DENVER — Denver Public Schools is welcoming nearly 90,000 students back to the classroom on Monday, joining other Colorado school districts already in session. The start of the new school year in DPS will also see added security with the return of school resource officers following the shooting of two deans at East High School back in March.
It’s also move-in day at the University of Colorado as students begin returning to classes soon in Boulder. Check this back-to-school blog for updates from DPS and other Colorado school districts as students head back to class.
East High School parents urge more security changes | A parent’s safety advocacy group at East High School says they are working to draft added safety recommendations that they hope to make public in the coming weeks. The recommendations would go beyond the two school resource officers that will be at East High this school year.
SROs arrive for first day of class at East HS | Denver7 News captured video of SROs returning to campus at East High School Monday for the first day of class. 13 DPS schools will see officers return for the 2023-24 school year, including two at East HS.
East High School welcomes freshmen | The senior welcoming committee was on hand to welcome freshmen back to campus at East High School on Monday for the start of the new school year. Denver7 morning anchor Brian Sanders was outside the high school to preview some of the changes students can expect.
First day of school LIVE | DPS' Bromwell Elementary School is hosting a Facebook live at 7:30 a.m. to kick off the first day of school and welcome back students and staff.
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!!🎒✏️📚 The 23-24 school year is finally here & we are so excited for all the learning & growing it will bring.🎉To celebrate, hop on to our FB LIVE this morning at 7:30 to watch Bromwell Elementary kickoff their #firstday! #firstdaydps #backtoschool pic.twitter.com/CIMQXWu6sw
— Denver Public Schools (@dps_k12) August 21, 2023
Dr. Marrero on DPS test scores | Recently-released CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) scores showed incremental gains in math and language arts scores at Denver Public Schools, but results showed progress still lagged behind 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Denver7’s Nicole Brady recently broke down the results and DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero recently addressed what he says should happen next.
“In terms of resource allocation, I think we have to do a deeper dive in terms of some of the anomalies we’re discovering with our free and reduced lunch students. I’m encouraged to see our Black and Latino students gaining in terms of growth. But we have to do a little bit more there as well.” said Marrero.
Move-in day at CU | While classes don’t start until next week, it’s move-in day at CU Boulder with students returning Monday through Thursday. CU President Todd Saliman spoke to Denver7 reporter Wayna Reese who shared some words of advice for new and returning students.
'We feel like not enough has been done' | Because of its size, East High School will have two school resource officers for the new school year. East High parents have been vocal regarding safety changes they would like to see. Denver7 reporter Veronica Acosta spoke to several parents who are part of a safety advocacy group at the school.
Other schools starting the new year | DPS is not the only school starting out the new year today, several colleges and universities in Colorado will have the first day of class including CSU in Fort Collins, UNC Greeley, School of Mines in Golden, Regis University, and CU Denver and Community College of Denver.
DPS superintendent on the return of SROs | Denver7 morning anchor Brian Sanders asked Dr. Alex Marrero if there is a plan to reintroduce SROs formally to students and the DPS community.
Dr. Marrero: “I think in terms of the most immediately, it will happen organically. However, when it comes to our MOU (memo of understanding), we’re defining those terms, in terms of how to engage. And aside from how they engage with our youngsters, in terms of our community – you’ll have a say in terms of the permanent placement. Or if there is a vacancy that needs to be filled. It’s no longer going to be ‘Okay, hey DPD, who do you have? Send someone over’ — No, this is going to be an intimate, collaborative decision-making process.”
Where SROs return to DPS | Following the shooting at East High School in March, here are the 13 schools in DPS that will see SROs return to campus.
