Renaissance Senior Newsletter

Senior year is in full swing! Celebrate this incredible milestone with a Senior Tribute Ad in the yearbook. It’s the perfect way to honor your senior’s journey, share cherished memories, and show them just how proud you are.

These special ads are just for the Class of 2026 — don’t miss your chance to brag on your Class of 2026 Grad!

• 📅 Early Bird Deadline: Sunday, November 9, 2025
  
• 📅 Final Deadline: Saturday, January 24, 2026

✨ All ads must be submitted digitally — no printed or hard copy ads, please. Let’s celebrate your senior in a big way — their story deserves a page in history!

As graduation approaches, there are many exciting (and sometimes overwhelming!) decisions ahead — from completing FAFSA to exploring college and career options. Our School Counselor, Ms. Gina Mead, shares several great resources to help you feel informed and confident during this transition:

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💻 Upcoming Webinar: Preparing for College Success

Hosted by the Child Mind Institute, this free webinar helps students and parents navigate the emotional and academic adjustments that come with college life.

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📈 FAFSA Resources for Parents

Understanding financial aid can feel daunting — this FAFSA for Parents guide breaks it down in clear, practical steps.

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🎥 Video: FAFSA Overview

This short FAFSA video walks through what to expect and how to get started: Understanding FAFSA Submission Summary and Financial Aid Offers

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Seniors—it’s time to get ready for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the form that determines your eligibility for grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans for college or trade school. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, many schools and scholarship programs require a completed FAFSA.

Families can begin applying online at studentaid.gov. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible—funds are often limited!

At Renaissance, we’re proud to graduate students who don’t just succeed academically — they make a difference. Every senior is required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service before graduation. These hours must be submitted by March 24, 2026.

Wondering if you're on track?
Students and families can check service hours by following this path on Parent/Student Portal:

• Click the three horizontal lines on the top left
• Select “More”
• Select “Assessments”

Service Hours Accepted:

Service hours must be unpaid and performed for nonprofit organizations, including churches and schools. To qualify, the service must be voluntary and not completed as a requirement for a badge, rank advancement, class credit, or any other obligation.

Service Hours NOT Accepted:

Service performed for for-profit businesses, friends, neighbors, or family members does not qualify. Additionally, hours completed to fulfill another obligation—such as requirements for scouting, class credit, or other organizations—will not be counted.

Local Organizations That Offer Service Opportunities:

• Aging Resources of Douglas County

• Douglas County Libraries

• Douglas County Open Space

• Easter Seals of Colorado

• Help and Hope Center

• Humane Colorado

• Promise Ranch

• Stone Canyon Outdoor Adventures

• Volunteer Castle Rock

• Wellspring Community

Service Hours can be reported to Renaissance using this form, which requires the signature of the student, parent, and service supervisor. Completed forms should be returned to the front office or emailed to our Registrar, Tiffany Reckseen at treckseen1@dcsdk12.org.

Consider a WUE participating school and save big on tuition!

Did you know that several Western U.S. states have partnered to offer significant tuition savings at some of their colleges and universities to students in other western states? Learn more about this cost-saving opportunity!

FALL

• Senior Tribute Yearbook Ads: Early Bird Pricing deadline - Sunday, November 9, 2025. Final Deadline - Saturday, January 24, 2026

• Spring Break: March 16-20
• Service Hours Due: March 24
• Capstone Presentations & Community Night: April 24
• College Decision Day: May 1
• Prom: May 2
• Senior Awards - May 5
• Senior Sunset & Last Day of Classes - May 8
• Senior Voyage: Week of May 11
• Class of 2026 Graduation: Saturday, May 16 at 10am - Phillip S. Miller Amphitheater