Dear Team DPS,
On Monday, May 30, we celebrate Memorial Day. As we enjoy time with family, let us also take the opportunity to remember and to express our gratitude to all the individuals who have served and sacrificed for our country. It is also a time to reflect on our own departed loved ones. I ask that we also remember all those who have died because of the repeated senseless acts of gun violence in our nation.
Earlier today, some of our DPS students joined protesters at the state Capitol rallying against gun violence in the United States and showing support for the Uvalde community. We support our students' rights to protest, and educators were on sight to ensure that our students were safe. I want to reiterate that our students, families and educators can rest assured that our Department of Safety and the Denver Police Department have increased patrols in and around our schools, and have protocols in place to keep our students safe. We will continue to make the safety of our students and staff our top priority.
The recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas leaves everyone deeply saddened, and wondering what we as a society can be doing differently. Leaving politics aside, one immediate action any parent can do TODAY is to absolutely ensure that, if there are any guns in your home, or in places where your children visit, the guns are stored LOCKED UP (lockbox, gun cabinet, cable locks), UNLOADED (ammunition locked and stored separately from the gun) and that your children CAN NOT access the locking device (using unfamiliar codes, hiding the keys). These safety measures are proven to decrease unintentional injury, suicide and homicide, as access to guns is THE critical factor contributing to firearm injury in children and adolescents.
I hope you have a safe and healthy Memorial Day.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent
