HRHS Falcon Community Bulletin
HRHS Falcon Community Bulletin
August 21, 2026
A Message from Dr. Fiske
Greetings Falcon Students and Families,
I hope you all had an amazing week. School is underway and the buzz at Highlands Ranch remains the same as the first day of school. It was great seeing so many of you at our sporting events this week supporting our Falcons.
Please make plans to join us for Back-To-School Night on Wednesday, August 26. The evening will start with a presentation from our counselors at 5:15 PM in the auditorium that new and returning families will find useful. The general session will start at 6:00 PM in our gym. During the evening parents will have the opportunity to meet their students’ teachers and learn about opportunities to get involved with the school as a student and parent. I look forward to seeing all of you there.
Have a Falcon awesome weekend!
Makeup picture day with Lifetouch Photography is Tuesday August 25. If your student received a temporary ID (made by office staff) the photo will not be submitted to the yearbook - Lifetouch pictures are required for yearbook photos for 9-11th graders.
Back to School Night is Wednesday August 26 with sessions beginning at 5pm! We've revamped this night with several new opportunities this year including a food truck and welcome by Dr. Fiske. Click here for details.
Chalk Dance New Date: Saturday, August 29 6-9 PM
- HRHS has updated our AP Test Fee Policy.
Parking Permits are required for student parking on campus; only Juniors and Seniors are eligible for the first quarter. Sophomore parking permits will be available after Fall Break. Students parking on campus without a permit will receive warnings this coming week, tickets will begin August 31.
Parents/Guardians, if your student needs to check out a Chromebook for the year, please have them come to the library. Students and parents/guardians will need to fill out this form, sign it and return it. Once the form is returned, the student will be issued a school Chromebook for the year. Devices are on a first come, first served basis as we don't have enough devices for everyone.
HRHS annual hearing and vision testing will take place September 9 & 10. Please see the linked letter from DCSD for more information.
Families of Highlands Ranch High School students are invited to learn about a Spring 2027 educational trip to France, Germany, and Switzerland. Students will build confidence, broaden their perspectives, and experience the power of traveling with friends. Join us September 15,6pm. Disclaimer: These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Douglas County School District, its Board, the Superintendent, or this school.
Performing Arts Disney World Spring 2027 Students in a Performing Arts class/activity are eligible. Info meeting for new interest Sept 2nd @ 6pm, HRHS Auditorium. This trip happens every 4 years, so don’t miss out! Disclaimer: These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Douglas County School District, its Board, the Superintendent, or this school.
Counseling & Post-Grad Department Updates
- If your family is struggling with food insecurity, please reach out to your student’s counselor. We partner with an organization that provides weekly weekend food bags for students attending HRHS. We can help provide a referral to the organization. Here is a link for more information.
- Save the Date: Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026, 6:00-8:00 pm, the Counseling & PostGrad department will be hosting senior parent night. Come learn about options for your student next year and how to help your student have a plan for after high school.
- Here is the link to the 2nd weekly post grad newsletter. Mrs. Sadler can also send it to you directly; send her your email address to add to her distribution list. The information is also accessible via the post grad website.
- COLLEGE REPS COMING NEXT WEEK to post grad office: ½ hour overview of each institution, information on admissions and financial aid, and a chance to speak informally with admissions representatives. Don’t forget to register to attend in Naviance (under the “Colleges Home” tab– college visits is on the lower right hand portion of the page) and then come by post grad to pick up a hall pass if the visit is during class time.
- 9/1/26, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, Norman, OK, 11:30am
- 9/2/26, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 8:30am
- 9/3/26, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1:00pm
- 9/3/26, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 2:00pm
- 9/4/26, Miami University-Oxford, Oxford, OH, 9:30am
Senior News
- Seniors please read the Class of 2027 Yearbook Photo Requirements.
Senior class fund donations can be made here to support senior events for the class of 2027.
All seniors should schedule a senior meeting with their counselor during early September to address post grad plans so we can help you with all our resources before you graduate (those applying to college, MUST meet with their counselor in order to process supplemental materials).
Business Office
- If you have any questions regarding fees, please email the bookkeeper at rsteffes@dcsdk12.org.
- Semester 1 fees will be assigned the first week of September!!
Attendance Office
- Research continually shows the strong correlation between chronic absenteeism and dropping out, even as early as 6th grade. At Ranch, we want all kids to succeed, so please encourage your student to attend each day unless too sick and save trips for the proper breaks.
HRHS Athletics
- Visit our athletic website for athletic updates, head coach contact info, calendar of events and tickets.
Game schedules can be found on arbiterlive.com or on each team page on the athletics website!
Buy your Activity Pass (SBA) on MySchoolBucks for free entry to all regular season home games!
HRHS Activities
- Visit our Activities Website for all things clubs and activities, as we prep the new year! Get involved or start something fun with your friends that sparks your interest! We have a lot of clubs at HRHS and can’t wait to see what this year brings!
Thank you to all of you who donated to Senior Sunrise! Follow our Student Senate Instagram page for photos @hrfalcons
Homecoming: Save the Date for September 21-26! We have a great week planned to celebrate THE Highlands Ranch High School. Stay tuned for the calendar of events.
HRHS Volunteer Coordinator Updates
- Please read the volunteer coordinator newsletter. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help with the Vision and Hearing Screenings on 8/10 and 8/11!
- Donations can be made for Staff Appreciation fund here to help with conference food, snacks, staff appreciation week and more!
School Accountability Committee
- The first SAC meeting is August 24. If you have topics you’d like to be considered for the agenda please email highlandsranchsac@gmail.com.
Falcon Academic Boosters
- The Falcon Academic Boosters (FAB) is a 501c3 organization that was founded to raise funds and provide grants for supplies, academic media and resources that are needed to enhance the learning environment at HRHS, yet fall outside of the school’s budget. Questions can be directed to hrhsfab@gmail.com.
- The next FAB meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 14 at 6:00 PM in the Library
Donation Opportunities
The SSN class is collecting caps from Longmont Dairy Farms as a fundraiser! We would appreciate the staff and community's help to raise funds for students with significant needs. The funds will go directly to SSN students for supplies, outings, resources, curriculum, etc. Milkcaps can be dropped off at the Main Office.
DCSD Resources
- DCSD Parent Resource Center: Please see this link to the Douglas County School District Parent Resource Center for Calendars, My School Bucks Payments, Parent Portal access or log-in/password issues, Financial Assistance, Transportation Information and more.
- If financial assistance is needed by your family (to help cover required school fees), parents should apply for the Free/Reduced Lunch program. This application must be completed each school year! Free/Reduced Lunch (&fees) Application
- Information regarding the DCSD Nutrition Services program is linked here.
- If you are interested in receiving assistance but are having difficulty with the above link, please contact Eric Brosch, School Social Worker, at ebrosch@dcsdk12.org or 303-387-2621. External Family Resources Link
- DCSD Non-Discrimination Notice
- DCSD Accessibility
- DCSD Request form for meeting translator