Story 1: Device Free Schools Administrative policy JICJ, or better known as the Student Use of Personal Communication Devices is now active in all district-run schools for all students in all grades (ECE-13).
While students are on campus during the school day, personal communication devices (PCDs) should be turned off and kept out of sight. Some schools may have a place to store personal communication devices or students may keep them in backpacks or lockers, but not pants pockets. Each school has decided how they expect students to store PCDs and has shared those expectations with families and students.
But just to reiterate: While students are on campus during the school day, PCDs should be turned off and kept out of sight. Students should turn off and store their PCDs during class time, passing periods, lunch periods and restroom breaks while on campus during the school day. This also includes during school field trips.
For more information, visit the website linked in our show notes.
Story 2: Community Engagement Sessions to Review Enrollment Boundaries and ZonesDPS is hosting community engagement sessions in every region in September to learn more about what our community values about their school and student experience as DPS reviews enrollment boundaries and zones.
You can attend one of these engagement sessions on :
- Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6-8 p.m. at Hamilton Middle School
- Thursday, Sept. 10, 6-8 p.m. at Lincoln High School
- Monday, Sept. 14, 6-8 p.m. at Northfield High School
- Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6-8 p.m. at CEC Early College
- Thursday, Sept. 24, 6-8 p.m. at Bruce Randolph School
Food and childcare will be provided at all sessions. Please register via the link in our show notes.
Story 3: Back to School Packet As you can tell there’s a lot happening during back to school season. To streamline the hottest information, DPS created a Back-to-School packet. This packet is linked in our show notes and is available in multiple languages. It includes resources, updates and information on important district initiatives, including:
- New Personal Communications Devices Policy, which we just discussed
- Attendance
- Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update
- Rooms– AKA your go-to Communication Tool for connecting with your student’s school
- DPS Family Academy
- And SchoolChoice Round 1
Back to School Packet linked here.
Story 4: A Green District Denver Public Schools (DPS) has made history once again by achieving a preliminary Accredited (Green) rating on the Colorado Department of Education's (or CDE) District Performance Framework for the second year in a row!
Just like how the district receives a rating on the District Performance Frameworks, Schools also receive ratings as part of the School Performance Framework. We wanted to celebrate some of the highlights from the SPF ratings:
- Grant Ranch ECE-8 School and John F. Kennedy High School each improved by two plan types, moving from Priority Improvement (Orange rating) to Performance (Green rating).
- 11 schools are fully exiting the accountability clock, including Abraham Lincoln High School and Academy 360.
- Four schools shifted to “On Watch” status: John F. Kennedy, Rocky Mountain Prep Noel, Oakland Elementary and Cole Arts and Science Academy.
- Four schools received a lower plan type due to participation rates below 95% in both ELA and Math: Denver Online, Doull Elementary, Lake Middle School, Manual Middle School.
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