Our DPS Weekly
April 8, 2022
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Supporting Student Achievement with Grade-level Tutoring
Dear Team DPS,

As DPS continues to create opportunities to best support our students, we are excited to share the Grade Level Tutoring program as one of our latest strategies to accelerate learning. Free for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade, these small-group tutoring sessions offer individualized instruction three to five times a week for at least 30 minutes, for students in both literacy and math. The opportunity – which is made possible through COVID relief funds – is available to students at participating schools.  

Tutoring can increase student learning by up to 15 months when students attend at least 36 hours a semester, and ongoing small-group support during the school day is a proven way to increase achievement for students who are traditionally underserved. This individualized instruction not only supports students in learning current grade-level content, it also provides personalized social-emotional support for learners along the way. 

Since beginning the program in October with middle and high school math tutoring, and expanding to math tutoring for fourth and fifth graders in January, more than 840 students in 16 schools are currently participating. Starting in April, the program has expanded to offer literacy tutoring for students in kindergarten through third grade who need help learning to read. 

The Expanded Academic Learning team is now in the process of registering schools to participate for next year. If you have a student who might benefit from tutoring, please reach out to your school or contact EAL@dpsk12.net. 

Catch up with Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero by following him on Instagram and Twitter, both @DrAlexMarrero!

Families Receive SchoolChoice Enrollment Results;
Round 2 Upcoming
Spring is an exciting time in school enrollment! We were thrilled last week to send out more than 26,000 emails and text messages notifying families of their school placement results for the 2022-23 school year.

It’s the culmination of SchoolChoice, DPS’ open enrollment process. SchoolChoice provides DPS students a more equitable and simplified format to apply to their preferred schools. Families rank their top school preferences and submit a single application during the Round 1 window, mid-January to mid-February. DPS then runs a computer algorithm designed to maximize the number of students getting their most-preferred option.

Although this year’s numbers aren’t available just yet, last year saw 95% of transition-grade students receive their first- or second-choice school.

Up next on the enrollment calendar is Round 2, which opens April 12 at 10 a.m. and closes Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. During Round 2, families can apply directly to their preferred schools. Round 2 is typically for families who did not participate in Round 1; those who participated in Round 1 but want to re-explore their school options; or families who are new to DPS for next school year.

Visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org for more information.
Denver East High School Hockey Wins National Championship!
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the hockey players at Denver East High School who won the USA Hockey high school national championship over spring break! The team, featuring players from across DPS, had a dramatic victory to take home the Division II title game. 
 
“We were representing Colorado and DPS,” said Joseph Capra, an East junior defenseman who was named the Class 5A player of the year by CHSAA, in an interview with the Denver Post. Read the full, exciting story here.
You’re Invited: DPS Foundation Celebrates Students at Achieve Gala on April 14
The Denver Public Schools Foundation will host its annual Achieve Gala next week on Thursday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. This celebration will bring together nearly 1,000 business and community leaders in support of the 90,000 students in DPS. 
 
The Achieve Gala showcases students and their inspiring stories through student speakers and entertainment groups, with more student participation than any other event of its kind. New to the program this year: a comedy skit and a special cheerleading team performance! 
 
Last chance to join us! Tickets are $250 per individual or $130 for DPS educators. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available. To learn more, please visit https://dpsfoundation.org/achieve/.
Talk with Your Child about Marijuana Ahead of 4/20
DPS Prevention Services is partnering with One Chance to Grow Up to educate the community about the risks of marijuana on the developing teen brain. It's important for parents to know that events like 4/20 at Civic Center Park are more than a concert but are an event that is sponsored by the marijuana industry and promotes the use of mariujana. We recommend that parents talk with their children about their expectations regarding marijuana use. Click here for tips on how to have that conversation. For questions, please contact DPS Prevention Services at preventionservices@dpsk12.org.

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