“I’d like to call out my wonderful paraprofessional, Veronica Gaitan-Trujillo. Veronica is fun, organized, smart, and there’s no way I could do my job without her! We’ve worked together for nearly a decade and I am thankful for her every day.” -- Caroline Nelson, Brown International
Read more classified employee shoutouts in the Top 5!
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Top 5: Thank a Classified Employee!
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This week is Classified Employee Recognition Week, our opportunity to thank our classified team members for all they do in supporting our families and students. Your stories of dedicated paraprofessionals, facilities managers, food service workers and other team members are proof that classified employees keep DPS running every day. Read more shoutouts here, and thank you to our classified employees for all you do!
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5. “Joseph Pacheco is always working hard to ensure our building looks presentable, clean, and a proud place to call CMS. He joins in the school spirit and is always willing to lend a helping hand! Additionally, he's on top of keeping everyone safe by promptly ensuring the gates to the parking lot are open and closed when they should be.” -- CMS
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4. “The classified employees at TJ are incredible! They work hard to support our students, staff, and families. TJ is an amazing place to be and it is because of everyone who works at this school. My shoutout goes to our: Facilities/custodial team, office staff, bookkeeper, food service staff, bus drivers, librarian, security, grounds/building/maintenance workers, and our amazing paraprofessionals! Thank you all for what you do!” -- Kathleen Aubert, Thomas Jefferson
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3. “I want to give all the praise to our interim facilities manager here at DGS-SE -- Kendra Moore -- who consistently steps up in a huge way to make sure our building is learning-ready. There have been some challenges already this school year but Kendra works so hard that the students haven't noticed! She goes out of her way to be friendly and helpful to everyone even if she's in the middle of something. I want her to know that she is very appreciated. Side note: Kendra's son is in my class and she's raising an incredible young man!” -- Eliza Eaton-Stern, Denver Green School
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2. “Donald La Mar is our facility manager. Donald is always happy to lend a hand. He helps out in the lunchroom everyday for the entire lunch time. He helps deliver books to kids from the library. He will fill in and help on the playground or help walk a kid to class. On top of all the help he provides this school, he does his regular job. The school is neat and clean. Donald loves the kids and the kids love him. They will give him a fist bump or yell out, ‘Hi’ to him. He always stops what he is doing to greet the kids. Donald is a busy man but always has time for others.” -- Misty Hazard, Samuels
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1. “This year it has been difficult to find 1:1 paraprofessionals for a couple of our students. Because of this shortage, some of our paraprofessionals have stepped up and they demonstrated the DPS Core Values of Students First, Collaboration, and Fun. The students' needs would not have been met if the following paraprofessionals had not assisted until the new hires were made: Amber Egner, Amal Mursal, Lachlan O'Brien, Silvia Silvia-Gallegos, and Aurora Solis.” -- Wayne Gerke, Holm
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Top 5 Callout: Favorite College Course
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Do you remember a course in college or post-secondary training that sparked a new passion or changed your perspective on the world? In the spirit of College and Career Readiness month, we want to hear about your most interesting college course or post-secondary training. Share your course through this form and you'll be entered to win a giveaway!
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Free COVID Rapid Tests Available for Home Delivery
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CDPHE recently announced the Rapid-At-Home program in which they will ship free rapid antigen tests directly to homes. Students, families and educators can enroll in the program here.
A couple important notes to keep in mind:
- Due to significant interest, there appears to be several week delay in initial shipments after signing up.
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These rapid tests are intended for ongoing screening; a rapid test cannot clear an individual with symptoms to go to school or clear someone from quarantine. Individuals can only be cleared with a PCR test at COVIDCheckColorado or your primary care physician.
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Last Call to Take the Your Voice/Tu Voz Survey
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The DPS Your Voice/Tu Voz Team DPS Survey closes tomorrow, Oct. 8! The survey was sent to your DPS email address on Sept. 27. We encourage you to take the survey as responses to the survey inform decisions on how we can better serve Team DPS.
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Learn More about the New DPS Employee Space
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As work progresses to transition the district from Infor/Lawson/GHR/Learning Space to a new Employee Space, learn more about the work that has been accomplished to-date in this quick video. Also, check out The Commons for a high-level timeline, information on how to become an Employee Space Champion, and an FAQ, which we’ll continue to update over the next few months.
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Protect Your Password: Enroll in Duo Mobile
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Protect your password and district data by enrolling in Duo Mobile. Duo is a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) tool that significantly increases the security of your login by combining something that you know (your password) with something physical that only you possess (such as a smartphone). Adding the second layer of verification (like your phone or other mobile device) prevents anyone but you from logging in, even if they know your password.
Currently, Duo protects Employee Space, Manager Space, district training registration, the internal job board, and GlobalProtect VPN. To enroll, follow these step-by-step instructions.
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DPS Has More Wellness Champions than Ever Before!
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The Employee Wellness Department is excited to share that over the past year, the Wellness Champion Network has grown from 85 to 140 DPS worksites with an onsite Wellness Champion. Onsite Wellness Champions are committed to supporting the health and wellness needs of their colleagues by facilitating wellness activities, promoting wellness opportunities and resources available to staff, and contributing to a healthy workplace culture. Find a list of all DPS sites with a champion here.
Not only do we have champions at our schools, but also at the Northeast Terminal, Hilltop, Enterprise Management, Acoma, and EGC! Is there an opening for a Wellness Champion at your location? Contact staffwellness@dpsk12.org if you are interested in getting involved in this paid position.
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Natalin Porras Diaz
Office Manager, West High School
Collaboration
"Natalin has helped me so much this year by welcoming me to the West Campus, getting me up to speed on school operations, and navigating where to find my resources. I would not be prepared for students' return if it weren't for her Collaboration! She is truly an asset to West High School!"
-- Stella Ramirez, Nursing Services
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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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