Looking Ahead to Teacher Appreciation Week |
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Dear Educators,
Teachers, we are so excited about the work you are doing. While this year has presented several challenges, the way each of you has risen to the occasion and supported our students is the reason they will Thrive. We understand that you have several options on where to teach, and we appreciate that you chose to teach at Denver Public Schools. While nothing is perfect, and we still have a long way to go, we are excited to have you on this journey. Thank you!
With Teacher Appreciation Week next week, May 8-12, we’d like to share what we have planned next week to celebrate you. I would like to thank you all for your hard work and dedication to putting Students First. Your ability to inspire is what makes Denver Public Schools such a great place for our students to learn, grow and thrive. In alignment with our vision of Every Learner Thrives, you play a critical role in supporting students’ dreams by building their identities and giving them a sense of belonging within our schools. You help our students make their dreams a reality. As you continue your important work in preparing students for career, college and life, know that your work is valued and appreciated throughout the entire year.
During Teacher Appreciation Week, please visit the 2023 Teacher Appreciation webpage and check your email to receive words of thanks from students, videos, discounts and more! We are looking forward to celebrating all your hard work throughout the school year and are truly thankful for all that you do.
Respectfully,
Dr. Tony Smith
Deputy Superintendent
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Your Voice/Tu Voz Survey is Now Open |
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The final “Your Voice/Tu Voz” Survey of the 2022-23 school year is open now through Sunday, May 14! Check your DPS inbox for an email from Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero containing your link to complete the survey.
Please also encourage your students and families to share their voices by completing their surveys. Student surveys were sent to students’ DPS email addresses. Families can access the survey link via email, the Parent Portal or at dpsk12.org/survey.
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This Week's Top 5 Things to Know |
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Open Enrollment closes this Friday, May 5! Click here to take action today! All benefits-eligible employees must take action to enroll or waive benefits. Click here to learn more.
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Participate in DPS Assessment Strategy Focus Group |
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The DPS Assessment team and Academics department are partnering with the Achievement Network to facilitate focus groups that will gauge assessment strengths, challenges and uses across the district. These focus groups will help strengthen our overall assessment strategy. Teachers are important stakeholders in this work. Your experience with classroom assessment tools makes your feedback and insights critical to our assessment strategy.
Focus groups will be conducted virtually outside of school hours and will last approximately 75 minutes. Times and dates are flexible. Your participation is voluntary, and we will ensure that your feedback is used in a way that respects your time and contributions. Fill out this form if you are interested in participating. For more information about the focus groups, click here.
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Sign Up to Mentor a New Senior/Team Lead by Friday, May 5 |
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Mentoring is a critical lever for supporting and developing our new Senior/Team Leads (STLs). Grounded in relationships and built on personal and professional trust, mentoring is an asset-based service to support, develop and retain the most valuable asset in our organization -- our people.
If you are interested in mentoring new Senior/Team Leads and have three or more years of experience as an S/TL, please consider applying to be a mentor for the 2023-24 school year. Fill out the application here.
The priority deadline for mentor applications is Friday, May 5.
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Share Road Safety Art Contest with Students |
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The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is holding their annual Road Safety Art Contest. The contest is open to grades K-12, and gives teachers and families a fun way to help children and teens learn about traveling safely around large trucks and buses. Entries can be hand-drawn, digital art, animated and live videos, crafts or photos. Please encourage your students to get involved and share this contest information with families. For more information, click here.
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Apply to Sims-Fayola Foundation Fellowship for Male Educators of Color |
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The Sims-Fayola Foundation Fellowship for Male Educators of Color is dedicated to increasing the number of male educators of color in the classroom. Currently, male educators of color make up less than 5% of educators nationwide. The Sims-Fayola Foundation is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusiveness in education.
The fellowship is designed for male educators of color who are working in K-12 education and within their first three years as teachers, paraprofessionals or other student support professionals. Learn more about the program here.
Fellows will participate in a year-long program that includes:
- Monthly professional development workshops and training sessions.
- Mentorship from experienced educators.
- Networking opportunities with other fellows and education professionals.
- A monthly stipend.
- Continuing Education Units Clock Hours.
Apply for the program here.
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High School Literacy Pilot Now Available |
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A launch of the Odell High School Literacy Program -- based on a review of vendor proposals by teachers, school leaders and central office staff -- will begin during the 2023-24 school year. The pilot will ensure that all curricular components meet requirements of a culturally sustaining curriculum. However, the opt-in curriculum (DPS Core Curriculum) will not change. Teachers interested in joining the pilot for the 2023-24 school year can complete this survey by Friday, May 19. An optional virtual informational session will be held on Thursday, May 18 from 4-5 p.m. Sign up for the session here. If you have any questions, contact Anne Marie Blieszner.
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Bonus: Finish the Year Strong with Discovery Education |
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Denver Public Schools has a new partnership with Discovery Education! As we near the end of the year, Discovery Education can provide timely simulations, instructional activities and virtual field trips to support keeping students engaged until the last day of school. See the May Newsletter for fun and relevant resources for spring!
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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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