DSST: Aurora Science & Tech Middle School

Sharing some of this month's highlights

10/27/22, 2:14 PM

Tri 1 Family Survey

The Trimester 1 Family Survey is now available in 8 different languages! We use a lot of this data to help us create the best environment and experience for you and your student, so we deeply value your input. The survey will remain open until Friday, Oct. 28. We want to hear from you on how the school year is going for you and your students and how we can continue to partner with you for student success! You can access the survey here.

Network happenings

• DSST alumna: 'DSST gave me the education that I don't think would have been accessible to me'
  • Aileen Ocampo started school at DSST when she was 11 years old. Ocampo is a first-generation Mexican-American, and DSST gave her some opportunities she may not have otherwise had. Read more.
• Take a look at how DSST is planning for the future
  
  • Over the summer, DSST kicked off planning for what we want DSST to look and feel like in five years. Community input and support have been crucial and will continue to be critical as we continue to build out the DSST Strategic Plan. Read more.
• What you need to know about the upcoming November election
  
  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. There are local and statewide issues on the ballot that could impact you. That is why it is important you take some time to learn about why this election is critical, how to register to vote and more. Read more.

Community Connection

My name is Paulina Molina, I’m the Community Engagement Manager at DSST: Conservatory Green. I was born in the small and captivating town of Parral in Chihuahua, Mexico. My family and I came to Denver in 1999 and never left. I found a true passion for working with students and families about eight years ago when I worked as an office manager in a charter school in NW Denver. As a mother of two, I saw and continue to see the need for parent and family engagement in our schools. Our school communities are stronger when we engage our families and greater community in authentic ways. We best serve students when we know them through their personal histories, communities and culture, and when their culture and communities are reflected in our schools. My work focuses on building strong relationships and partnerships with families and community stakeholders within our community as well as student recruitment and enrollment, civic advocacy and PTA. Serving as a connector between the campus, the community and more. Please feel free to email me at Paulina.Molina@scienceandtech.org.

Read more about our Community Engagement Managers and their work here. You can also see community resources and other useful information.

DSST in the news

• 5 tips for students during Colorado’s Free Application Days and college application season
  
  • Colorado’s Free Application Days event offers every student across the state the opportunity to apply to college free of cost. A persistent myth among students is that you have to pay to apply to schools, said Analise Gonzalez-Fine, director of college initiatives at DSST Public Schools. But that’s not universally true. Read the full article.
• Josafat Rodriguez piling up goals for Manual boys soccer
  
  • Josafat Rodriguez, DSST: Cole high school student, is just trying to have fun on the soccer field. The nearly three goals that he scores every game are just an added bonus. The Junior forward is battling it out, day in and day out, with the Loftus School’s Fredy Peraza for the top scorer in all of Colorado. Read the full article.

Resources & Reminders

Calendars for the 2022-23 school year can be downloaded here.

Trimester One Family Survey will be open until Friday, Oct. 28. As in years past, we will be offering our family survey twice a year in hopes to hear how we are doing from you. The survey should take around 7 minutes to complete and will cover various topics including Student Experience, School Operations and Communication and Engagement. We will also be asking for your thoughts on the DSST Network Strategic Priorities. Click here to take the survey.

Important Dates

• October 28: No school for middle school students (grades 6 - 8)
• November 21-25: Student Thanksgiving break
• November 28: First day of Trimester 2

Donate to DSST

Why give to DSST Public Schools? Since 2004, we have been dedicated to changing perceptions of what is possible for Colorado public school students. DSST Public Schools transforms urban public education by eliminating educational inequity and preparing all students for success in college and the 21st century. DSST is committed to ensuring that the outcomes of DSST students are high-achieving and do not correlate with any predictable social or cultural factors. This is achieved through interrupting inequitable practices, examining biases and other root causes of inequities, and actively valuing diversity and inclusion. It is with the support of our dedicated partners, DSST is able to continue providing a world-class education focused on building powerful learning communities centered on Core Values within an integrated STEM school model. Click here to donate.