From a student to our Superintendent, after 31 years in DPS, Susana Cordova is stepping down from her role on Friday. Last week, we asked members of Team DPS to share their favorite memories or lessons from Susana, and it is clear she has made an impact on all of Team DPS, as well as our students.

5.“Each time I had the opportunity to meet Susana, I learn something different. A lasting memory for me will be how she showed no difference by me being Facility Manager or a Principal. She cared deeply about underserved and poor communities. She treats everyone with Equity and always puts Students First. She always would ask me before she left ‘Are you ok?’, and that meant the world to me. Susana will be truly missed." -- Sheila Mauldin, Smith

3.“Susana values teachers! This is clear in multiple ways. She remembered me, my role, and where I worked after a very brief meeting and then always greeted me like she knew and valued me and my direct work with students. I was impressed with her starting the teacher council and their role in LEAP appendices this year, as well as teacher representation to reimagine the SPF. She got central office supporting in-person learning in schools and had her day a week too! I am devastated she is moving on, and dream that she will come back. Mil gracias, Susana!” -- Katie Shively, Valdez

4.“Susana was my (at the time) ELA instructor the summer before I started my first year of teaching in DPS (24 years ago). So, she literally taught me almost everything I knew to start my career! She also trusted me with the education of her own children, so I thank her for that and for being a role model to so many of us 'old school' Denver people.” -- Frank Doyle, CEC Early College

2.“After being in DPS 36 years, I have never known Susana to back down from supporting students. I will always respect and admire her courage and hard work ethic and love for our DPS kiddos. She came to Henry Middle School during the most tumultuous times of phase out to support and listen to our faculty and community concerns. I will always remember her kindness and compassion and willingness to help us meet the needs of our students and teachers.” -- Lani Nobles, HR and retired Admin

1.“I met Susana in the early 90s when I was a student at Denver West High school. I remember hearing a lot about her from her mom who was a secretary at West. I did not know then that Susana would be my real-life superhero. Many years later I started working in DPS as a paraprofessional. ... In those years, I learned more about Susana. I learned that I wanted to be like her. ‘If she could do, I could do it’ was what I told my 20-year-old self. ... Just like Susana, I was a product of DPS and Latina with a big dream in my heart. ... Now I am a proud teacher in DPS. I have found a lot of success in my career. ... My heart breaks as I tell myself that I will be fine in her absence. I will miss her compassion, guidance and empathy. My superhero is off to show others what achieving dreams feels like. Que dios te guie en to nueva aventura!” -- Angelica Acevedo, teacher at Lena Archuleta

As we prepare for winter break and extended time with our families, now is the time to make sure that you are helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put together 12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season.

For many, this can be a stressful time of year. CDC recommends giving yourself a break if you feel stressed out or overwhelmed and find support, connect socially and get plenty of sleep. You can find more tips for coping with holiday stress here. If you are in crisis, you can call 844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255. Learn more about behavioral telehealth services, including remote options, here. And DPS' Employee Assistance Program is always available to support our team members.

Help ensure a healthy holiday season and schedule a COVID-19 test to keep your family, friends and community safe. The test process is quick, easy and free -- sign up here.

This year’s virtual Giving Tree event has been a huge success! Since last Thursday, Team DPS has generously donated $1,555 to help support our students in the ESSA foster care program and our military-connected students. (Learn more about these students here.)

These funds have been used to purchase gift cards to accompany the Family Fun Holiday gift bags for our families in need. The gift bags will be delivered to families before the holidays.

There is still time to contribute to gift cards for clothing items by clicking here. Thank you, Team DPS, for your kind and caring generosity!

Looking to save money on gifts or entertainment over the winter break? DPS team members have exclusive access to discounts on popular brands, retailers and services through Beneplace.

Log in or register to access discounts on these things and more:

Team members who sign up for electronic delivery can receive their W-2 and 1095-C up to two weeks earlier than those receiving through mail. It is quick and easy to enroll in electronic delivery. Follow these steps by 5 p.m. Jan. 11 to ensure electronic delivery this year:

Mark your calendar for 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 9 for a virtual event designed to celebrate African American family and student engagement, and highlight social and academic excellence. Hosted by the African American Equity Task Force, this is the third event in a series of programming created to celebrate, educate and inform families on how to navigate DPS systems and structures.

School staff, families and community members can nominate students who have demonstrated advocacy in their school or community. All nominated students will be recognized at the event. Click here to nominate a student or register for the event.

For questions, email aaen@dpsk12.org.

"Esmeralda De La Oliva came to Respect Academy in the 2019-20 school year with an extensive background as a Family and Community Liaison with the DPS FACE team. She has been able to leverage this training and experience along with her fierce commitment to our Spanish-speaking families to support our students and families at an unparalleled level. Ms. Esmeralda, as she is know by our community, is relentless in ensuring that Respect Academy students have equitable access to the knowledge, skills and technology needed to succeed in their remote courses. She personally delivers and trains students on how to access their courses in Schoology and has spent countless hours texting, calling and safely visiting our families to identify and address their barriers to school success. With staff, Esmeralda has built a strong reputation for integrity and excellence; we often tease her by referring to her as our very small but very mighty Raven. She exemplifies Students First, Equity and Integrity every day!" -- Ann Cobb, Respect Academy

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.