DPS Snapshots Show with Natalie Brigham - District Updates for Oct. 18

The Denver Public Schools Podcast

1.Survey Call Outs

Today is the Last Day to complete the BESS Universal Mental Health Screening Survey. As a refresher, BESS stands for Behavior & Emotional Screening System and is used to identify and match students with appropriate tiers of intervention. This survey supports school teams in knowing how and when to intervene when student safety or mental health concerns arise.

Guardians, Students and teachers alike are required to participate twice a year, once at the beginning of the year and once at the end of the year.

This short survey provides valuable input on your student’s mental health and social emotional well being. The Survey will be linked.

Help improve DPS for all students by completing the Your Voice/Tu Voz family survey. This survey is open through Nov. 1.

2. Last Regional Engagement Session

This Nov., the DPS Board of Education will be addressing the effects of declining enrollment in our district. As part of this process, DPS has been engaging with the community to answer questions and address concerns. If you missed the in-person meeting for your region, we will be hosting a Virtual Engagement Meeting on Oct. 22 from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. Interpreters for our eight most spoken languages (Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Amharic, Dari, French, Nepali and Somali) will be present at this virtual meeting. If you are planning to attend, please complete the form linked.

We will not be sharing a list of affected schools at any of these regional engagement meetings. On Nov. 7, Dr. Marrero will present the Board of Education with his recommendation to address declining enrollment and on Nov. 21, the Board of Education will vote on the list.

3. FACE-U Learning Series for Staff and Families

FACE University is a resource and learning hub for the DPS community. Join them for their upcoming session, “Raising Media-Smart Kids - Social Media and Virtual Safety Skills” on Oct. 22 from 6-7 p.m. Three attending families will win tickets to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, DCM or History Colorado!

Learn tips for managing family media use, choosing age-appropriate media, limiting social media, choosing cell phones and using safe district library resources.

Watch the livestream on the FACE Youtube channel.

4. Calm and Kind Family Program Begins Nov. 4

Calm and Kind Family is a program designed to equip parents with tools to support their children emotionally in three key areas: mental health, self-regulation and managing emotions. Join them for sessions on Nov. 4-7 from 6-7 p.m. One attending family each day will be entered to win tickets to the Children’s Museum, Museum of Nature and Science or Colorado History Museum! The first round will be offered in English and Spanish virtually on Zoom. Register by Oct. 21.

5. Tickets to the Avs

Join Team DPS at Ball Arena on Oct. 30 as the Colorado Avalanche take on the Tampa Bay Lightning! $7 from each ticket sold through the fundraiser will be donated back to the DPS Foundation! Secure your tickets today.