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SUBJECT: Week In Review - April 22-26, 2024
April 26, 2024
Happy Friday!
Today, I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the majority of our teachers and staff members on this last Professional Development day of the 2023-2024 school year. As we close out April and head into “May-cember,” the end of the school year will be here before we know it. Here’s to a fun filled last month complete with graduations, field days, student performances and so much more! But before that happens there are some great opportunities to get involved with our school district, share feedback, and celebrate our schools.
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Family-School Relationship Survey is Open
To provide our students and families with the best possible educational experiences, we want to hear from the parents and guardians at each of our schools. This will help us better understand the needs and experiences in our school communities. Please set aside a few minutes to provide us with your feedback by completing the DCSD Family-School Relationship Survey. The survey will remain open through Sunday, May 5. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Russian and Chinese.
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State of DCSD Community Event - May 2, 6 PM at the Legacy Campus in Lone Tree
Come learn more about the current state of our school district including challenges, celebrations, and our commitment to excellence. Celebrate our schools that received 2023 awards from the Colorado Department of Education! Please invite grandparents, neighbors, or anyone in the community - all are welcome! RSVP at bit.ly/StateofDCSD
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Colorado Parent Family Favorites Nominations
It’s time again to nominate your school and/or principal for Colorado Parent Magazine’s annual Family Favorites contest. Last year, we had a ton of schools, principals and programs not only get nominated, but win (see 2023 winners)! Visit this link and go to the “Schooled” category to nominate your school and/or principal. The deadline for nominations is May 15.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
12th Annual ELD Celebration
On April 18, DCSD’s Language, Culture, & Equity team honored the diverse cultures, languages, and experiences of our Multilingual Learners and their families at the 12th Annual ELD Celebration. Over 800 people attended the event at the Legacy Campus where families explored culture and language through art, crafts, performances, food, and fun! Families and staff built new and deepened existing relationships through shared experiences and stories. The success of this annual event is a testament to the power of community and family connections in schools, our district, and community agencies in Douglas County, as we are One Community with Many Stories.
Empowering Tomorrow's Heroes: High School Students Respond to a (Mock) Emergency
DCSD high school students enrolled in EMT, Fire/Rescue, and Criminal Justice classes stepped into action during a realistic emergency training exercise! Students responded, triaged, and cared for victims of a multi-car incident. Alongside the students, their teachers and representatives from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted and provided feedback to the young first responders. Watch these future First Responders in Action.>>
DCSD’s EMT, Fire Science and Criminal Justice programs are just some of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities offered by DCSD’s Post-Secondary Readiness Department. Learn more about how DCSD prepares students for a successful path after graduation.>>
DCSD Congratulates National Merit Corporate Scholarship Winner, Mae Webster of Highlands Ranch High School
Congratulations to outstanding DCSD scholar Mae Webster of Highlands Ranch High School! Mae is one of only nine students in Colorado being recognized for educational excellence with corporate-sponsored awards.
Corporate sponsors provide scholarships for students who are children of employees, residents of communities the company serves, or plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage. Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, more than 6,800 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $26 million. Recipients of the National Merit $2,500 scholarships will be announced on May 8. Read more about other DCSD 2023-2024 Scholarship Winners.>>
ThunderRidge High School Senior Boards
On April 12, ThunderRidge High School seniors took part in a project validating their ability to research and design a topic, and defend it during a formal presentation. The purpose of the project is to provide an opportunity to study new areas and explore new disciplines in a productive manner. Superintendent Erin Kane and over 130 community members along with TRHS Staff sat on judging boards.
An example of some of the presentations included: American vs. Italian Cooking, How to Compose a Guitar Ballad, The Effect of Music Therapy on Dementia Patients, and the Implementation of a Social Emotional Curriculum for DCSD’s own Stone Mountain Elementary. Read more about the Senior Project Mission Statement here.>>
Alumni Spotlight: Chaparral High School Grad Works to Improve Soil Health
Tad Trimarco graduated from Chaparral High School in 2017 and attended Colorado State University (CSU). He’s now in his third year of a Ph.D. program at CSU, researching improving soil health and water quality in Colorado's agricultural land. “I get to work with an awesome group of farmers, researchers, policy-makers, and educators, and everyone is passionate about conservation in agriculture,” said Tad.
“I'm proud of the work I've achieved in my graduate studies. It was an adjustment to immerse myself in the ag world and science, but I think I've been successful in making myself at home. I've been lucky enough to present my science to fellow researchers, farmers, and industry specialists, and even won some awards for presenting, which was an honor. I love the work I do and I'm glad I get to work in a field that's rewarding and can have a positive impact,” he said. Learn more about CHS Graduate Tad Trimarco.>>
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR PARENTS
Mental Health Resources
Active Minds Mental Health Support Reminder: Self Care is not Selfish. We all experience times where we need to take a step back and focus on ourselves, especially when caring full time for others, and during difficult emotional situations. Read more about Self Care. >>
Literacy Resources
Read Now Colorado has helpful information explaining why reading is so important and the science of how your child learns to read. Learn more on how to support your child’s reading by watching this video.
Read Now Colorado: Helping Students Learn to Read so they Can Read To Learn
Health and Wellness Resources
Sensory Processing Challenges in Kids: Everyone has sensory preferences — from foods we don’t like to sounds that make us cringe. But when those likes and dislikes impact a child’s daily activities or cause oversized reactions, that might be a sign that they’re experiencing sensory processing challenges. Learn more from the pediatric experts at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
EVENTS
DCSD Art Exhibition
Elementary School Exhibition: April 27 - May 2
DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree
Learn more. >>
State of DCSD Event with Superintendent Erin Kane
Thursday, May 2 | 6:00 pm
DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree
Learn more about the current state of our school district including challenges, celebrations, and our commitment to excellence. Celebrate our schools that received 2023 awards from the Colorado Department of Education.
RSVP: bit.ly/StateofDCSD
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Serve on a DCSD Board Committee
The DCSD District Accountability Committee (DAC), Fiscal Oversight Committee (FOC), Long Range Planning Committee, and Mill Bond Oversight Committee (MBOC) are seeking candidates to fill vacant member positions. Visit their webpages to learn more and to apply.
Nominations are open for 2025 Teacher of the Year
The Colorado Department of Education is calling for nominations for Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year program elevates and celebrates exceptional educators, and the state’s 2025 winner will become a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year award. Nominations will be open until Tuesday, May 28. Read more. >>