Cresthill Cougar Courier

October 7th: School Accountability Meeting - 5:00-7:00

October 9th: End of First Quarter

October 12th-16th: Fall Break (School Closed)

October 19th: Beginning of 2nd Quarter

October 21st: Student Photo Retake Day (Photos taken during lunch periods)

October 23rd: Highlands Ranch High School Trunk or Treat Street

October 28th: Highlands Ranch High School Future Falcon Showcase

October 29th: Cresthill Sensory Friendly ONLY Trick or Treat Street - 5:00-7:00

October 30th: Halloween Dance - 2:45pm-4:00pm

November 2nd: Student Led Conferences - 3:30-6:30

November 4th: Honor Roll Assembly for 6th Grade - 9:19-9:51

November 5th: Student Led Conferences - 3:30-6:30

November 6th: Professional Development Day (NO STUDENTS)

November 10th: School Accountability Committee Meeting (SAC) - 5:00-7:00

November 11th: Honor Roll Assembly 7th Grade - 9:19-9:51

November 18th: Honor Roll Assembly 8th Grade - 9:19-9:51

November 19th: Turkey Bingo - 6:00-7:30

November 20th: Career Day (Take a look HERE for more information)

November 23rd-27th: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

Link To Join Our Public Calendar

In THIS short video, Superintendent Erin Kane provides an overview of what the 2026 Mill Levy Override (MLO) would provide for students, staff and families in Douglas County if approved by voters in November.

Ballots for the 2026 Colorado General Election are being mailed this week. Check your voter registration status and track your ballot at GoVoteColorado.com.

Check out our funding website at www.dcsdk12.org/funding

Did you know that the Douglas County School District has a podcast? We found this episode especially informative. Check it out!

Link to Podcast: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7ek8q7n5afeaqvti/033_Erin_Kane_MLO.mp3

On Aug. 25, the @DCSDK12 Board of Education voted to place a Mill Levy Override (MLO) option for taxpayers on the November ballot.

In this episode of the DCSD Notebook Podcast, Superintendent Erin Kane explains why district staff recommended the MLO, how DCSD measures transparency and return on investment, and the areas where additional funding could support students and schools, including:

• Attracting and retaining high-quality teachers and staff

• Supporting the increasing costs of school security

• Reducing waitlists for Career and Technical Education programs, including the trades

• Restoring student programming, such as elementary instrumental music

Listen to the episode to learn more about the proposal and the district’s perspective on its potential impact.

Follow DCSDK12 on Facebook, X, LinkedIN, Instagram, YouTube, and Nextdoor

We are looking for volunteers to present about their careers on Friday, November 20th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. See HERE for details and sign up form.

Hey Cougars!

Are you interested in cheering and dancing at home sporting events? If so, the Cresthill Spirit Squad is the perfect place for you! Our season will run from October through March. Please see the attached flyer and QR Code for more information! Questions? Reach out to Mrs. Messmer at: ejmessmer@dcsdk12.org. Register for Spirit Squad HERE at My School Bucks.

We’re looking to stock the staff lounge with sweet treats to give our hard-working teachers and staff a quick boost during the day! If you would like to contribute, we are accepting donations of unopened, individually wrapped candy, especially chocolate. We will also be happy to take that extra Halloween candy off of your hands at the end of this month. 😉

You can drop any donations off in the main office. You can also ship it to us at:

9195 Cresthill Lane

Highlands Ranch, 80130

Our school health room is currently looking for donations of new or gently used clothing to keep on hand for students who need a quick change during the school day (spills, accidents, or weather changes happen!).

We are seeking items in sizes suitable for middle schoolers (ages 10–14):

• Bottoms: Elastic-waist shorts, sweatpants, or leggings (sizes Youth M–XL and Adult S–M)

• Tops: T-shirts and hoodies/sweatshirts

• New Items: Unopened packages of socks and underwear

Please ensure all gently used items are freshly washed and free of stains or holes. You can drop off any donations at the main office or have your student bring them to the health room.

Thank you so much for your support in keeping our students comfortable and ready to learn!

🚌 Bus Route Cancellations For October 19th-October 23rd : Route #2- cancelled

2026/2027 Bus Cancellations

If you need to order pictures or need assistance, please contact Dorian Studios @ mydorianstudio.com or 800-826-3535.

Our picture re-take day is scheduled for October 21st during lunch periods for anyone who did not like their first picture or missed the original picture day.

If you have already ordered photos and made the order before the school shipping deadline, they will be sent home by the end of this week.

You are invited to attend the 2026 Highlands Ranch High School Youth Football Night Game vs Horizon HS! The game will take place this Friday, October 9th at 7 pm at Canvas Credit Union Stadium (formerly Shea Stadium) in Highlands Ranch. The Falcons are currently ranked #23 in the state and are looking to make a push for another postseason appearance!

Please wear your teams jersey for free admission to the game and join us at the south end of the stands with 4:00 left in the 2nd quarter to get recognized and to run on the field at halftime!

Please fill out this information to reserve your spot for the 2026 HRHS Youth Football Night!

If any questions, please contact Head Coach Jason Shumaker at jshumaker@dcsdk12.org.

Go Falcons!

Head Football Coach

Social Studies Teacher

Highlands Ranch High School

HRHS Boys Basketball is excited to host a kids' basketball camp this fall break, starting October 12 and running through October 14. The camp will run from 10 am to 1 pm each day and will be run by our HRHS coaching staff and current players. The camp is open to any 4th- to 8th-grade boys. The cost is $75, and it can be paid through the MySchoolBucks link below. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Coach Bucholtz at abucholtz@dcsdk12.org

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHVZS5TX305OUU_ZZ6C81LRCF8HR0I

It’s time to start looking ahead to high school! Tour registration is now open for Highlands Ranch High School. This is a great opportunity for you and your student to explore the campus, get a feel for the environment, ask questions about academics and extracurriculars, and meet key staff members. Spots fill up quickly, so be sure to register early to secure your preferred date and time.

Visit THIS LINK to view available time slots and sign up.

It's that time again! Please join us on Wednesday, October 21st for our annual Taste of DCSD open house event at Castle View High School (4:30-7pm). This is a free event, open to our entire community where you can try the foods on our school menus, provide feedback about what you like and learn more about our Department. Highlights will be local items we are bringing in and scratch-prepared items. Come hungry and let us take the dinner prep for one night! Please share the attached flyer with your school communities!

2026 Taste of DCSD