HELIX FEED

Thank you! Highlighting our amazing school psychologists for National School Psych Week.

DSST is celebrating our six amazing School Psychologists this week for National School Psychologist Week.

Topics: Our Program

Q&A: DSST literacy interventionist talks about reading rates, testing and importance of the work

DSST has brought in three Literacy Interventionists to help address the decline in reading assessment proficiency that educators are seeing at DSST and across Colorado.

Samantha Hakes is the literacy interventionist at our Aurora Science & Tech (AST) Middle School, where she works with students twice a week for 45 minutes to help them improve their reading and testing skills.

Hakes shares her perspective on reading rates, testing and the importance of the reading interventionists’ work.

1) Reading rates were shown to have dropped across schools in general. How do reading rates look at DSST?

If we look at the CMAS writing data for DSST middle schools, we can see that an average of 50% of students, at most campuses, scored a zero. This does NOT mean that they didn’t have access to the prompt/reading, but that they either lacked the stamina to complete the reading portion and have enough time for writing OR they did not attempt the prompt.

Testing fatigue is real, so we need to strategically think about which assessments our students truly need to take and which assessments guide instruction. It’s imperative that we find a way to encourage student and family buy-in with CMAS, while also not teaching to the test.

2) Your title is “literacy interventionist.” How is literacy intervention different than enrichment and how does that impact students?

The three literacy interventionists who are piloting the program this year at AST, DSST: Green Valley Ranch, and DSST: College View middle schools, are experts in their field. All three of us have over 10 years of instructional experience with an emphasis on literacy development, and experience with differentiating instruction to meet diverse needs. In addition, the programs that we are using – STARI, Words Their Way, and Wilson – are research-based interventions and most include professional development or training before implementation of the programs. With all of this in mind, we have the experience, background knowledge, and tools to truly identify the root causes of students’ literacy gaps and then create individualized plans to target and close gaps.

Therefore, this is different from enrichment, because literacy interventionists do not teach any other classes. Our sole focus is on intervention groups, which utilize specialized assessments and instruction to support all students.

3) Why do you think this work is important based on the current educational/literacy climate?

Topics: Inside the Classroom

Meet the DEI team: The group working to make DSST equitable and diverse for everyone

“Eliminating educational inequity and integrating schools” remains core to our mission at DSST. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team remains dedicated to cultivating a school community that welcomes open discussion and self-reflection around these issues.

Topics: Our Program

What you need to know about the upcoming November election

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. There are local and statewide issues on the ballot that could impact you. That is why it is important you take some time to learn about why this election is critical, how to register to vote and more by visiting dsstvotes.org.

Topics: News, Updates, & Events

You don't want to miss 'Otoño Encendido,' a night of music and art at DSST: Cole.

Otoño Encendido (Fall Aflame) is the first music and arts event of the school year at DSST: Cole.

Topics: News, Updates, & Events

Core Value Award nominations are now open! Here is what you need to know.

It is time to start thinking about one of DSST’s most important celebrations – our Core Value Awards. DSST lives and breathes by our six core values: Respect, Responsibility, Curiosity, Courage, Integrity and Doing Your Best.

Topics: News, Updates, & Events

DSST alumna: 'DSST gave me the quality education that I don't think would have been accessible to me'

“It’s hard to imagine where I would be without DSST,” Aileen Ocampo, DSST: Green Valley Ranch 2016 graduate, said looking back at her time at DSST. 

Topics: Community Stories

Take a look at how DSST is planning for the future

Over the summer, DSST kicked off planning for what we want DSST to look and feel like in five years. Since then, DSST has hosted focus groups, conducted interviews, sent out surveys, researched, and engaged nearly 1,600 DSST community members -- students, alumni, families and staff members -- in this process.  Community input and support have been crucial and will continue to be critical as we continue to build out the DSST Strategic Plan.

Topics: News, Updates, & Events

Josafat Rodriguez piling up goals for Manual boys soccer

Josafat Rodriguez, DSST: Cole high school student, is just trying to have fun on the soccer field. The nearly three goals that he scores every game are just an added bonus.
 
Rodriguez and the Manual Thunderbolts are a part of the Class 2A classification this fall, which has far more scoring than anywhere else in the state. The Junior forward is battling it out, day in and day out, with the Loftus School’s Fredy Peraza for the top scorer in all of Colorado.

Topics: News, Updates, & Events

Want a free lunch for your school? Here's how to get it.

The Tri 1 Family Survey is open now through next Friday, Oct. 28. We use a lot of this data to help us create the best environment and experience for our students and families. 

Topics: News, Updates, & Events