In this episode of the Educa DPS Podcast, host Nicole Brady welcomes Albert Samora, Executive Director of Transportation for Denver Public Schools, to kick off the new school year with essential updates on student travel. They discuss the implementation of the My Ride K-12 mobile app, a tool designed to give parents real-time visibility into their child’s bus journey.

Key Discussion Topics

En este episodio del podcast Educa DPS, el anfitrión Beto Gaytán platica con Lluvia Ávalos, representante del Departamento de Transportación de las Escuelas Públicas de Denver (DPS). Juntos abordan los detalles clave de la nueva aplicación móvil My Ride K-12, diseñada para ofrecer mayor seguridad, eficiencia y tranquilidad a las familias sobre el transporte escolar de sus hijos.

Puntos clave del episodio

Story 1: Device Free Schools 

Administrative policy JICJ, or better known as the Student Use of Personal Communication Devices is now active in all district-run schools for all students in all grades (ECE-13).

While students are on campus during the school day, personal communication devices (PCDs) should be turned off and kept out of sight. Some schools may have a place to store personal communication devices or students may keep them in backpacks or lockers, but not pants pockets. Each school has decided how they expect students to store PCDs and has shared those e...

¿Cómo pueden las familias y los educadores apoyar mejor el bienestar mental de los jóvenes?

En este episodio de Educa DPS, exploramos las realidades de la salud mental en la adolescencia, los desafíos que enfrentan los estudiantes cada día y las formas prácticas en que los adultos pueden crear entornos seguros y de apoyo donde los jóvenes puedan prosperar.

La conversación aborda temas importantes como el estrés, la ansiedad, el trauma, las redes sociales, la identidad, el sentido de pertenencia y la importancia de escuchar sin juzgar. También h...

How can families and educators better support the mental well-being of young people?

In this episode of Educa DPS, we explore the realities of teen mental health, the challenges students face every day, and the practical ways adults can help create safe, supportive environments where young people can thrive.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including stress, anxiety, trauma, social media, identity, belonging, and the importance of listening without judgment. We also discuss how families, schools, and communities can work together to support students and connect them with resources when they need help.<...

Behind the smiles, jokes, and social media posts, many students are silently struggling with their mental well-being.

In this episode of Black Voices in Color, student hosts have an honest conversation about stress, anxiety, depression, social media, academic pressure, and the challenges many young people face every day. They share personal experiences, discuss how mental health impacts their lives, and explore the difference between everyday stress and more serious mental health concerns.

The conversation also examines how adults can better support young people, the impact of social media on self-esteem, and practical ways students can...

What role do students and families play in shaping the future of their communities?

In this episode of Educa DPS, we explore the importance of civic engagement, voting, and participating in the democratic process. From understanding how local elections work to learning how young people can get involved before they are eligible to vote, this conversation highlights why every voice matters.

Listeners will also hear about the journey of a West Denver native who attended Denver Public Schools and went on to serve the community through public service. The discussion covers voter registration, pre-registration for...

¿Qué papel juegan los estudiantes y las familias en el futuro de sus comunidades?

En este episodio de Educa DPS, exploramos la importancia de la participación cívica, el voto y el involucramiento en el proceso democrático. Desde comprender cómo funcionan las elecciones locales hasta descubrir cómo los jóvenes pueden participar antes de tener la edad suficiente para votar, esta conversación destaca por qué cada voz importa.

Los oyentes también conocerán la historia de un orgulloso egresado de las Escuelas Públicas de Denver que creció en el oeste de De...

What happens when students are given a seat at the table?

In this episode of Black Voices in Color, student hosts explore the power of student voice, leadership, and advocacy in Denver Public Schools. Through an engaging conversation about leadership development, civic engagement, and educational equity, students discuss how young people can move from identifying challenges to creating meaningful change in their schools and communities.

The episode highlights the importance of ensuring all students—especially those whose voices have historically been underrepresented—have opportunities to influence decisions that affect their education and future. Students also shar...

What does it take to achieve greatness on and off the field?

In this special episode of the Marrero Moment, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero sits down with former Denver Broncos All-Pro safety Justin Simmons for an inspiring conversation about leadership, education, resilience, family, and community impact.

Justin reflects on the lessons that shaped his journey from South Florida to Boston College and ultimately the NFL. He shares how setbacks in school taught him the importance of discipline, why education became his greatest investment, and how the support of his "village" helped him...

1. CMAS and CoAlt Family Portal Now Open

Colorado Measures of Academic Success, or CMAS, score reports for the 2025–26 school year will be released online through the Colorado Department of education’s Family Portal. 

On Friday, May 29: Initial student performance summaries will be accessible via the Family Portal.By June 15: Final, detailed performance results — including peer comparisons, strengths and areas for growth — will be added to the portal. And In Fall 2026: Paper reports are sent to your child’s tested school for distribution to families.For more information, we have a guide for how to look up scores o...

In this powerful episode of DPS Stories, we sit down with Ken Connelly, a middle school educator at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, children’s rights advocate, author, and survivor whose journey is unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Ken opens up about surviving childhood abduction, growing up in poverty, dropping out of high school, discovering he was dyslexic at 37 years old, and ultimately becoming an educator dedicated to making sure no student falls through the cracks.

From serving in the military to advocating for children’s rights on the national stage, Ken shares how resilience, mentor...

Go behind the scenes of how Denver Public Schools works in this episode of the DPS 101 Podcast.

In Episode 6, host Nicole Brady sits down with Dr. Adella Arredondo, Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement, or FACE.

FACE oversees a number of critical programs in DPS: from engaging families in their children's education, providing resources like food and ESL classes, fostering school accountability and academic success, and recruiting volunteers for DPS schools.

🎧 Whether you're a parent, staff member, or community member, the DPS 101 podcast is a great way to better understand how DPS ope...

Our first story is a reminder that SchoolChoice Round 2 is still open@ 

1. SchoolChoice Round 2 is still open!

If you missed Round 1 of SchoolChoice, changed your mind since Round 1, are new to Denver, or are an ECE-4 applicant who didn’t get matched through Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK), Round 2 is for you!

Unlike Round 1, Round 2 applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis within school admission priorities, so you are encouraged to apply soon. If space is available, your student will be offered a seat; otherwise, they’ll be added to the waitlist. If you’r...

In this episode of "The Lesson Plan" Dr. Samantha Haviland, DPS Executive Director of Career and College Success and Scott Burke, Director of Higher Education Learning join host Nicole Brady for a graduation season discussion on career and college preparation. Learn how college level and concurrent enrollment courses have led to a record number of DPS students receiving an associates degree while still in high school; how the district is expanding Career and Technical Education; and how DPS students can find mentors, internships and job opportunities while still in high school.

Our first story is a big one: Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update 

All families deserve equitable access to the schools that are the best fit for their students. Denver’s changing population means that DPS must adapt to ensure every student has access to robust programming. The Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update initiative allows for DPS to evaluate the boundaries and zones to better balance resources, support healthy school enrollments and address Denver’s shifting population. The goal...

Go behind the scenes of how Denver Public Schools works in this episode of the DPS 101 Podcast.

In Episode 5, host Nicole Brady sits down with Trena, Chief of Operations for Denver Public Schools.

The Office of Operations oversees more than 2,000 employees in DPS departments including Climate and Safety, Transportation, Facilities, Sustainability, Technology Services, Planning, Design & Construction and more!

🎧 Whether you're a parent, staff member, or community member, the DPS 101 podcast is a great way to better understand how DPS operates and how decisions are made.

1. Uplifting Community Voice: New Collaborative School Committee (CSC) Impact Videos

The  DPS Communications team and the Family & Community Engagement team, also known as FACE, created a series of Collaborative School Committee Impact Videos through interviews with school leaders, teachers, parents, students and community members.

This project provides a first hand look at what it means to serve on a CSC and how it supports community voice and family engagement.  You can watch the impact video, linked in our shownotes. 

CSC Impact Video

2. DPS Students are Hopping Aboard the Bike Bus https://you...

1. Should Students Have Access to Communication Devices During School Hours?

The DPS Board of Education is finalizing a new policy regarding students having access to communication devices (such as cellphones, headphones, smart watches, etc.) during school hours. As we prepare for implementation in July 2026, we are conducting a survey to understand the DPS community's current sentiment to ensure upcoming communications about this policy clearly address concerns and questions.

The Device Policy Sentiment survey, is now open and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15. The questions take 5-7 minutes to answer and all responses are...

DPS Interim Deputy Superintendent of Operations Chuck Carpenter explains the Milll Levy Override Proposal DPS is considering for the November 2026 ballot.  Listen to learn:
 - What a Mill Levy Override is
 - The Difference Between a Mill Levy Override (MLO) and a Bond
 - How the money can be spent
 - What the impact is on property taxes
 - How the community can provide input on the MLO proposal

En este episodio del podcast Educa DPS, conversamos con Yoseline Loya de la Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) para desglosar todo lo que los estudiantes y las familias de DPS necesitan saber sobre la preparación para la vida después de la escuela secundaria.

Desde becas y ayuda financiera hasta visitas universitarias y exploración de carreras, esta conversación gira en torno al acceso, las oportunidades y la toma de decisiones informadas. Ya sea que seas un estudiante de primer año que recién comienza o un estudiante de último año listo para postularse, la DSF o...

In this episode of the Educa DPS Podcast, we sit down with Yoseline Loya from the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) to break down everything DPS students and families need to know about preparing for life after high school.

From scholarships and financial aid to college visits and career exploration, this conversation is all about access, opportunity, and making informed decisions. Whether you’re a freshman just getting started or a senior ready to apply, DSF provides free support every step of the way.

We also cover:
• What it means to be college and career read...

1. A mill levy override is an increase of the previous voter-approved tax rate (mill levy). Join DPS at an upcoming regional meeting to learn about the process and share your thoughts on how to spend the  potential mill levy override by using in an interactive budget tool to allocate funding for YOUR top priorities. Each meeting will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Food, childcare and interpretations will be available for each meeting. 

Meetings will take place on:  

In this episode, DPS Director of Sustainability Tom Wildman and Manager of Sustainable Programs Jordan Allen join host Nicole Brady to talk about implementing the DPS Climate Action Plan in classrooms. Learn about the hands-on environmental projects students are engaging in, how students are participating in climate activism, and how sustainability is even implemented into humanities classes.

Celebrate Día del Niño (Children’s Day) with us on this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast! 🎉

We sit down with Clara Richardi from the Denver Art Museum to explore how this global celebration honors children through art, culture, and creativity. From the history of Día del Niño to hands-on activities, performances, and free opportunities for youth, this episode highlights why this day matters and how families can get involved.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

¡Celebra el Día del Niño con nosotros en este episodio del EDUCA DPS Podcast! 🎉

Nos sentamos con Clara Richardi del Museo de Arte de Denver para explorar cómo esta celebración global honra a la niñez a través del arte, la cultura y la creatividad. Desde la historia del Día del Niño hasta actividades prácticas, presentaciones y oportunidades gratuitas para estudiantes, este episodio destaca por qué este día es tan importante y cómo las familias pueden participar.

✨ Lo que aprenderás en este episodio:

La historia y e...

1. Applications for Colorado’s 2027 Teacher of the Year Close Today

Apply to be the next Teacher of the Year today via the link in our shownotes! The Colorado Teacher of the Year program elevates and celebrates exceptional educators. The 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year will receive $10,000 prize, become a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year award and get the opportunity to travel to D.C. with other state teachers of the year from across the country. Applications close TODAY, Friday, April 17.   

2. RSVP for an Upcoming Mill Levy Override (MLO) Community Meeting

Don’...

Go behind the scenes of how Denver Public Schools works in this episode of the DPS 101 Podcast.

In Episode 4, host Nicole Brady sits down with Bill Good, Chief of Communications for Denver Public Schools. Bill provides an overview of the Office of Communications - the same office that produces this podcast!

You’ll hear about:
How DPS handles media requests and crisis management
Our approach to generating positive coverage of DPS schools
How DPS multilingual team manages the growing demand for translations and interpretations
The new "DPS Stories" Marketing Campaign highlighting st...

Nestor Bravo, Principal of Abraham Lincoln High School joins Community Engagement Manager Nicole Brady for a discussion on how Lincoln was able to move from red to yellow on the state performance framework. Bravo discusses specific interventions and resources that were implemented into the classroom, as well as efforts to ensure that more students are matriculating.

The Lesson Plan takes you inside the classrooms of Denver Public Schools to explore how better curriculum, stronger instruction, and intentional strategies are driving student success. Hosted by Nicole Brady, this podcast brings you candid conversations with district leaders, educators, and...

1. TAW

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8, and we’re asking for DPS students to help us celebrate our educators by sharing what they love most about them. 

Students have the option to respond to one of the following prompts: 

Students, please complete the Student Quote form by Friday, April 24. Submissions may be featured on the DPS website and DPS social media pages.

2. RSVP for an Upcoming Mill...

1. Tasty Food Spring Schedule

Tasty Food will be open during DPS’s spring break to help ensure that no student goes hungry during their week off. All youth ages three to 18 are welcome to stop by any Tasty Food site to access free meals. No ID or registration is required. 

All sites will be closed Monday, March 30 in recognition of Si Se Puede day, but will reopen Tuesday, March 31 and remain open through Friday, April 3. 

For more information, visit the Tasty Food website or check out the flier linked in our shownotes.

2...

Go behind the scenes of how Denver Public Schools works in this episode of the DPS 101 Podcast.

In Episode 3, host Nicole Brady sits down with Chuck Carpenter, Chief of Finance for Denver Public Schools, to break down how school funding really works. From where the money comes from to how it’s spent in classrooms, Chuck gives a clear and honest look at the financial decisions that impact students every day.

You’ll hear about:

1. Strategic Roadmap Student Promises Survey

DPS is in the process of crafting its next Strategic Roadmap, which will include a list of “Student Promises.” You can think of a “Student Promise” as things that every student can count on. DPS wants to know what you believe should be true for every student so we can ensure we meet those expectations. Please take the Strategic Roadmap Student Promises Survey, help DPS refine what we promise to all students. The survey is open now through 5 p.m. on March 29. It takes only 7-10 minutes to complete and all responses are conf...

En este episodio especial de EDUCA DPS, Lincoln High School reunió a un poderoso panel de exalumnos que compartieron una experiencia en común: durante su paso por la escuela, el español era su idioma principal. Hoy, esos mismos estudiantes están triunfando en la universidad y en sus carreras profesionales.

A través de sus historias, consejos y mejores prácticas, los panelistas ofrecieron inspiración real y alcanzable para los estudiantes actuales, demostrando que el idioma no es una barrera, sino una fortaleza. Desde cómo navegar el sistema educativo hasta cómo mantenerse motivados...

Why does attendance matter every single day?

In this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Cori Canty, School and Unified Improvement Planning Manager at Denver Public Schools, to break down the real impact of student attendance on learning, achievement, and long-term success.

From early literacy and third-grade reading benchmarks to graduation, college opportunities, and career readiness, this conversation connects the dots on why showing up matters—not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.

We also dive into:

What “chronic absenteeism” really means (even with excuse...

¿Por qué la asistencia importa todos los días?

En este episodio del podcast EDUCA DPS, platicamos con la Dra. Cori Canty, Gerente de Planeación Escolar y Mejora Unificada en las Escuelas Públicas de Denver, sobre el impacto real que tiene la asistencia en el aprendizaje, el rendimiento y el éxito a largo plazo de los estudiantes.

Desde la lectura en los primeros grados hasta la graduación, las oportunidades universitarias y las carreras profesionales, esta conversación conecta todo para entender por qué presentarse a la escuela todos los días sí importa—no...

1. DPS schools are invited to participate in the CherryArts Student Art Buying

Program (SAB) to give students a hands-on arts experience at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival! Each year, 24 schools are awarded classroom resources and a $500 budget for students to purchase original artwork from the festival to keep on permanent display at their school. Three student representatives attend the festival with a teacher or guardian to select the artwork while learning about art appreciation, teamwork and financial literacy. The 2026 program will take place July 3, and applications are due Friday, March 20. BothTeachers and guardians...

1. SchoolChoice Round 2 Opens Tuesday, March 10

Round 2 of SchoolChoice opens Tuesday, March 10 at 10 a.m.! This window is for families who are new to DPS, missed Round 1 or changed their minds since Round 1 and would like to re-explore their options.

Unlike Round 1, Round 2 is first-come, first-serve within school admission priorities, so you are highly encouraged to apply early. If space is available, your student will be offered a seat; otherwise, they’ll be added to the waitlist.

¿Cómo trabajan las Escuelas Públicas de Denver para prevenir el acoso escolar y crear escuelas seguras y acogedoras para todos los estudiantes?

En este episodio del podcast EDUCA DPS, el presentador Beto Gaytan se reúne con Malena Reyes, experto en prevención del acoso escolar de DPS, para hablar sobre cómo el distrito está trabajando para construir una cultura escolar positiva a través de prácticas restaurativas, aprendizaje socioemocional e Intervenciones y Apoyos Conductuales Positivos (PBIS, por sus siglas en inglés).

Juntos conversan sobre:
• Cómo se ve la prevención...

How does Denver Public Schools work to prevent bullying and create safe, welcoming schools for every student?

In this episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, host Javier Ibarra sits down with Wes Ogburn, DPS bullying prevention expert, to talk about how the district is working to build positive school culture through restorative practices, social-emotional learning and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

Together they discuss:
• What bullying prevention looks like in DPS schools
• Current trends and student data around bullying
• The role social media plays in student interactions
• How schools support both stu...