Merrill Middle School students hitting the slopes on a field trip to Loveland Ski Area.
Read about more field trip favorites in the Top 5!
Feb. 2, 2023
Benefits Open Enrollment Season is Coming
Benefits Open Enrollment is Coming!

Open Enrollment is happening from April 17-May 5 with benefit election changes effective July 1. Open Enrollment is the only time you can change your medical, dental, and vision coverage without a Qualifying Life Event. This is an active enrollment year, and you must take action to enroll or waive your benefits.

We have exciting new changes this year! All changes have been made to make your benefits work for you at more affordable costs. Check them out!

  • 100% online enrollment and support during the Open Enrollment window.
  • United Health Care is our new vendor! UHC has competitive and comprehensive plans for you and your dependents. More information regarding our UHC plan options will be available in the coming weeks.*

Stay tuned to the newsletters and visit The Commons for more important information about Open Enrollment.

*All Aetna plans will end on June 30 and will not be eligible for reselection this year. Most providers covered under Aetna are also covered under UHC.
Celebrate Black History Month
Join us as we celebrate Black History during the month of February! Check out The Commons for information about the history and achievements of African-American and Black people, as well as resources for the classroom. We will also highlight Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), spoken word and music, National African American Parent Involvement Day and the Crown Act. For more information, click here.
Top 5: Favorite Field Trips
Skiing areas, museums and nature centers are just a few of the great places Team DPS members had their favorite field trips! Looking for your next fun field trip destination? Find some ideas in the top 5 below and here!
5. “Although this field study was more than 20 years ago, it still tops my list for ‘best field trip ever!’ When Odyssey, our Expeditionary Learning charter, was just getting started -- and in tandem with our Oceans Expedition -- we took almost 60 fifth- and sixth-graders to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. During that week, we had so many lessons, adventures and hands-on experiences around the ocean and marine life. We visited the National Seashore at Cape Cod and stayed at the Cape Cod Sea Camp in Brewster. For most students it was the first (hopefully not the last) experience with the ocean.” -- Vanessa Zimmerman, Denver Center for International Studies at Ford
4. "Our second- and third-grade students attended a field trip at Urban Farm, which was incredible from start to finish. Everything was well organized and getting to meet and pet so many animals was wonderful for our students. Our best student quote from the trip was, 'Wait! Sheep are real?!?'" -- Madeline Baird, Ellis Elementary
3. "Bluff Lake Nature Center provides great field trips for all elementary levels. They have many different activities where students get to walk and learn about a new environment north of Denver. It is free for Title 1 schools, including the bus transportation." -- Miguel Sanchez Martin, Denver Online Elementary
2. “Our overnight at the Denver Zoo! We call it ‘bunk with the beast.’ We go to the zoo after a regular school day, learn about the different animals and sleep there! The morning after, we eat breakfast and visit the animals while they are still having their breakfast. It is the best field trip ever!” -- Veraliz Fernandez de Barbano, Denver Center for International Studies at Fairmont
1. "Partnering with Burton's non-profit, Chill Foundation, myself and other Merrill staff are taking 12 newcomer students up to Loveland Ski Area on Tuesdays for six weeks of snowboarding lessons. All the students are complete beginners and have started connecting their turns after their third lesson this past Tuesday. Next week, we hope to get them up onto one of the lifts. The whole program only cost Merrill $75, and getting students who are new to the country up into the mountains to experience a staple of Colorado's outdoor entertainment has been incredible." -- Jeff Bayard, Merrill Middle School
Top 5 Callout: Shoutout a School Counselor
School counselors are a vital part of Team DPS, and their hard work helps keep DPS students and staff feeling safe and supported. In celebration of National School Counselors Association week next week, we want to recognize some of the great school counselors who are a part of Team DPS. Shoutout an outstanding school counselor here.
Donate to the Share the Love Event from Feb. 13-17
The Southeast and Central Region Community Hubs are hosting the Share the Love event, a clothing drive taking place at Emily Griffith Campus. Please share the love by donating items for our clothing boutiques that serve DPS families and the community. These boutiques are free to the community. 

We are asking for new or gently used clothes (stain and damage free) as well as new toiletries (deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner) and baby items (diapers, wipes, etc.) 

Drop off your donations between Feb. 13-17 on the 7-12th floors of the Emily Griffith Campus building (1860 Lincoln St. Denver, CO 80203). Bins will be located in each break area.
American Heart Month: Give Your Heart Some Love
February is American Heart Month! This month (and every month), focus on your cardiovascular health to prevent heart disease and stroke. Did you know many of those who are at high risk for heart attack or stroke don’t know it? The good news is that many of the major risks for these conditions can be prevented and controlled through healthy lifestyle changes. Living a healthy lifestyle can help you keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels normal, and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack.
February Edition of Employee Wellness Newsletter Now Available
The February Employee Wellness Newsletter, curated by the Employee Wellness Department, is now available. This month, we highlight:

  • American Heart Association's School District "Go Red Day."
  • Registration for Spring into Motion step challenge.
  • Move@Work program.
  • The amazing work that our Wellness Champ is doing at Gust Elementary in partnership with Woodhull Wellness’ mindfulness program.
  • The celebration of Black History Month with a story about the contribution of psychologist and public health leader, Linda James Myers, PhD.
Living Our DPS Honoree
Jamie Davis
Teacher, Edison Elementary School
Students First

“Jamie teaches and emits fun with Students First in mind. She takes the time to really see and connect to each of her kids. From deciding which novel study her kids would truly enjoy and connect with meaningfully, to jumping to play any sport or game with any student at any time. She will not pass anyone in the building without acknowledging their presence and checking in with them. Jamie’s consistent positive attitude with high expectations for her kids shows how much she loves what she does.”

-- Gabi Lucero, Edison Elementary
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