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DEC 10
2015

 
| NEWSLINE

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THE BIG PICTURE
A SPECIAL YEAR-END DOUBLE FEATURE

Superintendent Dr. Liz Fagen says her goal over the past five and a half years has been to fan the flames of innovation, encouraging Douglas County's talented educators to modernize American education. Teachers are now leading the way. Read more

Dr. Fagen discusses that providing teachers with high level expectations such as backwards planning, collaboration with students, and actionable feedback, while empowering teachers to make decisions and take risks, has been key for successful classrooms. Read more

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FEATURE STORIES
A K-8 special education school proposed by DCSD is being patterned after the highly successful Plum Creek Academy. If realized, the school will serve DCSD elementary and middle school students with significant emotional and behavioral needs. Read more
Mary Page, Principal of Plum Creek Academy, discusses the impact the special education program is having on students, Superintendent Dr. Fagen's leadership, and serving as a model for other school districts.  
By 2040, the student population in Douglas County is expected to double in size to 118,000. Last month, DCSD unveiled a new and improved Master Capital Plan that prioritizes capital improvements and plans for this future growth. Read more
Author visits Mesa Middle School, leads workshops

Cougar Run students join in an Hour of Code

SkyView awarded $11,000 grant for arts

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POINTS OF PRIDE
Jacob Cade Project

Ponderosa student's band, the Jacob Cade Project, getting attention from the Grammys
Ponderosa High School Student Jacob Cade rocks at all levels as a student, athlete and musician. Watch as he embarks on his journey to stardom.
Congratulations to DCSD students accepted into  All State Orchestra!
Nathaniel Bowe, Legend High School
Garrett Figueroa, Rock Canyon High School
Daniel Irwin, Rock Canyon High School
Ian Kretzmann, Rock Canyon High School
Tom Levy, Chaparral High School
Hudson Maness, Ponderosa High School
Carmen Martinez, Rock Canyon High School
Stephen Morrison, Rock Canyon High School
Filip Pahs, Mountain Vista High School
Michael Palomares, Mountain View High School 
Holly Sidney, Castle View High School
Kenneth Swartout, Highlands Ranch High School
Trevor Vogel, Highlands Ranch High School
Grace Wills, Douglas County High School

The 64th All State Orchestra season is February 11-13, 2016. 
Mountain Vista Cross Country team ranked 12th nationally in the Nike Cross Nationals
On December 5, seven students from the Mountain Vista cross country team qualified for and were ranked 12th in the nation in the Nike Cross Nationals. Congratulations!


SkyView Academy Lego Robotics Team Wins Lego League Tournament
Congratulations to the SkyView Lego Robotics team for winning first place out of 27 teams in the first Lego League Tournament in the area of "Project Research." Their win allows them to move on to state competitions.
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DCSD IN THE NEWS
Ponderosa High School's new principal doesn't accept mediocre. In fact, David Haggerty continually talks about being the best. Read more

The cold crisp air and falling leaves typically signify the end of the programming season at Stone Canyon Outdoor EdVentures. However on this Tuesday, camp is filled with the sound of voices, rustling leaves and snapping branches.
One of the main goals for our Theatre Education Community is to help theatre students and professionals from all over connect and identify with each other in order to build resources and support the theatre education field. Our latest Spotlight Member is Laurilea McDaniel, a Junior Thespian troupe director and theatre teacher at Mountain Ridge Middle School. Read more
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Thanks to the milder temperature this week, Fox Creek Elementary teacher, Sara Schumacher,
made great use of the school's outdoor classroom.