability of the funds raised by the ProComp Mill Levy. The ProComp Trust Board is responsible for monitoring how DPS spends the funds derived from the Trust, ensuring they are spent only on ProComp-related expenses and are consistent with the ProComp Agreement. The ProComp Trust Board will only consider applicants not employed by the district for this role on the Board.
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