It's Election Time: Employee Do's and Don'ts, Plus Other Election Resources |
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With Election Day just around the corner on Nov. 8, 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 13 to see the legal "do's and "don'ts 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 Resource
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Make sure your registration is up to date -- ballots will be mailed to all active voters beginning Oct. 17. 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 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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If you are already a registered voter, your ballot will automatically be mailed to you beginning Oct. 17. Your ballot must be mailed back by Oct. 31, or placed in a 24-hour drop box by Nov. 8. You may also vote in person beginning Oct. 24. As a reminder, you can work with your supervisor for time to vote in person as needed. 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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Team DPS ‘Your Voice/Tu Voz’ Survey is Now Open! |
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The Team DPS “Your Voice/Tu Voz” survey is now available. The survey was sent directly to your DPS email address on Sept. 26 -- look for an email from Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero. We appreciate your help in encouraging your teams to participate.
Make sure to take the survey by Sunday, Oct. 9. Thank you for your support in making this year’s surveys a success!
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Fall is officially here! Thanks to the team members who submitted their fall favorites! Read the Top 5 submissions below and more seasonal favorites here.
5. "My favorite parts of fall include bonfires, roasting marshmallows and hayrides!" -- Amber Egner, Hamilton Middle School
4. "The fall food! Homemade soups, stews, chili -- all with fresh baked bread. It warms the stomach, heart and soul as the days grow shorter." -- Amy Corr, Assessment Administration
3. “My kids and I love to visit as many pumpkin patches as we can -- though by the end of October we are a little pumpkin-ed out!" -- Samantha Jackson, Samuels Elementary
2. "Give me all the apple cider doughnuts!" -- Kristin Cowgill, OT/PT
1. "My favorite thing about fall is the misty morning drive to school when the leaves are just beginning to fall and gather on the streets. Something about that kind of morning makes my cup of coffee taste better!" -- MaKenna Moreland, Cory Elementary
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Top 5 Callout: Principal Shoutouts |
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October is National Principals Month! This month of recognition honors principals for their significant impact on the success and well-being of all students. Want to shout out your principal? Submit your shout out here for a feature in next week's edition!
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DPS Employee Wellness Program Wins Award |
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We're excited to announce that DPS has been honored as a Making a Difference - Gold Winner through the national Aetna Workplace Well-being Award! As an employer with a strong commitment to improving the health of our employees, our Employee Wellness Program was honored based on our performance in the following areas:
• Established health and wellness program.
• Having an active Wellness Champion network that met on a regular basis.
• Increased preventative screenings due to the DPS Well Aware incentive program.
• A successful mini-grant program, which provides resources to schools across the district.
The Employee Wellness Program provides resources to assist employees in creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through preventive interventions, social, emotional and mental health supports, coalition building and health promotion activities.
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Complete School-Based Restorative Practices Coordinators Form |
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If your school has a restorative practices coordinator, please complete this form. This survey will help the Restorative Practices Team visit school-based restorative practices coordinators and help ensure they stay informed on trauma-informed and restorative practices best practices, articles, meetings and training opportunities.
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Help Your School's Sustainability Club |
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The DPS Sustainability Team is increasing its efforts to support DPS student sustainability clubs. Please email Thomas Riggle or call him at 303-345-3293 if your school has a sustainability club, would like to start a sustainability club or would like guidance on a sustainability project.
The goal of student sustainability clubs is to enhance the DPS Board of Education’s adopted student-driven climate action policy that states, “DPS shall be a national leader in establishing an organizational culture anchored in sustainability, climate action, and environmental justice in both the conservation of natural resources and in minimizing the carbon footprint of DPS' practices."
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Last Chance to Register for the DPS Walktober Step Challenge |
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Join the DPS Walktober Step Challenge to get moving this fall! Whether you’re stepping on your own or with a team, you can log your activity by downloading the Walktober app for tons of ways to track your progress. From taking the stairs at work to shoveling snow, be sure to track your movement and get points!
Important dates:
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Form your team by Friday, Oct. 7
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Logging begins on Saturday, Oct. 1
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Last day to log your activity is Friday, Nov. 4
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Alma Acevedo
Office Manager, Montbello High School
Integrity
"Alma Acevedo embodies DPS' Shared Core Value of Integrity in everything she does. Her sincerity is well known and valued throughout the entire school. She works hard to keep her promises to best support all of the students and staff. Alma takes care of all of the big and small details that keep a school running and that unify us as a staff. Her consistent presence, hard work and integrity are an integral part of Montbello High School and the Montbello community."
-- Donald Dilliplane, Montbello High School
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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.
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