Updated Health Screening Process: Keeping DPS Healthy and Safe
As we shared last week, all staff choosing to work individually from their classrooms, school buildings and our central office buildings may do so as long as they follow our health protocols and work with their school leader and supervisor. To mitigate health risks and to ensure we have consistent processes across all sites, we have made some updates to our health screening protocols, which we will use until the health screening app is available in the coming weeks. The changes outlined below have been developed based on feedback and to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep the DPS community safe, particularly as we are learning our new daily habits:
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Existing process: All employees must use this Employee Health Screening Form from their phone or home computer, including answering a series of questions about symptoms, before coming into a building or any in-person activity. Employees reporting to central office buildings will also need to complete the reservation form in advance.
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Addition to process: By Aug. 21, all directors and above are required to develop and communicate with their staff a process to check every day that anyone coming into the building or participating in an in-person activity has completed the form. For example, you might ask that staff text or email their team leader or a designated team member to confirm they have taken and passed their health screening form. This is intended to help us build new daily habits and maximize health and safety.
As a reminder, no one is required to report to their school or office unless explicitly directed by their supervisor.
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Additional Guidance for Those Choosing to Return to School Buildings |
While we continue to encourage remote work as we start the school year with remote learning, we realize there may be some staff members who would like to work individually from their classroom and our school buildings. Read more in this update, and see below for additional details and guidance:
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Guidance on Allowable In-Person Activities While DPS is in Remote Learning for Safer at Home
For the first quarter, remote interaction and meetings are always preferred and encouraged, with the exception of district-sanctioned in-person activities (such as child care and district-approved CHSAA athletics). During first quarter, schools and teams may consider outdoor interactions if there is a compelling reason to do so (such as the activity can’t be performed virtually, there is a need to build relationships in a way that can’t be done remotely, etc.).
Interactions and meetings can be held outdoors, but the following guidance MUST be followed and shared with participating adults or parents/guardians of participating children:
- Group size must be kept small and cannot exceed 10 participants.
- 6 feet of distance must be maintained between participants.
- Masks/face coverings must be worn by all participants.
- Materials cannot be shared.
- Participants must complete the health screening process prior to participating in the in-person activity. If they don’t, be prepared to take temperature and fill out form on arrival.
- Schools and teams must track the activity, including documenting who participated in the activity.
- Participants should use hand sanitizer whenever possible for hand hygiene.
Complete details can be found here, including a list of allowable activities.
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Guidance on Children of Staff in DPS Buildings While DPS is in Remote Learning
To minimize health risks prior to reopening our schools to in-person learning, staff members choosing to work from their central office buildings cannot bring their children or any other children/adults who do not work for DPS into the building. As a reminder, no one is required to report to their school or office unless explicitly directed by their supervisor.
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Guidance on Parents/Guardians and Visitors in Buildings
To minimize health risks, parents, guardians and visitors are not allowed in DPS buildings at this time. Only school staff, approved district staff, approved contractors, and students participating in child care, or approved for 1:1 support aligned to this guidance, who have completed a health screening and follow health protocols are currently allowed in school or other DPS buildings.
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Use of Kitchen Appliance and Spaces
Last week, Superintendent Susana Cordova shared health guidance and protocols for those who choose to return to their school or office site. As an update, we ask that team members do not congregate in communal spaces, including faculty lounges or break rooms – however, you will have access to the kitchenette area, refrigerator and microwave. Please use sanitizing wipes on appliances before and after use, and it is recommended that you use paper towels to open refrigerator and microwave doors.
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Central Office Extra Chromebook Return |
Computer suppliers are experiencing global supply chain issues that are impacting districts across the country. As a result, our order is delayed. We’ve been able to procure some devices; however we are looking at all options to provide computers to students.
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Child Care Registration Opens Aug. 24 for All Team Members and Families |
Registration will open on Monday, Aug. 24, for the second session of child care, held from 8 a.m.-noon Sept. 8-Oct. 16. This care will be available for children ages 5-12 with locations at about 55 elementary schools across the district, and will include support in their remote learning schedules. Child care supports will cost $10 per student, per day through Oct. 16. If DPS remains in remote learning after Oct. 16 or returns to remote learning later in the year, and the need for child care returns, the cost will increase to $14.25-$17 per student, per day (depending upon the availability of federal funding). Please click here to register and find additional details on The Commons.
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ICYMI: Returning to School Family Guide Now Available |
As we work to best support our students, families and educators during our remote return to school, we have created a K-12 family guide. The guide was created to support our families and answer many of their questions around what the school year will look like and how their family can prepare.
This guide provides an overview of important topics pertinent to the operations of the school year, including our alignment with Colorado’s three COVID response levels structure, beginning the school year with remote learning, what the shift between learning scenarios will look like and more. We encourage you to share this information with families you may work with, along with our Return to School and FAQ pages.
The guide is currently available in both English and Spanish. Visit our website to access additional languages as they become available.
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Transition to Google is Moving Forward |
- Model the way for your team by fully working in Google and asking them to do the same.
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Discuss the transition (and your upcoming launch date) during all team meetings and interactions, allowing time for them to identify, absorb and normalize how the change will impact their work. Allow the opportunity for all employees to be heard.
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Continue to identify (by Sept. 30) anything that might be considered for an exception to use Microsoft Office.
For additional information and resources, visit The Commons.
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Back-to-School Family and Student Surveys Launch Next Week |
The start of this school year is unlike any other, and we would like to better understand how we can support our students and families. The Back-to-School Survey, designed for all parents/guardians of DPS district-managed schools and students in grades 3-12, will be open Aug. 24-Sept. 4. Please encourage your students and families to participate. As a note, school leaders will be able to see school-level results following the close of the survey. This survey is the first of several surveys throughout the school year as we work to coordinate a districtwide survey strategy for the 2020-21 school year. If you have questions, email surveys@dpsk12.org.
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Cisco Jabber for Remote Phone Access |
For remote phone access, you may have used Google Voice in the spring. Google Voice is no longer free and is cost prohibitive as a district. We are able to offer Cisco Jabber as a free alternative. Jabber allows you to access your work landline on your computer. To get Jabber set up, please submit a incident by calling 720-423-3888 or email dotshelp@dpsk12.org. If you would like to use Google Voice, you may purchase it at the school level.
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Getting Your Requisition Approved |
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As we are getting ready to begin the 2020-21 school year, hiring might look a little different. As a reminder, all central office positions require a signed SLT Exception Form before your recruiter can post any positions to the DPS job boards. Click here to see what steps need to be taken to get approval.
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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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