Dear DPS Community,
This has been a difficult week for our community. As you may have seen in news reports, immigration arrests took place in surrounding neighborhoods, impacting some of our school communities. Now more than ever, it is imperative that we come together to check in with one another and support students, families and staff experiencing heightened emotions such as fear, anxiety and grief.
While our community wrestles with uncertainty over the impacts of Executive Orders and other federal policy changes, we remain grounded in what’s most important: supporting our community, especially those who are most vulnerable, and equipping them with resources needed to process events from this week.
Mental Health Resources
The following mental health resources are available to support in processing the events of this week:
Care Solace is a free service that quickly and confidentially helps you find available mental health and substance use providers. A multilingual team is available 24/7/365 to help you understand options, call providers on your behalf and schedule an appointment. Call 888-515-0595 or visit caresolace.com/dps.
I Matter Colorado connects youth to free counseling sessions. Visit I Matter Colorado to take a confidential online survey about their mental health and schedule sessions with a licensed behavioral health clinician, primarily online via telehealth.
Denver Health School-Based Centers: There are 19 health centers located inside DPS campuses that provide medical, mental health, dental, and behavioral health care to any DPS student and their sibling(s).
Please visit the DPS Mental Health Services webpage for more information on mental health services, resources, and contact information.
Student Resources
In our commitment to living our value of Students First, a Student Resource Toolkit has been developed for students who are in sixth grade through 12th grade and is designed to share resources that students and their families can use to create action plans. The Student Toolkit should be used as a resource only. Parents/guardians ultimately decide when and if it is appropriate to share this resource with their children.
For our younger scholars, we encourage families to have conversations about immigration that are age appropriate and promote understanding instead of fear. For tips on how to have those conversations, use this resource and others located within the Family Resource Toolkit.
Additional Resources
DPS Community Hubs offer free programs and services that support the social, emotional, physical, academic and basic needs of families. All Hub services are available at no cost to DPS families and Denver community members. Services include basic needs assistance, social-emotional support, workforce development, GED tutoring preparation in English and Spanish and more. Services vary by Hub, so contact your nearest Hub for more information.
The DPS LGBTQ+ Toolkit lists resources within DPS and the community to support LGBTQ+ students and families.
Denver Indian Family Resource Center provides collaborative and culturally-responsive services and community programs to families in the Denver area who self-identify as American Indian or Alaska Native.
Attendance
We have understandably seen a decline in attendance over the last month and especially the last few days. I have heard from several schools that some families are living in fear and are worried about taking their children to school. For many students, school is their safest place. I want to reassure our community that DPS remains committed to providing the highest-quality education to our students and ensuring that schools will remain safe, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environments for all. Our students belong in their schools and deserve to feel safe.
In collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent