Through a partnership with CDPHE, COVIDCheck Colorado is opening up testing sites across the metro area to the broader community -- free of charge! That means DPS team members can share this opportunity with friends and family and help slow the spread of COVID. Note, the appointment link for the community differs from that for DPS team members. Please share this link with those outside of DPS to make an appointment. 

With the Thanksgiving holiday around the corner, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommendations for staying healthy and still enjoying the holiday. To help prepare, now is a good time to schedule a COVID test for before and after the holiday. If you plan to gather with friends or family, help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the size of the gathering and testing beforehand. When together, wear masks, keep some distance and wash hands.

The week of Thanksgiving, testing services will be open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Schedule your test online to make sure that you are prepared for the holiday. We also recommend that DPS team members also schedule a test for after Thanksgiving, about five days after gathering.

As we get ready for Thanksgiving break next week, we asked members of Team DPS to share what they are thankful for this year. Check out these Top 5 responses and read all of the great things Team DPS is thankful for here. Congratulations to our giveaway prize winner, Marianna Lucero of Goldrick Elementary!

5. "I am thankful for virtual learning. This opportunity has brought a deeper connection between myself and so many students. Their smiles make each day spectacular!" -- Jean Patterson, Centennial

4."I'm grateful for my health, family and friends. And especially for my wonderful husband, Johnny. And for DPS, my new position here at DMHS and staff." -- Christine Martinez, Denver Montessori

3."I am thankful for my colleague Michael Berquist, our drama teacher at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy. And, I want to congratulate him on the virtual performance of 'She Kills Monsters' he directed through remote learning. Check it out here." -- Anthony Abel-Pype, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy (pictured above)

2."I am grateful to celebrate two months of marital bliss! Our ceremony was intimate, nothing like we planned, and included a lot of hand sanitizer -- but we made it work! Love wins!" -- Margaret Flynn, North

1. "I am infinitely thankful for my students. I love them with everything I am. They are my corazón. This year has not been easy for any of us, but they continue giving me strength through their kindness, resilience and compassion for others. They are all guerreros in my eyes, great warriors. They make me proud and they bring immense honor to their ancestors." -- Marianna Lucero, Goldrick Elementary

Savory dishes may jump to the top when thinking about Thanksgiving. But we know for our sweet-tooth lovers, there's only one thing on their mind -- PIE! Answer the poll question below and tell us your favorite pie. Check back after break to see the results -- and hopefully you'll enjoy some great food in the meantime!

To ensure the security of student, staff and district data, DPS has partnered with Duo Security to update the login process for some DPS systems. Beginning Dec. 9, DPS team members will be prompted to complete several steps to enroll in a new authentication system when accessing Employee Space, Manager Space, District Training Registration and the internal Job Board for the first time. After enrolling, you will complete a two-step authentication for future logins.

It’s easy to enroll -- just follow the screen prompts the next time you log in, or refer to this guide for step-by-step instructions. Once enrolled, watch this video to learn about the authentication process going forward.

Please note that DPS team members using Global Protect VPN to access DPS desktops and databases will receive a direct email with specific next steps.

To learn more, visit The Commons.

Taking into account Thanksgiving Break, there are only 11 working days until Microsoft Office is uninstalled from all district devices. Beginning Dec. 11, as soon as you log on with your device to the district's network (either in-person or via VPN) the uninstall will begin.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Microaggressions are subtle yet offensive comments or actions directed at a non-dominant group that are often unintentional and can unconsciously reinforce stereotypes. This workshop provides learners an opportunity to explore microaggressions at a deeper level through engaging discussions and activities, and provides tools to help you spot and counteract them in your everyday life.

Radical self-care is the awareness that in the absence of consistent strategies of self-care, eventual neglect may lead to a crisis in health, work or family relations. In the case of a crisis or to prevent a crisis, an intervention of radical self-care is needed. This course helps participants work toward their personal wellness goals by becoming aware of how to create strategies and systems of self-care that fit the needs of each participant and prevent a radical self-care intervention. Radical self care also supports the goal of developing empathy that leads to equitable behaviors.

Take action over the holiday break and celebrate your health by enrolling in the $200 Well Aware program. Every day we make dozens of decisions that affect our health. Even one small step in the right direction is worth celebrating. The Well Aware program encourages employees to take that step by simply being up-to-date on their preventative screenings and completing an online health assessment. Participants who complete these actions by May 14, 2021 will earn a $200 credit toward their HSA account or as a stipend on their paycheck (HMO plan members).

Please note, in response to COVID-19, Kaiser Permanente and Aetna are encouraging individuals to receive their preventative screenings, but ask that you first contact your providers' office and discuss the best course of action.

The Work of Art Challenge is a four-week online program designed to help participants cope with the stress, fatigue and overwhelm. Whether you decide to participate individually or on a team with household members or your DPS coworkers, you’ll learn and practice short (yet effective) exercises to help you increase optimism, enhance mindfulness, share gratitude, make stronger connections and more. Take steps to help you move into 2021 with a refreshed and positive mindset along with 250 other DPS educators by signing up for the Work of Art Challenge here! The deadline to register is Friday, Nov. 20.

Make sure to submit your nomination for an African American/Black student who is demonstrating the joy of reading! We will be highlighting the exciting connections students are making to African American authors in different ways during our Anchored in Literacy virtual event on Dec. 8 from 5-7:30 p.m. Use this reading log, which has some examples of authors, to share the opportunity with students and families.

"Hayley goes above and beyond for not only students on her caseload, but every student at our school. This past spring, a family was facing eviction and struggling to meet their rent requirements after suffering from a job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hayley raised funds for this family in order to help them stay in their home and be able to provide for their two Schmitt students who are both part of our special education programming. Hayley also worked to raise funds to purchase 'home learning supply kits' for every student on her caseload and their siblings. Each basket of supplies contained over 20 items needed for remote learning and allowed students to better access their schoolwork from home. Hayley always puts Students First and goes out of her way to support our families!"

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