Dear Team DPS,

This week, Interim Superintendent Dwight Jones spent two days visiting elementary classrooms as we welcomed our youngest students back for in-person learning. Dwight visited students at Colfax Elementary, Marie L. Greenwood Academy and Inspire Elementary, where each classroom was filled with the sights and sounds of children learning together with their teachers.

As we look toward safely reopening middle and high schools for in-person learning, starting next week, we’d like to share the latest health update from our expert partners at Denver Health:

We are excited to welcome our middle and high school students back to in-person learning for the first time since last school year! (And as a reminder, the Virtual Program will continue throughout the second semester for families who chose that option. Families whose students attend a charter school should check with their school for updates on their plans.)

Here are some important reminders and resources so you know what to expect and how to stay safe:

It’s important to be aware that all middle and high school classes will be required to have assigned seats for students, as a safety precaution that can help minimize the need for quarantining in the event of a positive case in the class. This may be a shift from what students are accustomed to, but using consistent seating charts will help us keep everyone safe.

Some of our smaller high schools may be able to return to in-person five days a week, while some of our larger schools may return on a hybrid schedule (in which not every student attends in-person every day). This is based on guidelines from our health partners on how many students can be in the same group, or cohort. Please check with your student’s school directly for the specific details of their school schedule.

As we welcome students back, we want you to know that each school is navigating its own unique set of circumstances, but all are equally committed to making sure that students have a safe and enriching academic semester.

If families have questions about returning to in-person learning, they should contact their school directly, or connect with our Family and Community Helpline at 720-423-3054 or [email protected].

We are excited to share that the process is underway to offer access to vaccines to our eligible DPS team members, such as nurses, health technicians, occupational and physical therapists, and speech language pathologists, as well as center-based program, security and Gilliam staff. So far, about 1,500 DPS employees have been notified that they are eligible to receive a vaccine.

We are partnering with Children’s Hospital for our first round of vaccine distribution, and are working to identify more partners that have enough of the vaccine and the structures set up to deliver the vaccine.

We continue to work hard to ensure all staff members will have access as soon as the state and our health officials allow. Teachers and other staff assigned to schools who spend the majority of the day in contact with students are next in line for eligibility through the state, and are expected to begin receiving vaccinations in early March. We look forward to sharing frequent updates as we receive new information.

The SchoolChoice window for the 2021-22 school year opens 8 a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 15, through 4 p.m. Feb. 16.

To apply to preferred schools, families can create an account or sign in using their Parent Portal username and password here. Then, rank schools in order of preference (up to 12) and submit the SchoolChoice application by 4 p.m. Feb. 16. There is no advantage to submitting early -- families can submit their application anytime before the deadline!

We're holding Facebook Live events during the Choice window to help answer questions. The hour-long events will feature an overview about the process, then a question-and-answer period. The events will be broken down by grade and feature back-to-back sessions in English and Spanish. Get the full schedule.

SchoolChoice is for any student who wants or needs to attend a new school for the following school year, particularly "transitioning" students, typically incoming kinder, sixth- and ninth-grade students. All incoming preschool students, as well as incoming students who reside in an enrollment zone, must complete an application.

We know you might have questions during the SchoolChoice process, and we’re happy to help. Contact an enrollment representative at 720-423-3493 or email [email protected]. Families can also contact the front office at their child’s school or go to schoolchoice.dpsk12.org.

The Athletics Department is excited to announce the return of Season B CHSAA high school sports beginning Jan. 18. This includes boys and girls basketball, girls swimming and diving, ice hockey, wrestling, and spirit.

Middle School Prep League will also be offering basketball for boys and girls starting Jan. 25. More specific information has been shared with participating schools.

In order to maximize opportunities for our students and create the safest possible environments for our students to participate, spectators will not be allowed at this time. As health conditions in our community continue to improve, we will revisit that decision and share updates as they are available. If you have questions, please contact the athletic director at your school.

At DPS, in Denver and across the nation, we are honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., though celebrations may look different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 36th annual Denver Marade -- a march and parade -- is being held virtually, and will continue long-standing traditions while adding panel discussions on civil rights supported by the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Colorado Holiday Commission. Students from across Colorado, including from our own East High School and Denver Discovery School, participated in a pre-recorded discussion in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the Marade.

The virtual Marade begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18 and can be watched on Youtube or on Facebook. Learn more about upcoming celebrations of Dr. King and his legacy on our website.

Join DPS from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, for a virtual event designed to celebrate African American family and student engagement, highlighting social and academic excellence. Hosted by the African American Equity Task Force, this is the third event in a series of programming created to celebrate, educate and inform families on how to navigate DPS systems and structures.

School staff, families and community members can nominate students who have demonstrated advocacy in their school or community. All nominated students will be recognized at the event. Click here to nominate a student and register for the event.

As we get ready to join the celebration of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID), we encourage you to nominate a parent or family member to be highlighted during the Anchored in Advocacy event. Click here to nominate a parent or family member.

Share the event with your friends, family and colleagues! If you have questions, please reach out to [email protected].

Access past editions of Our DPS Weekly.