When I hear about tragedies like the one that happened earlier this week at East High School in Denver, I wrestle with a number of complicated and convoluted emotions. My heart breaks for the school and the community it serves for the trauma they’ve suffered. The rest of the feelings, however, are far harder to name and harder still to process, both as a leader of a high school and a parent of two high school aged students.

I want to assure you that student and staff safety is my first priority and most important responsibility. A couple of things that I would highlight in our efforts to ensure that Castle View is a safe place to learn:

• We are lucky to work with Officer Gillespie (and his partner, Officer Buttercup), who - for my money- is the best School Resource Officer (SRO) in the business. He not only has tremendous expertise that helps guide us when we need to be responsive, he also implements proactive practices that create a culture in which our students feel safe to report concerning behavior or circumstances directly to him. I am grateful to him and the entire Castle Rock Police Department for their commitment to the safety of all CVHS students and staff.
• We are also lucky to collaborate with DCSD Safety and Security and our school Campus Security staff. They, too, develop relationships with our students while they work to keep our entrances secure, consistently patrol our campus, and supervise common areas both during school hours and at after school activities and athletics.

Furthermore, Superintendent Kane sent the following information regarding our district-wide safety procedures. Please know that Castle View follows all district protocols and guidance outlined here: Our staff and students are trained and prepared to initiate a security response protocol at any time, including communicating with families via emergency messaging. You can read more about what we do in Douglas County to keep your students safe here.

If you have specific questions or concerns about the measures we take to keep students safe, I would love the opportunity to meet with you to talk through them. Further, if your student is wrestling with big emotions, like I am, don't hesitate to reach out to the administrative or mental health team. We will do everything we can to support them.

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

J

Dr. Jeena Templeton

Principal, Castle View High School

Instagram: @SabercatPrincipal

etempleton@dcsdk12.org

**Photo Oliver Casey

Monday

Dress up: Rainbow out to support Autism

Advisement: Optional Assembly in the gym to kick off Inclusion week.

Lunch: Stop by the cafeteria to sign the Pledge for Inclusion. Inclusion Revolution t-shirts are on sale (cash, card or check only, no apple pay, venmo, etc.) for $10.00.

Night Out: Chick-fil-a (The one near CV). Tell them you are there to support Best Buddies!

Tuesday

Dress up: Down Syndrome Awareness Day! Wear yellow.

Lunch: Stop by the cafeteria to sign the Pledge for Inclusion. Inclusion Revolution t-shirts are on sale (cash or card) for $10.00.

Wednesday

Dress Up: Celebrate Friendship, dress up like your bestie!

Advisement: Unified Basketball versus staff.

Lunch: Stop by the cafeteria to sign the Pledge for Inclusion. Inclusion Revolution t-shirts are on sale (cash or card) for $10.00.

Night Out: Take the family out for ice cream at Cold Stone and support a business that partners with Best Buddies to hire people with intellectual disabilities. Tell them you are there to support Best Buddies!

Thursday

Dress Up: Wear Orange for ADHD Awareness

Lunch: Stop by the cafeteria to sign the Pledge for Inclusion. Inclusion Revolution t-shirts are on sale (cash or card) for $10.00.

Night Out: Mod Pizza. Come out and have Ethan make your pizza and learn about how Best Buddies partners with companies to provide jobs for people with intellectual disabilities.

Friday

Dress up: Grey Out for Developmental Disability Awareness

Advisement: Talent Show in the commons. See a showcase of the talents of our students with disabilities.

Lunch: Stop by the cafeteria to sign the Pledge for Inclusion. Inclusion Revolution t-shirts are on sale (cash or card) for $10.00.

Evening: Come out and support the Unified Soccer Team take on Rock Canyon @ 5:30 on the turf field.

Congratulate your 2023 graduate with a personalized Castle View yard sign!

All orders must be submitted by Friday, April 21st. Distribution will take place at Senior Check-out on May 10th.

Place your order HERE!

The CMAS-Science will be administered to all 11th grade students on Thursday, April 13th, 2023. This is a computer-based exam, so CVHS must plan diligently for onsite computer access for all students planning to complete the assessment. Therefore, if you plan to opt out of or excuse your student from the CMAS-Science, it is essential that we know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Families interested in opting their 11th grade student(s) out of the CMAS-Science can excuse their student(s) from the CMAS-Science exam by following THESE DIRECTIONS.

First, thank you to the 18 families who have already volunteered to proctor AP exams in May. More information about training will come out right after Spring Break. WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF ABOUT 15 PARENT/GUARDIAN VOLUNTEERS!

Commitment: One 90-minute training in mid-April 2023 and one four-hour morning or afternoon session May 1-5 or 8-12, 2023. All training will be provided.

Please fill out this interest survey if you would consider helping us out.

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!)