Denver Public Schools



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August 19, 2003

Superintendent’s Office

All Administrators Meeting—4 p.m. Wednesday, August 20

Don’t miss the debut of Dateline High School—the district’s new video—promptly at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, August 20) at the new Denver School of the Arts location near Montview Blvd. and Quebec Street. You might want to consider carpooling; parking is available on the east side of the school. School tours will be offered after the meeting.

Grants Resource Center

The Grants Resource Center Has Moved—New Web Site on the Way!

The Grants Resource Center is now located in Suite 240 at 770 Grant Street—the phone number is 303-764-3221, and the fax number is 303-764-3728. The DPS Grants Resource web site, will be completely updated and redesigned by September 1. It will include the district grant application procedures, district forms for downloading, proposal writing tips and guidelines, and links to essential grant researching web sites. Contact the Grants Resource Center at grants@ for more information.

Human Resources

Payroll

Traditional Calendar Principals— The attached document explains the procedure to use to make corrections to your payroll transmittal. Please take note of important due dates.

Teacher Contracts

More than 1100 contracts for continuing probationary teachers and those moving to non-probationary status were approved by the Board of Education on August 7 and have been sent to teachers’ homes for signature and return to Human Resources before August 31. The remaining contracts will be sent to the Board this Thursday. These teachers should receive their contracts at home by early next week. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources.

District Core Values Survey

Please post the attached flyer about the DPS core values survey. The DPS Task Force on School and District Climate has drafted four core values that will serve as the foundation for how we treat each other in Denver Public Schools. Before the values are adopted and implemented, we want to hear from employees by Friday, Sept. 12.

Facility Management

As a reminder, attached is the guidance sent previously to assist you with keeping your buildings and classrooms as cool as possible.

Curriculum and Instruction

English for Academic Purposes Workshop

On Saturday, September 13, from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Centennial BOCES’ Conference Room A (830 S. Lincoln Street, Longmont), Dr. Maria Montaño-Harmon, Fulbright Scholar and Professor Emeritus at California State University, Fullerton, will present research related to increasing academic success by developing English for academic purposes.

The workshop is intended for MESA advisors and Colorado science educators. The cost is $40 per participant (registration fee waived for MESA advisors). Participation is limited to 30 people, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration deadline is September 4. Registration forms and more information have already been sent to teachers.

Conference topics include:

• Overview of Dr. Montaño’s language proficiency research and implications of these findings

• Strategies for working with English-dominant second-dialect students, as well as Spanish-dominant ESL students

• Academic English skills as well as social-language skills

• A combination of language policy, applied linguistics, and pedagogy

• Strategies to develop skills in academic English across the curriculum from various areas of research and practice, including teaching academic English as a second dialect

• Developing vocabulary skills and academic competence in content-area classes

• Increasing comprehension of content in class readings and lectures

• Sheltered instruction for teaching content-area classes

For more information, go to the MESA Web site at .

Saturday Literacy Sessions

Last year, Sharon Tabersky, author of “On Solid Ground,” gave a Saturday presentation to elementary teachers on reading instruction that was so popular, teachers were turned away. To meet teachers’ interest for first-hand professional development on literacy by “experts,” the DPS Elementary Literacy Program is scheduling Saturday Sessions once a month for teachers, administrators and other interested educators. Outside consultants, who will work with literacy specialists and coaches on Fridays, will speak on different components of the literacy program on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

The first Saturday Session will be held September 6. National consultant Nancy Harris will discuss “Guided Reading for Emergent and Early Readers,” which would be most appropriate for K–2 teachers. Principals are requested to give the attached flyer to their teachers as soon as possible, as seating is limited and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Everyday Mathematics Professional Development

Principals—Please distribute the attached flyer regarding professional development to new teachers of Everyday Mathematics in ECE, kindergarten and grades 1–3.

Studio Course Books Update

To date, more than 97,000 books have been received for the Studio Course, which represents about 71 percent of total books ordered. This mammoth effort has been accomplished through the coordination of the ERS Purchasing departments, who have worked for the past month and a half to unpack, receive, count and repack books for every middle and high school Studio Course teacher. While we have encountered a few glitches in the process, progress remains steady. A huge thank you to Jody Gehrig, Director of ERS; Beth Wrenn-Estes, Manager, ERS; and Ann Stoyle, Director of Purchasing, for supporting this effort and all of the employees who are making this happen.

Denver Bar Association Offers Programs and Volunteers!

See the attached flyers to see how the DBA can support you in starting a Mock Trial team and using volunteer attorneys in the classroom.

We the People Program

Again this school year, Loyal Darr will serve as the First Congressional District Coordinator for the We the People program and will work with teachers and schools to receive and use curriculum materials on teaching the development, history, and application of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Principals should note that a school desiring to enter the competitions must commit to:

• Providing substitutes or internally covering the participating teachers’ classes

• Providing bus allocations to transport students to and from the competitions

• Seeking funds, if necessary, for national participation

Expect a letter from the social studies coordinator with more details. Also, for more information, visit the social studies Web site at .

Gifted and Talented Education Department

GT Student Identification Occurs Every Fall

Gifted and talented student identification occurs every fall in every elementary and middle school and must be completed by the end of September. As a part of the identification process, schools receive copies of the Raven’s Test of Progressive Matrices from Assessment and Testing. This untimed, non-verbal test of reasoning ability is administered every year by GT representatives to all third and sixth grade students and to all students who are new to the district. Other identification instruments such as the Circles Test, test history information, and parent or teacher inventories will also be considered in the process.

Yearly GT identification totals for individual schools and for the district as a whole are available on the district Web site. The number of students identified as gifted and talented is tabulated yearly and reported to CDE and OCR as requested. The achievement levels of identified GT students are reported yearly to CDE in the district’s Accreditation Report, also on the Web.

Below are a few ways to help facilitate GT identification in your school:

• Set aside a few minutes at a staff meeting for your GT representative to introduce his or herself, explain the identification process, and describe the services he or she can provide within the GT plan developed in your school.

• Ask teachers to distribute parent inventories and complete teacher inventories. Teachers may also complete inventories for students they taught in prior years.

• Consider ways to distribute parent inventories to reach the most parents with reminders in school newsletters or principal letters.

• If necessary, help your GT representative and teachers schedule the best times for Raven’s testing to complete this testing within the designated testing window.

• Encourage all teachers and specialists to bring individual student strengths or accomplishments and outstanding test results, products, or performances to the attention of your GT representative.

• Make sure your GT representative has access to a computer for test history and previous identification information.

• Information regarding gifted and talented education in the district and GT resources for students, teachers, and parents can be found on the GT Web page at .

• If you have any questions or need assistance in GT identification, services, or staff development, please call Barbara Neyrinck at 303-405-8273, Pam Morris (NE and NW) at 303-405-8277, or Brooke Walker (SE and SW) at 303-405-8275.

Risk Management

Thefts and Missing Property

Reminder—Reimbursements for thefts and missing district property are being handled differently this year. Access the link to the June 24 issue of the Tuesday Telegram for details: .

Nursing Services

The attached memo highlights heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms and treatment.

The attached memo addressed the West Nile virus.

Food and Nutrition Services

Food and Nutrition Services is again sponsoring the USDA After-School Snack Program for the 2003–2004 school year. Attached are copies of the two-page application and the rules and regulations of the program. Please note the deadline for submitting an application is September 26, 2003.

Public Information Office

Marketing Tip of the Week

“There are so many good things going on at our school…if only people knew about them.”

This is a reminder about our easy-to-use School Marketing Resource Kit offering tips on identifying what’s right about your school and getting those messages to the right people.

Go to (then bookmark the page) to access the kit.

TUESDAY TELEGRAM ARCHIVE (click on this link)



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Denver Public Schools

Department of Food and Nutrition Services

Interdepartmental Communication

To: Principals and Snack Program Coordinators

From: Donna M. Wittrock, Executive Director

Date: August 12, 2003

Subject: After-School Snack Program

Rules and Regulations of USDA After-School Snack Program

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION IS SEPTEMBER 26, 2003

Eligibility

The program must be after school and provide regularly scheduled education/enrichment activities in a supervised setting to children from pre-K through the age of 18. The program must be operated by the district. Organized athletic programs participating in interscholastic sports are excluded from eligibility. Extracurricular activities, such as debate team or drama club, qualify only if their basic purpose is to provide after-school care. A school must have a minimum of 50% free and reduced to qualify. If your school does not qualify, we will be happy to provide snacks, but the cost will be full pay ($.75) per student.

Times of Operation

Programs must operate after the child’s day in school. We cannot provide the USDA snacks in programs that operate before or during the school day or on weekends, holidays, or school vacation periods.

Recordkeeping

Your program staff must maintain daily roster sheets we will provide. Accountability is crucial because reimbursement is based on these rosters. The number of snacks ordered must match the total of names on the roster. We are required to conduct audits of your rosters. If we do not receive a roster at the end of the month, the program will be charged full price ($.75) for ALL the snacks provided that month.

Responsibilities

Your staff will notify the lunchroom manager of the number of snacks needed on a daily basis. Since the manager is off duty when the snacks are served, it is the responsibility of the program staff to pick up the snacks. Program staff will also have the responsibility of ensuring proper food-handling procedures to ensure the health and safety of the children. No hot foods will be served, but cold items, such as milk, will need to be kept refrigerated. Your program will need to provide a refrigerator.

Application Process

CDE requires a separate application for each program at your school. A new one needs to be filled out each year. Programs having multiple sites need to fill out an application for each site. If you would like to receive snacks and meet the eligibility requirements, submit the attached application (two pages) to Food and Nutrition Services. Your application is sent to CDE for approval. Note that CDE requires all applications to be submitted to them by the end of September for approval. If you submit an application to us after September 26, we will be happy to provide snacks for your program, but the cost will be full price ($.75) per student, as we will not be able to claim federal reimbursement.

In addition, if you do not meet the requirements of 50% free students and wish to order snacks at a cost of $.75, fill out the application and the account code to be charged. Questions can be referred to Theresa Hafner at 303-715-5611.

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Page 1

PROGRAM APPLICATION

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACK PROGRAM

SY 2003–2004

Colorado Department of Education

**Application required for each program** (individual sites may have multiple programs)

|Name and Address of School District/Agency |School Name and Address |

| | |

|Contact Name and Phone Number |Grade Level: |

| |Range of Children Participating: |

| |Number of Children Participating: |

| | |

After-School Program Information

Program Title:

Description of Program (full description of program):

Does the program have regularly scheduled educational and/or _____Yes _____No

enrichment activities in a setting that is structured and supervised?

Specify fully the educational and/or enrichment activities:

Are children supervised the entire time they participate _____Yes _____No

in the program?

Is this a district-sponsored program? _____Yes _____No

Is there a separate charge for snacks? _____Yes _____No

Does the program operate after the child’s school day? _____Yes _____No

Program Time: Meal Time:

Start Date: End Date:

|Days of Week in Session |Monday |Tuesday |Wednesday |Thursday |Friday |

|(please circle) | | | | | |

I have received this application and find that it meets minimum approval criteria.

Signature (Nutrition Services)

| ****FOR CDE USE ONLY*** (rev. 7/03) |

|Eligible (Y or N) _____ |

|_____ Over 50% F & R _____ Pricing |

|_____ Under 50% F & R _____ Non-Pricing _____ Initials |

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PROGRAM APPLICATION

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACK PROGRAM

Denver Public Schools

I agree to the following:

If we qualify for subsidized snacks (schools more than 50% free),

1. Our program will pay $.25 per snack ordered. We understand this cost cannot be passed on to students.

2. We agree to keep a daily roster and give it to the lunchroom manager at the end

of the month.

3. If we fail to turn in a roster by the end of the month, we understand we will be charged $.75 per snack ordered.

4. The following account number can be charged each month for the cost of the snacks:

If we do not qualify for subsidized snacks (schools less than 50% free or application submitted past deadline),

1. Our program will pay $.75 per snack ordered.

2. The following account number can be charged each month for the cost of the snacks.

Signature of Program Contact:

Date:

Date:

8/2002

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SCC BULLETIN DPS SCC/EMPAC Directive: 2001-2

Date of issue: August 19, 2003, Updated: August 19, 2003

Title: HVAC Operating Tips

1. This service bulletin is to help you keep your school’s HVAC systems operable and the environment comfortable during extremely hot and cold weather days.

• Remember, classroom doors may only be held open by a magnetic hold open device or a door closure mechanism with a hold open device, per the Life Safety Code.

• The tips in these instructions are specifically for you (Facility Managers), but sharing this information with your principals and staffs is essential.

2. These tips will be most helpful to schools that utilize unit ventilators and HV units (heating and ventilating central fans) for the building heating and ventilating requirements.

• Cooling (not air conditioning) can be achieved in some schools by properly operating the ventilating equipment.

3. You and your custodial staffs must ensure unit ventilators and HV units are controlled correctly.

If your building is too HOT or too COLD, make sure you check the following conditions (and those in paragraphs 4 and 5, depending on the season) prior to calling the HVAC shop to come to check the system.

• The Air Compressor must be on with the correct pressure regulator settings; without this,

the controls will not allow the fresh air dampers to open.

• The thermostat must be operating correctly.

• The automatic building controls must be operating correctly (occupied or day control during the day and unoccupied or night control during nights and weekends).

• The automatic building controls should start the system at least one hour before teachers begin to arrive.

• The boiler system must be on if the outside air temperature is below 65 or 70 degrees (This varies from building to building.) Facility Managers can determine when the boiler should be running.

• All of the building exhaust fans should be running and in good working order.

• The unit ventilators and HV units must be turned on. Some are equipped with high and low speed controls; these should be adjusted according to the individual room requirements.

The teacher or staff member and the custodian should determine this.

4. Extreme cold weather operating tips: When the outside air temperatures does not exceed 32 degrees in the day and dips to 0 degrees or lower during the evening.

• The automatic building controls must be operating correctly (occupied or day control during the day and unoccupied or night control during nights and weekends). During the night cycle, fresh air vents and exhaust fans should be turned off to ensure heat remains in the building. This prevents sub-zero temperature air from entering the building and helps prevent frozen pipes. (FMs)

• During long weekends and nights of extremely cold weather, cabinet doors should be opened under sinks and where other plumbing pipes are concealed along the outside walls of the building. (FMs and teachers)

• Sometimes it is necessary to adjust an inside faucet to drip slowly; keeping the water moving helps prevent freeze-ups. (FMs and teachers)

• Make sure that any outside faucets have been winterized. (FMs)

• Books, paper, and furniture must not block supply or return air vents. (everyone)

5. Hot weather operating tips: When the outside air temperatures are ranging from 50 degrees in the evening to 80 degrees or above during the day.

• The unit ventilators and HV units should be manually placed into day operation by the facility manager this allows the univents. HV units and exhaust fans to run through the night removing the heat that was accumulated during the day and replacing it with cool night air. (FMs)

• Check each univent early each morning to ensure they are running properly. During cleaning runs, univents should be checked. Teachers should report to the custodians if univents are off or malfunctioning. (FMs and teachers)

• Areas of the building facing the sun should utilize the window shades or blinds to help block out some of the sun’s heat (eliminates heat gain associated from solar exposure). (Everyone)

• Windows can be partially opened in conjunction with opening of doors to establish cross ventilation. However, doors cannot be held open by wood or other types of blocks or wedges, per the City Fire Code. The only acceptable method to hold open a classroom or office door is a magnetic door closure mechanism or a door closure with a hold open device.

• Turn off lights, computer monitors, and computers. Place copiers in the energy saver mode and shut down other heat generating electrical devices when not in use. This reduces heat gain and energy consumption. (Everyone)

• Books, paper, and furniture must not block supply or return air vents. (Everyone)

Note: Although these tips apply to DPS facilities with all types of HVAC systems, those without active Air Conditioning (AC) systems have been a primary concern during the summer. Installing central AC in those schools is complex and cost prohibitive. Window AC units maybe installed in DPS facilities using the approved guidance and procedures and at school cost. Door closures with hold open devices have been installed of repaired in throughout DPS the last two years in schools without air conditioning. Schools with air conditioning may have this done at school request and school funding. Call the Structural Shop at 303-575-4029 for information regarding this effort.

6. Recovering from a power outage: When the power is turned back on equipment, such as fans, pumps, air compressors, boilers, and chillers, may not restart automatically. In the winter, this could be devastating. During the summer, it will lead to overheating problems. It also could cause back flooding with swimming pools.

• During regular work hours, the FM or assistant on duty needs to check the building.

• If the power is restored after hours, Security Dispatch will call the FM who then needs to check the building.

• Make sure all systems are reset and are operating automatically.

• If after resetting the controls and equipment, the systems do not operate correctly, contact HVAC.

7. These tips will help you maintain comfort in your schools. Please call your Area Supervisor or the HVAC shop at 303-575-4036 if these tips require clarification or if environmental problems persist even after using the tips above.

Attached is Quick Reminder Sheet for all custodians that can be posted on your bulletin board.

Approved:

Morgan R. Deane Jr. Date

Director, Operations and Maintenance

HVAC Reminders for FMs and ACs

When beginning your shift EVERY day, remember to:

□ Check ALL FAN MOTORS to make sure fans are turning.

□ Check ALL PUMPS to make sure they are turning along with the motors.

Do not just rely on the sound; use a light to check the coupling.

□ Run all equipment in the AUTOMATIC mode. It keeps the air handlers off

at night, during the coldest times.

In the event of a POWER OUTAGE:

□ Security will call the FM, who then needs to check the building. When the power is turned on again, there is a possibility that some pumps and fans might not start automatically. In the winter, this failure can be devastating. Consequently, you need to make sure that ALL of your reset buttons are hit and that your equipment is running properly. If it is not, call the HVAC Department or the appropriate shop for the equipment that is down.

If you have any questions about these issues,

don’t hesitate to call your Area Supervisor or

the HVAC Department directly at 303-575-4036.

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Attention

DPS K–2 Teachers, Principals,

and Other Interested Educators

Saturday Session 1

on

Guided Reading for Emergent and

Early Readers (Levels 1–18 and A–I)

Presented by

Nancy Harris,

Educational Consultant, Author, and Expert in Guided Reading

Sponsored by

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8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 6

Lowry Campus of the Colorado Community College System, Building 758

East Tenth Drive between Akron Way and Alton Way

See map at (click on About the Lowry Campus,

then on the pull-out menu, click on Campus Maps)

Learn about

■ Strategies for more effective guided reading at early levels

■ Matching students with appropriate texts and strategies to meet their needs

■ Fitting guided reading into the Reading Workshop format

Seating is limited

CALL Dora Bruce at 303-764-3510 NOW if you would like to attend

No charge/no pay

Certificates for four hours of recertification credit will be given out

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DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

INTEROFFICE COMMUNICATION

TO: Traditional School Principals

THROUGH: Andre Pettigrew, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services

Richard Allen, Assistant Superintendent of Budget and Finance

FROM: Kathleen Masteller, Payroll Manager

Joyce Fell, HR Manager

DATE: August 12, 2003

RE: September 30, 2003 Payday

The Payroll Transmittal, for the pay date of September 30, 2003, reflects employee data in the HRIS/Payroll System as of September 5, 2003. This transmittal lists each individual who is assigned to your school. Please review the information provided and make necessary corrections to the Payroll Transmittal. All personnel changes, including terminations, new hires, job changes, and account number changes, must be submitted electronically to Human Resources using a PACE form to create a change in the HRIS/Payroll System. We encourage you to submit all PACE forms electronically to the appropriate Human Resource Generalist.

Payroll Transmittal Instructions

1. If an employee is no longer working at your school or department, draw a line through employee’s name, use the comment section to indicate if the employee terminated or transferred, and/or any other available information known. Indicate last day worked. All employees listed on your transmittal with a work year greater than “000” will receive pay; therefore, it is vital that you indicate if an employee is no longer working at your location.

2. If an employee is not printed on the transmittal but is working at your school, add the employee to the bottom of the page. Include the person’s name, social security number, job number, account number, and first day worked.

3. Carefully review the job numbers listed by each individual’s name. If an employee has multiple jobs, the employee will be listed multiple times for each job code. If a change is necessary, please indicate the correct job number on the transmittal.

4. Carefully review all account numbers. If a change is necessary, indicate the appropriate account number (18 digits) on the “override account number” column. If you have account number questions, please contact the Budget Department.

Account Number Structure:

Location SRE Program Project Job Code Fund Expense Object

XXX XX XXXX XXXX X X XXX

These corrections to the Payroll Transmittal will not initiate ANY CHANGES to the system;

it only communicates to the Payroll Department the employees at your school/department who should be paid and for which job/position they are actively working.

Due Dates

Personnel Action Forms (PACE) are due to Human Resources electronically by September 9

to initiate changes to the employee’s data. Due to the limited processing time available, it is crucial Human Resources receives all changes to existing staff as well as new hire paperwork as soon as possible. Employees not set up correctly in the HRIS/Payroll system will not receive pay on September 30, 2003.

Payroll Transmittals for the September 30, 2003, pay date are due to Payroll by September 15.

cc: Dr. Jerry Wartgow, Superintendent

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DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION

To: All Principals

From: Donna Shocks, MSN, RN, Manager, Nursing Services

Through: John Leslie, Assistant Superintendent Student Services

Date: August 15, 2003

Subject Tips for Staying Cool/Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

All DPS schools will be in session starting Monday, August 18, 2003. Many of you are aware that several of our schools are not air-conditioned and may be quite warm during the day. In the summer, hot and humid air can prevent an individual’s body from cooling off and the body may react by overheating. As a result of elevated building temperatures, staff and students are at risk for Heat Exhaustion and/or Heat Stroke. Encourage your staff and students to wear light-colored clothing and synthetics when outside if possible instead of cotton. A light hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen are highly advisable, because sunscreen actually helps cool the skin. Above all, encourage everyone to drink plenty of water. And please use early morning hours for recess and outside activities.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common adverse reactions to elevated temperatures. It is important to recognize the universal signs and symptoms of both to differentiate between these two conditions. Heat exhaustion refers to overheating of the body, which can cause severe dehydration and in some cases, salt depletion. The following signs and symptoms will usually be evident:

◆ Thirst

◆ Headache

◆ Pallor (paleness)

◆ Dizziness

◆ Nausea and/or vomiting

Note: In addition, children may faint, sweat, and maintain a normal body temperature.

Interventions should include:

◆ Get the individual out of the sun and into a cool shady place.

◆ Give a cold glass of water every 15 minutes (drink slowly rather than gulping).

◆ Have the individual lie down and elevate his or her feet.

◆ Call the individual’s physician and notify parents immediately.

Heat stroke refers to the most severe form of heat stress. This is a medical emergency and can be fatal! Signs and symptoms include:

◆ Fainting or (unconsciousness) Note: Elevate the legs.

◆ Severe confusion (disorientation and delirium) Note: An individual who is functioning well is not in danger.

◆ Elevated temperature

◆ Lack of sweating

Interventions should include:

◆ Call 911.

◆ Cool the individual off as quickly as possible. If available, pack ice around the neck, armpit, and groin, splash water on the skin, and fan the individual. Note: A child may be immersed in a sink or tub if available. The water should be as cold as he or she can tolerate.

◆ If the individual is conscious, give cold water every 15 minutes. Note: Fluids are essential even if the individual is nauseated.

Do not rub the individual with alcohol and do not give aspirin, Tylenol, or any other medications by mouth.

I hope you find this information useful. If you have any other questions about heat exhaustion or heat stroke, please talk to your school nurse or feel free to contact me at 303-764-3860 or mailto:donna_shocks@.

Thank you, and have a healthy year.

cc Area Superintendents

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DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION

To: Area Superintendents and Principals

From: Donna Shocks, MSN, RN, Manager Nursing Services

Date: August 18, 2003

Subject: West Nile Virus

I am acutely aware that many staff, students, and parents are expressing concerns and fears regarding the West Nile virus (WNV) and the potential spread and impact on the health of our students and school communities. As a result of the alarming increase of documented cases of the virus in the state and the publicized deaths, I consulted with Dr. Paul Melinkovich at Denver Health and Hospital Authority and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to learn more about the modes of transmission and consequent preventive measures (if any) that schools should implement.

What we have found and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics is that prevention is the best defense. Dr. Melinkovich is stressing that the WNV is carried by certain mosquitoes and not spread through person-to-person contact. In addition, WNV does not usually cause a serious infection in children less than 19 years of age. In fact, the only serious forms of WNV disease documented all impact the elderly population.

It is important to be aware of common signs and symptoms of the virus, such as:

• Elevated temperatures;

• Weakness;

• Nausea and vomiting;

• Headache; and/or

• Complaint of stiff neck or change in mental status may be signs of more serious disease and require medical attention.

In addition, we should educate staff, students, and parents to use strategies to decrease the risk of mosquito bites, such as:

• Wearing long sleeves and pants during outdoor activities;

• Avoiding being outside at dawn and dusk;

• Avoid playing in standing water areas; and

• Use of mosquito repellent than contains DEET when engaging in outside activities.

I hope this information is helpful, and if I receive additional information regarding the WNV, I will forward it. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me at 303-764-3860 or donna_shocks@.

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¡Save this Date!

September 20

8:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

ECE, Kindergarten, and Grades 1, 2, and 3

Everyday Mathematics

for new Everyday Mathematics users

who did NOT attend

Summer Everyday Mathematics Institute

RSVP to Elizabeth Bible at elizabeth_bible@.

You will receive an email confirming

your registration and identifying the location.

Attendees receive $50 stipend.

Questions? Call 303-764-3423.

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The DPS Task Force on School and District Climate has drafted four core values that will serve as the foundation for how we treat each other in Denver Public Schools. Before the values are adopted and implemented,

we want to hear from you!

The draft values are:

• Trust: We act with fairness and respect at all times. Our deeds match our words.

• Teamwork: We commit to collaborative conduct in all that we do.

• Accountability: We accept responsibility to serve students and help them reach their highest potential.

• Integrity: We act with the highest standards of honesty and professionalism.

What do you think?

Are these value statements appropriate to serve as:

The foundation of improved school climate?

The basis of a new recognition program?

A way to unify us in the pursuit of student achievement?

The Climate Task Force wants to hear from you!

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Access the survey at .

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THE DENVER MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM

The Denver Bar Association sponsors the annual Denver Mock Trial Program. Colorado is one of more than 40 states with a competitive high school mock trial program. Attorneys, judges, teachers, and other community leaders volunteer their time to help students in their communities learn about the justice process through competitive, and this year, non-competitive mock trials at the local level.

The mock trial program is designed to give Denver students a hands-on trial experience through preparation and presentation of a legal case to a scoring panel. Additionally, team members have an opportunity to develop and test critical thinking skills. They learn about the judicial system, court procedures, and the legal system. Teams begin forming as early as September and as late as January.

WHAT DOES A MOCK TRIAL LOOK LIKE?

Teams of 6–12 students argue a case before a scoring panel. In most cases, a real judge presides over the trial round. Six students present the case (three attorneys and three witnesses) for any trial round. The case study provided November 1st.

HOW IS THE PROGRAM RUN?

Local tournaments are the first level of competition. This year, Denver is considering the addition of a second-tier non-competitive level for middle and high school teams that want simply the hands-on trial experience without competing for the state competition. Local tournaments are organized by the local bar associations and may consist of 2–4 trial rounds. Teams will have the opportunity to present both sides of the case during any tournament, i.e., prosecution and defense or plaintiff and defense. The teams may be random-matched or power-matched based on the results of their trials. The trials may be scheduled in the afternoon or over a weekend.

THE TRIAL PROBLEM

Trial cases may be civil or criminal. They concern issues that are both challenging and topical and of interest for students. For instance, cases in the past have involved domestic violence, murder, physician-assisted suicide, sexual harassment, drug abuse, police violence, and constitutional rights.

Cases may be prepared by the CBA and based on Colorado history or topical Colorado issues or available from other states since more than 40 states have competitive mock trial programs. In the event of the latter, the case specifics (e.g., charging documents, case and statutory law) would be revised to Colorado law.

Each case includes a fact pattern, complaints/charging documents, stipulated facts, six witness statements (three on each side of the case), exhibits, law (statutory and case law), and jury instructions.

For more information on the CBA Colorado Mock Trial Competition, contact Carolyn Ferber, Director of Public Legal Education, at 303-824-5323 or cferber@. The CBA offices are located at 1900 Grant Street, Suite 900, Denver, CO 80203. The CBA website is at .

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Denver Bar Association Educational Resources

* People

The Denver Bar Association has more than 6,500 members available to assist teachers with law-related education programs in the classroom or in the courthouse. Topics can include the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, practical law programs, mock trials, and tours of municipal, county, district, and appellate courts.

➢ Vested interests (may already have students in your class)

➢ Knowledgeable and trainable

* Products

The Denver Bar Association has products tailored to apply to the laws and justice system of the state of Colorado. Publications include:

➢ So you’re 18 now: A Survivor’s Guide for Young Adults (adult rights and responsibilities)

➢ Law in Colorado (supplement to Street Law)

➢ Being a Lawyer in Colorado (brochure on the steps to becoming a lawyer)

* Curricula

The Denver Bar Association has law-related education curricula already prepared for use in the classroom by teachers and/or teacher-attorney teams. Below are a few of the titles available for loan:

➢ Street Law

➢ Excel in Civics: Lessons in Citizenship

➢ The Bill of Rights and YOU

➢ Southern Poverty Law Center—Us vs. Them

➢ Center for Civic Education

➢ Practical Law subjects

➢ Juvenile Law

➢ Environmental Law

➢ Sports Law

➢ Discrimination and Equality

* Media

Videotapes can be used as supplements to curricula. Topics include Civil Justice Improvement: Everyone’s Responsibility; Criminal Sentencing: You be the Judge; Our Jury Colorado System, and mock trial programs for elementary, middle, and high school levels.

* Programs

➢ Court tours (4–6 weeks advance scheduling)

➢ Constitutional studies

➢ Practical law studies (e.g., Street Law)

➢ Mock trials:

--Cases for all grade levels to use in class curricula

--In-class or extracurricular

--Competitive or non-competitive at local level

➢ Summer Intern Program for Teens (via Earn N Learn Program of Goodwill Industries)

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