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Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year

Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year
Posted on 08/09/2023

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August 8, 2023

Dear DCSD Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! This morning I, along with members of my Cabinet, our Executive Directors of Schools, and Board of Education directors, had the absolute pleasure of visiting every school that was celebrating their first day of the new school year. It is so much fun to welcome our staff and students back. Nothing beats that first day of school energy and excitement. Of course, we still have a few schools to welcome back in the coming days and weeks but we can officially say that the 2023-2024 school year is off to a great start! 

 

 

 

North Ridge Elementary students on their first day of school high school students on the first day of school

We have so much to celebrate here in Douglas County School District. I hope you can take a couple of minutes to watch this short welcome back video. 

Superintendent Kane's Welcome back video

FUNDING NEEDS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Tonight, our Board of Education will vote on whether to place a potential $66 million Mill Levy Override and $484 million Bond on the November 2023 ballot. You can watch the Board meeting on the DCSD YouTube channel or on Comcast 54. And you can learn more about funding needs in our school district by visiting www.dcsdk12.org/funding. 

If passed, this additional funding would help us:

  • Retain and attract excellent teachers and staff by increasing pay to be more competitive with neighboring school districts.

  • Increase and maintain safety and security with additional support such as School Resource Officers and implementing school safety and security upgrades.

  • Provide additional Career and Technical Education opportunities for students to further set our students up for success after high school. 

  • Update, maintain, and construct educational facilities as described in the school district’s bond plan to ensure safe and adequate learning spaces and to reduce overcrowding. 

I encourage you to read my recent editorial “Property Taxes - Truths and Myths,” that appeared in local newspapers across Douglas County. 

FREE LUNCHES FOR ALL STUDENTS

Starting this school year, Douglas County School District is excited to announce the participation in the Healthy

School Meals for All program for Breakfast and Lunch. All students enrolled at Douglas County School District may participate in the Breakfast (where offered) and Lunch programs at no cost. 

While meals will be provided at no cost to all students in participating schools, it's important for Douglas County School District to continue gathering this information in order to receive full access to state and federal

funding. Additional funds will go directly to schools to help cover the cost of meals, support after-school activities and other nutritional programs for students. Plus, households who qualify may receive discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, utilities support and more. Families can complete the Free and Reduced Lunch application at https://www.myschoolapps.com/. Please note, even if your application is declined your child will still receive free meals as outlined above. 

We are so excited to have your child with us for the 2023-2024 school year! Thanks for being a part of the DCSD family.

Sincerely,

Erin Kane

Superintendent

Douglas County School District

620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104
303-387-0100
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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).