Manager Monthly
August 2022
ICYMI: DPS Communication Principles
Last week, we shared communication principles and best practices grounded in our Shared Core Values to help us all work better together. These principles speak to the values and the culture we aim to cultivate as an organization across all of our Offices to support us in building one culture as One DPS. The guidelines are built on communication and marketing techniques, feedback from various members of Team DPS, and best practices already used by teams.

Keeping our Shared Core Values in mind, DPS is committed to giving every employee the time and space to unplug from work each day to rest and renew. When we have time to take breaks from work, we can better support our mission and spend quality time with our own families. By setting norms around when emails are sent and how we communicate with each other, we aim to create a work environment that honors the full person who needs time to renew each day outside of work and creates a more efficient and effective workplace.

Please refer to the principles when establishing communication norms that work best for your team.
Updates & FYI
Updating Your Department Section on The Commons
As we begin to settle into our new organizational structure at DPS and in the Central Office, teams and departments will need to begin updating their sections on The Commons. Each department designates a site manager who makes needed updates to the pages within their section. If your department does not have a site manager, please designate a member of your team and ask them to send an email to thecommons@dpsk12.org to be granted access to update pages.

Once granted access, site managers can access the following resources as they begin updating pages:

Please note that due to capacity, the internal communications team does not have formal training at this time but is working to develop training resources. We will share those resources with all site managers as they are available. If you have questions or need assistance, please email thecommons@dpsk12.org.
Workers’ Compensation Injury Reporting Has Changed
As of July 1, DPS Risk Management will change its claims administrator from CorVel to PMA Companies. This change impacts who to call for workplace injuries. To report workplace injuries moving forward, please call PMA Care 24 Service (24/7 intake hotline) at 1-888-502-2613. 

This change will not impact bodily injury incident reports (student and visitor), auto or liability claims. These claims should continue to be reported to DPS Risk Management at 720-423-1300.

If you have questions, need additional information or want to understand if this will impact your department, please contact DPS Risk Management at 720-423-1300. For more information, visit the Risk Management page on The Commons.
Share Your Input: Climate Action Plan Community Survey
All members of the DPS community are encouraged to complete the DPS Climate Action Plan
Community Survey. Responses to this survey will be crucial in developing DPS' new Climate Action Plan. The DPS Board of Education adopted a student-driven climate action policy, and the DPS Sustainability Team wants to understand how you see DPS being a national leader in sustainability and what issues are important to you.

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and is available in four languages: 
Growth & Performance
Host Beginning-of-year Conversations for CCE-eligible Team Members by Oct. 1
It’s time to host beginning-of-year conversations with your CCE-eligible direct reports.   

Next steps:


  • Schedule time in advance to meet with your employees individually. During the meeting:
  • Provide a high-level overview of DPS’ district priorities and share your department’s team expectations and goals as they relate to the district’s priorities.
  • Review and discuss the employee’s job description and the CCE’s competencies and timelines.
  • Identify and discuss area(s) of focus and goals (if applicable) for the new performance year.

  • Host beginning-of-year conversations with your direct reports by Oct. 1.
 
For more information, visit the Core Competencies Evaluation page on The Commons.
Talent Acquisition
Resources and Tools for Hiring
As the employment market continues to change, candidates continue to have more options for where they work. Hiring the correct candidate for the position is a challenging process, but with the right tools, it can be a seamless process. Click here to access resources to help guide you through the hiring process.
Contact Us
Connect with Us
Denver Public Schools sends all district newsletters and critical employee communications through Constant Contact. Please do not unsubscribe your DPS 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.