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| Dr. Antoinette Hudson, principal at Fairview Elementary, engages with a young learner. |
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Act Now: Tomorrow is the Last Day to Complete Open Enrollment
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Benefits Open Enrollment -- the one time each year that benefits-eligible team members can select, change or waive benefits -- ends tomorrow, May 11. All benefits-eligible team members must take action. This is your last opportunity to make your own choices. Benefit-eligible employees who do not select their own benefits will be automatically enrolled in DPS' lowest-cost medical plan with employee-only coverage.
Click
here
to complete Open Enrollment.
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Discount Alert: Teacher Appreciation Discounts Aren't Over
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National Teacher Appreciation Week may be ending -- but some of our community partners have discounts for our incredible educators available throughout May. Atticus, Blackbird Public House, Colorado Cider Company, Colorado Symphony, Denver Deep Dish, Front Range CrossFit, Marczyk Fine Foods, The Melting Pot in Littleton, Samadhi Center for Yoga & Meditation, The Rosedale, The Craftsman & Apprentice, and Westword have freebies or discounts for educators all month (and in some cases, throughout the year!). Check out the discounts page on our Teacher Appreciation website for all our discounts.
And be sure to share your Teacher Appreciation celebrations on social media with #DPSlovesteachers.
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Top 5: The Most Valuable Lesson a Teacher Taught You
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Educators shape our lives, and in honor of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, we asked you to share the most valuable lessons your teachers taught you. T
he Top 5 are below, and congratulations to our giveaway prize winner, Hannah Rossiter at Smith Elementary.
5. "My drama teacher at South High School, Joyce Nordstrom Heitler, told me, '
No matter what disappointments you may face in high school, it's not the end of the world and it isn't really going to matter five years from now.
Don't give up. Never stop pursuing your dreams!'" -- Kathleen Hill, Extended Learning and Community Schools
4. "My 11th-grade literature teacher used to say, 'Things take time.'" -- Veraliz Barbano, John Amesse Elementary
3. "A middle school teacher had us journal about our days and lessons, and no matter what I wrote, she always wrote a personalized response in the margin. She taught me the importance of letting others know you hear their voice, their thoughts and their concerns. Sometimes, all a person needs is to be heard and acknowledged."
-- Dawn Lewallen, Skinner Middle School
2. "My Advanced Placement Spanish teacher, Ms. Monreal, taught me to embrace my culture and to be proud of being bilingual. She is the reason I teach Spanish today!" -- Amy Munoz, Bruce Randolph
1. "My third-grade teacher Mrs. Gustafson taught me the importance of showing up. She stayed after school to help me become a better reader. She came to almost every one of my choir concerts in elementary and high school. The most touching thing she ever did was come to my going away party when I left for the Navy. She didn't have to do any of those things but she did, and it made me feel important, valued and worth it! Mrs. Gustafson is the kind of teacher I aspire to be." -- Hannah Rossiter, Smith Elementary
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Top 5 Callout: A Big Win from the School Year
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The end of a school year is an excellent time to reflect on our accomplishments. Tell us one big win you celebrated this year. Whether it was professional development or an activity that improved your physical or mental well-being, we'd love to hear about your success! Send your one big win to
[email protected].
We'll feature the Top 5 responses in next week's newsletter, and one person will win a giveaway prize!
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Register Now for a Summer Self-Care Resolution Reboot
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Tomorrow is the last day to register for a free five-week Resolution Reboot. Were your New Year's resolutions to make positive, healthy lifestyle changes? If so, summer is an excellent season to devote time and energy to your health and well-being! Sign up for this five-week health coaching program and get started on the path to better physical and mental health. Participants are eligible for prizes and incentives.
Classes are once a week June 11-July 16, and participants can choose one of three class times and locations that works best for them. Participants also received
two one-on-one telephone coaching calls. Click below to register.
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Living Our DPS Honoree
Music Teacher,
Edison Elementary
"At Edison Elementary, Cynthia O'Lane lives our Shared Core Value of Fun in her music classroom by infusing joy and passion into her teaching. Every unit Cynthia plans is meaningful, personal and highlights students' individuality. Just one example of this is her fifth grade rock band unit. Each student is in a group that creates music and performs in front of peers and families. Cynthia has electric guitars, two drum sets, keyboards and countless other instruments students can choose to compose an original song. In my 19 years of being in elementary classrooms, I have never seen a music teacher so dedicated to every child's individual learning experience. She makes accommodations for students who have severe autism or are highly gifted. Cynthia is energetic and excited to teach music each and every day."
-- Christine Loehr, Edison Elementary
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