Dec. 21, 2017
Kids from Traylor Academy caroled and spread holiday cheer at Emily Griffith Campus Tuesday.
Top 5: Your Favorite First-Semester Memory
We asked you to share your favorite first-semester memories, and our kids are at the heart of every single one! The Top 5 responses are below, and congratulations to our giveaway prize winner, Allison Hicks at Grant Beacon Middle School. 
 
5. "Our favorite first semester memory was the Top 5 Back-to-School photos -- and the added bonus of a total solar eclipse! It was an incredible way to kick off the school year and a rare learning experience for our kids. Check out the photos here!" -- the Newsletters Team

4. "At our third- grade morning meeting the day after a Broncos game, I overheard this: Boy 1 -- John Elway signed my shirt last night! Boy 2 -- Who's John Elway? Boy 1 -- I have no idea!" -- Jen Courtney-Keyse, Isabella Bird Community School
 
3. " My favorite memory from first semester is when I took three seniors from the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program at East High School to the mountains for Riverwatch Training. On our drive up the mountain, while looking out the window at the beautiful scenery, one of my students exclaimed, 'Miss, this doesn't even look real!' It was then I discovered that two of my three students had never been to the mountains before!" -- Rhonda Urbach, Student Equity and Opportunity
 
2. " The first day that it snowed this semester, I overheard two boys saying they were going to have a snowball fight at recess. I reminded them that we just heard the announcements and our principal said, 'No throwing snow.'  As we walked to lunch that day, one of the same boys said, 'I'm going to have a snowball fight when I get home.  It's OK there because we don't have announcements at my house.'" -- Ronda Bailey, Steck Elementary
 
1. "One of my favorite memories from the first semester is making a breakthrough with one of our toughest students. The student has struggled all semester, and last week I found a note on my desk that said, 'Ms. Hicks, because of you I like coming to school. You are the first person to ever tell me that I'm smart and that I can make a difference in my life. You are the reason I want to go to college and be a teacher, too. Thank you.' It brought tears to my eyes!" -- Allison Hicks, Grant Beacon Middle School 
Discount Alert: 'Aladdin' Tickets for $38
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts has reserved a very limited number of tickets for DPS supporters to see the hit Broadway musical " Aladdin," April 24-26 at the Buell Theatre.  Tickets are $38 for shows April 24-26 only, and a portion of every ticket sold benefits the DPS Foundation. Tickets will sell out fast, so don't miss your chance to see the show at a discounted price. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. 
Living Our DPS Honoree

Deshawn Jackson
Crew Lead, Asbury Elementary
Students First

"In addition to keeping our building shiny and clean, Deshawn is one of the most empathetic and caring people we could ask for on our staff and he always puts Students First. He is quick to support or lean in when a student is struggling or needs a shoulder to lean on. Just last week, a student was struggling to focus and started to become upset. Deshawn swooped in and offered to play some basketball on the playground with him to de-escalate the situation. Deshawn cares for the students of Asbury as much as any staff member and we are so thankful to have him on our team!"

-- Alicia FaJohn, Asbury Elementary

Nominate one of your colleagues who you see living one or more of our Shared Core Values to be featured as a Living Our DPS honoree.
COMING UP...
Dec. 22-Jan. 5: Winter Break
Jan. 6-20: DPS Days at the National Western Stock Show (Use promo code DPS)
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