Miriam Flores Hernandez -- a fifth-grade teacher at Munroe Elementary -- is among the 7,500-plus educators who have been given the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. |
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Access the COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ on The Commons |
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Dear Team DPS,
Thank you to those who joined us Monday for the Telephone Town Hall to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and our plan to get it to our team members. In case you missed it, listen to a recording of the discussion here.
Also, be sure to check out the COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ on The Commons to find answers to frequently asked questions, including about when it’s your turn to get vaccinated, preparing for a vaccination appointment, scheduling, rescheduling or canceling an appointment, and more.
As a reminder, our partners at Children's Colorado and Denver Health are continually reaching out to eligible team members to schedule their vaccine appointments via email. Please check your dpsk12.org email regularly to ensure you don't miss the opportunity to schedule your vaccine appointment when it is your turn. So far, more than 7,500 team members have been given the opportunity to schedule their vaccination! Among these team members are Bernadette Leyba, an English Language Teacher at DC21.
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"I am an immune-compromised person. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Having the vaccine available for me makes me feel a lot better being in the classroom around students."
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See more from Bernadette in this 9News 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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Reminder: It's Time to CollaboRATE! |
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CollaboRATE, DPS' all-employee engagement survey, is now live! You should have received an email from DPS CollaboRATE with the subject line "It's Time to CollaboRATE: Your Voice Matters!" To take the confidential survey, click on the unique link located in the email. The survey will take about 8-10 minutes to complete and is mobile friendly.
CollaboRATE is one of the most important tools that you can use to help shape the future of your team and DPS. This confidential survey gives you the opportunity to provide DPS as a whole with feedback that will be used to help us all continue to grow and improve. CollaboRATE results in the past have led to changes and improvements across DPS, including our recognition programs, improved team performance, as well as a focus on team member well-being.
We ask that all team members take the survey before it closes on Feb. 18. For more information, including general FAQs and information on the self-identification questions, please visit thecommons.dpsk12.org/collaborate.
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Top 5: Central Office Team Member Shout-outs |
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Thank you to those who submitted shout-outs to Central Office team members who have been supporting in our schools! These shout-outs shine a light on the way team members are collaborating every day to keep our schools open and safe. Congratulations to this week's winner, Madeline Baird at Ellis Elementary! Read more shout-outs here.
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5. "I'm so grateful for all of the Central Office folks working hard to make sure our frontline staff have the opportunity to get vaccinated ASAP. On behalf of my family, school, and communities, THANK YOU SO MUCH!" -- Omar Reyes, Schmitt Elementary
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4. "We LOVE our Central Office support! Two team members -- Meghan Kimball and Vivian Avila -- had opportunities to help with covering classrooms, and they jumped at the chance without a moment to think about it. They were instrumental in helping our school run smoothly! Our kids loved them and enjoyed getting to meet new people. I was afraid they might be uncomfortable with such a quick shift on short notice, but they both genuinely thanked us for the opportunity. We could not have done it without them." -- Emily Volkert, Centennial Elementary
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3. “Kudos to Ginger Conly, Library Web and Systems Specialist with Ed Tech and Library Services, for assisting with in-person learning at Steck Elementary. In a 'normal' year, Ginger supports DPS students and educators in a highly technical position from behind-the-scenes. With this past year, Ginger has displayed her dedication to our students by not only fulfilling her normal duties but also working the phone bank back in June, handing out 'Take & Make' STEM kits at food distribution sites, and working recess duty at a local school. Thank you, Ginger!” -- Kate Adams, Educational Technology and Library Services
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2. "Amanda Glomboski has been the epitome of flexibility as she has supported College View Elementary! She's done everything from ECE coverage to fifth-grade lunch and recess to AN support, and has made great connections with our students and staff! And all the while, she's been supporting our Special Education Team through the intricacies of contingency plans, virtual IEPs, compensatory services, and numerous complex cases. She is positive, asset-based, and just overall awesome! Thanks for all that you do, we appreciate you!” -- College View Elementary
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1. "Community Support Partner Julio Alas supported a second-grade classroom at Ellis Elementary during the start of in-person instruction. We had a staffing challenge for a maternity leave position and Julio stepped in to take care of all the day-to-day things required of a full-time classroom teacher. He organized and set up the classroom, attended every meeting, helped with recess duty, provided daily instruction in Spanish and ultimately helped us transition to a long-term substitute. There is literally NO WAY we could have made it through the start of in person instruction without him!" -- Madeline Baird, Ellis Elementary
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Top 5 Callout: Favorite Kid Quote |
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Kids say the funniest things -- and sometimes, they don't even know it! What quirky quips or outstanding one-liners have you heard since the return to in-person learning? Submit your favorite kid quote through this form and we'll share it in next week's edition!
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Urgent Care vs. Emergency Rooms: What You Need to Know |
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Knowing the distinctions between urgent care centers and emergency rooms is an important part of understanding your health care plan, especially when it comes to comparing plans during Open Enrollment. Here's what you need to know:
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Urgent Care Centers: 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.
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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.
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Reminder: Sign Up for the YOU Revolution Program |
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It isn’t too late to sign up for the healthy lifestyle 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 guidance from Michelle Zellner, founder of Better Beings.
The program is free, and you can join either the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday class beginning Feb. 23. Click here to secure your spot by tomorrow, Feb. 12. Questions? Email staffwellness@dpsk12.org.
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Attend DPS Foundation’s Films for the Future Virtual Event |
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Join the DPS Foundation on Feb. 18 from 5-6 p.m. for its second Films for the Future event in the three film series. This event will feature Verizon Wireless’s documentary, “Without A Net: The Digital Divide in America,” which explores the importance of equitable technology education in America's public schools. Attendees can watch the film prior to the virtual event, where we’ll watch an exclusive DPS Foundation short documentary, “Connecting in a Digital World,” which highlights the experiences of DPS students, parents and educators throughout remote learning followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
This event is free and pre-registration is required. To learn more about the expert panelists who will be joining the discussion and for more information, click here.
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Get Down Payment Assistance for Buying a Home in Denver |
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In effort to support our team members with purchasing a home, DPS has partnered with Landed, a San Francisco-based startup that helps essential professionals buy homes. There are a few upcoming information sessions hosted by Landed that any member of DPS is welcome to attend:
Learn more about the DPS/Landed Shared Equity Down Payment Program and how it works.
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Lucy Roberts
School Nurse, Manual
Integrity
"Last year, when Lucy noticed students’ hunger between classes and lack of food options outside of school, she sprung into action. After a lot of discussion, planning, and fundraising, Lucy successfully secured Manual as a food bank site. She named the space the 'Manual Market.' After schools were closed due to COVID, nurse Lucy mobilized a group of 30 community volunteers to become a mobile food bank coalition! We deliver boxes to Manual families on a bi-weekly basis, to ensure families have fresh food and healthy options in these very difficult times. Lucy does this all while still teaching students, families, and staff about ways to maintain mental and physical health. She’s amazing and we are blessed to have her as a Thunderbolt." -- Whitney Weathers, Manual High School
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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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