April 9, 2019
Dear Denver Public Schools Families,
Hate will never be welcome in Denver Public Schools. Every student and every
educator, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual identity, citizenship
status, mental and physical ability status, and/or religion is a valued member of our DPS
community. We know that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that
all members of the Denver Public Schools family feel welcome, appreciated and safe in
our schools, as made evident in our Board Resolution, “Safe and Welcoming School
District.”
As you may have learned, someone recently used gasoline to burn an anti-Semitic
symbol on the asphalt at Ellis Elementary School on Monday. We condemn this
despicable act. The DPS Department of Safety and Denver Police Department are
working to identify those involved and Denver Public Schools is working with the Ellis
school team to help all of those affected by this to heal.
I also want to take this opportunity to encourage all of us to stand united against hate.
I want to encourage all of us to raise our voices in opposition to this action and all
types of hate speech.
We stand in support of all of our educators, students, families and community at Ellis
and in our city. We will continue to embrace and value the rich diversity within Denver
Public Schools, and will always act quickly to prevent and address any and all issues of
discrimination and harassment in our schools. Please visit our website for tools about
how to talk to your children when issues like this arise.
Sincerely,

Susana Cordova
Superintendent