Latest news with #Safe2Tell
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Colorado Department of Education presents nearly 700 awards recognizing schools, districts
DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Department of Education presented a total of 695 performance awards to 71 districts and 346 schools during an event on Friday. The event celebrated schools and districts that received awards for the 2023 and 2024 school years, in categories recognizing academic achievement and student growth, among other things. Safe2Tell report led to sex assault arrest of DougCo middle school teacher 'Behind every one of these awards is a story of hard work, heart, and hope,' State Board of Education Chair Rebecca McClellan said in a statement. 'These schools and districts are shining examples of what's possible when educators, students, and families come together with a shared purpose—to help every child thrive. The awards were presented by McClellan, Vice Chair Yazmin Navarro, Board member Lisa Escárcega, Board member Kathy Gebhardt and Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. Did your school win an award? The full list of winners can be found here. The awards seem to follow a positive trend of upward growth for education in Colorado, with data released in January from the 2023-2024 school year showing the state's four-year high school graduation rate and student drop-out rates improved. CDE noted at the time that the growth was not equal among all student groups, with students experiencing homelessness, students from migrant families, students with disabilities, multilingual students, students in foster care and male students not reaching the statewide graduation rate of 84.2%. Undercover shoppers discover Kroger is over-charging Four schools from Colorado were also designated as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education last September, including DSST: Cedar High School in Denver, Mesa View Elementary School in Grand Junction, Skyview Middle School in Pueblo West and Zach Elementary School in Fort Collins. The schools were also presented with awards at Friday's event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Safe2Tell report led to Douglas County middle school teacher's sex assault arrest: Affidavit
DENVER (KDVR) — A sixth-grade student's Safe2Tell report about a teacher's alleged inappropriate relationships with students at least three years ago led to an investigation and ultimately the arrest of a Douglas County middle school teacher this week. David Feil, 49, of Littleton, was arrested Tuesday by detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit on two counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. Program helping Colorado students stay safe in school, report shows Feil was hired by the Douglas County School District in 2014 and taught at Roxborough Intermediate School. Prior to becoming a teacher, Feil was an educational assistant for special needs students. On Thursday, FOX31 obtained a redacted affidavit for Feil's arrest, which described how a deputy learned on March 18 of an investigation into Feil by the Douglas County School District Human Resources director after the teacher allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with his students 'a few years ago.' On March 12, the district received a Safe2Tell tip. This tip has been redacted to protect individuals' identities: ' … Mr. Fiel or Dave Fiel, he is extremely inapropriate with the (redacted) and last year the (redacted) called him Mr Fiel the pedofiel. He has many boys added on video games and has girls social media added and scendsthem inapropriet videos on snapchat. Another (redacted) that was in his class in 2022 said he was assepecially inapropriate with (redacted) friend (redacted). Mr Fiel sent a video of him flipping off the camera and said just kidding and turned it into a heart without a shirt on. In another video he sent to the same (redacted) he blew a kiss towards the camera with a filter that has hearts all over his face. At spirit nights he hrld hands with (redacted) and I have a friend who was in his class last year always talked about how he had the sit in his lap while he played with their.' The anonymous tipster told Safe2Tell, which reached out for further information, that someone had recently posted a video of Feil on Snapchat. The human resource director spoke to a student about the video, who had been in one of Feil's classes. According to the affidavit, the student said they and two others were treated differently from others in their class and that the 49-year-old had spoken to the students about pornography, brought them gifts and added them on his Instagram and Snapchat accounts. The minor told the human resource director that they still had direct messages on Instagram from Feil, starting in 2021. The juvenile also shared videos allegedly sent by Feil showing the teacher making kissing noises and using heart filters on his face while not wearing a shirt. The human resource director, after learning these pieces of information, immediately placed Feil on leave from the school and initiated a Title 9 investigation. The affidavit notes that the school district gave Feil a 'letter of direction' during the 2021-2022 school year, which the school principal told him to, quote, 'Do not follow children on any sort of social media platform.' She went on to describe his behavior as 'creeper vibes,' and appeared distraught over the situation. Deputies continued investigating and learned on March 20 that a victim first met Feil while in the 3rd grade at after-hours guitar classes that Feil taught at the school. Then, Feil became the victim's teacher in 6th grade. The victim described how they believed that Feil's special treatment of them and their friends began at a music festival while the children were in the 6th grade, and said that Feil 'held my hand and gave me a piggyback ride' while they went to Safeway that day. The victim went on to describe additional physical contacts with Feil, which included him leaving heart-shaped oranges on one student's desk, asking a trio of students talking about Naked Juice drinks if they 'Want to get naked?' and talking about how he learned about Playboy and watching pornography. Feil also allegedly rewarded students for good behavior by letting them sit on his lap. The victims told deputies that Feil would rub their thighs, buttocks and other inappropriate areas of their bodies. Feil was interviewed by law enforcement on April 9. According to the affidavit, Feil said he had brought the students to Safeway in 2021 to try and win their favor and because he knew the children were not allowed to go without an adult chaperone. He said the school administration admonished him for the incident. Former Jeffco high school employee faces sex assault, drug charges Feil also told interviewers that since being placed on leave, he's been struggling to figure out what his boundary issue is. However, he denied communicating with any student outside the classroom and said he never gave his phone number to students. He said he was spoken to by human resources after he followed somebody on TikTok and commented on a video. The affidavit quotes Feil as saying, 'So yeah, I gave hugs, I reciprocated hugs all the time. In my mind, not a big deal at the time.' He denied having specific students sit on his lap during read-aloud, and said that 2021 was his 'boundaries' year. He also said his nicknames in the school are 'Dr. Phil, Mr. Fillet and Mr. Footlocker,' before pausing, then admitting a student once said his name was 'pedophile.' At one point during his interview with police, the interviewers asked Feil if they could look through his Instagram messages. He asked to see them first and expressed 'concern for us taking the messages out of context and wondering if any of the messages would incriminate him in some way.' He called his conversations with minors 'just stupid banter,' but admitted to police that boundaries were crossed and that he took personal relationships with certain students that year. According to the affidavit, the messages show that Feil 'acted in a grooming manner in effort to gain trust of these students and ultimately committed unspeakable acts for his own benefit.' Feil was given a $50,000 cash or surety bond on May 13 and posted that bond on May 14. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former JeffCo high school staff member faces sex assault, drug charges
DENVER (KDVR) — A former high school staff member in Jefferson County was arrested after a Safe2Tell report accused a staff member of sexually assaulting a student. On Tuesday night, the Lakewood Police Department took James Michael Chevrier, 38, into custody. Chevrier was formerly employed at Green Mountain High School, Bear Creek High School and other schools in the area in recent years. Douglas County teacher arrested on charges of child sex assault Chevrier is being held in Jefferson County Jail on suspicion of: Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust – victim less than 15 and as part of a pattern of abuse Soliciting for child prostitution Possession with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance – Schedule I or II Two charges of possession with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance – Schedule I III / IV More Than 4g, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in the Second Degree Chevrier's arrest comes after Jefferson County Public Schools said it received a Safe2Tell report, where students can anonymously report threats, accusing a Green Mountain High School psychologist of sexually assaulting a female student. Chevrier was put on administrative leave, and the police were contacted. The department said it launched an investigation after it was made aware of the accusation on May 9. After speaking with potential victims and witnesses, police arrested Chevrier, and the district said Chevrier was terminated on Monday. Chevrier was a staff member for four to five days a week at Green Mountain High School from 2023-2025 and a staff member one day a week at Bear Creek High School from 2024-2025. He also worked at Evergreen High School from 2022-2023 and at Cherry Creek School District from 2021-2022. Detectives believe there may be more individuals with information, and anyone with information or people who feel they have been victimized should call the Lakewood Police Tip Line at 303-763-6800. Superintendent for the Jefferson County Public Schools Tracy Dorland and principals at Bear Creek, Green Mountain and Evergreen released messages to the high school communities stating that Chevrier was immediately put on administrative leave after the report on May 9. 'We take any and all allegations of criminal or inappropriate behavior extremely seriously. Protecting the safety and well-being of Jeffco students is our highest priority. Jeffco's Title IX team is working closely with Lakewood PD to extend all available support and resources within the district to victims and their families,' the community messages said. Program helping Colorado students stay safe in school, report shows The district said members of Jeffco's crisis response team will be at Bear Creek, Green Mountain and Evergreen throughout the week, and the district encourages parents to speak with their children about boundaries and making sure they understand adults should never ask them to keep a secret. Several meetings are being held at local schools with the Lakewood Police Department. Monday, May 19, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Green Mountain High School cafeteria Tuesday, May 20, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Bear Creek High School cafeteria Wednesday, May 21, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Evergreen High School cafeteria The schools will also follow up after the family meeting for those who can't make it. 'As parents and educators, we take very seriously the privilege and responsibility to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for our staff, students and families. We will continue to work in partnership with Lakewood PD to share information about the alleged crimes to ensure justice for Jeffco students,' the community messages said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- CBS News
High school psychologist arrested in Colorado, accused of sexual assault
A psychologist at Green Mountain High School has been arrested in Colorado and accused of sexual assault. Lakewood police arrested James Michael Chevrier on Tuesday night. According to investigators, Lakewood police were made aware of a Safe2Tell report that accused a psychologist at Green Mountain High School of sexually assaulting a female student. Police said they opened an investigation and began speaking to potential victims and witnesses. James Michael Chevrier Lakewood Police Chevrier, 38, was serving as a psychologist at Green Mountain High School and Bear Creek High School at the time of his arrest. He remained in custody at the Jefferson County Jail on suspicion of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust- victim less than 15 as part of a pattern of abuse, soliciting for child prostitution, possession with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Detectives with the Lakewood Police Department believe there may be individuals with more information. According to investigators, Chevrier served as a staff member at Evergreen High School from 2022-2023 and the Cherry Creek School District 2021-2022. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Lakewood Police Tip Line at 303.763.6800.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Program helping Colorado students stay safe in school, report shows
DENVER (KDVR) — A violence intervention and prevention program for students appears to be making a difference in Colorado schools. The program, called Safe2Tell, allows students to anonymously report threats to their own and others' safety, according to the Colorado Attorney General's Office, which revealed in a report released Tuesday that a total of 3,117 reports were made in April 2025. DougCo teacher arrested on child sex assault charges 'Colorado students are stepping up for each other,' said Attorney General Phil Weiser, in a statement. 'They are speaking out when they see something troubling, and they are doing it with purpose and responsibility. Each report gives schools and families a chance to intervene before someone gets hurt.' The amount of April reports was a 12.8% increase compared to March, the attorney general's office said, with the most frequently reported concerns involving school safety, bullying, mental health, substance use, and abuse and exploitation. The attorney general's office singled out several examples of how Safe2Tell was used to keep students safe last month, including to intervene against an individual who made 'disturbing comments' about using drugs to manipulate peers. D49 school district in El Paso County bans transgender student athletes In another instance, the attorney general's office said a report was submitted about a student who had posted videos of themselves drinking and vaping at school. The student has since been placed on a safety plan, following an investigation by school officials. Safe2Tell says the program is on track to receive more than 30,000 reports by the end of the 2024-2025 school year. 'Our students are watching out for their friends, classmates, and schools,' said Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins, in a statement. False reports, meanwhile, continue to represent only a 'small share' of reports, according to the attorney general's office, which said only 2.2% have been determined to be false so far this school year. Denver dog walker warns of scam on popular dog walking app The attorney general's office noted Safe2Tell is not an emergency response nor a mental health counseling service provider, but rather a pathway for students to distribute anonymous reports to local law enforcement and school officials, as required by law. Colorado students who would like to make an anonymous report through Safe2Tell can do so at any time by visiting the program's website, using its mobile app, texting S2TCO to 738477 or calling 1-877-542-7233. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
