Human Resources Monthly Newsletter
April 16th, 2025
Free Resources from Headspace
With winter around the corner (and the sun setting way too early), it’s easy to feel a little drained or low on energy. That’s where Headspace can help! The app offers quick meditations, mood-boosting exercises, and even sleep tools to help you recharge and stay grounded. Whether you need a morning pick-me-up or a calming reset after a long day, Headspace is a great way to bring a little extra light into the darker months. Don't forget, all DCSD employees can get the premium version of Headspace for free by signing up with their DCSD email here.
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Two Opportunities to Support Healthy Habits:
Journey to Wellness - A Lifestyle Change Program:
Journey to wellness is a NO COST year-long lifestyle change group-based class that will give you the tools you need to become a healthier you. Find out more and register here.
- Wednesdays, starting October 1, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., via Zoom
Full Plate Living
Your NO COST membership will allow you access to workshops, delicious recipes, articles to keep you focused on your healthy eating goals, and a community to encourage you! Register here.
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12 Days of Gratitude Challenge
In this special campaign, join us for 12 Days of Gratitude—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 other
Optional journaling prompts and ideas for acts of kindness
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October Ergonomics Tip Provided by Ergo Till
Monitor Magic: Screen Setup That Saves Your Neck
If you find yourself leaning forward or craning your neck to see the screen, it's time for a tune-up. Your monitor should be at eye level, about an arm's length away, and directly in front of you. Use a riser, books, or adjustable tools to elevate your screen. This prevents neck and eye strain, common causes of workplace fatigue.
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).