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SUBJECT: Week In Review - October 30 - November 3, 2023
November 3, 2023
Happy Friday!
Don’t Forget to Vote!
This is the final weekend before Election Day. I received an email this week confirming that my vote has officially been counted. Has yours? Make sure that your voice is heard! The current election is considered an off-year election, meaning there is no presidential or midterm election taking place. As of today, the number of ballots that have been turned in is low compared to the last off-year election in 2021. What we know about off-year elections is that the majority of people who vote are generally aged 55 and over and do not have school-aged children. It would be amazing if we bucked the trend this year and had great turnout from our DCSD families!
Here’s what you can do to help increase turnout:
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Please be sure to turn in your ballot by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7. Visit www.DouglasVotes.com to find locations where you can drop off your ballot. Do not mail your ballot as it may not arrive on time.
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Talk to your friends, family and neighbors and encourage them to turn in their ballots.
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Track the status of your ballot at www.DouglasVotes.com.
Faces of DCSD: Meet School Resource Officer Dave Knight (Castle Rock Middle School)
He's no stranger to Castle Rock Middle School, as he attended Castle Rock Middle School as a young child. With a deep passion for his community, he now serves as the School Resource Officer for the Blue Knights! Meet Castle Rock Police Department Officer Dave Knight. He recently added a four-legged partner to his routine. Officer Knight and Ru, a two-year-old Husky Malamute mix, are quite popular on campus!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
Colorado Parent Family Favorites
Each year, Colorado Parent Magazine honors local businesses, services, and attractions that make Colorado a great place to raise kids. Families across Colorado vote for their favorites. Douglas County School District schools and principals received many honors in the 2023 Family Favorites! Thank you to the many community members who took the time to vote for their favorites!
Winners
Favorite Public Elementary School - Sage Canyon Elementary
Favorite Public Elementary School Principal - Mandy Hill, Sage Canyon Elementary
Favorite Public Middle School - Rocky Heights Middle School
Favorite Public Middle School Principal - Erin Kyllo, Ranch View Middle School
Favorite Public High School - ThunderRidge High School
Favorite Public High School Principal - Andrew Abner, Rock Canyon High School
Favorite High School Football Team - Rock Canyon High School
Favorite Charter Elementary School - Global Village Academy - Douglas County
Favorite Charter Middle School Principal - Amy Stuart, Renaissance Secondary
Favorite Charter High School - Renaissance Secondary School
Favorite Charter High School Principal - Amy Stuart, Renaissance Secondary
Runner-Ups
Favorite Public Elementary School Principal - Amy Moyle, Redstone Elementary School
Favorite Public Elementary School Principal - Amy Rahne, Coyote Creek Elementary School
Favorite Public High School - Douglas County High School
Favorite Public High School Principal - Tony Kappas, Douglas County High School
Favorite After School Program - Sage Canyon BASE
Favorite Charter Elementary School Principal - Stacy Bush, Global Village Academy - Douglas County
Favorite Charter Middle School - Global Village Academy - Douglas County
Favorite Charter Middle School - Renaissance Secondary School
Favorite Charter Middle School Principal - Stacy Bush, Global Village Academy
DCSD Singers Receive Guidance from FACE Vocal Band Member Stephen Ross
Earlier this year, Tenor and Bass singers from six DCSD high schools (Rock Canyon, Douglas County, Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista, ThunderRidge, and Ponderosa) practiced choir songs at the Tenor/Bass Choral Festival. Their morning was spent rehearsing as well as learning new techniques and getting the songs ready for an 'informance.' The students welcomed a special guest, Stephen Ross from FACE Vocal Band.
Big Wins in Cross Country State Championships
Congratulations to the DCSD schools and students who placed in the Cross County State Championships. And a special shout out to the Rock Canyon Jags who were named state champions in team results, and to Chaparral High School Senior Brennan Draper who won the state championship in individual results. Way to go!
5A CROSS COUNTRY - BOYS - TEAM RESULTS
Team Results
1 - ROCK CANYON - STATE CHAMPIONS!!
2 - Mountain Vista
6 - ThunderRidge
9 - Castle View
Individual Results - Top 20
1 - BRENNAN DRAPER, SR - CHAPARRAL - STATE CHAMPION!!
2 - Benjamin Anderson, Jr - Mountain Vista
4 - Owen Whitney, Jr - Rock Canyon
5 - Owen Casselman, Sr - ThunderRidge
11 - Brady Hill, Sr - Rock Canyon
16 - Benjamin Adams, Fr - Mountain Vista
19 - Jack D’Souza, Jr - Rock Canyon
5A CROSS COUNTRY - GIRLS
Team Results
3 - Chaparral
5 - Mountain Vista
Individual Results - Top 20
9 - Claire Guiberson, So - Mountain Vista
10 - Zoe Brandt, Jr - Mountain Vista
13 - Kapri Parry, So - Chaparral
15 - Neev Lev, So - Castle View
Apple Award Nominations are Open
Apple Award nominations are open through November 12 on the Foundation for Douglas County Schools’ website. Be sure to nominate a teacher or DCSD staff member who is making a difference in the lives of children.
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 Resource
As Daylight Savings Time Ends, How Can I Get My Kids to Sleep?
Thanks to the end of daylight saving time this weekend, kids will have less time to play outside while it’s light and many will start commuting home from after-school programs in the dark. They’re also liable to lose sleep with the time change, putting additional strain on parents. But the time change can also serve as an opportunity to take stock of sleep hygiene for kids. Read more. >>
Literacy
Free Community Event - How Children Learn to Read
Hosted by DC Kid
Wednesday, November 15 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
Click here to RSVP.
Parents, caregivers, teachers, administrators - this presentation is for all of you!
Traci Thorstenson, M.Ed., CALP, will give an accessible and engaging presentation on how children learn to read and how parents/caregivers can support their children in developing strong foundational reading skills at home. This presentation is also a great overview of the Science of Reading for teachers and administrators.
Traci is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner and a Reading Interventionist, K-6 at Sand Creek Elementary in Douglas County School District.
Health and Wellness
6 Things Your Family Needs to Know About Ice Safety
When the weather starts to turn cold, it’s time to talk with your children about ice safety. Icy ponds and lakes can be dangerous to young kids and teenagers. We know it’s a scary topic for parents to think about, but it’s important to help your children learn how to be safe around ice. Read more. >>
EVENTS
One Book. One District. Community Day.
Hosted by Douglas County Conservation District, DCSD Sustainability, and the District Library Media Center
Saturday, November 11 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Kirk Hall, Douglas County Fairgrounds
Read to chickens and dogs. Live critters with nature's educators. Student art and poetry showcase. Food trucks. Hands-on experiences. Learn more. >>
Venture Academy of Entrepreneurship and Leadership (VALE) Information Nights
Thursday, November 16 and Tuesday, December 12 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
VALE, 15653 Brookstone Drive Parker
Step inside and discover the gifts of Douglas County School District’s newest high school. www.vale.dcsdk12.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
One Book. One District. Toiletry Drive
In collaboration with our One Book One District selection, "Becoming a Good Creature" by Sy Montgomery, DCSD is hosting a donation drive to support our local community through SECOR Cares. VALE, a new school of choice in Parker, is excited to support this endeavor and will collect all donations at the culmination of the drive, and help organize them for community members in need. Become a good creature with us - every small act of kindness counts, and you can be part of this impactful initiative. Please bring donations to your school library between October 1 and November 16. Click here to see what items are most needed.
The elementary, middle, and high school that collects the most toiletries will be awarded $500 in books for their library!
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.