30 Ways to Say Yay!
This employee recognition program is one of the many ways our district shows appreciation to our staff. In collaboration with our community partners, nominated staff members can select from various gift cards or Omaha Public Schools swag. School leaders are encouraged to utilize this program to recognize staff.
Program Guidelines
Announce the program’s continuation in a staff meeting or at your discretion. Use the 30 Ways to Say Yay! items to recognize your staff's exceptional efforts.
Recognize two to three staff members monthly throughout the 2024-25 school year. Use the items in your 30 Ways to Say Yay kit to recognize staff. Feel free to expand offerings to include handwritten thank-you notes, VIP parking or more.
In 2024-25, we are adding a nomination form for families and students to help recognize staff. Encourage your staff, students and families to submit their nomination forms. Ten forms will be provided. You can download more at www.opsbrand.org/30waystosayyay.
Celebrate with your school community by posting a photo and brief explanation on social media using #OPSProud and #30WaystoSayYay.
This program wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community partners. If applicable, tag the company that donated the item or gift card. This encourages businesses to continue supporting each year.
Share your winners with district communications to track participation in the program and recognition on our district’s social media. Complete the online submissions form at go.ops.org/30Ways.
Interested in adding your school's logo to the winner sign? Download the co-branded template at www.ops.org/30WaysCobrand.
At the end of the year, we will ask for your feedback regarding the program. Your feedback and participation will determine whether the program continues or is modified in years to come. District Communications will replenish your swag items each fall with community donations and Omaha Public Schools swag.
Peer Nomination Form
Encourage staff members to nominate their peers for recognition. Download the nomination form and provide staff with an electronic or printed copy. The nomination forms should be returned to the principal for consideration.
Family and Student Nomination Form
New this year are family and student nominations. Ten forms were provided to each school. Download the double-sided form to encourage families and students to help recognize a staff member. The forms should be returned to the principal for consideration.
Submission Form
Each week, winners will be selected from various schools for recognition across our district’s social media pages. Use this link to share your school’s winners.
Winner Sign
Generic winner sign: A winner sign is in every toolkit and should be used to take a photo of the recipient and the prize they selected.
Co-branded winner sign: Include your school’s logo by downloading the template linked below. Contact Courtne Turner if you don’t have your logo.
Social Media Tips
The winner should hold the winner sign provided in your toolkit (or download above) and the prize they selected.
Hold your phone vertically when taking photos.
Be mindful of what/who is in the background. The best practice is to pose the winner in front of the school logo.
Thank and tag the business sponsor in your post.
Use hashtags #30WaysToSayYay and #OPSProud.