July 29, 2003 Superintendent’s Office Policy Guide for Parents and Students The number of printed copies of the Policy Guide for Parents and Students will be limited this year. Schools will not have hard copies to distribute to every family as they have in the past. However, according to board policy and state statute, schools must provide parents and student with the information in the attached memo regarding how to access to Board of Education policies through the district’s website (the link will be active very soon). Providing this information/language in your back-to-school packet is preferred. Third Annual STAR Party at the Zoo—August 19 The third annual STAR Party at the Zoo for teachers, secretaries and administrators is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the Denver Zoo. Principals and department heads, please distribute the attached flyer to teachers, secretaries and administrators. Admission and dinner for employees is complimentary—with employee entry buttons. The DCTA will provide entry buttons for employees. Please distribute these buttons to employees who plan to attend. Principals, pick up your entry buttons at quadrant meetings. Department heads, entry buttons will be available in Room 711 at the administration building. Guests are $10 per person (pay at the door). Thanks very much for your help! We look forward to seeing you there. Research, Planning and Special Programs 2003 CSAP Scores
Transcript
July 29, 2003
Superintendent’s OfficePolicy Guide for Parents and StudentsThe number of printed copies of the Policy Guide for Parents and Students will be limited this year. Schools will not have hard copies to distribute to every family as they have in the past. However, according to board policy and state statute, schools must provide parents and student with the information in the attached memo regarding how to access to Board of Education policies through the district’s website (the link will be active very soon). Providing this information/language in your back-to-school packet is preferred.
Third Annual STAR Party at the Zoo—August 19The third annual STAR Party at the Zoo for teachers, secretaries and administrators is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the Denver Zoo. Principals and department heads, please distribute the attached flyer to teachers, secretaries and administrators. Admission and dinner for employees is complimentary—with employee entry buttons. The DCTA will provide entry buttons for employees. Please distribute these buttons to employees who plan to attend. Principals, pick up your entry buttons at quadrant meetings. Department heads, entry buttons will be available in Room 711 at the administration building. Guests are $10 per person (pay at the door). Thanks very much for your help! We look forward to seeing you there.
Research, Planning and Special Programs2003 CSAP ScoresAt 11 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday), the state will announce 2003 CSAP scores at a press conference. By early afternoon, the DPS home page (http://www.dpsk12.org/) will link to the district news release and CSAP test scores.
Food and Nutrition ServicesFood Sales in Competition with Department of Food and Nutrition ServicesAttached are the Colorado State Board of Education rules regarding competitive food sales. Our major source of revenue is from meal sales. The sale of food by those other than Food Services jeopardizes our source of revenue, endangers the federal subsidy we receive and is in direct violation of Colorado statute. It is imperative that all schools follow the rules outlined in the attached statute.
Charges for School LunchesPlease see the attached memo regarding charging school lunches.
Community RelationsFirst Day of School CampaignDPS is launching a first-day-of-school campaign to encourage attendance on Monday, Aug. 18. Superintendent Jerry Wartgow and Mayor John Hickenlooper will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 7 (location to be determined) to kick off this effort.
Schools will receive flyers—in English and Spanish—and yard signs announcing the first day of school. Please post them in strategic, high-traffic locations near your school. Neighborhood associations also have flyers and have been asked to spread the word. Spanish radio stations will run public service announcements, and registration information will run on DPS Channel 22 beginning in early August. Access this link for registration information—http://www.dpsk12.org/news/press/2003/07/24.shtml.
Facility ManagementStorage Sheds Please see the attached memo regarding storage sheds on DPS property.
Reduced Custodial Core Tasks Requirements To maintain the most efficient and effective use of fewer resources this year, the attached memo outlines two options for reduced custodial core tasks—one geared toward classrooms and another toward hallways. Please review this information with your custodial staff next week and select on option for your school. A complete list of the “Reduced Custodial Core Tasks” for both options will be accessible Wednesday morning from the “operations” link on the Facility Management web site, http://fm.dpsk12.org. Call 303-575-4137 if you have any questions or concerns.
Student ServicesState Immunization RequirementsTo start the year with healthy schools and increase the number of students who are in compliance with state immunization laws, the attached memo from Nursing Services details student access to health clinics for immunizations. The memo also includes a comprehensive list of state immunization requirements.
Legal ServicesSchools Pledge of AllegianceEffective Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, HB 03-1368 requires middle and elementary teachers and students in each classroom to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day. High school teachers and students shall recite the pledge when the school conducts its daily announcements. If daily announcements are not given, the pledge must be recited aloud in each high school classroom. Teachers and students shall not be required to recite the pledge if they object on religious grounds, if the student’s parent or guardian files a written objection on any grounds with the principal, and/or if the student or teacher is not a US citizen.
The law does not require that there be a flag in each classroom. The law and Denver Public Schools Board of Education Policy IMDB (Flag Displays) are satisfied if each school building displays a flag.
Public Information OfficeMarketing Tip of the WeekUpdate school voicemails, hotlines and outdoor marquee messages to advertise the first day of school, registration dates, school supply lists, back-to-school nights, etc.
TUESDAY TELEGRAM ARCHIVE (click on this link)http://www.dpsk12.org/docs/tuesday_telegram/tue_tele_archive.shtml
Please be advised that the Denver Public Schools 2003–2004 Policy Guide for Parents and Students will be available online at http://www.dpsk12.org. The guide contains valuable information on such issues as student conduct, discipline and student rights and responsibilities. The district’s policies will help you understand what you can expect when certain circumstances arise during the school year.
If you are new to the district or do not have access to the Internet, you may request a hard copy from your school, which has a limited number of printed guides available in English and Spanish. Internet access is also available at your neighborhood school or local library.
202.01 Supplemental (a la carte) foods and beverages are those foods and beverages offered by the district’s food service program that are separate and apart from reimbursable meals.
202.02 Supplemental food and beverages may be sold or served free of charge by the district’s food service program at the same time and place as reimbursable meals, with the exception of Food of Minimal Nutritional Value as defined by USDA.
202.03 The income from the sale of supplemental foods and beverages shall accrue to the district’s food service program.
2202-R-203.00 Competitive Food Service
203.01 In those schools participating in the School Breakfast and/or National School Lunch program(s), competitive food service is any food or beverage service available to students that is separate and apart from the district’s nonprofit federally reimbursed food service program and is operated by school-approved organizations or by school-approved outside vendors.
203.02 Such competitive food service shall not operate in competition with the district’s food service program and shall be closed for a period beginning ½ hour prior to and remain closed until ½ hour after the last regular scheduled school lunch and/or school breakfast period on the campus where the school lunch and/or school breakfast is served.
203.03 In cooperation with, and upon the approval of, the district official responsible for the operation of the district’s food service program participating in the School Breakfast and/or National School Lunch program(s), the restriction in Section 203.02 may be waived for the service of competitive, mechanically vended beverages offered to students at the senior high level provided, however, that no federal rules or regulations relating to competitive food service or Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value may be waived for any grade level.
To promote the nutrition objectives of the School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs and to preserve the fiscal integrity of the district’s food service program, districts are encouraged to apply the restriction of Section 203.02 to all grade levels at all schools.
203.04 All schools participating in the School Breakfast and/or National School Lunch program(s) must also comply with any federal rules or regulations regarding competitive food service or the service of Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value, as defined by USDA.
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Department of Food and Nutrition ServicesInterdepartmental Communication
To: Elementary PrincipalsFrom: Donna M. Wittrock, Executive DirectorDate: July 21, 2003Subject: Charges—Alternate Meals
1. Student is allowed to charge two meals—charges are expected to be paid back.
2. After the second charge, student will be given a peanut butter or cheese sandwich and milk.
To be sure no child in Denver Public Schools goes without food, it is the policy—in elementary schools—to allow a child to charge lunch twice using the correct form provided by the Food and Nutrition Services Department. These charges are expected to be paid back.
After the second charge, if a student still does not have money for lunch, he or she will be given a peanut butter or cheese sandwich and milk in place of the regular lunch.
Some attempt should be made to determine the reason for the lack of lunch money. We would appreciate the assistance of the principal or designee to work with the Food and Nutrition Services manager to collect charges and correct the situation. This alternate meal is intended to be only a short-term solution.
The charging at some locations becomes a problem. Managers find it hard to refuse children, and numerous charges become difficult to collect. It is hoped that by working on the problem together, we can be sure no child will go hungry and the charge policy will not be abused.
If a child appears to be eligible for free meals and the parent refuses to complete the application form, contact Food Services at 303-715-5624 for instructions.
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INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION
To: Principals and Site-Based Managers
Through: Mike Langley, Executive Director, Facility ManagementMorgan Deane, Director, Operations and Maintenance
From: Trena A. Jones, Chief, Maintenance Engineering
Date: July 15, 2003
Subject: Storage Shed Construction on DPS Property
1. In response to numerous inquiries regarding the construction of storage sheds on school sites, the following guidelines have been established for the purpose of ensuring compliance for storage shed construction.
2. As set forth by the 1997 Uniform Building Codes (UBC), storage sheds are categorized as Group S occupancy and classified as Type II Buildings. Group S occupancy includes the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, used for storage not classified as a hazardous occupancy.
3. In compliance with the 1997 UBC, certain provisions are set forth for the construction of storage sheds to meet varying degrees of public safety and fire resistance.
a. The structural elements in Type II—F.R. buildings shall be of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry.
b. The structural elements shall be of noncombustible materials.c. Type II one-hour buildings shall be of noncombustible construction and one-hour
fire resistive throughout.d. Additional regulations apply should hazardous materials (e.g., gasoline, propane)
be stored in the area.
4. It is important to note that temporary facilities, prefabricated buildings, Tuff Sheds, and similar construction do not meet these requirements and cannot be assembled, fabricated, installed, constructed, or located on DPS sites.
5. We are aware of the facility need for storage sheds at various school sites but, unfortunately, due to the current budget deficit we are unable to make any commitments at this time. We will, however, continue to plan and budget for construction through Facility Management should funding become available. Any request for construction for a storage shed must be submitted to Facility Management.
6. Please call 303-575-4146 should you have any questions or concerns.
CC: Area Superintendents Steve FinleyAndre Pettigrew Area SupervisorsRich Cosgrove Mike Wonsik
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INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION
To: Principals/Site-Based Managers Facility Managers
Thru: Jerome F. Wartgow, SuperintendentAndre Pettigrew, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative ServicesRichard Allen, Assistant Superintendent of Financial ServicesMike Langley, Executive Director of Facility Management
From: Morgan Deane, Director Operations and Maintenance
Establishes Reduced Custodial Core Tasks “Frequencies” for leveling of servicesEstablishes Reduced Custodial Core Tasks “Frequencies” for leveling of services in Schools in Schools
Required to maximize production of custodial workforce given the FY2003-2004Required to maximize production of custodial workforce given the FY2003-2004 RIF of 10% of the workforceRIF of 10% of the workforce
Establishes data for Facility Managers to re-accomplish building run schedulesEstablishes data for Facility Managers to re-accomplish building run schedules NLT October 1NLT October 1stst
1. Custodial manning levels in our facilities had been improving the past 5 years as we have worked extensively to develop a true objective method to normalize schools throughout the District. This RAM formula was successful in justifying increases in FY 2000 at High Schools and FY2002 at Middle and Elementary schools. Unfortunately, the economically driven Reduction-in-Force (RIF) has eliminated those gains. Custodial manning in DPS is now down to 54% of required manning levels. The lowest level in recent years.
2. Custodial manning and the RAM, which establishes manning requirements, are centered on “Core Task Standards”. The current standards were published in 1999. However, considering the losses in manpower it is now critical to level these standards relative to and commensurate with the losses in manpower. Bottom line: we only have so many man-hours in a day and thus cannot do more or the same with less. All we can do is level our standards while maintaining clean, safe and sanitary schools. Accordingly we have reviewed and developed a “Reduced Core Tasks Requirement”.
Note: The Standards in DPS have not changed, however the required frequency of Core Task must be reduced commensurate with the loss in manpower and thus available man-hours.
The Reduced Core Tasks Requirements comes in two options. In both options 99% of the tasks remain the same, however, one option is geared toward
classrooms and the other to hallways. Principals/Site-Based Managers must choose one of these options.
Upon selection of an option the Facility Manager (FM) must then build new run schedules for the building.
Area Supervisors will assist. Our objective is to have new run schedules (for buildings with losses of
personnel/allocations only) completed by October 1st, 2003.
3. The difference between Option A & B is in the priority given to classrooms or hallways.
Option A maintains the old standard for classrooms, but reduces the frequency of hallway floor sweepings from three (3) times a day to two (2) times a day in Elementary schools and from four (4) times a day to three (3) times a day in secondary schools.
Option B maintains the old standard for hallways, but reduces the frequency of classroom floor cleaning from daily to every other day, or three (3) times a week.
4. The following is a summary of standard Core Tasks reduced in both Option A and Option B:Note: These reductions constitute less than 10% of the core task standards. Meaning more than 90% remains unchanged. Daily activities make up the bulk of core task and thus most reductions had to be made there.
The monitoring of lunchrooms and cleaning of lunchroom tables by custodial personnel is not a core task and has never been used to determine custodial manning requirements. This means custodial manning (even at 100%) has never to perform either function. Please ensure both tasks are eliminated from custodial responsibilities.
o Monitoring and directing children is a responsibility for certified personnel. Lunchroom setup and cleanup remains a custodial responsibility.
o Food Services/kitchen staff are responsible for the cleaning of lunchroom tables. The emptying of pencil sharpeners and adjusting shades in classrooms and offices by
custodial personnel has been eliminated. Floor cleaning of offices has been reduced from a daily to a three (3) times a week task.
Trash pickup will remain a daily task. Sweeping outside entryways has been reduced from a daily to a three (3) times a week
task. Trash and debris pickup remain a daily task. Cleaning auditoriums, teachers lounges and community rooms has been reduced from a
daily to a two (2) times a week task. Cleaning of entrance and fire door glass has been reduced from a daily to a two (2)
times a week task. Dusting of surfaces has been reduced from a twice a week to a weekly task. Cleaning chalkboards and erasers has been reduced from a quarterly to an annual task
(summer). Washing office windows has been reduced from a semi-annual to an annual task
(summer). Cultivating bedding areas around bushes has been reduced from a semi-annual to an
annual task (summer).
5. These reduced standards reflect the most efficient and effective use of our current manning, while simultaneously keeping our schools safe and clean as well as provide Principals/Site-Based Managers will the flexibility to prioritize needs in individual schools and buildings. Any increase in frequency placed by Principals on those items reduced above will mean sacrifices must be made in other areas. A complete list of the “Reduced Custodial Core Tasks” for options is accessible from the “operations” link on the Facility Management web site, http://fm.dpsk12.org. Please call (303) 575-4137 if you have any questions or concerns.
CC: Carla Santorno Melanie Haas Irene Jordan Joe SandovalVelma Rose Donna Wittrock Robin Kane Bart MullerArea Supervisors Richard Archuletta, FMA Marlene Orozco, CWA
DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLSINTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION
To: PrincipalsFrom: Donna J. Shocks, MSN, RN, Manager, Nursing ServicesDate: July 29, 2003Subject: State Immunization Requirements
Due to the decrease in access to health services for DPS students, Nursing Services and Denver Health have partnered to provide immunizations to DPS students who qualify for Colorado free vaccines (i.e., no insurance, Medicaid, or Native American/Alaska Native), enrolled in the following 13 elementary and seven middle schools:
Barnum Elementary School Bryant-Webster Elementary School Castro Elementary School Cowell Elementary School Garden Place Elementary School Greenlee Elementary School Harrington Elementary School Mitchell Elementary School Munroe Elementary School Newlon Elementary School
Smedley Elementary School Smith Elementary School Swansea Elementary School Bruce Randolph Middle School Cole Middle School Horace Mann Middle School Kepner Middle School Kunsmiller Middle School Martin Luther King Middle School Skinner Middle School
Elementary schools that feed into MLK Middle School can access immunizations for their students on scheduled clinic days. School nurses will be available to assist parents with this process.
Students enrolled in the following schools that presently accommodate Denver School Based Health Centers (DSBHC) can receive immunization during registration:
Baker Middle School Cheltenham Elementary School JFK High School Lake Middle School Lincoln High School Manual High School
Montbello High School Noel Middle School North High School Valdez Elementary School West High School
Students enrolled in the elementary feeder schools to Noel and Baker middle schools can access immunizations at those sites. In addition, students enrolled at Colfax, Cowell and Brown elementary schools can access immunizations at Cheltenham DSBHC. Again, clinics will be open during school registration, and students can receive immunizations
at these DSBHCs during registration. Parents of feeder schools must make an appointment at the appropriate site and accompany their student to the appointment. School nurses will be available to assist parents with this process.
In addition, DPS students may be referred to the Denver Health (DH) immunization clinic at 660 Bannock or any other DH clinic.
Please note that DH’s Westwood clinic is now located on the school ground of Knapp Elementary School, and students attending the following schools can access immunizations and other health services at this site:
Barnum Elementary School Castro Elementary School Knapp Elementary School
Munroe Elementary School Newton Elementary School Valverde Elementary School
Note: Please review the state immunizations requirements for child care and kindergarten through grade 12 for the 2003–2004 school year (on the next page).
(back)Immunization Requirements for Child Care and
Kindergarten through Grade 12School Year 2003–2004
Preschool and Child Care (at least 18 months through 4 years of age)DTaP 4 dosesPolio 3MMR 1Hib 3 or 2 or 1—number of doses depends upon when doses are receivedHepatitis B 3Varicella 1—or a history of disease
Kindergarten through Grade 3DTaP 5 * dosesPolio 4 *MMR 2Hepatitis B 3Varicella 1—or a history of disease
Grades 4 through 6DTaP 4 + dosesPolio 3 +MMR 1Hepatitis B 3
Grades 7 through 12DTaP 4 + dosesPolio 3 +MMR 2Hepatitis B 3
* If the fourth dose of DTaP and the third dose of polio were given after the fourth birthday, only 4 DTaP and 3 Polio are required.
+ Requirements for students who have been in a Colorado school prior to July 1, 2000.
VaccinesDTP/DTaP Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussisOPV, IPV PolioMMR Measles, mumps and rubellaHB Hepatitis BHib Haemophilus Influenzae type BVaricella Chickenpox
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DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Spend an evening at the zoo with colleagues, spouses and friends.Enjoy dinner, live music by ‘Toast’ and dancing.A cash bar will be available.
Admission and dinner for employeesis complimentary with your employee entry button.Pick up your employee entry button at your school office or in Room 711 at the administration building.Guests are $10 per person (pay at the door).
Denver Zoo—2300 Steele Street
Questions? Contact Karen Fulghum-SearSchool Community Partnerships303-764-3306
Thanks to the DPS Foundation
and the DPS Credit Unionfor generously sponsoring this appreciation event.
