Our DPS Weekly
Oct. 8, 2021
Putting Students First and Addressing Staffing Shortages
Dear Team DPS,

Our students’ classroom experience is our top priority, especially considering that the pandemic has taken so much classroom time from our scholars. Unfortunately, like school districts across the country, we are right now faced with a severe guest-teacher shortage that is impacting classrooms and students across the district.

Today, I am asking Team DPS members who work in central-support roles for your help to put Students First and support our scholars and classrooms.

Those who choose to answer the call and support as a guest teacher or paraprofessional will earn extra-duty pay of up to $25 an hour -- on top of your normal salary -- for going above and beyond in support of our scholars and our schools.

Please watch this video message to learn more details and hear the importance of this effort. You can also learn more about this opportunity on The Commons.

We all came to DPS to put Students First, and there’s never been a more important time to do so.

In collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent

Catch up with Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero by following him on his new Instagram account and on Twitter, both @DrAlexMarrero!
Video: COVID Dashboard Update from Our Health Partners
Watch the video below (in English and Spanish) for the latest health update from our expert partners at Denver Health.
DPS Will Grow Students’ Salad Fixings in a New Massive Greenhouse
DPS broke ground yesterday on a 5-acre greenhouse that will be used to grow produce for school cafeterias and provide student learning opportunities! This project was made possible by grants from Healthy Foods for Denver Kids, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and bond funding. Thank you to Denver voters for your support of this innovative and exciting new resource for our kids!

The new greenhouse -- which is being built by PCL Construction and will be ready to be planted by late spring 2022 -- will first be used to grow cherry and slicing tomatoes to liven up school lunch salads.
Last Call to Take the September ‘Your Voice/Tu Voz’ Survey
The DPS Your Voice/Tu Voz survey closes today! Please take a moment to fill out your survey now if you have yet to do so. Responses to the survey inform decisions on how we can better serve our DPS community. Student and staff surveys were sent to DPS email addresses on Sept. 27. Families can access the survey here.

Thank you for your support in making this year’s valuable DPS Your Voice/Tu Voz Team DPS survey a success!
Free COVID Rapid Tests Available for Home Delivery
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. Please keep in mind:

  • Due to significant interest, there may be a several week delay in initial shipments after signing up.

  • 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.
Healthy Start Times Resolution Update
Last spring, the Board of Education passed a Healthy Start Times resolution to have all middle and high schools (district-managed and charters) start no earlier than 8:20 a.m. to support healthy sleep habits in adolescents. These new start times will begin in the 2023-24 school year, not 2022-23 as originally planned. DPS is committed to working closely with our community to make this transition as safe and seamless as possible. 

The Healthy Start Times webpage will house all relevant information including FAQs, community engagement events, and resources for families. The first community engagement event is planned for early November. If you have questions, please call our Family and Community Helpline at 720-423-3054 or email facehelpline@dpsk12.org.
Update on Food and Milk Shortages
DPS Food Services is experiencing unprecedented supply chain challenges with food and milk this fall. While we will continue to offer fruits, vegetables, protein and grains, some of the actual items might be different from the stated menu. We have instructed our kitchen teams to prioritize serving milk at the elementary grade levels, and for breakfast at all grade levels until this shortage is over.
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