From the Supt: DCSD Celebrates Public Schools Week

From the Supt: DCSD Celebrates Public Schools Week
Posted on 03/26/2019

The Role of Public Schools in Achieving our Unity of Purpose

Today, U.S. News & World Report named Douglas County, Colorado the healthiest community in America. This is amazing news and certainly something to celebrate.

Of course, as superintendent of the great Douglas County School District -- I also want to see Douglas County named the top school district to receive a high-quality public school education. And, that’s exactly why Douglas County School District is joining thousands of other schools and districts to celebrate the second annual Public Schools Week.

Strong public schools build the knowledge and skills young people need to succeed in the global, knowledge-based world. Public schools are providing opportunities for more than 50 million students who are learning and growing inside our school buildings—so these young people can become college ready, career ready and life ready following high school graduation.

Here in Douglas County, we have over 8,000 teachers and staff who are providing our 68,000 students, across 91 schools, with the skills they need to succeed in our ever-changing world. Our teachers, principals, counselors, support staff and others are key to helping our students succeed.

We are committed to our Unity of Purpose, which is making sure each and every one of our students leaves high school prepared for a successful future in whatever path they choose, whether that be college, military or direct entrance into the career force.

Douglas County School District offers more than 78 state-approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which prepare students for life after high school, while still in high school. We also offer opportunities for students to earn college credits while still in high school, and we are expanding these options via partnerships, such as the soon-to-open Sturm Collaboration Campus, which is a joint initiative between Douglas County School District, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado State University, and the Sturm Family Foundation.

Douglas County School District offers students and families an array of specialized programs and opportunities to ensure that all students’ needs are met, and that each student is prepared for their future. These opportunities include arts and music classes, STEM courses, Expeditionary Learning programs, Leader In Me schools, as well as more traditional learning environments. We know that no two children are the same and, therefore, offer a variety of personalized learning opportunities to meet each student’s needs. We offer special education, Gifted and Talented programs, and an English Language Development team recognized as the best in the state.

We have worked hard to build a safe, supportive, and welcoming education community where all students are treated fairly and with respect. Our dedicated teachers, principals, school counselors and other school staff are committed to providing the best education possible for our students.

The amazing 91 public schools across Douglas County are raising up future leaders in our community.

We hope you will join us in our Unity of Purpose. You can make your voice heard as we create the road map for the next 3-5 years here in Douglas County School District via the creation of a new strategic plan.

DCSD Community Conversation
Thursday, March 28
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Mountain Vista High School

You can also keep up-to-date with all that is happening in our great school district by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.


Sincerely,

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 ).