February 2018 Newsletter

Our February Status Quo Breaker is...
Chris Holm, Data Systems Analyst in Assessment, Data and Evaluation, is being recognized as our February Status Quo Breaker! Chris primarily provides custom sequel (programming) support to the Assessment and Infinite Campus teams to manage student data. Over the last year, Chris has very willingly offered his assistance to the Business and Finance department to help streamline financial data uploads and pulls. His work has saved hours of time. For example, over 68 hours of time were recaptured in prepping the Certified Annual Report and over 8 hours of time were saved throughout the Concurrent Funding process. Awesome job, Chris!
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.
Chris Holm, Data Systems Analyst in Assessment, Data and Evaluation, is being recognized as our February Status Quo Breaker! Chris primarily provides custom sequel (programming) support to the Assessment and Infinite Campus teams to manage student data. Over the last year, Chris has very willingly offered his assistance to the Business and Finance department to help streamline financial data uploads and pulls. His work has saved hours of time. For example, over 68 hours of time were recaptured in prepping the Certified Annual Report and over 8 hours of time were saved throughout the Concurrent Funding process. Awesome job, Chris!
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.
Distinguished Lean Practitioner Nominees
The Distinguished Lean Practitioner award recognizes an employee for their significant contributions in supporting continuous improvement efforts in Des Moines Public Schools. The employee is putting their creativity to work by making DMPS Leaner. Their efforts have successfully improved efficiencies (i.e. reduced handoffs, removed rework), streamlined processes, reduced costs and/or increased customer satisfaction.
Please help in congratulating the 2018 Distinguished Lean Practitioner nominees!
The Distinguished Lean Practitioner award recognizes an employee for their significant contributions in supporting continuous improvement efforts in Des Moines Public Schools. The employee is putting their creativity to work by making DMPS Leaner. Their efforts have successfully improved efficiencies (i.e. reduced handoffs, removed rework), streamlined processes, reduced costs and/or increased customer satisfaction.
Please help in congratulating the 2018 Distinguished Lean Practitioner nominees!
- Emily Truitt for leading and participating in over 20 process improvement projects.
- Vicky Bennett for engaging in five continuous improvement projects that directly impact schools.
- Sharon Fuller for motivating the Business and Finance department to rethink and continuously improve their processes.
- Judi Martens for leading and successfully sustaining one of the first DMPS Kaizen events.
Free Resources for DMPS Staff
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. If you have any questions, please contact Emma Knapp.
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. If you have any questions, please contact Emma Knapp.
Shout Outs!
Great work Gary Van Orden for starting a 5S project at the Fleet Maintenance shop!
Thank you Mary Grinstead, Cindy Slinger, Kim Martorano, Elena Polush and David Roney for involving CI in the Collaborative Problem-Solving process!
Thank you Mary Grinstead, Cindy Slinger, Kim Martorano, Elena Polush and David Roney for involving CI in the Collaborative Problem-Solving process!