Fall | Issue 5 | Date: December 18, 2020 |
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Funding Great Schools. Rooted in Community. |
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Students Thrive When the Community is Involved |
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As the Denver Public Schools Board of Education engages in the search for a new superintendent we at RootEd are committed to empowering our communities to be involved every step of the way.
This is an opportunity for us to live our values of prioritizing racial equity, inspiring community-driven change and collaborating across differences. We know the best possible outcome can be achieved if our community members’ voices are heard from the get-go.
On Dec. 14, the Board of Education provided an update on and discussed the Superintendent Search. The update included a draft phased approach for the search.
- Phase 1 determines a vision for the process and the candidate, select a partner firm or partner firms to aid with the search, and define timelines, roles, priorities and structures.
- Phase 2 includes robust community engagement, the recruitment and screening of candidates, and the collection and evaluation of applications.
- Phase 3 is the interview and selection process
- Phase 4 is the transition to the new permanent leadership.
It’s critical that we prioritize robust community engagement in Phase 1 and beyond – particularly as the vision for the process and the candidate are defined. The vision for the role and the process by which a candidate is selected must put students first, advance equity, and ensure quality education for every student in all schools. In this, we cannot compromise.
We’re heartened by the efforts of new leadership at DPS Family and Community Engagement (FACE) to transform previous engagement practice. Click here to read about FACE efforts to prioritize building strong relationships, ensure geographic and cultural representation and to provide the community with tools to be successful.
As we commit to working alongside the Board, we must ensure our communities – those most impacted by the selection of a new leader – are heard.
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Reimagining High School
The CUBE School
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The CUBE High School is providing Denver students with the kind of innovative curriculum they want.
“I'm always just so grateful that The CUBE exists,” says Mariah Rosensweig, a CUBE student. “Every day, I’m inspired by my teachers and the creative things they model for us.”
A RootEd grantee, The CUBE is redefining education - and earning prestigious nods along the way. Earlier this year, the school won the Succeeds Prize, which recognizes Colorado's most transformational and innovative schools and educators.
Jonathan Best, a computational thinking teacher and designer at The CUBE, says being able to design his own class materials and curricula is critical to the school's ability to put students first.
"We make our classes more human, more engaging," he said. "We teach the kids the kinds of things that they want to learn and that are relevant for them in their world."
Watch the video below to learn more about The CUBE High School.
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We See You!
Colorado Food Cluster Fights More Than Hunger
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Food insecurity can have devastating impacts on a child’s ability to learn and thrive, and the impacts of COVID-19 mean more families are struggling to provide food for themselves. That’s why the Colorado Food Cluster, a mission-driven network of community organizations, is providing free, nutritious meals and snacks to Denver’s kids.
The network – which includes Bondadosa, Revolution Foods, Denver Food Rescue and members of a new, equity-centered coalition, the PEACE Collective – is delivering its “Enrich Kits” to more than 2500 students across the city’s KIPP network of schools, with plans to expand deliveries by January to more than 15,000 students throughout Denver.
And the network isn’t stopping there. Bondadosa is also hiring delivery drivers 18 and older who are eager to help the Cluster achieve its goals and ensure kids receive their meals and snacks every week.
“This is the type of innovation and impact that occurs when communities of color lead - the type of impact that will provide jobs and access to millions of meals for children,” said Bondadosa Chief of Staff Dom Barrera.
Photo Credit: CBS4
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Board of Education Paves Way for
DSST @ Noel High School
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In a victory for DSST Noel’s 159 middle school students and families, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education (BOE) reversed course Thursday and agreed to allow a DSST Noel high school to begin enrolling students in the fall.
The Board had previously voted 5-2 to delay the opening of the high school until
2022. DSST appealed the DPS decision and the Colorado State Board of
Education overturned the Denver board’s decision with a 6-1 vote and directed
the BOE to reconsider the delay.
The Board’s vote Thursday provides DSST Noel’s middle school students with a clear path to learn and thrive as they enter high school in the fall. As DSST
continues to strive to provide a quality education for all students, RootEd
remains committed to holding them accountable and advocating for their
students’ success.
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1390 Lawrence Street, Suite #200
Denver, CO 80204
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