Insights

Join DCSD Superintendent Erin Kane, along with DCSD educators, principals and students at the 2026 State of DCSD, taking place tonight. There is still time to RSVP!

NEW THIS YEAR - DCSD middle and high school students who attend the State of DCSD in-person can receive TWO hours of volunteer credits. Students should sign in when they arrive at the event and they will receive more details on how to receive their volunteer hours.

Monday, May 4 | 6:00 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus

10035 S. Peoria Street, Lone Tree

Next week is Staff Appreciation Week at DCSD! Each of our employees plays a critical role in the success of our our school district and in providing the brightest futures to our students. Thank you for all that you do!

While we acknowledge our staff throughout the year, May holds several important employee dates including:

• National School Principal Day - May 1

• School Lunch Hero Day - May 1

• National Teacher Appreciation Day - May 5

• National School Nurse Day - May 6

• National School Communicators Day - May 8

• National Speech and Language Pathologist Appreciation Day - May 18
  
  

View more appreciation and awareness days. 🌎

Please take a couple of minutes to watch this Staff Appreciation video message from Superintendent Kane.

• No Premium Increases: DCSD is investing over $5 million to keep medical and dental premiums flat for next year. Compare this to other school districts who are passing along increases to staff.

• Enrollment: Your current elections will roll over automatically (except FSAs, which require annual re-enrollment).

• Plan Updates: Medical deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums will increase slightly for some UHC and Kaiser plans.

• New Voluntary Legal Plan: A MetLife Legal Plan will be available beginning Wednesday, July 1.

• New FSA/HSA Administrator: Transitioning from HSA Bank to WEX on Wednesday, July 1 with new tools, mobile app features and account options.

Action Items:

If you take no action, your current elections (excluding FSA) will carry over.

Questions? Contact the Benefits Team at benefits@dcsdk12.org or 720-433-0140 (option 3).

Dr. Mark Thorsen, a Social Studies teacher at Ponderosa High School, is the first-ever recipient of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) inaugural Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education. The award was presented to Thorsen by Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

“81 years after the Holocaust, Colorado is as committed as ever to the promise of Never Again. From statewide high school Holocaust education to fighting hate of all kinds, we are building a Colorado for All. Congratulations to Dr. Mark Thorsen of Ponderosa High School for receiving the ADL’s Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education, for decades of impact helping to build a brighter future,” said Governor Polis. Contine reading about Dr. Thorsen receiving this award.

Congratulations to Amber Norwood and Denise Shore on passing the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NCSN) exam! Both Amber and Denise have officially earned the NCSN credential - a prestigious distinction that reflects both their dedication and their commitment to excellence in school nursing. “This is not an easy exam to pass,” noted DCSD Health, Wellness and Prevention Director Kelli Smith.

With this achievement, DCSD now employs a total of nine School Nurse Consultants who hold this esteemed certification. National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 6.

Two DCSD librarians are being recognized by the Colorado Association of Libraries.

• Jennifer Chiu – Rock Canyon High: Outstanding School Library Paraprofessional Award
• Erica Leu, Teacher Librarian – Cresthill Middle: Distinction in School Library Services Award

In addition, nine DCSD librarians earned credentials through the Colorado Department of Education’s Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries (HESTL) program this year. Learn about their credentials and view evidence of their impactful work.

• Gina Bernacchi – Highlands Ranch High School

• Kim Cox – Mountain Vista High School

• Alicia D’Antonio – Mountain Ridge Middle School

• Gail Golish – Gold Rush Elementary

• Kathleen Gould - Ponderosa High School

• Audra Jensma - Douglas County High School

• Erica Leu – Cresthill Middle School

• Mo Olson – Douglas County High School

• Kathy Seader – Summit View Elementary

• Gretchen Stulock – Castle View High School

• Amy Tempel – Rocky Heights Middle School

• Laura Weitenhagen - Douglas County High School

A special congratulations goes to Teacher Librarian Gina Bernacchi of Highlands Ranch High School, for earning all five HESTL credentials. This remarkable achievement directly contributed to Highlands Ranch High School receiving the prestigious Highly Effective School Library designation.

The Professional Development Department proudly celebrated 16 graduates of the 2025–2026 Leadership Institute. Established in 2009, the Leadership Institute is designed to grow leadership capacity across the district by supporting current and aspiring leaders on their leadership journey. This year’s cohort represented nine different departments and spent several months building skills in self-awareness, trust, effective communication, accountability and continuous improvement. The recognition event brought together district leaders, supervisors and colleagues to honor the graduates’ hard work, growth and commitment to strengthening leadership at every level of DCSD.

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

Libby Bergner, Assistant Principal, Gold Rush Elementary

Connie Buechler, Benefits Analyst, Wilcox

Greta Colson, Lead Teacher, DCS Montessori

Nicole Dell, SPED Teacher - Affective Needs, Soaring Hawk Elementary

Debbie Gasser, Administrative Assistant, Cherry Valley Elementary

Denise Glenn, Primary Teacher, DCS Montessori

Ben Hizer, Music Teacher, Mountain Ridge Middle School

Belinda Jants, Security Dispatch Manager, West Service Center

Hannah Klein, Spanish Teacher, Rock Canyon High School

Angela Leong, Regional Family and Cultural Liaison, Wilcox

Christina Lucero, First Grade Teacher, Mountain View Elementary

Debbie Miller, Primary Teaching Staff-Educational Assistant, DCS Montessori

Neil Reese, STEM Teacher, Mountain Ridge Middle School

Stephanie Weller, Language Arts Teacher, Mountain Ridge Middle School

DCSD has graduates going on to college, entering the workforce, serving in the military, and taking a gap year to travel and see the world. The DCSD Class of 2026 has earned some impressive scholarships! For more information about 2026 graduation schedules and live stream details, visit our graduation webpage. While you are there, meet some of our outstanding graduates!

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. More than $833,000 was raised by our schools this year!

DCSD is so proud of our schools and community coming together, proving that even small actions can create a huge impact and make a real difference in the lives of others. This year, CVHS and the Castle View Feeder raised money and spirits for one of their own.

Since I was a kid, I've known I wanted to be an educator. I loved playing school and helping in classrooms, inspired by the teachers who welcomed me in. My passion for education grew, and in high school, I found my ultimate career goal: becoming a high school principal. My inspiration was my high school principal, Joe Burton. He showed me that fostering strong relationships is the key to success. He taught me the importance of building a community where all students, staff and parents feel valued, heard and included. His leadership style, focused on connection and community, solidified my aspiration to follow in his footsteps.

Read more about Principal Zimmerman and other principals on our Principal Profiles web page.

The DCSD Board of Education recently approved a new policy about the use of communication devices in schools. This was the culmination of nearly two years’ worth of district leaders’ work.

Listen in to DCSD Chief of Staff Steve Colella and ThunderRidge High School Principal Liz Walhof discuss the issue, the policy, and most importantly the practices of students, teachers, parents and district leaders when it comes to communication devices – not just phones.

Join the Distict Library Media Center (DLMC) this summer for the third annual Summer Reading Program - open to all DCSD students and staff! Explore the DLMC Literacy Programming website for full details and how to get involved. Please talk to your school librarian for more information.

Sora Sweet Reads is designed for K-12 schools to encourage students to keep reading all year long. Sora is offering a collection of free, simultaneous-use eBooks (and select audiobooks) that spans grades K-12. These titles will be available to all DCSD students and staff May 18-August 24.

Registration for Douglas County Libraries’ (DCL) summer reading program is open now! Encourage your students to sign up for “Howdy, Partner – Let’s Read!” and your school could win $500 from the DCL Foundation. Visit DCL.org/summer-reading to learn more, and encourage kids to gallop into a good book this summer!

The Foundation for Douglas County Schools is excited to once again coordinate the Lend A Hand School Supply Drive. For 16 summers this program has had the goal of collecting, purchasing, assembling, and distributing backpacks and school supplies to students in need, ensuring that every student starting the 2026-2027 school year will have supplies needed to help them be successful in school. This program continues to be possible through the generosity of our community partners and individuals.

Monday, July 27

Plum Creek Golf Club

Learn more

Since 1988, the Perseverance Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to deserving high school students throughout Douglas County. Recipients of these scholarships have overcome great obstacles during their school years and are determined to further their education after high school. Your participation will help fund this year's scholarships that will be presented to the graduating seniors at a special ceremony in May 2026.

Some companies/groups prefer to contribute directly to the scholarship instead of a direct sponsorship to the golf tournament. Any amount is sincerely appreciated. Please contact Brad Wiidakas at bpwiidakas@dcsdk12.org if interested.

REGULAR MEETINGS

Tuesday, May 12 | 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 26 | 5:00 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus

10035 S. Peoria Street, Lone Tree

These meetings are open to the public and will also be live streamed on the DCSD YouTube Channel.

Read past Board Meeting summaries

Learn more about DCSD's Board of Education