Head to the Top 5 to read Dominique's and more school leaders' shoutouts!

The Team DPS “Your Voice/Tu Voz” survey closes Sunday, Oct. 9! We encourage you to take the survey as responses to the survey inform decisions on how we can better serve Team DPS. The survey includes CollaboRATE engagement questions. As a reminder, if you are both a member of Team DPS and have a student in DPS schools, you should complete the team survey and one family survey for each student. The team survey was sent to your DPS email address on Sept. 26, and the family survey can be found here. 

October is National Principals Month! This is our opportunity to thank our principals for all they do in supporting our students and families. Read the Top 5 submissions below and more shoutouts here. Thank you to our principals for all you do!

5. “Joan Wieser is the best principal. She works throughout the building -- there isn't a job she will not do. This includes watching the parking lot, teaching the students, outside lunch duty and supporting all of the staff with their emotional and professional needs.” -- Debbie Morrison, Cory Elementary

4. “Our principal, Shelley Boberschmidt, went around to each teachers' classroom with smoothies, sodas and sparkling water when we were experiencing super warm temperatures in our building!” -- Ronda Bailey, Stephen Knight Center for Early Education

3. “Not every principal can be seen riding a scooter down the hallways, popping into classes nonstop or doing her infamous 'Mac Challenges' that could be anything from a dance-off, push-up challenge or math facts challenge! Amanda McDonald, the principal of Lake Middle School, never hesitates to jump into any opportunity to improve the culture of our school. She is innovative beyond belief and is always willing to pivot and change plans if that's what's best for the students. I'm always in awe of all that she accomplishes in a day -- I don't know how she does it-all with a smile!” -- Carly Buch, Lake Middle School

2. “Sonia Williams is our interim principal at Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences. She has so many qualities that make her a positive leader. From the beginning of her assignment she has been an excellent communicator. She is visible and accessible to staff, students and parents. She has a great sense of humor with a magnetic smile that brightens the day. She is a strong collaborator and never asks anyone to do anything she is not willing to do herself. She sweats the small stuff related to student expectations in an effort to strengthen our school culture. She trusts her staff and is authentic in promoting work-life balance. She makes coming to work something to look forward to.” -- Joe Waldon, Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences

1. “Principal Jefferson is the most caring, compassionate and authentic leader. As a school, we could not be more grateful for all that she does and brings to our school. Her passion for education and dedication to student, staff and community well-being is evident in the school environment and interactions with her. While the day can be busy, Principal Jefferson makes time to meet with all students and staff, which means more than can be explained in words. The perfect role model and leader does exist, and her name is Dominique Jefferson!” -- Kase Pooley, Hallett Academy

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!

Celebrate Career and College Success Month by wearing your favorite college gear every Friday in October! Use this opportunity to spark career and college conversations with students about your path after high school and the importance of planning for their futures, including considering college, vocational training, the military or a path that's right for them. 

Capture the college spirit of your team with a photo or a screenshot and send it to Nadine Perez. Also, don’t forget to follow DPS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see how our students are preparing for success in their career and college journeys -- and add your stories to the celebration by tagging #MyPlanDPS!

Find addresses and school locations across DPS using the new 2022-23 district map! The map is now available in PDF and interactive versions.

A limited number of printed copies of the district map are available. If you'd like to request printed copies, please email Tim Walmer and include your location and the number of copies you're requesting. Team members located at EGC can also pick up copies on the 12th floor outside Office 1203.

Are you on a DPS benefit plan with Kaiser, Aetna, MotivHealth? If so, you can begin earning your $200 reward by taking action in the Well Aware Program! 

The Well Aware Program encourages employees to be up-to-date on their preventative screenings as well as complete a quick online health assessment. Participants who complete these actions by May 20, 2023 will earn a $200 reward toward their HSA account or as a stipend on their paycheck (HMO plan members). 

Preventative screenings and health assessments are important and can improve the quality of your health for years to come. To begin the Well Aware Program, visit either the Kaiser Permanente, Aetna or MotivHealth employee portals today! 

It’s that time again! The Denver Public Schools Foundation is looking for student performance groups or individuals to perform at our annual Achieve Gala on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. We’re looking for groups of any size and performances of any type or genre, featuring students of any grade.

The theme for Achieve Gala 2023 is A World of Possibilities. This year, the gala falls on World Heritage Day 2023 -- a day where we can take the opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity and culture of DPS students and families.

Complete the application form here and submit an audio or video recording of your current performance group to Samantha Rogan by Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. 

If you or members of your staff would like to receive alerts when a bus is running late, please complete this form. In the form, you choose to receive calls, texts or both. Dispatchers will send an alert when a bus is running at least 10 minutes late. At least one person from the front office staff should sign up for notifications.

Families of eligible students are automatically enrolled in bus notifications and do not need to sign up, but should ensure their contact information is up-to-date in Infinite Campus.

Questions? Call 720-423-4600 or email transportation@dpsk12.org.

-- Kaci Sintek, Denver Online

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.