DCSD Quarterly

Join Superintendent Erin Kane, along with DCSD educators, principals and students at the 2026 State of DCSD Event.

• Learn more about the current state of our school district including celebrations, challenges and our commitment to excellence.

• Hear from students about their experiences in DCSD and their plans for the future.

• Celebrate our schools that received 2025 awards from the Colorado Department of Education.

Monday, May 4 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus

10035 S. Peoria Street, Lone Tree

RSVP here

Graduation season is around the corner! Find graduation schedules and live stream details on our graduation web page. We wish all of our graduates the very best of luck as they attend college, enter into the workforce, serve in the military or take a gap year. Congratulations!

Dirt is flying as DCSD broke ground on multiple projects that are being funded by the 2024 Bond, including:

• Expansion of Sierra Middle School (partial opening in August 2026 / full opening in August 2027)

• New Cosmetology program at Douglas County High School (opening in August 2026)

• New Automotive program at Highlands Ranch High School (opening in August 2026)

• Phase 2 of the DCSD Legacy Campus (opening in August 2026)

• Elementary School 50 in Lyric - RidgeGate

• Elementary School 51 in Sterling Ranch

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are a powerful approach to improving student outcomes. In a PLC, teachers collaborate regularly to analyze student data, share teaching strategies and support each other in refining their practices. This teamwork ensures that all students receive the best possible instruction.

In the January 2026 Board of Education Study Session, DCSD staff presented a plan to move forward with providing dedicated PLC time at our elementary and middle schools beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. This late start will occur once a week. PLC time has been in place at DCSD high schools for three years.

Yes, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, DCSD elementary and middle schools will have a 45 minute late start every Friday to allow for dedicated PLC time.

We still have a variety of details to finalize, including what this may mean for BASE and transportation. More information about implementing the 2026-2027 PLC time will be provided soon. Thank you for your support as DCSD incorporates this approach to improve student outcomes.

Digital literacy in education refers to a student’s capacity to use digital tools and technologies to learn, work and engage with others. It encompasses both cognitive understanding and technical proficiency.

The State of Colorado passed legislation requiring school districts and charter schools to publish student communication device use policies by July 1, 2026. In response to this legislation, DCSD has been working on its policy and approach to student cell phones and similar devices.

Feedback about what DCSD families, students and staff would like to include in the policy was collected via survey through February 9. A second reading of the policy draft was conducted at the Tuesday, March 3 Board of Education Meeting, with a new deadline for feedback updated to Friday, March 27.

Provide feedback on Policy JICJ: Student Use of Communication Devices in School.

Thank you to the community members who have completed surveys and attended meetings on this important topic. A final reading and adoption of the policy is expected to occur at the April 21 meeting of the Board of Education.

Every few years the DCSD Calendar Committee (made up of parents, students, teachers, school leaders and classified staff) meets to develop draft calendars for upcoming academic years. It is that time again and as DCSD staff your opinions are very important. Please take a moment to share your feedback on academic calendars for the 2027-2028, 2028-2029 and 2029-2030 school years.

The feedback collected from the survey will be presented to the DCSD Board of Education for approval and adoption. The survey ends on Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 p.m. For best results, please complete the survey on a computer rather than a mobile device. Thank you!

DCSD will conduct a test of its emergency notification system, including email, social media, text and voice messaging on Wednesday, March 25. Should a real emergency arise, the test will be delayed.

How do I update my emergency contact information?

Log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and click on the “person” icon in the top right-hand corner of the page. Navigate to “Settings” and review your contact preferences. If you see an incorrect phone number or email, please update it in Infinite Campus, or contact the registrar at your child’s school to request an update.

What phone number will my caller ID show when I get emergency calls?

When you receive emergency communication from the DCSD Finalsite system, the number displayed will be:

• Emergency Notifications (critical communications)

• 855-269-0502 (you may wish to add this number to your contacts)

What phone number will my caller ID show when I get emergency text messages?

When you receive emergency communication from the DCSD Finalsite system, the number displayed will be (303) 276-6844.

Have additional questions?

Should you have additional questions, please visit this page to ensure you receive emergency notifications accurately and quickly.

Parents/Guardians: Read more about updating your contact preferences.

Special Meeting: Tuesday, April 7 | 5:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, April 21 | 5:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, May 12 | 5:00 p.m.

Study Session: Tuesday, May 26 | 5:00 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus

10035 S. Peoria Street, Lone Tree

These meetings are open to the public and will also be live streamed on the DCSD YouTube Channel.

Read past Board Meeting summaries

Learn more about DCSD's Board of Education

From asbestos to storm water, the Environmental Health Services Department works to ensure Douglas County School District's buildings are healthy, sustainable places to work and study.

DCSD has a comprehensive Asbestos Management Program to manage the minimal asbestos containing materials (ACM) in the district. The ACM program is thoroughly managed and does not pose a hazard to students or staff. To learn more, please visit: Douglas County School District Asbestos Management

Since 2010, The Foundation for Douglas County Schools has coordinated the Lend A Hand School Supply Drive with the goal of collecting, purchasing, assembling and distributing backpacks and school supplies to students in need. The Foundation distributes over 1,500 backpacks annually. Support the Lend A Hand School Supply Drive with a drive in your school, business, neighborhood or community!

Interested in attending a school other than your assigned neighborhood school?

The second round of open enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year runs January 22 - August 3.

Share good news about students, schools, staff and alumni and DCSD will celebrate district news each week in our Week In Review newsletter. Please submit good news here or use the QR code to submit.