Winter | Issue 19 | Date: February 16, 2022 |
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Funding Great Schools. Rooted in Community. |
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From the Desk of RootED Denver: Black History Month |
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Racial equity in education and community-driven change are at the heart of RootED's mission, vision, and values, and we've had the privilege to partner, and walk alongside, inspirational people in Denver’s Black community. Together, we recognize the importance of collaboration in addressing educational inequities while advancing a shared vision of equity, opportunity and achievement for all Denver Public Schools students.
Every day at RootED, we strive to amplify and honor the many achievements of students, educators and the community. As we join our nation in reflecting on the Black experience during February, we also celebrate Black excellence, and honor the Black community every month of the year.
We've asked our team members to share what Black History Month means to them and will feature their comments on social media. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and join us in sharing your reflections as well.
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Meet Denver Families New CEO, Clarence Burton, Jr. |
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With Denver’s record-low voter turnout in 2021, family and community engagement in local school board races is more important than ever.
Clarence Burton Jr., the new chief executive officer of Denver Families for Public Schools, knows there’s significant work to be done to increase civic and electoral engagement among Denver families—and he’s up to the task.
“The analogy I’ve been using [with] folks as we began this work is like a climber at the base of Mount Everest, where two things are true,” Burton told Boardhawk in a recent interview. “You’re really excited to be there. And you’re also very aware there’s a lot of work ahead, right there. Both of those things are present for me right now.”
In his discussion, Burton articulated his strategies for engaging families, and shared more about his passion for the work. A first-generation high school and college graduate, Burton experienced periods homelessness in elementary school before finding some stability in foster care.
"What gets me up in the morning, the story that you’ll see in my professional arc, is working to ensure that as many kids as possible, especially those who come from a background similar to mine and face similar challenges, have access to high quality education, regardless of what they look like, how much money their parents have, or what zip code they live in," Burton said.
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We See You!
DSST Aurora Opening this Fall
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High school students in Aurora will have a new option next school year for high-quality STEM learning. The city’s first DSST high school, Aurora Science & Tech High School, will open with its inaugural class of ninth grade students in the fall. The high school will share the Fitzsimons Innovation Campus with Aurora Science & Tech Middle School.
The schools are adjacent to Anschutz Medical Campus, which will continue to provide students with “on-the-ground experience in the fields of medicine, science, technology, engineering and more,” DSST's CEO Bill Kurtz wrote in a release.
Kurtz also announced Kryszelda Mendoza as the high school’s founding school director.
Mendoza, a former high school physics teacher in Chicago Public Schools, has worked with DSST for several years, as director of curriculum and instruction at Conservatory Green Middle School, associate school director at the Henry campus, and as associate school director and school director in training at Aurora Science & Tech Middle School.
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National Spotlight Featuring
KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary
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A Denver charter school educator's strategies for incorporating joy into the classroom were featured in a K-12 Dive story in December.
Brittany Patton, an interventionist at KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary School, told reporter Kara Arundel that students "sing, zigzag around the classroom, tap their bodies, and take deep breaths in and breathe out like a lion, ghost or whatever noise they want to make."
Patton empowers students to own their learning, which helps them "[accept] their ‘oopses’ and [use] those moments to reflect and grow."
Read more about Patton’s and other educators’ tips for making lessons fun.
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STRIVE Prep - Call for Volunteers |
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STRIVE Prep is a community of public charter schools where students are learning to change the world and are inspired to give back and impact the communities most important to them. Every day, STRIVE inspires students to think critically, communicate clearly and collaborate openly while fueling their curiosity and creativity.
STRIVE is always on the lookout for community volunteers to help challenge and celebrate students at events throughout the year. If you are interested in participating, contact Mackenna Broyles for more information.
Learn more about Shine On! STRIVE's annual fundraising event.
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1390 Lawrence Street, Suite #200
Denver, CO 80204
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