Employee Rock Stars

Rock Star

DCSD Rock Stars is a program created that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments and outstanding work of DCSD employees. Nominated by District leaders, managers, and peers, ‘Rock Stars’ are recognized in INSIGHTS, the DCSD employee newsletter, and receive a small gift from DCSD. 

Is there somebody you would like to recognize? Nominate them by clicking here!
(Note: Nominations are only accepted by DCSD Employees for DCSD Employees)


Katie Van Horn, Risk Director, Legal Department

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Katie was a true rock star managing all the work after the tornado in Highlands Ranch in June! She worked around the clock, seven days a week to coordinate recovery actions across multiple schools throughout Highlands Ranch. Without her help, some schools would have been impacted for opening day in August. She coordinated with our insurance provider, FEMA, and Douglas County for funding related to the repair work due to damages sustained by the tornado. 

How have they gone above and beyond?

Katie stepped up and was a true rockstar in all of the work needed after the tornado that hit in Highlands Ranch in June! Thank you for everything you do, Katie!

Nominated by Richard Cosgrove, Chief Operating Officer

 

 

Bill Fordyce, Director of Facilities, O & M Offices, West Building Operations

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Bill stepped up and was a rock star in all the work needed after the tornado that hit Highlands Ranch in June! He worked around the clock to coordinate recovery efforts across multiple schools throughout Highlands Ranch. He managed contract work to make sure everything was completed. Without his efforts, some schools would have been impacted for opening day in August. We appreciate you, Bill!

How have they gone above and beyond?

Bill stepped up and was a true rock star in all of the work after the tornado hit in Highlands Ranch in June! Bill always goes above and beyond in all he does! We appreciate you, Bill!

Nominated by Richard Cosgrove, Chief Operating Officer




Tom Phillips, Life Safety Systems Specialist III, O & M

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Tom worked diligently to make all repairs necessary to the Life Safety Systems at Sage Canyon Elementary to allow for occupancy the following week. He installed multiple fire extinguishers, provided door stickers at many locations, and performed maintenance to the fire alarm system.

How has this person gone above and beyond? 

Tom's prompt and tireless work enabled the school to open on time.

Nominated by Rich Cosgrove, Chief Operating Officer



Danielle Van Natta, Registrar, Rock Canyon High School

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Danielle has completed her first year as a registrar with Rock Canyon. The way that she handles herself, you would think that she has been doing this for years. She asks questions that are evident of next-level learning. Being a high school registrar is a lot of paying attention to the little things and Danielle does an amazing job at it. She is a great asset to Rock Canyon and to the Student Data Team.

How has this person gone above and beyond? 

Danielle asks those next-level questions that come from being on the job for a while. She is always seeking to learn more. The little details that can get overlooked, Danielle pays attention to them.

Nominated by Christine Romanello, SDES Specialist, West Support Center 



Donna Rastberger, Software Engineer II, West Support Center

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Donna is knowledgeable, extremely helpful, quick to complete tasks at hand, and a great thought partner to find solutions. Her data scientist mindset and expertise with IC saved CTE reporting this year, and one very stressed PSR Coordinator.

How has this person gone above and beyond?

Donna assisted me with CTE state reporting this year - from the spring into the summer and even through the busy start of the year - to ensure past reporting errors were corrected and helped develop solutions to new problems. She identified the problems that existed with past data queries and corrected the problems to improve our outcomes and accuracy of data reported to the state. Donna listened, sought out her understanding, and worked collaboratively with me to move through the entire process while creating checkpoints along the way to ensure accurate results. I can't thank her enough for all of her work, problem-solving, and patience with me to get through this.

She is 100% a DCSD ROCK STAR!!!

Nominated by Aimee Barker, Postsecondary Readiness Coordinator

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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 ).