Panther Press

• March 17 - 21 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
• Wednesday, March 26 - PTO meeting 5 - 6 p.m. in the library
• Friday, March 28 - Bingo Night 5 - 7 p.m. (more details to come)

The next Panther Press will be sent Friday, March 28!

Thank you in advance for being mindful about scheduling appointments, vacations, etc. for your students during the CMAS state testing window for 3rd-6th grades. The window is April 7-24, 2025. The window is a week shorter than in the past.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the AGE website: age.dcsdk12.org. From the home page, Click Family Resources, then click State Mandated Assessments. The schedule, opting your student out of testing, state legislation, testing dates, etc. are all linked here. The testing schedule is below.

Please note the following:

• All testing will be done the mornings (some make-ups may have to be in the afternoons)

• Week one starts April 7: ELA (English Language Arts) 3rd-6th grades

• Week two starts April 14: Math for grades 3-6

• Week three starts April 21: make-up testing for grades 3, 4, 6 and Science for grade 5.

• See here for details on testing

More information will be coming regarding schedule adjustments for Specials, etc. That information will be posted to the AGE website and in Panther Press. Questions? Check with your child’s teacher or email Patti Ord, Assistant Principal at paord@dcsdk12.org.

The topic of immigration has been front and center following the presidential inauguration earlier this week. We understand that some of the reports and changes to federal policies related to immigration have raised questions.

Therefore we wanted to take a moment to provide a couple of reminders and updates about DCSD’s practices and partnerships with local law enforcement.

Law Enforcement Partners and Practices:

This week I have personally been in touch with our local law enforcement partners. They have all assured me that there will be no change in current practices related to entering our schools to detain or remove a student. Currently, law enforcement does not enter our schools to arrest a student unless the student is accused of a very serious crime, and is considered a potential danger to other students. Even in these very rare cases, law enforcement first gives us or the school administrator a heads up about their intent. From there, the DCSD Safety and Security Department is contacted for guidance.

Important Reminders:

• Student Privacy: DCSD does not collect information about students' or families' immigration status. All employees are required to adhere to student privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
  
  

• Educational Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1982 decision in Plyler v. Doe affirms that schools cannot deny enrollment to students based on their immigration status. This ensures that all students have access to a free public education.
  
  

• Anti-Discrimination Protections: Federal and state laws, including Title IV, Title VI, and Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act (§ 24-34-601, C.R.S.), prohibit discrimination and harassment based on protected classes such as national origin, race, and color.

What if ICE Comes to a DCSD School to Remove a Student?

In the very unlikely event that a representative from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were to come to a DCSD school to remove a student based on immigration status, the school administration should follow the same process as they would if the Department of Human Services (DHS) or other agency arrived at a school to take custody of a student.

• Contact Safety & Security Dispatch

• Contact the DCSD Legal Department

• The DCSD Legal Department will request copies of any removal orders

• Legal will review and verify any removal orders to ensure the student may be legally released to the agency.

• The school leader will receive follow up from Legal and/or Safety & Security on next steps.

I hope this helps to answer some of the questions you may have. Of course, if you have any other questions do not hesitate to contact your Executive Director of Schools, our Safety and Security Department, or to me or a member of my Cabinet Team.

Thank you for all that you do!

Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District

Additional Resources:

• DCSD Parent Guide: This guide offers support for families and provides resources for addressing concerns.

• Bullying Prevention Website: This platform provides tools and information for reporting and addressing bullying with links to discrimination and harassment reporting. Both resources can be translated into multiple languages to ensure accessibility for all families.

• Wayfinder Resources for Educators: This collection offers guidance for navigating uncertainty and fostering resilience. If your school uses the Second Step curriculum, additional relevant resources may be available within that program.

• Colorín Colorado App: This app provides valuable resources for both educators and families, including a tip sheet for families available in multiple languages.

Kindergarten Registration for the 25/26 School Year is now OPEN! Please click on THIS LINK to register your future Kindergartener.

You can refer to this calendar for 2025 - 2026 school dates and vacation dates:

2025 - 2026 Academic Calendar

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far! We can't express our appreciation enough! You really make us feel loved and cared for!

We have a new update to our lobby this semester!

Student sign in/out: This year we are using a new method to sign students in and out when they arrive late or leave school early. We have a QR code on the kiosks in the lobby. When you are bringing your student in or picking up outside of normal times, please remember to bring your phone so you can check them in/out. Make sure to let anyone else picking up your student know as well. They will also need a photo ID to show.

Parents/visitors: Introducing our new Raptor kiosks! Whenever you are coming to volunteer or visit, you will need to use this system. You will need a picture ID to scan. Lift the yellow signs on the kiosks, enter your name, and scan your ID. A sticker will print out for you in the office. When you leave, just press the "sign out" button, and scan the sticker you wore during your visit. That's all there is to it!

As always, if you need any help using this system, please let us know in the office, and we'll be happy to help. Thank you so much for helping us keep our staff and students safe!

What you need to know when Douglas County School District issues a 90-minute delay for schools:

- School starts at 10:10 a.m.

- Students may come into the building at 9:50 a.m. Please DO NOT drop off your students off before 9:50 a.m.

- If you arrive before 9:50 a.m., please stay with your student(s) until the doors open at 9:50 a.m.

- If your student(s) walk to school, please make sure they aren't leaving home too early.

- BASE opens at 8:00 a.m.

- Morning preschool is cancelled.

- All before school activities will be cancelled.

- Breakfast is not served.

- Buses will pick students up 90 minutes later than normal.

- If you choose to keep your student home, it will be an excused absence. Please let us know if this is what you will do, either on the attendance line or form.

- Unless otherwise notified, all afternoon activities will proceed as normal.

Whenever we have inclement weather, please watch all local news channels, the DCSD website (dcsdk12.org), and the DCSD Facebook page for information. You should also get an email and text from the district, but it may go to your junk/spam folder so be sure to check there, too.

If you would like more information on weather delays and closures, click here. All weather related decisions are made by 5 a.m.

We are so excited to announce our Acres Green Spirit Wear online store!! You can now order Acres Green gear year-round online at:

https://www.acresgreenspiritwear.com/

Keep an eye out for the weekly ads (see the top of the website). Different items go on sale every week, and a portion of the proceeds go back to the school! We can’t wait to see you in your new AGE gear!

As a reminder, whenever there are bus delays during the route times, you will receive updates through the SmartTag app. If delays occur before buses leave our school in the afternoons, we will update you as well.

Spring 2025 Paint the rock sign up

Website: age.dcsdk12.org
Location: 13524 Acres Green Drive, Littleton, CO, USA
Phone: 303-387-7125