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Ednium: Championing financial literacy is an investment in the future

Last year, Ednium: The Alumni Collective and its alumni partners gathered in full force during the Board of Education meeting where they provided public comment in support of adding financial literacy to high school graduation requirements.

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Some schools are already teaching financial literacy classes for students, and these are the models alumni hope to build upon in the initial learning community at high schools this fall.

At DSST: College View, chemistry teacher, Matthew Boumphrey had an epiphany about what he was doing:  ‘Am I teaching something that can help these students now, giving them information to share with their families and improve upon their lives currently?’ It was then he decided to pitch the financial literacy course which he now teaches in addition to his chemistry course. 

Welcome, Danielle Felder: DSST's new Chief External Affairs Officer

A note from DSST CEO Bill Kurtz:

Colorado kids could get bigger say in abuse and neglect cases

Makita Cotto got home from school one day to face unwelcome news from her foster mother. A judge had forbidden Cotto, who was 15 at the time, from ever speaking with her biological mother or brother.

“If I did, then I was facing contempt of court at 15,” Cotto, now 36, recalled. She immediately got on the phone with her state-provided attorney, also known as a guardian ad litem, who had asked for the court order.

FAQs: What you need to know about the changes to the bonus structure

We will be doubling our network investment in the returning staff bonus this year. Governor Polis’s mid-year budget included new one-time funding for public education this spring, and when DSST has additional dollars from state, federal or other funding, we always look to first put those dollars towards valuing you as best we can.

Spring Break recap: Here are some of the exciting experiences our students had over the break

Last week was Spring break for all of our campuses in Denver. From a trip to Spain to a leadership conference, here are some of the highlights from some of our schools.

Daniels Fund surprises students with scholarships

Daniels Fund surprised 15 Denver metro area students in person with scholarships Thursday afternoon. Among those students was DSST: Montview senior, Kidus Legesse. He had a 6.3% chance of getting into Cornell University. Despite the odds, he's going to be attending on a full ride this fall.

DSST: College View getting new home soccer field in huge win for community

DSST: College View has been trying to get a home soccer field since 2013, and after years of work and advocating for the campus, it was approved by Denver voters and a new field is officially in the works.

The nearly $2.1 million project is being paid for by bond funding approved by the voters, and the school is hoping it will be completed by the beginning of next year, according to Curt Slaughter, athletic director for CV HS.

According to legal documents, the funds will cover infrastructure and turf for a new soccer field on the newly acquired land located across the street from the school.

College View was one of the only middle and high schools in the district without dedicated playing fields, so this is a major win not only for the players, but for the community.

“The most exciting part for me in getting a new field is having more people at our games,” said Hector Contreras, DSST: College View junior. “I think the boys soccer team is the best and most successful program at the school and it’s about time we get this.”

Coach Jacob Quattrini said he has seen envy in his players when they go to games at other schools with quality facilities, so having a new field that players and community members can call home is an exciting opportunity.

“Having access to better facilities right next to the school will give access to so many more players who may have been deterred before,” Quattrini said. “Even students who do not formally participate in sports will now be able to play on the field during gym class or on the weekends.”

The boys high school soccer team has been among the top-ranked in the state, even without a home field. They just came off the most successful season ever after being ranked No.1 in the state and have remained successful even after taking a tough loss in penalty shots in the second round of the state playoffs, Slaughter said. The girls soccer team has also shown much success. According to Slaughter, they made the playoffs two years ago for the first time, taking second in their league.

“This field represents all of the hard work and commitment that every single one of our students have put in over the past seven years,” said Slaughter. “Soccer is such a huge part of the Southwest community and to have not just a field, but a high quality playing environment will continue to build pride in not just our athletic community, but our entire school community.”

DSST Mentor Teacher applications are now open

A post by Joah Chun:

How the Colorado Youth Congress is empowering high school students to fight for racial justice

The power of getting together, even through a Zoom, is a power Sam Battan wanted to unleash when he created Colorado Youth Congress in 2017. Battan recruits 40 students from high schools around the state for an after-school leadership program students and staff refer to as "CYC." Sammy Kidane is a senior at DSST: Byers Campus. He said that CYC has taught him how to be an organizer and how to connect with others on issues racial justice.

Chemist Fights Tuberculosis, Aids Future Scientists With Grant

John Latham, an associate professor in the University of Denver’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics, is hoping his research can slow this deadly disease. With the money from the CAREER grant, Latham can sponsor a collaboration with Denver’s DSST Public Schools, which focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.