World Language Culture Camp for elementary students
A one-day international mini camp for Pre K to 6th grade children is being offered at Chaparral High School on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Children will make crafts from other countries, hear stories from around the world and learn a few words and songs in a foreign language. The featured languages will be Spanish, French and Chinese. For information, contact lorna.soto@dcsdk12.org or catherine.channell@dcsdk12.org.

Upcoming Community University class
L. E. A. N. Essentials – For parents of children ages three to twelve years

A fun, interactive and educational course for parents and caregivers who have limited time or may want to initially take small steps towards learning more about nutrition and healthy living for their children and families. This introductory program focuses on the four pillars of health:

•  Lifestyle – How we live        •  Attitude – How we think
•  Exercise – How we move    •  Nutrition – How we eat

Instructor: Joy Dysart   Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (1 night)    Cost: $25 person/$35 couple
Session 1: December 3; Legacy Point Elementary School (Parker)
Session 2: February 10; Flagstone Elementary School (Castle Rock)

Register online at Community University.

Save the dates: November school plays
The following schools have performances this month.

• Cresthill Middle School, A Christmas Carol, November 19, 20, 21 at 7 p.m.
• Chaparral High School, Noises Off, November 19, 20, 21 at 7 p.m.
• Rock Canyon High School, The Diary of Anne Frank, November 20 and 21 at 7 p.m.
• Highlands Ranch High School, Pride and Prejudice, November 20 & 21, 7 p.m.

Care packages for U.S. soldiers

Iron Horse Elementary is proud of the fourth grade students in Mrs. Mendelsohn’s class! They worked together to send care packages to the troops in Afghanistan who will be away from home over the holidays. The students and Mrs. Mendelsohn gathered items that the soldiers need and some items that will remind them of home. The students also used writing time to compose letters to the soldiers to express appreciation for their service.

It is once again time to nominate your favorite teacher for an Apple Award!

The Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) in cooperation with the Douglas County Federation (DCF) and DCSD are pleased to announce that the nomination process for the 2009-2010 Apple Awards is now open! The fifth annual fundraising event will support the Foundation's newest initiative "Fill the Gap," a program that provides matching grant opportunities to all schools within Douglas County.

The Apple Awards will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Theater in Denver. To nominate a deserving Douglas County teacher today please visit http://schools.dcsdk12.org/dcef. The nomination window closes Tuesday, November 24.

DCSD’s open enrollment window for the 2010-2011 school year will open December 1 through January 15.

Open Enrollment Applications will only be accepted at those schools who have been designated “Open” or “At or Near Capacity” based on space.

A list of schools and the necessary forms will be available on the District website as the opening date approaches. Stay tuned!

• Recognition Reception was held to thank the outgoing Board of Education members for their past service.


• Superintendent Search update was provided to the Board.


• Legislative update included information on Governor Ritter's proposed budget, on potential changes to PERA, and on the Colorado Schools Finance Project.


• A discussion was held with the Health Advisory Committee.


• The Board approved the 2008-09 Audit and CAFR presentation.


• The Board approved Monitoring Reports EL 1.0 - General Executive Constraint Monitoring Report, EL 1.1 - Treatment of Students, Parents, Public and Community, and EL 1.2 - Treatment of Faculty and Staff.

The 3rd Annual Douglas County School District Community Night with the Colorado Avalanche, sponsored by the Douglas County Educational Foundation, was held on Saturday, November 14, 2009.  With the support of schools throughout the District, more than 4,500 tickets were sold to Douglas County students, families, employees and community members.  Approximately $18,000 was raised by the Foundation directly benefiting participating Douglas County Schools to help "Fill the Gap!"

• Jean Bartlett of Pine Lane Intermediate won the Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award from the Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, for supporting Physical Education in the school. She was honored at an awards dinner on October 30.


• The Cougar Chorale, from Cougar Run Elementary School, had the honor of being selected by the Highlands Ranch Veterans’ Committee to sing for the community’s first annual Veterans Day Celebration, which took place on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the new Monument Site near the Highlands Ranch Public Library.


• The Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association has chosen Donna Massine, audiologist for the DCHS and CVHS feeder areas, and Beth Marafiote, Speech-Language Pathologist for Early Childhood, to receive this year’s prestigious “Outstanding Contribution Award” for exemplary performance in their jobs. 


• South Elementary wants to thank the Front Range Flu Shot Clinic and Eileen Nickels for sponsoring free seasonal flu vaccines for families in need at the school. The clinic was a great success and they were able to administer over 140 vaccines. Two Douglas County School Nurse Consultants Peggy Brown and Dianne Nugen also volunteered their time to assist in the administration of the vaccines.