In Strengthening Neighborhoods committee meetings—which were filled with dozens of different people representing different perspectives, histories and relationships with Denver Public Schools (DPS)—every person felt the weight of responsibility that the district has to serve students in this challenging, changing city. I felt it as a former math teacher in both district-run and charter high schools in DPS, and now…
Category: Strengthening Neighborhoods
Advocating for Equity in Denver Public Schools
Of all of the challenges that the Strengthening Neighborhoods committee was asked to address, there was no doubt in my mind that I would join the working group focused on Equity. The opportunity gap in our system is real, and although there is great diversity within Denver Public Schools (DPS), there is not yet true equity or inclusion. Whenever I…
Increasing Access and Choice for All DPS Families: Recommendations for Change from the Strengthening Neighborhoods Committee
When I had the opportunity to participate in Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) Strengthening Neighborhoods committee, I knew I had to get involved. I wanted to bring my perspective as a DPS graduate and current DPS parent. I wanted to contribute to a citywide conversation about integration and to be as informed as possible about decisions affecting my community. But I…
Denver community group aims to help DPS provide high-quality integrated schools while preserving culturally-rich neighborhoods in 2018 and beyond
In Denver these days, it’s no secret that the city has been changing – fast. Despite rising income levels, the cost of housing has shot up, and people flocking to the Mile High City are less likely to have school-age children. These changes have placed a considerable strain on lower-income populations across the city, as neighborhoods gentrify and families are…