Team DPS Weekly
Nov. 11, 2021
Less than a Month Until the Dec. 6 Gmail Transition
What’s happening?
As we shared last month, DPS is moving exclusively to Gmail on Dec. 6 to increase collaboration across teams, schools and the DPS community.

What can you do now?
  • Review the Transition Checklist to help you navigate this transition with step-by-step guidance. Important migration information can also be found on The Commons.


  • Download the Gmail app if you want to access Gmail on your smartphone.

What support is available to you?
  • There are several transition resources available on The Commons, including links to guides and FAQs. This content will be updated regularly with updates throughout the transition. The Gmail transition team is closely monitoring the progress of the Gmail migration and will keep you aware of any action needed.

  • Our Google Champion Team is engaged and available to help support team members across DPS with this transition. If you have questions or need support, reach out to your team’s champion.

What’s next?
Stay tuned to Team DPS Weekly, other DPS newsletters and your DPS email account for transition information and timelines. We are excited for the collaboration opportunities that this transition to Gmail will bring, and appreciate your patience and teamwork.
Reminder: Watch for Text from SchoolMessenger Nov. 17
As we shared last week, we’re excited to launch the ability to send text messages to members of Team DPS, in addition to phone calls and emails. Look for a welcome text message from SchoolMessenger on Nov. 17, which will be sent to your phone number listed in Employee Space. (Don’t have your current information listed? Update it now following these steps.) The text message will come from phone number 675-87. 

This text feature will be used to share important, timely information, such as weather updates, unexpected closures, major announcements and immediate action items. Team members will be automatically added to their building’s Safety messages and will receive real-time updates when there’s a secure perimeter or lockdown. Questions? Email Sarah Freeman.
Verify or Update Your Personal Information
Last Friday, all DPS employees received an email from Human Resources (connect_humanresources@dpsk12.org) to help ensure your personal information in Infor HR (Employee Space) is up-to-date. The email included your personal demographic information DPS has on file for you, including your address, personal email, phone number, race and ethnicity, as well as information on whether you have elected electronic delivery of your W2 and 1095-C tax forms. See an example of the email here. 

If any of the information in the email is not accurate, please sign into Employee Space from the Employee Action Center on The Commons to make updates. Updates to your personal information can be made year-round, but for federal reporting purposes, please make any necessary changes by tomorrow, Nov. 12.
Top 5 Callout: What Are You Thankful for?
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we want to know what you are grateful for this year. Fill out this form to share what makes you thankful (pictures are welcomed!) and your submission may be featured in next week's edition!
Superintendent Marrero’s Listening and Learning Tour Reports Now Available
During his first 100 days as DPS Superintendent, Dr. Alex Marrero set out to meet with as many family and community members, students and staff as possible. After visiting 68 schools and holding over 100 meetings (virtually and in person) in every region of the city, Dr. Marrero has published a Listening and Learning Tour report. The full report, executive summary and individual meeting summaries are now available on superintendent.dpsk12.org, along with more information about the superintendent’s Transition Team, which will help him determine next steps in response to the feedback in the reports.
Upcoming Virtual DPS Skills Events: Micro-Aggressions and LGBTQ+
Micro-Aggressions: 1-4 p.m., Nov. 15

Micro-aggressions are subtle yet offensive comments or actions directed at a non-dominant group that are often unintentional and can unconsciously reinforce stereotypes. This workshop provides learners an opportunity to explore micro-aggressions at a deeper level through engaging discussions and activities, and provides tools to help you spot and counteract them in your everyday life.
LGBTQ+: 1-4 p.m., Nov. 29 

Participants will begin to understand the experiences and identities of our LGBTQ+ students and colleagues. We will enhance our ability to create a more inclusive DPS through the language we use, the identities we create inclusion for, and the self-awareness of our privilege.
Tips to Help You Shop Online Safely this Holiday Season
The holiday shopping season is here, and we’re sharing some security tips from our DoTS team to help Team DPS shop online safely!

When shopping online, remember to:

  • Use a credit card instead of a debit card for online purchases. Debit cards pull money directly from your bank account and often have less fraud protections than a credit card. Review your card transactions weekly to check for fraud.

  • Turn on privacy settings that hide your purchases from the public when using electronic payment services like Zelle or Venmo. Only use these apps with people you know.  

  • Watch for counterfeit products on sites like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Avoid sellers with bad reviews or low purchase history.
 
For more information, visit the Cybersecurity page on The Commons.
Join DPS Foundation’s Team DPS GIVES Employee Giving Campaign
Join the DPS Foundation for their Team DPS GIVES Employee Giving Campaign to help provide opportunities, resources and experiences so all students can reach their highest potential.

A highlight from this fall: The DPS Foundation has awarded $108,212 to 66 schools and departments across the district through the A to Z Grants program -- and you can help keep the momentum going! Support year round or make a one-time gift here by 5 p.m. on Nov. 19.

This year, your Team DPS GIVES donation will not only support students and schools, but it also enters you to win a holiday gift basket from Bonnie Brae Liquor! Note: No contribution is necessary to qualify for prizes.
Discount Alert: Tickets to DPS Days at DCPA
Join the DPS Foundation at "Camp Christmas" and "A Christmas Carol" with the Denver Center for Performing Arts (DCPA) this holiday season! "Camp Christmas" will show from Nov. 18-Jan. 2 at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, and $3 from each ticket sold will go back to the DPS Foundation. "A Christmas Carol" will show from Nov. 19 - Dec. 26 at the Wolf Theatre, and $5 from each ticket sold will go back to DPS Foundation. Learn more and get your tickets here!
Last Chance to Sign Up for the Work of Art Emotional Fitness Challenge
The Work of Art Challenge is a four-week online program designed to help participants cope with the stress, fatigue and feeling overwhelmed. Whether you decide to participate individually or on a team of household members or DPS coworkers, you’ll learn and practice short, effective exercises to help you increase optimism, enhance mindfulness, share gratitude, make stronger connections and more. Find examples of activities available through the challenge here. Join over 100 other DPS team members by signing up for the Work of Art Challenge here by Friday, Nov. 19.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with the Denver March Powwow Nov. 26-28
The Denver March Powwow is celebrating Native American Heritage Month this year with a Powwow and Indian Market from Nov. 26-28 at the National Western Complex Stadium Arena. The event will specifically honor Indigenous students and teachers, veterans and essential workers.

Powwow and Indian Market schedule includes:

Friday, Nov. 26
  • Noon-10 p.m. Indian Market
  • 1 p.m. Honoring students, teachers and parents
  • 2 p.m. Grand entry

Saturday, Nov. 27 
  • 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Indian Market
  • 1 p.m. Grand entry
  • 6 p.m. Honoring veterans
  • 7 p.m. Grand entry

Sunday, Nov. 28 
  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Indian Market
  • Noon: Honoring essential workers
  • 1 p.m.: Grand entry

General admission is $6 per person, per day; $3 for elders over 60; and kids under 6 are free. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Living Our DPS Honoree
Korey Askew
Dean of Culture, Traylor Academy
Accountability, Fun

"In his first few months as a Dean of Culture, Korey's impact is already seen and showing lasting effects. Korey noticed that our fourth- and fifth-graders were having a hard time transitioning back to in-person learning. Redirects for fifth grade were above 250 for one week. Being a football coach, Korey put his teamwork and Accountability values to work by creating an incentivized points-based team competition to motivate students while having some Fun. Korey led students through choosing their own eight-person teams that can gain points through the week for attendance, positive behavior and academic effort and growth. Fourth- and fifth-graders now keep each other accountable, cheer each other on throughout the week and participate in 'Minute-To-Win-It' style games on Fridays for bonus points. The top team for the month earns a special field trip like indoor rock climbing or an IMAX and museum trip. After the first two weeks of tracking points, redirects were cut in half! Now students and kids are working together to do their best each day. Thanks, Coach Korey! We couldn't do it without you."

-- Jenn Norris, Traylor Academy
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