Cole neighborhood support of CASA - DSST co-location

September 1, 2010

Dear Members of the Denver Public School Board,

We are writing in support of Cole Arts and Science Academy (CASA) joint venture with Denver School of Science and Technology, both excellent DPS schools. Jason Janz, Executive Director of the Friends of Cole Foundation, visited the Aug. 26 meeting of the Cole Neighborhood Association and explained to us the proposal to have Denver School of Science and Techology (DSST) added to the Cole building. Residents were very appreciative of the opportunity and excited to learn more and have an open discussion about CASA and its future plans. After our discussion, we believe that adding the DSST to Cole would be a huge asset for our neighborhood.  

The following are our reasons for supporting this joint school endeavor. 

• We recognize the benefit that CASA provides now to the neighborhood and our children, and we recognize the positive prospects of its collaboration with DSST. The Cole Neighborhood Association supports the plan to co-locate the schools on the Cole campus and as necessary, nearby Maria Mitchell.
• The educational opportunities for young people in the Cole neighborhood have been improving in recent years and residents see this "merger" as a way to advance that growth.
• We want all children in our neighborhood to have the chance to benefit from this excellent opportunity. Pertaining to the make-up of the student body for grades 6-12 that DSST will assume, the Cole Neighborhood Association recommends that admissions protocols favor students in the Cole school boundary, and secondarily the near northeast Denver neighborhoods, which will contribute to the school's socioeconomic and racial diversity. 
• Cole residents support the growth and success of academically rigorous, culturally supportive neighborhood schools that serve students and families in the immediate and nearby areas. CASA is a school of this nature now and the co-location with DSST will help to advance it even more.
  

We appreciate your consideration of this creative endeavor to help improve schools in Northeast Denver. The children in the Cole neighborhood are our most precious resources and we want to support any program that offers them and their families more opportunity for bright futures.  

Thank you for considering this proposal.

Kindest Regards,

Members of the Cole Neighborhood Association

Help shape the future of Welton Street!

The Five Points Business District, a 10-block corridor on historic Welton Street between 20th and Downing, is in the midst of an unprecedented master planning process. As part of that process, we are asking neighbors, business and property owners, and other stakeholders to take a survey to help shape the future of Welton Street.

There are several ways to take the survey.

• If you prefer to take this survey ONLINE please visit the online survey at the web address listed here:http://balancedcommunity.com/welton-five-points-survey;

• You can also CALL using any phone to take the survey by dialing: 303-578-9974 for English 

or 303-351-1969 for Spanish.

• You can also TEXT MESSAGE the survey by texting SURVEY to: 303-578-9974 for English or 

303-351-1969 for Spanish.

• If you prefer filling out a paper survey, please print out the attached pdf version of the survey, answer all questions, and return to the Five Points Business District Office at 2444 Washington Street or fax it to 303-832-5001.  Click here to print the English version.  Click here to print the Spanish version.

Please take the time to take this survey. Your input and time is much appreciated! Be assured that your responses are completely CONFIDENTIAL and will be used for planning purposes only.

Direct any questions you have to: info@fivepointsbiz.org.