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SUBJECT: Week In Review - January 8-12, 2024
January 12, 2024
Happy New Year and welcome to the second half of the 2023-2024 school year!
This week we celebrated Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. I want to take a moment here to thank our incredible law enforcement partners (Castle Rock Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Lone Tree Police Department and Parker Police Department). We are so fortunate to have strong relationships with these entities and sincerely appreciate our School Resource Officers and all they do for our students.
Even though Winter Break just ended, we are coming up on another long weekend in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Monday recognizes Dr. King’s legacy of service while inspiring us to serve in our own ways. In fact, MLK, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to help improve their communities. I hope you will consider exploring ways to give back to your community.
One suggestion is to support our teachers by donating to the Lend A Hand School Supply Drive for Douglas County Teachers. Drop off supplies at any Douglas County Library or Office Depot location now through January 26 to help teachers replenish their supplies which can run low during the second half of the school year. Thank you to the Foundation for Douglas County Schools for hosting this supply drive.
It’s forecasted to be a very cold weekend so stay warm! It’s a good time to become familiar with our school district’s protocols around potential weather delays and closures. Check them out here.
May your weekend be filled with reflection, kindness and service. We look forward to seeing our students and staff back on Tuesday.
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
Sage Canyon Elementary Debuts "Roots & Shoots" to Connect Students to the Natural World
Lessons in gardening are taking root at Sage Canyon Elementary. The school’s newest offering, Roots & Shoots, has students digging in the dirt, planting seeds, and experimenting with different methods of growing plants. It’s environmental science in a fun, hands-on way. Based on Jane Goodall's program of the same name, the focus is on learning about and loving the natural world and becoming compassionate leaders within the school and outside the community. Roots & Shoots is a specials class, like art, gym, and music for Sage Canyon students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. So far the children have conducted studies of monarch butterflies and created beautiful works of art and stories. Read more. >>
The Many Faces of CHSAA Leadership- Diane Shuck-Gray
Congratulations to Diane Shuck-Gray, Assistant Principal and Activities/Athletic Director at Douglas County High School. Diane was featured in the Many Faces of CHSAA Leadership series. “Diane is a 33-year veteran educator who served 17 years at her previous school and nine years in Activities at DCHS, and is now in her second year as Athletic Director. With an admin license from UCCS, a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and an undergraduate degree in education from George Mason University, Diane is a highly qualified school administrator who will be among the first to tell you that longevity and success in education are about relationship building.” Read more. >>
Two Mountain Vista HS Athletes Receive Recognition
Congratulations to Mountain Vista High School student Austyn Modrzewski who was Named the Gatorade Colorado Football Player of the Year. Austyn is the first Gatorade Colorado Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Mountain Vista High School. Read more. >>
And, congratulations to Mountain Vista High School student Benji Anderson for being named All-American at Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships. He finished in the top 10 among boys in the country. Read more. >>
Highlands Ranch High School Alumni Plays in College Football Playoff National Game
Earlier this week, DCSD had a Highlands Ranch High School alumni representing Douglas County in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Drake Nugent plays Center for the University of Michigan Wolverines who pulled off the win over the University of Washington. Drake grew up in Lone Tree and attended Eagle Ridge Elementary, Cresthill Middle School and Highlands Ranch High School where he graduated in 2019. Congratulations Drake! Read more. >>
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 Resources
The Benefits of Physical Activity and Exercise on Mental Health
Physical activity has been proven to help boost self-esteem and focus while decreasing anxiety and
depression. Despite these positive effects on mental health, many children and teens don’t get the
recommended amount of physical activity. So how can you help your child be more active and support
their mental health? Experts at Children’s Hospital Colorado share important tips on how parents and
caregivers can make exercise fun and enjoyable for children of all ages.
Literacy
Battle of the Books Starts Soon
The Douglas County Libraries Battle of the Books begins the week of January 26. Battle of the Books is a bowl-style trivia tournament that's all about books, engaging hundreds of young minds every year.
Dozens of teams in grades 3-6 compete against each other in interschool battles and finals tournaments to determine a districtwide champion for all of Douglas County. Learn more. >>
Health and Wellness
4 Ways Get Your Child Back Into Their Routine After the Holidays
Maybe you’re excited about the new year, or the resolutions are already weighing you down, whichever situation you’re in, here are some tips to make the transition after the holidays a little bit easier.
EVENTS
Eagle Academy - Winter Graduation
Friday, January 12 | 7:00 p.m.
Rock Canyon High School Auditorium | Livestream »
Continental League Honors Music Festival
Tuesday, January 16 | 7:00 p.m.
Boettcher Hall, Denver
The Continental League Honor Music Festival combines students from 12 high schools in the South Denver metro area to showcase their musical talents. Students from band, symphony orchestra, and choir rehearse with top-tier guest conductors in preparation for a culminating performance at Boettcher Hall. Learn more. >>
DCSD Legacy Campus Required Registration Information Session
Monday, January 22 | 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Students who will be juniors or seniors in the 2024-2025 school year and are interested in applying to attend courses at the Legacy Campus during the 2024-2025 school year should attend this registration information session. www.legacycampus.org
The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death Story
Wednesday, January 24 | 6:15 p.m.
Chaparral High School - Mary Gill Theater
Click here for more information.
Learn Multisensory Methods To Help Your Child Master Multiplication Facts
Hosted by DCKid
Wednesday, January 24 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
Click here for more information and to register.
Parent University: The Role of Today’s School Counselor
Wednesday, January 31 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Online/Virtual Event
Douglas County School District will be celebrating National School Counselor Week the week of February 5-9. Join Dr. Kelli Smith, Director of Health, Wellness and Prevention, and DCSD Lead Counselors Renee Cawley and Kambi Crabb, to discuss how students can best leverage their school counselor. Specifically, data will be shared on our DCSD counseling programs' impact on students' achievement and engagement in our schools. Learn more and register. >>
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Zero Fare for Youth
Did you know that youth ages 19 and under are eligible to ride the RTD bus and light rail at no cost? This is a great opportunity for teens and young adults who need additional options to get to work, special events and more. This is a pilot program that runs through August 31, 2024. Learn more. >>
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.