Additional Information Regarding DCSD Closure

Additional Information Regarding DCSD Closure
Posted on 03/13/2020
sorry we're closedDear Douglas County Community,

The following is some additional information regarding the closure of Douglas County School District. This closure is a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Starting at 5:00 p.m. today (Friday, March 13), Douglas County School District will be closing all of its facilities (schools, central office buildings, etc.) through Sunday, March 29.

Closing a school building does not mean that class is not in session (except for during our already scheduled Spring Break). For the week of March 23-27, DCSD will transition from an in-school to a remote learning environment. We will reassess the situation as we get closer to that end date, and decide if students and staff should return on Monday, March 30.

If your child attends a DCSD charter school, please contact your school directly for information about closures, remote learning possibilities, etc.

Today, I joined a webinar with the Colorado Commissioner of Education, Katy Anthes, and district superintendents from across the state to discuss flexibility on mandatory seat time and state testing requirements. I’m confident those discussions will continue. In the meantime, however, starting the week of March 23, DCSD teachers will be in touch with their students via email (or other means specified by the teacher) to begin remote learning (this will not apply to preschool students).

TECHNOLOGY AT HOME
If you do not have an adequate technology device at home for remote learning, and your student was unable to check one out from school this week, please complete this parent technology needs survey

BEFORE AND AFTER CARE
Douglas County School District Before and After Care (BASE) programs will be closed from March 16 - March 27. Any scheduled BASE field trips during this timeframe are also canceled.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
The Douglas County School District closure includes DCSD’s Early Childhood Education programs.

While DCSD will be implementing remote learning for grades Kindergarten through 12, this option will not be available to our preschool programs. For families who would like to continue to support their child’s growth and development during this timeframe, please visit the CDC website (click here) or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website (click here) for more resources.

Any tuition paid will be reimbursed for the duration of time that DCSD’s preschool programs are closed. If you have paid for a full year of tuition in advance please email Kathy Hakim at [email protected] for your reimbursement.

Any family who has a Child Find appointment scheduled during the week of March 23-27 will be contacted individually to reschedule these appointments.

STUDENT LUNCHES DURING CLOSURE
During its closure, Douglas County School District is making plans to feed students and children in our community. Lunches will likely follow our summer meal plan and contain an entree, fruit/vegetable, and milk, and be made available to any child 18 years of age and under. Lunches will be free and reimbursed to DCSD Nutrition Services from USDA. Locations and times will be determined and communicated soon.

ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES
Beginning Friday, March 13, all athletics, school clubs, and activities within the Douglas County School District will be cancelled until at least April 6. This includes sports, activities, competitions, practices, music concerts/festivals, plays, speech and debate, etc.

OTHER EVENT CANCELLATIONS
  • In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the SAT test administration set for Saturday, March 14, at Mountain Vista High School has been cancelled. More information is available on the College Board COVID-19 updates website.
  • The DCSD Building Compassionate Learning Communities Conference scheduled for March 27 and 28 is cancelled.
FACILITIES RENTALS
DCSD facilities rentals are cancelled beginning the evening of Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 29.

BOND WORK SCHEDULED FOR SPRING BREAK
Any bond work scheduled to take place in DCSD facilities over Spring Break (building repairs, upgrades, etc. being funded by the Bond, which was approved by voters in November 2018) will be postponed. This means completion of some of these Bond projects may be delayed.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Many children do better with a regular routine, predictability, and activities to manage downtime built into their schedules. Extended breaks and cancelled plans can be stressful for some people, especially those who are prone to mental health and behavioral challenges.

Below is a list of resources for parents, should you have a concern that your child may be experiencing behavioral changes, mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
The state has an anonymous reporting system available at all times for the community to use. Anyone with a concern for someone’s well being or safety can use Safe2Tell (1-877-542-7233) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To lessen the risk of exposure for people experiencing behavioral and mental health concerns and reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, all are encouraged to call and access community centers. This will allow the Emergency Rooms to focus on the physical health needs of others during this time. Below is a list of community centers in our metro area.
As it relates to COVID-19, we will remain in contact with our partners at the Tri-County Health Department and the Colorado Department of Education, and we will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

Undoubtedly, this is an unprecedented challenge for everyone in our community. It is also an opportunity for us to come together as ONE Douglas County School District. In the days and weeks ahead, we must all show a level of grace and patience as we adapt to this extended, yet temporary change to our everyday lives. Let us all be an example of how to handle a crisis and prevail.

Please continue to check your email, DCSD website (www.dcsdk12.org) DCSD mobile app, social media, and text for updates.

Proud to serve as your Superintendent,

Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
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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 ).