While many DPS students and teachers had October 19 off, 160 eighth graders and their faculty at the Denver School of Science and Technology: Stapleton spent the day having “brave conversations.” The local organization Brave Coalition brought together experts that “helped foster the conversations that help us work across differences and examine our own assumptions and biases,” said Principal Dan Sullivan.
Brave Coalition selected the DSST site in large part due to Sullivan’s immediate enthusiasm for the program. Sullivan stated, “One of the things I love most about our mission and our school is that we are an inclusive community; our students are of all different backgrounds, racially, ethnically, socio-economically. And we believe in the power that’s in that diversity.” DSST’s student population is about 84% minority; 69% free and reduced lunch; and 41% English language learners. The students spent the day rotating through workshops addressing issues of race, gender and bias.
