December 2024

Thank you again Douglas County for saying yes to 5A -- a $490 million Bond.

We are hitting the ground running getting ready to use the Bond money, exactly as intended by voters. At its November meeting, our Board of Education approved contracts for architects and owners representative contracts. We are also assembling our internal Bond team, including a bond director who will ensure that we are the best stewards of your taxpayer dollars and are incredibly transparent about how the money is being spent.

Here's where to find some information about how the Bond money will be used.

• How each school will benefit and estimated completion dates for projects.
• Renderings for new school construction, an expansion to Sierra Middle School, and the creation of Phase 2 of the Legacy Campus.
• Thank you videos.

Additional data and information will be added to the funding website after the holidays!

Our citizens' oversight committee (Mill Bond Oversight Committee) is still seeking a few more volunteer members. Learn more on their webpage.

A pen pal program is building an incredible bond between two classes found in different regions of the Douglas County School District. In the second part of this story, we meet Mrs. Emmons' third-grade class and learn how these letters are giving these students a chance to help teach their first-grade pen pals.

In case you missed it, check out the first part of the story here.

DCSD preschool students enrolled before January 1, 2025, will automatically be registered for kindergarten at their neighborhood elementary school. Learn more about what DCSD kindergarten offers and register your child for kindergarten here.

I love working in public education because I have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on diverse students' lives, helping them grow academically and personally while promoting a sense of community and inclusivity. After graduating from college and spending some time as a technical writer, I found myself looking for a deeper sense of purpose and connection to my community. The events of 9/11 were a turning point for me, highlighting the need for compassion, understanding and education in a world filled with uncertainty. I realized that teaching would allow me to inspire and empower the next generation, fostering critical thinking, empathy toward others and resilience in the face of challenges. Learn more about Kirsten on our Principal Profiles page.

Get in the spirit of reading by visiting all seven Douglas County Libraries (DCL) locations now through January 4 for a free, wonder-filled holiday experience for the whole family! DCL’s Forest of Stories, sponsored by Douglas County Libraries Foundation, features 175 trees all dressed up in stories – from favorite children’s tales and classic literature, to crime thrillers, mysteries, mythology and more.

Board of Education Regular Meeting

Tuesday, January 14

5:00 p.m.

District Administration Building

620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock

Watch live on YouTube or on Comcast Channel 54

Read past Board Meeting summaries here

Legacy Campus Automation Expo

Thursday, January 16

3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Open to all ages

Register here.

Discover all things automation, electrical, controlled, and manufactured from industry leaders!

Empowering Young Minds: Navigating the Digital World

Wednesday, January 22

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Register here

Learn how to help provide safe guidelines for your child in a digital world. All previous webinar recordings are available on the DCSD Parent University page.

We will continue to send these celebratory emails each week during the school year. If we missed a celebration or you have good news to share, please submit it here.

DCSD is seeking parents, staff, and community members with a variety of backgrounds and expertise to serve on the Equity Advisory Council (EAC).

Per Policies ADB and ADB-R:

The District is committed to maintaining the Equity Advisory Council (EAC). The EAC is a committee that will coordinate with School District Leadership to support and advise the full and systemic implementation of the DCSD Educational Equity Policy.

The Equity Advisory Council meets monthly throughout the school year. The EAC is currently looking for a variety of community members to serve on the EAC, including:

• Parents/Guardians from DCSD alternative education and charter schools.

• School level staff from DCSD neighborhood schools.

If you are interested in serving on this council, please complete the Equity Advisory Council Membership Application. For membership and other meeting details, see the Educational Equity page on DCSD’s website. The application will remain open and vacancies will be filled on an as needed basis.

The Mill Bond Oversight Ad Hoc Committee (MBOC) is currently accepting applications for:

• One (1) Licensed Educator-Secondary Representative, to complete an application click here.
• One (1) Neighborhood School Parent - Castle Rock Representative, to complete an application click here.
• One (1) Neighborhood School Parent - Parker Representative, to complete an application click here.
• One (1) Government Agency Representative, to complete an application click here.

The application period will remain open until the positions have been filled. Additional information can be found in the Mill Bond Oversight Ad Hoc Committee Bylaws.

For questions or assistance, please contact MBOC@dcsdk12.org.

NEW! December Advanced Academic and Gifted Ed Newsletter