It was wonderful to see and meet some of you in our Community Engagement sessions around the DCSD Unified High School Bell Schedule. I was grateful to hear your experiences, answer your questions, and talk through your concerns.

• To view the presentation we shared in those meetings, click HERE. In that video, you'll see the new schedule in detail with some other context, data, and information. If you have questions about anything you see there, don't hesitate to email (etempleton@dcsdk12.org) or call (720-762-8132).
• To view the new bell schedule, click HERE.
• If you would like to give us some additional feedback about the unified schedule, please click HERE to complete the survey.

Students worked through the new schedule in their Advisement classes on Wednesday this week. Here were some of their frequently asked questions:

Q: Why are we doing this?

A: To create opportunities for all DCSD high schoolers to access programing like Career and Technical Education, Advanced Placement, and Concurrent Enrollment courses outside their home campus. Examples of this programming include Cosmetology at HRHS, Automotive at Ponderosa, Fire Science at RCHS, the extraordinary Engineering and Journalism courses here at CV, and pathways that will open at the Legacy Campus next Fall. It also includes hard to staff Advanced Placement classes like Calc 3, Differential Equations, AP Physics, etc. Further, a common schedule allows our post-secondary partners at ACC to align their schedule and offer students CE courses both at CV and at the new STRUM Campus.

Q: With this change in the schedule, will we be able to acquire enough credits to graduate?

Q: How will we manage the homework from 7 classes instead of 4?
A: Because of the nature of an alternating block, students will have a similar nightly homework load, completing their assignments for the classes that will meet the next day. Further, the block periods will be longer than our current blocks, allowing teachers to build in additional work time during the school day.

Q: Can we still double up in math and world language?

A: As long as there are enough students interested in this option, we can create double up options in both math and world language. I show a sample of what that schedule could look like in the video linked below.

Q: Will I still be able to access ACC and CE classes?

A: Yes. In fact, because of the increased flexibility of the 7 period schedule, it may prove easier to enroll in multiple concurrent enrollment courses.

Q: What would my current schedule look like on this new schedule?

A: A sample 10th and 11th grade schedule is pictured below, with what the schedule looks like now and how it would look like next year.

Q: Can we still have off periods?

A: Yes.

Q: Can we meet with our counselors to talk through how our academic plan will work in this new schedule?

A: Of course. Counselors are planning to meet with Juniors during Term 2 to start planning for registration this winter.

Again, if you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to talk through your concerns with you.

As always, thank you for sharing your kids with us. It is our honor to serve them.

J

Jeena Templeton, Ed.D.

Principal, Castle View High School

720-762-8132

Instagram: @SabercatPrincipal

etempleton@dcsdk12.org

On August 23, the Douglas County School District Board of Education unanimously voted 7-0 to place a $60 million Mill Levy Override (MLO) and $450 million Bond on the 2022 ballot.

If passed by voters, these new funds would be used at our school to:

• Increase teacher and staff pay

• Enhance safety and security systems

• Refresh student and staff technology

• Make much needed repairs and upgrades to our building

• Seal exterior walls

• Install new intercom system

• Upgrade theater and stage lighting and sound systems

Our teachers in the Douglas County School District earn, on average, $18,000 less compared to a neighboring school district. Additional MLO funding, if passed by voters, would help the school district provide teachers and staff, including the amazing staff at our school, a competitive salary.

• DCSD teachers, on average, would receive a 9% pay increase, as reflected in these salary schedules

• Classified staff members, such as bus drivers, educational assistants, custodians, etc., would receive a 9% pay increase

• Other staff, including school principals and administrators, would receive a 6% pay increase

A $450 million Bond, if passed by voters, would help DCSD construct three new neighborhood elementary schools in quickly growing neighborhoods (The Canyons in Castle Pines, Crystal Valley Ranch in Castle Rock, and Sterling Ranch in Highlands Ranch). It would also provide for building expansions at Mesa Middle School in Castle Rock and Sierra Middle School in Parker to help reduce crowding and plan for growth. The Bond would also assist DCSD in implementing safety and security upgrades, and updating and repairing its existing school buildings (including ours), to provide safe, efficient, quality learning environments for students and staff.

If the MLO and Bond are approved by voters, Douglas County homeowners will pay $1 per week per $100,000 of home value. For example, a Douglas County resident with a home valued at $500,000 would pay approximately $250 more per year if both measures are approved.

You can read more about Douglas County School District’s funding challenges on our website. Thank you for continuing to be an engaged and informed member of our school community!

As a reminder, students who signed up for the Fall 2022 optional assessments will complete testing on October 12th, 2022. For all other students, that day will be an extended Advisement schedule.

Students who are testing will receive an email next week with their testing location, and testing locations will be posted by the front doors on assessment day. Testing students will be excused from their 1st, Advisement, and 2nd hour classes and will only be required to make up essential work from that day.

• If you are calling your child out of school for an early dismissal, please call the attendance line at 303-387-9002, give us the reason for dismissal, the time they should be dismissed and the estimated time they will be returning.
• You have up to 24 hours to call in any excused absence for your child.
• Students who accumulate 4 tardies within a term will serve a 30 minute after school detention.
• Students who accumulate 4 unexcused absences within in term will serve a 60 minute after school detention.

Thank you for help ensuring our students in are in class and on time. Encouraging consistent attendance helps your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school.

Say “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to your Sabercat with a BIRTHDAY GRAM on the marquee out in front of the school!

For only $10, your student will get a special shout out on our sign on their birthday!!! A perfect opportunity to show them love - and an awesome place to get that photo or selfie!

Use this link to order and pay for your birthday gram! Payment will be done through My School Bucks, link at end of order form.

Deadline is 10 days prior to your student’s birthday.

(Birthdays must fall within our regular class schedule, they will not run on breaks nor over the summer. You may schedule NOW for birthdays through the last day of class in May!)