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Dear DPS Community,
During the last couple months, Denver Public Schools students across the city have been engaging in thoughtful dialogue around an important issue that has sparked fierce debate and action around the country: the impact that race and social justice have on our society. DPS educators have been working with students to create productive spaces for our students to engage in thoughtful conversations on these issues.
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Amyre with her mother, Denver Police Officer Celena Hollis. Watch her story
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One such student is Amyre Hollis, whose courage and bravery in sharing her perspective and personal story of loss have added so much to the student conversation on social justice. Amyre shared her story with us in this powerful DPS Features video - I encourage you all to watch it.
Amyre's mother, Denver Police Officer Celena Hollis, was shot and killed in the line of duty at City Park two summers ago. Amyre, now a sophomore at Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College, is a poised, talented and strong young woman who courageously shared her story with her peers during an assembly earlier this semester. Her perspective challenged and enriched her fellow students and led to deep, thoughtful conversations at MLK.
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| | Nearly three years since her mother's passing, Amyre opened up to her peers and shared her story of sacrifice and perseverance. |
There are many lessons in the candid conversations we're having with our students about democracy, social justice, and challenges facing law enforcement today. To deepen these lessons and build stronger connections in our community, Denver police officers are meeting with student leaders at schools in neighborhoods where the officers patrol and serve. Students have an opportunity to build relationships with the officers who put their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe. Students and officers will also engage in dialogue about how to build stronger connections within our community.
As we saw last week during the Aspen Challenge Denver, a competition that asks student leaders to work in school-based teams to find solutions to challenges such as racial inequality, our students have valuable, creative ideas on how to tackle important issues.
I would like to thank our students, educators, community leaders and the Denver police officers who have built this dialogue.
In the words of Amyre Hollis, "I honor my mom by doing what she would want me to do, and doing what I want to do. I spoke up. She would be really proud of me."
Thank you for speaking up.
Best,
Tom
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