Our School Communication Tool: ReachWell
We know that school communication is essential to student achievement. With that in mind, DDES has moved all school communications to the ReachWell Connect app in order to streamline the communication you receive from school and also allow our families to connect in new ways. The ReachWell app is used for:
- Essential school information and updates.
- Crew Leader (teacher) messages to/from families.
- School and Crew calendars.
- Google Classroom assignments.
- Group and 1:1 chat.
- Important alerts and notifications.
- School resources and forms.
- Community connections.
Who to contact
| What | Who |
|---|---|
| Crew activities, celebrations, discipline, and school assignments | Your student’s Crew Leader via ReachWell (or an email if it’s regarding something sensitive). |
| Attendance, student records, enrollment, food program, and school-day schedule and calendars | Tracy Villalovas & Kaley Wagner: frontoffice@ddeschool.org, 720-424-2350 |
| Financial matters and school operations | Katianne Glesne, Director of Operations: Katianne.glesne@ddeschool.org, 720-424-2353 |
| School culture and philosophy, curriculum, and professional development at DDES | Aubrey Wilk, Executive Director: aubrey.wilk@ddeschool.org, 720-424-2354 |
| Afterschool Crew Club | Safarha Hicks & Jessica Gonzales, Program Managers: crewclubmanagers@ddeschool.org |
| Volunteering and getting involved at DDES | ddesfamilycouncil@ddeschool.org |
Families as Partners: Our Communication Agreements
Families at DDES play an essential role in supporting the school’s mission, culture and climate, and family engagement is at our core at DDES. Our school’s family engagement aims are that:
- All families are empowered, valued, and engaged in culturally responsive ways to support student growth and development.
- Families and community members regularly contribute to the strategic direction, decisions, and content at DDES
Our Norms
- We value and commit to a partnership with all families in the DDES community.
- We recognize families as essential members of the learning team for students.
- We strive to effectively communicate with every family and build trusting relationships.
- We approach decision-making inclusively, leading with a desire to understand and collaborate.
Family Expectations for Communication and Engagement
- Value and commit to a partnership with all DDES staff.
- Recognize DDES staff as essential members of the learning team for students.
- Communicate effectively and seek to build trusting relationships with DDES staff.
- Engage in respectful, solution-oriented conversations with a shared commitment to student success
Parent/Teacher Communications
Teacher Commitments
- Hold family conferences in October and March to report on student progress and set goals.
- Hold student-led conferences in December and April to celebrate student growth and learning.
- Mail progress reports for the fall semester after the holiday break and for the spring semester after the last day of school.
- Be available for individual check-ins and conferences as needed.
- Use the ReachWell app for all written communication with families.
Family Commitments
- Read progress reports, newsletters, and emails sent by your student’s teacher.
- Refer to the DDES Family Handbook for school policies and procedures.
- Read the bi-weekly newsletter from the front office and classroom teachers.
- Pay attention to emails from school leadership (Principal, Executive Director).
- Attend student-led conferences, Back-to-School Night, and/or other family engagement events.
- Stay informed of the DDES calendar (which differs from the DPS calendar).
- Contact the front office if you need hard copies of any school communication.
- Complete the mid-year parent feedback survey and the end-of-year DPS satisfaction survey to support continuous school improvement.
Respecting Communication Agreement
- Respectful Communication: Demonstrate respect in both what is said and how it is said.
- Shared Commitment: Recognize that families and teachers are on the same team, working toward student success.
- Assume Positive Intent: Approach conversations with an open mind and a desire to understand.
- Follow the Communication Flowchart: Raise concerns with the appropriate person (see Page 21 of the Family Handbook).
- Respect Working Hours: Teachers and staff are available between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Please do not expect responses outside of these hours.
- Use Appropriate Communication Channels:
- Emails/messages are for information, not discussion. If a conversation is needed, schedule a phone call or meeting.
- If an issue requires more than a brief response, schedule a meeting instead of emailing multiple times.
- Confidentiality Awareness: Emails and voicemails are public records and may not always remain confidential. As a rule, do not send or say anything that you would not want to be made public.
- Time & Boundaries:
- Be mindful of how much time an individual concern may take.
- Avoid raising concerns in public settings, before or after school, or while staff are supervising students—schedule an appointment instead.
- Harassment Policy: Verbal, physical, or sexual harassment toward staff will not be tolerated.
Dispute Resolution & Grievance Process
DDES is committed to resolving concerns at the lowest appropriate level through clear and respectful communication. If a dispute cannot be resolved directly with a teacher or staff member, families should follow the formal Grievance Policy.