A little social distancing doesn't mean teams can't have fun - including on the Early Education team, who invited everyone to wear a crazy hat during their all-staff meeting.
April 16, 2020
Easier Than Ever: Complete Your Health Risk Assessment and Earn $200
As we work together to protect ourselves and our community in response to COVID-19, we want to continue to support DPS employees through the Well Aware Program. Due to limited access to health care clinics, we will be waiving the preventative screening requirement with your health care provider for the 2019-20 school year.
This means, to receive the $200 HSA credit or paycheck stipend, we are only requiring that team members enrolled in DPS health plans please complete the online Health Risk Assessment (HRA) by May 8.  

To access the Well Aware Program and complete your online Health Risk Assessment, please visit the Kaiser Permanente or Aetna employee portals. If you have any questions, please contact the Employee Wellness Program.
Top 5: Mug Life
We asked Team DPS to share their favorite "mugshots" while working from home, and your responses have our cup more than half full. View the complete photo gallery here, and be sure to click the “I” information button in the top-left for a description of each photo. 
5. " I’ve been using our National Park mug collection. Last summer our family took a National Park road trip and visited all of these parks. It was an unforgettable vacation, and using these mugs every day reminds me of those fun times and family memories." -- Deb Rohrer, College View
4. " I’ve been using this Disney Villains mug a lot to keep me motivated -- I’m running the 10k and the half marathon for the Disney Villains Run in November!" -- Kate Hunter, Merrill
3. "This is one of my favorite mugs because it's not too big and not too small for my morning coffee or tea. It was given to me by my longtime friend back home. We have been friends since elementary school and the funny story behind it is we gave each other the same exact mug for Christmas one year!" -- Rocio Salazar, McGlone Academy
2. "Right now I'm drinking from a mug I got from an artist on Kickstarter a couple years ago. It's called 'Calamityware' and has patterns of various disasters, perils and pests. No pandemic on the mug, but it reminds me t hings could be worse!" -- John Aydelotte, Teller
1. "When I began teaching in DPS, some 32 years ago, I was a substitute. One of my first long-term positions was at Place Middle, while their teacher was on maternity leave. I remember working with the kids to make a baby quilt for their teacher. The staff at Place, and at every other DPS school where I’ve taught, welcomed me. At the end of the semester, I was given this mug. It’s been a favorite all these years. And now I’m retiring as of May 29. I have many warm memories to cherish!"
-- Sara Collyar, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy  
Top 5 Callout: Show and Tell -- Homemade Masks
Homemade masks are all the fashion rage right now . It's time to show us your homemade masks, whether it's a selfie or your entire family at home. And it’s not too late to make your own as we all continue to do our part. 
Expanded Health Benefits and Your Dependent Care FSA  Must be Spent by June 30  
Please remember that funds for your Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) still need to be spent by June 30(Charges need to be incurred by June 30, but you have until Sept. 30 to submit claims for reimbursement.)

  • FSAs allow a rollover up to $500 into the following plan year. 

  • DCFSAs do not allow rollovers. If you have a change in your child care expenses, you can change contributions to your DCFSA through June 30 by sending the Benefits Change Form to Employee Benefits. DPS is currently waiving all supporting documentation requirements for DCFSA contributions.

The CARES Act allows for Health Savings Account (HSA) funds to cover 100% of telehealth services before your plan deductible is met. Telehealth supports social- distancing efforts and can provide added protection for you and your family.

The CARES Act also offers HSA account holders the opportunity to buy over-the-counter medical products without a subscription -- such as cold medicine and masks. Learn more about the CARES Act.
Online Support During Open Enrollment
In support of flattening the curve, all Open Enrollment supports are now online! All benefits-eligible employees must take action and enroll or waive their benefits during Open Enrollment, April 20-May 8. You can now access the information you need, ask questions, and enroll in benefits from the comfort of your home. Some options include:

  • Virtual one-on-one support with an enrollment specialist. Click here and find this under the "Remote One-on-One Support" tab.

  • Watch presentations to help understand health insurance basics.


Find what you need to make the best choices for your health needs on the Open Enrollment page
Poll Question: Where Would You Rather Quarantine?
In the spirit of doing our part to promote social distancing -- and of course living our Shared Core Value of Fun -- we have a special Colorado quarantine edition of DPS Would You Rather. From Colorado band One Republic to hometown hero Missy Franklin, share which celebrity house (complete with favorite Colorado cuisine) you would choose as your quarantine headquarters. We'll share the results next week!
Which is your favorite Colorado quarantine house?
House 1 -- Lindsey Vonn, Nolan Arenado, One Republic, and Colorado-style Pizza
House 2 -- Missy Franklin, Duane "Dog" Chapman, Von Miller, and Pueblo Chile
House 3 -- Phillip Lindsay, The Fray, Amy Adams, and Bison Burgers
House 4 -- Molly Brown, Nathaniel Rateliff, Tim Allen, Rocky Mountain Oysters
House 5 -- John Elway, The Lumineers, Chauncey Billups, Palisade Peaches
Living Our DPS Honorees
With so many team members stepping up during these times, we will be showcasing two Living Our DPS honorees each week to spotlight all the amazing work happening across the city. Team DPS is rising to the challenge and living our Shared Core Values like never before. Congratulations and thank you to this week’s honorees! 
Johanna Perez
Teacher, Valverde Elementary
Fun
“Ms. Perez demonstrates Fun and Students First every single day. My daughter is in her class and is always excited to do the virtual activities Ms. Perez has planned! She loves the interactive videos that Ms. Perez posts daily. I know this has been a steep learning curve for us all; however, Ms. Perez is making the transition to remote learning easier for kinder students!”

-- Kaylan Robinson, Valverde Elementary 
Katherine McMann
Teacher, CEC Early College
Integrity
“Kathy's students learn all aspects of fashion design, from designing to actual c onstruction and sewing of their design. Over the years I have seen Kathy supervise many projects for students. In particular, many students make their own prom dresses and/or dresses for their friends and they are usually the best dresses at the prom! Recently, during online learning, Kathy sent supply packages to all her students to make face masks -- using the specifications provided by the CDC -- for donation to hospitals. This is a 'real world' application of their learning and shows how Kathy is living the Shared Core Value of Integrity!”

--  Jaime Caldwell and Frank Doyle, CEC Early College
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