"Here is my online learning classroom! I teach my eighth-graders here as well as elementary students that I tutor in China!" Thank you, Ha yley Nybo from Kepner Beacon Middle School, for sharing a peek into your virtual classroom. Check out the rest of our Top 5 work-from-home pictures below!
May 7, 2020
Continuing the Transition to Google: G Suite Resources for All
As you know, Team DPS is moving exclusively to the Google Suite (G Suite) in order to increase collaboration across teams, schools and the community. 

As we adjust to our new virtual classrooms and offices, there’s never been a better time to learn about all the features G Suite has to offer!  Supports are available for all levels of expertise:

  • Leaders, managers, team leads and Google Champions, you can review these resources to guide leading your team or school’s transition. 
  • If you’re brand new to Google and looking to get acquainted, or if you have a basic understanding of Google and want to learn more, check out these resources and training supports
  • Those who feel ready to personally transition to Google, use this checklist to help guide you. If you want to support others through this transition, sign up to be a Google Champion.

While COVID-19 has caused the Microsoft uninstall timeline to be modified slightly, now is the time to begin your team or school’s transition to Google.  For more information, visit the Google Transition page on The Commons.
Last Chance to Enroll, Waive or Change Your Benefits
Benefits open enrollment closes at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, May 8, and it's your last chance to enroll in, waive or change your benefits for the 2020-21 school year. All benefits-eligible team members must take action or you will be automatically enrolled in an Aetna medical plan (3500 CDHP), a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Sick Leave Bank. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to choose the medical, dental, vision and supplemental benefits that are best for you and your family. Learn more about your choices at thecommons.dpsk12.org/openenrollment .

Need help with your enrollment? Access virtual resources, including benefits guides in English and Spanish, webinars and step-by-step instructions to enroll .
Top 5 Callout: Show and Tell - Online Classrooms and Work Spaces
We asked Team DPS to share what their virtual classrooms or remote offices look like. From sweet momentos to creative spaces, take a look at some of the awesome "classrooms" that are bringing remote learning to all our students!
"This is where the magic of student devices and internet access planning takes place. No one sees the crowded desk, but I often get asked about the artwork behind me that appears in Google Meet windows. The two lines near the top are framed collars of beloved furry family members."
-- Lara Hussain, DoTS
" I brought some of the things I had in my ECE-3 classroom and made a learning corner to do my Google Meet sessions and record read alouds."
 -- Janis Carrasquel,
John H. Amesse

"I brought home several classroom decorations to make our video calls feel a little more familiar. Students have been especially excited to be able to see our timeline of pictures of everything we did during the year."
-- Natalie Jacobs, McMeen
Would You Rather: Quarantine Comforts
We are all missing some of our favorite small businesses and creature comforts right now. In the spirit of our Shared Core Value of Fun, let us know which kind of professional you would dream about having in your home during social distancing. 
Would you rather quarantine with a:
Massage therapist
Hairstylist
Would you rather social-distance with a:
Personal trainer
Personal chef
Remote Recognitions: Give a Virtual Shared Core Value Pins  
Recognizing team members for living our Shared Core Values is a big part of our DPS culture – and even though we’re apart, there has never been a better time to reach out and recognize someone for living one of our Shared Core Values.

If you see someone demonstrating one of our values, give them a shout-out by “pinning” them with a virtual Values in Action pin on our new districtwide recognition board . To share a pin, submit your shout out or follow these instructions.
Final Reminder: Sign up for Well Aware for $200
Employees enrolled in a DPS health plan can complete the Well Aware Program by this Friday, May 8, to receive a $200 HSA credit or paycheck stipend. Participants only need to complete the online Health Risk Assessment (HRA) portion at this time; the preventative screening requirements with your health care provider for the 2019-20 school year are waived.

To begin your HRA, please visit either the Kaiser Permanente or Aetna employee portals. If you are having trouble finding the online Health Risk Assessment (HRA), want more information on the program, or want to check whether you’ve successfully completed the HRA, please visit the Well Aware page on The Commons.
Sign Up for PERA Training, Healthy Eating and Sleep Webinars
In support of the Whole Educator, the Employee Wellness team is providing learning opportunities for Team DPS on nutrition, sleep hygiene and PERA retirement.

  • Healthy Eating webinar from 1-2 p.m. on May 12 will offer strategies for eating a healthy (and delicious) diet and how to make smart choices when cooking or getting takeout. No registration required. Join here and use password THRIVE123.

  • Sleep Hygiene webinar from 3-4 p.m. on May 14 will offer help for overcoming insomnia and consistently getting a good night’s sleep. No registration required. Join here and use password THRIVE123.

  • PERA 101 webinar from noon-1 p.m. on May 15 will provide an overall better understanding of PERA benefits. Register in advance here.
Prepare for Infor HR System Upgrade
Due to a system upgrade Infor HR and Learning Space will not be available from 5 p.m. May 8 until 7 a.m. May 10. During this time, team members will not be able to access the following:

  • Employee, Manager, Internal Candidate and External Candidate spaces.

  • Registration for training and transcripts.

Additionally, personal profiles, goals, performance appraisals, pay and benefits information and the internal job board will not be accessible. External candidates will not be able to apply for or access job posting information. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. As a note, while we are improving system operations, users will not experience significant changes to the systems.
Self-Care Optimism Strategies
The Culture, Equity and Leadership Team (CELT) is offering a wide variety of strategies aimed to support team members in staying healthy and strong, both physically and emotionally. To put this into action, they’ve developed a series of self-care videos that will be shared throughout the rest of the school year. View the first three videos here and enjoy the following resources: 


  • Reconnect to Your Why: After recognizing your strengths, reconnect to your "why" -- why do you do the work that you do in DPS? This strategy will help you wake up every day in purpose, on purpose.

  • Stay Connected: During this time of social distancing, it is more important than ever that we stay connected to our friends, families and team members. 
Poll Results: What Was Your Favorite Subject in School?  
History buffs for the win! We asked you to think back to your time in school and the subjects that most inspired you. Here are the Team DPS scholarly results!
Living Our DPS Honorees
Kate Boyd
Teacher, Collegiate Prep Academy
Students First
"Kate has always put Students First and even more so during the COVID-19 situation. Not only does she teach Math 1, Calculus, but she also runs our ninth-grade team, is co-sponsor for student council, leads the Calc Bowl team, and always is the first to volunteer for student events! Kate jumped right in to start remote learning. She is recording herself teaching; providing slide shows and notes; and calling parents and students daily to check in. Her priority has always been the students, and it hasn't faltered during this time!"
--   Meredith Trevino, Collegiate Prep
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