SUBJECT: Week In Review - December 11-15, 2023
December 15, 2023
Happy Friday! It’s truly hard to believe that we are just one week away from the start of winter break! I wish our students, staff and families the very happiest of holiday seasons!
At the Board of Education meeting this past Tuesday we had the honor of recognizing Keri Stuebinger, Assistant Principal of Highlands Ranch High School. Keri was recently named the 2024 Colorado Secondary School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives. Click here to read more about Keri and why she was selected for this well-deserved award.
On Monday, I along with members of the DCSD Board of Education and members of my cabinet and staff, truly enjoyed a productive conversation with some of our state legislators about the school district's legislative priorities. Thank you Colorado State Representatives Anthony Hartsook, Bob Marshall, Brandi Bradley, and Eliza Hamrick for your time! (Note: missing from the photos but also in attendance was Board Director Brad Geiger).
This will be the last Week in Review until after the Winter Break. Enjoy the final few days of school and we will look forward to having our students and staff back on January 9!
Happy Holidays!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
ThunderRidge Grizzly Express Spreads Holiday Cheer
The annual ThunderRidge High School Grizzly Express stopped by elementary schools in the feeder to read holiday books and work on crafts with students. The Grizzly Express is made possible by the ThunderRidge Student Government . This tradition was started six years ago and only gets better each year. The students love connecting with the elementary kids, teachers, and administration to put on the Grizzly Express. Even Principal Sean Patterson joined in on the fun!
2023 State Spirit Championships
DCSD had a great showing at the CHSAA State Finals for Cheer and Poms last weekend - DCSD had four state champions and many other schools placed. Way to go! See full results here.
5A CO-ED CHEER
1 - CASTLE VIEW HS - STATE CHAMPIONS!!
3 - Highlands Ranch HS
5A POMS
1 - ROCK CANYON HS - STATE CHAMPIONS!!
4 - Legend HS
6 - Ponderosa HS
5A JAZZ
1 - MOUNTAIN VISTA HS - STATE CHAMPIONS!!
5A ALL-GIRL CHEER
2 - Douglas County HS
3 - Chaparral HS
4 - Rock Canyon HS
6 - Mountain Vista HS
2A POMS
1 - SKYVIEW ACADEMY - STATE CHAMPIONS!!
DCSD Unified Cheer Team performs at State Spirit Competition
Congrats to the DCSD Unified Cheerleading team on their performance at CHSAA State Spirit performance! This team is made of unified athletes and peer coaches from middle school, high school, and Bridge students from all over the district.
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
Holiday Break Mental Health Resources
Below is a list of resources, should you have a concern that a loved one (or yourself) may be experiencing behavioral changes, mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts over the holiday break.
Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to the child or others
Douglas County has an anonymous reporting system available at all times. Anyone with a concern for someone’s well-being or safety can use Safe 2 Tell (1-877-542-7233) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Literacy
Keep Reading Over Winter Break with SORA eBook Library
DCSD students & staff can browse and enjoy eBooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere, on any device. Students and staff login with their universal credentials to check out 3 titles at a time for a two-week lending period. After the lending period, the titles are automatically returned to the shelf! Click here to learn more. Visit https://soraapp.com in your web browser or download the free Sora app from the Apple App or Google Play stores to access Sora on a mobile device. Use school setup code douglasco.
Health and Wellness
How to Make the Holidays More Fun for Your Child
Family traditions can add a lot of joy and meaning to the holidays. But some activities may not work for kids who learn and think differently. Read more. >>
EVENTS
Eagle Academy - Winter Graduation
Friday, January 13 | 7:00 p.m.
Rock Canyon High School Auditorium | Livestream »
Continental League Honors Music Festival
Tuesday, January 16 | 7:00 p.m.
Boettcher Hall, Denver
The Continental League Honor Music Festival combines students from 12 high schools in the South Denver metro area to showcase their musical talents. Students from band, symphony orchestra, and choir rehearse with top-tier guest conductors in preparation for a culminating performance at Boettcher Hall. Learn more. >>
DCSD Legacy Campus Required Registration Information Session
Monday, January 22 | 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Students who will be juniors or seniors in the 2024-2025 school year and are interested in applying to attend courses at the Legacy Campus during the 2024-2025 school year should attend this registration information session. www.legacycampus.org
Learn Multisensory Methods To Help Your Child Master Multiplication Facts
Hosted by DCKid
Wednesday, January 24 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
Click here for more information and to register.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Zero Fare for Youth
Did you know that youth ages 19 and under are eligible to ride the RTD bus and light rail at no cost? This is a great opportunity for teens and young adults who need additional options to get to work, special events and more. This is a pilot program that runs through August 31, 2024. Learn more. >>
Join the DCSD Family
DCSD is hiring for a variety of positions, including bus drivers, transportation assistants, educational assistants, BASE workers, kitchen assistants, building engineers, security dispatchers, grounds and maintenance and so much more. Learn more and apply today at www.dcsdk12.org/careers.