October is National Principals Month! This is our opportunity to thank our principals for all they do in supporting our students and families. Read the Top 5 submissions below and more shoutouts here. Thank you to our principals for all you do!
Oct. 17, 2024
Top 5 Call Out Results: Principal Shoutouts
5. “At DC-21, Mr. Simmons works tirelessly to support our community of students, staff and families. He genuinely cares about the well-being of our students and is always checking on and supporting them with whatever they need. He puts love into all the work he does. DC-21 would not be the space it is without him.” -- Antonia Garza, DC-21
4.“German Echevarria -- for being an incredible leader and creating a noticeable, positive difference in the culture of North High School since he has been principal.” -- Hilary Payne, North High School
3.“When I think of Jen Buckland, as we call her here in GVE, I cannot help but take a deep breath. She has been a mentor and an inspiration to many of us. Her workday begins with directing traffic in our parking lot, facing all sorts of inclement weather and moods. As the day goes on, she juggles various activities such as attending meetings, solving problems on the spot, helping with lunch and recess duties and holding the stop sign at the end of the day to ensure her beloved students safely make it across the street. Jen greets you with a smile, listens to you and offers hugs when needed. She is the person who holds us accountable and makes difficult decisions when required. She is tireless and compassionate and leads by example.”
-- Jessica Hernandez, Green Valley Elementary
2.“Catrina exemplifies the qualities of a strong leader by consistently putting students first and revitalizing the spirit of joy and fun at Willow. Her unwavering support for teachers matches her high expectations for instructional quality, creating an environment where excellence thrives. A hands-on approach characterizes her leadership style. Whether covering a classroom, assisting during lunch and recess or managing the front desk, Catrina is always willing to step in and lend a helping hand. She remains firmly grounded in her commitment to doing what is best for all students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. Catrina’s dedication, supportiveness and high standards not only uplift her colleagues but also enrich every student's educational experience at Willow, ensuring that they receive the care and attention they deserve.” -- Amy Infante, Willow
1.“I would like to take a moment to recognize Principal Dackri Davis for her exceptional leadership and unwavering support. Her kindness and respect for all staff create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Dackri’s extensive knowledge and dedication to our students inspire us daily. She consistently leads by example, demonstrating genuine care for both our staff and the students we serve. Thank you, Principal Davis, for being such a remarkable leader!” -- Linwood Washington, George Washington High School
Career and College Success Month: Spark and Xplore Programs
The Spark and Xplore programs are early career exploration events for DPS students. Students experience the daily life of industry professionals in classroom settings or take field trips into professional work spaces. Ivan and Symone have participated in many Spark and Xplore events. Ivan’s favorites were Dumb Friends League and SWAT. Symone enjoys the Xplore program, which has helped filter out careers. These events have introduced them to diverse careers and helped them decide what career they’d like to pursue. DPS schools can receive Spark and Xplore events by contacting the Career Development Team, Sondra Osif (Spark) or Diana Casillas Chavez (Xplore).
Poll: Favorite Halloween Movie
Last year, we asked you to vote on your favorite Halloween candy. This year, we’re raising the stakes. We’re asking you to decide between all your favorite classic Halloween movies and choose your top flick! Check back next week to see which movie wins!
Bond Quiz: Answer Correctly for a Chance to Win a Swag Bag!
Leading up to the 2024 Bond, we will be sharing information in Our DPS Weekly that answers common questions our community has about the bond! This information can also be found on the DPS Instagram page and the Bond website. Answer mini quizzes here in Team DPS Weekly for a chance to win one of three swag bags each week!
Thank you to all who participated in last weeks quiz. The answer to last week’s question “Will the 2024 Bond Increase Denver residents’ taxes?” was no.
Congratulations to our winners: John Ibarra, Kelsey Meyering and Ericka Arrieta! We will be in touch with next steps shortly.
Take the second mini quiz here!
Complete 2024-25 All Employee Mandatory Trainings by Oct. 31
All members of Team DPS must complete the following annual mandatory trainings in Learning Space for the 2024-25 school year. Each mandatory training listed below must be completed by Oct. 31.
Join a Belong Group Today!
Explore DPS Belong Groups on the CELT page on The Commons to find a community of people that you want to join. Additionally, you can submit an inquiry to DPS_Belong@dpsk12.org if you want to start a new Belong Group!
We have received a high amount of interest to establish Belong Groups for the new affinity spaces listed below and are seeking co-leads! Please email Christie Higgins if you have co-leadership capacity for any one of the following groups:
Single Parents Belong Group
The Village -- providing community to parents, grandparents and guardians of Black and African American students
Native Belong Group
Asian Belong Group
Securely Disposing Your Mobile Devices
Before disposing of an old device, protect your privacy by securely wiping it. Your phone contains personal information about you, including where you live, work, your contacts, photos and passwords.
Here’s how to securely wipe most smartphones:
Have you transferred Duo to your new phone? You will need your old phone to log into Duo to set up your new phone.
Wiping an Apple iPhone: First, log out of your Apple ID. Then Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Wiping Android phones: Go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (these options vary depending on your device manufacturer).
For more information, visit the Duo and Cybersecurity pages on The Commons.
October is Conflict Resolution Month
In recognition of Conflict Resolution Month and Annual Ombuds Day on Oct. 10, learn more about your DPS Ombuds Team. We provide DPS employees with confidential, independent, impartial and informal assistance in resolving work-related concerns, conflicts and issues. Learn how we assist all DPS employees.
Safety First Fair
Andrea Garcia, Crossing Guard Supervisor in the Department of Climate and Safety, held a Safety Resource Fair at Brown International School on Oct. 4. In collaboration with the Denver Police Department and the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, students received school safety resources, including seat belt and bike helmet advice. Watch the video recap.
Living Our DPS Honoree
Kim Gray
Assistant Principal, Summit Academy
Students First
"Kim Gray demonstrates all of our DPS Shared Core Values, but one that stands out is her Students First mindset. She keeps the wellbeing of our students at the heart of every decision she makes. As teachers, she pushes us to challenge students in new ways, and she actively collaborates with our district partners to ensure that teachers have the support we need to equitably meet students where they are. Her enthusiasm, competence and sincerity create a rising tide that raises all ships at our school, and we are very lucky to have her.
Much of her work supporting students is done behind the scenes (keeping us on track with unit internalization & DDI, running testing, tracking down evidence to support the reclassification of MLLs), but her positive hallway presence is something that is felt throughout the school. No matter what's happening, she greets students with a smile and a joke, and she helps all of our students see the value of coming to school."
-- Luke Gates, Summit Academy
Denver Public Schools | 1860 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203