Mark your calendars! Benefits Open Enrollment for the 2025-26 plan year is open April 21-May 9.

Passive Enrollment This Year

Good news for most team members! This year features passive enrollment, which means if you're happy with your current benefits, you generally don't need to take any action. Your existing selections will automatically continue into the new plan year.

Important Exceptions - Action Required

Please note these critical exceptions that DO require action:

• Kaiser 1600 Plan Members: Due to IRS changes, this plan is transitioning to Kaiser 1650. You must manually select the new plan to maintain your coverage.

• HSA and FSA Participants: These accounts will NOT roll over automatically. You must re-enroll and select your contribution amounts to continue these benefits for the new plan year.

• Kaiser 3200 and MotivHealth 3200 Plans: These will automatically update to Kaiser 3300 and MotivHealth 3300 plans due to IRS changes. No action needed on your part.

Get In-Person Support

Have questions or need help making your selections? Meet with our Benefits Department and medical vendors (including Kaiser Permanente, MotivHealth, UnitedHealthCare and Delta Dental):

• Tuesday, April 22 from 3-7 p.m.: North High School (2960 Speer Blvd.)

• Wednesday, April 23 from 8 a.m.-noon: Northeast Bus Terminal (4937 Dallas St.)

• Thursday, April 24 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Hilltop Bus Terminal (2929 W 7th Ave.)

Learn More

Find comprehensive information about all available plans and resources visit the Benefits page on The Commons. The 2025-26 Benefits Open Enrollment Guide will be available next week. Stay tuned to Team DPS Weekly for more updates and announcements about this year's benefits options and rates.

Remember, Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your benefits needs and make changes that support your health and wellbeing. Choose today, thrive tomorrow!

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.

On Monday, April 21, you will receive an email with a personalized link to provide your direct supervisor, your school or department, and the district with valuable feedback through the CollaboRATE survey. This confidential survey will be open April 21-May 4. 

Completing the CollaboRATE survey is an opportunity for your voice to be heard and to strengthen your team. This survey is an important tool to help leaders identify their successes and opportunities for growth, and allows DPS to measure employee engagement and satisfaction each year.

To learn more, visit the CollaboRATE page and FAQ page on The Commons.

DPS Branded Slide Deck and Letterhead templates are now available and fully accessible, reflecting the latest brand updates. Slide deck options include Standard 4:3 and Widescreen 16:9. Letterhead templates include two layout choices.

Do not alter text color or font size, as these meet accessibility requirements. When updating images, ensure alt text is accurate and accessible.

Google Slide Deck:

• Standard 4:3 Template Here

• Widescreen 16:9 Template Here

Google Docs Letterhead:

• Option 1 Here

• Option 2 Here

To check Google accessibility, please download the Grackle extensions. See the Grackle extension instructions below:

• Grackle Docs

• Grackle Slides

• Grackle Sheets

Canva templates will be shared at a later date. For accessibility requirements, please visit our digital accessibility webpage. If you have questions, reach out to communications@dpsk12.net.

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 tomorrow, April 18. Submissions may be featured on the DPS website and DPS social media pages (Facebook,Instagram,LinkedIn).

Last week, we asked you to vote for your favorite Spring TV series. Check out which show won below!

As we near the end of another school year, we want to know what you love about your team! Share your warm fuzzies in this form for a chance to be featured in next week's newsletter. 

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.

Google Meet has a number of accessibility features you can use, including live captions and pairing speaker tiles (such as a speaker and a sign language interpreter). Learn more on the DPS Accessibility Information webpage. Watch for more digital accessibility tips in future issues of Team DPS Weekly.

Navigating Emotional Triggers at Work highlights the vital role of emotional regulation in the workplace, emphasizing the need for individuals to identify their emotional triggers, manage stress and adjust their responses. Emotional triggers, akin to the “Hot Buttons” from the Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) for Individuals (CDP-I), are situations or people that provoke strong reactions and can escalate conflicts. The CDP framework helps individuals understand their triggers, recognize diverse work styles and implement constructive strategies for conflict resolution. Embracing these principles helps foster healthier interactions and maintain emotional balance in the workplace during stressful times.

Review the Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Services Year End Deadline Memo for upcoming and important dates regarding year-end close. Complete these year-end close processes before June 30 to avoid implications for the 2025-26 fiscal year. If you have questions, contact your financial partner.

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