eDCSD Online Elementary Update

This weekend, we will say hello to March! And with that, we are quickly nearing the end of the quarter. There are just 2 weeks left of regular coursework followed by two days of assessments before Spring Break begins. Reach out to teachers and our learning coach if you need help to finish the quarter strong. Please read below for more information about upcoming events.

• Monday, March 2: Elementary Blended Learning 9 - 12:30, Read Across America - Wear a Hat
• Monday, March 9: Elementary Blended Learning 9 - 12:30, Neon Spirit Day
• Tuesday, March 10: All Regular Work is Due
• Thursday, March 12: Assessments Due
• Friday, March 13: No School, Teacher Work Day
• March 16 - 20: Spring Break

This week at Blended Learning, students had Music. They learned a new song and traveled around our campus performing for our staff. And we visited with turtles during Blended! Students learned about turtles on a video call from a turtle hospital in Florida. Then they created turtle obstacle courses.

Students were able to sign up to attend a field trip at 212 Pizza. The Crooks family graciously set up a field trip for our students to learn to make pizza at their restaurant.

Get ready to showcase your creativity at our upcoming School-Wide Art Show!

We are inviting ALL students in grades K–12 to participate in this exciting celebration of artistic talent. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just discovering your creative spark, we want to see YOUR work!
Don’t miss this opportunity to let your creativity shine. We can’t wait to see what you create!

All forms of art are welcome, including: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Design,Photography

Please see the flyer for rules and submission guidelines.

Have questions? Email Mrs. Throgmorton at ythrogmorton@dcsdk12.org

We noticed that occasionally district emails end up in a recipient's Spam or Junk folder. As the district works through this unusual occurrence, here are a couple of strategies we can all use. If you are expecting an email from a staff member and haven't heard in a timely manner, please check these folders, or circle back to them with a new email. Typically, you will hear back from us on the same day you send your email, but certainly within 24 hours.

• Mark as "Not Spam": Open the email in Spam, click the "Not Spam" button at the top to teach Gmail.
• Add to Contacts: Add the sender's email address to your Google Contacts.
• Create a Filter: Go to Settings > Filters & Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter, enter the sender's email, and select "Never send it to Spam".

If you are enrolled Full Time with eDCSD and plan to remain enrolled for the 2026 - 2027 school year, you will automatically be rolled up to the next grade level. There is no need to reapply.

Current Part Time students must reapply each year. Please contact your primary school for 26/27 part time enrollment. Part Time enrollment opens February 24, 2026.

If your student is currently Full Time with eDCSD and you plan for student to attend a different school next year, please fill out this Intent to Withdraw Form so that we can sen the appropriate paperwork.

"Hello Yetis!!

Have you found a wandering Lucky Duck? Some of my lucky ducks wandered out of our office to be adopted by an eDCSD student or staff. If you found a duck please let me know.

Email Ms. Ahrens (alahrens@dcsdk12.org) and tell me what the number is on the bottom, where you found it and if you have named it. These Lucky Ducks are yours to keep or give to someone else who might need some luck or love. I have some other Lucky Ducks who are feeling restless and they may also be wandering and looking for adoption, if you see one take it. Enjoy your Lucky Duck!!"

Families can access their student's Elementary Progress Report (EPR) via the Engaged Parent Portal.

Parents/guardians will use the same username and password they use for access to the IC Parent Portal. Please note that @p.dcsdk12.org is appended to the username you selected during account registration for logging into Engaged.dcsdk12.org.

(Example : IC Portal username is: schooltime, then the Engaged.dcsdk12.org username will be schooltime@p.dcsdk12.org)

Blended Learning Days:

• Delay: Blended learning will be canceled, but teachers will be available for virtual help sessions.

• Closure: School will be closed, and staff will not be available.

Virtual Class Days:

• Delay: Classes will proceed as scheduled. No additional delay will be observed.

• Closure: School will be closed, and staff will not be available.

Independent Work Days:

• Delay: Staff will be available as usual.

• Closure: School will be closed, and staff will not be available.

Assignments and Workload:

• One closure day in a week: No changes will be made to assignments.

• More than one closure day in a week: Teachers will post adjustments to assignments.

• Access to Courses: Students may continue to access their courses and work on assignments on any day, even during a closure or delay.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14uWbn7gi4-dIcLJHTLqIB0Ihp5Iz6JJ6jUkK1u0h6og/edit#responses

As an online school, students will be using a variety of instructional websites and/or apps throughout the 2025-26 school year. Please read the attached letter citing all the applications used by our school for instructional purposes. If you wish to opt a student out of a particular resource, please fllow the directions on the eDCSD 25-26 Parent Letter For App or Website Use.

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.

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.

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.

You may view the policy here.

We are excited to welcome our full time students back for Blended Learning. It is 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.

Elementary School: Mondays 9 - 12:30 - Required Attendance

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.

Elementary Virtual Class Schedule - Required Attendance

Mrs. Santiago is the head of our front office. She is the voice when you call and the face when visit our office. She can guide you in the right direction with any questions you may have!

Laurie Penzenstadler is thrilled to introduce herself as your Learning Coach for eDCSD. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you and learning about your academic goals and interests. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at ljpenzenstadler@dcsdk12.org or stop by in person if you have any questions or just want to say hello.

Front Office: 303-387-9600

Attendance: Sally Garrett 303-387-9604

Technology Support: Kristina Blomquist 303-387-9745 ~ kblomquist @dcsdk12.org

Monday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Friday: By phone, email, or appointment.

If you need assistance, please call 303-387-9600