In celebration of National School Social Worker Week, we asked DPS team members to submit shoutouts for their school social workers! These shout-outs highlight the important work DPS social workers do every day to ensure kids feel safe and supported. Check out the Top 5 below and read more shoutouts here.

5.“Heather Jung is a beacon of compassion and dedication, going above and beyond to support her students and uplift the entire school community. Her unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of every individual shines brightly, making a lasting impact on those she serves. Her empathy, kindness and tireless efforts inspire admiration and gratitude, creating a nurturing environment where students and staff feel seen, heard and empowered to thrive. She is a true hero, social worker and colleague.” -- Grant Beacon Middle School

3.“Olivia Jeavons is a passionate and dedicated social worker. With unwavering passion, she traverses the depths of society's most pressing issues, offering solace and support to those in need at Barnum Elementary. Olivia's commitment knows no bounds; she tirelessly advocates for marginalized communities, amplifying their voices in a world that often overlooks their struggles. Whether she's providing counseling to at-risk youth, securing resources for homeless individuals, or fighting for policy reform, Olivia's determination remains steadfast. Her compassion is infectious, igniting hope in even the most despairing hearts. Through her tireless efforts, Olivia embodies the essence of social justice, a guiding light in the pursuit of a more equitable society.” -- Barnum Elementary School

4.“Julia Jones is the BESS(t) teammate you could ever have on your mental health team. The outstanding work that Julia has put into the BESS screening at the district level has been inspiring. She is the driving factor for equitable student services within her work as a universal mental health student coordinator. Not only does she impact students and staff at the district level, Julia coordinates state level and legislative impact with schools across the state. Julia inspires me every single day to show up for our students, build up their systems of support and network into the community. She is a rockstar and we are so lucky to have Julia supporting our universal mental health screening (BESS)! -- Caroline DeWitt Ed.S NCSP, Dept. of Mental Health

2.“Paris Brauner goes above and beyond every day to support our students and make a positive impact on everyone she comes in contact with. Her dedication to finding valuable resources, arranging transportation and anticipating needs is truly remarkable. Not only does she take care of our students, but she also plays a vital role in supporting and uplifting our staff. In her first year at Schmitt, Paris' ability to connect with the community and be a solutions-oriented problem-solver is invaluable. Her empathy and genuine care for every student and family shine through in everything she does. Thank you for pouring your heart and soul into your job and making a positive difference in the lives of those around you. You are truly exceptional and we are so lucky to have you on our team!” -- Hayley Gunter, Schmitt Elementary

1.“Our social worker, Perla Murillo, tirelessly dedicates her time and expertise to everyone here at Montbello Middle School! She brings energy and kindness to the building. She translates for our newcomer families and makes sure that they are well taken care of by collecting donations and assisting in providing access to services. She meets with students daily to encourage them and help them through difficult times. She leads engaging and knowledgeable PDs, clubs and classes. Overall, she is generous and uplifting, and an inspiration to all! We are so lucky to have her here at MMS!!” -- Joey Collins, Montbello Middle School

The 2024 Oscars Academy Awards will take place this Sunday, March 10! We want to know which film you think will take home Best Picture! Cast your vote below.

April is Arab American Heritage Month! To celebrate, we want to recognize the amazing programs, events and celebrations involving Arab culture around the district on social media, our website and internal communications! Share how your school is honoring this special month here. We also want to hear positive statements about student or staff members and how they honor and represent their heritage!

DPS is looking for parents, teachers, students, school leaders and community members who are passionate about improving our local schools. Read more about the District Accountability Committee (DAC) and apply here by March 22 to join the DAC! If you have questions, contact the DAC at denverdac@gmail.com.

Review the Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Services Year End Deadline Memo for upcoming and important dates regarding year-end close. Complete these year-end close processes prior to June 30 to avoid potential budget implications for the 2024-25 fiscal year. If you have questions, contact your financial partner.

We have recently updated the DPS email signature files to include the new link to X (formerly Twitter). Please update your signature to reflect this updated link! DPS email signatures are customizable and easy to use. We have five options available for you to choose from. Learn how to edit and install your email signature. Questions? Contact communications@dpsk12.org.

Whether it's a school's grade-level team, departmental team, project team or cross-functional team, please take the time to recognize an amazing group of people you work with by submitting a nomination for the Excellence in Team Award. Nominations are due Friday, March 15. Questions? Email Our_DPSValues@dpsk12.org.

During the Night of Honor celebration, four dedicated individuals are presented with the Leadership Lamp award and four outstanding teams are presented with the Excellence in Team award. Do you want to participate in the selection process for these honorable awards? Sign up by Friday, March 22 to help select this year's winners! We will need the help of 20-25 team members from across the district to narrow down nominations, so sign up today! Please note that only those who are selected to be part of the review group will be invited to the Night of Honor event.

If you have nominated someone for the Leadership Lamp award or a team for the Excellence in Team award, you will not be able to join the review committee. Questions? Email our_dpsvalues@dpsk12.org.

Mindful Eating Meditation: Enhance feelings of relaxation, peace and calmness by visualizing positive scenes, images or figures. Join us Monday, March 11 at 10 a.m.

Parenting: Gain confidence and learn creative next steps in the powerful role of influencing a developing person. Join us Wednesday, March 13 at noon and Wednesday, March 20 at 5 p.m.

Friending Foods: Win the food fight in our heads and achieve a healthy weight at any age. Thursday, March 14 from 12:10-12:50 p.m. Join us online or at our EGC location in room 1135B.

"Kris is an art teacher, THE Hamilton House Champion, everyone's favorite teacher and a heck of an advocate for all students. Kris has started the Hamilton House system, complete with reward days, house shirts, celebrations, and so many chips! The kids have loved and embraced being a part of a team and winning together! Her system includes teachers, staff and all of our students, so we really are Four Houses, One Hamilton! She does this on top of running a Grade A classroom where students feel fully self-expressed, dive into their creativity and understand themselves more as humans. I cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for Ms. Sheikhan. She just does it all, makes it look easy and loves everyone in the process."

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