Jan. 25, 2018
At Lowry Elementary -- and all our schools -- collaboration makes a difference for our kids.
Who Won Our Team CollaboRATE Challenge?
Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual CollaboRATE survey! An outstanding 76% of our full- and part-time team members -- more than 9,500 of you -- completed this important survey.  All the feedback received through CollaboRATE helps DPS' leaders, teams and the district continue to learn and grow, and helps drive real change so we can all best support our kids. Leaders will be sharing their engagement and leader results with their teams in the coming weeks, and districtwide results are coming soon.
 
Teams with the highest participation were entered to win a prize. Congratulations to our winners:
  • Antoinette Hudson's Fairview Elementary team
  • Debbie Hearty's Human Resources team
  • Ken Montoya's Protective Coatings team
Top 5: What Makes Your School Great?
Our regional Great Schools Expos have been a huge success -- and it's no surprise with the number of amazing neighborhood schools we have in DPS. We asked what makes your school great, and the Top 5 responses are below. Congratulations to our giveaway prize winner, Kimberlee Day at Bruce Randolph Middle School. 

5. " At Escalante-Biggs Academy we have a clearly defined goal of student excellence that every single member of the building is 100% committed to achieving together." -- Myra Cole, Escalante-Biggs Academy

4. " What makes Columbian Elementary great is the bond among staff and every person's genuine commitment to supporting one another, our students, our families and our community." -- Tasha Price, Columbian Elementary

3. " West Early College is great because we care about ALL students and their success in school and beyond, supporting them as they pursue their college and career dreams." -- Mia Martinez Lopez, West Early College

2. " Emily Griffith High School is great because of the incredibly supportive, equitable administration that gives staff the utmost guidance and freedom to tailor our programming and education to meet the individual needs of our esteemed students." -- Stacy MacDonald, Emily Griffith High School

1. " The people at Bruce Randolph are not afraid to fall down, dust themselves off, admit they can do it better, then go figure out how." -- Kimberlee Day, Bruce Randolph Middle School
Top 5 Callout: What's Your Favorite Shared Core Value?
Whether it's our guiding value of Students First, the importance of Collaboration or an attitude of Fun, we want to know which of our six Shared Core Values resonates most with you and why. Send your response to [email protected]. We'll select the Top 5 responses for next week's newsletter, and one person will win a giveaway prize. 

Double Discount Alert: Bash to the Future and Colorado Ballet
Dust off your '90s mixtapes. The Denver Scholarship Foundation is offering discounted tickets to Bash to the Future, a '90s-themed party on Feb. 24 to support our kids through their postsecondary education. Get your tickets now. Choose the Education Partner/Alumni ticket option. 

The Colorado Ballet is offering 20% off tickets to DPS educators on all price levels and performances of "Romeo and Juliet." Purchase tickets online with the code TEACHERS. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a 25% discount on tickets. Contact Molly Epstein at Colorado Ballet for group rates.
Grow Your Skills at the DPS Garden & Sustainability Forum
Learn more about fundraising for your school garden, beekeeping, garden-to-cafeteria certification and more at the DPS Garden & Sustainability Forum, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. March 3 at North High School.  The annual forum connects educators and families with local experts and community partners to bring standards-based curriculum into classrooms. Educators can receive professional development credits for attending.
Want a $1,000 Scholarship to Become a Registered Yoga Instructor?
Employee Wellness is offering 20 educators a $1,000 scholarship to complete the Breathe For Change 200-hour Wellness and Yoga Teacher Training designed specifically for educators. C omplete this interest form by Friday, Feb. 2, and an application process will follow. 

During the training, educators will study mind-body wellness practices like yoga, mindfulness and breathwork, and learn self-care, tips for social-emotional well-being and community building strategies. Our goal is for educators to become eligible to be registered yoga teachers and share their skills and knowledge with our kids -- improving team and student wellness! Learn more here. 

Living Our DPS Honoree

Donald Trickel
Instructional Coach, Abraham Lincoln High School
Integrity

"Don Trickel, a JROTC instructional coach at Abraham Lincoln High School, has always lived our Shared Core Value of Integrity even before he started at DPS. The dictionary defines integrity as, 'adherence to ethical and moral principles,' words that ring true to nearly every soldier. Integrity is a cornerstone of the military so it's only fitting that we recognize a tremendous man who served his country with the same passion he serves our students. Don's held a variety of positions during more than 30 years of service to DPS, the majority of that time being spent serving the Lancers of Lincoln. While serving in Vietnam, Don was injured, earning him the Purple Heart. Recently, in a surprise ceremony in front of his Lincoln colleagues, JROTC cadets presented Don with a special gift to thank him for his service. 'What a surprise and a great way to be honored,' he said. 'You made an old vet proud.'"

-- Steve Osterholzer, Director of Army Instruction - Denver JROTC

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