Human Resources Monthly Newsletter
April 16th, 2025
Join us for the 12 Days of Gratitude Challenge!
In this special challenge, join us for 12 Days of Gratitude. This is a simple, powerful way to reflect, reconnect, and recharge through daily moments of appreciation. This challenge will run November 10 - 21, 2025.
When you register, you’ll receive:
A daily email or message for 12 days with a short gratitude prompt or reflection
Quick tips for expressing appreciation to others
Optional journaling prompts and ideas for acts of kindness
Support for Your Quit!
We’re pleased to offer a valuable resource to help you kick the habit. We have created a Quit Kit that supports you in preparing to quit and navigating the challenges ahead. Request your Quit Kit by clicking here.
Quitting is a process that takes time, energy, and support. Check out these other great opportunities to help you or someone you know to kick the habit. The Great American Smokeout, Tobacco-Free Colorado, or Colorado QuitLine.
November Ergonomics Tip Provided by ErgoTill
Comfort Over Chaos: Holiday Stress & Ergonomic Calm
Busy seasons increase mental and physical stress. Don't let workstation discomfort add to the load. Check-in with your body. Tight shoulders? Aching back? Wrist fatigue? Good ergonomics means your tools fit you, not the other way around. Take a moment to adjust your chair, relax your arms, and create a calm space for focus and recovery.
Fall Updates
You will use this single task to submit requests for both
general time off (sick, personal, vacation) and leaves of absence
(FMLA, Non-FMLA, etc.). (Licensed employees will continue to use Red Rover for all general time off requests.)
This update also includes a new, improved time off calendar that is now consistent across both the desktop and mobile platforms, making it easier to request and view your time off no matter how you access the system.
Click HERE to see a preview of this new feature. Updated job aids can be found on the Workday at DCSD Google site to walk you through common time off tasks using this new feature.
If you have any questions, please contact Payroll (payroll@dcsdk12.org), Leave of Absence (leaveofabsence_ADA@dcsdk12.org) or Workday (workday_help@dcsdk12.org) teams.
Request Time Off Classified
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_6SnEXEoM83_ro_JOZBD-0daM9EDVBr-o8edlmafNwA/edit?tab=t.0
Request Time Off Admin/Pro/Tech
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N6M-_gDyLV590qyBTL5XxjluiXs8AZkqe5lrXhgiE8Q/edit?tab=t.0
View Time off Balances
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zmGMN6aKm8uQ2D0hbmNwxn5h6H4uQKNHrUYeGmz88_I/edit?tab=t.0
Modify Approved Time Off
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xokiqwZxwbnxqa3AF6F7T2FZh3CTM34eiRSqhEKYAkk/edit?tab=t.0
Request Leave of Absence
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18GmX3R_30WXLGxDkQQjfQsrZHTc_FP4insi6FNdUSQo/edit?tab=t.0
The Colorado Department of Education recently changed the licensure coverage for secondary subjects to include grades 6-12. Elementary licenses continue to be K-6. Current 6th grade teachers holding an elementary license can continue to teach 6th grade in Douglas County Middle Schools. These same 6th grade teachers also have an opportunity to add a secondary endorsement to allow them to teach specific subjects at the 7th and 8th grade levels.
Current DCSD 6th grade teachers holding an initial or professional license can pursue additional secondary level endorsements in:
Science (grades 6-12);
Social Studies (grades 6-12);
English Language Arts (grades 6-12);
Health (grades K-12); and
Middle School Mathematics (grades 6-8).
Elementary teachers can add one or more of these endorsements by meeting one of the following criteria:
possessing a bachelor's degree or higher in the specific subject (or related fields for Social Studies) or
completing 24 semester hours of relevant coursework as outlined in the corresponding endorsement worksheet or
achieving a passing score on the designated PRAXIS exam (specific codes and, in some cases, validity periods apply, such as PRAXIS 5436 for Science, with 5435 accepted under certain conditions until August 31, 2028).
CollegeInvest, a not-for-profit division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, helps families save for college through its 529 college savings program.
Special Offer: CollegeInvest will match your contributions dollar-for-dollar—up to $500 per year for five years (a maximum of $2,500). To qualify, parents or legal guardians must open and enroll accounts by December 31, 2025. After that date, the maximum match will decrease by $1,000—so don’t wait!
What Is a 529 Savings Plan?
A CollegeInvest 529 Savings Plan is an education savings account that allows your money to grow tax-free—federally and in Colorado—when used for qualified education expenses such as tuition, room and board, and more.
Your savings can be used at eligible colleges, trade schools, or apprenticeships anywhere in the country.
529 plans were created to help families start saving early, giving their investments time to grow. With their flexibility, affordability, and powerful tax advantages, they’re one of the easiest and smartest ways to save for future education costs.