April 12, 2018
Educators at PREP Academy show school pride in their matching purple polo shirts!
Paydays are Changing: See When You'll be Paid this Summer
This summer, Payroll is introducing True Pay, a new time and pay system that will pay team members more frequently and accurately, and simplify how most employees request and track time off. As early as July 1, this change will affect how we're paid, and we want to be sure you have time to prepare. That's why we've developed calendars that show when you'll be paid this summer; how your benefit credits, subsidies and premium deductions apply; and when your employee group will transition to True Pay paydays (the 7th and the 22nd of every month).

Click here to find your summer payday calendar. Find the True Pay transition calendar assigned to your work-year calendar. We've grouped multiple work-year calendars under shared summer payday calendars. For example, if your work-year calendar is "220 Day DAEOP, ProTech," you will find your summer paydays on the "Year-Round Salary Exempt and Non-Exempt Employees" calendar.

A note on the transition to True Pay: If you currently process payroll for your team, you will continue to process payroll (unless otherwise told). The True Pay system will make it easier to manage. Before July 1, you will be able to access training videos, quick reference guides and other supports to learn how to use the new system.

If you have questions, refer to the FAQ on thecommons.dpsk12.org/truepay , contact [email protected] or call 720-423-3900 and select option two.

New Down Payment Assistance Opportunity Available for all of Team DPS
DPS is excited to share a new down payment assistance opportunity , made possible thanks to a partnership between Landed , a San Francisco-based startup that helps essential professionals buy homes; and Zoma Foundation, co-founded by Ben and Lucy Ana Walton, who have generously provided a $5 million philanthropic investment to help educators in Denver purchase homes.

These organizations recognize the challenges that come with increasing housing prices in Denver, and they want to support DPS team members in buying a home in the community they serve. We are grateful to these generous individuals for funding this opportunity for Team DPS, and we want to pass along the information because we know it may be of interest to some of our team members.

Visit thecommons.dpsk12.org/downpaymentassistance to find more information, including an FAQ and a calendar of information sessions hosted by Landed representatives in April and May. To explore your options right away, visit landed.com or email [email protected]. 

From Denver to Cabo, our educators lived our Shared Core Value of Fun on spring break. 
Top 5: Spring Break Snapshots
Our educators packed a whole lot of fun into spring break and shared their favorite photos with us. The Top 5 are below, and congratulations to our giveaway prize winner, Vicky Barseghian at Traylor Academy. 

5. "I went whale watching in Cabo San Lucas!" -- Colleen Washburn, Denver Green School

4. "I was empowered by new challenges at Arches National Park." -- Paola Sanchez, Newlon Elementary

3. "I v isited the National Mustard Museum outside of Madison, Wisc., where I learned about the virtues of mustard and the evil intentions of ketchup." -- Lauren Carr, Division of Secondary Education

2. " We snuck away to a beautiful Airbnb in Pike, Colo. We woke up every morning to this view with a cozy fire in the fireplace." -- Alex Maddock, Talent Management

1. "Coloring eggs for the first time was quite the adventure for my 18-month-old son, Benjamin." -- Vicky Barseghian, Traylor Academy

Top 5 Callout: How do You Preserve the Planet?
Do you tend to a school garden, recycle used markers or skip making paper copies? Earth Day is April 22 and we want you to share your planet-preserving tips with us. Send them to [email protected]. We'll feature the Top 5 responses in next week's newsletter, and one person will win a giveaway prize!

One-on-One Support is Available for Open Enrollment
DPS' new  partnership with Aetna  means different choices during benefits Open Enrollment, April 23-May 11. Visit  The Commons  for information on this year's plan options available from both Aetna and Kaiser.

We realize this is a significant change for some team members. If you need help finding a plan that works for you or would like help comparing options, we are here to provide personalized support.  
  • One-on-one consultations:  Click here  to sign up for a 30-minute one-on-one consultation with a Benefits Representative, either in-person or by phone.
  • Regional benefits pop-up fairs:  Talk with our benefits team at one of our five benefits pop-up fairs. Visit our  events calendar  for times and locations.
Don't forget: All benefits-eligible team members must take action and select or waive benefits April 23-May 11.

What does DPS' Voice and Tone Sound Like? Our Style Guide can Help!
We are united in Team DPS, and we want our voice to reflect that as we share communications about DPS and our work. When thinking about how to write for DPS, we've created  Voice and Tone guidelines  to help ensure everything that's shared from our district is unified and clear. Inclusive, optimistic and socially conscious are just some of the words used to describe what our DPS voice is (and corporate, stand-offish and kitschy showcase what we're not). See all the guidance in the Voice and Tone section of our new DPS Style Guide . You'll also find other writing tips, including DPS-specific style, common Associated Press style tips, word usage, effective language and more.

A Progress Update on the African-American Equity Task Force
In the fall of 2016, the African-American Equity Task Force (AAETF) was commissioned to develop a set of recommendations to help improve the experiences of our African-American students, families and team members. Since the adoption of the recommendations by the Board of Education in June 2017, five implementation teams have been created with the task of driving results toward each of the recommendations. 

The implementation teams continue to learn and collaborate on existing efforts across the district to help improve the experiences of African-Americans in DPS.  Read the latest progress update to learn more.

Living Our DPS Honoree
 
Adulis Desta
Special Education Teacher, DELTA High School
Collaboration
 
"Adulis goes above and beyond for students each and every day by living our Shared Core Value of Collaboration. He currently works part-time at two different schools, which means he serves a population of special education students that range from ECE to 12th grade. As soon as he is done at one school, he rushes over to the next and jumps right in. Most of the time he works with students throughout his lunch so that they can get as much support as possible. Adulis is the head coach of the DELTA boys basketball team and has also started a literacy collaboration between DELTA and McMeen Elementary. He works tirelessly to make sure all students are supported and successful and always does so with a smile. Adulis is an integral part of the DELTA family."

-- April McLaughlin, DELTA High School

COMING UP:
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