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SUBJECT: Week In Review - April 15-19, 2024
April 19, 2024
Happy Friday!
In a couple of weeks we will host a State of DCSD event for our families, staff, students, and the public.
I encourage you to join us at the DCSD Legacy Campus in Lone Tree on Thursday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. We will talk about the current state of our school district including challenges, celebrations, and our commitment to excellence. In addition, we will honor the DCSD schools that received 2023 awards from the Colorado Department of Education. Learn more and RSVP. >>
Family-School Relationships Survey
We greatly value our partnership with families. Therefore, next Friday (April 26), our families will be receiving an email with a link to take part in a Family-School relationship survey. 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. The survey will be open through May 5. More information will be coming to your email inbox next week.
Leadership Voices Video
Earlier this spring, I had the honor of being one of 15 superintendents from across the country selected to participate in a Leadership Voices video series. The videos focused on a variety of important topics, such as how we prepare students to not just survive but thrive in their futures. There are so many opportunities and challenges coming our way in the K-12 education world from Artificial Intelligence and other technological advances, continuous fiscal hurdles, increasing literacy rates, and more. I truly enjoyed the conversation and the privilege of representing Douglas County on a national stage and talking about how we bring our very large community together into one big family. Watch my video here. >> View the full video series here. >>
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
DCSD’s Alternative Licensure Program is One-of-a-Kind
With a national teacher shortage, Douglas County School District (DCSD) is taking the lead in providing an opportunity for those currently working in DCSD to obtain their teaching license. Through DCSD’s Alternative Licensure Program, those in certified teaching positions can earn a teaching license in any role as a K-12 teacher. Certified staff members have a Bachelor’s degree and are working towards their teaching license through this unique program.
“We’re thrilled to be growing our own teachers,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Amanda Thompson. “We want to retain our valuable employees and help them grow professionally. And now we’re providing a pathway for them to earn their teaching license for free!” Read more.>>
National History Day’s Colorado Teacher of the Year
Kirsten Saunders-Schuman has been named the National History Day in Colorado (NHDC) Teacher of the Year. Saunders-Schuman teaches social studies at SkyView Academy in Highlands Ranch.
NHDC is not a single day - it is a social studies and literacy program that equips students in elementary, middle, and high school with the skills necessary to succeed in college and the real world. Students participate in a project-based learning curriculum that emphasizes critical reading and thinking, research, analysis, and the drawing of meaningful conclusions. The program reaches more than 25,000 students across Colorado each year. NHDC provides teacher trainings, research field trips, supply grants, classroom resources, scholarship opportunities for students, and graduate and continuing professional education courses for teachers. Saunders-Schuman will represent Colorado as the 2024 Senior Division Teacher of the Year on April 27.
2024 Special Olympics Colorado Coach of the Year
Jeremy Dorr, Special Education Teacher at Legend High School and Unified Coach, was honored at Legend High School's Pack the Gym night by Special Olympics Colorado. At the event, the regional director of Special Olympics announced that Jeremy had been named the 2024 Special Olympics Colorado Coach of the Year. Jeremy was surprised and honored to receive the title, especially in the company of many other wonderful coaches in the community.
Read more about how it’s all about his athletes at the end of the day. Congratulations Jeremy!
Aditi Avinash Named Finalist in Nation’s Top STEM Competition
Aditi Avinash, a Rock Canyon High School senior, is the only student from Colorado to become a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Aditi was one of 40 Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists who advanced to the weeklong competition in Washington, D.C. Each finalist was chosen from 2,162 applicants from 712 high schools across 46 states, Puerto Rico, and 10 other countries. Way to go Aditi! Read more.>>
7 DCSD Student Musicians selected for Colorado All State Band
Congratulations to top high school band students from DCSD schools! They were selected through an audition process to perform in the 2024 Colorado All State Band. The All State Band is a 110 piece Symphonic Band that was created by selecting the top students from over 900 auditions by band students from all over the state.
Students selected were: Vivek Avupati (flute) and Suhani Dangre (flute) from Mountain Vista High School, Lucas Tybor (clarinet) and Sean Gaffney (tuba) from Rock Canyon High School, Jack Donovan (trombone) from Castle View High School, Braden Mease (bass) from Ponderosa High School, and Sue Murphy (french horn, not included in photo) from Legend High School.
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR PARENTS
Mental Health Resources
Executive Function Basics
If you have a child with executive function challenges such as getting stuck or overwhelmed, or trouble with following directions, here are some videos that provide simple strategies. These
short, engaging, videos and animations feature real-life situations, practical advice from experts and parents
sharing their wisdom, with easy to understand explanations. Watch the videos here.>>
Literacy Resources
Looking for additional support for developing your child’s reading skills? Reading Buddies of Douglas County Libraries is a reading enrichment program for children in grades 1-3, pairing a trained teen Big Buddy with a struggling young reader. Douglas County Libraries Reading Buddies Program
Health and Wellness Resources
Do you have a student athlete who is recovering from a concussion? Our Athletic Trainer’s #1 focus is keeping students' bodies and brains healthy, and injury free. Watch this recorded webinar to learn about DCSD’s student concussion protocol and how our school district’s support and practice aligns with the Colorado High School Activity Association (CHSAA).
EVENTS
DCSD Art Exhibition
Middle and High School Exhibition: Begins this FRIDAY! April 19 - 24
Elementary School Exhibition: April 27 - May 2
DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree
Learn more. >>
Parent University Webinar: License to Survive 2024
Wednesday, April 24 I 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Join Theo Mink, Executive Director of the South Denver Safety Foundation and Selena Silva, Community Risk Reduction Specialist from South Metro Fire Rescue, for a ‘License to Survive 2024’ update. Topics that will be discussed include: Graduated Driver’s License Laws, Tips and Tricks for Parents of New Drivers, and Current Roadway Safety Challenges. Register here.
Be Who You Needed Event
Douglas County Youth Initiative
Wednesday, April 24 | 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Lone Tree Hub, 8827 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Tree
The Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition is Proud to host an evening with Brooklyn Raney, author of "One Trusted Adult.” More info. >>
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 who 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. >>