The Denver Public Schools Podcast

Nestor Bravo, Principal of Abraham Lincoln High School joins Community Engagement Manager Nicole Brady for a discussion on how Lincoln was able to move from red to yellow on the state performance framework. Bravo discusses specific interventions and resources that were implemented into the classroom, as well as efforts to ensure that more students are matriculating. The Lesson Plan takes you insid...

1. TAW Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8, and we’re asking for DPS students to help us celebrate our educators by sharing what they love most about them.  Students have the option to respond to one of the following prompts:  My teacher has taught me… Without my teacher, I wouldn’t… A teacher is… My teacher has inspired me to become (career or profession) because… Students, please complete the S...

1. Tasty Food Spring Schedule Tasty Food will be open during DPS’s spring break to help ensure that no student goes hungry during their week off. All youth ages three to 18 are welcome to stop by any Tasty Food site to access free meals. No ID or registration is required.  All sites will be closed Monday, March 30 in recognition of Si Se Puede day, but will reopen Tuesday, March 31 and remain open...

Go behind the scenes of how Denver Public Schools works in this episode of the DPS 101 Podcast. In Episode 3, host Nicole Brady sits down with Chuck Carpenter, Chief of Finance for Denver Public Schools, to break down how school funding really works. From where the money comes from to how it’s spent in classrooms, Chuck gives a clear and honest look at the financial decisions that impact students...

1. Strategic Roadmap Student Promises Survey DPS is in the process of crafting its next Strategic Roadmap, which will include a list of “Student Promises.” You can think of a “Student Promise” as things that every student can count on. DPS wants to know what you believe should be true for every student so we can ensure we meet those expectations. Please take the Strategic Roadmap Student Promises...

En este episodio especial de EDUCA DPS, Lincoln High School reunió a un poderoso panel de exalumnos que compartieron una experiencia en común: durante su paso por la escuela, el español era su idioma principal. Hoy, esos mismos estudiantes están triunfando en la universidad y en sus carreras profesionales. A través de sus historias, consejos y mejores prácticas, los panelistas ofrecieron inspiraci...

Why does attendance matter every single day? In this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Cori Canty, School and Unified Improvement Planning Manager at Denver Public Schools, to break down the real impact of student attendance on learning, achievement, and long-term success. From early literacy and third-grade reading benchmarks to graduation, college opportunities, and career r...

¿Por qué la asistencia importa todos los días? En este episodio del podcast EDUCA DPS, platicamos con la Dra. Cori Canty, Gerente de Planeación Escolar y Mejora Unificada en las Escuelas Públicas de Denver, sobre el impacto real que tiene la asistencia en el aprendizaje, el rendimiento y el éxito a largo plazo de los estudiantes. Desde la lectura en los primeros grados hasta la graduación, las opo...

1. DPS schools are invited to participate in the CherryArts Student Art Buying Program (SAB) to give students a hands-on arts experience at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival! Each year, 24 schools are awarded classroom resources and a $500 budget for students to purchase original artwork from the festival to keep on permanent display at their school. Three student representatives attend the festival...

1. SchoolChoice Round 2 Opens Tuesday, March 10 Round 2 of SchoolChoice opens Tuesday, March 10 at 10 a.m.! This window is for families who are new to DPS, missed Round 1 or changed their minds since Round 1 and would like to re-explore their options. Unlike Round 1, Round 2 is first-come, first-serve within school admission priorities, so you are highly encouraged to apply early. If space is avai...

¿Cómo trabajan las Escuelas Públicas de Denver para prevenir el acoso escolar y crear escuelas seguras y acogedoras para todos los estudiantes? En este episodio del podcast EDUCA DPS, el presentador Beto Gaytan se reúne con Malena Reyes, experto en prevención del acoso escolar de DPS, para hablar sobre cómo el distrito está trabajando para construir una cultura escolar positiva a través de práctic...

How does Denver Public Schools work to prevent bullying and create safe, welcoming schools for every student? In this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, host Javier Ibarra sits down with Wes Ogburn, DPS bullying prevention expert, to talk about how the district is working to build positive school culture through restorative practices, social-emotional learning and Positive Behavioral Interventions...

Dr. Charlie Merrow, Director of Special Education for DPS joins Communications Manager Nicole Brady to take listeners behind the scenes of how special education services are implemented.  He explains the continuum of services offered for students with disabilities and how each serves student populations with different needs.

1. Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy being Featured Live on 9NEWS Talented students from Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy were featured live on 9NEWS on Feb. 20, showcasing their original fashion designs ahead of their upcoming runway event. During the segment, students shared the inspiration behind their pieces and presented designs that reflected their creativity, culture and personal identity. Their w...

1. The CDAC Feedback Form Is Open through Friday, Feb. 27 The Communication Devices Advisory Committee (CDAC) is supporting the development of a new Board of Education policy outlining rules for student possession of communication devices,  like cell phones, during the school day as required by Colorado HB25-1135 .  If you are interested in observing the CDAC at work, their fourth meeting is on Tu...

DPS 101 is the podcast version of the DPS 101 Community Leadership Course, educating the community on the inner workings of DPS departments, structures and systems.  Each episode will feature a DPS leader reflecting on their own leadership journey and explaining their department functions. In Episode 2, DPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tony Smith explains the function of the Office of Schools, which...

1. Changes to district surveys DPS is changing their approach to district surveys. DPS is pausing the districtwide Family survey and limiting the Student and Staff survey efforts this school year. This intentional pause gives DPS the space to build a better survey approach for next school year that respects student, family and staff bandwidth and ensures that feedback leads to real, visible change...

Peanutter to Communicator: The Story Behind “Trail Mix Talya” In this episode of DPS Stories, we sit down with Talya Cohen, a DPS Communications Specialist known around the team as “Trail Mix Talya.” Before joining Denver Public Schools, Talya spent a year traveling the country as a Planters “Peanutter,” representing the brand in communities across the U.S., pitching local events, volunteering, me...

1. DPS Transportation Guide To Printing Student QR Codes (Abigail Amane) At the beginning of the school year, DPS Transportation launched a new app called My Ride K-12. With this app, parents receive late bus alerts, view route information and check their student’s bus location.  Scanning on and off our buses is mandatory and students are required to have a QR code on their phone or printed ID. Du...

In this episode, DPS Lead AI Instructional Specialist Kali Peracchia and DPS Communications Manager Nicole Brady discuss Artificial Intelligence. Topics include: DPS policies on AI AI apps current being used in DPS classrooms Future opportunities and ethical dilemmas involving AI

Welcome to the EDUCA DPS Podcast. In this episode, we explore the opportunities and resources available through Denver Public Schools libraries, and why school libraries remain essential spaces for learning, belonging, and community. You’ll hear how library services support students across the district through curated book collections, digital access to e-books and audiobooks, and tools that help...

Bienvenidos al podcast de EDUCA DPS. En este episodio, exploramos las oportunidades y los recursos disponibles en las bibliotecas de las Escuelas Públicas de Denver, y por qué las bibliotecas escolares siguen siendo espacios esenciales para el aprendizaje, la integración y la comunidad. Descubrirán cómo los servicios bibliotecarios apoyan a los estudiantes de todo el distrito a través de coleccion...

1. Messages From Dr. Marrero and DPS in Regards to Friday, January 30th     Dr. Marrero sent out a message to the DPS community yesterday, where he emphasized that schools will remain open on Friday,  January 30th. DPS is committed to our students, and thanks to actions taken by the district and district leaders, schools continue to be a safe haven for students.  Please check your email and the DP...

1. Search Launch for President of DPS’s Emily Griffith Technical College As previously shared, Denver Public Schools is launching a national search to identify the next President of Emily Griffith Technical College, or EGTC, a leader who will build on the strong foundation in place and continue advancing Emily Griffith’s mission of Opportunity for All, in alignment with DPS’ vision that Every Lear...

In this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, Javier Ibarra sits down with Albert Samora, Executive Director of Transportation for Denver Public Schools, to discuss the innovative ways DPS is improving student safety. The conversation explores new safety technology, including the My Ride K12 app and AI-powered camera systems, and how these tools are giving families greater transparency and peace of mi...