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SUBJECT: Week In Review - January 29 - February 2, 2024
February 2, 2024
Happy Friday!
February is Black History Month. Douglas County School District is proud to join our community and the nation in celebrating the history of African Americans and recognizing the contributions of Black Americans throughout our nation’s history. The theme of the 2024 Black History Month is African Americans and the Arts. Learn more here. >> We look forward to hearing about the lessons and activities taking place in our schools over the course of the month.
Next week marks National School Counseling Week which highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. I hope you will join me in thanking our amazing school counselors by sending them an email or note of appreciation. Here in DCSD we are so proud of the comprehensive programs that our counselors are implementing to serve our students every day - our counselors are true heroes. Click here to watch the recording of our Parent University webinar from earlier this week on The Role of Today’s School Counselor.
The Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee (DCSEAC) is accepting nominations for its Shining Star awards. Shining Stars are DCSD staff members(s) and schools nominated for outstanding service by the parents and/or caregivers of students receiving special education services. Be sure to nominate your Shining Star by February 29 at www.dcseac.org.
Good luck to the students who are participating in the DCSD Spelling Bee tomorrow! The top 25 spellers will move forward to the Colorado State Spelling Bee.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
VIDEO: 2024 Continental League Honor Music Festival
Congratulations to the many DCSD students selected to perform in the 35th Annual Continental League Honor Music Festival last month. Check out this short video to enjoy some of the incredible sounds courtesy of the 300+ high school musicians and vocalists who performed. They auditioned, practiced, and persevered for the opportunity to perform at the historic Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver. Watch video. >>
Alumni Spotlight: Spilling the Beans on Joshua Rivero, Owner, Fika Coffee House
Joshua Rivero was born in California and spent his younger years in Vermont. His family then moved to Colorado and New Mexico before returning back to Colorado. Frequent moves didn’t provide a strong foundation for school, but he says things took a positive turn when his family moved to Parker and enrolled at Ponderosa High School. Principal Dr. Bill Larson helped him regain his focus on school and apply himself. Rivero credits Dr. Larson for helping him graduate in 1990. After graduating from Ponderosa, Rivero attended Metropolitan State College of Denver. To help pay for school, he worked at the Boiler Room on campus. There he found his passion. Read more. >>
Former ThunderRidge High School Girls Basketball Player Inducted into CHSAA Hall of Fame
Earlier this week, Abby Waner Bartolotta was inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame. Abby is a legend in Colorado Athletics and known as one of the best athletes to ever participate in this state. Here's part of the introduction message from Rashaan Davis: As one of the most talented girls’ basketball players in the state, Abby Waner Bartolotta led her ThunderRidge Grizzlies to three Class 5A Championships. Waner Bartolotta’s 27 points per game led to her becoming Colorado’s second-ranked scorer all-time. A National Girls High School Basketball Player of the Year and two-time Ms. Colorado Basketball winner, she took her basketball accolades and her 3.9 GPA to Duke University, where she scored 1,400 career points for the Blue Devils. Congratulations Abby and Go Grizzlies!
Finding a Second Career with the DCSD Transportation Team
Flexibility, schedule, and breaks are a few reasons that attract those seeking a second career to DCSD’s Transportation Department. People from all walks of life make up the transportation team. Meet a few of the superheroes from the Douglas County School District Transportation Team. Read more. >>
Share Your School’s Good News!
We will continue to send these celebratory emails out each week. If we missed a celebration or you have good news to share, please submit it here.
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR PARENTS
Mental Health Resources
I Matter - Free, Confidential Therapy Sessions for Colorado's Youth
Removing the stigma around therapy is an essential step in getting people the help they need. I
Matter offers free, confidential therapy sessions to Colorado’s youth. Visit IMatterColorado.org to learn more.
Literacy
Support Writing at Home
Young children like to scribble, make marks that look like letters, and play with writing. Chances are, your child will experiment with writing long before he or she learns to read. Here are some ways to help your child learn about and practice writing.
Health and Wellness
A Guide to Skin Rashes in Kids
Whether it’s a minor problem like dry skin, or something more serious like hand, food and
mouth disease, kids are susceptible to many different skin conditions. That can make it difficult
to tell these rashes apart — and determine what to do next. To help, our partners at Children’s
Hospital Colorado offers expert tips for identifying 9 common skin rashes that affect kids. Find
out about chronic conditions, rash-causing viruses and other skin issues you might encounter as
a parent or caregiver.
EVENTS
Summer Camp Fair and Kids’ Activities Expo
Hosted by Macaroni Kid
Sunday, February 25 | 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree
Registration is now open for the 2024 Macaroni KID Summer Camp Fair & Kids' Activities Expo! This free event is a one-stop community-focused event designed to allow families to meet face-to-face with the best camps, summer activities, and more in and around Douglas County. The Foundation for Douglas County Schools is a proud non-profit partner of Macaroni Kid. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
Learn Multisensory Methods To Help Your Child Master Multiplication Facts
Hosted by DCKid
Wednesday, February 28 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Castle Pines Library, 360 Village Square Lane, Castle Pines
Click here for more information and to register.
Teen Defensive Driving and Crash Avoidance Courses
Hosted by Altitude Driver Safety Foundation
Three-hour courses taught by law enforcement driving instructors.
Click here for more information and pricing.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2024 Douglas County Outstanding Youth Award Nominations
The Outstanding Youth Award recognizes teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 who have overcome personal adversity and created positive change in their lives. The Youth Awards focus on teenagers who have triumphed over great odds and serve as inspirations and role models. If you know young people who would be good candidates for the Youth Awards, please help us identify them by completing the nomination form, link is below. Award winners receive a cash gift! Nomination forms are due by: March 29, 2024.
Join the DCSD Family
DCSD is hiring for a variety of positions, including bus drivers, transportation assistants, educational assistants, BASE workers, kitchen assistants, building engineers, security dispatchers, grounds and maintenance and so much more. Learn more and apply today at www.dcsdk12.org/careers.