DCSDProud to Be A Parent’s Guide to Douglas County School District 2019-2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS About Douglas County School District .....3 Student Fees ....................................................10 Our Mission Waiver of Fees Our Vision Payment of Fees Our Core Values Our Students Reporting Concerns and Grievances .........11 Our Schools Proper Channeling of Concerns/Grievances Our Staff Tips for Conflict Management Our Superintendent Setting Up an Appointment Superintendent’s Cabinet Personalized Learning ..................................12 Douglas County School District Special Education Board of Education ........................................6 Child Find Board of Education Members Safety and Security ........................................13 Board of Education Goals Standard Response Protocol Board of Education Meetings What to do During an Emergency Board Policies and Procedures How to Receive Emergency Communications Board Committees How to Report Safety Concerns School Registration and Information ........9 Weather Delays and Closures ......................16 New Families When a Snowstorm is Approaching Returning Families Express Check-In When School Remains Open Open Enrollment When there is a 90-Minute Delay Preschool When there is a Closure Kindergarten Where are Delays and Closures Posted? Transportation (Z Passes) .............................17 Nutrition Services ...........................................17 Applying for Free or Reduced Lunch Food Allergy Accommodations Athletics ............................................................18 Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) League Affiliations Athletic Registration Parent Portal ....................................................19 Parent Technology Support Infinite Campus Stay Connected ...............................................20 Get Involved.....................................................20 Career Opportunities ....................................20 Contact Information ......................................21 Glossary of Acronyms ....................................22 2 | Douglas County School District ABOUT DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT Douglas County is many things to many people. Here, you will find beautiful natural surroundings, a thriving and diverse community, and a variety of towns and cities ranging from large suburban to close-knit rural. Douglas County literally offers the best of all worlds. That’s why over 335,000 people choose to call Douglas County home. Woven throughout this great community is Douglas County School District Re.1 which has provided students with a high-quality public education since 1958. Our Mission Our Students The mission of the Douglas County School District (DCSD) is to • DCSD serves more than 68,000 students across 850 square provide an educational foundation that allows each student to miles. reach his or her individual potential. • DCSD has one of the highest graduation rates in the Denver metro area at 90.8%. Our Vision • The DCSD Class of 2019 earned scholarships totaling nearly The Douglas County School District strives to maximize the $96 million. potential of every student to pursue his or her chosen endeavor DCSD students leave school prepared for the future they in society, including but not limited to postsecondary education, • choose, whether that be a four-year college, the military or career, or military service. direct entrance into the workforce. Our Core Values Our Schools • Educational Excellence • DCSD has 91 public schools, including traditional public • Human Diversity schools, magnet public schools, alternative education • Individual Potential campuses, charter public schools as well as online and home • Lifelong Learning school options. Productive Effort • • DCSD schools offer a variety of pedagogies including STEM, • Shared Responsibility Artful Learning, Expeditionary Learning, Project-Based • Ethical Behavior Learning, Core Knowledge, and International Baccalaureate. • Continuous Improvement • DCSD offers concurrent enrollment opportunities to students, where they can earn college credit in high school (last year this saved local families more than $2 million in tuition). • DCSD is the third largest school district in Colorado. Our Staff • DCSD is the largest employer in the county with 8,300 employees. • 4,500 are licensed employees. Douglas County School District Nondiscrimination Notice The Douglas County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, genetic information, or physical characteristics, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment of, or employment in educational programs or activities. The School District’s Compliance Officer is Ted Knight, Assistant Superintendent, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0067. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees and members of the public. Douglas County School District | 3 4 | Douglas County School District Our Superintendent Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D. has been in the world of public education for 30 years. Dr. Tucker came to Douglas County School District in 2018 from Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served as Superintendent of Princeton City Schools. Over his career Dr. Tucker has held the positions of classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of secondary curriculum and superintendent. He has been twice named National Superintendent of the Year (American Association of School Administrators in 2016, and National Alliance of Black School Educators in 2013). Dr. Tucker was born and raised in Arkansas and was the youngest of 11 children. He is married and is a father of four. Superintendent’s Cabinet The Superintendent has a team of advisors whom he relies upon to discuss and determine action on critical issues facing the district. Every area of the district is represented in Cabinet. Richard D. Cosgrove, PE Matt Reynolds Chief Operations Officer Chief Assessment and Data Officer [email protected] [email protected] Nancy Ingalls Gautam Sethi Personalized Learning Officer Chief Technology Officer [email protected] [email protected] Mary Kay Klimesh Scott Smith General Counsel Chief Financial Officer [email protected] [email protected] Ted Knight Amanda Thompson Assistant Superintendent Chief Human Resources Officer [email protected] [email protected] Stacy Rader Marlena Gross Taylor Communications Officer Chief Academic Officer [email protected] [email protected] Douglas County School District | 5 Our Board of Education is elected by DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT the community and is committed to a BOARD OF EDUCATION policy governance model. The seven members of the Board of Board of Education Members Education are elected to staggered, four-year terms at regular biennial District A - Wendy Vogel school elections. [email protected] | Term expires November 2019 • Bear Canyon Elementary • Saddle Ranch Elementary • Ben Franklin Academy • Sand Creek Elementary • Coyote Creek Elementary • STEM School Highlands Ranch • Eldorado Elementary • Summit View Elementary Each board member represents • Northridge Elementary • ThunderRidge High School • Plum Creek Academy • Trailblazer Elementary one of seven regional districts and is • Ranch View Middle School elected at-large. District B – Anthony Graziano [email protected] | Term expires November 2021 Our Board of Education solicits and • Academy Charter School • Larkspur Elementary • Ascent Classical Academy • Meadow View Elementary considers feedback from a variety of (Castle Rock) • Roxborough Intermediate • Aspen View Academy • Roxborough Primary stakeholders via community surveys • Castle Rock Middle School • Sedalia Elementary • Castle View High School • Soaring Hawk Elementary and town hall meetings. • Clear Sky Elementary District C – Anne Marie Lemieux [email protected] | Term expires November 2019 • Arrowwood Elementary • Platte River Academy • Copper Mesa Elementary • Redstone Elementary • Cougar Run Elementary • Rock Canyon High School • Cresthill Middle School • Rocky Heights Middle School • Fox Creek Elementary • SkyView Academy • Heritage Elementary • Stone Mountain Elementary • Highlands Ranch High School • Mountain Ridge Middle School • Mountain Vista High School 6 | Douglas County School District Board Goals In 2018, the Douglas County School District Board of Education unanimously approved the following District D – Christina Ciancio-Schor [email protected] | Term expires November 2021 five goals (sometimes referred to as • Castle Rock Elementary • Mesa Middle School “end statements”). • Cherry Valley Elementary • Renaissance Magnet School • Daniel C. Oakes High School • Renaissance Secondary School • Douglas County High School • Rock Ridge Elementary • Academic Excellence • Early Childhood Center - South • Sage Canyon Elementary • eDCSD • South Ridge Elementary • Outstanding Educators and Staff • Flagstone Elementary • World Compass Academy • Franktown Elementary • Safe, Positive Climate and Culture District E – Kevin Leung • Collaborative Parent, Family, and [email protected] | Term expires November 2021 Community Relations • Acres Green Elementary • Eagle Academy • American Academy • Eagle Ridge Elementary • Financial Well-Being (Castle Pines) • Early Childhood