The code on the lockbox was YES and I took that as a good sign ...

Fast forward eight years – in August I went to a New Parent Forum for Platt Park schools. I didn’t have to be there because I’m already sold on the neighborhood Denver Public Schools. All of my four kids (grades 4-11) have attended or are attending McKinley-Thatcher Elementary, Grant Beacon Middle School and South High School. I went to that meeting simply to lend my support to the principals (Asbury Elementary as well). I found myself wanting to tell the parents my thoughts; here is my vision ...

Platt Park kids plan to attend our wonderful neighborhood schools from the very beginning. They start out at McKinley or Asbury – warm, happy, safe schools where students learn incredible amounts and make lasting friendships. Then the kids go to Grant. They still learn copious amounts in a safe but different environment, develop new friendships, and grow in the comfort of old ones. Kids walk or bike to school and each other’s houses (good exercise AND better for the environment). Then on to South High, where students learn how to deal with the real world and find their place in it, better equipped for this with the cushion of support from lifelong friends, peers and community.

I’d like to have a shout-out here for Grant Beacon Middle School. I have witnessed huge strides academically at Grant over the last six years. The momentum is largely due to the honors, traditional, special needs, tutoring and extracurricular programs. Teachers and staff are committed and passionate; this is obvious by looking at the growth percentiles of the students. Class sizes are still small so the teachers know and care about each student; it’s also the only DPS middle school involved in the College For Every Student program. Grant’s physical environs are also due for a face-lift next summer: new windows, lockers, fences, steps and paint – soon the shine on the school’s interior will be matched by exterior upgrades.

I love seeing the bridge between these schools: babysitters from South helping out at back-to-school night at the elementary schools; Trick or Treat Street at South where younger kids are exposed to the school they will one day attend; older kids helping with 6th Grade Academy at Grant (they know how it feels); middle schoolers pitch in with elementary Field Day.

I’m concerned this vision may not come to pass. Here’s an example of why people are “choice-ing out” of the ‘hood. If you have a child who is middle school age, you will probably receive a DPS mailing in January about school choices – choices that don’t include Grant.

Here’s why: if a school does not meet all objectives in the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report, a letter automatically goes out in the mail. The AYP measures reading and math skills in all of the students, who are divided into eight groups, including five ethnic groups, second language learners, special education and free/reduced lunch. Those groups are then divided into two subgroups (reading and math). What it doesn’t show is that as a school, Grant met ALL objectives in math. Grant met ALL objectives in reading except one subgroup! The margin was extremely small ... only ONE child off of meeting all objectives. Let’s get this straight ... because ONE child (not one in particular) in ONE subgroup (out of 16) didn’t meet the AYP, we, the residents of Platt Park, receive a letter supporting other choices.

Ugh! This report doesn’t even measure the progress over the years. This is frustrating, because I know people may take one look at that mailing and want to automatically send their kid somewhere else. Please educate yourselves. Don’t let one report dictate where your child should or shouldn’t go. I mean this for all schools. Walk over and meet the teachers and staff. Talk to them about your concerns and questions. Most importantly, don’t perpetuate bad raps. What I mean is, don’t put down a school, any school, if you’ve never even set foot in it or haven’t researched its scores.

Another example of the weakening of our neighborhood schools is the addition of even more schools. Do we need yet another school? There are so many options already. Denver School of Science & Technology (grades 6-12) wants to possibly take over a building in the south Denver area. I believe the implications for this are not as good as they seem. It will direct more students away from this neighborhood and its schools. The way I see it, high enrollment = more money a school gets = more teachers/enrichment = better test scores = better schools. (Hello higher property value). If we “lose” our kids to other schools, eventually, our neighborhood schools might not do well. This means lower enrollment = budget cuts = fewer teachers = larger classes ... I think you probably get the idea. I believe that the PP neighborhood would be impacted negatively.

I’d also attribute the shaky ground of our schools to fear, uncertainty, prejudices, and the desire to shelter and protect. Overtired, overscheduled, disjointed families are becoming more common ... all in the name of “success.” The amount you stress out, spend money and play cabbie is not proportional to how much you love your kids. Don’t go crazy trying to be perfect, having perfect kids at a perfect school.

With all that said, you are the expert on your child. I am not trying to be disrespectful of anyone’s choices in schools at all. There are so many different schools and so many “fits” for kids. Believe me, I have gone through it. All kids are gifted and have talents. It is our job to nurture those talents, whether it’s with more lessons, extra help or just being their cheerleader. Our kids will be OK wherever they go as long as we are involved (and happy).

So, my thoughts need to be backed up by some ideas for solutions. Parents, you can certainly support the PP schools by sending your child to Asbury or McKinley, Grant, and South. Even if your child does go somewhere else, or if you don’t have kids in school, you can still help. I know time, money and energy are limited, but a little bit can add up to a lot. Bring your family and friends to the chili dinners, craft/book fairs, pancake breakfasts, plays, sporting events, musicals, etc. (these usually can be found out through the websites).

Donate school supplies, plants, even a box of Kleenex. Volunteer your time. Give extra help to a child who struggles with reading/math, shelve library books, weed the gardens, pick up trash. To find out what’s going on or where help is needed, just call the school and ask.

If we want a strong neighborhood, the school system needs to be strong. The foundation of our schools will be in jeopardy if we don’t rally around them. We do have great choices right here. Do you believe in the Platt Park community’s ability to make its schools the best they can be? Does anyone out there want to help? I hope the answer is ... YES!