Maxwell Elementary staff made piñatas to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Head to the Top 5 to see how other team members celebrated.
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It's Election Time: Employee Do's and Don'ts |
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With Election Day just around the corner on Nov. 2, we want to make sure all members of Team DPS have the information needed to practice your civic duty while also following guidelines that apply to public employees.
The most important message we can share is: Have a voice and vote!
While using your voice, please review our DPS Employee Manual beginning on page 12 to see the legal "do's" and "don't's" of election season, and see below for a few examples:
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Can I donate my own money or walk in support of a ballot initiative or candidate I believe in? Answer: Yes, as long as it is outside of work time and not using district resources.
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Can I collect money from colleagues at work in support of a ballot initiative or candidate? Answer: No.
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Can I print copies of a flier supporting a ballot initiative or candidate on a school/district copy machine? Even after work hours? Answer: No.
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Can I wear a campaign t-shirt, hat or button or display campaign materials at work? Answer: No.
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What if someone asks me questions about a ballot initiative or candidate -- can I answer if I'm at work? Answer: Yes, but it's complicated. Look to the employee manual for guidance.
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Can I use district email to advocate for a ballot initiative or candidate? Answer: No.
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Can I send unsolicited emails to district email addresses to advocate for a candidate, as long as I do that from my personal email? Answer: No.
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Can I use my personal social media accounts outside of work hours to advocate for a ballot initiative? Answer: Yes.
Other Election Resources
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Make sure your registration is up to date -- ballots are being mailed to all active voters beginning Oct. 8. Visit GoVoteColorado.gov to register or update your address.
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Did you know you can track your ballot? Casting your mail ballot is safe and secure -- get notifications via email or text about when your ballot is on its way to you and when it's been received for counting. Sign up at BallotTRACE.org.
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In Denver, your ballot will automatically be mailed to you beginning Oct. 8. Return it by Nov. 2 at a 24-hour drop box, drive-through or by mail; or vote in person beginning Oct. 18. Find locations at DenverVotes.org/VoterInfo. Need a new ballot? Use Denver's new curbside pick-up service or call 311.
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See more resources for our youngest voters, including those who are turning 18 by Nov. 2, here.
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Top 5: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month |
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Thank you to our team members who shared how they celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month this year! See how team members celebrated here in the Top 5 and check out more great celebrations that schools held here. |
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5. “I just got married on Oct. 2 and it was the first big wedding on my side of the family and my husband’s in over 20 years. To make our nuptials extra special, we took the opportunity to celebrate our Hispanic culture by integrating Hispanic wedding traditions -- like La Marcha de los Novios (the wedding march dance) and La Entrega de Los Novios (where families give their blessings) -- into our day. These traditions helped us not only honor our heritage, but also brought our families closer together.”
-- Selena Nakamura, Communications
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4. “As a Colombian-American, I celebrate Hispanic Heritage every day of the year. In 1968, my parents immigrated to the U.S. They knew deeply the importance of education and the impact it would have on one's life trajectory. Both my mom and dad were first-generation college graduates. My mom was completing her Bachelor’s degree in Bogota when she and my dad fell in love. She was relentless to ensure my dad completed his degree. In our Latin culture, family comes first. This summer I brought my mom to my home in southwest Denver. On Sept. 27, she passed away peacefully in my living room with the support from The Denver Hospice. I honor my mother with this tribute.”
-- Yamile Reina, Growth & Performance
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3. “We had our first Hispanic Heritage Fiesta this year! Here is a video we used to get families interested in the event. We also shared live footage from the event on our Facebook page.”
-- Amanda McDonald, Lake
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2. “I celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing books that highlight Hispanic cultures, countries, and the many contributions that have been made by Hispanic people.”
-- Deanna Lowman, Inspire
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1. “To celebrate El Mes de la Herencia Hispana, I invited Maxwell staff to make a piñata! The school provided us with the materials to make them and I shared videos and information about piñatas with our staff. Piñatas are an essential and an important part of Hispanic culture -- you can go to any birthday celebration or any occasion and find yourself in line to break one! The best part was hanging all the piñatas and seeing students’ joy.” -- Andres Pazo, Maxwell - piñatas pictured above!
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Top 5 Callout: Post-Secondary Advice |
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As Career and College Success Month continues, high school seniors across DPS are now beginning to forge their post-secondary paths. Thinking back to when you were a senior, what was the best advice you received when planning for your future after high school? Share your advice through this form and it may be featured in next week's edition! |
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Reminder: Flu Shots Available through Aetna and Kaiser |
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As a reminder, the best way to prevent the flu and protect yourself and those around you is to get your annual flu shot. Everyone 6 months and older should get the flu shot unless not recommended by a doctor. Getting a flu shot is especially important for those who have a higher chance of getting the flu, including: pregnant women, kids under the age of 5, adults 65 and older, anyone with a health condition such as asthma or diabetes, or immunocompromised individuals.
Note: Remember to show your member ID card.
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Upcoming Healthy Start Times Virtual Community Events |
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To help support the health and well-being of our adolescent students, the DPS Board of Education has voted to move to later start times for all middle and high schools for the 2023-24 school year. This initiative will mean middle and high schools will start their day at 8:20 a.m. or later, and elementary students will start their day earlier. Please join us for one of the upcoming virtual community events to provide feedback, ask questions, and learn more about why Healthy Start Times will help our Denver students thrive.
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English: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 6-7 p.m. (register to request interpretation services)
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Spanish: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6-7 p.m.
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Vietnamese: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6-7 p.m.
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Arabic: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 6-7 p.m.
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Films for the Future: Raising the Curtain on LGBTQ+ Student Experiences |
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Join the DPS Foundation as we elevate student voices at Films for the Future on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. During the program, we will hear the joys and challenges of DPS students in the LGBTQ+ community, learn what DPS is doing to ensure we’re being inclusive, reflect and grow with expert moderators, participate in a live Q&A, and find out how to get involved and serve as allies. Learn more and get your tickets here.
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Discount Alert: Get Tickets to the Colorado Rapids |
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Get discounted tickets to watch the Colorado Rapids take on the Portland Timbers on Oct. 23 and the Los Angeles Football Club on Nov. 7! Both games will be at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and tickets start at $22. From each ticket sold, $5 will go to the DPS Foundation to help support our programs and initiatives. Buy your tickets today!
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Subscribe to the DPS Sustainability Newsletter |
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The DPS Sustainability Department is re-launching our quarterly newsletter! If you would like to receive news about what DPS is doing to reduce resource consumption and lower our carbon footprint, as well as learn how you can make a difference at work and at home, sign up to receive our newsletter. If you have any questions for DPS Sustainability -- especially if there are ways we can support students' education -- email dept_sustainability@dpsk12.net.
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Rose Molina
Cafeteria Manager, Morey Middle School
Accountability
"Rose has not only taken responsibility for her key role of providing food for all our students, she has also become an innovator. She has designed and perfected an efficient system to feed a growing number of students in the same amount of time. Rose and her assistant Jennifer are a consistent, thoughtful and caring team. These ladies help keep Morey's students happy and Morey's schedule running smoothly. Thank you for your leadership!"
-- Bertie Fiz, Morey Middle School
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Denver Public Schools sends all district newsletters and critical employee communications through Constant Contact. Please do not unsubscribe your dpsk12.org email address from any message; if you unsubscribe from one newsletter or one communication, you will be removed from all other district-managed email lists in Constant Contact. If you have any questions, please email newsletters@dpsk12.org.
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