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SUBJECT: Week In Review - April 8-12, 2024
April 12, 2024
Happy Friday!
There is so much to be proud of within the Douglas County School District (DCSD). We have incredible students, fantastic teachers and staff, and amazing parents/guardians and community members who all work together to make this school district one of the best!
Did You Know?
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For the first time in a decade, Douglas County School District is the TOP scoring district in the Denver/Metro area!
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DCSD is one of the only districts in the country to have met or exceeded our 2019 (pre-pandemic!!) scores in every subject and every grade.
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DCSD is one of the only school districts in the state to increase proficiency levels across all student subgroups.
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DCSD is one of the leaders, nationwide, in “blurring the lines” between PK-12 and higher education through our incredible Concurrent Enrollment/Career & Technical Education offerings (Over 20K seats!) and our partnerships with multiple higher education institutions, providing students additional pathways to success after high school, whether they choose college or go straight to industry.
Finally, DCSD was just rated number 11 on the list of the 250 “most envied” school districts in the country by Test Prep Insight (DCSD is the only Colorado school district in the top 65!).
We are so thankful, again, for the support we received to get 5A over the finish line. Thanks to 5A, we have been able to retain the amazing educators who made all of that happen for our kids and move our starting teacher pay from $45K to $51K. 5A resulted in a net increase of 2.939 mills to the district's tax rate ($194 for a million dollar home), and yet we still have one of the lowest tax rates in the metro area, so the district's return on investment for our community is amazing. Thank you for your partnership!!
Correction: DCSEAC Shining Star Awards
A very deserving recipient, Harold (Hal) Anderson of Sedalia Elementary, was inadvertently omitted from the list of Shining Star recognitions in last week’s Week in Review. Please join me in congratulating Hal and all of the DCSD employees who were named 2024 Shining Stars by the Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee (DCSEAC)!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
Gold Rush Elementary has the first Young Rotarians Club in the world!
Each year the Young Rotarians Club completes local and international service projects. Prior projects include decorating bags for a meal delivery service for the elderly, creating health care bags for individuals in Africa and quilting sleep bags for children in need.
This year Gold Rush Elementary’s (GRE) Young Rotarians decided to celebrate individuals in our school community. Students focused on five groups of individuals who directly impacted the entire school, namely GRE's school resource officer, the lunch and recess aides, the cafeteria staff and the PTO. Students created kindness videos that highlight the character traits that each group embodies.
Their first video honors Parker Police Officer David Herrera, who serves as GRE's School Resource Officer. Watch and see how he models bravery each day. See the video here. >>
Highlands Ranch High School Library Paraprofessional Receives State Recognition
This year the Colorado Association of Libraries introduced two new awards to recognize outstanding school library professionals, the Distinction in School Library Services Award and the Outstanding Library Paraprofessional Award.
The Outstanding Library Paraprofessional Award recognizes the efforts of a school library paraprofessional who demonstrates outstanding service to the school community. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Angie Yearous at Highlands Ranch High School.
Warm Hearts and Cold Weather: DCSD Unified Students Raise Funds for Special Olympics!
On the chilly morning of April 6, ThunderRidge Unified brought an amazing team of 25 Unified Students, Staff, and Peers to take part in The Special Olympics Polar Plunge into the freezing waters of the Aurora Reservoir! It was 43 degrees, windy, and occasionally snowing. ThunderRidge Unified students were also joined by Unified Students from Douglas County High School and Legend High School. Their team raised close to $5,000 for The Special Olympics!
Fox Creek Elementary Re-Credentialed as an Expeditionary Learning School
Fox Creek Elementary was recently re-credentialed as an Expeditionary Learning School in ALL three areas - including High Quality Work, Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, and Character - as reviewed by Expeditionary Learning (EL) School Designers and Affiliates from around the country! Fox Creek staff worked tirelessly to showcase the success of the school and the impact EL Curriculum has on its students and staff alike. The work that the Fox Creek Crew put into the re-credentialing process is incredibly impressive. Fox Creek will continue to operate as an Expeditionary Learning school, adding onto its current 11+ years.
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
Nobody's Perfect Community: By empowering, raising awareness, providing support, and promoting collaboration of mental health and wellbeing for all, we’re creating a place where everyone has the freedom to exist as they are and connect with others like them – because regardless of your identity or connection to mental health, your journey to self-empowerment shouldn’t be something you feel like you have to do alone.
Courtesy of:
Literacy Resources
As summer break approaches, here is information on supporting your child’s literacy development while at home. Taking part in literacy experiences outside of school can develop your child’s reading ability, comprehension, and language skills. More information from the National Center on Improving Literacy.>>
Health and Wellness Resources
Questions about sensory regulation and associated behaviors in Preschool-aged students?
Watch the April 2 Parent University Webinar and learn about supporting behaviors associated with sensory regulation in Preschool aged students. Christina Howery, School Psychologist, and Mary Beth Karr, Occupational Therapist, lead this webinar. Child Find is part of Douglas County School District’s Early Childhood Education Department. Watch the recorded webinar. >>
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
Parent University Webinar: License to Survive 2024
Wednesday, April 24 I 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Join Theo Mink, Executive Director of the South Denver Safety Foundation and Selena Silva, Community Risk Reduction Specialist from South Metro Fire Rescue, for a ‘License to Survive 2024’ update. Topics that will be discussed include: Graduated Driver’s License Laws, Tips and Tricks for Parents of New Drivers, and Current Roadway Safety Challenges. Register here.
Be Who You Needed Event
Douglas County Youth Initiative
April 24 | 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Lone Tree Hub, 8827 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Tree
The Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition is Proud to host an evening with Brooklyn Raney, author of "One Trusted Adult.” More info. >>
State of DCSD Event with Superintendent Erin Kane
Thursday, May 2 | 6:00 pm
DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree
Learn more about the current state of our school district including challenges, celebrations, and our commitment to excellence. Celebrate our schools who received 2023 awards from the Colorado Department of Education.
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. >>