Teacher Weekly
Sept. 7, 2023
Registration Now Open for September Professional Learning
Registration is now open for all Sept. 22 professional learning sessions. Find all session offerings, details and registration links in the Sept. 22 District PL Session Guide. Please note that registration will close at midnight on Wednesday, Sept. 20 in order to ensure participants have access to all sessions. Advanced registration is required for credit. If you have questions, email [email protected].

PDU Course Catalog
Additionally, PDU offerings are now available in the 2023-24 PDU Course Catalog. If you are interested in Leading a new or turn-key PDU the next application cycle begins Oct. 13 for spring 2024 offerings. Stay tuned for details on the PDU Design Course for new leaders.
This Week's Top 5 Things to Know
Apply to Join the Discipline Matrix Committee
We are excited to announce the establishment of the Discipline Matrix Committee, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to improve the discipline policies within our district. The Discipline Matrix Committee has been instituted with the primary objective of soliciting valuable feedback from our community and staff on our district’s current discipline matrix. This feedback will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction and actions for the forthcoming updated discipline matrix.

The committee will convene a minimum of twice a month for two-hour sessions (location to be determined) from October through December. Meeting cadence will be reassessed in the new year. Childcare, parking and translation services will be provided. Please submit your Discipline Matrix Committee Application by Friday, Sept. 8 to be considered.
Complete Required Trainings for LEAP by Sept. 15
Evaluators Only 
For those who did not attend in person in August, please complete the Evaluator Bias Training in Learning Space.

Evaluators and Teachers
LEAP Changes and Requirements for 2023-24: This is a CDE requirement. Review the requirements for LEAP implementation and learn about changes due to new law SB70 and the DCTA contract. Note: This is not required for New Teachers or SSPs as it is included in their LEAP 101 training.

New Teachers (new to teaching, from out of district, returning to DPS)
LEAP 101: New Teacher Intro to LEAP 2023-24: This is a requirement for New Teacher Induction. 

See the LEAP Announcements page on The Commons or reach out to [email protected] for questions or concerns.
Prepare for Student Learning Objectives: Due Sept. 29
Please see the SLO one-pager to preview the SLO process. Your school’s designated SLO lead will be able to support you throughout the process. SLOs make up 30% of teacher end-of-year ratings for performance. Individual SLO’s are 20%, and the combined scores for each school (collective measure) make up 10%. Please see the LEAP page on The Commons, or email [email protected] for more information.
Language PD Opportunities
Sign Up for Online French Classes
Rev up your French communication skills in the fun and engaging environment that FrenchRev offers! Join Sabrina Janczak, Elisabeth Denizot, and Mark Knowles for story creation, current events, relevant cultural topics and more. Novice/Intermediate sessions are every Tuesday evening from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed by Advanced sessions at 6:35-7:35 p.m. These one-hour sessions will be offered Sept. 26-Oct. 3. Sign up before Sept. 15 and get six lessons for $197 (regularly priced at $247). Learn more and sign up at www.frenchrev.org. Not sure where your experience lands you in our curriculum? Email [email protected].
Register Today for Beginner Spanish Course
The Multilingual Education Department is excited to offer a Beginner Spanish Language Course that is open to all DPS employees. This course provides educators with an introduction to the Spanish language, including a focus on educational vocabulary designed to improve support of Spanish-speaking Multilingual Learners. The course starts on Thursday, Sept. 7 and all sessions will be held remotely. Register here! Space is limited and the deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 6.
You're Invited to the Sept. 30 Mind and Brain Education Conference
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is hosting the third annual Mind and Brain Education Conference on Sept. 30. Join educators and researchers for a day of learning about applying psychology and neuroscience to the practice of teaching, with topics like: 
  • How do we regulate emotion?
  • Culturally responsive teaching and the brain.
  • What motivates and demotivates learners?
  • The science of belonging and agency.
 
Attendees will also hear a keynote from Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D., a cognitive scientist, teacher and author. All participants will receive a certificate of 7.5 hours upon checking out, and optional university credit is available (0.5 of an hour) for an additional cost if you attend all sessions. Learn more and register.
Additional Resources and Information
Click here to learn about these resources and opportunities.
  • Denver Public Schools Substance Use Prevention Program

  • Register for Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training

  • Discovery Education September Newsletter

  • Upcoming Learning Session at FACE University

  • Apply for 22-23 Aspiring Teacher Leader of Color Cohort

  • 2023-24 District Map Now Available

  • New and Improved CKLA/Caminos Biliteracy Guidance

  • MLL Capstone Rubric Accommodation and ELD Capstone Opportunity

  • Access the Revised Dedicated ELD Best Practices Document (PERMS)

  • ECE Update: Register for Clyfford Still Museum Teacher Open House on Sept. 21
Contact Us
Connect with Us
Denver Public Schools sends all district newsletters and critical employee communications through Constant Contact. Please do not unsubscribe your DPS 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 [email protected].