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Week In Review - August 7-11, 2023

Week In Review - August 7-11, 2023
Posted on 08/11/2023

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SUBJECT: Week In Review - August 7-11

August 11, 2023

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! 

On Tuesday morning, I, along with members of my Cabinet, our Executive Directors of Schools, and Board of Education directors, had the absolute pleasure of visiting every school that was celebrating their first day of the new school year. It is so much fun to welcome our staff and students back. Nothing beats that first day of school energy and excitement. Of course, we still have a few schools to welcome back in the coming days and weeks but we can officially say that the 2023-2024 school year is off to a great start! 

Watch this first day of school recap video here:


In addition, here is a link to a heartwarming slideshow of photos that capture the unforgettable moments of the first day. Here's to a year full of discovery, growth, and boundless opportunities!

Have a fantastic weekend! 

Erin Kane
Superintendent

Douglas County School District

 

GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD

Legacy Campus and VALE Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

This week two new campuses opened their doors to students in DCSD. 

  • The Legacy Campus will provide additional Career and Technical Education opportunities to students in a variety of fields including: Advanced Robotics, Architecture, Aviation/Transportation, Building Controls Technology, Culinary and Hospitality, EMT/EMS, Future Educator, Nursing (CNA) and Secure Network Technology. The purchase of the Legacy Campus building was made possible by a Bond initiative passed by voters in 2018. Click here to view a video of the Legacy Campus ribbon cutting event. Visit www.legacycampus.org to learn more about this new facility. 

  • VALE (Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship) also opened for the 2023-2024 school year. VALE is a new alternative education campus in Parker which believes in redefining alternative education to equip students with the necessary skills and tools to succeed in a rapidly evolving world. VALE’s goal is to prepare students to become entrepreneurial change-makers, well-equipped for any post-secondary pathway they choose. Click here to view a video of the VALE ribbon cutting event. Visit vale.dcsdk12.org to learn more about this new high school. 

Ponderosa High School Teacher Inducted into CACTE Hall of Fame

Last month, Ponderosa High School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Kimberly Baldwin was inducted in the Colorado Association of Career and Technical Education Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Kimberly on this prestigious honor! 


Saddle Ranch Elementary Named i-Ready Super Stretch School

Congratulations to Saddle Ranch Elementary who was named a Super Stretch School by i-Ready. Stretch Growth means that Saddle Ranch put students who placed below grade level on their first i-Ready diagnostic on a path to proficiency. It also means that Saddle Ranch helped students who placed on or above grade level maintain their advanced proficiency levels. Congratulations to Saddle Ranch and thank you for your dedication to students! 


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

Social Media Tips for Parents 

American Psychological Association

Check out this video on 4 science-backed tips for parents on kids’ social media use. 

Literacy

KitLit at Home

KitLit at Home features a variety of read out loud story videos to share with your children. Check it out here. 

Health and Wellness

Second Annual Yana Fitfest

Saturday, August 26, 8:30 am - 11:30 am

Civic Green Park, Highlands Ranch

Bring your family and friends for a morning of movement, connection and fun. All proceeds benefit local non-profit You Are Not Alone.

Free to attend. Click here to get tickets. Click here to view a printable flier. 

 


ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Serve on a DCSD Board Committee

The DCSD District Accountability Committee (DAC) and Fiscal Oversight Committee (FOC) and Mill Bond Oversight Committee (MBOC) are seeking candidates to fill vacant member positions. Visit their webpages to learn more and to apply. 

 

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.


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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).