TONIGHT @ 7 PM!  Meet The District: School Finance
American Academy   |   11155 N Motsenbocker Rd., Parker
December 3, 2014

DCSD embraces accountability, committed to an assessment system that measures the most important outcomes
While many in education have complacently relied on state-mandated standardized tests to define their performance, the Douglas County School District (DCSD) is building a system that focuses on measuring what matters most, as defined by our Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC) and our new teacher and leader evaluations. Read more

"We have all relied on state-mandated standardized testing for far too long."
 
-Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Fagen
System Performance
The system performance priority empowers the District to define and measure what matters most.

Since the inception of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), there has been a bright light on accountability in American education. In the Douglas County School District, we embrace our responsibilities to our students, staff and community, and welcome quality accountability at all levels and for all aspects of our educational organization. Read more
Improving the System: Workday
Workday is an all-inclusive interface for human resources, compensation, benefits, payroll, absence management, talent management and standard reports that will replace labor-heavy, paper-driven processes when it launches next spring Read more
This week on Let's Talk Education: System Performance
Tune in to Superintendent Fagen's conversation with these guests: Let's Talk Education button
  • Jaime Bailey, Assessment Coordinator
  • Austin Mueller, Assessment Coordinator
  • Julie Schneider (4th Grade Teacher), Clear Sky Elementary
  • Matt Reynolds, Chief System Performance Officer
Let's Talk Education broadcasts every week on DougTV (Comcast channel 54).
Visit the Let's Talk Education archive
Redstone Elementary recognized as Apple Distinguished School

A program that puts iPads in the hands of every "digital
native" at Redstone Elementary has earned the school an Apple Distinguished School designation. Read more


Mountain Ridge students pay tribute to Chihuly exhibit


You might have noticed some unusual sculptures if you have driven past Mountain Ridge Middle School recently.
Read more

Colorado Department of Education recognizes DCSD schools for excellence

The Colorado Department of Education celebrated the 2014 district and school performance results in an awards ceremony
on Tuesday, December 2. Congratulations to the following:

Accredited with Distinction
Douglas County School District

2014 National Blue Ribbon School
Cougar Run Elementary

Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award 
Copper Mesa Elementary
Coyote Creek Elementary
Flagstone Elementary
Lone Tree Elementary
Soaring Hawk Elementary

John Irwin Schools of Excellence
Academy Charter School
American Academy
Buffalo Ridge Elementary
DC Montessori Charter School
Heritage Elementary
Mountain Ridge Middle School
Mountain Vista High School
North Star Academy
Pine Grove Elementary
Platte River Charter Academy
Rock Canyon High School
Rocky Heights Middle School
STEM Middle & High School
Stone Mountain Elementary
Timber Trail Elementary
Wildcat Mountain Elementary

John Irwin Schools of Excellence and
Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award
Northridge Elementary
Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
Redstone Elementary
Saddle Ranch Elementary

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award
Larkspur Elementary
Anthony Jackowski with his wife Aubrey and son Austin.
Meet Anthony Jackowski,
Mesa Middle School
Anthony Jackowski arrived at Mesa Middle School this school year with a wealth of experience to share with staff and students. He received his master's degree in Education from Cornell University, after earning a bachelor's degree in Biological Science from Binghamton University.

His inspiration to become an educator stemmed from volunteer work. "In college, I volunteered in a fifth-grade classroom as "Science Tony," and from the moment I walked in the door, the energy and enthusiasm that the students had for learning blew me away. From that moment forward, I knew I wanted to be a teacher." Read more, watch video
 
 

The Denver Post A recent study by Harvard University argued that excellent teachers should be compensated for their excellence. In the Douglas County School District, we couldn't agree more. Denver Post: Lesson from Dougco schools on pay for performance


Castle Pines Connection When questionable weather descends upon the area, the Douglas County School District (DCSD) has several procedures in place for deciding how it will be handled. Castle Pines Connection: Douglas County School District snow day procedures


Teachers at a Castle Rock elementary school told the school board they are seeing the results of a new style of teaching. Douglas County News-Press: Teachers share excitement with board


The Denver Post Cherry Valley Elementary fifth-grader Seth Anderson said learning through agriculture helps the lessons become more real, especially since he lives on a ranch. Denver Post: Cherry Valley Elementary in Franktown growing agricultural curriculum


CBS 4 Denver Ponderosa High School students go to work at the Denver Rescue Mission to help families in need. CBS4 Denver: High School Students Help Prepare Thanksgiving Dinners For Homeless


Castle Pines Connection It was a blast from the past at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School with a laid back night of bingo and a potluck dinner. Castle Pines Connection: Old-time family fun comes to Buffalo Ridge Elementary

Rocky Heights Middle School was recently named a Digital Citizenship Certified School by the national nonprofit organization Common Sense.
Air Force Community Night
Master Capital Plan feedback
Colorado Gives Day
The 411 on ingestion of non-food items
When a child eats or drinks something he or she is not supposed to, it can be very alarming, especially if you are unsure of the substance's contents. The most important step to take is to first get the item away from your child. Do not try to make your child vomit, as this may cause more damage.

Rocky Mountain Hospital for ChildrenFollow this link to learn when you should take your child to the ER for ingestion of nonfood items.

Share Your Good News!
The DCSD Community Relations team welcomes submission of news items and calendar events. We know there are great things going on in our schools every day and we encourage our parents, students, employees and community members to help share the good news. Submit your good news here




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