DCSD News

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month and we are incredibly proud of the CTE offerings that we are able to make available to our high school students in the Douglas County School District. CTE prepares students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill and high-demand careers. Experts in fields such as automotive, marketing, culinary, cosmetology, and many, many more teach students their trade or skill set. Students are able to learn the skills, and in some cases earn the college credits and/or certifications to directly enter the workforce after high school graduation. As you can see there’s so much to celebrate. Visit our website to learn more about Career and Technical Education opportunities here in DCSD.

DCSD preschool registration for returning families will open on February 29, 2024. New families may also register during this time but priority for continuing placements will be granted to families or students who are already being served in the program. More information can be found on the Preschool Enrollment page HERE.

Some exciting changes are coming to the Universal Preschool Program at DCSD. Additional hours will be available for four-year-olds. Click here to learn more and to enroll.

Join the amazing DCSD Family!

Positions Include: Multiple licensed positions for the 2024/2025 school year.

DCSD offers great benefits including medical, dental, vision, savings plans, critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity and pet insurance. Paid time off, sick leave, free daily lunch and discounted school daycare is available for qualified positions. Learn more at www.dcsdk12.org/careers

• Learn about weather delays and closures
• Anonymously report a safety concern
• Learn about DCSD Emergency Communications
• View previously recorded Parent University webinars

Rob Johnson, Athletic Director at Chaparral High School has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Colorado Athletic Directors Association's (CADA) 5A Athletic Director of the Year. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Rob’s outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to high school athletics. Rob will be officially recognized at the CADA 51st annual awards banquet on April 29. Congratulations Rob!

Students from 57 elementary, middle, and charter schools participated in Douglas County School District’s annual Spelling Bee on Saturday, February 3 at the Legacy Campus.

The top 25 students are moving forward to the State Spelling Bee, including Rebecca Jerison, a student at Challenge to Excellence Charter School who took first place at the spelling bee; Graham Clark, a student from Ranch View Middle School who took second place; and Sai Shreyas Sriyapu Reddy, a student at World Compass Academy who took third place. The top 25 students will take an online test on February 22 and the top 15-20 spellers in the state will advance to the in-person portion of the competition at the University of Denver on March 9.

Mountain Ridge Middle School teacher Jennifer Cancino has volunteered with the spelling bee for more than 20 years! This was her final spelling bee as a pronouncer, as she will retire at the end of this year. Thank you Jennifer for your service!

By Marc Sallinger - 9News

There are substitute teachers who show up to class and turn on a movie. Then there are subs who find so much enjoyment in the classroom they may never quit. Tom Graves is one of those people who always seeks out excitement. At 82, he doesn't have to still be teaching about valence electrons. He’s in the classroom nearly every day at Legend High School in Douglas County because high school chemistry is still exhilarating.

Read the full story >>

They are regarded as the best of the best. It's not often you get to play music like this as high schoolers, especially in a place like this. "Being able to have the opportunity to come here and play this amazing music is monumental."

Enjoy these incredible sounds courtesy of the 300+ high school musicians and vocalists performing at the 35th Annual Continental League Honor Music Festival. They auditioned, practiced, and persevered for the opportunity to perform at the historic Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver.

Flexibility, schedule, and breaks are a few reasons that attract those seeking a second career to DCSD’s Transportation Department. People from all walks of life make up the transportation team.

Debra Sorg is a transportation educational assistant. Sorg worked in a childcare setting for 18 years and was a victim advocate volunteer for the Parker Police Department. Her friend works in DCSD and told her about the job. Sorg’s love of children and a desire to assist those who need help were perfect requisites for the job. She also wanted to improve herself.

“I noticed that I was shying away from people in wheelchairs, and I needed to change this. I need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable,” Sorg said. Since 2018, Sorg’s been assisting with special needs students, riding the bus with them, and making sure they get to school safely. “They want to be treated like anyone else. And they’ll let you know what’s going on. They know the route and the stops,” she said.

Read the full story >>

• Rock Canyon Basketball Players Coach Special Olympics Elementary Athletes in Colorado
  

• Pioneer Elementary Teacher Receives 2024 Outstanding Teacher Award

• Castle View Swimmer Makes History at State Championship
• Two ThunderRidge High School Athletes Awarded Division I Cornhole Scholarships
• Mountain Vista Student Tops All Colorado 14ers

DCSD preschool registration for returning families will open on February 29, 2024. New families may also register during this time but priority for continuing placements will be granted to families or students who are already being served in the program. More information can be found on the Preschool Enrollment page HERE.

Some exciting changes are coming to the Universal Preschool Program at DCSD. Additional hours will be available for four-year-olds. Click here to learn more and to enroll.

Early Access is designed for “highly advanced gifted” 4 or 5 year old children. It allows early access to kindergarten or first-grade for students who are academically gifted, socially and emotionally mature, in the top 2% or less of the gifted peer group, motivated to learn, ready for advanced placement, and who have exhausted the resources of preschool or home schooling. This is not a process intended for students who miss the October 1 enrollment cut off.

For more information or to apply, please visit our website. You can also email us at gifted.education@dcsdk12.org.

The Outstanding Youth Award recognizes teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 who have overcome personal adversity and created positive change in their lives. The Youth Awards focus on teenagers who have triumphed over great odds and serve as inspirations and role models. If you know young people who would be good candidates for the Youth Awards, please help identify them by completing the nomination form.

Award winners receive a cash gift! Nomination forms are due by: Friday, March 29.

Hosted by Macaroni Kid

Sunday, February 25 | 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree

Registration is now open for the 2024 Macaroni KID Summer Camp Fair & Kids' Activities Expo! This free event is a one-stop community-focused event designed to allow families to meet face-to-face with the best camps, summer activities, and more in and around Douglas County. The Foundation for Douglas County Schools is a proud non-profit partner of Macaroni Kid. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Hosted by Douglas County School District and Sky Ridge Medical Center

Wednesday, February 28 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Virtual/Webinar

RSVP

Learn about the DCSD Middle School Substance Use Prevention pilot program created by Nursing Services within the Health, Wellness, and Prevention Department. Join Dr. Kelli Smith, Director of Health, Wellness, and Prevention, along with DCSD Prevention Nurses Shannon Johnson and Erika Raschkes to learn more about this timely topic.

Parent University is brought to you by the Douglas County School District and Sky Ridge Medical Center.

Hosted by DCKid

Wednesday, February 28 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Castle Pines Library, 360 Village Square Lane, Castle Pines

Click here for more information and to register.

Thursday, March 8 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree

Register

Did you know that there is a program that enables students to access free college courses in the year after 12th grade? The Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) program is a fifth-year high school program that allows students to participate in concurrent enrollment the year after 12th grade, enroll in postsecondary courses, and earn college credit at no tuition cost to them or their families. Register today!

Board of Education Regular Meeting

Tuesday, February 27 at 5:00 p.m.

Watch live on YouTube or on Comcast Channel 54

See past Board Meeting summaries here.