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SUBJECT: Week In Review - May 13-17, 2024
May 17, 2024
Happy Friday!
Graduations have officially begun! This is truly one of the best times of the school year. We have the privilege of celebrating our graduating seniors. At each commencement ceremony we hear uplifting speeches and heartfelt performances. We learn more about what our seniors have planned for their futures and who received scholarships. Then we wish them well in their next chapter of life. The end of the school year, especially for the families of graduates can be bittersweet. But it’s not goodbye – each member of the Douglas County School District Class of 2024 will forever be part of the DCSD Family.
This past week we celebrated the SkyView Academy, eDCSD and ThunderRidge High School Classes of 2024. Tomorrow is Renaissance Secondary and next week there are many more commencement ceremonies. Visit our website to find the full schedule of graduations for the Class of 2024.
Of course, high school graduations aren’t the only milestone happening during this time of the year. We have continuation ceremonies, end-of-year performances, athletics events, and so much more. I, along with my team will be soaking up as much of it as we can during the final few days of the 2023-2024 school year.
We have so much to celebrate here in DCSD and it’s all because of our students, teachers, staff and families. Thank you all for your commitment and partnership and for making DCSD the #1 performing school district in the Denver/metro area!!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
2024 Missy Martin Scholarship Ceremony
The Missy Martin Scholarship Future Hope Foundation was established on behalf of former Douglas County High School student, Missy Martin, after she survived a tragic accident resulting in her sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Each year, a ceremony is held at Douglas County High School where Missy and her family celebrate students from five high schools in Douglas County School District by presenting each with a $2,000 scholarship. To date, the Missy Martin Scholarship Future Hope Foundation has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships. Congratulations to the following deserving DCSD students who are being recognized for overcoming hardship and demonstrating perseverance!
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Luke Eaton, Chaparral High School: Luke will attend CSU and is planning to major in Business and Finance
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Lindsay Fox, Legend High School: Lindsey plans to attend Baylor University
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Reese Rubino, Castle View High School: Reese plans to study finance online
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William Valkner (Not pictured), Ponderosa High School: William will attend the University of Arizona to play golf and study finance
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Jessica Westfall, Douglas County High School: Jessica plans to attend Arapahoe Community College to begin her degree in Business
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Cars, Careers and Engines! Revving Up the Future for Middle Schoolers
The anticipation for the Mesa Middle School Auto Show has been building for some time. Around 250 Mesa Middle School students got a hands-on lesson in automotive work this week, thanks to a partnership with Christian Brothers Automotive and the Vintage Car Club of Castle Rock.These two community partners have donated a huge amount of time and effort to bring real-life lessons to Mesa students.
As part of the day, students had the opportunity to disassemble car engines and learn more about the automotive classes offered at Douglas County High School and Ponderosa High School. The Automotive & Vehicle Maintenance program is part of DCSD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway Program, and just one of the many offerings in the Postsecondary Readiness Program.
A huge thank you to Christian Brothers Automotive for donating 10 engine blocks, and to the Vintage Car Club of Castle Rock for providing 20 show cars!
Discover more about DCSD’s Post Secondary Readiness offerings, including pathways to careers, college, military service, and continued education or training. Watch the 9News story.
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SkyView Academy Hawks Reunite Before Leaving the Nest
The SkyView Academy (SVA) Class of 2024 experienced the brunt of COVID. In 2020, they left for Spring Break and never came back to middle school. They missed milestones such as a class trip to Washington, DC and their eighth-grade dance. The following year, some dispersed to various schools for high school and never got to say goodbye to their former classmates, making it a difficult transition. A former SVA student asked the school to host and sponsor a breakfast for this class (now graduating seniors) to reconnect last weekend. Many were able to attend and it was a great reunion before high school graduation!
🎓 Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024! 🎓
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Celebrating a Boys Swim State Champ
Congratulations to Vladislav Kazakin, a senior at Highlands Ranch High School for winning the Boys Swim State Champion in the 500Y Freestyle! Read more 5A Boys Swimming stats from the May 10 and 11 Swimming State Championship courtesy of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA).
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Mountain Vista HS Boys Volleyball Team Celebrates State Championship
Congratulations to the Mountain Vista High School Boys Volleyball team for being crowned state champions! This is the first boys volleyball state championship in school history. Seven teammates of these Golden Eagles include graduating seniors, but the skill of each player had a crucial role in guiding the team to victory. Read more about this extraordinary MVHS win!
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RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR PARENTS
Mental Health Resources
Kids or teens struggling with friendships?
Making and keeping friends takes work and practice. Fortunately, there are research-based strategies we can teach our kids to create strong and lasting relationships. Don't miss this one-day virtual event starting on May 22 at 7:00 a.m. (running for a full 24 hours online). Register HERE!
Literacy Resources
DCSD Summer Reading Contest - May 24-August 12
Join the DCSD District Library and Media Center (DLMC) this summer for our first summer reading program! Open to all DCSD students and staff. Visit the DLMC’s website for details.
Health and Wellness Resources
Swimming is a life skill that everyone should have. But there is more to it than just knowing basic swimming skills - it’s about being water competent. The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program, taught by Water Safety Instructor® certified professionals (WSI™), helps equip people of all ages with knowledge and skills to become water competent, which includes being water smart - knowing how to prevent and respond to water emergencies. Learn more from the American Red Cross.
EVENTS
Celebrating a graduation soon? Get details on all of DCSD’s Graduation Ceremonies here. Congratulations Graduates!
Save the Date! Perseverance Scholarship Golf Tournament
Hosted by the Foundation for Douglas County Schools
Monday, July 22 | 8:00 a.m.
Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course, Castle Rock
For more information and to register, click here.
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.