Gold Rush Elementary
Principal's Message - September 22, 2023
“Foster Growth by Challenging Critical Thinkers to Take Risks,
Honor Differences & Care for Others”
DIGGER DASH SURPASSES FUNDRAISING GOAL
The Digger Dash was a tremendous success. We thank all of our parent volunteers and staff that made this joint even possible. To date, our Gold Rush community has raised $32,222! This is the most Gold Rush has raised in several years. We thank all of our families for their generosity!
Gold Rush has already met with several approved District vendors for drafts of a library remodel. We look forward to reviewing all bids and making a final decision prior to fall break. It is our hope that our install will be complete over winter break so all of our current students can enjoy it. We will share renderings of the chosen remodel soon.
Thank you again for contributing to this meaninful project!
PLC DAY FOCUS: WRITING
As you are aware, Gold Rush is implementing Benchmark Writers’ Workshop curriculum this year across grades K-6. During the Professional Learning Day teachers had the opportunity to share their writing practices across the grade levels. Teacher teams also collaboratively scored student work and wrote individual goals for students. This work will ensure that teacher expectations are consistent across grade levels and students receive personalized feedback that will promote growth.
We look forward to sharing your child’s writing with you at fall conferences in the coming week!
We are looking forward to fall conferences on October 10th and 12th. This is a great opportunity to celebrate your child's growth, discuss his/her goals and establish next steps. Your child's teacher will be sending sign up links in the coming days if she has not done so already. We hope you are able to make it!
SEPTEMBER 2023
- On August 8, the Douglas County School District Board of Education unanimously voted 7-0 to place a $66 million Mill Levy Override (MLO) and $484 million Bond on the November 2023 ballot.
If passed by voters, these new funds would be used at our school to:
Increase teacher and staff pay
Enhance safety and security
Addition of Campus Security Specialist
Refresh student and staff technology
Make much needed repairs and upgrades to our building
Recaulk concrete joints
Reseal exterior walls
Repair flashing
Upgrade fire alarm system
Upgrade control system
Install new intercom system
Teachers in the Douglas County School District earn, on average, $19,000 less compared to a neighboring school district. Additional MLO funding, if passed by voters, would enable DCSD to pay teachers and staff more competitively and to increase security staffing support for our schools.
DCSD teachers, on average, would receive a 9% pay increase, as reflected in these salary schedules
Support staff, such as bus drivers, educational assistants, custodians, etc., would receive a 9% pay increase
Other staff would receive a 7% pay increase
A $484 million Bond, if passed by voters, would be used to expand trade, career and technical education opportunities; perform safety and security upgrades; and ensure safe and adequate learning environments for students and staff. The Bond would provide for three new elementary schools in growing areas of our county, as well as the expansion of two middle schools.
If the MLO and Bond are approved by voters, Douglas County homeowners can expect to pay approximately $200 per year for a home valued at $1,000,000.
You can read more about DCSD’s funding challenges and arguments for and against the ballot initiatives on our website. Thank you for being an engaged and informed member of our school community!