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Week In Review - April 1-5, 2024

Week In Review - April 1-5, 2024
Posted on 04/05/2024

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SUBJECT: Week In Review - April 1-5, 2024

April 5, 2024

Happy Friday! 

State Assessment Tests

It is that time of year, where we enter the state testing season. Some of our schools have already begun administering the CMAS test – and others will begin in the coming days and weeks. Recently we have been celebrating the fact that for the first time DCSD is the top scoring district in the Denver/metro area. In addition, we are so close to receiving that “Accredited with Distinction,” designation. Data from state testing is one way that we achieve these points of pride. The tests are important for our students and teachers as it helps us understand where students are academically, how our schools are performing and where we can focus our efforts to continually improve. Understanding and respecting individual and unique circumstances, I encourage our families to have their students participate and try their best. I remember a time when one of my kids tried to tell me he was “the only one” that had to take the test. My answer? “Then represent yourself and your school well.” (And, he did). These tests serve as great practice for other exams our children will take in high school and in college. Learn more about state assessment tests. 

Apple Awards Winners

The annual Apple Awards Gala took place this past weekend, and as usual it was absolutely incredible! Thank you to The Foundation for Douglas County Schools for once again hosting such a beautiful and meaningful evening. Congratulations to the 2024 Apple Awards winners (see video spotlights of each winner at the links below. 

DCSEAC Shining Star Awards

The Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee (DCSEAC) wants to thank everyone for supporting its annual Shining Star recognitions! It completely fills everyone’s heart every single year! DCSEAC members hand-delivered gift baskets to all 15 Shining Star Award recipients.

  • Becky Archunde - Ben Franklin Academy 

  • Breanna Arnold - Castle Rock Elementary 

  • Sharon Haworth - Castle Rock Middle School

  • Chuck Kramer - Castle Rock Middle School

  • Kimberly Hiebert- Castle Rock Middle School

  • Jennifer Dore - Cimarron Middle School

  • Abbey Butcher - VALE

  • Marcie Salter - Mammoth Heights Elementary 

  • Kris Hennig - Mesa Middle School

  • Shawnette Maidens - Bus Driver

  • Kristin Acker - Rock Canyon High School

  • Julie Pedersen- Rock Canyon High School

  • Melissa Campbell - Sand Creek Elementary 

  • Liz Smith - Sand Creek Elementary

  • Harold Anderson - Sedalia Elementary



Have a fantastic weekend! 

                                     

Erin Kane

Superintendent

Douglas County School District

 

 

GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD

DCSD School Counseling Programs Earn Prestigious Recognition: Three schools in Colorado honored, two of those in DCSD

Only three Colorado schools received the 2024 Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation, given to schools committed to delivering school counseling programs aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model framework. Two of those schools are part of the Douglas County School District (DCSD).

Congratulations to Franktown Elementary School and Redstone Elementary School! The RAMP designation demonstrates to administrators, school boards, families and the community that the schools are committed to supporting the mission of the school and district. Read more. >>

Mountain Vista High School Senior Earns Title of Certified Solidworks Expert 

Congratulations to Mountain Vista High School Senior, Ryan McCormick, for earning the title of Certified Solidworks Expert (CSWE). “This is a huge accomplishment,” says Kent Allison, Engineering Teacher and Dept.Chair at Mountain Vista High School. In order to receive this title, Ryan passed a series of tests including: passing 4 of 5 Certified Professional Advanced Tests (1.5hrs each), including becoming a Certified Associate (3hr test),  and Certified Professional (4hrs with tests). “He passed with flying colors which puts him on a global scale,” says Allison. Of the 6 million Solidworks Users worldwide, there are 7% with the Associate Certification, 3% with the Professional, and only 0.1% with the Expert!  Read more about Solidworks here. >>

Rock Canyon High School Senior Named 2024 Colorado Journalist of the Year

Congratulations to Rock Canyon High School Senior Claire Bauer! Claire was named the 2024 Colorado Journalist of the Year by the Journalism Education Association! Claire was the winner of the Colorado Student Media Association Dorothy Greer Scholarship winner for 2024. She will receive a $3,000 college scholarship as she moves on to her next endeavors. Read more about the Colorado Student Media Association here.>>


Eagle Academy Students host cookie decorating for DCSD’s Bridge Program Students

Eagle Academy students bonded with DCSD’s Bridge Program community by hosting a heartwarming cookie decorating activity, this past February. Led by Eagle Academy student council members Austin Chapman, Don Codner, Daphnie Fetting, and Ryan Henkelman, the students collaborated with Bridge teachers and Bridge Principal Judy Jordan to ensure a delightful experience for all participants. The event brought joy to everyone involved, fostering a sense of unity and compassion within the school community. Eagle Academy and the Bridge Transition Program share the same building in Lone Tree.

DCSD Celebrates Six Top 10 Finishers at the March CHSAA Speech & Debate Tournament!
As part of the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), The 5A Speech and Debate team competed in a National Qualification tournament for the Rocky Mountain South District. Congratulations to the 5A State Speech & Debate Winners:  Nahi Naval, Rock Canyon HS (Congressional Debate),  Kaylen Stancik, Rock Canyon HS (Interpretation of Drama), Mykie Kamberos, Mountain Vista HS and Emilee Appel, Chaparral HS (Informative Speaking) and Alexa Hutchins and Rajah Suju from Rock Canyon HS (Interpretation of Poetry). 

Mountain Vista High School also qualified five students to the National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa which will be held on June 16-21, 2024.This is the largest academic tournament in the world with more than six thousand students from over 1500 schools. It is in its 99th year. Congratulations to the following Mountain Vista students: Braeden Kieffer and Arjun Bharadwaj (National Debate), Liliana Smith and Vinisha Tripathi (Public Forum Debate), and Mykie Kamberos (Informative Speaking AND Humorous Interpretation). 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

Be Who You Needed: DC Youth Initiative Author Event
Douglas County Youth Initiative
Wednesday, April 24 | 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Lone Tree Hub, 8827 Lone Tree Parkway

Read more and register for event here.>>

Literacy Resources

READ NOW Colorado is a parent-friendly website which supports families to better understand what the Colorado READ Act is and provides tips for supporting your child's literacy journey.

 

Health and Wellness Resources

Solar Eclipse and Vision Safety

On Monday, April 8, Denver area residents will be able to view a partial eclipse of the sun. This is expected to begin at 11:28 a.m. with the peak partial eclipse taking place at approximately 12:40 p.m. While solar eclipses are a great learning opportunity (as they don’t happen very often), it is dangerous to look directly at the sun even during a partial or full solar eclipse. Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. Read more from NASA about safely viewing an eclipse. >>

 

Everything you Need to Know About Pediatric Eye Care

Children’s Hospital Colorado ophthalmologist Becca Edwards, MD, shares her expertise on 

vision screenings, scheduling an eye doctor visit and how to keep children’s eyes safe during sports, eclipses and more.

EVENTS

DCSD Art Exhibition

Middle and High School Exhibition: April 19 - 24
Elementary School Exhibition: April 27 - May 2

DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree

Learn more. >>

ELD Celebration: A Celebration of Languages and Cultures

Thursday, April 18 | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree

Please register using the QR Code

SAVE THE DATE: State of DCSD Event with Superintendent Erin Kane

Thursday, May 2 | 6:00 pm 

DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree

RSVP: bit.ly/StateofDCSD

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. >>

 

 

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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 ).