December 2018 Newsletter
Our December Status Quo Breaker is...
Kelly Schofield, Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning, is being recognized as our December Status Quo Breaker! Kelly is great with implementing Lean tools in her leadership practices. She always looks to create or modify systems and structures of collaboration to increase efficiency of our staff time—one of our most valuable resources!
The Status Quo Breaker is a monthly traveling trophy recognition of an employee for their contribution to process improvement, to say thank you for being Lean and/or for helping make DMPS Leaner. Do you have someone you want to nominate for the Status Quo Breaker? Contact Emma Knapp.
Kelly Schofield, Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning, is being recognized as our December Status Quo Breaker! Kelly is great with implementing Lean tools in her leadership practices. She always looks to create or modify systems and structures of collaboration to increase efficiency of our staff time—one of our most valuable resources!
The Status Quo Breaker is a monthly traveling trophy recognition of an employee for their contribution to process improvement, to say thank you for being Lean and/or for helping make DMPS Leaner. Do you have someone you want to nominate for the Status Quo Breaker? Contact Emma Knapp.

Facility Vehicle Enhancements
The Facility Management team has converted two vehicles to a more standardized approach to tools and materials based on the trade using the truck. They have completed this with a plumbing vehicle and a carpentry vehicle. It has helped with organization, less trips to a supply house by keeping more parts on the truck, increased response times, and allowed the completion of more work orders per day.
The Facility Management team has converted two vehicles to a more standardized approach to tools and materials based on the trade using the truck. They have completed this with a plumbing vehicle and a carpentry vehicle. It has helped with organization, less trips to a supply house by keeping more parts on the truck, increased response times, and allowed the completion of more work orders per day.
REMINDERS
Drake Continual Improvement Network
Our vision is to transform education in Iowa in order to restore joy in learning, teaching, and leading in our schools. Our mission is to “get better at getting better.” Our goal is to increase knowledge and purposeful application of Continual Improvement principles and practices.
The network will meet four times throughout the school year and for one full day in the summer, providing opportunities to learn and work together to solve real “Problems of Practice” through the process of systemic continual improvement. Collegial relationships will be forged as the network brings leaders together from across the state to learn and work interdependently. Mark your calendar for the next network meeting on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 from 6:00-8:00pm at Levitt Hall, Drake University. Interested? Contact Dr. Doug Stilwell, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Drake University.
Training Opportunity
The next Introduction to Continuous Improvement training will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 8:30-3:30pm at Fleur. Register for training here.
Unable to attend a classroom training? Enroll into the Leaner Everyday! Canvas course at https://dmschools.instructure.com/enroll/J9A3GC.
Free Resource
DMPS is a member of American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC). They are considered the world’s foremost authority in benchmarking, best practices, process and performance improvement, and knowledge management. All district staff can register using their district email address at https://www.apqc.org/ in order to take advantage of their resources.
Drake Continual Improvement Network
Our vision is to transform education in Iowa in order to restore joy in learning, teaching, and leading in our schools. Our mission is to “get better at getting better.” Our goal is to increase knowledge and purposeful application of Continual Improvement principles and practices.
The network will meet four times throughout the school year and for one full day in the summer, providing opportunities to learn and work together to solve real “Problems of Practice” through the process of systemic continual improvement. Collegial relationships will be forged as the network brings leaders together from across the state to learn and work interdependently. Mark your calendar for the next network meeting on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 from 6:00-8:00pm at Levitt Hall, Drake University. Interested? Contact Dr. Doug Stilwell, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Drake University.
Training Opportunity
The next Introduction to Continuous Improvement training will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 8:30-3:30pm at Fleur. Register for training here.
Unable to attend a classroom training? Enroll into the Leaner Everyday! Canvas course at https://dmschools.instructure.com/enroll/J9A3GC.
Free Resource
DMPS is a member of American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC). They are considered the world’s foremost authority in benchmarking, best practices, process and performance improvement, and knowledge management. All district staff can register using their district email address at https://www.apqc.org/ in order to take advantage of their resources.
Shout Outs!
We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!