May 31, 2018
Our kids were at the heart of your Top 5 favorite photos from the school year!
Top 5: Favorite Photo from the School Year
Our educators put Students First year-round -- so it's no surprise our kids are at the heart of your Top 5 favorite photos from the school year. Whether it's supporting students with adapted programs or cheering them on when they cross the stage at graduation, we're grateful for all you do to support our kids. Thank you for another unforgettable year, and congratulations to our final Top 5 giveaway prize winner of the school year, Narissa Stahl Holmgren at George Washington High School!

5. "Our seventh graders performed for a Lunar New Year celebration!"  -- Clay Jessen, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

4. "M y Hamilton Middle School students performed at the DPS Achieve Gala!" -- Priscilla Rahn-Shaw, Hamilton Middle School

3. " As an elementary teacher, nothing compares to seeing my students in their caps and gowns years later. I watched seven of my former students walk across the stage at the East High School graduation this year!" -- Lauren McKittrick, Greenlee Elementary School

2. " Schmitt Elementary won the Noble Energy Bronco VIP experience. Our fifth-grade students saw the Broncos play, walked the field, met the players and had a VIP lunch in the Denver Hall of Fame inside the stadium. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!" -- Alicia Sherman, Schmitt Elementary

1. " The AVID Juniors at George Washington High School held the first annual Patriots with Multiple Disabilities Field Day.  This brought our community together and next year, we plan to make it open to all DPS schools with adapted physical education programs." -- Narissa Stahl Holmgren, George Washington High School
 

VIP Rockies Experience Giveaway: And the Winners Are ... 
As a thank you to our educators for all they do, Colorado Rockies co-owner Linda Alvarado donated four pairs of  VIP tickets and parking passes for the Colorado Rockies vs. New York Mets ballgame on Thursday, June 21. Congratulations to our random giveaway winners, and thanks to everyone who plays for Team DPS:
  • Rebecca Johnson-Ledoux at  Place Bridge Academy
  • Melita Thompson at  Teller Elementary
  • Alexis Walker at Isabella Bird Community School
  • Jennifer Washburn at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy
Put Students First By Contributing to a College Care Package
The Homeless Education Network (HEN) is dedicated to helping our students who are experiencing homelessness succeed, including as they make the transition to college -- and you can help! Support a graduating student in need by contributing to a college move-in care package. Items needed include bedding, bath essentials and more. Visit the online registry below and contribute by June 15.  Learn more at  hen.dpsk12.org .

It's Not Too Late to Enroll in a Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan
Did you know that your retirement savings might need to provide income for 20 years or more? PERA is not designed to replace your full pre-retirement income and not everyone will work at DPS long enough to retire comfortably under PERA. DPS offers you the opportunity to save additional pre-tax or post-tax contributions for retirement in 403(b) or 457(b) plans. If you missed your chance to enroll during Open Enrollment, it's not too late! 
 
Participating in 403(b) or 457(b) plans is voluntary. You decide how much you want to contribute and can change the amount at any time. If you would like additional information, visit thecommons.dpsk12.org/403b or call VALIC at 720-962-8025 to schedule a consultation.

Red Shirts Needed for New Educator Welcome Week, July 30-Aug. 2
Sign up now to volunteer during New Educator Welcome Week and help welcome more than 1,000 new educators to Team DPS! More than a hundred volunteers are needed July 30-Aug. 2, with the largest number needed July 30 for the kickoff event at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for one or more shifts. Register below to volunteer. I f you have questions, contact Lauren Huffer

Learning Space Will Be Available June 4
Beginning June 4, educators will use Learning Space to register for all professional development (PD) that begins Sept. 1 or later. Learning Space is the registration system replacing Schoolnet. ELA Teacher Qualification classes and the EL Achieve Fall training dates will be available for registration by June 10. Refer to this user guide to learn how to register for PD courses in Learning Space. Note: Please remember to use Schoolnet to register for any classes offered before Sept. 1. All educators will receive instructions in August about how to obtain PD completion information needed from both Learning Space and Schoolnet for license renewals.

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