March 1, 2018
Students at Stedman Elementary celebrate the joy of reading every day.
Top 5: Your Favorite Dr. Seuss Quotes
In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday and Read Across America Day on March 2, we asked for your favorite Dr. Seuss quotes. The Top 5 responses are below, and congratulations to our giveaway prize winner, Stacy L. Garcia at Centennial Elementary. 

5. "You're on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who'll decide where to go." -- Devon Cozens, Collegiate Preparatory Academy

4. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." -- Nicole Bruyere, Asbury Elementary

3. "Think left and think right, think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think if you only try!" -- Brittany Crutcher, Math & Science Leadership Academy

2. "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." -- Cheryl Graham, Lake International School

1. "Kid, you'll move mountains." -- Stacy L. Garcia, Centennial Elementary

Top 5 Callout: Your Favorite Creating Connections Memory
In our countdown to the last Creating Connections of the year, we want to celebrate the team members who have attended this foundational program. If you have attended Creating Connections, what is one of your favorite memories from the day? What's the most important thing you learned? Email your responses to newsletters@dpsk12.org. We'll choose the Top 5 for next week's newsletter, and one person will win a giveaway prize!

We're Improving How You Get Paid with True Pay
Starting July 1, we're improving how DPS team members are paid and simplifying how most of us request and track time off. With True Pay, our new time and pay system, all team members will receive two paychecks, one on the 7th and one on the 22nd of every month. For all of us, this means more frequent, accurate paychecks and the ability to more accurately track our time off and available leave.
 
We've created thecommons.dpsk12.org/truepay for you to find information and an FAQ on our new pay processes. We're developing calendars to help you understand what your summer pay schedules look like.  In the meantime, consider adjusting your W4 tax exemptions and make necessary changes to your automatic billing cycles (for your energy, phone or water accounts, for example).
 
Also, as a member of Team DPS, you have free access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Call 855-327-1377 to talk with certified public accountants and certified financial planners for help with budgeting, debt management, tax issues and other money concerns.

We understand this is a significant change, and we'll be communicating more about it and how you can prepare in our newsletters. 

Nominate Our Values Role Models for Leadership Lamp Awards
Andres Pazo was honored with a 2017 Leadership Lamp award.
The Leadership Lamp is the most distinguished award a DPS teammate can receive, and we are currently seeking nominations. This honor is reserved for four individuals each year who go above and beyond, making a difference and actively living all of our Shared Core Values. A person in any role can be honored with the Leadership Lamp award -- from teachers, principals and school nurses to bus drivers, finance partners and security officers. If you know someone setting a great example for all of Team DPS, nominate that teammate today! Nominations are due March 23. Questions? Email
Our_DPSValues@dpsk12.org .
 
Don't Leave Money on the Table: Enroll in a Health Savings Account
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are similar to a personal savings account. They let you put aside tax-free dollars to pay for health care costs. When you open an HSA, DPS automatically contributes $45.83 to your account every month, even if you do not make any contributions from your paycheck. All you have to do is sign up!  Remember, your HSA is 100% yours and goes with you if you leave DPS.

If you are enrolled in one of our six Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHPs), you are eligible for an HSA. You can open an HSA at any time by completing  the form below. You will also have the opportunity to enroll or re-enroll during benefits open enrollment, April 23-May 11.

Cute Kid Pics are Available to Download on PhotoShelter
Who doesn't love cute pictures of our kids? Now, you have access to thousands of high-quality, professional photos of real DPS students, families and team members on PhotoShelter, our online image library. Great visuals are a powerful way to express the DPS brand, so consider adding some smiling students to your next PowerPoint presentation. 

Get started by emailing marketing@dpsk12.org to request permission to create an account in PhotoShelter. After your request has been approved, follow these steps to sign in and begin searching and downloading photos. If you have questions or need support finding an image, contact marketing@dpsk12.org.

Countdown to Creating Connections: 21 Days Left
Have you registered for Creating Connections on March 21? We're counting down the days with events, giveaways and ways you can share in the fun!
This week's Team DPS Trivia: What year did the first DPS school open? Send your answer to  DPSCreatingConnections@dpsk12.org and one winner will be announced in next week's newsletter.

To register and see the full countdown schedule, click below.
Living Our DPS Honoree
 
Alissa Warren
Teacher, Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences
Students First
 
"Everything that Alissa Warren does at Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences focuses around our Shared Core Value of Students First. This year, students are in charge of creating the 2017-18 yearbook and Alissa has given them the space, guidance and feedback to ensure that it is done professionally and is a true representation of our students at Hill. If students were not here during pictures at the start of school, she has gone above and beyond to make sure that EVERY student is represented at least once in the Hill 2017-18 yearbook. Alissa has also been organizing a trip to Europe with our kids for the summer of 2018. She has worked with parents and students to make sure funds were raised and parents could schedule their summer around the trip.

In everything that Alissa Warren does for our school (which is far too much to list), the number one thought on her mind is always, 'How will this affect students?' Students at Hill know that they can go to Alissa's room for extra help or to collaborate with peers on projects anytime."

-- Adam Creapo, Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences

COMING UP:
Connect with Us
Denver Public Schools sends all district newsletters and critical employee communications through Constant Contact. Please do not unsubscribe your dpsk12.org email address from any message; if you unsubscribe from one newsletter or one communication, you will be removed from all other district-managed email lists in Constant Contact. If a specific message doesn't interest you, simply delete it and stay tuned for a future communication that will be of more interest. If you have any questions, please email newsletters@dpsk12.org.