Manager Monthly
February 2024
ICYMI: 2023-24 State of the District Update
Read the State of the District for a mid-year update on some of the incredible work happening across DPS!
Important Updates: Application Deadline, Recruitment Plans and More
Effective Jan. 1, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act introduces new requirements, including the mandate for an application deadline in job postings. To comply with the law and streamline the hiring process, we will be asking hiring managers for the following information prior to posting Central Office positions. 

Application Deadline Date: The application deadline is the last day that we will accept applications for the position. The job posting can remain active beyond this date to continue accepting applications, or it can be removed if you no longer wish to receive new candidates. 

The application deadline date does not apply if you are posting for a school year position (a position that is for a specific school year). In this case, the language on the application will state “This is a continuous job posting seeking multiple candidates for positions available throughout the 2024-2025 school year.” 

Recruitment Plans: The recruitment plan outlines the timeline for interviewing, removing the posting from the job board, and the support required from your Talent Acquisition (TA) Specialist. The following guidelines are defined to maintain an accurate job board, provide the best experience for hiring managers and candidates, and shorten time-to-fill periods. These guidelines must be present in the recruitment plan: 
  • DPS Best Practice requires jobs to be posted for a minimum of five (5) business days.
  • Hiring managers are not allowed to interview or select a final candidate before the application deadline listed on the job posting.
  • Indicate whether a posting is for internal candidates only, or if you will accept external applicants.
  • Final candidates should not be “Moved to Qualify” without discussing the salary offer with your TA Specialist.
  • The goal should be to fill all jobs within 30 days.
  • The maximum time-to-fill period is 45 days. Any job requisitions not filled within this timeframe will be removed and canceled. 

Diversity and Equitable Hiring: Ensuring a diverse workforce that reflects our students is a priority across all roles in DPS. To support this priority and in alignment with our Strategic Roadmap, all members of an interview committee or panel are required to complete the Making Informed and Equitable Hiring Recommendations Training.

School-Based Transfers and Promotions: May 1 is the deadline for Central Office hiring managers to move a teacher or teacher leader to qualify for a Central Office position without needing the principal’s prior approval. It is important to consider the impact on the school when a key role that provides direct support to students is vacated. DPS best practice is to connect with the school leader if you plan to extend an offer to a teacher or teacher leader to support a smooth transition that aligns with our DPS Shared Core Values: Collaboration and Students First. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Talent Acquisition Specialist or HR Partner.  
Action Required
REMINDER: Complete Mid-Year Evaluations with Classified Staff by Feb. 29
The Mid-Year performance conversation window for ESP/Classified Team Members ends Feb. 29. These conversations are a great opportunity to connect and reflect on progress, strengths and areas for growth. Supervisors must complete an evaluation for each direct report and submit it to the Growth & Performance team.  

Next steps:

For additional support, visit the Classified page on The Commons, connect with your human resource partner or email Classified@dpsk12.org.
Nominate an Employee Space Champion
Human Resources, Payroll and Recruiting transactions will soon integrate with the New Employee Space in Oracle, which launched in July 2022. 

We're seeking leaders and managers to nominate a team member as an Employee Space Champion. As we gear up for the platform's expansion, these champions will play a crucial role in supporting teams during the transition. By gaining early exposure to the platform, offering feedback on training materials, directing colleagues to resources and collaborating on solutions, they will ensure a smooth shift to the new Employee Space. 

Join the charge for change—Ensure a seamless shift to the new Employee Space by appointing a champion. Complete the survey by Friday, Feb. 23! Check the list to confirm if your team has a champion or vet it for accuracy.
Nominate an Amazing Team or Teammate for an Honors Award!
We are excited to host one of our Shared Core Values-based recognition programs -- DPS Night of Honor -- an event to celebrate and honor DPS team members who have gone above and beyond during the 2023-24 school year. 

Is there someone on your team who goes above and beyond to live our Shared Core Values? How about someone you work with who Collaborates with Integrity? Or a team that puts Equity and our Students First? Celebrate these individuals by nominating them for an Honors Award: 


All honorees will be announced and celebrated this May. Nominations are due Friday, March 15. Questions? Email Our_DPSValues@dpsk12.org.
Updates & FYI
Meet Denny: DPS's New Chatbot
We are pleased to introduce "Denny," DPS’ newly integrated chatbot, now featured on the DPS Careers website and set to launch across the entire district website soon. Denny adeptly navigates our platform to provide timely and relevant information 24/7. With its intuitive design and exceptional efficiency, Denny promises to redefine your user experience on our website. Remarkably, Denny supports 12 languages, transcending linguistic barriers and fostering inclusive communication. Whether you have inquiries or seek guidance, Denny is at your service.
Public Student Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is a federal initiative that forgives the remaining balance on qualifying direct loans after borrowers make 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer, like Denver Public Schools. PSLF aims to support individuals committed to public service by providing financial relief from student loan debt. It offers a pathway for borrowers to pursue meaningful careers without being burdened by the full extent of their student loan obligations. Recently, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the approval of $4.9 billion in additional student loan debt relief for 73,600 borrowers. Learn more about your possible eligibility by visiting Student Loan Resource 1 and Student Loan Resource 2.
Resources
Free Resources from Discovery Education
Share free resources within your department to support student engagement and culturally responsive education! Check out other happens in our newsletters for February and March!


Tool of the Month:
Support all students in the classroom with Immersive Reader, a tool embedded in Discovery Education to help improve reading comprehension by: 
  • Increasing fluency for Multilingual Learners.
  • Building confidence for emerging readers learning to read at higher levels.
  • Offering text decoding solutions to students with learning differences, such as dyslexia.
  • Providing a translation of words, or an entire text, into over 60 languages.

Contact Dr. Deanna Goodrich if you have any questions.
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.