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SUBJECT: Week In Review - February 5-9, 2024
February 9, 2024
Happy Friday!
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month and we are incredibly proud of the CTE offerings that we are able to make available to our high school students in the Douglas County School District. CTE prepares students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill and high-demand careers. Experts in fields such as automotive, marketing, culinary, cosmetology, and many, many more teach students their trade or skill set. Students are able to learn the skills, and in some cases earn the college credits and/or certifications to directly enter the workforce after high school graduation. As you can see there’s so much to celebrate. Visit our website to learn more about Career and Technical Education opportunities here in DCSD.
While we’re on the subject of CTE, did you know that there is a program that enables students to access free college courses in the year after 12th grade? The Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) program is a fifth-year high school program that allows students to participate in concurrent enrollment the year after 12th grade, to enroll in postsecondary courses and earn college credit at no tuition cost to them or their families. Come learn more about the ASCENT program here in DCSD at an information session taking place on Thursday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the DCSD Legacy Campus in Lone Tree. Click here to reserve your spot.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
Lettering in the DCSD Spelling Bee
Students from 57 elementary, middle, and charter schools participated in Douglas County School District’s annual Spelling Bee on Saturday, February 3 at the Legacy Campus.
The top 25 students are moving forward to the State Spelling Bee, including Rebecca Jerison, a student at Challenge to Excellence Charter School who took first place at the spelling bee; Graham Clark, a student from Ranch View Middle School who took second place; and Sai Shreyas Sriyapu Reddy, a student at World Compass Academy who took third place. These 25 students will take an online test on February 22 and the top 15-20 spellers in the state will advance to the in-person portion of the competition at the University of Denver on March 9.
Mountain Ridge Middle School teacher Jennifer Cancino has volunteered with the spelling bee for more than 20 years! This was her final spelling bee as a pronouncer, as she will retire at the end of this year. Thank you Jennifer for your service!
School Counseling Week Spotlight: DCSD Home Visit Program
The Home Visit Program is the creation of Angela Lange, Douglas County School District’s Dropout Reduction Specialist. Originally thought to be needed only during the pandemic to address the disconnect between students and in-person education, the Home Visit Program is still going strong today. During the 2020-2021 school year, the DCSD Student Assistance Department, in partnership with the DCSD Counseling Department, DCSD Language, Culture and Equity Department, and the Parker Task Force, created a program called Care Crew to conduct home visits with students and families who are not engaged with education. Angela, along with staff counselors Evelyn Peterson and Jessica Zimmerman were an integral part of this. “Research and anecdotal evidence from other Denver Metro Area school districts showed that home visits from school staff dramatically increased engagement from families that had disengaged from their education,” said Lange. Read more. >>
Eagle Academy Student Art on Display at Lone Tree Arts Center
Twenty-seven students from Douglas County School District’s Eagle Academy are making their artistic debut through Call from the Aerie: An Eagle Academy Art Show, a 2024 Winter Commissioners’ Choice Exhibition, at the Lone Tree Arts Center. Eagle Academy art teacher Rob Rix presented the idea to The Lone Tree Arts Commission (LTAC) and to Rix’s delight, the LTAC approved the show. Eagle Academy students worked through winter break to finish their art in time for the show’s opening reception on January 25. Check out the free exhibit, which runs through March 24. The Lone Tree Arts Center is open to the public from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday, and two hours before any scheduled LTRC show. Read more. >>
DCSD Schools Selected to Perform at Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA) Conference.
Congratulations to the DCSD schools who were selected to perform at the Colorado Music Educators Conference at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
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The Castle View High School Voices of Pride and the Rock Canyon High School Chamber Orchestra were amongst only 14 choirs selected from across the state to perform!
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The Rock Canyon High School’s Tenor/Bass Choir was selected as a demonstration choir at the conference.
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Castle View High School had six students selected to perform at the 2024 Colorado All State Vocal Jazz performance on Saturday, January 27th at The Broadmoor. Only 12 students per voice part are selected from across the state to work with renowned guest clinicians. Congratulations to Danny George, Michelle Hicks, Bella Lanier, Luke Miller, James Stanley, and Madi Young.
Congratulations to all on this prestigious honor!
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
Overcoming Loneliness: How to Help Kids Build Social Connection
Friendships are essential for helping kids learn social skills and maintain a sense of belonging. Yet, research shows that today's children and teens are lonelier than ever. Social media, lingering effects from school closures due to COVID-19 and a reliance on virtual interactions have made it harder to connect with others in a meaningful way. However, fulfilling, in-person friendships remain both achievable and important.
If you’ve noticed that your child is experiencing loneliness, or you want to help them build more meaningful connections, experts at Children’s Hospital Colorado can help. Learn more about what loneliness looks like, why peer connections are so important and how parents can effectively and appropriately intervene.
Literacy
2024 Douglas County Libraries Reading Challenge
The Douglas County Libraries has 12 new challenge items to keep you reading all year—you choose the books to fit each category, or you may pick a staff-recommended read from curated lists. As in years past, if one book fits more than one category, you can count it twice! Once you've finished the challenge and submitted your completed form, you'll be entered into our year-end random drawing for awesome prizes.
Health and Wellness
Is a Heart Healthy Diet Important for Children?
Developing healthy eating habits as a kid will support heart health into adulthood, but what does a heart-healthy diet include? A cardiologist and a registered dietitian share tips with parents.
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
Shining Star Awards
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.
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.