Teacher Weekly
April 5, 2023
Welcoming You, Our Team Members, Students and Families Back from Spring Break
Dear Educators,

I hope that each and everyone of you enjoyed some time away over our spring break. Welcoming our students, families and team members back this week may bring up a range of emotions for us all. Many of you have shared with me that you are feeling energized and a renewed sense of possibility to take us through the final weeks of the 2022-23 school year. Some have shared that they are experiencing feelings of uncertainty as we navigate how to best support our school communities and prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone who is a part of DPS. I want to honor all those feelings, as each is valid and understandable in the context of this time of year and recent events.

Thank you for all that you have and will continue to do to best support our students. Earlier this week, Dr. Marrero shared resources that are accessible to our DPS community. Please use these resources and share them with your team members and students. 

As we settle back into our daily routines, we know that we are now in the final stretch of the school year. This is a critical time to support our students and their progress towards end-of-year goals. Let's also keep in mind the tremendous efforts you have made to recapture the hearts and minds of our students and communities. Also, let's not forget our individual school and district goals of eradicating opportunity gaps. We will double our efforts to help students of color and underserved youth escape the stigmas and social settings that lead to limited opportunity. Thank you for doing the hard work and striving to change the world for our students everyday. 

In our pursuit to get better at getting better, we are in this together!

Respectfully, 
Dr. Tony Smith
Deputy Superintendent
This Week's Top 5 Things to Know
Sign Up to Join District Accountability Committee by April 14
Make sure your voice is heard by joining the District Accountability Committee (DAC)! The DAC is a committee made up of parents, educators, community members and other volunteers who are interested in education and the success and well-being of our students. The DAC focuses on issues such as accountability, transparency, equity, community involvement and the effective use of district resources to improve student outcomes.

The DAC Membership Committee is accepting applications now through Friday, April 14 for the 2023-24 committee, and is seeking diverse voices from across the district. The committee will review applications, conduct interviews and then present their recommendations to the board. 

The DAC application is available in all of the consent decree languages. Learn more about the DAC and apply here.
Register Now for the DPS Diversity Hiring Fair
Join us Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m.-noon for our Diversity Hiring Event at Manual High School. School and district leaders will be on site providing interview opportunities for a variety of positions within our district. As part of the Strategic Roadmap, we are committed to recruiting and retaining team members with identities that reflect our community and students. Because this is a high area of need and priority for our district, we have the following incentives available: 
  • Employee Referral Program: $125 and up for paraprofessional and teacher referrals.
  • Tuition and student loan reimbursement up to $6,000!
  • Guest Teacher Opportunities: $160-$200 per day (depending on type of sub license.)

Fill out this form to register.
Important Dates for Teacher Transfers
Below are important dates to keep in mind for teacher transfers. 
  • May 1: The last date for in-district DCTA teachers to be moved to Qualify in Infor HR for a central office role without permission from the sending principal -- this includes teacher leaders.  
  • June 1: The last date for in-district DCTA teachers to be moved to Qualify in Infor HR to another school without permission from the sending principal -- this includes teacher leaders.   

Permission does not need to be obtained for teachers whose 2022-23 positions have been completely reduced (effective for the 2023-24 school year). Permission does not need to be obtained when a teacher is being promoted. While permission may not be necessary, a reference check should be completed for all hires.
BESS Spring Window Open April 3-May 5
The Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) spring window for universal social/emotional and mental health screenings will be open from April 3-May 5. We are encouraging 100% participation of all eligible students from all schools to determine growth between the fall and spring screenings. If you have questions, contact Julia Jones or Debbie Wright. Review the SEL and Mental Health Screening Guide for additional information.  
Share Your '23 Favorite Books of 2023'
As mentioned in last edition’s newsletter, the Humanities Team is looking for classes and schools who would like to share the “23 favorite books they have read in 2023” (so far)! Schools/classes with the most unique submissions will be entered into a raffle to have a celebration where Dr. Marrero visits the class and leads a read-aloud (elementary) or book discussion (secondary) that celebrates and centers a featured community. All schools are eligible and welcome to participate. One class will be announced as the raffle winner for each month. The recommended books will also be considered as future resources for our students and classrooms across DPS. Share your ideas in the survey here!
Additional Resources and Opportunities
Click here to learn more about these resources and opportunities: 

  • Replenish Elementary Science Kit Materials

  • DPS Has Partnered with Discovery Education to Offer Experiences and Resources

  • Participate in K-8 Science Curriculum Audit
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