Counseling Update

Dear Huskie Families,

As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to help support Huskie families who may be facing food insecurity. Our upcoming Huskie Food Drive is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and make a real difference.

We are collecting non-perishable food items to help ensure that members of our local families have the nourishment they need. Any contribution, whether big or small, will be happily received. Your generosity can bring comfort, relief and hope to families right here in our school community!

We are looking for the following items:

Food Items (Shelf-Stable)

• Canned Proteins (Tuna, Chicken, Beans)
• Pasta, Rice
• Cereals
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Canned Fruits & Vegetables
• Non-Refrigerated Milk (Powdered or Boxed)
  
  

If you would like to make a monetary donation, we will also accept gift cards for grocery stores such as Walmart and King Soopers.

Starting today, November 13th, donations can be dropped off at our North Office by parents or students.

Every contribution counts and helps strengthen the spirit of caring that makes being a Huskie so special.

Thank you for your kindness, compassion and support. Together we can make this season a little brighter for everyone in our Huskie family.

With gratitude,

Douglas County High School.

RVU is hosting MASH Camp, a free, one-day event where students can experience what it’s like to be a medical student! Participants will learn hands-on skills such as:

• Ultrasound

• CPR

• EKG interpretation

• Suturing

• Physical exam techniques

Lunch will be provided, and all necessary materials will be supplied. The only requirement is for the student’s parent/guardian to fill out a waiver prior to the event.

Several churches in Castle Rock offer food boxes or pantries for families in need, including The Rock Church (drive-up food bank on certain Saturdays), Faith Lutheran Church (Saturdays), and Thrive Church (via a mobile food pantry). The Rock Church provides food on the first and third Saturday of the month, Faith Lutheran Church offers a food pantry every Saturday, and Thrive Church hosts a mobile pantry through FindHelp.org.

Churches with food boxes and pantries

• The Rock Church:
  • What they offer: A drive-up food bank that provides groceries to those in need.
  • When: The first and third Saturday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m..
  • Note: Families can fill out an online application beforehand to have their boxes customized.
• Faith Lutheran Church:
  • What they offer: A food pantry that provides a week's worth of groceries.
  • When: Every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m..
  • Note: It is recommended to sign up in advance using the online form, but groceries are also distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for those who do not sign up.
• Thrive Church:
  • What they offer: A mobile food pantry, often listed through organizations like the Food Bank of the Rockies.
  • When: Dates and times vary. Check FindHelp.org for the most current schedule.

How to get help

• For The Rock Church: Fill out the online application on their website before the distribution day.
• For Faith Lutheran Church: Use the online form on their website to sign up for groceries. If you don't sign up, you can still go during the open hours, but you will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
• For Thrive Church: Visit FindHelp.org for the most current information on when and where the mobile pantry will be available.

The State of Colorado announced that SNAP benefits are on hold and will likely be delayed in November. According to the Colorado Department of Human Services website: “Because of the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not released the funds that states use to pay SNAP (food assistance) benefits. This means Colorado is unable to issue the approximately $120 million of November SNAP benefits to clients until the federal government restores funding.”

The State is sending communication directly to impacted households and will continue to keep the DHS website updated with new information.

Hundreds of thousands of Colorado families use SNAP benefits and we know that this may cause you to worry about access to food. Please be assured that even if November SNAP benefits are delayed. School breakfast and lunches will continue as normal and remain free for DCSD students.

If you know of a family that needs additional food before their SNAP benefits are available, please share the following resources:

• Food Banks Serving Douglas County - includes 11 local food banks across the county
  
• Colorado 211: Call 2-1-1, 866-760-6489 or visit 211colorado.org.
• Feeding Colorado: Visit feedingcolorado.org/find-food or email info@feedingcolorado.org.
• Hunger Free Colorado: Call their Food Resource Hotline at 855-855-4626.
• A Precious Child - provides essential resources and opportunities for families

The TREP state scholarship could cover two full years of tuition as you earn your degree in K–12 education with one of our partner schools.

Here’s what you’ll need to qualify:

• Finish all DCSD graduation requirements and complete the FAFSA/CASFA.

• Take one Educator Pathway concurrent enrollment course during senior year only. Classes in any column will apply and courses taken prior to senior year will not count.

Funding is finalized each spring, but planning starts now! If your student is a junior (Class of 2027), make sure their senior schedule includes an Educator Pathway course.

Questions? Contact Evelyn Peterson at 303-594-3214 or enpeterson@dcsdk12.org