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SUBJECT: Week In Review - April 29-May 3, 2024
May 3, 2024
Happy Friday!
It has been a busy, yet incredible week here in DCSD! On Wednesday, we honored our employees who will be retiring and thanked them for their service. Yesterday morning, we celebrated the winners of the 2024 Perseverance Scholarship. And last night, we hosted the State of DCSD Event with nearly 400 people in attendance! During that event we heard from some of our incredible students, and had the opportunity to celebrate our schools who won awards from the Colorado Department of Education. Watch the recorded event on our YouTube channel here.
Family-School Relationship Survey Closes May 5
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.
Teacher and Employee Appreciation Week is May 6-10
Next week is Teacher and Employee Appreciation Week in DCSD. I am so proud of each and every one of our employees. It has been an incredible school year and the successes our school district has experienced this year are because of the dedication and hard work of our teachers, principals, bus drivers, educational assistants, and every other staff member here in DCSD. Next week we will be sharing staff appreciation messages and spotlighting some of our amazing employees on the DCSD social media channels.
I encourage our families and students to shower their teachers and school staff with love next week. Even a quick note or email of appreciation can mean the world to your child’s teacher, counselor, campus security specialist, librarian, kitchen worker, or other incredible school employees.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and for helping to make the 2023-2024 school year one of the best yet!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
Student Council Among Winners of 2024 National Gold Council of Excellence
Highlands Ranch High School has been recognized as a National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils for their contributions to school spirit, fundraising events, and community engagement. Read more from CHSAA here. >>
Congratulations Student Council Members for supporting your fellow Falcons! (Pictured here during Wish Week Activities.)
Legend High School Student Creates Chamber Award
During Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce’s Tours for Teachers program, Chamber President/CEO Stacy Garmon asked Deb Tawzer, a technology teacher at Legend High School (LHS), and Kent Allison, an engineering teacher at Mountain Vista High School (MVHS), if they would be interested in having their students design the Castle Rock Chamber’s Business of the Month award. Both teachers enthusiastically agreed, knowing that their students could more than deliver and would benefit from this real-world application in their Additive Manufacturing classes.
The Chamber requested that the award be 3D printed. Tawzer ran a design contest in her class and sophomore Max Roberts won. Max designed the 3D-printed Chamber’s Business of the Month Award for January. Max is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) student and a volleyball athlete. Read more about Max Roberts. >>
Boettcher Foundation Honors Five Outstanding DCSD Students
More than 1,900 Colorado students applied for the prestigious Boettcher Foundation Scholarship this year, with 50 recipients being named. The Douglas County School District is proud to congratulate five DCSD graduates for earning this prestigious scholarship that aims to retain Colorado’s inspiring high school graduates within the state for their college education. As Boettcher Scholars, each of these students will receive an $80,000 scholarship award across four years, along with institutional, merit and/or need-based aid from their respective campuses. Scholars are selected based on academics, service, leadership and character.
As a comprehensive scholarship, the Boettcher award also includes a program and support system designed to help Scholars maximize their academic and leadership capabilities. “As we welcome the newest cohort of Boettcher Scholars, we’re thrilled to highlight their remarkable talents and passions,” said Vanessa Roman, Director of Scholarships & Foundation Programs. “These dynamic thinkers and leaders bring a diverse array of skills and interests to our community.” Congratulations to:
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Maanasi Gowda, Mountain Vista High, plans to attend DU
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Chloe Johnson, Douglas County High, plans to attend Colorado College
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Laura Pulido, Highlands Ranch High, plans to attend CU Boulder
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Nandha Vivek, Legend High, plans to attend CU Boulder
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Lauren Watts, Mountain Vista High, plans to attend CSU
Eagle Ridge Elementary students learn in the classroom and coffee counter
Long before the first bell rings, Eagle Ridge Elementary’s SSN Learning Specialist Lisa Herman brews coffee and tea and gathers supplies for the Friday coffee bar. This enterprise features students in the significant support needs (SSN) program serving as baristas while developing skills and having fun. The activity provides these K-6 students with the opportunity to interact with adults while practicing social and life skills. Herman says it’s all part of a larger plan to help her students build independence and self-sufficiency.
“We’ve even taught them how to use a microwave,” Herman said. On Fridays, students in the SSN program report to their posts at the Herman Cafe in the school’s lobby, serving refreshments and providing beverage essentials from the condiment station. Read more. >>
DCSD’s Shining Stars continue to sparkle!
Each year, the Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee (DCSEAC) honors DCSD staff members who go above and beyond for students who receive special education services. Watch this heartwarming video to learn more about the Shining Star Awards and the incredible impact of these dedicated educators!
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR PARENTS
Mental Health Resources
If you are looking for a therapist, I Matter Colorado can connect you with a therapist for up to 6 free virtual counseling sessions (some in-person appointments available, too) that are completely confidential. Talking with someone can make you feel better. To start, click here to learn more about I Matter Colorado.
Literacy Resources
Would you like to learn a simple yet highly effective strategy to support your child in reading? Check out this informative article from Education Week, Want to Improve Reading Proficiency? Talk to Kids More. You’ll learn some great, simple strategies, as well as the research behind them.
Health and Wellness Resources
Babysitting is a popular way for middle and high school students to work over the summer. American Red Cross offers Babysitting Classes including Babysitting Basics, Babysitter's Training, and Advanced Child Care Training. Register for classes here.
EVENTS
Celebrating a graduation in May? Get details on all of DCSD’s Graduation Ceremonies here. Congratulations Graduates!
Wednesday, May 8 | 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bowl strikes and spares, ride go karts, and play laser tag at DCSD’s Unified Night Out on Wednesday, May 8th, from 5:00-9:00 pm at Boondocks in Parker! $8 of each ticket purchased goes to DCSD’s Middle School Unified Program. Sponsored by Douglas County Libraries.
Register HERE!
Save the Date! Perseverance Scholarship Golf Tournament
Hosted by the Foundation for Douglas County Schools
Monday, July 22 | 8:00 am
Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course, Castle Rock
For more information and to register here
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. >>