Teacher Weekly
Nov. 1, 2023
The DPS ‘Your Voice/Tu Voz’ Survey is Open Now through Nov. 15
Dear Educators,

The Your Voice/Tu Voz Family Surveys will be administered to all families in the district from Nov. 1-15. Families who complete the survey will be entered to win one of the 10 $20 King Soopers gift cards! School leaders have been provided with this family survey toolkit to help encourage participation. The toolkit includes a template letter, social media posts, a QR code flier, email templates, a survey FAQ and more that teachers are welcome to use as well!

To show our appreciation for outstanding efforts, the top district-run school at each education level (elementary, K-8, middle and high school) with the highest participation rates will receive $10 per school staff member. For example, a winning school with 67 staff would receive $670 to be used toward celebrating their families and staff participation in the survey with coffee and doughnuts during drop off, food during parent-teacher conferences, or school shirts.

In addition, the top three district-run schools with the most improved participation rate from last year will win a personalized megaphone for helping families share their voices!

As a reminder, the Your Voice/Tu Voz survey windows will differ from years past. Rather than two cycles in the fall and spring for students, families and staff, DPS will administer the survey to families once in the fall and to students once in the spring. The staff survey will be merged into the winter CollaboRATE survey. 

If you have questions, email [email protected].

Respectfully,

Dr. Tony Smith
Deputy Superintendent
This Week's Top 5 Things to Know
Resources and Supports for Newcomer and New-to-Country Multilingual Learners

The MLE department has a number of supplemental resources and supports for Newcomer and New-to-country MLLs. Please be sure to check out this resource hub so you are aware of all that is available to you. Please contact Amy Osterbeal (elementary and middle) or Cristina Kinz (high school) for more support. 
Apply for the 2024 Planning Committee by Friday, Nov. 17
DPS is considering asking voters for tax funds to support a bond proposal in 2024, and we want our educators to have a voice on where and how these funds would best serve current and future students.

The 2024 Community Planning and Advisory Committee (CPAC) will play a critical role in creating recommendations on future school construction projects and improved technology, among other essential investments. We’re currently accepting applications from members of the DPS community, including parents/guardians, students, educators and alumni.

Fill out the CPAC application today! Applications are available in English and in Spanish.

Please share with those who may be interested in your school communities. Visit ourwordourbonddps.org for more information and contact Melissa Rosales if you have questions.
Join the DPS Leaders of Color Mixer on Thursday, Nov. 2
Calling all BIPOC leaders and BIPOC Aspiring Leaders! You're invited to the DPS Leaders of Color Mixer event on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 5-7:30 p.m. at CHAC Gallery and Cultural Center (834 N. Santa Fe, Denver, CO 80204). Don't miss this networking opportunity to learn, connect and mingle with fellow BIPOC and CO-ALAS leaders while enjoying prizes and games! Please indicate your interest in attending by completing this form.
Clarification on Behavior Team Referrals
The Behavior Team works in collaboration with school teams in the development and implementation of coaching plans to develop adults’ skills to promote students’ positive behaviors. The team is not an emergency resource that can be deployed to buildings immediately for crisis-level behaviors. Given the high volume of requests at this time, please know that we are working to respond to all referrals in a timely manner as is outlined in the Behavior Team SOP. Based on current caseloads and team capacity at this time, full case coaching cycles may be delayed. School teams can expect an initial consultation within one week of a referral being submitted in addition to an email with resources that the schools can access while they await coaching.
Apply Now to Receive the Concurrent Enrollment Expansion and Innovation Grant
DPS has again awarded $50,000 in a Concurrent Enrollment (CE) Expansion and Innovation grant! Funds from this grant are available by request to Concurrent Enrollment teachers and schools and can be spent in two ways: Tuition assistance for teachers and the cost of books/fees for CE students. Apply for grant funding today! Click here for more information and to apply. All requests will be reviewed and funding is not guaranteed.
Additional Resources and Information
Click here for additional resources and information below:

  • Reminder: Attend the Climate Champions Grant Program Application Workshop Virtually on Nov. 1

  • High School ELA Teachers-Upvote Texts for New Units

  • Schedule Time for Students to Learn About ASCENT

  • Elementary Biliteracy Progress Monitoring Plan Launch

  • A Quick Message from Your Trusted Navigators in the Ombuds Office

  • Updated Unit Assessment Guidance 2023-24
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