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Denver teachers, stoked to see their students, know COVID's legacy is still with them

COVID forced everyone at Denver Public Schools to learn from home during the 2020/2021 school year. Kids were mostly back in classes last year, but things were still a little sideways, and they remain as such.

Madi Perry, a calculus teacher at DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School, told us she signed up for an Amazon wishlist for the first time this year. She mostly worried her students’ families would struggle to afford the items on their back-to-school shopping lists.

“I offered folders yesterday, and way over half the class came up and took them from me,” she told us. “Everything I bought has been used. I felt like I was totally right about that.”

Perry also said “massive dips and declines” in academics, which stemmed from the learn-from-home era, are still super apparent.

Back to school: dogs, AP classes and alarm clocks. What Colorado students are looking forward to this school year and what they want changed

Amaryana is launching her senior year. The 17-year-old is excited about the classes at her Denver school, DSST: Montview, and excited for her last year of playing volleyball. When asked if she has played all four years of high school, she answers with a polite, “Yes, ma’am.”

Amaryana said she likes the team bonding on the volleyball squad – it’s like a family. On the team she’s learned the nuances of good communication and knows that will help her in life. She’s also looking forward to her advanced placement classes this year. She doesn’t really like reading but said the heavy reading and writing load gets her ready for college.

“I’m being prepared for that,” she said.

A new COVID booster push begins as Colorado heads into the third fall of the pandemic

It’s the Global Fest in Aurora, where people wait in lines for food from vendors from as far afield as Nigeria and Vietnam.

On a stage, a group of young girls in colorful dresses perform a traditional dance from Mexico. Jacqueline Morales, 14-year-old AST student, was among those in colorful dresses participating in a modeling contest.

Nearby, a nurse under a tent asks a patient, “You want your right arm or your left arm?”

It’s the third fall of the pandemic, and the push is on to get more COVID-19 shots into arms. For two years, this festival was virtual. Now that it’s back, the vaccine tent is bustling.. 

'Failing isn't the end of the world': DSST alumna, teacher shares how DSST helped shape her future

We recently spoke with a DSST founding board member who said she hoped DSST graduates would eventually come back and teach at our schools and become educational leaders. Cami Coultas-McKenney is doing just that.

Meet the new school directors leading at three of our schools

As we kick off the 2022-23 school year, DSST is excited to introduce some new school leadership team members.

Founding school director, Kryszelda Mendoza, shares excitement about opening of Aurora Science & Tech High School

DSST Public Schools was thrilled to welcome the founding class of freshmen to Aurora Science and Tech High School.

We spoke with the founding School Director, Kryszelda Mendoza who shared some of her thoughts about what this school means to the students and her perspective on the new school.

Community celebrates 'Random Gestures of Compassion' in honor of Reese Grant-Cobb

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock proclaimed July 20, 2022 “Random Gestures of Compassion Day.”

The recognition is in honor of Reese Grant-Cobb, a 17-year-old DSST: Montview student who was killed in 2018, just weeks before his 18th birthday.

He was also a standout on the East High School football team and his friends called him a “Renaissance man.” July 20 would have been Grant-Cobb's 22nd birthday.

“The month of July is the hardest month of the year for me because the beginning of the month is the anniversary of his death — he was attacked on July 1 and then died on July 2 — then July 20 … is his birthday,” said Beverly Grant, Reese’s mother. 

Off to the races! Here are some highlights from DSST's first week of school

What a fantastic start to the 2022-23 school year! We loved seeing your children back at our 16 schools in Denver and Aurora after a much-needed summer. It was great to feel the excitement and anticipation of a new school year in students and staff.

Resource spotlight: Keyaisha Thomas, DSST's dedicated staff-member mental health provider

DSST is proud to partner with Mines & Associates to provide all DSST team members access to a no-cost dedicated mental health counselor. 

Infusion 2022: Highlights from this year's school kick-off event

Last week DSST hosted the annual Infusion event at the Denver Botanic Gardens as a way to kick off the 2022-23 school year with some celebrations, laughs and lots of inspiration. From an awesome keynote speech by Michael Bonner to an intense game of rock, paper, scissors, here are some highlights from the day.

A huge thanks to Michael Bonner for really bringing the energy. If you missed the event or want to look back at his presentation, click here. 

You can also rewatch all of our Flower Person videos here.

Thank you all for coming to the event. We hope you had a wonderful time and that the energy, inspiration and relationships that started at Infusion, carry on throughout the year!

Click here to see all the photos from the event!