Team DPS Weekly
Teachers marched on the State Capitol last spring in support of increased funding for education.
Nov. 1, 2018
Election Day is Coming Up: Cast Your Ballot by Nov. 6
Election Day is less than a week away, and voters across Colorado will be casting their ballots on important measures that impact our schools and communities, including Amendment 73. Register to vote (up to and on election day), drop off your ballot and find your closest in-person polling location through the Colorado Secretary of State’s elections website. 

Families and community members across Colorado care deeply about education, but our state still ranks 39th in the nation for education funding. If passed, Amendment 73 would bring Colorado closer to the national average -- providing school districts across the state with the funds to support programs that serve students and teachers. Take a moment to learn more about Amendment 73 and other local initiatives that will be on your ballot. 

As a DPS team member, make sure to revisit and comply with the legal do's and don'ts of election time activities. Above all else, we hope you will register to vote, cast your ballot and participate in our democratic process.
Top 5: What Did You Want to Be When You Grew Up?
As we wrap up College and Career Readiness month -- when our students look ahead to the many opportunities they can pursue -- we asked you to look back and remember what you wanted to be when you grew up. Check out these Top 5 responses and read all of them here . Congratulations to our giveaway prize winner, Karissa Swanson at Doull Elementary
5. "From the time I was in first grade, I wanted to be President of the United States. Then in high school I took an assessment test that told me I was best suited to be a train conductor. I ended up a school counselor, and my students love to hear that story!" -- Misty Schroeder, Marie L. Greenwood Academy

4. "I wanted to be one of the few female CEOs of a Fortune 500 Company. I went on to get a business degree, but then changed course and found myself in the education world!" -- Sarah Ronoh, Center for Talent Development

3. "I always wanted to be the person who builds the big lego statues and displays. What could be more fun than playing with legos all day? I thought that was the coolest job in the world!" -- Sara Laughlin, Cory Elementary 

2. "I wanted to be an actress and as a child would practice randomly fainting to prove my talent. My poor mother must have hated me from time to time as I would just faint out of nowhere, attempting to reinforce my belief in my acting talent." -- Emily O’Ryan, George Washington High School

1. "I really did want to be a teacher. My parents would catch me directing my toys in a choir or organizing the kids in my neighborhood to make alphabet letters on the grass. I am glad I get to teach music to kids in DPS!” -- Karissa Swanson, Doull Elementary 
Top 5 Callout: Share Your Favorite Halloween Photos
We want to see your creative, silly, spooky and fun photos from Halloween! Whether it's a photo of you, your teammates, your students or even your pets -- send us your favorite snapshot and you'll be entered to win a prize!
Expand Your Knowledge at Upcoming Ed Talk: Supporting Our LGBTQ+ Community
Join DPS team members and the Denver community for the upcoming ED Talk: Supporting our LGBTQ+ Community, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Bruce Randolph School. This free, interactive workshop will include a discussion on language, advocacy and resources for staff, students and families, and focus on key considerations for creating an inclusive school culture for LGBTQ+ students of color. The talk is presented by local non-profit organization Youth Seen. Refreshments and childcare provided. Click here to register.
Team DPS celebrated during Denver PrideFest.
I Give For Team DPS Annual Employee Giving Campaign
Participate for a Chance to Win Broncos Tickets!
The I Give for Team DPS Annual Employee Giving Campaign kicks off this week! Each year, hundreds of team members contribute to the DPS Foundation and help support after-school programming, early literacy, career pathways, student wellness and more. 

Participate by Friday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. to be eligible to win two Denver Broncos tickets at the 50-yard line for the Denver Broncos versus LA Chargers game on Dec. 30, courtesy of First Bank.

Click here to learn more about how you can participate through payroll deductions. No contribution is necessary to qualify for prizes.
Enter to Win a 50% Discount on Colfax Marathon Relay Registration
Attention runners! DPS Employee Wellness is giving 20 DPS teams 50% off their registration for the Colfax Marathon Relay on May 19. A Relay Team is made up of five DPS team members who share the 26.2-mile race.
 
Click here to enter the drawing by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 25, and winners will be announced that week. You only need to provide the name of your captain to enter and all runners must be DPS employees. 
Perks at Work: Acupuncture and Massage Therapy Discounts
Team Members enrolled in a DPS medical plan with Aetna or Kaiser can receive 25% off on massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic services.

Create an account with choosehealthy.com to search for participating providers near you and schedule an appointment. Just bring your insurance card to your appointment to receive your discount.

Choose Healthy also offers a library of health resources and fitness and product discounts!
Living Our DPS Honorees
Brenda Bott, Lauren Carr, Barbara Downing, Lisa Sacker and Jeanne Wear
Division of Secondary Education
Fun

"Last year, we decided we wanted to bring more Fun into our department. Brenda wanted to decorate for Halloween and she brought in a few rats she found at the dollar store. We hung them up and it was a big hit -- everyone got a laugh out of it! We decorate the rats often -- hearts for Valentine’s Day, green hats and four-leaf clovers for St. Patrick’s Day, flowers for spring and a whole summer scene during summer break. 

Everyone who passes by our area stops and takes a moment to marvel. The rats are a really nice break from work and a great conversation starter. They are something that everyone can be a part of -- we have a lot of rats so multiple people can dress them up! 

We believe it’s important to be connected to coworkers outside of just work -- and this is one way we do that. It’s a good way to let people know that we enjoy our time here. Our area has become a happier place because of them!

-- Lauren Carr and Jeanne Wear, Division of Secondary Education
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