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May 25, 2023
Dear DCSD Families,
Today marked the last day of the 2022-2023 school year for most of our students. It truly felt like this school year flew by yet so much was accomplished and there is so much to celebrate. Let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the amazing accomplishments of our students, staff and schools over the past year. Here is a quick video message recapping our school year and wishing you our students, staff and families a relaxing summer break. And, below are more celebrations, awards and accolades.
END-OF-YEAR VIDEO
Celebrating the Class of 2023
I, along with Board of Education directors and members of my Cabinet, have had the privilege of celebrating the Class of 2023 at graduation ceremonies over the past couple of weeks (and there is still one more graduation to come in June). It is always a true honor to attend the commencement ceremonies at our high schools and hear the amazing things our students have planned for their future. We have graduates who are going on to college, directly entering the workforce, serving in the military, or taking a gap year to travel and see the world. The DCSD Class of 2023 has earned nearly $118 million in scholarships! See some of our Outstanding Graduate profiles, as well as individual scholarship recipients on our website at www.dcsdk12.org/graduation.
Awards and Accolades
Below are just some of the amazing awards and accolades that our students, staff and schools made possible during this school year.
- 17 of our schools received the 2022 Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
- 28 of our schools received the 2022 John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award from CDE.
- Rock Canyon High School received the High School Academic Growth Award from CDE.
- DCSD received the Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in budget presentation from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).
- Cimarron Middle School Counselor Jill Bull received the national LifeChanger of the Year Award.
- Highlands Ranch High School principal Dr. Chris Page was named Colorado High School Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives.
- Castle Rock Middle School teacher Rocio Meli was named a finalist for 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year.
- DCSD’s Kelli Mueller was named a finalist for the Colorado Association of School Nurses’ 2022 School Nurse of the Year Award.
- Northeast Elementary was recognized by Solution Tree as a Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work® for its sustained success in raising student achievement.
- Sagewood Middle School received the 2022 Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association.
- Coach Tim Ottmann from Ponderosa High School and Highlands Ranch High School basketball standout Ann Strother Abromaitis were inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame.
- Delceter Goosby, Kitchen Manager at Legend High School received the Apple Award for Department Employee of the Year.
- Stephanie Weber, Educational Assistant IV-Severe Needs and Assistant Principal at ThunderRidge High School received the Apple Award for Classified Employee of the Year.
- Erin Bidwell, Fifth-Grade Teacher at Platte River Academy received the Apple Award for Elementary Educator of the Year.
- Erin Gilbert, Professional Learning Specialist, Gifted & Talented Coordinator and IB Coordinator at Mesa Middle School received the Apple Award for Secondary Educator of the Year.
- Michelle Franci, Principal at Stone Mountain Elementary received the Apple Award for Administrator of the Year.
Career Technical Education Programs Expansion
The Douglas County School District continues to grow its career and technical education program - which provides students additional pathways to success after high school. Our school district currently offers 52 career and technical education programs and 22 industry certifications. In the 2023-2024 school year DCSD will offer 14,229 career and technical education seats to students – the highest number to-date. Students can access CTE courses at high schools across our county and at the new DCSD Legacy Campus. Visit our website to see a full course listing.
New Schools and Programs
Thanks to support from the 2018 bond that was approved by Douglas County residents, next year we will officially open the DCSD Legacy Campus for CTE programming, as well as our newest high school VALE (Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship).
Last, but absolutely not least, thank you to the amazing employees who are retiring from DCSD at the end of this school year. We sincerely thank them for their service and for all they have done for the 63,000 students in our school district.
We hope you are able to unwind and recharge over the summer break and we look forward to having our students and staff back in August.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our students.
Sincerely,
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District