Remembering Our Unity of Purpose

Remembering Our Unity of Purpose
Posted on 08/03/2020
Dear DCSD Family,

Navigating the return to school in the midst of COVID-19 is incredibly challenging -- in fact, it’s the most difficult storm I’ve weathered in my 30 years in public education. Myself, the DCSD Board of Education and all of our staff are doing the best we can to provide students with a quality public education, while keeping them safe.

There are still so many unknowns about COVID-19 and its effects. Data and information changes almost daily. And, I recognize there are many questions without immediate answers.

What I do know for certain is that school will look very different this year, regardless if a family is selecting the Hybrid Learning Model or eLearning model. I completely understand the angst this unknown creates. There are decisions to be made, and not a lot of time to make them. Transportation is incredibly limited making this even more difficult for working families. And many parents are trying to find child care options for at-home learning days.

Our world is simply not the same as it was six months ago. It’s stressful, it’s frustrating and our families and staff are sad, angry, confused -- emotions are running the gamut. But it’s times like this where the only way we will get through this is together, as a united community. Together we can brainstorm solutions. Together we can form partnerships. Together we can support one another through difficult times.

Last week I was disheartened to learn that a sign at one of our elementary schools was defaced with the wording “Defund DCSD - Fire Teachers.”

The decision to return to school via a Hybrid Learning Model was an incredibly difficult one. I, along with my cabinet, made the recommendation to our Board of Education, who then approved that recommendation. The meeting took eight hours signaling this was not easy and there was much to contemplate. But at no time was this decision made by our teachers, principals, or other staff members.

Our teachers are also struggling. They want to be in the classroom with their students. It’s what they do. Yet, our teachers also have children at home, elderly family members, or are, themselves, considered high risk for COVID-19. None of this is easy for our teachers, and I’m incredibly disappointed to see anger being directed their way.

Our teachers are not deciding whether schools return in-person or not. Our teachers are not deciding if face coverings must be worn inside schools. Rather, they are focusing on how to provide each of our 68,000 students with the highest-quality public education despite the unprecedented circumstances.


This is a tough time for all of us. DCSD leadership will continue to work through these difficult decisions and constant changes that come as a result of a global pandemic. As we move through these unchartered waters, I ask for kindness and grace. Our focus has always been - and will always be - on doing what is best for our students and their future. And I hope we can continue to partner together in this Unity of Purpose.


Proud to serve as your superintendent,

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