As we head into the final six weeks of the first semester, the DCHS Administration wanted to get the final exam schedules on your radar in the event you are planning vacations for the Winter Break. Please know that Douglas County High School DOES NOT ALLOW students to take final exams prior to their scheduled date and time. Most, if not all of our staff, do not have their exams ready until the week they are given thus we are unable to accommodate an early request. Please make it a priority that your student(s) are here during finals week (Tuesday, 12/19 - Thursday, 12/21) as the Winter Break is from Friday, December 22, 2023 through Monday, January 8, 2024.

Listed below is the schedule for our upcoming finals week in December to close out the first semester of our 2023-24 school year. The Finals schedule can also be found on the DCHS website.

We will continue to send out reminders about the 1st Semester Final Exams schedules and expectations during the week. Please continue to monitor your child(ren)s grades in Infinite Campus and make contact with teachers if you have a concern so it can possibly be addressed before it's too late. We appreciate all your help and support in your student's education and want to ensure we set them up for success as they finish these last six weeks of this semester.

Sincerely,

DCHS Administration

2023-24 DCHS 1st Semester Final Exam Schedule

Monday, December 18, 2023*

Lavender Day Schedule

Tuesday, December 19, 2023*

7:45 am – 9:15 am – Period 1 Final

9:25 am – 10:55 am – Period 2 Final

11:05 am – 12:35 pm – Period 3 Final & Announcements

Buses will depart at normal time 2:55 pm

Wednesday, December 20, 2023*

7:45 am – 9:15 am – Period 4 Final

9:25 am – 10:55 am – Period 5 Final & Announcements

Buses will depart at normal time 2:55 pm

Thursday, December 21, 2023*

7:45 am – 9:15 am – Period 7 Final

9:25 am – 10:55 am – Period 8 Final & Announcements

Buses will depart at normal time 2:55 pm

LUNCH WILL NOT BE SERVED ON FINAL EXAM DATES. ALTERNATE PLANS MUST BE MADE.

Happy October Huskie families!

I hope you all had a wonderful Fall Break as that is the cue to begin closing out our fall sports (still cheering on those teams who could extend into the post-season) and begin preparing for winter. Please know it’s never too late to GET INVOLVED in a winter or spring sport as there is clear data to show that participation in school athletics and activities lead to higher grades and attendance rates as well as a sense of belonging. Hopefully we have something for everyone since many of our athletics teams don’t have a “cut” policy so we urge students to go out for a new sport and give it a try! It is a great way to challenge yourself and meet new people.

As we get ready to transition into our Winter Sports season, remember there is a process that must be completed in order to participate for ANY athletics team at Douglas County High School. All potential winter athletes MUST pre-register at the link below and follow the steps (through the payment process) and turn in the mandatory physical form to Ms. Eilers in the Athletics Office (located in the South Building).

Online registration is required to participate in sports at all Douglas County School District High Schools. As a part of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), we use the rSchoolToday registration system. If you are creating a new account, rSchoolToday will send a verification email with a link when an account is created. After the verification is complete, the registration process can proceed. Families will only need to verify the email address once. Parents can register a student for a single sport, or multiple sports at once, however, parents will need to complete a separate registration for each student in their household. For technical support with registration, please contact rSchoolToday at support@rschooltoday.com.

In order to register your winter sport athlete, please go to the following link (we are only accepting WINTER sports registration at this time – spring will open after Winter Break in January 2024):

REGISTER HERE

Below is information on what fall sports we offer and when they begin tryouts:

Webinar: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Depression in Teens

Hosted by ADDitude

Tuesday, October 24 | 11:00 a.m.

Register to receive link (webinar will be recorded)

Depression in teens has grown increasingly common since the COVID pandemic began and rates of adolescent mood disorders remain concerningly high. Depression and ADHD frequently co-occur, and both conditions must be recognized and treated effectively. When depression is not recognized, the consequences can be serious: Teens are at risk for poor school performance, substance use, early pregnancy, and self-harm.

During this webinar, caregivers and teachers will learn:

• How to differentiate typical sadness from depression in adolescents and teens

• How to recognize the symptoms of depression in adolescents and teens

• How symptoms of ADHD and major depression overlap

• About the current treatments for adolescent and teen depression

• Supportive strategies that caregivers and others can provide

• Students only need to apply for federal or state financial aid to apply.
• According to the Colorado Community College System, Colorado has 4,000 registered nursing and 3,700 elementary and secondary educator openings annually.
• According to House Bill 23-1246, any unexpended state resources for the Career Advance Colorado program must go to students' transportation, housing, or food expenses.

Coloradans can get free tuition if they use their degree to enter one of the state's highest-demand careers.

The Colorado Community College System last month announced the Career Advance Colorado program, which creates zero-cost training for in-demand state jobs. The program provides free tuition, fees, course materials, and covers other costs for in-demand careers starting in fall 2023.

"We're excited to save Coloradans money and train people for good-paying jobs by offering free community college education for in-demand positions at the state's 19 community and technical colleges," Gov. Jared Polis said in a press release.

"We know this will work thanks to the success of Care Forward Colorado, and we're happy to continue leading the way forward on innovative solutions to our workforce challenges."

The new program builds on the Care Forward Colorado program created last year, which provides free tuition to students at Colorado's community and technical colleges pursuing healthcare careers.

According to the press release, since fall 2022, more than 3,000 Coloradans have completed programs in Care Forward Colorado.

What's Required?

Prospective students need to apply for federal or state financial aid. They do not need to submit transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, or pay fees to apply.

What Careers Are Eligible?

Programs Under Career Advance Colorado

• Construction
• Early education
• Education
• Firefighting
• Forestry
• Law enforcement
• Nursing

According to the press release, Colorado has 4,000 registered nursing and 3,700 elementary and secondary educator openings annually. The state projects construction jobs to increase by 20% over the next decade.

Programs Under Care Forward Colorado

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Pharmacy Technician
• Medical Assistant
• Dental Assistant
• Nurse Refresher
• Integrative Health Practitioner & Massage Therapy
• Sterile Processing
• Paramedic Certificate
• Echocardiography Certificate
• Medical Billing and Coding
• Medical Office Certificate

Career Advance Colorado Programs at Participating Schools

The Career Advance Colorado program is funded through House Bill 23-1246, which dedicates $38.6 million toward students' free college. According to the bill, unexpended resources must go toward a student's housing, transportation, or food expenses.

The bill allocated $1.4 million to provide students in building and construction trades with no-cost apprenticeships. It also created a $5 million fund for two short-term degree nursing programs at community or technical colleges.

"We are grateful to Governor Jared Polis and the General Assembly for continuing to invest in community and technical colleges and expanding this zero-cost model in additional areas of study," Joe Garcia, Colorado Community College System chancellor, said in the press release.

"Our 13 colleges, in partnership with our sister technical and local district colleges, are on the front lines training essential workers across Colorado. Together, we stand ready to train the next generation of nurses, firefighters, police officers, and more who will move Colorado forward."

ACT WorkKeys

Do you have a senior student you fear may not meet the graduation competency this year? Who took the SAT but failed to achieve competency-meeting scores? Is chronically absent or for whatever reason may not pass your school's capstone?

We're here to help!

The Student Assistance Department is hosting a FREE district-wide administration of ACT WorkKeys for seniors on Friday, 11/10 at 9:00a. Our in-district pass rate for WorkKeys is 97%. Please help your student fill out this form: 11/10/23 Link

Hosted by the DCSD District Accountability Committee

Thursday, October 26 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree

The Expo will highlight Postsecondary Readiness options available to our students including Career and Technical Education, Concurrent Enrollment, and Work-based Learning Experiences. Students from across the district will share insights from participating in these programs and how the experience is preparing them to succeed in the future.

Click here to RSVP. Click here to view event flier. No cost to attend.

The Haunted Trail at Castlewood Canyon State Park is looking for ghosts, ghouls and anyone else willing to scare up some fun for those walking along the trail!

When: October 20th and 21st from 6-8:30pm. (We will gather promptly at 6 to go over the rules, plans for the evening, etc... and get into place for the first guests at 6:30).

What: Create your own costume (costumes that blend in with the scenery of the canyon are ideal) and lie in wait for unsuspecting (or suspecting :) ) haunted trail patrons

What NOT to do: NO weapons or pretend weapons of any sort are allowed (children will be hiking too...we want them to come back!)

How: E-mail Ranger Rachel (rachel.courtright@state.co.us) expressing your interest and which date(s) you are available by Friday, October 6

For those less inclined to scare and spook, we need volunteers to help setup (Friday) and clean up (Sunday) as well as hand out hot chocolate on the days of the trail.

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success.

Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. The students who enter four-year colleges with credit from AP accelerate their path to graduation and build confidence for college success. And even for those who don’t earn college credit, AP coursework provides early exposure to college-level work and contributes to a college-going school culture.

In November, a list of schools that are recognized on the 2023 AP School Honor Roll will be posted to AP Central®.

We know it takes a significant schoolwide effort—dedication from teachers, counselors, administrators, students, and parents—to make AP access a priority. We join you in celebrating this inspiring achievement for your community. Again, congratulations! I'm inspired by your commitment and grateful for the chance to honor your success.

Sincerely,

Trevor Packer
Head of AP and Instruction
College Board