Podcast

Dr. Matt Hadeed, chair of pediatrics at HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge, shares his expertise on what kids really need when it comes to sleep, nutrition and daily habits — and how parents can set up their children for success both in and out of the classroom. Whether parents are navigating picky eating, bedtime battles, or just want to make healthier choices as a family, this conversation is full of practical, science-backed guidance.

Zoe (Class of 2016) and Liv (Class of 2021) are now fully embarked on their respective careers, and in this conversation they tell us how AVID helped prepare – and push – them as they chased their goals and dreams. 

Liv and Zoe talk about why they needed the AVID program, how it gave them tools as well as a supportive community so they could grow as students, how it prepared them for college and careers, and how every day they still use what they learned several years ago. 

Listen to this episode, and you’ll hear about resilience, collaboration, perseverance, confidence, achievement and so much more.

AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a highly regarded, comprehensive educational program which has been used in schools all over the U.S. for 45 years. 

In one DCSD feeder system, students can learn AVID-based skills throughout their K-12 journey: first at Franktown Elementary, then Sagewood Middle School and Ponderosa High School.

In this episode, the principals from all three of those schools talk about how AVID makes a difference for all ages of students – plus parents, teachers, and principals building an identity for their schools. 

In the first of a 3-part series, we’re going to learn about AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination - by starting at the 10,000-foot view. DCSD’s co-director of the program, Gordon Mosher, tells us the why, the how and the what of this program which can literally change the course of a student’s life – from someone who does OK but could achieve so much more if they were equipped, challenged and guided to embrace their potential.

This conversation with the founder of YANA (You Are Note Alone) is all about why finding community matters, how schools can help foster those connections, and simple steps parents can take to feel more supported — right here in Douglas County and beyond.

In August, DCSD’s team of mental health professionals earned a rare accreditation after a long and thorough process. The 10-year accreditation is retroactive for the 2024-25 school year and is one of the final steps required for doctoral students to attain their degree. 

There are approximately 782 psychology internships in the country with only 17 school district internship programs. There are only two in Colorado, and the only one in the Denver Metro area is in DCSD. 

This episode is highlighted by the leader of the district’s mental health team and originator of the newly accredited program, as well as a doctoral intern and his experienced mentor, a school psychologist at Cresthill Middle School.

In any school district, student engagement and involvement can be seen as a three-legged stool of academics, activities and athletics. In DCSD, two of those three legs are supervised by our guests Derek Chaney and Brad Wiidakas.

The second of two chapters about bullying prevention features three members of the DCSD Health, Wellness and Prevention team discussing ways they, as professionals as well as mothers, deal with the challenges presented by bullying.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and the DCSD Notebook will have two chapters. This week's chapter features a panel of district and school leaders discussing what bullying is and what it isn’t; how schools work with families to investigate and address issues of bullying; resources available to parents; and the legal requirements that all schools face when dealing with these complex issues.

In this month’s edition of Parent University, we’re talking about one of the best community spots around — the public library! Our guest is Jaime Gotlieb, community services and partnerships manager from Douglas County Libraries, talking about the many amazing programs, resources and events at the library and how Douglas County families can get involved.