Mamás de DPS is a grassroots community organization that advocates for equitable public schools in every neighborhood.
Mamás de DPS began in 2022 as an informal, grassroots effort to organize and give voice to the issues impacting Latino students and families in Denver Public Schools. They have organized around school closures, insufficient bilingual programming, and the overall gross mismanagement of the district. Their members and supporters are students, parents, teachers, and the community, some of whom have been active in DPS issues for almost 20 years.
Mamás believes in equal public schools, in every neighborhood.
Centers of Community
Public schools are the heartbeat of a neighborhood. They can and should be a place where students and families gather, connect, and support one another. The bonds that are formed in neighborhood schools—between children, teachers, and families—create personal and community stability that lasts for generations.
Ensuring Personal and Social Well-being
A robust public school system ensures that every family gets the support they need without having to navigate a complex and expensive bureaucracy. By meeting children where they are, a community can truly ensure that every child gets all the services that they need (e.g., annual wellness exams and other preventative care), avoiding higher social (and financial) costs in the long-term.
Protecting Democracy
A healthy public school system is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Elevating values like critical thinking, respect for human dignity, and personal autonomy protects against threats like autocracy and oligarchy. A well-educated society leads to a strong middle class, innovations that are good for people, and high rates of equality.
Mamás’ Educational Values
Human dignity.
Identity and cultural diversity.
Critical thinking and ethical awareness.
The joy of creating, engagement, and the urge to explore.
Respect for nature and environmental awareness.
Democracy and participation.
Ensuring inclusion and the prohibition of shame-based, exclusionary practices.
Home and community collaboration.
Open doors to the world.
Historical and cultural insight.
Intellectual freedom.
Forgiveness.
Equality and solidarity.
Human rights-based values system.
Respect for individual convictions.
Self-mastery and individual agency.
Collective responsibility for social issues.
Inquisitiveness and curiosity.
Respect for scientific thinking.
Collective trust and value for truthfulness.
Promoting the desire to learn.