Top 5: Shoutouts for Our DPS COVID Heroes!
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Thank you to everyone who shared shoutouts to team members for going above and beyond during the pandemic. We were blown away learning about the ways so many have stepped up to help their school communities overcome obstacles of this past year. Read more shoutouts here.
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5. “Lauren Dunn has made the vaccination process so easy and flawless! She was on top of everything when there was a chance for me to get my first dose. She was quick, personable and encouraging. She made a whole difference for me and for my family. I am thankful for her. Her hard work is very much appreciated.” -- Silvia Borras-Giner, Multilingual Communications
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4. “To our amazing leaders -- principal Alex Wenzel and AP Meg Zimmerman -- it has not been an easy school year for any of us, but your leadership and positive attitude have helped pull us through. We truly appreciate your weekly newsletter and constant dedication to keeping us, your staff, updated and informed especially during these challenging times. We feel very fortunate to have you both! Your impact has really made a difference -- thank you!” -- Veraliz Fernandez de Barbano, DCIS at Fairmont
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3. “I would love to shout out my amazing office team, Shelley and Reyna. Since July 22 when we walked back into our building, we have been working hard to make the transition back to school as easy as we can during the pandemic. The time we have spent working together has built the amazing team we are today and the proof is in the happy staff, students and parents who shower us with love each day. I would not want to go through another pandemic ever but if I had to, I would pick you.” -- Alma Gonzalez, North
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2. “Ms. Lynn Malie has gotten very creative throughout the pandemic in finding ways to connect with and engage her students -- some of whom struggle with online learning. One example was during the recent remote learning snow day where Ms. Lynn visited her students outside their homes and they built snowmen together!” -- Carla Graeber, Doull
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1. “Annashay Salas, our SAL and Interventionist, went above and beyond to support so many students this year. She went to multiple students' homes to deliver technology and teach families who are new to the United States how to use Google Meet and Seesaw. Additionally, Annashay creates our weekly community meeting videos that celebrate students as ‘Leaders of the Week.’ Each week, she does a voiceover of Preston Panther, our school mascot. She delivers Goldrick gear and confetti to families' porches to celebrate. Students love the videos and many virtual learners have told me they peek at it as soon as it posts to Seesaw because they're so excited and grateful to feel connected to their school community in this unique time. Annashay is the best!” -- Piper Lowrey, Goldrick
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Top 5 Callout: Blizzard Photos |
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Did you know this weekend's blizzard was the fourth-largest in Denver history? Whether you spent the weekend snuggled up with some hot cocoa or ventured out to make snow angels, we want to see what your snow day looked like! Submit your blizzard pic through this form and we'll share it in next week's edition!
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Guidelines for Proof of Vaccination |
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We are excited to share that all of our team members have had the opportunity to sign up to receive their COVID-19 vaccine, thanks to our partners at Denver Health and Children's Colorado! As more and more of Team DPS is getting fully vaccinated, we wanted to provide some guidance on how team members should handle asking individuals about their vaccine status.
As a reminder, DPS employees are not required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment. Leaders may ask team members about their vaccination status in order to follow public health guidelines, such as quarantine orders. In those instances, employees can be asked if they are vaccinated or to show a vaccination card. However, no employee may keep records or copies of vaccination cards or ask follow-up questions of another employee about why they did or did not get vaccinated. We do not want to solicit private medical information or information that may reveal that an employee has a disability.
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Voices of the Vaccine: Jim Staples |
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"I received my first dose on March 3. I thanked every single one of the frontline workers for their dedication and commitment to getting this great city, state and country vaccinated. As I sat in the post-vaccination observation room, it hit me that it wasn’t quite a year ago that we had shut down as a country -- as a world for that matter. It was quite scary.
Then I thought, 'Here I am with hundreds of others getting this vaccine almost 12 months after this terrifying virus injected itself into our lives. What a global scientific achievement. Everyone came together to produce a vaccine in 12 months. This should be a sense of worldwide pride for everyone. It was for me.'" -- Jim Staples, Planning, Design & Construction
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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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Nominate a Teacher for Broncos’ Touchdown for Teachers |
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DPS’ partner Delta Dental of Colorado has partnered with the Denver Broncos to launch Touchdowns for Teachers, a program that recognizes local MVTs (Most Valuable Teachers) for outstanding service to their schools and communities.
Do you know a game-changing teacher who goes the extra yard to educate and inspire? All members of the DPS community are invited to nominate an educator (K-12) to be considered for this recognition.
Ten honorees will be selected each semester by a panel of community members, the Denver Broncos and Delta Dental of Colorado. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. March 26. Visit www.denverbroncos.com/teachers to learn more and share your nomination.
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Customize Your Benefits Package |
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Medical insurance isn’t all that DPS offers! Check out all our unique plan options listed below to help you prepare for Open Enrollment April 19-May 7.
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Vision insurance: Get all your vision needs met through comprehensive coverage from VSP.
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Supplemental coverage: Includes insurance for critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, home, auto, pets -- as well as legal services, commuter services, and long-term care coverage.
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Sick Leave Bank: Secure short-term leave pay with Sick Leave Bank (DPS’s unique and comprehensive solution to short-term disability pay).
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Sign Up for the Six-week HealthTrails Step Challenge |
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Whether it’s Australia’s Bibbulmun Track or around the city of Florence, you’ll be inspired to keep moving toward better health in the six-week HealthTrails step challenge! Participants are rewarded with exciting images and descriptions of each area’s people, places and history -- all while improving mood, stress, and energy levels. Easily record your activity on the website or by using a tracking device.
Sign up today individually or as a team (up to five people per team), and gear up for the challenge to start on April 12! Household members (ages 13+) can also participate at no additional cost. Note: This challenge is also available in Spanish!
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Save the Date: DPS Annual Sustainability and Garden Forum |
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Join the DPS Sustainability Team for our Annual Sustainability and Garden Forum the week of April 12! This year's forum will include five days of one-hour, virtual interactive sessions. This event connects educators, students and families with local experts and community partners who bring standards-based curriculum into classrooms and gardens to connect with nature and lead more sustainable lives.
This year's forum will feature: DIY home energy and waste audits, a solar oven workshop, a cooking in the classroom demonstration, curriculum and support for integrating conservation, gardens and more! All members of the DPS Community are welcome to join. Find detailed information and register here.
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Lulu Kay
Special Education Teacher,
Hill Campus of Arts & Sciences
Fun
"Lulu has gone above and beyond what seems humanly possible this year in the MI classroom. She teaches a group of students in person Monday through Friday, teaches a group online several times each day, regularly visits students at their homes and brings joy to every interaction. She helps her students grow and shine in reading, writing, interviewing, cooking, math and of course -- dancing!" -- Marne Gulley, Secondary Literacy Specialist
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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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