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SUBJECT: Week In Review - February 12-16, 2024
February 16, 2024
Happy Friday!
Today our educators and staff were immersed in important professional development. Providing our staff the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas and best practices is so crucial and ultimately benefits our students in the classroom.
This afternoon, DCSD hosted the annual Girls and Women in Sports Luncheon. If you were unable to be there click here to watch the recording. This event which is made possible by DCSD’s Activities and Athletics Department and the Foundation for Douglas County Schools is a heartwarming tribute to our girls and women in sports. We recognized many of our athletes from middle school and high school. Participation in sports comes with so many benefits and provides our students with skill sets such as leadership, teamwork and perseverance that they will take with them into adulthood. We are so proud of these young women!
Yesterday was National School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day. We are so incredibly thankful for our SROs and our partnerships with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Castle Rock Police Department, Lone Tree Police Department, and the Parker Police Department.
As a reminder, on Monday (February 19) our schools will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day. While originally created to celebrate the birthdays of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Presidents' Day is now viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND DCSD
Chaparral’s Rob Johnson Named Colorado 5A Athletic Director of the Year
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!
Pioneer Elementary Teacher Receives 2024 Outstanding Teacher Award
Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom (CoAITC) has named Susan Irwin, a dedicated STEAM teacher at Pioneer Elementary School in Parker, as the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Teacher Award. This prestigious award recognizes Irwin’s exceptional efforts in integrating agriculture into her classroom curriculum, fostering agricultural literacy, and inspiring students to become conscientious contributors to a sustainable global society. Congratulations Susan! Read more. >>
Girls Swim and Dive State Championships
CHSAA Girls Swim State Finals were held last weekend and DCSD has a State Champion! Castle View High School senior Mila Nikanorov won the 5A state championship in the 500 yard freestyle (as well as runner up in the 100 back) in a blazing time of 4:42.49 for the second fastest time in state meet history and only 0.77 seconds behind Missy Franklin’s state record! (Mila swims on the Douglas County Co-op team, but she attends Castle View HS). Check out this 9News Preps story about Mila.
Here are more results from the State Finals. Congratulations to each of these participants and schools!
5A SWIM - GIRLS
MILA NIKANOROV, SR - CASTLE VIEW HS - STATE CHAMPION!!!
4 - Gabo Dyer, Sr - Rock Canyon HS
5 - Annabeth Town, Fr - ThunderRidge HS
10 - Kaylie Gibbs, Sr - Legend HS
200Y Free Relay
9 - Legend HS
100Y Back
2 - Mila Nikanorov, Sr - Castle View HS
400Y Free Relay
10 - Legend HS
4A SWIM - GIRLS
Individual Results
200Y Medley Relay
3 - Highlands Ranch HS: Renee Burton, Emily Smith, Agata Cepparo, Leah Margraf
10 - Ponderosa HS: Begona de Carlos Tobio, Stella Kaufman, Jamison Ward, Addysen Carlson
200Y Free
5 - Addyson Tucker, So - Ponderosa HS
50Y Free
2 - Renee Burton, Sr - Highlands Ranch HS
100Y Free
6 - Renee Burton, Sr - Highlands Ranch HS
9 - Agata Cepparo, Sr - Highlands Ranch HS
500Y Free
5 - Addyson Tucker, So - Ponderosa HS
100Y Breaststroke
5 - Emily Smith, Sr - Highlands Ranch HS
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
Mental Health Resources
988 - We Can All Prevent Suicide
Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide. Learn more about risk factors and knowing the warning signs.
Literacy
Reading and Writing SOS
Reading and Writing SOS experts answer your questions about the sounds of speech (phonemic awareness), phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, reading motivation, writing, and using technology to support these literacy skills. Experts also provide help for bilingual families, families with deaf children, and for children with special needs, including dyslexia and other reading disabilities.
Health and Wellness
Parent University: Substance Use Prevention Pilot Program for Middle Schools
Wednesday, February 28 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (webinar)
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. Click here to register.
EVENTS
Coffee Talk with DCSD Special Education Directors
Wednesday, February 21 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Douglas County School District Administrative Building, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock
Please join Directors, Sarah Cannon and Nicole Lechman-Trujillo for an in person Q&A. This Family Engagement Session will be in person only. Family Engagement Talks are hosted by the Special Education Department and provide parents and families with relevant information regarding services and supports in the district community.
Click here to RSVP by February 19 at noon.
DCSD Job Fair: Teacher and Licensed Special Education Provider Positions
Friday, February 23 | 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree
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. >>
Summer Camp Fair and Kids’ Activities Expo
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.
Learn Multisensory Methods To Help Your Child Master Multiplication Facts
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.
Learn About the ASCENT Program (Free College Tuition After 12th Grade)
Thursday, March 7 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p,m.
DCSD Legacy Campus, Lone Tree
The ASCENT Program (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment) offers students the opportunity to attend college, tuition free. Attend this session, or connect with your high school counselor to learn more! There are eligibility requirements and application timelines to meet in order to participate. Click here to RSVP.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Shining Star Awards
The Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee (DCSEAC) is accepting nominations for its Shining Star awards. Shining Stars are DCSD staff members(s) and schools nominated for outstanding service by the parents and/or caregivers of students receiving special education services. Be sure to nominate your Shining Star by February 29 at www.dcseac.org.
2024 Douglas County Outstanding Youth Award Nominations
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 us identify them by completing the nomination form, link is below. Award winners receive a cash gift! Nomination forms are due by: March 29, 2024.
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.