The Lincoln Elementary Crossing Guard team was one of our 2020-21 Excellence in Team winners! 
May 19, 2022
Celebrating Our 2020-21 Excellence in Team Winners
At DPS, we are all part of one great team, which is made stronger through Collaboration and all of us working together toward our shared vision, Every Child Succeeds. The Excellence in Team Award highlights smaller teams who have worked together to make a difference, including by demonstrating effective team-working dynamics, achieving their goals, producing impactful results and living our Shared Core Values along the way. What they all have in common is their commitment to each other, to DPS and to our kids. 
 
We are so excited to announce the 2021-22 Excellence in Team Award to the following teams:

Equity Team, Noel Community Arts School
“The team has changed the culture of our school, to the point where teachers who were previously nervous to have conversations about race, justice, and equity are doing so with each other and with their students. Our students engage in activism regularly, and it has been fantastic seeing teachers join with our students to demand changes in racist systems. … On a broader level, I have seen my peers become more deeply involved in our community, joining students and families to demand change that benefits everyone.” Read the full nomination.

Crossing Guard Team, Lincoln Elementary
“People always think that crossing guards don't do much, but just the opposite. Daily they have integrity and accountability being out on the front lines to ensure our students don't get hit by cars as they arrive and depart. … The team at Lincoln has shown up every day with their game face on ready to rock and roll no matter what the weather. … Always joyful and ready to tackle in a safe mindset whatever came their way." Read the full nomination.

Pascual LeDoux Academy
“Using the words of this team, ‘Our team shared that collaborating with others about social-emotional strategies helps us get ideas about what works in other classrooms, become more aware of our own emotional states, feel more comfortable seeking help, feel less alone in our experiences, and destigmatize the elements of mental health involved.’ The team at Pascual LeDoux worked collaboratively and put Students First, which resulted in high accountability on all TS Gold indicators AND all SEL screening indicators.” Read the full nomination.

Data Quality Management Team
"The Data Quality Management Team is defined by the words “We always do what is best for our schools, students, and families.' They never say “this is not our job” Instead, they always say 'How can I help? Be of service? Do what others will not.'" Read the full nomination.

Do you know an amazing team? There is still time to nominate them for the 2021-22 Excellence in Team Award, as well as individuals going above and beyond to live our Shared Core Values with the Leadership Lamp Award.
Top 5: A Big Win from the School Year
Thank you to the team members who shared their big wins of the school year! Whether it was finishing CMAS strong or hitting a milestone, there is much to celebrate as we begin to close the chapter on this year!
5. “‘Professor Higgenbothom’ was able to get a visa to teach All-Day Science to Ms. Gates' class as a reward for finishing CMAS this year.” -- Lori Gates, Park Hill Elementary
4. “I celebrated getting my second master’s degree with principal licensure, moving to a new school and being nominated for the Touchdown for Teachers award -- all while continuing our pandemic teaching, planning a wedding and well, just life!” -- Evyenia Pappas, Southmoor Elementary
3. “Our school was able to participate in the Musical Explorers program this year! The entire second grade learned songs and dances from Native American, North Indian and Freedom Song traditions, and got to meet the artists and make music with them at a concert in April. All of the second-grade teachers got involved with the content and the students were excited throughout the process of the performance.” -- Janie Darone, Samuels Elementary
2. “After battling breast cancer for the last two years, I was so honored to be asked to speak at a fundraising event with Sherry's Hope that raised $200,000 to help cancer patients and their families pay for the plethora of expenses that the journey brings. After publishing a book to support breast cancer warriors, I was also so grateful to be featured on 9News in the Warrior Way segment! I've truly learned that some of the hardest parts of our lives can also bring some of the most meaningful moments to give back and make a difference!” -- Kaci Sintek, Denver Online
1. “DPS has the fourth largest Sora digital collection in the nation and just two weeks ago, we reached our 2 millionth checkout! On a normal day, more than 3,000 ebooks and audiobooks get checked out, and about 60,000 are checked out per month. DPS is a district made up of readers!” -- Terri Faulkner, Library Services
Top 5 Poll: Would You Rather...
Sometimes we may wish we knew then what we know now, or want to know the outcome before making a big decision. In the spirit of our Shared Core Value of Fun, let us know who you would have a conversation with.
Would you rather have one conversation with your past self or your future self?
Past self
Future self
Share Summer Job Opportunity for Students
The Facilities Department is looking to hire summer lawn crew employees starting at $16 per hour! The position is open to anyone ages 16 and older. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and the season runs approximately from June 6 to August 12 but can vary based on department needs. Please share with your students and encourage them to apply. Questions? Call Kristi Waters at 720-423-4294.
Last Chance to Send Your Appreciation Video Clip for June Universal
During the June Universal this year, we will share a video compilation of our school and community members showing their appreciation for our educators. Help us celebrate by sending a short clip for the video compilation!

Record a quick video following these guidelines:
  • 10 seconds maximum.
  • Record horizontally on your device.
  • Give thanks and get creative!
  • Upload the video by Friday, May 20.

Questions? Reach out to the Professional Learning Team at professional_learning@dpsk12.org.
Participate in a Mindfulness Session May 24 or 25
As we move through the final stages of the spring semester, it's important to continue to prioritize your emotional and mental health. Take a moment for yourself and sign up for a 30-minute guided mindfulness practice from expert Molly Woodhull with Woodhull Wellness. These quick mindfulness sessions are aimed to help you relieve stress, practice self-compassion and feel connected to the DPS community. Sign up for a session on May 24 from 8-8:30 a.m. or May 25 from 4-4:30 p.m. Register here! Questions? Email staffwellness@dpsk12.net.
Let Google Help Wrap Up the School Year
As you close out this school year, let Google help! Use this time to do some “digital spring cleaning” by going through files and documents on your computer desktop and Google Drive locations. Old files should be deleted. Relevant files should be moved to and organized in Google Drive with appropriate sharing settings, keeping in mind vital student data privacy considerations. This is especially important if you are transitioning away from your current role or school. For any file used by a team, school or department, best practice is to house them in a Shared Drive. As you do this, check in with your school leader or manager on how your team organizes work in Drive. For more information and additional resources, visit The Commons.
Reminder: Review 2022 Financial Services Year-End Deadlines
Please review the Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Services Year End Deadline Memo for important and upcoming dates regarding year-end close. If these year-end close processes are not completed prior to June 30, they could have potential budget implications for fiscal year 2022-23. If you have questions, contact your Financial Partner.
Living Our DPS Honoree
Kyle Schwartz
Interventionist, Doull Elementary
Collaboration

“Kyle has been an absolutely amazing team member this year. She has helped me through my first year at Doull and DPS in so many ways. Kyle is always there to give advice or support, whether through data collection, a home visit, or modeling lessons during push in intervention. Our partnership this year as teacher and interventionist has yielded the most amazing reading results for our second graders. Kyle is always planning something amazing for the students at Doull, whether it is securing donations for new book bags full of books for students, or new books for classrooms that are truly equitable. Kyle has worked hard to make sure classrooms have books that represent all of our students and their stories.”

-- Amber Reyes, Doull
Contact Us
Connect with Us

Denver Public Schools sends all district newsletters and critical employee communications through Constant Contact. Please do not unsubscribe your DPS 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.