Important

Reminder:

•November 1r

at 7 am

is the application

window opening for

Spring and Summer n

sports requests for

current renters.

• Organizations new

to renting Douglas

County Schools

may apply for sports

rentals beginning

January 1

2010 at

7 am .

(Please note that

due to a high

volume of requests,

there may be a

delay in the normal

processing time)

FUSE: Supporting Our Community Through Our Facilities

Most of our readers are probably quite familiar with Facility Use – the procedures, the FSDi

rect system, invoice

payments and District calendars. One aspect of Facility Use you might not be so familiar with, however, is

why

it exists in the first place.

Douglas County Schools and our surrounding neighborhoods depend upon each other for the fulfillment of

common goals. We both want to work together to strengthen our communities and create safe and nurturing

environments where both our families and our schools can thrive. As such, since the inception of DCSD as an

organized school district, we have kept our doors open and offered our parents and students safe and

accessible facilities for recreational, professional and educational use.

Groups that utilize DCSD facilities provide a valuable resource for our students both in school and after school

We can provide the space needed for programs that further enrich our students’ lives, such as sports feeder

teams, girl and boy scout groups, and after school enrichment programs. Custodial staff is always present

during scheduled activities, so our students can engage in activities in a safe and controlled environment.

The use of DCSD facilities also accommodates community outreach and integration. Our District’s

relationships with recreation centers and metro districts strengthen the overall commitment we have to our

communities’ and constituents’ growth and progress. Providing DCSD meeting spaces for our local

community partners, such as churches, HOA’s, political parties and fire and police departments helps all of us

pool our resources and focus on what’s most important – the people around us.

One of the most important aspects of DCSD facility rental is the accessibility of the facilities. Geographically

speaking, our schools fall in easy-to-reach areas designed to accommodate the rising population of one of the

fastest growing areas in the state. Facility rental rates remain on par with other Colorado school districts of

similar size and demographics, such as Jefferson County, Cherry Creek and Littleton, many times ranking

among the most affordable.

Overall, DCSD’s facilities usage allows our schools to support the communities that support them. Spread the

word!

Julia Kozdron

October

, 2009

Volume 1, Issue 2

(303) 387-0467

acility

ews

HVAC

Heating/Ventilating/Air Conditioning

Heating is significant in maintaining adequate room temperature, especially during colder weather conditions.

There are two types of heating: local and central. The latter is more commonly used because it is more

economical. Furnace or boiler, heat pump, and radiator make up the heating system.

Ventilation, on the other hand, is associated with air movement. Ventilation is necessary to allow carbon dioxide

to go out and oxygen to get in, making sure that the students, and our renters, are inhaling fresh air. Stagnant air

can affect allergies and causes the spreading of airborne illnesses. We want our students to be happy & healthy!

All of the 46 elementary schools; 9 middle schools; 9 high schools; 2 magnet schools; 1 alternative high school;

and one night school all use HVAC. Our HVAC starts running prior to the students arriving at school, so that

when the students arrive, the school’s temperature is between 68-74 degrees. The HVAC will stop running shortly

after the individual schools’ dismissal time.

All schools in the district have after school activities which require the use of our school buildings. These activities t

include sports, scouts, business meetings, youth groups, and much more. When these events take place, the

HVAC units will once again turn on to regulate room temperature, humidity, and air flow, and ensure temperatures

remain within the acceptable ranges.

That’s why when a renter scheduled to use our facility needs to cancel their scheduled event, it is very important

for the customers to give the Facility Use office adequate notice, so we can turn off the HVAC that has been

scheduled for this event. Douglas County Schools is currently facing very tough economical times. Every dollar

we choose to give to the utility company is one less dollar we have to spend on our students.

Kay Livingstone

Check the end of this

Newsletter for the

trivia question and a

chance to win free

rental time.

October

, 2009

Volume 1, Issue 2

(303) 387-0467

acility

ews

A Learning Experience

When centralized Facility Use was just starting out in July of 2005, a brave young man agreed to help me

with the new on-line Facility Use program we were implementing District wide in Douglas County Schools.

He jumped in and submitted the first request on the internet and was instrumental in helping me figure out

the process. Between us we had lots of victories, ah-ha moments and we made lots of mistakes. The

process now in place owes a tremendous amount of kudos to those first tentative steps so long ago.

Tom Willard the president of

KidStage

, has helped me along the way and has always been a pleasure to

work with.

I was invited to go down to Trailblazer Elementary in September to see how the

KidStagem

process worked.

I packed up my camera and my curiosity and was tickled to watch the process of rehearsal and then the

finished production. The children involved in the show “Wonka” were delightful. The story adaptation took

the children through the wondrous world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory. Many of the children

were taking acting classes for the first time. There were a few veterans that I can see going on to careers

on the stage.

Hannah Sexton directed the production. The children were engaged in the rehearsal process and worked

hard to learn their lines and placement on the stage. There were smiles aplenty as the young actors went

through their paces.

On the night of the big show, some butterflies in tummies were making their presence known as anxious

children flitted from behind stage to the audience, looking for loved ones and reassurance. The footlights

burned brightly and the audience hushed as Tom Willard took the stage to announce the play.

All the hard work and practice shined through as the actors performed. A couple youngsters even had dual

roles. I understand Bryson’s (Charlie) favorite part of the show was getting to eat the chocolate bar at the

end. Karoline did an outstanding job as Willy Wonka and her costume was wonderful. The Oompa Loompas

were absolutely darling, with their pink, orange and blue hair, and had the audience laughing.

After the curtain call, awards were presented and roses given to Ms. Sexton. A wonderful time was had by

all. I’m so pleased to have been a part of the KidStage experience! Thanks Tom!

Denine Kysar

Did you know?

Every rental group

using Douglas

County School’s

facilities is required

to have general

liability insurance for

at least $1,000,000.

It is our

responsibility to

protect the District’s

assets and make

sure they are used

appropriately.

Trivia Quesiton:

What is the weather

Hot Line number?

First five correct

answers get 2 hours

of free rental time.

(303) 387-0467

(303) 387-0465