Stedman Elementary students practicing the DPS 5. |
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Top 5: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic
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Thank you to the team members who shared what they've learned through experiencing life during the COVID-19 pandemic. These lessons learned are inspiring and remind us of Team DPS' resiliency -- even during the most difficult times. Read more lessons learned here.
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5. “The pandemic has taught me that I can rely on my teammates! It has also taught me that having a flexible mindset can make life easier.” -- Yvonne Casteel, Marrama
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4. “To have gratitude for each day. To breathe, be mindful and notice what is good. To let go of expectations and to give people and the world the benefit of the doubt. We are all doing the best we can.” -- Natasha Bluhm, School Nurse
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3. “Having to teach kindergarten virtually has taught me that kids are capable of so much more than we think with technology! They have internalized how to use tools on Zoom, how to log on to technology independently and online learning etiquette like muting our microphones so we can listen to each other.” -- Marta Rodenas, Escalante Biggs Academy
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2. “I have learned how important it is for parents to feel supported in difficult times. I make attendance calls for remote learners daily. Sometimes absences are due to a COVID diagnosis, sometimes a death in the family, sometimes for overwhelming anxiety. Other times, the parent is having a hard time getting the student to join a class they have no reason to miss. Parents appreciate someone checking in with them, asking how they are doing, and helping them find solutions.” -- Debbie Darrow, Edison
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1. “If you have the desire to do your best in any given situation, you collaborate with others, you dig in to figure out how to make things work, and you open yourself up to the changes that come your way and you move forward. If you make a mistake or things do not go as planned, you realize things happen for a reason and you learn from it. You give the people you care about -- and yourself -- love and patience because at the end of the day, our lives have a purpose and we do not know how long our journey is going to last.” -- Sandra Brown, SE&O
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We know it's been a year since the start of the pandemic -- but we also know there are many members of Team DPS who have stepped up to support in any way that they could to help get each other and our students through this pandemic. Want to shoutout someone for going the extra mile to support you, your school or your department when you needed it most this past year? Submit your shoutout through this form and we'll share it in next week's edition.
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Join Team DPS for the "DPS Belong Spring Social" |
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DPS Belong groups are intentional spaces for people with similar backgrounds, beliefs and experiences to gather, celebrate and create community. We recognize that our employees from underrepresented backgrounds bring diverse experiences, perspectives and approaches to the work that we do. These experiences and perspectives are what create a stronger and more inclusive environment for both our employees and our students.
Team DPS is invited to join us from 4:30-5:45 p.m. Thursday, March 18 for the Spring Social, which brings all DPS Belong groups together. We are excited to welcome some new Belong Groups: The Jewish and The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Groups.
The social provides a space for team members to connect or reconnect with their Belong Group, learn about all of our different Belong groups and see which ones speak to you. Email DPSBelong@dpsk12.org if you have any questions and check out upcoming Belong meetings and events on the DPS Belong Calendar!
(Pictured: Members of the LGBTQ+ Belong Group at the 2019 Denver PrideFest.)
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Voices of the Vaccine: Will Jones |
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"COVID-19 doesn't care what you think, doesn't care who you voted for, doesn't care how much pigment you have ... It doesn't matter. COVID is out here killing people. And the best way to defend yourself right now is to get the vaccine. If you have something to lose, if you have people that love you, put the armor on." |
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Will Jones, DPS' Director of External Communications, reflects on his battle with COVID-19 and shares a message about the importance of getting vaccinated in this Rocky Mountain PBS story.
If you've received your vaccine and want to share your experience and what getting the vaccine means to you, please email your story to newsletters@dpsk12.org!
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DPS' Contributions to Your Health Insurance Costs |
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DPS contributes to your health insurance costs to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, including your premium amounts. This year, we’re contributing $76 million in benefit credits; Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) contributions; HMO, child, and additional medical subsidies; plus $430,000 in Well Aware -- we continue to offer $200 to each employee who participates in the Well Aware Program by May 14.
Consider these additional ways to get the most out of your health insurance plan:
- Make sure your preferred medical providers are in-network.
- Consider coverage limits for prescription drugs.
- Remember to check the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum amounts, not just the premium costs.
- Research additional perks, like gym memberships or free mental health programs.
All this information and more can be found on The Commons. Be prepared for Open Enrollment April 19-May 7 by reviewing your available resources now. All benefits-eligible employees must take action and enroll or waive their benefits.
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HR supports Team DPS with benefits, compensation, leaves of absence, onboarding, and much more! With so much information and various needs for our team members, we designed a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) HR center on The Commons to make accessing your forms, checklists, FAQs, and information easier.
Take control of your HR needs with ease by accessing the most accurate, up-to-date information in the DIY HR Center -- available whenever and wherever you need it most. After you visit, please fill out this feedback form so we can improve our online support.
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Enter to Win a Clean Car Club Membership |
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Want to win a three-month Clean Car Club membership from Waterway Carwash while supporting DPS Foundation? For those who are able, you can easily enter to win by making a one-time donation to DPS Foundation’s I Give for Team DPS employee giving campaign or by signing up for payroll deductions to make a difference for DPS students all year long! Your gift can help students and educators across DPS by supporting programs and initiatives such as the A to Z Fund Classroom Grant and afterschool programs. Learn more and enter by 5 p.m. tomorrow March 12. Note: No contribution necessary to qualify for prizes.
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School Grants Available Through Westerra Credit Union’s School Grant Program |
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Westerra Credit Union is making a second wave of school grants available for the 2020-21 school year through the Westerra Credit Union School Grant Program. This program strives to enhance students’ learning experiences by providing items such as art supplies, sports fees and equipment, after school programs, workbooks or other programs your school determines most beneficial.
Grants are available up to $500 and will be issued to schools or departments (not individuals). While all DPS schools are eligible to apply, please limit one request per school. Click here to apply by 5 p.m. March 19. Grant checks will be ready for distribution in April. Looking for additional grants? Check out the $52.80 Fundraising Program, which runs year-round.
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Mindi Onwuegbu
Communications Specialist,
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College
Collaboration
"When we hired trauma social workers, Ms. Mindi was responsible for collaborating with them to transforming a stale environment with salmon colored countertops into a haven where students can heal, process, and transform into a better version of themselves. And when the initial cinder block structure of our building reminded those of a jail-like institution, she began the efforts in collaborating with stakeholders in transforming the space into a more welcoming environment for students and staff to enter. Ms. Mindi is an invaluable and essential part of our DMLK family and very much a part of what makes DMLK a bright shining star of the FNE." -- Lori Presley, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College
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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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