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SUBJECT: Week In Review - November 6-10, 2023
November 10, 2023
Tomorrow is Veterans Day.
Thank you to our veterans across Douglas County and our entire country for their service. Our veterans and current service members provide us with the freedoms we enjoy each day. We have many staff, parents, alumni and community members within our school district who are veterans and we celebrate and thank each and every one of them!
This morning, many of our schools hosted Veterans Day Celebrations. While I wish I could have attended every event – I had the privilege of attending the annual celebration at Cimarron Middle School. As usual, it was just phenomenal. Thank you to our students and staff for the many hours of work they put into honoring veterans at these school-based events.
Thank You Voters!
On Tuesday, the residents of Douglas County exercised one of the freedoms provided to us by veterans and current service members, the freedom to vote. THANK YOU again for saying yes to the Mill Levy Override - 5A. Our teachers and staff are absolutely over the moon and are so grateful for your support and for investing in them, especially during these challenging times of property tax increases. Some of our teachers and staff have recorded thank you video messages for our community – check them out here.
One Book One District
Next week, our District Library Media Center is hosting its third annual One Book One District literacy program. This celebration will take place at most DCSD elementary schools and participating middle and high schools the week of November 13-17. Schools and the school district will host a variety of events centered around the book Becoming a Good Creature by author Sy Montgomery, including a virtual meet and greet with the author on Wednesday, November 15. We hope to see many of you at tomorrow’s One Book One District Community Kickoff Event at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
8th Grade Career Expo
Nearly 2,000 students from across our school district attended the 13th annual 8th Grade Career Expo today at the DCSD Legacy Campus. This event, hosted by the Foundation for Douglas County Schools, provides 8th Grade students the opportunity to visit with over 40+ employers and explore possible career pathways. Students are able to ask questions, experience hands-on demonstrations, and discover possible career opportunities. Thank you to all of the sponsors, employers and volunteers who made this important expo possible!
Dia de Muertos at Castle Rock Middle School
On October 30, Superintendent Kane visited Castle Rock Middle School's celebration of Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Dia De Muertos is a two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations!
Daniel C. Oakes High School Partners with The Backpack Society
Every Friday morning Daniel C. Oakes High School’s student council members prepare individual boxes of donated food for students to take home when they leave school for the weekend. Approximately 25 students and a handful of staff have signed up for the free food program, known as The Backpack Society. All students are eligible to participate and can opt-in at any time. The Backpack Society is a non-profit organization that provides food for students in Douglas County School District and Littleton Public Schools. The organization’s mission is to remove food insecurity as an obstacle for students so they can grow, learn, and thrive. Read more. >>
Apple Award Nominations Close this Sunday, November 12
Apple Award nominations are open through November 12 on the Foundation for Douglas County Schools’ website. Be sure to nominate a teacher or DCSD staff member who is making a difference in the lives of children.
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
iMatter
The I Matter program can connect you or your child with a therapist for up to six free virtual counseling sessions (some in-person appointments available, too) that are completely confidential. Talking with someone can make you feel better. Learn more. >>
Literacy
Free Community Event - How Children Learn to Read
Hosted by DC Kid
Wednesday, November 15 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
Click here to RSVP.
Parents, caregivers, teachers, administrators - this presentation is for all of you!
Traci Thorstenson, M.Ed., CALP, will give an accessible and engaging presentation on how children learn to read and how parents/caregivers can support their children in developing strong foundational reading skills at home. This presentation is also a great overview of the Science of Reading for teachers and administrators.
Traci is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner and a Reading Interventionist, K-6 at Sand Creek Elementary in Douglas County School District.
EVENTS
One Book. One District. Community Day.
Hosted by Douglas County Conservation District, DCSD Sustainability, and the District Library Media Center
Saturday, November 11 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Kirk Hall, Douglas County Fairgrounds
Read to chickens and dogs. Live critters with nature's educators. Student art and poetry showcase. Food trucks. Hands-on experiences. Learn more. >>
Venture Academy of Entrepreneurship and Leadership (VALE) Information Nights
Thursday, November 16 and Tuesday, December 12 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
VALE, 15653 Brookstone Drive Parker
Step inside and discover the gifts of Douglas County School District’s newest high school. www.vale.dcsdk12.org.
2023 Computer Science Expo
Hosted by Mountain Vista HS Engineering and Computer Science Department, Coding Club, and Cybersecurity Club
Tuesday, December 5 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Mountain Vista High School, Room U213 and U214
10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch
Click here to learn more. >>
ANNOUNCEMENTS
One Book. One District. Toiletry Drive
In collaboration with our One Book One District selection, "Becoming a Good Creature" by Sy Montgomery, DCSD is hosting a donation drive to support our local community through SECOR Cares. VALE, a new school of choice in Parker, is excited to support this endeavor and will collect all donations at the culmination of the drive, and help organize them for community members in need. Become a good creature with us - every small act of kindness counts, and you can be part of this impactful initiative. Please bring donations to your school library between October 1 and November 16. Click here to see what items are most needed.
The elementary, middle, and high school that collects the most toiletries will be awarded $500 in books for their library!
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.