DPS Community

The Denver Public Schools (DPS) is committed to cultivating and maintaining an open and productive relationship with the news media. The district recognizes that the media are a primary source of information about Denver Public Schools for families and the community.

The district also recognizes the importance of ensuring the safety and privacy of students, staff, and families. District officials, schools, and staff must cooperate with the news media to the extent required and appropriate by law, while ensuring that media coverage does not interfere with teaching and learning.

The Communications Office manages the district's interaction with the media and provides support and resources to schools and departments. For more information, contact the Communications Office at (720) 423-3414.

General Guidelines

District employees should direct media inquiries about Denver Public Schools or any individual school, student, staff member, program or initiative, or requests for access to a school or district building to the Communications Office at (720) 423-3414.

Any media outlet that contacts a staff member directly or show up at a school or department unannounced should be referred to the Communications Office, who will work with staff and the media outlet to respond appropriately to the inquiry.

It is critically important to protect the privacy of students and staff while fulfilling the requirements of public records laws. The Communications Office works closely with the Legal Counsel to determine what information is a matter of public record and what must remain confidential. Only a student whose parent or guardian has signed and returned a Media Release Form may be recorded, filmed, photographed or interviewed. A student for whom no such form is on file in the school office may not participate in any media-related activities, and his or her name and image are not to be released to the media or anyone else outside of the school.

News representatives cleared to visit a school or department by the Communications Office must first check in at the main office before proceeding to other areas of the building. Reporters are considered visitors to the campus and are required to sign in at the school office or building and comply with all district procedures. Media representatives will be escorted by the principal or his or her designee while they are in the building.