On July 5, 650 students began summer school at DSST Public Schools. At DSST schools, incoming sixth and ninth grade students attend school for three to four weeks in the summer, coming together from dozens of elementary and middle schools across the Denver metro area to join the DSST community. Summer school is, for many students, their first introduction to the high expectations and rigor they will experience during their time at DSST. Students learn about DSST's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)-focused curriculum and some students begin remedial work in math and reading.

In addition to making sure all students are ready for the coming  academic year, promoting a positive school culture is one of the most important aspects of summer school as students and their parents cross the bridge from their former schools. DSST's six core values--respect, responsibility, courage, integrity, curiosity and doing your best--are a key component of DSST's culture that drives successful outcomes. 

Spending time developing these ideas and introducing students to the expectations of DSST is vital. Says DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School Director Rochelle Bell, "You can see the power of high expectations--the belief that all students can achieve, all students can go to college and all students can live our values--begin to shape our students." In only a few short weeks, students come to be more comfortable with the core values and achievement culture of DSST, which is likely very different than their previous schools.  

The summer school model provides an important gateway for parents as well, as their dedication to DSST's model can strongly impact their students' performance. That is why the summer school process actually begins in the spring with individual home visits; these visits give DSST teachers and administrators a chance to explain policies, behavioral standards and dress code, in addition to the STEM curriculum and core values, to parents of new students. Students and parents can thus adjust and "practice" being a part of the DSST community before the academic year begins.

As important as summer school is for students and their families, it is equally important for teachers and administrators. Not only are they able to build relationships with students for the coming year, but for DSST: Cole Middle School and DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School, founding staffs are also given an introduction to DSST's instructional practices, which may be very different from their previous schools. Teachers can begin to track student performance, determine individual skill levels, and identify students who may need additional support during the regular academic year. "Thanks to the hard work of our staff and the dedication of our students and families, we have been able to lay a solid foundation for the upcoming school year," said Jeff Osborne, Director of DSST: Cole Middle School. With over 40 new staff members across the DSST Public Schools network, this foundation is incredibly important as schools look ahead to classes beginning in the fall.  

For those new to the DSST community, summer school is an integral part of creating a true impact in students' lives. Students must learn to trust their teachers, peers, and themselves as they become accountable for their own education. For incoming sixth graders, this strong foundation will set the tone of their seven year journey through DSST Public Schools on the path to college acceptance.

Businessman Steve Halstedt was named Chair of DSST Public Schools Board of Directors in July.

In July, DSST Public Schools welcomed Steve Halstedt to the position of DSST's Board Chair. Steve has served in key volunteer positions with DSST for nearly 10 years, including at least 4 years as a DSST board member. With a background in venture capital and a dedication to nonprofit institutions, particularly those that encourage student exploration of science and technology, Steve brings a valuable combination of experience and passion to lead the board. Steve follows DSST founder David Greenberg in the role of Board Chair. 

After earning his B.S. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he currently serves on the Board of Trustees, Steve earned his M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School of Dartmouth College. After serving as a combat engineer platoon leader and battalion assistant operations officer in the U.S. Army during the war in Vietnam, Steve returned to the United States. From 1976 to 1981, he served as president of Daniels and Associates, a telecommunications consulting firm.

In 1981, Steve co-founded a venture capital firm, Centennial Ventures. Presently, he serves on the board of AMG National Trust Bank. He is the founding president and a former chairman of the Venture Capital Association of Colorado and is a former board member of the National Venture Capital Association.

Dedicated and active in non-profit organizations, Mr. Halstedt serves on the advisory board of the Center for Colorado's Future at the University of Denver. Steve has spent time chairing the boards of Fulcrum Foundation and Open World Learning, both Colorado organizations dedicated to childhood success.

"I view taking leadership of the board as both a tremendous opportunity and an inspiring challenge," Halstedt says. "David [Greenberg] has done a fantastic job leading the board to ensure that the organization recruits terrific people, develops executable plans and attracts sufficient resources. We will need to continue this good work to accomplish our goals, particularly as DSST continues to grow. DSST serves as a national model to help all students reach academic success and I am thrilled to be a part of this organization."

As one of over 40 new staff members that joined DSST Public Schools this summer, Craig Trujillo is one of the many that relocated from another state to teach in Denver. Moving from Oklahoma to join family in Denver, Craig is spending this summer working with his advisory at DSST: Cole Middle School and preparing for the upcoming school year. Craig will be teaching 6th grade Social Studies. Being a part of a school's founding team of only eleven teachers presents its own set of challenges, from building school culture to working effectively as a team, but Craig is ready for the test. "I'm looking forward to improving my teaching skills and getting to know the kids," he said, "and I've never taught sixth grade before, so that's new to me."

Craig's path to education and teaching at DSST began in college. During his time at the University of Oklahoma (OU), he became involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program as well as a mentoring program for disadvantaged students called Gear Up. These were his first introductions into the world of education, and he was inspired to continue making a difference. After receiving a B.A. in Political Science and History and an M.S. in Political Science, both from OU, Mr. Trujillo followed his calling to education and worked for several years as a Teach for America (TFA) corps member in Houston, Texas, where he taught World History and Geography to 9^th and 10^th grade students. Craig stayed an additional year after the required TFA two-year commitment because he loves working with students. Now, Craig is part of the DSST team. "There is something exceptional about DSST," he said. "And I wanted to be a part of it.

"What I really enjoy about DSST is that we've all committed to this organization that stands behind its mission," Craig explained. "It demands excellence from everyone from its staff to its students." Combined with the core values, the culture of excellence promotes growth of the "whole" student, not just academics. "We are developing future leaders, not just students in the moment," Craig said. "This is different from many schools, where core values do not necessarily drive instructional practices. Coupled with a dedication to developing teachers' skills in the classroom and a commitment to developing school community, ultimately, you don't feel like part of an organization, but a family."

University of Colorado Denver professor demonstrates wind energy technology to DSST: Cole Middle School students.

Each DSST Public Schools campus is partnered with a college or university to provide college exposure to DSST middle and high school students. DSST: Cole is partnered with the University of Colorado Denver with a career focus on environmental sustainability. "We believe that by showing our students at a young age how science is applicable to the real world, they will be inspired to pursue an interest in science, technology, engineering or math they might not have otherwise done. Also, we want our students to visit university campuses and begin visualizing themselves attending college," said Jeff Osborne, DSST: Cole Middle School Director. 

Incoming sixth graders at DSST: Cole Middle School spent their last day of summer school, July 22, on the University of Colorado Denver's Auraria campus.  Click here to see full story. 

      


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