The Denver Public Schools Podcast

What DPS Families Need to Know Right Now - DPS Snapshots with Natalie B.

Our first story is a reminder that SchoolChoice Round 2 is still open@  1. SchoolChoice Round 2 is still open! If you missed Round 1 of SchoolChoice, changed your mind since Round 1, are new to Denver, or are an ECE-4 applicant [https://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/o/schoolchoice/page/early-childhood-education?utm_source=odw&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_id=2627round2] who didn’t get matched through Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK), Round 2 [https://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/o/schoolchoice/page/round-2?utm_source=odw&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_id=2627round2] is for you! Unlike Round 1, Round 2 applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis within school admission priorities [https://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/o/schoolchoice/page/school-admission-priorities?utm_source=odw&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_id=2627round2], so you are encouraged to apply [https://dpsschoolchoice.my.site.com/Apply/SiteLanding?utm_source=odw&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_id=2627round2] soon. If space is available, your student will be offered a seat; otherwise, they’ll be added to the waitlist [https://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/o/schoolchoice/page/waitlist?utm_source=odw&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_id=2627round2]. If you’re already on a waitlist from Round 1, there is NO need to re-apply to the same school— you’re already in line. If you have any questions, please email schoolchoice@dpsk12.org or call the Choice Hotline at 720-423-3493.  2. Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update All families deserve equitable access to the schools that are the best fit for their students. Denver’s changing population means that as a district, we must adapt to ensure every student has access to robust programming. The Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update [https://www.dpsk12.org/page/redrawing-our-district-equitably] initiative will allow us to evaluate our boundaries and zones to better balance our resources, support healthy school enrollments and address Denver’s shifting population. The  goal is to ensure every student in DPS can thrive, regardless of their zip code. The first Virtual Community Engagement session happened last night, Thursday May 21 at 5 p.m. If you missed this opportunity, you are invited to RSVP to attend the next Virtual Community Engagement session happening TODAY Friday, May 22 at 7:30 a.m. If participating in a virtual engagement session is not for you, you can also share your thoughts via the survey linked in our shownotes. That survey will remain open until June 5.  * Complete the survey [https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/q8eEpi], open through June 5. * RSVP [https://forms.gle/YZJq9paccG3z4FkU7] for Community Engagement session  3. Our third story is about City and County of Denver Programming and Resources * To learn more about summer programming and resources throughout the City and County of Denver, utilize the locator and connect with events and activities near you! The Youth Program Locator [https://denvergov.org/youthprogramlocator/] is linked in our shownotes. * Additionally, youth ages five through 18 have free access to Denver’s recreation centers, swimming pools and cultural centers with their My Denver Card. We also have the My Denver Card [https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Office-of-Childrens-Affairs/ProgramsInitiatives/MYDenverCard] linked in our shownotes for easy access.    4. Our fourth story is about the MLE DAC on May 27th Join the Multilingual Education (MLE) District Advisory Committee (DAC) on Wednesday, May 27 from 5-7 p.m., at  the Children’s Museum of Denver, located at 2121 Children's Museum Dr. All are welcome at this Year‑end MLE DAC Celebration. This celebration will also include a resource fair for multilingual students and families and the Children’s Museum is free of entry for attendees. Information will be shared about the MLE DAC events held throughout the year and the resource fair will host a variety of community organizations and resource providers. Dinner, childcare and interpretation will be available. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register via the link in our shownotes. For more information, visit the MLE website.  5. Tasty Food Free Summer Meal Program Tasty Food’s free summer meal program will kick off Monday, June 1! All Denver youth, ages 3-18, are welcome to stop by any participating sites to enjoy free and wholesome meals, Monday-Friday between the dates of June 1-August 21. Participating sites are linked in our shownotes ( English [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xh-HLCCBac5TIyl9m8kVT0HKLy8ym6zS/view?usp=sharing__;!!I5wY4Ip2iQ-G!8l_D08EnZ6V2VmQxEcPT7XmYBM5BDdKWSF8J9i54EF_lilCaNc1LNAhnau_MMtIjYKX1zOsAnvO7iRa3ze48f3kvcQPRb2c8b0A$] and Spanish [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://drive.google.com/file/d/1grdWji-ZEph1rsXWcpb5i2xxtR6aGxBc/view?usp=sharing__;!!I5wY4Ip2iQ-G!8l_D08EnZ6V2VmQxEcPT7XmYBM5BDdKWSF8J9i54EF_lilCaNc1LNAhnau_MMtIjYKX1zOsAnvO7iRa3ze48f3kvcQPR5lBH8Mw$]). You can also visit the Tasty Food website [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Office-of-Childrens-Affairs/ProgramsInitiatives/Tasty-Food__;!!I5wY4Ip2iQ-G!8l_D08EnZ6V2VmQxEcPT7XmYBM5BDdKWSF8J9i54EF_lilCaNc1LNAhnau_MMtIjYKX1zOsAnvO7iRa3ze48f3kvcQPRdq4yiVI$] for more information.  That’s all for this week!  Please remember to like and subscribe to our show. As always, thank you to the DPS External Communications team for their help editing and producing this week’s show. We’ll see you next week for the last episode of season three of DPS Snapshots.

The Lesson Plan: Career and College Success

In this episode of "The Lesson Plan" Dr. Samantha Haviland, DPS Executive Director of Career and College Success and Scott Burke, Director of Higher Education Learning join host Nicole Brady for a graduation season discussion on career and college preparation. Learn how college level and concurrent enrollment courses have led to a record number of DPS students receiving an associates degree while still in high school; how the district is expanding Career and Technical Education; and how DPS students can find mentors, internships and job opportunities while still in high school.

From School Boundaries to Student Art - DPS Snapshots with Natalie B.

Our first story is a big one: Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update  1. Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update All families deserve equitable access to the schools that are the best fit for their students. Denver’s changing population means that DPS must adapt to ensure every student has access to robust programming. The Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update [https://www.dpsk12.org/page/redrawing-our-district-equitably] initiative allows for DPS to evaluate the boundaries and zones to better balance resources, support healthy school enrollments and address Denver’s shifting population. The goal is to ensure every student in DPS can thrive, regardless of their zip code. DPS is committed to making community-informed decisions, and you are highly encouraged to get involved in this conversation. At the moment, there are two ways to do that.  * You can share your thoughts via the survey [https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/q8eEpi] linked in our shownotes, which is open through June 5. * You can RSVP [https://forms.gle/YZJq9paccG3z4FkU7] to attend one of the Virtual Community Engagement sessions happening on : * Thursday, May 21 at 5 p.m.or [http://p.m.or] Friday, May 22 at 7:30 a.m. Additional engagement opportunities will be coming in fall 2026. Next up is a story about the Device Policy Sentiment Survey 2. Device Policy Sentiment Survey Closes at 5 p.m. Today The DPS Board of Education is set to vote on June 8 on a new policy regarding students having access to communication devices (such as cellphones, headphones, smart watches, etc.) during school hours.  DPS is conducting a survey to understand the DPS community's current sentiment to ensure upcoming communications about this policy clearly address concerns and questions. The Device Policy Sentiment survey [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://u345601.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.5CmVkIvVF3zRoYwMSEbM5yTNFx-2B64NGYmmx7i9kGlpuWq92TlTSTJffUwMmSjrQvDoxI_RPq-2B-2FDk2OLCpAnHDtYNmCXCglzA9vVHe4wPhqp-2BgMAATcB-2FAXAMW6hL6Zjv-2F3rV4B8X7YpheDN-2BqLDStdj9wotMZfq1-2F8eRdnhJFGkfROG51ybsMkuP1qagv9KMXMjF7-2BhcRQfL1HAHiwrgpf25abBshV3sR-2FFdrxKUonMW-2F8Cxhn4DUDb6JpJRl1tD3soR3Ple-2BjTfVxyuH10QysG8IThvAeQo-2F2jjCK3f1RdI-2BkXw683FVdHkfdRDlqpctLSv2w0mWEaBSxwjxCkRdwZtja2pgoKvSLoya3i4JIfIR6FM-3D__;!!I5wY4Ip2iQ-G!46gWJ3gxz1p4q9EK5UL3SZ-qQoPTiKecwHxp1Z6tmFaQS5KU4IEg0CP64sZaeF-7Eu2gFR9OETxBBz3G_IZNdiPYYDczXsjRrA$] (Linked in our shownotes) closes at 5 p.m. today, May 15. The questions take 5-7 minutes to answer and all responses are confidential. You can learn more about the policy on the Communication Devices Advisory Committee (CDAC) [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://u345601.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.3bUr3Jj6hEqcIrymqBBc-2F8eG8QGH2TNSfmN-2FQRy26SjIA1BpvrLGpYyTNUwCZFw7CULAweqH1T3nmhrXMZvUg4P0dhStCdOreQbQp2bYjHA-3DQlIp_RPq-2B-2FDk2OLCpAnHDtYNmCXCglzA9vVHe4wPhqp-2BgMAATcB-2FAXAMW6hL6Zjv-2F3rV4B8X7YpheDN-2BqLDStdj9wotMZfq1-2F8eRdnhJFGkfROG51ybsMkuP1qagv9KMXMjF7-2BhcRQfL1HAHiwrgpf25abBshV3sR-2FFdrxKUonMW-2F8CzDM8q-2Bo9fqGkjcPs8b3MxV8E3ygxr5qQ2SP3bS-2FXMEnEC-2FR9HK27GzTA9T0PLCbsCg7qE6WNjqvpnNyExMlnEP-2BKtiixv8lPXf0jtubfIyCYUcRpjgME1LjbVoJaxAhZM-3D__;!!I5wY4Ip2iQ-G!46gWJ3gxz1p4q9EK5UL3SZ-qQoPTiKecwHxp1Z6tmFaQS5KU4IEg0CP64sZaeF-7Eu2gFR9OETxBBz3G_IZNdiPYYDc89R6dTg$] website, also linked in our shownotes.  3. Our third story is about Recognizing National Prevention Week: Anti-Vaping Resources In honor of National Prevention Week, DPS is highlighting the importance of vaping prevention. E-cigarettes remain the most common tobacco product used by students nationwide, and we are committed to providing our community with tools to combat this trend. Our goal is to help students navigate the social pressures and health risks associated with vaping. Most middle and high school students who vape want to quit. Visit the Anti-Vaping campaign page [http://ess.dpsk12.org/o/studentequity/page/anti-vape], linked in our shownotes,  to learn more about the impacts and to find resources for those who may need help quitting. By staying informed, we can work together to foster a safer, healthier environment for every learner.   4. Our fourth story is about the 2026-27 Back to School Shopping Experience  While most people are winding down for the year, the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team is looking ahead to help students start next year ready to learn and succeed! The new 2026–27 Back-to-School Shopping Experience has been redesigned to give families a more relaxed and personalized experience at our Community Hubs. The Back-to-School Shopping Experience is a free one-stop shopping experience where students can pick out grade-level backpacks and school supplies in a welcoming and stress-free environment. All DPS families are welcome. To help families avoid long lines and have enough time to shop comfortably, visits will take place by scheduled appointment during the week of August 10–14. * The first step is to Complete the interest form [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://u345601.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.-2FC-2FcQyyLAX8vpYKitzCkwh5-2Fzfvkl2weRk-2FdZJkDVWoFVUZh7JWY-2FAOXfbk1YvWetZnR_RPq-2B-2FDk2OLCpAnHDtYNmCXCglzA9vVHe4wPhqp-2BgMAD-2FfgdP1PvVGx-2BTMpmozLunBd0aEwXZOmR4iVLEtN5xCCCtN02lhwo1BCqa0hi4CuRCIXrgvJeoj8VpziNdi6Y44rMTjdWzTmSQls4MhFqUBGmLqY91PzYsGR86zCl3qDXDQ1Qb2sddJoVZOES4AK5V5M-2F7JDKWczAuaFzL9zX5WS2ol8InPC6bvipqbYXD-2FiIkMwiE8enpmUUD0-2BKeU2DbdbtGmpliP5pZTIu0DTEzY1Cj11V7q9OEomxNDJy5LGI-3D__;!!I5wY4Ip2iQ-G!5fuDzeGeTs52ZH8kkTvriJRZhdQRFg-Q78geEMlVKgbuXd05xpog7M0j9LZ1npglBu-7YtMaSTVV6AmwzmMRHXoGOhYOcZp9$], linked in our shownotes.  * Next, a team member will contact you before August 10–14 to schedule your shopping day and time. * Finally, On your scheduled day, bring your student’s ID number (lunch number) and enjoy the experience. Our fifth and final story is about Student Art On Display at Denver International Airport  5. Student Art On Display at Denver International Airport  In celebration of 150 years of Colorado history, Denver School of the Arts, Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences and Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy collaborated to create a DPS student art exhibition at Denver International Airport!  The “Mile High Expressions” exhibit forms a collective portrait of a state that is both deeply rooted in history and constantly evolving. This is more than an opportunity for students to share their work; it is a chance for them to contribute to Colorado’s story.  Travelers looking to celebrate America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th milestones are invited to view the exhibition. The exhibition is on view now through Nov. 2, and is located on the upper level of C Concourse, Mezzanine Level 3. Head to our shownotes to watch the student artists [https://youtu.be/vF-r6OEXuII?si=2cYxvLi_tVyCwkd_] share why this exhibition is special to them. You can also visit dpsk12.org/page/history [https://www.dpsk12.org/page/history] to see how DPS plans to celebrate 150 years of Colorado statehood.   That’s all for this week!  * Please remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode.  * As always, thank you to the DPS External Communications team for their help editing and producing this week’s show. * We’ll see you next week on DPS Snapshots.

DPS 101 with Chief of Operations Trena Marsal

Go behind the scenes of how Denver Public Schools works in this episode of the DPS 101 Podcast. In Episode 5, host Nicole Brady sits down with Trena, Chief of Operations for Denver Public Schools. The Office of Operations oversees more than 2,000 employees in DPS departments including Climate and Safety, Transportation, Facilities, Sustainability, Technology Services, Planning, Design & Construction and more! 🎧 Whether you're a parent, staff member, or community member, the DPS 101 podcast is a great way to better understand how DPS operates and how decisions are made.

From Teacher Appreciation to Biliteracy - DPS Snapshots with Natalie B.

1. Uplifting Community Voice: New Collaborative School Committee (CSC) Impact Videos The  DPS Communications team and the Family & Community Engagement team, also known as FACE, created a series of Collaborative School Committee Impact Videos through interviews with school leaders, teachers, parents, students and community members. This project provides a first hand look at what it means to serve on a CSC and how it supports community voice and family engagement.  You can watch the impact video, linked in our shownotes.  CSC Impact Video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MWUAW5WNB0&feature=youtu.be] 2. DPS Students are Hopping Aboard the Bike Bus https://youtu.be/2xZStpVFkfo [https://youtu.be/2xZStpVFkfo] Bike to School Day may have been postponed by snow this week, but a growing number of DPS schools are supporting "Bike Buses.” Bike Buses are  groups of students and adults riding together on bikes to school.  Watch the video linked in our show notes to learn how bike buses work and how the DPS Sustainability team is helping more schools start their own programs. 3.  DPS Foundation Supports Extra Week of Discovery Link Equity in access to summer programming is a priority for DPS, and the Denver Public Schools Foundation is helping us deliver. Their recent funding support has allowed Discovery Link to add a third week of summer camp at Barnum Elementary for students from several school sites. The DPS Foundation raises funds for afterschool programs, classroom grants, student grants, workforce development and more. You can learn more about this work and discover ways to get engaged at dpsfoundation.org [http://dpsfoundation.org/].    4. DPS Seal of Biliteracy Denver Public Schools celebrated a record-breaking year at the annual Seal of Biliteracy celebration hosted by North High School, where more than 1,600 students were recognized for demonstrating proficiency in multiple languages. That number marks a new record for Denver Public Schools and reflects the growing number of students embracing bilingualism as a superpower. The celebration honored students for their language skills, cultural competence, and commitment to future readiness.  Watch a recap of the ceremony:  https://youtu.be/UOhj_k6HAcw [https://youtu.be/UOhj_k6HAcw]  5.  May the Force (Elementary) Be With You Force Elementary welcomed current and new families for its “May the Force Be With You” STEAM event, giving future students and families a hands-on look at what makes the school so special. From planetarium adventures and magnet games to lightsaber decorating, live reptiles, and relay races, families explored interactive learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and fun. Events like this help strengthen school-family partnerships while showcasing the creativity and excitement happening every day at Force Elementary.   A fun video of the May 4th event is linked in our shownotes: . https://youtu.be/fFhYhFoh-28 [https://youtu.be/fFhYhFoh-28]  That’s all for this week!  Please remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode.  As always, thank you to the DPS External Communications team for their help editing and producing this week’s show. We’ll see you next time on DPS Snapshots.