DPS believed they finally had a plan to appease the sometimes difficult to work with community of Stapleton. DPS has put forth several ideas on how to manage priority for the quickly growing community and their five elementary schools, all located within two square miles of each other. The most recent plan was to create boundaries for each school, much like everyone who lives here had growing up, and then allowing a certain percentage to open enroll to that school, if there was availability.
The discussions have mostly centered on what that open enrollment percentage should be and from the position of DPS, how they can accommodate the community’s transportation needs. It has been a very frustrating situation for everyone involved. Some residents are even concerned about how not allowing open-enrollment will affect their property values. DPS has heard the community; they are just not listening to them. Which is why DPS’s most recent proposal has come under fire.
“I think what people are trying to tell us is that they want the schools to be as even as possible socioeconomically,” said DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg. “So, what we are doing is taking a look at the existing boundaries, and we are placing a value on each of the households that live there. For example, some students will be categorized as ‘super rich’, others as ‘rich’, and then of course, the ‘not so Stapleton’ kids. Once we have those numbers in, we will have a pretty good idea of how we are going to move along.”
Boasberg says that ‘super rich’ kids will be those with a household income of $275,000 or more, and ‘rich’ kids will be categorized by a household income between $175,000 and $275,000. ‘Not so Stapleton’ kids will be those with a household income below $175,000. “When we look at the numbers, we will see what group is easier to bus around, given the current boundaries,” said Boasberg. “It may be that we have to ship some ‘super rich’ kids from the Swigert boundary over to the Isabella “Larry” Bird Boundary. We’re just not sure yet. That is simply an example, so don’t freak out. Right now, all we know is that we plan to bus kids from different districts to keep each of the schools socioeconomically diverse. Like your Green Book says.”
Many residents are not happy with this plan. “So, there is a chance that my ‘super rich’ kid could be bused, and his ‘super rich’ kid neighbor would stay in the district?” said concerned parent Kate Battenfield. “That makes no sense. We bought this house, in this area, of this neighborhood so that our kids could be around other wealthier kids. Busing completely tears that down.” Other parents agree. “I’m not sure I like the idea of ‘not so Stapleton’ kids being bused to our area,” said resident Paul Dunlay. “We moved here so we would avoid that in the schools. Now DPS says they want to bus those kids into our school. I’m not into that one bit.”
Some people are actually concerned about the kids. “If the buses are not a mix of ‘super rich,’ ‘rich,’ and ‘not so Stapleton’ kids, the kids being bused could have a stigma attached to them,” says child counselor Alison Heller. “For example, kids would eventually learn that the kids on the bus were ‘not so Stapleton’ kids and tease them. Heck, even the ‘super rich’ kids could end up getting teased. So, if DPS does follow through with this plan, I really hope they socioeconomically integrate the buses and not just the schools.”
Boasberg says DPS once again is delaying its final recommendation as they wait for the household income numbers of the homes in each district. “Once we get those numbers in, we can finally formulate a plan,” said Boasberg. “I think we do have a plan that the Stapleton community will get behind.” Not so fast, Boasberg, not so fast.]]>
Issue 69
Lululemon CEO to Stapleton: “We’re Cool, Right?”
The popular yoga pants company Lululemon recently came under fire when its CEO Chip Wilson made some comments that hinted that not all women’s bodies are made for yoga pants. Although his comments are probably correct, the same way that not all men’s bodies are made for tight Under Armor shirts, Wilson is in hot water. “’I’m sad. I’m really sad. I’m sad for the repercussions of my actions,” said Wilson. This non-apology has not helped Wilson’s cause much. Public outrage has caused slower sales, and Wilson has been forced to go on tour making apologies on several different shows and networks.
Not surprisingly, Wilson’s first stop was the Stapleton community in Denver. For its population, Stapleton over-indexes the highest of any community for number of yoga pants purchased, how often yoga pants are worn, and how much money is spent on yoga pants in a year. In fact, it is estimated that Stapleton residents as a whole will have spent more than $1.2 million on yoga pants in 2013, and that the average woman in Stapleton will have worn yoga pants 4.3 times per week. “These are huge numbers,” says industry analyst Rob Fecht. The second highest neighborhood for wearing yoga pants is at 2.6.”
[Read more…] about Lululemon CEO to Stapleton: “We’re Cool, Right?”
Stapleton Dad Planning to “Redshirt” Kids
Stapleton dad Chris Ott has a three year old and a one year, and is in no hurry to ship them off to school. “My daughter (3) is a September birthday, and my son (1) is an August birthday,” said Ott. “So, I plan to hold them back a year before sending them to school.” Neither of the kids is behind developmentally, and in fact, the three year old is very tall. Ott simply sees no reason no push the kids forward given the advantages they can have by holding them back.
[Read more…] about Stapleton Dad Planning to “Redshirt” Kids
Stapleton HOA Takes Drastic Steps to Prohibit Children
One Stapleton home owner association recently changed their rules to prohibit families with children. Fed up with all the noise and lawn clutter associated with children in the neighborhood, Stapleton HOA 1 are now forcing families with children younger than 12 to either get rid of their children or move outside the association.
[Read more…] about Stapleton HOA Takes Drastic Steps to Prohibit Children
DPS: “Stapleton Won’t Have Busing; Parents Should Consider Uber”
Many times, people forget that Denver Public Schools is responsible for educating kids, but has no experience in logistics. They are not UPS, IBM, or Amazon.com. From their own mission statement, nothing speaks to their ability to be innovative or efficient. “We will lead the nation’s cities in student achievement, high school graduation, college preparation, and college matriculation. Our students will be well prepared for success in life, work, civic responsibility, and higher education.”
[Read more…] about DPS: “Stapleton Won’t Have Busing; Parents Should Consider Uber”
Even in Stapleton, Hanukah Takes Back Seat to Christmas
Stapleton has a large Jewish population and community leaders certainly make efforts to ensure Jewish holidays and traditions are not left behind. Overall, Stapleton is also considered to be very tolerant of different religions, ethnic backgrounds and sexual preferences. But even with all its political correctness, Stapleton still didn’t give Hanukah a fair shake. “They put a menorah up on the far side of the Green,” said Jewish Stapleton resident Jill Farkas. “I guess they organized a little lighting, but did you see the Winter Welcome? Come on, that was all about Christmas. I saw a dancing Christmas tree, but I didn’t see any dancing dradles.”
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District 4 & 8 Delegates Resign After Admitting to Being Puppet Delegates for Eastbridge
The Stapleton MCA recently filled two open delegates’ spots for District 4 (South End) and District 8 (Conservatory Green). John Ward was selected by his constituents to represent the South End, and Nicole Roberts was selected as the representative for Conservatory Green. “They basically ran unopposed,” said MCA President Liza Kampstra. “They met the qualifications that the MCA has set for its delegates, so they were approved by their district and then by the existing MCA members.”
The two new members got their feet wet listening to other delegates discuss the pressing issues in the Stapleton community. “At first, there was nothing unusual about their behavior,” said Westerly Creek delegate Kerry Beatty. “They spoke their mind, seemed to have strong opinions about things, and absolutely seemed like a good fit. No one noticed anything out of the ordinary for the first couple of weeks.”
[Read more…] about District 4 & 8 Delegates Resign After Admitting to Being Puppet Delegates for Eastbridge
Denver Children’s Home Donation Drive
There are still a few more days to lend a helping hand to the Denver Children’s Home!
The Children’s Home has a long standing history of working with Colorado’s most vulnerable children and families: those that struggle with the effects of poverty, abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, chronic mental health problems and learning disabilities.
The children of Denver Children’s Home have many needs, some of which we can’t provide … but many we can.
So join us for the Denver Children’s Home Supply Drive by giving a little something that may help provide health and healing this season: Here’s a list of the home’s needs!
Four collection points are set up for you to drop off donations around Stapleton:
- The Stapleton Visitor Center – 4928 Uinta St. (Get a free dog calendar & bowl when you drop off a donation!)
- The Aster Conservatory Green’s Leasing Office– 4890 Willow Drive
- The Stapleton Info Gallery – 2853 Roslyn St.
- The Stapleton Master Community Association – 2823 Roslyn St.