Importance Of Relationships
As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is develop relationships with the people in your child’s academic life. This includes teachers, principals, your child’s friends and their parents. If you have strong positive relationships with all of these people, you will be better prepared to meet the many challenges that arise for children. Having open communication with this network of people will reap you many benefits.
What to do when you have a parental concern?
To address a concern or seek resolution to a problem at your child’s school, first, please address the person most immediately involved in the issue with which you are concerned. Please also remember that teachers have very full schedules and may not be available to talk with you at your convenience. This is especially true at the beginning of the school day as students are arriving and during the school day. It is best to schedule a time in advance to meet either in person or to talk on the phone. If you feel having a facilitator might be helpful, you may ask to have the School Principal, another teacher or a district Parent/Family Liaison present.
Process For Expressing Concerns In Denver Public Schools
There is a clearly defined process from expressing concerns in DPS. This process helps you know what to do. It also helps the schools to respond fully to issues as they arise. The following steps will help guide you in expressing concerns.
1. What if my concern involves student academic performance (such as "my child is not being sufficiently challenged in math")?
- Step 1. Communicate with the classroom teacher via telephone, email or note to discuss the concern.
- Step 2. Set up an appointment with the classroom teacher to discuss the concern further if needed. At this meeting, establish next steps/goals and the process for follow up, as necessary.
- Step 3. Set up an appointment with the Principal of your child's school, if additional support is needed.
2. What if my concern involves discipline issues or bullying (such as conflicts during recess or on the playground)?
- Step 1. Communicate with the classroom teacher via telephone, email or note to discuss the concern.
- Step 2. Set up an appointment with classroom teacher to discuss the concern further if needed. At this meeting, establish next steps/goals and the process for follow up, as necessary.
- Step 3. Set up an appointment with the Assistant Principal or Principal, if additional conflict resolution is needed.
Note: Any disciplinary action taken against a student is subject to confidentiality requirements set at the district level. School staff will only share specific information about a student with the parents of that student.
3. What if my concern involves day-to-day student affairs (school rules relating to i-Pods, cell phones, dress code)?
- Step 1. Set up an appointment with the Assistant Principal, to discuss the concern.
- Step 2. Set up an appointment with the Principal, if additional conflict resolution is needed.
4. What if my concern involves staff performance/conduct (such as a teacher deviating from the curriculum or a staff member belittling students)?
- Step 1. Set up an appointment with the classroom teacher, if appropriate, to discuss the concern. At this meeting, establish next steps/goals and the process for follow up, as necessary.
- Step 2. Set up an appointment with the Principal, if meeting with the classroom teacher is not appropriate, or when further conflict resolution is needed.
Note: The principal is bound by contract to investigate all allegations of staff misconduct or deficient performance. This includes notifying the staff of the allegation. If disciplinary action is taken, such action is subject to confidentiality requirements set at the school district level. The school cannot share information about a disciplinary action taken against a staff member with anyone but that staff member.
5. What if my concern involves the facility grounds (such as graffiti, too much gravel on blacktop)?
- Step 1. Contact Secretary in the Front Office, who can facilitate resolution or direct you to the most appropriate resource.
Setting Up an Appointment.
If you would like to voice a concern in person, please set up an appointment. This ensures that staff is available and that your concern can be fully discussed. Our staff can sometimes accommodate "walk-in's" but teachers and administrators often operate on scheduled appointments.
- To set an appointment with a teacher, please contact the teacher directly via telephone, email or leave a note or message for the teacher through the office. (The best times to meet with teachers are before and after school.)
- To set up an appointment with the Principal or Assistant Principal, please contact the secretary in the Front Office who can direct you as to the best way to do so.
Tips for Conflict Resolution.
Conflict resolution work best if all parties:
- Conduct active listening
- Problem solve
- Set clear next step/goals
- Follow-up, as necessary
For More Information
DPS Board Policies and Procedures:
http://www.dpsk12.org/policies
Parent/Family Liaison's Office:
http://www.dpsk12.org/departments/family_liaison
or you can contact a parent liaison at 720-423-3054 or by emailing your concern to: parent_concern@dpsk12.org.
Be sure to include the name of the school your child attends and your contact information so that a liaison can follow up with you.