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SUBJECT: Week in Review - September 4-8, 2023
September 8, 2023
Monday will mark 22 years since the 9/11 attacks occurred. That day, nearly 3,000 men, women, and children lost their lives. I hope you will join me in remembering and paying tribute to our fallen heroes, including many first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of others.
As they have in years past, some of our DCSD students, including the Rock Canyon High School Fire Science students will be commemorating this day by participating in the 9/11 Stair Climb at Red Rocks. Participants will complete nine laps around the Red Rocks Amphitheater – which is the equivalent of the 110 stories firefighters, police officers and other public servants climbed on that fateful day to save as many lives as possible.
I hope you are able to find some time on Monday to take a moment to reflect and remember how 9/11 changed our nation and each one of us as individuals, and to say thank you to our amazing educators and first responders right here in Douglas County. You can find information and resources directly from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York at www.911memorial.org.
Sincerely,
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Surprises Copper Mesa Elementary Student
Will, a Copper Mesa Elementary student who had just moved to Douglas County, wrote a letter to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office saying he wanted to be a police officer. Will also thanked DCSO officers for their service. In return, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office decided to surprise Will at his school and tell him thank you in person. School Resource Officer Deputy Buss gave Will a bunch of DCSO swag to add to his collection (including a badge patch from his uniform). Way to go, Will! And, thank you Deputy Buss!
Ranch View Middle School Teacher Receives 2023 Medal of Merit
Ranch View Middle School technology teacher Jed Palmer received the 2023 Medal of Merit from the Journalism Education Association. Jed was one of only five teachers from across the nation to receive this award. Jed has advised middle school publications for 20 years, including yearbook, print newspaper, website, broadcast and literary magazine. Read more. >>
Ponderosa Student Takes First in Cycling for Special Olympics of Colorado
Congratulations to Ponderosa High School freshman Trevin Redner who took first in cycling in the state in 5k and 10k for the Special Olympics of Colorado. Way to go Trevin!
Share Your School’s Good News!
We will continue to send these celebratory emails out each week. If we missed a celebration or you have good news to share, please submit it here.
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR PARENTS
Mental Health Resource
Suicide Prevention Week - September 10-16
Suicide is preventable! Everyone being aware of suicide prevention can keep people safe. Asking someone directly "are you thinking about suicide?" does not put this idea in their head. If the idea is there the person will feel a sense of relief that someone took the time to care and ask. When you are worried about someone, express authentic concern and get them professional support. Everyone no matter their training is important for keeping communities safe. There are supports available in schools. School counselors, social workers, nurses, and psychologists can assess students with suicidal ideation and work collaboratively with them and their family to develop a safety plan, provide services, and link them to additional resources. You can get support by going to see your school mental health provider, calling, emailing, or using Safe2Tell, or calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Literacy
Summer Reading Contest Winners
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Heritage Elementary and Cresthill Middle School each won $500 worth of books from the District Library and Media Center (DLMC) for winning the SORA Summer Reading Contest! Thanks to Diane Plug and Erica Leu for promoting SORA with your students.
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Mountain Ridge Middle School won $500 worth of books from the DLMC for the highest usage of the Gale in Context: Middle School digital platform. Thanks to Alicia D’Antonio for your hard work promoting this resource with your school community.
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A BIG Congratulations to Roxborough Primary & Intermediate Schools, Mountain Ridge Middle School, ThunderRidge High School, and Ben Franklin Academy who each won $500 from the Douglas County Libraries Foundation for having the most students registered in the 2023 Summer Reading Program! Thank you to the following librarians who promoted this summer reading program with their students Dorothy Fogel, Alicia D’Antonio, Stephanie Sjoland, and Deb Williams.
Health and Wellness
Colorado Passport Program
As a continuation of its "Share This Wonder-Full World" campaign aimed to inspire parents to be their child's role model and to increase unstructured outdoor play, Generation Wild is jumping on the wagon for Colorado's Ultimate Road Trip and sharing fun ways that parents can get their kids outdoors well into the fall. The Colorado Passport Program offered through Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) encourages families to visit our state's incredible parks and hatcheries. After visiting all state parks or all 15 hatcheries and receiving a passport stamp, children will receive prizes provided by CPW and Generation Wild. Learn more. >>
EVENTS
Building the Dream Gala
Hosted by The Foundation for Douglas County Schools
Friday, September 29 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 pm.
DCSD Legacy Campus
The fifth annual Building the Dream Gala will celebrate the 2023 Apple Award Winners and showcase some of Douglas County's finest student talent. This special evening will bring out the Douglas County community to honor the amazing students, cherished teachers, exceptional schools, and extraordinary programs of the Douglas County School District! Learn more. >>
Youth Congress
A Project of the Douglas County Youth Initiative
Tuesday, October 3 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Colorado State Capitol
Students, grades 9 – 12 are invited to attend Youth Congress. During this event, youth from around Douglas County get to weigh in on issues that affect youth and are of interest to youth. One of the missions of the Youth Congress is to communicate your thoughts, ideas, and solutions to elected and community leaders. Learn more. >>
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2024 United States Senate Youth Program Application Now Available
The USSYP is an educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. The program brings the highest-level officials from each branch of government to meet with this outstanding group of young leaders -- two high school juniors or seniors from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity -- for an intensive week-long education and leadership program. For 2024, the 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week is being planned for March 2–9 in Washington, D.C. Each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
High school juniors or seniors with demonstrated leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs, and community service, are eligible to apply.
Applications are due on Friday, October 20. Visit this link for more information on eligibility, Colorado’s selection process and application.
Join the DCSD Family
DCSD is hiring for a variety of positions, including bus drivers, transportation assistants, educational assistants, BASE workers, kitchen assistants, building engineers, security dispatchers, grounds and maintenance and so much more. Learn more and apply today at www.dcsdk12.org/careers.