Important Updates to DPS COVID Guidance |
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Dear Educators,
As we continue to work closely with our trusted health partners and navigate the changing health landscape, we wanted to share some important updates to our COVID guidelines. As of Feb. 28, DPS is moving to a disease-control model for COVID-19. These guidelines more closely align our COVID-19 efforts with the public health response strategies used for other infectious diseases in schools, such as the flu.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your school leader. Thank you for your continued support we we move to the next phase of the pandemic together.
Many thanks,
Tamara and Mike
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TSEAL Tip of the Week: Strategies to Practice
This week’s TSEAL tip is focused on practicing gratitude, teaching deep breathing, and using self-talk to calm down. Access the resources below to help practice these strategies for yourself, your students and your community.
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Yourself: Practicing gratitude on a regular basis has been associated with enhanced optimism, better sleep, fewer physical ailments and lower anxiety and depression. Check out these two practices to prime and rewire your brain for increasing positive thoughts.
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Students: Daily practice with deep, focused breathing can prepare us ahead of time to respond constructively and with intentionality to chaos, stress, or anxiety. Follow this step-by-step guide to teach students how to practice deep breathing.
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Schoolwide community: Try introducing these self-talk stems at your next parent meeting, or put them up around the building. Ask adults how they might use these to help keep calm.
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This Week's Top 5 Things to Know |
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Student Learning Objectives FAQ Resource Available |
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Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) are still required for the 2021-22 school year to fulfill the student growth portion of a teacher evaluation. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to support teachers, staff, and evaluators in their SLO discussions this year. Please read this document in its entirety and reach out to SLOHELP@dpsk12.org if you have any questions. If you have questions regarding evaluation and the collective growth measure, email LEAP@dpsk12.org.
We will be hosting SLO office hours from 2-4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and by appointment, until the end of February.
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Apply to the District Accountability Committee by March 11 |
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Do you have a passion or desire to help improve DPS by serving on an Advisory Board? Apply to the District Accountability Committee (DAC) by March 11. The DAC is open to DPS parents, staff and community members. The DAC application is available in the Consent Decree languages -- access the one-pager in your language for the link to apply.
The mission of the DAC is to serve as an advisory committee to the Denver Board of Education on matters such as budget priorities, SIP, charter school applications and other matters outlined in state statute or identified by the Board and Superintendent.
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Applications Open for the Asian Education Advisory Council Annual Awards |
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The DPS Asian Education Advisory Council (AEAC) is currently accepting applications for their annual AEAC Awards. This is a great opportunity for Asian students to be recognized by their schools and teachers, and scholarship opportunities are available for students who apply. Please nominate your students for these awards and opportunities! If you have additional questions, contact Priscilla Shaw.
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Participate in Local Assessment Development |
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The Assessment, Resource, and Support Team is seeking teachers to provide feedback on local assessments at all grade levels and contents. Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to shape DPS assessments in support of our students. Dates and details are available on the application. Applications are due Friday, March 4. Participants will be compensated for related PD (March 14 or 22), and assessment development at the district rates for their work on assessments. A commitment of six-eight hours is anticipated. If you have teachers interested in participating or have questions, contact Kevin Lindauer.
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Bring Aviation to Your Classroom |
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The Teacher Flight Program at Wings Over the Rockies is a total immersion in the aviation industry for K-12 formal educators with direct support toward certifying new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways. Our program includes professional aerospace knowledge courses and flight training provided by Certified Flight Instructors to earn FAA certifications.
Registrants get a flight, a free annual membership to both museums, lesson plans and classroom support for aviation and aerospace related topics, and direct access to guest speakers, statewide aviation programs, and educational opportunities including a quarterly Aerospace Alley teacher’s reception. Applicants can register online here.
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Additional Resources and Opportunities |
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Click here to learn more about these resources and opportunities:
- DMNS PD Opportunity Available to Third- through Eighth-grade Teachers
- Important Change to Third- through Fifth-grade Scope and Sequence for Science
- Brown Bag Research Presentation: Early Childhood Education, Giftedness and Students of Color
- ‘Vista Get Reading’ Now Available for Secondary ELD Instruction
- Secondary English Language Development Unit Tasks Approved for Capstone Competency Demonstration
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Denver Public Schools sends all district newsletters and critical employee communications through Constant Contact. Please do not unsubscribe your dpsk12.org email address from any message; if you unsubscribe from one newsletter or one communication, you will be removed from all other district-managed email lists in Constant Contact. If you have any questions, please email newsletters@dpsk12.org.
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