Insights

Wish Week or Make a Difference Week - these celebratory events go by different names but have the same goal: our school district community coming together to support a child in need by raising awareness and acknowledging the bravery of our students and their families.

At Douglas County High School, students packed their bags and transformed the halls into the outback of Australia with the hope of granting not one, but two wishes, allowing each child to go on a cruise of their dreams! One for a fellow Huskie and the other for another very deserving wish kid.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always been drawn to helping others, whether through teaching or coaching. Throughout my life I’ve found joy in working with people and making a difference in their lives. During college I took an adaptive physical education class, which included a volunteer component at a local Cerebral Palsy Center. It was there that I met Jamie, a young girl who would change the course of my career. At first I didn’t know much about her, but as we worked together I grew more and more inspired by her strength and joy. She was always so happy to see me and we had an incredible connection. It wasn’t until my last day that I learned she was both blind and deaf. Despite her challenges, Jamie’s spirit and resilience left an indelible mark on me. That experience shifted my focus from physical education to special education, and 42 years later I’m still working in the field I was meant to be in. Today I have the privilege of serving as the principal of the Bridge Transition Program, where we support students aged 18 to 21 with disabilities, helping them transition into adulthood. Looking back, I can see that it was Jamie’s impact on me that ultimately guided me to this fulfilling and rewarding path in education.

Learn more about Principal Judy Jordan on our Principal Profiles page.

Bailey Reagan’s journey in healthcare began in the halls of Douglas County schools. From Wildcat Mountain Elementary to Rocky Heights Middle School and later Rock Canyon High School, she was shaped by the guidance of exceptional mentors like Mr. Abner, the Melansons and Mr. Koy. It was through Rock Canyon’s Health Sciences program that her passion for healthcare was ignited, setting the stage for a lifelong career in the field.

Determined to build on this foundation, Bailey pursued a degree in Integrative Physiology at CU Boulder, deepening her understanding of health and human performance. This education opened the door to an opportunity at Clarity Dermatology, where she played a pivotal role in helping build and expand the practice. Recognizing the need to blend clinical expertise with business strategy, she went on to earn an MBA in Healthcare Administration, equipping her with the leadership skills necessary to navigate the complexities of healthcare management. Read more more about Bailey.

Tuesday, April 8

5:00 p.m.

District Administration Building

620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock

Watch live on YouTube or on Comcast Channel 54

Read past Board Meeting summaries

National Nutrition Month promotes healthy eating habits and raises awareness about balanced diets. It encourages students to make nutritious choices, fostering lifelong wellness and a positive relationship with food.

The DCSD Nutrition Services department was recognized by the Board of Education on March 4. To date, DCSD's Nutrition Services team has served over 4.4 meals to students and 266,000 meals to staff!

Learn more about DCSD's Nutrition Services.

Town of Castle Rock High School Seniors can apply for the Town of Castle Rock Rising Star Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes high school seniors who have made a meaningful impact in the Castle Rock community through leadership, service and dedication. Eligible applicants must be seniors who either live in Castle Rock or attend school in Castle Rock. Detailed information and applications can be found online. Applications are accepted until March 14.

Strategies for Combating Burnout and Stress!

Wednesday, March 26

5:30 p.m.

Link to register

Joining us is Mental Toughness Coach Stacy Ingram from Cultivate Your Courage. Stacy specializes in empowering young athletes and performers to overcome the invisible barriers that often hinder their performance. With a focus on the mental side of the game, her programs are designed to equip athletes and performers with the cognitive tools and resilience needed for success both in sports/the arts and in everyday life. All previous webinar recordings are available on the DCSD Parent University page.

Saturday, March 29

7:00 - 10:30 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus

Buy Tickets

Join Douglas County Libraries in a world of friendship and wonder, along with Wilbur, Charlotte and friends, to celebrate the beloved children’s classic “Charlotte’s Web.” Join us from 8:30-11:30 a.m., Sunday, April 6, at the Parker Library for farm-themed crafts, activities, entertainment and a tasty brunch. Ideal for ages 2-7, but all ages are welcome and costumes are encouraged. Details and tickets at DCL.org/storybook-holiday.

Join The Foundation for Douglas County Schools for the first annual Drive for the Dream Golf Classic, a day of swinging clubs for a great cause! Tee off with fellow golf enthusiasts and support our mission to enhance educational opportunities for our students, teachers and schools.

Monday, May 5

7:00 a.m.

The Club at Pradera

Learn more here

• Human Resources

Douglas County School District takes the safety of our students, staff, parents and community members seriously. Our district is huge - spanning approximately 850 square miles - and conditions can vary from one region to another.

Because many of our families and staff travel across the school district, any weather delay or closure will apply to the entire school district (unless otherwise indicated). Read about how weather delays and closures are determined in DCSD.

DCSD preschool students enrolled before January 1, 2025 will automatically be registered for kindergarten at their neighborhood elementary school. Learn more about what DCSD kindergarten offers and register your child for kindergarten here.

Image email signatures may appear aesthetically pleasing, but they lack accessibility because screen readers cannot interpret text within images. However, we've got you covered! We've developed an accessible email signature template that you can easily customize. Learn how here.

We'd like your feedback about DCSD's Employee Rock Star program. Please take this short survey to vote on your top recognition prizes.

Nicol Bessette, School Psychologist, Castle View High School

Chimene Bickler, Administrative Assistant, World Compass Academy

Hayley Brown, Administrative Assistant, Coyote Creek Elementary

Brian Chesher, Bus Driver, East Transportation

Kelly Colasuonno, Administrative Assistant/Registrar, Timber Trail Elementary

Vito Ferrara, Bus Driver, East Transportation

Ali Hernandez, Bus Driver, East Transportation

Anita Hoekstra, English Language Development Teacher, Highlands Ranch High School

Katie Kickhafer, Counselor, Mesa Middle School

Abigail Muller, Music Teacher, Copper Mesa Elementary

Jennifer Ott, Nurse, Bridge Transition Program

Mindy Persichina, Principal, Lone Tree Elementary

Drew Phelps, Budget Analyst, West Support Center

Camille Ringenberg, Music Teacher, Timber Trail Elementary

Savannah Scheyer, Educational Technology Specialist, Challenge to Excellence Charter School

Marty Zulkoski, Bus Driver, East Transportation

Learn more about our Rock Stars and why they were nominated!

⭐ Nominate a Rock Star Today! ⭐

2024-2025 Academic Calendars