“Coach Korey is the Assistant Principal at Brown International Academy. He started a school-wide positive behavior initiative that has motivated students to work as a team, have pride and do their best everyday. Some of the incentives are prizes from the Bobcat store and even field trips to fun places around the city. Coach Korey holds students to high expectations and teaches students skills for success in school and beyond. He encourages physical and mental well being, spending time leading football games with the students at recess. One snowy day, I looked out my classroom window and saw Coach Korey, out in the snowfall, shoveling off the field so the recess football could go on as usual. We are lucky to have a strong and positive role model, who embodies Students First and Fun. Go Cats!” -- Sara Ramirez, Brown International Academy
April 10, 2025
Mark Your Calendar for Open Enrollment! Choose Today, Thrive Tomorrow
Benefits Open Enrollment runs from April 21 to May 9. This year, enrollment is passive, meaning that if you're enrolled in the Kaiser 1600 plan, you'll need to select the Kaiser 1650 plan. Additionally, the Kaiser 3200 and MotivHealth 3200 plans will automatically increase to the Kaiser 3300 and MotivHealth 3300 plans due to IRS adjustments.
Open Enrollment is an opportunity for all benefits-eligible employees to either enroll in or waive their benefits. If you don’t take any action, your benefit elections from the previous year will carry over into the new plan year. However, if you participate in an HSA or FSA, you must re-enroll to continue your coverage.
Now is the time to review your options and make the most of your benefits. For more information, visit the Benefits page on The Commons — available anytime and anywhere!
Submit Interpretation Requests for End-of-Year Events
We are quickly approaching the time of year filled with important end-of-year events such as graduations and continuations. If you anticipate that your school will need interpretation services for these events, please submit a request online as soon as possible to guarantee in-person interpreters. Interpretations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and helpful videos, visit the Interpretations page on The Commons.
Top 5: National Assistant Principal Week Shoutouts
This week is National Assistant Principal’s Week! To celebrate, we asked Team DPS to shout out their APs and recognize their contributions. Check out our top 5 below and read the rest of the shoutouts here!
5.“Mr. Nieves is and has been an incredible member of our community. With his charisma, good humor, empathy, humility and down-to-earth approach, he has earned the affection of everyone here at Lincoln. Mr. Nieves, thank you for being the great person you are while performing such a challenging job.” -- Roxana Gonzalez Freitez, ALHS
3.“Raven has brought our school culture to a new level, with installing a logo mural in the school and encouraging staff culture celebrations for wins and community. She has also made huge strides to serve and create an equitable learning environment for our MLE students.” -- Gilliam School
4.“Big shoutout to Ryan Crownshaw — admin extraordinaire! You wear more hats than a costume closet, and somehow manage to make it look effortless. I’ve never had an admin who is not only incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, but also brings such a solid sense of humor to the job. Thank you for always making the teaching environment feel comfortable, showing up and having my back! You’re seriously the real MVP!” -- Lorena Desantos, Skinner Middle School
2.“AJ goes above and beyond everyday for our families and students, putting students first all day long. She is always willing to support in every field of duty. She takes initiative for any project or task that needs to be done at the school, whether it's classroom, building, or recess coverage. She always has a smile and a positive attitude while showing grit and enthusiasm around everyone. She has a great sense of humor and is very easy to approach.” -- Garden Place Academy
1.“Paula Hammel is a phenomenal AP. She is passionate about putting students first, wears so many hats as you can see in this feature about her from the TJ Journal. She supports the science department, the special education department as well as CTE and all of Career & College Success for the school. As a former EMT, she also serves as a stand in nurse. What really makes her stand out is her sense of fun and unflappable grace. She is always there to lend an ear and problem-solve. And if you ever wanted to learn about the sport of curling, Paula is your girl. She exemplifies what good leadership should look like and it is an honor and a pleasure to work with her.” -- Emily Bobrick, CCS Career Development Team/TJHS
Poll: Favorite Spring TV Series
The online discourse constantly is circulating around a new TV series that has (seemingly) everyone hooked. But theres only one show that can reign supreme in the DPS land. Whether you are eagerly anticipating The Last of Us season two (me) or are still piecing together Severance season two, let us know which is your number one in this poll!
TNLI Zone and Newcomer Center Maps -- Updated for the 2025-26 School Year
We’re excited to share the updated TNLI Zone (Bilingual Programs) and Newcomer Center Enrollment Maps for the 2025-26 school year! These maps are revised annually through a collaboration between Multilingual Education, Enrollment Services and Transportation.
Updates reflect adjustments based on the creation of new enrollment zones, aligned with the Denver School Thrives Initiative and the availability of transportation routes.
These maps can be used to guide conversations with families of multilingual learners regarding school placement and transportation eligibility for those who qualify for and are seeking Bilingual or Newcomer Center programming.
TNLI Zone Maps
Newcomer Center Maps
DPS-approved PDF Reader
PDF files are an important part of any organization, but downloading and utilizing certain PDF readers from the internet can be dangerous as malicious actors can disguise malware within PDF readers. DPS has a contract for Adobe Reader! It can be downloaded using the DPS Portal Manager and installed without Administrator access to the computer along with some other DPS approved applications. Once you install Adobe Reader you will have a free, safe tool on your device for all of your PDF reading needs. Open a Service Desk Incident if you run into any issues.
Digital Accessibility Tip: Canva
In June 2021, Colorado passed House Bill 21-1110 to strengthen state discrimination laws for people with disabilities. The bill makes sure that everyone has access to digital content created by local government organizations, including school districts.
When you create a flyer or graphic in Canva, use the Design Accessibility features to make your work more accessible. You will learn how to check typography and color contrast and insert alt text. Learn more on the DPS Accessibility Information webpage. Watch for more digital accessibility tips in future issues of Team DPS Weekly.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to the first-ever Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teachers of the Year, Patrick Jenkins and Grant Laman. Patrick Jenkins, a construction teacher at Legacy Options High School, has been selected as the CTE Newcomer Teacher of the Year. Grant Laman, a broadcast production teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School, has been selected as the CTE Veteran Teacher of the Year. Both Patrick and Grant have displayed exemplary teaching and provided real-world opportunities for their students. Congratulations Patrick and Grant, and thank you for all that you do for your students!
Teacher Appreciation Week: Reminder for Student Submissions
Teacher Appreciation Week is just around the corner, taking place May 5-9! In celebration, DPS invites our students to recognize their favorite teachers by sharing what they love most about them.
Please share this opportunity with students and ask them to share why they love their teachers by completing this short form by Friday, April 18. Submissions may be featured on the DPS website and DPS social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
Human Trafficking Prevention Updates
We continue to expand human trafficking prevention in DPS and now is your chance to join in this important work!
Complete one or more of the following actions to get involved in human trafficking prevention in DPS:
Review the DPS Human Trafficking School Safety Protocol on the Mandatory Reporting page on The Commons.
Email Joanna Barker to request staff training for your school.
Become a trained facilitator of the Not a Number student prevention curriculum
Not a Number Facilitator Certification Training Registration Form
Requirement: DPS staff must be able to implement their learnings with students in eighth through 12th grade after training.
For questions or consultation, email Joanna Barker or call 720-423-2651.
Upcoming Events in April
Click here for more information on upcoming events available to DPS staff.
Thursday, April 17: Last Chance to Attend Achieve Gala 2025
Friday, April 18: Trauma-informed and Restorative Practices -- Strengthening School Connectedness
Wednesday, April 23: HB 24-1216: Supporting Justice-engaged Youth Training
Wednesday, April 30: Play Earth Month Bingo to Win Prizes!
Living Our DPS Honoree
Christina Hellwig
Teacher, College View Elementary
Students First and Collaboration
"Cristina demonstrates Students First and Equity every day. When working with students in the Affective Needs Program, she ensures that students have access to quality instruction and access to interventions and core instruction. Even though she supports few kids across K-2, she works tirelessly to ensure she has fully internalized all of the grade level content so that her kids can get the very best of her each day with the highest-quality instruction. She believes her kids can rise to academic challenges and work hard to achieve success while also working through increased social-emotional needs. Cristina collaborates with staff throughout the school to meet the needs of students and think creatively to meet student needs. Cristina collaborated with the school psychologist to plan field trips to allow students life experiences outside of the classroom. She has built grade-level documents for her team and shared her self-made resources widely to benefit all."
-- Nikki Brown, College View Elementary
Denver Public Schools | 1860 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203