Team DPS Weekly: Will You Be My DPS Valentine?

Friends love learning together at Stephen Knight Elementary.

Feb. 13, 2020

Will You Be My DPS Valentine?

In honor of Valentine's Day, team members from around DPS took time to recognize special colleagues in their life. Check out the kind messages from one friend to another below. And congratulations to everyone who submitted this week -- we are sharing the love, and everyone wins a giveaway prize!

"Shelley, I admire all that you are as a teacher. Our school community is lucky to have you. Thank you for being a friend and an awesome educator!"

-- Tiffany Cardoso, Denver Center for International Studies

"School nurses have such heart

They truly stand apart

They treat the needs

Of more than skinned knees

For students' health they stand

Always extending a hand

Some traveling to schools

Obeying the rules

Concern in their eyes

And therein lies

So much to bear

While still completing care

For the little and big

You don’t have far to dig

To say

School nurses have our heart

Thank you, School Nurses!"

-- Teresa Ramirez, Nursing Services

"Dear Valentine:

Drea Aguirre, also of ETLS,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love the way you bring the funny.

I love the way you dress so nicely.

I love the way you keep us all on our toes.

I shall but love thee better after death."

-- Tiffany LoSasso, Educational Technology & Library Services (adapted from "How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

"I am so grateful for the ECE team. You all have been really wonderful during my onboarding process. I am thrilled to be part of this dynamic team! Thank you!"

-- Laura Green, Early Childhood Education

Poll Question: Favorite Presidential Pets

As Team DPS heads into a long Presidents Day weekend, we are embracing our Shared Core Value of Fun, and would like your vote for the best presidential pet. From cows to dogs to horses and even raccoons, over 200 pets have resided at the White House! Vote for your favorite below and we'll share the results next week.

Which is your favorite presidential furry friend?

Macaroni the pony (Caroline Kennedy)

Select

Laddie Boy the dog (the Hardings)

Select

Rebecca the raccoon (First Lady Grace Coolidge)

Select

Socks the cat (the Clintons)

Select

Eli Yale the Hyacinth macaw (the Roosevelts)

Select

Pauline Wayne the cow (the Tafts)

Select

Apply to Serve on the Denver Plan Advisory Committee by Feb. 21

DPS is seeking about 40 individuals to serve on the Denver Plan Advisory Committee. This committee is intended to reflect the diversity of our students and will ensure that our district’s next strategic plan is grounded in the experiences and expertise of the communities we serve.

Please encourage all members of your school community -- whether parents/guardians, educators, students, staff, leaders, neighbors and more -- to apply by Feb. 21 . This group will draw on community insights to make recommendations to the DPS Board of Education on key components of the Denver Plan, namely the shared definition of equity, the vision of a DPS graduate, and the Denver Plan goals.

The application is available in English and Spanish . To learn more, visit dpsk12.org/next-denver-plan or email denverplan@dpsk12.org .

Congratulations to our CollaboRATE Participation Winners

Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual CollaboRATE survey! An outstanding 71% of our full- and part-time team members -- more than 8,600 of you -- completed this important survey. All the feedback received through CollaboRATE helps DPS' leaders, teams and the district continue to learn and grow, and helps drive real change so we can all best support our kids. Leaders will be sharing their engagement and leader results with their teams in the coming weeks, and districtwide results are coming soon.

Teams with the highest participation were entered to win a prize. Congratulations to our winners:

Sheryle Clardy and Leonard Apadoca's Food Services team
Shelley Boberschmidt’s College View Elementary team
Mike Vaughn's Communications Team

Discount Alert: Colorado Avalanche Tickets

Join the DPS Foundation at the Pepsi Center for discounted tickets to see the Colorado Avalanche take on Tampa Bay Lightning Feb. 17, and the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 26. Tickets start at $23, and $5 from each ticket goes back to DPS Foundation. Learn more and buy tickets at dpsfoundation.org/offers.

Buy Tickets

Living Our DPS Honoree

Karina Alvarez

Patrol Officer, Safety and Security

Students First

"We have a student at Lowry Elementary who is anxious about seeing the Safety and Security squad cars and officers at our school. Officer Karina Alvarez sat down with this student and talked to him about what officers do and what happens in emergencies. She did an amazing job with the student and was so patient with his questions. Officer Alvarez let the student see her squad car, turn on the lights and even hear what a ‘CODE 10’ siren sounds like! The student was so impressed by Officer Alvarez, and even wanted to know about the different security items she carries on her belt. Thank you for all that you do to keep our kids safe and supported -- and for putting Students First!."

-- Stephanie Thielen, Lowry Elementary

Nominate a Teammate for Living Our DPS

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