Team DPS Weekly
Supt. Tom Boasberg greets a student on the first of school.
Oct. 18, 2018
Top 5: What You Learned from Tom
After 10 years as superintendent, Tom Boasberg is stepping down from his role. Before his last day tomorrow, here are a few stories members of Team DPS shared about what they learned from Tom, or a special memory they have of him. Congratulations to our winner, Lisa Simms at DSISD !
5. "Tom’s ability to model the way and demonstrate his own willingness to be vulnerable around issues of race and privilege. ... He recognized the importance of sharing his own journey, giving others the courage to do the same." -- Kelli Pfaff, Tiered Supports

4. "He taught me that it is important to be visible and remain available." -- Bryan Hoylman, Department of Technology Services

3. "One thing I learned from Tom was to treat everyone with dignity. Over my 10-year career with DPS, I never worked directly with Tom. Yet, he always knew my name when I met him, always smiled, and always treated me with dignity and respect in every role I carried in DPS." -- Elina Medina, CareerConnect

2. "Tom came for a Q&A after a DPS Aspire training. … Someone asked him how he maintains work/life balance and he said ‘I take every single one of my vacation days every single year and I highly encourage you to do the same.’ In ten years of teaching in other districts around the country, I had never heard anyone say something like that in the spirit of ‘we need you at your best, so take care of yourself.’ It was really powerful. I haven’t quite pulled off his mandate to use all of my days, but I try!” -- Kate Hamann, Department of English Language Acquisition

1. "DSISD appreciates Tom's constant support of our new and innovative school model. I was especially touched when I was able to meet 1:1 with Tom at a coffee shop when he wanted to hear from leaders of color about their perspectives, thoughts and needs. We are going to miss him tremendously!" -- Lisa Simms, Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design
Top 5 Callout: How Do You Save Paper?
At DPS, we prioritize spending our budget resources to support our Shared Core Value of Students First. The DPS PaperSavers group is launching an initiative to remind DPS team members that everyone can help conserve resources -- both for DPS and the environment -- by reducing paper use. The group has compiled some creative ways all team members can go paperless, and they want to hear your ideas too!

Fill out this form and tell us how your team or school is using -- or plans to use -- less paper, and you'll be entered to win a gift basket and a free training.
Celebrate Your Principal with DPS Honors! Recognition Tools
October is National Principal Month, and there has never been a better time to recognize and thank your school leaders for all they do! Celebrating others for living our Shared Core Values reminds us of their significance and helps us work together to reach our vision that Every Child Succeeds.

Visit our DPS Honors! Recognition page on The Commons for tools and opportunities to celebrate not only your principal, but every member of Team DPS. The Shared Core Values pins and note cards, as well as the Living Our DPS and other awards are part of this program.

Learn more about where you can find these resources here. Questions? Email Our_DPSValues@dpsk12.org.
Attention Teachers: Free Flights from Wings Over the Rockies on Saturday
Wings Over the Rockies is offering a free flight in a vintage plane to five teachers at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Blue Sky Gallery in the Centennial Airport, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood, CO 80112.

Flights will be available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information or to sign up, email Hetty Carlson or call 303-360-5360 ext. 130.
Learn More About a Home-Buying Opportunity for DPS Team Members
We know that Denver has become a challenging place to purchase a home. To support educators in buying a home in the community they serve, Oakwood Homes is offering DPS team members a 5% discount off the cost of a new home, starting in the $200,000s in Northeast Denver near Green Valley Ranch. This is a limited time offer for 24 available home sites and is only open to educators, first responders and members of the military at this time.

For more information and to sign up to receive an invitation for an upcoming information session, visit Oakwood Homes' website. Questions? Call Cassie Cocozella at 303-486-8537.
Perks at Work: Commuter Benefits
DPS team members can set aside up to $130 pre-tax per paycheck to pay for parking at work or commuting to work.

The money can be used to make a direct payment for parking or to get reimbursed for parking costs, or for passes, tokens, fare cards and vouchers for buses, trains and other types of transportation.

You can sign up for commuter benefits at any time during the year. For more information, visit the Benefits Resource Center. To sign up for commuter benefits, log in or create an account at wageworks.com.
Living Our DPS Honoree
Haleh Torbaghan
Senior Team Lead, Swansea Elementary
Equity

"I had the privilege and honor to know Ms. Torbaghan while she worked at Barnum Elementary. Although she has moved on to Swansea Elementary, her influence has remained with the staff and community of Barnum. It is because she thoroughly embraced our Shared Core Value Equity.

As a Senior Team Lead at Barnum, Ms. Torbaghan was flexible with her schedule and invested herself completely to support the needs of teachers and students. It is no wonder that teachers sought her advice and leadership to guide them to do what is best to ensure that Every Child Succeeds. When Ms. Torbaghan provided assistance, she was always honest and considerate. This made everyone feel at ease and receptive to her feedback. If she noticed any inequities, Ms. Torbaghan would take it upon herself to research and investigate the best means to close gaps. In doing so, she provided students and teachers with the necessary tools and supports to ensure that all students are successful."

-- Mario Galvan, Barnum Elementary
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