eDCSD Elementary Update
November 4, 2026
Quarter 2 Week 3
We hope you all enjoyed a fun Halloween Weekend! We are beginning week 3 of quarter 2 as we enter November. This Friday, November 6th, there is no school due to a district Professional Development Day. Please read below for information about upcoming events.
Important Dates and Reminders
- Friday, Nov 6: No School, District Professional Development Day for Staff
- Monday, Nov 9: Elementary Blended Learning 9 - 12:30
- Monday, Nov 16: Elementary Blended Learning 9 - 12:30
- Nov 23 - 27: Thanksgiving Break, No School
Blended Learning This Week and Next Week
Students read Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault by Megan Clendenan and discovered the incredible "Doomsday Vault" hidden deep inside an icy Arctic mountain. Students were amazed to learn how millions of seeds from around the world are safely frozen there as a global backup plan for our food supply.
To bring our learning to life, students jumped into two hands-on activities:
Seed Mosaics: Using a variety of real seeds and legumes, students created colorful mosaic artworks depicting the contrast between the frozen Arctic vault and the vibrant, living plants protected inside.
Winter Seed Hunt: Channeling forest animals getting ready for the cold months ahead, students participated in a movement-based seed-gathering game—learning how seeds travel, hide, and how animals forage for food before winter.
In Art, Kindergarten -2nd grade students have been exploring primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and discovering the magic of color mixing. They are learning how combining primary colors can create exciting new colors.
Third, fourth and fifth-grade students are working on a special Veterans Day project. They are creating beautiful stained glass inspired Poppy drawings in honor of the brave men and women who have served our country. We will continue working on and finish this project next week.
CogAT Testing
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th grade (November).
As part of this process, ALL students in 5th grade who have not been identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of November 2nd and November 9th during Blended time. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with more detailed information about this process.
Please see the following for additional information linked below:
Meet our Learning Coach - Mrs. Penzenstadler
Laurie Penzenstadler is your Learning Coach for eDCSD. She is looking forward to getting to know each of you and learning about your academic goals and interests. Please feel free to make an appointment with her here: eDCSD Learning Coach Appts
You can also reach out to her via email at ljpenzenstadler@dcsdk12.org or stop by in person if you have any questions or just want to say hello.
School Lunch at Blended Learning
All students may pick up a free school sack lunch while at blended learning provided by Nutrition Services. If students would prefer, they may bring their own lunch or snack.
Virtual Parent Orientation for Quarter 1
On August 25th, we held our first quarter virtual parent orientation. If you were not able to attend, see the recording of the meeting on our website.
Canvas Parent Observer Accout
New Resources for Families
Click the links below to find one-page resources for eDCSD Online school information.
Academic Integrity Policy
Please review the Academic Integrity Policy for the 2026 - 2027 School Year.
Due Date Policy 2026 - 2027
At eDCSD, our goal is to help students develop healthy work habits and time management skills.
Work each week will be assigned on Wednesday morning and will be due the following Tuesday night at 11:59 PM.
For most assignments, students will be able to submit the work for an additional two weeks after the Tuesday night deadline. After an assignment has been open for 3 weeks, the assignment will close and will no longer be available for submission. *There are some exceptions for synchronous assignments such as virtual class activities and PE logs.
We hope that this policy helps to encourage students to work synchronously with the class while still allowing for the flexibility that eDCSD families desire.
Blended Learning Days
Blended Learning Days are our in person days held at 373 Inverness Parkway Suite 207, Englewood, CO 80112.
While at Blended, students will participate in projects and activities to support relationships between the teachers and students as well as peer connections. In addition, all staff including administrators, counselors, tech support, school psychologist, learning coach, learning specialist, and office staff are available to support students with any questions or needs.
Blended Learning is a required element of our program for full time Elementary students.
Blended Learning is NOT required for part time students.
Virtual Classes
Each week, students should attend their virtual classes. These are live classes held on Google Meets with teachers and the students in their assigned courses.
Application and Website Use
As an online school, students will be using a variety of instructional technology throughout the 2026-27 school year. Please read the attached letter listing the applications used by our school for instructional purposes. If you wish to opt your student out of a particular resource, please follow the directions on the 2026-27 Parent Letter For App or Website Use.
Communication Device/Cell Phone Policy Update
This spring, the DCSD Board of Education voted to adopt a policy on Student Use of Communication Devices in Schools. Here's what this means for students at eDCSD:
Elementary and Middle Schools: At eDCSD elementary and middle students with communication devices must keep them silenced (no vibration or sound), stored, and not used during Blended Learning.
In addition, for the comfort and privacy of all students, all communications devices must be stowed away before entering bathrooms, locker rooms, or personal spaces. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Smartphones
- Smartwatches
- Smart glasses
- Other communication devices
Learn more about what the policy means for schools, how it will be implemented in our school district and ways families can support students in developing healthy habits around phones, smartwatches and other devices.
Counselor Information
If you need support from your school counselor, please reach out to:
Jenny Alsup Grades K-8 at jdalsup@dcsdk12.org
Technology Support
If you are experiencing technology issues and need support beyond what your student's classroom teacher can provide, please contact Mrs. Blomquist at kblomquist@dcsdk12.org
2026-2027 Device Check Out
Computer Check out forms are all digital.
Students are required to pay a refundable deposit of $100 (payable in MySchoolBucks) to check-out a device. The $100 deposit fee will be added to the student account in MySchoolBucks after the request is submitted. Students will receive an email with pick-up information after the deposit has been paid in MySchoolBucks.
Contact Information
Front Office: 303-387-9600
Attendance: Sally Garrett 303-387-9604
Technology Support: Kristina Blomquist 303-387-9745 ~ kblomquist @dcsdk12.org
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Friday: By phone, email, or appointment.
If you need assistance, please call 303-387-9600