Explorer Express
Happenings Around Dry Creek Elementary
Principal Introduction - Mr. Watanabe
Dry Creek Elementary Community,
It is a true pleasure to introduce myself as the principal of Dry Creek Elementary. I hope you and your family are healthy and well during this time. To begin, I would like to thank Mrs. Cyndi Burdick for supporting the Dry Creek community as acting principal for the Spring semester and for helping with my transition to Dry Creek over the past few months. Dry Creek is an amazing school and I am excited to join the Dry Creek community.
To introduce myself a little more in detail, I am a Colorado native, born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. I attended Littleton Public Schools and then pursued my Elementary Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado. My educational career began at Twain Elementary School where I taught 4th grade for eight years. As I moved into the administrative realm, I have served as a Dean of Students at the elementary and middle school levels. Most recently, I have been the Assistant Principal at Highline Community Elementary in Cherry Creek Schools. Educationally, I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Technology and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Personally, I am married with two children. We are in the heart of the toddler years with a one-year-old and a three-year-old. Outside of school, I love to play golf, softball, and support the hometown teams namely the Rockies, Broncos, and Avalanche!
Typically, summer is a time for rest, vacations, nights at the ballpark, concerts, firework shows, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying the beautiful Colorado weather. While I know many of you are still enjoying the perks of summer, the spring and summer of 2020 have been anything but typical. The impactful events of the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures, the institution of social distancing and health safety measures, to the recent racial justice protests and Black Lives Matter movements, there is no doubt there is a lot happening in our world right now. Simply, the past few months have been emotionally heavy. I have experienced a wide range of emotions about these impactful events and movements, while also devoting time and attention to how I can help lead Dry Creek as your new principal through a pandemic, new learning plans and promote racial equity within the educational system. As we step into the restart of school, my hope is that Dry Creek will serve as a place of comfort and support for our students and families.
I am eager to venture into the upcoming school year with you. Thank you in advance for your flexibility as we step into the new school year, it will be new and different for all of us and we will take on the challenge together. I am always open to communication, questions, and feedback, so please do not hesitate to reach out. Have a safe and fun summer!
Sincerely,
Kevin Watanabe
Plans for 2020-2021
Staff Placements
Connect with Us
Email: kwatanabe@cherrycreekschools.org
Website: https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/drycreek
Location: 7686 East Hinsdale Avenue, Centennial, CO, USA
Phone: (720) 554-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drycreekelementaryccsd/
Twitter: @DryCreekCCSD