“I love my GVE Grizzy team because they are fun, energetic, positive, resilient, honest, vulnerable, caring, compassionate and dedicated human beings!" -- Jessica Hernandez, Green Valley
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Top 5: What Do You ❤️ about Your Team? |
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Love is in the air at DPS! Thank you to the team members who kicked off Valentine's Day early and shared what they love about their team! Check out the top 5 below and more responses here. |
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5. “Denver Online has grown significantly this year. We welcomed more than 650 new students, added three grade levels and processed more than 750 admin transfers in the first month of school due to incredible movement back-and-forth. Our collective team has met every new challenge with resiliency, collaboration, professionalism and optimism. This is why we love our team, and are so proud to be part of the Denver Online community!”
-- Dawn Bauer, Denver Online
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4. “This school year, several colleagues and I started new positions in a brand new pilot program in about a dozen schools around DPS. Thanks to funds from a recent mill levy, we have been able to provide invaluable mental health services to students who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Being a part of this small team is great, as it allows us the opportunity to truly get to know each other -- not to mention finding creative ways to support our teammates. The amount of connection I feel with this group helps me to not feel like a cog in a wheel, but rather someone with value and purpose.”
-- Kirby Peterson, Cheltenham Elementary
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3. “We are known as the ‘Dream Team’ at our school, and it's not by chance. I'm lucky to work with amazing teachers who deeply care about students, diversity, equity, and learning at Park Hill. Not only do we prioritize students’ learning, but we also prioritize our own evolving learning as educators. We work so well because we reflect daily on our teaching practices together, offering ideas and support. We trust and respect each other when we make mistakes, and support each other through tough times. Most importantly, we make each other laugh. My teammates bring me so much joy, and I couldn't do this job without them.”
-- Katie Main, Park Hill
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2. “The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Team at DPS is exceptional, and I am fortunate to be a part of this small but mighty team. Our team is composed of supportive, collaborative, resilient and inspiring professionals! Each person works tirelessly to help our D/HH students and their families, sometimes supporting them from ECE right through high school graduation. Our manager, Julie Hemphill, is the cornerstone of our team's success. She has created an inclusive culture that applauds critical and creative thinking with a strong focus on Students First. When the going gets tough, this team can always look inward and find the fuel they need to keep the energy up and the mission going strong. My heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to each and every one of you!”
-- Tara Aronson, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Team
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1. “The wonderful kindergarten team at Denver Green School has been an incredible asset and source of continued support during my first year as a lead classroom teacher. Although this year has been incredibly challenging, this team continues to find joy and make our students the priority. I am deeply grateful for Mr. Robert, Ms. Debbie, Ms. Sophie and Mr. Jonathan for always giving 150% and making all of our kiddos feel seen, heard, and loved. Thank you!” -- Amy Kapoor, Denver Green
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Top 5 Callout: Black History Month |
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All month long, our students are learning about, connecting with, interpreting and celebrating Black History Month. Whether through writing, artwork, music, photos or videos, how are you, your team or your students recognizing Black History Month this year? Share your response through this form for a feature in next week’s edition!
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Reminder: Gmail Transition Feedback Survey Closes Today |
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The Gmail Transition Feedback Survey closes at 6 p.m. today. Please take three minutes to send in your feedback so we can learn and improve for future projects. Thank you, Team DPS, for helping make the switch to Gmail possible! We appreciate your ability to convert to a new email system to better collaborate with all DPS staff and students.
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Outlook Web Access No Longer Available after Feb. 13 |
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Team DPS has officially completed our migration from Microsoft Suite to Google Workspace, and the final step is to decommission all remaining Microsoft Exchange servers. After Feb. 13, Outlook Web Access will no longer be available and team members who have been logging into owa.dpsk12.org to view old email will no longer be able to do so.
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Know your Benefits: Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care |
Urgent Care Centers are same-day clinics, often with 24-hour availability, that treat a variety of medical problems like fevers, vomiting, dehydration, sprains or strains, and some smaller cuts that need stitches. They are less costly than emergency rooms and provide many services with high quality care.
Emergency rooms should be used for critical emergencies such as trouble breathing or chest pains, broken limbs, serious burns, head or eye injuries, severe cuts, and other critical incidents. Your insurance will cover a portion of your emergency room costs.
This year's Open Enrollment window is April 18-May 6. Visit the Open Enrollment page on The Commons for more information. As a reminder, every DPS employee who is eligible for benefits must enroll or waive benefits, regardless of what they elected last year.
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Final Reminder to Sign Up for YOU Revolution Health Coaching Program |
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It isn’t too late to sign up for the health coaching program, YOU Revolution! YOU Revolution has been a successful program offered to DPS employees for over five years. Over eight weeks, you’ll learn about setting realistic goals, understanding your "why," forming healthy habits, learning the importance of nutrition, physical activity and mindfulness, and more. Plus, you will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one coaching from Michelle Zellner, founder of Better Beings.
The program is free, and you can join the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday small group class beginning March 1. Click here to secure your spot by tomorrow, Feb. 11. Questions? Email staffwellness@dpsk12.net.
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Retiring Soon? Sign Up for a PERA Retirement Process Webinar |
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Learn everything you need to apply for retirement with confidence on Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. This webinar is designed for individuals who are one to two years away from retirement. You’ll learn about the forms you’ll need to complete, how and when to submit your forms, option selection, taxes and more. Sign up here.
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Review 2022 Financial Services Year-End Deadlines |
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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.
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Free Seed-starting Materials and Workshops Available |
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The DPS Sustainability Department is offering free seed-starting materials and class workshops to schools with a free- and reduced-lunch population of 75% or more. The class will be led by our garden specialist, and no previous garden experience is necessary! Fill out the quick request form, and check out our Gardens in DPS page to learn more. Note: There is limited availability of materials.
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Aileen Cerezo
School Counselor, Teller Elementary
Collaboration
"Aileen shows collaboration daily as she works with our teachers and staff to support the social and emotional needs of our students. This month, we have had new students join our school community. Aileen has been a consistent presence and partner in helping welcome the new students and helping them get adjusted to a new school. I've been so inspired by how she juggles supporting new students, connecting with families, and making sure that we are complying with the needs of our kiddos!"
-- Marian Dorsey, Teller
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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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