HELIX FEED

Byers charter school changed its name to distance itself from namesake tied to the Sand Creek Massacre

Denver's 9 News did a story on the decision to change DSST: Byers to DSST: Cedar. 

Check out the full 9 news story here.

DSST school nixes namesake William Byers, Denver newspaper founder who defended Sand Creek Massacre

The Denver-based DSST charter school network is changing the name of another of its schools in a move that distances the schools from a prominent, long-deceased Denverite who held racist views.

DSST: Byers Middle and High schools will no longer bear the name of William Byers, founder of the now-closed Rocky Mountain News and a defender of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, in which U.S. soldiers attacked a peaceful camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho people on Colorado’s Eastern Plains. The schools will now be called DSST: Cedar Middle and High schools.

DSST: Byers Middle School to change name because of connections to Sand Creek Massacre

A school in Denver announced Thursday plans to change its name because of its connection to the Sand Creek Massacre.

DSST: Byers Middle School was named for William Byers, one of Denver's earliest boosters, according to a historical article on the Denver Public Library's website. He was also the founder of the Rocky Mountain News newspaper.

Popular NE Denver Youth Leadership Program Faces Uncertain Future

A small business owner has called the police because a homeless person set up a tent in front of his store and won’t leave. When the young officers arrive on the scene, they know they need to treat everyone with respect while defusing the tense situation.

“I thought it was going to be easy, but when I was supposed to react, my mind went blank,” says Nahom Amanuel. But Amanuel is not a police officer—he’s a rising sophomore at DSST: Green Valley Ranch. And the situation wasn’t real—it was part of an immersive video simulation at the Denver Police Academy.

CU Boulder alum invests in engineers of the future

Marco Campos, a University of Colorado Boulder alum and Denver entrepreneur, is giving back to local first generation and underrepresented students through fully funded scholarships and programs.

One of the programs Campos funds is for underrepresented high school students through CSU’s Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering. Campos visited the camp to support the students while they built solar ovens to make s’mores.

Osman Ashmaig was one of the students who participated in making the solar ovens. He’s in the 10th grade at DSST: Montview. Growing up, he said he was curious at home and would build things, which is how he got interested in engineering.

Local principal learns to box for fundraiser

Denver 7 highlighted Aurora Science & Tech High School school director, Kryszelda Gorrell over the summer.

Gorrell learned to box and participated in a sanctioned boxing event for charity.

DSST Takes Flight: Get ready for Infusion 2023

As the 2023-24 school year approaches, we are excited to welcome you all back at Infusion 2023 at the prestigious Gaylord of the Rockies on Monday, Aug. 7, with breakfast starting at 8 a.m.

DSST's commitment to educational equity: Navigating the post-affirmative action landscape

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education” - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

DSST: Byers transforms into DSST: Cedar

DSST: Byers has recently undergone a significant transformation. After a comprehensive year-long process involving input from families, students, staff, leadership, and communities, DSST: Byers will now be known as DSST: Cedar starting from the upcoming 2023-24 school year.

The decision to adopt the name DSST: Cedar carries profound meaning and symbolism. Firstly, the campus is situated on Cedar Avenue, making the name a reflection of its physical location. However, the choice of "Cedar" goes beyond mere geography. The cedar tree itself is considered a sustainable wood, aligning perfectly with the school's emphasis on sustainability and STEM education.

DSST EOY Survey, what we heard: Positive perceptions and areas for growth

Congratulations on closing out the 22-23 school year! We are so proud of everything you did this year and we hope you have a wonderful and relaxing summer break.