“Ari is my lucky charm! She always brightens my day.” -- Cara Young, Smith Elementary
Check out the Top 5 for more adorable pet pics!
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Introducing a New Health Insurance Option for Team DPS: MotivHealth |
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We’re excited to announce that we’re adding a third health insurance provider for DPS team members to choose from during Open Enrollment (April 18-May 6). We have partnered with MotivHealth to offer a medical network focused on HSA-based insurance plans that produce lower premiums, lower out-of-pocket maximums, and lower prescription costs, allowing for significant health savings. MotivHealth aims to inform, engage and empower its members by combining their own unique savings tools, customer service representatives (called Personal Health Assistants) who are available 24/7, and prescription assistance programs.
Visit MotivHealth’s DPS website for more information. If you have questions about MotivHealth between now and July 1, call the DPS hotline at 800-392-7786 (assistance available in English and Spanish.) Note: Employees who enroll in MotivHealth should reach out to MotivHealth’s Personal Health Assistant hotline at 844-234-4472 once their plans are active after July 1. A full provider list (to see if your current doctor is in network) will be available in early April.
In addition to plans offered by MotivHealth, DPS team members will still be able to choose from health insurance plans offered through Aetna and Kaiser Permanente during Open Enrollment this year. As a reminder, every benefits-eligible employee must enroll or waive benefits during Open Enrollment, regardless of what they elected last year. Employees who do not take action will be auto-enrolled in the lowest cost Aetna plan (employee only, post-tax with an HSA.) |
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Final Reminder: Take the CollaboRATE Leadership Feedback Portion by March 22 |
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If you haven’t already, please be sure to complete the leadership feedback portion of CollaboRATE, DPS’ all-employee survey, before it closes on Tuesday, March 22. You should have received an email from DPS Collaborate on March 7 with a unique link to complete the confidential survey. Your feedback is essential in helping individuals grow and become more effective leaders, in turn best supporting our students. For more information, visit thecommons.dpsk12.org/collaborate.
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Team DPS loves our pets! Thanks to the team members who shared photos of their four-legged companions! In need of a quick pick me up? Head to the photo gallery for more fuzzy, goofy and sweet pet photos that are sure to bring you joy.
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5. “Here is my five-year-old Boston terrier, Hazel. She has the best personality and is a sweet and funny dog! She may only be 14 pounds but she thinks she is a big dog. In the dog park, she will go right up to the Great Dane to play.” -- Karla Shymanski, Internal Audit
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4. “This is a digital artwork created by 11th-grader, Cas Truong at KCAA. It is a drawing of my family, which includes Emily Ayres (art teacher at KCAA), myself (math teacher at KCAA), our three dogs Pompeii, Gloria, and Margie, and our two cats Dino and Annie. Best gift from a student ever!” -- Clay Jessen, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy
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3. "This is our class pet, Latte. She is a sweet, loving girl with a special love for mini-pop treats! She welcomes the children every day with her morning exercises on the wheel and climbing around her house. She is loved by old and new students. Latte is at her best when 'old' kindergartners come to see her as a reward for good choices! We love you, Latte!" -- Veraliz Fernández de Barbano, DCIS at Fairmont
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2. “Colfax is my therapy dog who comes with me to GW to support students, staff, and whomever needs a little canine love. You can find him whining for treats, snoring, or getting love and affection from his Patriot family in the Success Center!” -- Rachel Uslan, George Washington HS
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1. “This is Inspirion, our four-year-old bearded dragon! He has been the official Inspire school pet since he was a baby dragon. He lives in the front office and students are able to take him home over school breaks. He also is available for Friday ‘Chat and Chows,’ where he visits a classroom and students get to learn about him and watch him chow down on live mealworms and crickets! He is well loved at Inspire.” -- Ashlee Workman, Inspire Elementary
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Top 5 Callout: Spring Favorites |
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This Sunday, March 20 marks the first day of spring! Whether it's planting, attending Opening Day or that feeling of satisfaction after a good ol' spring cleaning, we want to know your favorite part of spring. Share your spring favorites through this form for a feature in next week’s edition!
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Save the Dates for Upcoming Homebuying Information Sessions with Landed |
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To support team members in buying a home in the community they serve, DPS has partnered with Landed -- a San Francisco-based startup that helps employees in education buy a home through a shared equity down-payment assistance program. Over 70 DPS employees have purchased a home with Landed since 2018.
Tune into one of these spring information sessions to learn more about the homebuying process with Landed:
Landed is also hosting two financial wellness webinars this month for those who want to learn about key financial aspects of purchasing a home, such as savings tactics and debt-to-income ratios.
Join one of these sessions to hear about financial steps to take now to be a buyer soon:
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Discount Alert: Teacher Day at the Denver Home Show |
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The Denver Home Show returns to the National Western Complex this weekend from March 18-20, and Sunday, March 20 is Teacher Day. As a thank-you for your service, sacrifice and support, members of Team DPS will receive free admission when you show your DPS ID badge at Will Call. Get $3 off Friday and Saturday tickets using promo code: TEACHER.
Take advantage of this three-day opportunity to shop, compare, and save with hundreds of experts in kitchens and baths, landscaping, flooring, décor, and more. Click here to learn more.
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Sherri George
Dean of Instruction, Barnum Elementary
Integrity
"When I think of the word 'leader' one person immediately comes to mind, and that person is Mrs. Sherri George. Mrs. George is truly dedicated to the students, families, and staff at our school. We are fortunate to have a leader that makes everyone feel safe and valued. Her door, and her heart, is always open. She wants to see everyone succeed and takes it upon herself to locate resources for teachers, students, and families to support them in their pursuits and needs. When students see her in the hall, they are quick to give her a hug and share what they have been learning. The staff feels at ease in her presence and as a result are ready to engage and collaborate.
Mrs. George finds a variety of ways to celebrate the highlights of students and staff. Sometimes this may be through the form of stopping by classrooms with her treasure box to celebrate students that have shown growth in their academics, or giving out mugs with a 'Thank You' card attached. Earlier in the school year, I was taking care of my mother because she had terminal cancer. Mrs. George extended a lending hand and dropped by with some homemade lasagna for our family. As I mentioned before, she truly has an open heart. Yes, her knowledge in LEAP and literacy are astounding, but her heart truly shines and makes her stand out. We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Sherri George as a leader."
-- Mario Galvan, Barnum
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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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