March 15, 2018
Our educators shared photos of their family visits during the spring Parent Teacher Home Visit week.
Top 5: Parent Teacher Home Visit Photos
O ur families play a critical role in our kids' success. We asked you to share your pictures from spring Parent Teacher Home Visits. The Top 5 snapshots are above. Read more about them below, and congratulations to our giveaway prize winner, Maria G. Lucero at Cowell Elementary!
 
5.  Superintendent Tom Boasberg joined Johnson Elementary educators Roberta Turja and David Shindoll to  visit first-grader Isaiah Alberts-McFadden and his family.

4. "I joined Beach Court Elementary's Mrs. Lindquist on her visit to see her student Zoey and Zoey's mother.  Zoey's mother's hopes and dreams for Zoey are for her to be happy, healthy and do something that she loves as she grows older -- and Zoey simply wants to be a YouTube star!" -- Iesha Mitchell, Family and Community Engagement
 
3. "The Hernandez-Rossette family prepared small dishes for me and my colleague to try different food from Mexico. I am Hispanic (from Colombia) but we are very different, and it was awesome to compare and discuss  Mexican, Colombian and American cultures." -- Marlin NiƱo, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy
 
2. "I t is really a huge show of trust for families to allow us to come to their homes. I think this program shows us and them that the thread of humanity binds us and we want to build that trusting relationship." -- James Wilkerson, Place Bridge Academy

1. " I love getting to know the E spino family  and what their hopes and dreams are for their future. All of the Espino kids know what they want to be when they grow up, even the three-year-old with his construction hat and belt!" -- Maria G. Lucero, Cowell Elementary

Top 5 Callout: Best Student Compliments
Our kids have a way with words -- and a knack for compliments! What's the best compliment you've received from a student? Share your favorite student compliment with  newsletters@dpsk12.org. We'll publish the Top 5 responses in next week's newsletter, and one person will win a giveaway prize!

Find Open Enrollment Information on The Commons
Open Enrollment -- the time when you elect benefits for the following year -- is April 23-May 11. This year is an active enrollment year, which means every benefits-eligible employee must take action and select or waive benefits. If you do not take action, you will be automatically enrolled in a medical plan that you do not choose. 
 
We've created thecommons.dpsk12.org/openenrollment to share information on Open Enrollment, enrollment events and resources. This year, we're bringing benefits and wellness to you with five regional events featuring enrollment labs and opportunities to talk with benefits providers.  Check out the Open Enrollment calendar for an event near you, and stay tuned to the Open Enrollment page for updated plan information and enrollment support. 
 
Host a DPS CareerLaunch  Summer  Intern
Would you like the opportunity to give DPS high school students a head start on their careers? Join other DPS teams and 100-plus employers across Denver in hosting a CareerLaunch intern this summer! The CareerLaunch internship program is available to DPS CareerConnect students from 20 high schools who have taken courses in technology, business, health and wellness, and engineering.
 
We need your help to provide quality internship opportunities to a record number of applicants. Please email Monica Schultz by March 23 to participate. The department that hires the most interns will win a breakfast courtesy of CareerConnect!
The Power of Pregnancy Workshop is Back
Moms-to-be can register now for a new Power of Pregnancy workshop on April 7 . Back by popular demand, the workshop is designed to teach expecting moms exercises and mindfulness skills that will alleviate discomfort, increase energy and prepare their bodies for labor and birth. It employs a holistic approach to promote balance in new moms' work and personal lives to create healthier moms and babies! The workshop is from 2-5 p.m. April 7 at Belly Bliss in Cherry Creek.  Click  here  to learn more, and click below to register.
 
Compete in the Shared Core Values Video Challenge
We know there are great things happening around DPS and that teams are living our Shared Core Values every day. That's why we're kicking off the Shared Core Values Video Challenge! Create a one-minute video highlighting a Shared Core Value in action. The teams with the most creative videos will be highlighted during Our DPS Day in August. The deadline to enter is April 13. For more information, including how to enter (and to see a video example of the DPS Shared Core Value of Equity from Oakland Elementary), visit the Shared Core Value Video Challenge page on The Commons. Questions? Contact Our_DPSValues@dpsk12.org
Six Days Left Until Creating Connections: Team DPS Trivia
There is still time to register for the last  Creating Connections session on March 21. Classroom educators can register here . Search "CC" in the professional development search field.  Non-classroom educators can register here
 
The celebrations continue with our weekly Team DPS trivia.  This week's question: What year did Team DPS come together to establish our Shared Core Values? Send your answer to DPSCreatingConnections@dpsk12.org. One winner will be announced in next week's newsletter. Congratulations to last week's trivia winner, Rashmi Gaitonde from Green Valley Elementary!

Living Our DPS Honoree
 
Leslie Juniel
Senior Program Manager, Equity Initiatives; Culture, Equity and Leadership Team
Accountability
 
"Leslie L. Juniel of the Culture, Equity and Leadership Team lives our Shared Core Value of Accountability by holding herself and all of Team DPS accountable to living our Shared Core Values. She does what she says she will do while passionately serving Team DPS and our kids. As the main emcee of the Creating Connections program, Leslie encourages others to dig deep, branch out and live our Shared Core Values every single day. Leslie is a one-of-a-kind leader on and off the stage. As one of the team members in charge of DPS equity initiatives, she seeks opportunities for continuous improvement while always communicating the 'why' behind her reasoning. Leslie is committed to our kids and inspires Team DPS to show up as our best selves every day."
 
-- Sam Silver, Culture, Equity and Leadership Team

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