Looking Back -- and Preparing for the Future

Looking Back -- and Preparing for the Future
Posted on 05/10/2019
May 10, 2019

Dear Douglas County School District Community,

While we work to face these days together and process the tragedy at STEM School Highlands Ranch, I want to reassure you that we have multiple resources in place to support all of our students and staff. References to these practices are linked below such as mental health services, safety and security protocols and Board of Education policies and resolutions that ensure safe and secure environments for all of our students.

This week, several vigils were hosted by various organizations to provide STEM School students, staff and families opportunities to support each other. I had the honor of attending the vigil at St. Andrew United Methodist Church. The event held at Highlands Ranch High School, however, was not a Douglas County School District sponsored event. DCSD is in no way affiliated with, nor does it endorse, any political opinions shared by groups. Furthermore, DCSD was not involved in the planning or organization of this vigil, or any of the vigils held in response to Tuesday’s tragedy.

As a reminder, the Crisis Support Center for all STEM students, staff and families is open today at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch (Friday, May 10) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All of our schools will continue to offer resources on-site for their respective students, staff or family members struggling with the weight of what took place this past Tuesday.

Like you, I am filled with grief and sadness. As I shared in a previous communication, Douglas County School District has heightened security and increased patrols in place at all of our schools.

I believe we each now possess an even greater awareness - and with that comes increased safety questions and concerns. I want to reassure you that we will continue to investigate, with the support of our law enforcement partners, each and every concern brought to our attention. We will continue to inform our families.

And as always, we encourage our staff, students and families to report any suspicious behavior at their schools via Text-a-Tip or Safe2Tell.

Take care of yourself - and remember to care for those around you. We are in this together for the 68,000 students of Douglas County School District.

Sincerely,

Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Douglas County School District



Safety and Security

Prevention and School Culture

Health, Wellness, and Prevention

Board Policy ADD Safe Schools

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10 de mayo de 2019

Estimada comunidad del distrito escolar del condado de Douglas,

Mientras trabajamos para enfrentar estos días juntos y procesar los eventos de la semana en STEM School Highlands Ranch, quiero asegurarles que contamos con múltiples recursos para apoyar a todos nuestros estudiantes y personal. Las referencias a estas prácticas están vinculadas a continuación, como los servicios de salud mental, los protocolos de seguridad y protección y las políticas y resoluciones de la Junta de Educación que garantizan entornos seguros para todos nuestros estudiantes.

Esta semana, varias organizaciones organizaron varias vigilias para brindarles a los estudiantes, el personal y las familias de la Escuela STEM oportunidades de apoyo mutuo. Tuve el honor de asistir a la vigilia en St. Andrew United Methodist Church. Sin embargo, el evento celebrado en Highlands Ranch High School no fue un evento patrocinado por el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Douglas. DCSD no está afiliado de ninguna manera, ni respalda, ninguna opinión política compartida por grupos. Además, el DCSD no participó en la planificación ni en la organización de esta vigilia, ni en ninguna de las vigilias en respuesta a la tragedia del martes.

Como recordatorio, el El Centro de Apoyo en Crisis para todos los estudiantes, personal y familias de STEM está abierto hoy en la Iglesia Metodista St. Andrew United en Highlands Ranch (viernes 10 de mayo) de 11:00 am a 3:00 pm Todas nuestras escuelas continuarán ofreciendo recursos en - sitio para sus respectivos estudiantes, personal o miembros de la familia que luchan con el peso de lo que tuvo lugar el martes pasado.

Como tú, estoy lleno de pena y tristeza. Como compartí en una comunicación anterior, el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Douglas ha aumentado la seguridad y ha aumentado las patrullas en todas nuestras escuelas.

Creo que ahora cada uno de nosotros posee una conciencia aún mayor, y con eso viene un aumento en las preguntas y preocupaciones sobre seguridad. Quiero asegurarle que continuaremos investigando, con el apoyo de nuestros socios encargados de hacer cumplir la ley, todas y cada una de las inquietudes que se nos presentan. Continuaremos informando a nuestras familias. Y como siempre, alentamos a nuestro personal, estudiantes y familias a reportar cualquier comportamiento sospechoso en sus escuelas a través de Text-a-Tip o Safe2Tell.

Cuídese y recuerde cuidar a quienes le rodean. Estamos en esto juntos por los 68,000 estudiantes del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Douglas.

Sinceramente,

Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D.
Superintendente
Distrito Escolar del Condado de Douglas

Seguridad y proteccion

Prevención y cultura escolar

Salud, Bienestar y Prevención

Política de la Junta ADD Escuelas Seguras

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).