Welcome Back
Some thoughts for the starting school year
HRHS Falcon Community Bulletin
August 7, 2026
A Message from Dr. Fiske
Greetings Falcon Students and Families,
I hope all of you had an amazing summer break and are preparing for your last weekend before the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Our teachers and staff are excitedly busy preparing for the students’ arrival next week. Please take the time to read this very informative bulletin to ensure you are up to date with all things Highlands Ranch High School.
Great news! HRHS is a finalist for the 2026 Colorado Parent Magazine Family Favorites contest! Please vote daily in the public high school category to help HRHS win!
In case you missed it, please see the letter about Communication Devices at HRHS.
You can now follow me Instagram @hrhsprincipal
Have a great weekend!
- Mandatory Express Check In is still open. This annual registration includes student contact information updates and required forms. FAQs including login assistance can be found by scrolling down to the bottom of the link. Please read the instructions carefully as logging into Express Check In is slightly different than logging into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please call the HRHS main office (3033872500) with questions.
- First week of school Special Schedule
Wednesday Freshmen and New Students Only
Thursday and Friday NO Late Start Silver Day
- Did you miss Check In Day on August 5? New Students will have the opportunity to get a temporary ID at 1:30 August 12. Returning students may use last year’s photo ID card until August 2. Makeup picture day with Lifetouch Photography is August 25
- School supply lists will vary by class; please see the syllabus from each class for details. For the first few days of school, students only need a spiral notebook of lined paper, pens and pencils in addition to their device.
If financial assistance is needed by your family (to help cover required school fees), parents should apply for the Free/Reduced Lunch program. This application must be completed each school year! Free/Reduced Lunch (&fees) Application
Parking Permits are required for student parking on campus; only Juniors and Seniors are eligible the first quarter. Sophomore parking permits will be available after Fall Break.
Parents/Guardians, if your student needs to check out a Chromebook for the year, please have them come to the library. Students and parents/guardians will need to fill out the form, sign it and return it. Once returned, the student will be issued a school Chromebook for the year. We will be checking devices out during lunches and after school starting the week of August 17th. Devices are on a first come, first served basis as we don't have enough devices for everyone.
Tips for Success This Year at HRHS
- Subscribe to the HRHS Google Calendar; print our color calendar and bell schedules.
Use your resources: The counseling office, library, and main office are here to help; students can request a locker from Athletics or the Main Office if needed.
Stay up to date: Listen to morning announcements, watch TFTV in homeroom, read the weekly bulletin, and follow HRHS on Instagram: @thehighlandsranchhighschool, @hrhs_athleticsandactivities, @hrhsafterprom, @hrhsvolunteercoordinator, @counselinghrhs, @hrhspostgrad, @hrfalcons
Get involved! Athletic registrations open before each season and the activities fair is held each Fall to showcase our many clubs and organizations.
Parents: please plan to come to the Falcon Academic Boosters meeting August 10 in the library at 6pm and save the date for Back to School Night August 26.
Counseling & Post-Grad Department Updates
- As a reminder our alpha breakdown has shifted a bit this year. The counselor/administrator partner assignments are as follows:
A-Da: Somer Hogan/Chris Glunz
De-He: Alexa Nichols/Sarah Boland
Hi-Me: Amy Larsen/Kelly Corr
Mi-Sg: Veronica Miller (Brown)/Kelly Corr
Sh-Z: Raelynn Nissler/Brian Domokos
ALP’s: Yana Bourdealis/Al Everett
Follow Counseling on Instagram @counselinghrhs for updates and information from the counseling department
Follow Post Grad on Instagram @hrhspostgrad and utilize the post grad website for frequently asked questions.
Senior News
- Seniors please read the Class of 2027 Yearbook Photo Requirements.
Business Office
- If you have any questions regarding fees, please email the bookkeeper at rsteffes@dcsdk12.org.
Course and lab fees will be assigned after the add/drop window (10 school days after the beginning of a semester). Fees for 1st semester are due to be paid by Dec 1st.
Optional fees are housed on MySchoolBucks - items like Activity Pass(SBA), Student Planner, Parking Permit Fee (for 11th and 12th grades ONLY) and Class Donations.
Attendance Office
- Parents please review updated attendance policies here pages 7-9.
HRHS Athletics
- Fall Athletics Registration is OPEN! Please visit the website for more information.
Visit our athletic website for athletic updates, head coach contact info, calendar of events and tickets.
Game schedules can be found on each team page on the athletics website OR you can visit arbiterlive.com!
Buy your Activity Pass (SBA) on MySchoolBucks for free entry to all regular season home games!
HRHS Activities
- Visit our Activities Website for all things clubs and activities, as we prep the new year! Get involved or start something fun with your friends that sparks your interest! We have a lot of clubs at HRHS and can’t wait to see what this year brings!
Fall Play Auditions schedule in Auditorium: Monday 8/17 2:45-5:15 Workshop; Tuesday 8/18 2:45-5:15 Auditions; Wednesday 8/19 2:45-5:15 Callbacks; Thursday 8/20 2:45-5:15 Cast read-through. See Hudson in room 400 for more details.
Student VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Cougar Run needs volunteers! August 10th they need 1 or 2 volunteers to cut open and serve popsicles at the Cougar Run Park Gazebo. Parents and adults will be present but minor line wrangling may be necessary. 3:30-5 PM, or until we run out of supplies (popsicles). Contact- lbutler1@dcsdk12.org
School Accountability Committee
- The first SAC meeting is August 24. If you have topics you’d like to be considered for the agenda please email highlandsranchsac@gmail.com.
Falcon Academic Boosters
- The Falcon Academic Boosters(FAB) is a 501c3 organization that was founded to raise funds and provide grants to teachers, staff and departments. These grants are used for supplies, academic media and resources that are needed to enhance the learning environment at HRHS, yet fall outside of the school’s budget. Since its inception, FAB has raised and granted over $125,000 to benefit our staff and student needs. Questions can be directed to hrhsfab@gmail.com.
- Meetings in the 26-27 school year will be on the second Monday of the month from 6-7 pm. Please join us on Monday, August 10th. This is a great way to get involved and meet other parents at Highlands Ranch High School!
Donation Opportunities
DCSD Resources
- DCSD Parent Resource Center: Please see this link to the Douglas County School District Parent Resource Center for Calendars, My School Bucks Payments, Parent Portal access or log-in/password issues, Financial Assistance, Transportation Information and more.
- Information regarding the DCSD Nutrition Services program is linked here.
- If you are interested in receiving assistance but are having difficulty with the above link, please contact Eric Brosch, School Social Worker, at ebrosch@dcsdk12.org or 303-387-2621. External Family Resources Link
- DCSD Non-Discrimination Notice
- DCSD Accessibility
- DCSD Request form for meeting translator