In this email -- Super's Vision, Apple Award nominations, Winter Weather, and More.

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Be Ready for Weather Delays/Closures in DCSD

Douglas County School District takes the safety of our students, staff, parents and community members seriously. Our district is huge - spanning approximately 850 square miles - and conditions can vary from one region to another.

Because many of our families and staff travel across the school district, any weather delay or closure will apply to the entire school district (unless otherwise indicated).

The decision to close, delay or keep a school open during inclement weather is never taken lightly. We always keep the safety of our students, staff, and parents top of mind. Factors including snowfall, wind chill, road conditions and more are all taken into consideration.

As always, on days where DCSD’s Snow Team is activated and a delay or closure is not implemented, we respect the decision of our parents to keep their child home, if necessary. Please call your child's school and this will be an excused absence.

Delays

When DCSD is on a 90-minute delay, all schools begin 90-minutes after regular start times.

Bus routes are also delayed by 90-minutes, so students should plan to be picked up one and a half hours later than normal. DCSD before school care (BASE) also begins 90-minutes later than normal. Dismissal times remain the same. Click here to view delayed start times for each school.

Closures

All DCSD buildings are closed, and activities, sports, BASE programs, and facility rentals are cancelled.

How Do I Find Out?

In the event of a delay or closure, the information will be posted on the DCSD website. We will also post updates on the DCSD Facebook and Twitter accounts, the DCSD mobile app, and on local media outlets. We will also send an email and text message to our staff and families.

Board of Education Authorizes MLO and Bond for November Ballot

The Douglas County School District Board of Education (BOE) has authorized Mill Levy Override (MLO) and Bond questions for the 2022 ballot. At the August 23 meeting, the BOE unanimously voted 7-0 to place before voters a $60 million MLO and a $450 million Bond. The MLO would enable DCSD to pay our teachers and staff more competitively with other school districts. The Bond would help DCSD construct three new elementary schools and create additions to two existing middle schools to reduce crowding and plan for growth. It would also enable DCSD to continue to make repairs and upgrades to its current buildings to provide safe and comfortable learning environments for students.

Read more >>

2nd Annual One Book One District

Momentum is building for our 2nd annual One Book One District (OBOD) program. We are just a little over one month away from our author visit with Sophie Blackall. Schools will have the opportunity to submit questions created by their students for the author, plus one elementary school student and one middle school student will be chosen to introduce the author. Further OBOD details will be shared with each school’s point of contact. School librarians are selling copies of If You Come to Earth which will include a signed author bookplate. Please visit the OBOD website for other ways to participate in additional activities that include a sock drive and a family water workshop event.

Volunteer Opportunities Supporting the Visual Arts Festival

Employee Council Seeking New Members

The Employee Council is a voluntary advisory group that provides employee input and feedback to the Superintendent in matters including working conditions, compensation and benefits.

We recently had openings for vacated positions that occurred throughout the past year. Thanks to everyone who submitted an Employee Council application. Our current Council members met to carefully review each application on September 19 (names were redacted in order to objectively consider each applicant). The quality of the answers, job categories and regions of the district were considered in this process. We would like to have our full Employee Council once again, with 40 total members and look forward to doing more great work. With that in mind we are opening up the application process again in order to fill the remaining vacancies. If you are interested in applying please complete this application no later than Friday, October 28.

Congratulations to the following new members of the DCSD Employee Council!

Eric Nydam - Custodian, BRE - East Highlands Ranch Region

Courtney Jewett - Licensed, CRE - Castle Rock Region

Angela Rocha - Licensed, SOE - Castle Rock Region

Josh Miller - Administrator, CTE - Parker Region

Kelli Smith - Administrator, Wilcox - Castle Rock Region

*Current vacancies: 4 

Administrative - 0 vacancies

Pro/Tech - 1 Castle Rock Region (CIPG)

Licensed - 2 West Highlands Ranch Region (1 Elem. & 1 Secondary)

Classified - 1 Castle Rock (Transportation)

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Students and staff at Castle Rock Middle School have organized a month long celebration to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month. Rocio Meli, with the help of her students, prepared decorations and scheduled special guests to share with entire school. Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 until October 15.

Rocio Meli was recognized at the September 27 Board of Education meeting for being named a finalist for the 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year. Good luck Rocio! 

The Discovery Program Application process is now open for the 2023 - 2024 school year

Help Expand 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. Know someone who would be a great fit? Invite them to learn more and apply today at www.dcsdk12.org/careers.