DCSD Notebook

Douglas County School District
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Extended conversations with educators, leaders and students from Douglas County School District in Colorado -- which is the Number One public school district in the Denver area, serving 61,000 students at 92 schools.  Through DCSD Notebook, listeners will gain a greater understanding of the people, processes and programs in Colorado's third-largest district. Once a month, this feed will also feature Parent University. To learn more about what makes DCSD the Top of the Class, check out the Why DCSD page.

  1. What Makes D.C. Oakes High School a Compelling Alternative

    -4 J

    What Makes D.C. Oakes High School a Compelling Alternative

    Daniel C. Oakes High School in Castle Rock provides a compelling alternative for students who find large, comprehensive high schools are not the right fit for their needs. Because Douglas County School District strives to provide something for every style of learner, D.C. Oakes is one way to ensure students don’t miss out on a quality education. And this episode of the DCSD Notebook is a milestone – it’s our first featuring current students. D.C. Oakes principal Brian Singleton helps us welcome a pair of students who have truly found a home and a family atmosphere at Oakes: Elianna Diaz and Connor Siebert. Worth noting: In the cover photo for this episode, Connor, Elianna and Mr. Singleton are standing in front of a student-created flag with a Phoenix, the mascot for D.C. Oakes.  Guests this week:  Brian Singleton, principal at Daniel C. Oakes High School Elianna Diaz, D.C. Oakes student Connor Siebert, D.C. Oakes student Host:  Jason Hackett, DCSD director of communications  Resources Daniel C. Oakes High School   About Daniel C. Oakes High School > Our Vision: Daniel C. Oakes High School strives to rekindle a student's desire and passion to learn by providing a safe, flexible, and supportive community where students are seen as individuals. > Our Mission: We create a community where we thrive to become better by doing our best work, being a decent human being, valuing relationships with other people, offering outdoor education experiences, and leaving as a better person than we were when we started. At Daniel C. Oakes High School, we continue to meet the needs of over 120 students each quarter who are looking for an alternative path toward achieving a high school diploma. Founded during the 1986-87 school year, Daniel C. Oakes High School is a school dedicated to providing an instructional, community atmosphere with a focus on personalized instruction. We take pride knowing that we can rekindle a student's desire and passion to learn, and we are proud to serve the Douglas County School District with a comprehensive, alternative high school program. Our instructional efforts are rooted in district and state standards, and driven by our Board of Education's Ends Statements. We have combined this solid foundation with a firm belief in educating the whole student via an experimental approach to the acquisition of knowledge, outdoor education opportunities, and an exposure to the arts. We have found that this combination maximizes each student's academic success and develops strong relationships among students and staff. It also provides our students the ability to think critically, apply academic skills to real life situations, and create conditions that bolster confidence and sense of self worth. About DCSD Excellence meets opportunity in Douglas County School District. We're not just the third-largest school district in Colorado; we're a community dedicated to helping every student discover their unique talents and reach their full potential. DCSD is the TOP-scoring district in the Denver/Metro area for the second year in a row (first time in a decade). Our graduation rate is 93.6% (the highest in the Denver/Metro area). We are one of the only districts in the country to have met or exceeded our 2019 (pre-pandemic) scores in every subject and every grade for two years in a row. The Class of 2025 earned more than $113 million in scholarships and saved over $20 million in college expenses through DCSD's concurrent enrollment partnerships. DCSD offers 90 Career and Technical Education and Concurrent Enrollment Pathways (including Trades) and is one of the leaders - nationwide - in "blurring the lines" between PK-12, higher education and industry. With 92 schools spread across the 850 square miles of our nationally renowned county, we have options galore. Whether you're looking for a comprehensive neighborhood school, a charter school with specialized curriculum, or support for students with special needs, we've got you covered.  Interested in learning more? Take a look at the webpage where we answer the question Why DCSD?

    47 min
  2. PARENT UNIVERSITY: Distracted Driving

    4 FÉVR.

    PARENT UNIVERSITY: Distracted Driving

    Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of injury and death among teens nationwide. While smartphones get much of the blame, the reality is that distractions can come from anywhere — friends in the car, music, emotions, and even overconfidence behind the wheel. To help us understand what really happens on the road and in emergency rooms, we are joined by HCA Healthone Skyridge hospital’s Trauma Nurse Coordinator and Injury Prevention Specialist Kathy Myers, RN, who has seen firsthand the consequences of distracted driving. In this discussion, she shares ways families can reduce risk and better prepare not only drivers but also passengers to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely. Guest this week Kathy Myers, RN, trauma nurse coordinator and injury prevention specialist at HCA HealthONE Skyridge Host  Amy Pfister, community relations coordinator for DCSD Resources Colorado Hands Free Law Impact Teen Drivers Colorado Page About Parent University Parent University is a special edition of DCSD Notebook and will appear in this feed monthly. For several years, Parent University has provided training, information, and resources for parents and caregivers. By partnering with community organizations and other agencies to equip families with additional knowledge, skills and resources, Parent University supports and empowers parents and caregivers to become leaders and advocates for their children's learning. This year, Parent University has transitioned from a live Zoom meeting to a podcast format to allow parents to listen to the conversations at their convenience; provide time and accessibility for guests to delve deeper into conversation; and save staff time with streamlined production.  Thank you to our Parent University podcast sponsor, HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge for their continued support and partnership.

    26 min
  3. The Sweeney Family of DCSD Educators

    28 JANV.

    The Sweeney Family of DCSD Educators

    The Sweeney Family Business is all about caring for and building up people. Over the last decade, it’s become even more focused on helping, specifically through education. What started with Kiera Sweeney becoming a Sierra Middle School teacher, soon became three members of the family, with her father, Sean, and then her sister, Delaney, also becoming teachers. In fact those two teach at the same school, Bear Canyon Elementary in Highlands Ranch. Soon another member of the family will be added by marriage. In this episode, we’re going to hear from the tight-knit, fun-loving and fully supportive Sweeney family about how much teaching means to them. If you want to admire a family that can work together, laugh together, and generally embody the love for community that makes DCSD a top destination, listen to this episode – and get ready to smile. Guests this week:  Delaney Sweeney, Bear Canyon Elementary kindergarten teacher Sean Sweeney, Bear Canyon Elementary PE teacher Kiera Sweeney, Sierra Middle School drama teacher Resources Bear Canyon Elementary Sierra Middle School About DCSD Excellence meets opportunity in Douglas County School District. We're not just the third-largest school district in Colorado; we're a community dedicated to helping every student discover their unique talents and reach their full potential. DCSD is the TOP-scoring district in the Denver/Metro area for the second year in a row (first time in a decade). Our graduation rate is 93.6% (the highest in the Denver/Metro area). We are one of the only districts in the country to have met or exceeded our 2019 (pre-pandemic) scores in every subject and every grade for two years in a row. The Class of 2025 earned more than $113 million in scholarships and saved over $20 million in college expenses through DCSD's concurrent enrollment partnerships. DCSD offers 76 Career and Technical Education and Concurrent Enrollment Pathways (including Trades) and is one of the leaders - nationwide - in "blurring the lines" between PK-12, higher education and industry. With 92 schools spread across the 850 square miles of our nationally renowned county, we have options galore. Whether you're looking for a comprehensive neighborhood school, a charter school with specialized curriculum, or support for students with special needs, we've got you covered.  Interested in learning more? Take a look at the webpage where we answer the question Why DCSD?

    51 min
  4. Father and Daughter History Teachers at ThunderRidge

    21 JANV.

    Father and Daughter History Teachers at ThunderRidge

    At ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch, Brad Johnson is a mainstay as a history teacher and state-championship winning coach. His daughter, Annabeth Johnson, also teaches history and coaches at ThunderRidge. The father and daughter teachers are at opposite ends of their careers, but both are all about making a difference in students’ lives through education. In this episode, Mr. Johnson and Ms. Johnson talk about their unique working relationship, how they inspire and mentor each other, and how much they appreciate the ThunderRidge community.   Guests this week:  Brad Johnson, American History teacher Annabeth Johnson, American History teacher Resources ThunderRidge High School

    54 min
  5. PARENT UNIVERSITY: Sleeping & Eating Habits for Students

    14 JANV.

    PARENT UNIVERSITY: Sleeping & Eating Habits for Students

    In this episode, host Amy Pfister welcomes special guest, Dr. Matt Hadeed, chair of pediatrics at HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge, which is the sponsor of Parent University. Dr. Hadeed is a leader in pediatric health and development, and he has worked with countless families to build routines that support children’s physical and emotional well-being. Dr. Hadeed shares his expertise on what kids really need when it comes to sleep, nutrition and daily habits — and how parents can set up their children for success both in and out of the classroom. Whether parents are navigating picky eating, bedtime battles, or just want to make healthier choices as a family, this conversation is full of practical, science-backed guidance. Guests this week:  Dr. Matt Hadeed, chair of pediatrics at HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge Resources HealthyChildren.org - The American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting Website HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge – Parent University sponsor

    24 min

  6. 17/12/2025

    How AVID Helps Students, Part III

    AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, exists to help students, and in this final episode of our AVID miniseries, we get to hear from former students who went through the program and can attest, with first-person experience, how much it helped them.  So far in this miniseries, we’ve heard the district perspective and the school-level perspective and, in both cases, the viewpoints of administrators and educators. But what about the people who are supposed to benefit from this program? That’s why we reached out to a couple of graduates of the Legend High School AVID program. Zoe (Class of 2016) and Liv (Class of 2021) are now fully embarked on their respective careers, and in this conversation they tell us how AVID helped prepare – and push – them as they chased their goals and dreams.  Liv and Zoe talk about why they needed the AVID program, how it gave them tools as well as a supportive community so they could grow as students, how it prepared them for college and careers, and how every day they still use what they learned several years ago.  Listen to this episode, and you’ll hear about resilience, collaboration, perseverance, confidence, achievement and so much more. Guests this week:  Zoe, 2016 Legend High School graduate Liv, 2021 Legend High School graduate  Resources AVID homepage  The AVID College and Career Readiness Framework  AVID National data  AVID in Colorado data Current AVID Schools in DCSD: Legend High School Ponderosa High School VALE High School Cresthill Middle School Sagewood Middle School Franktown Elementary School Frontier Valley Elementary School

    39 min

  7. 10/12/2025

    How AVID Helps Students, Part II

    AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a highly regarded, comprehensive educational program which has been used in schools all over the U.S. for 45 years.  In one DCSD feeder system, students can learn AVID-based skills throughout their K-12 journey: first at Franktown Elementary, where AVID concepts are infused throughout all grades and subjects, then Sagewood Middle School and Ponderosa High School, both of which have AVID elective classes and more. In this episode, the principals from all three of those schools talk about how AVID makes a difference for all ages of students – plus parents, teachers, and principals building an identity for their schools.  From elementary students learning “You can do hard things” to middle schoolers starting to think about careers and college, to high schoolers mastering the skills to excel in each, these school leaders are helping pave the way to success for students with all kinds of learning styles and abilities. This whole conversation carries the core AVID message of “empowerment to unlock every student’s greatness.” This is the second of three parts of the DCSD Notebook podcast miniseries focusing on the AVID program, which is used at several schools in Douglas County. The previous episode focused on the core aspects of the program and its implementation at the district level. This one is at the school level, and our next episode will have DCSD graduates talking about their experiences at the individual level and how AVID prepared them for the real world.  Guests this week:  Chandra Baca, Franktown Elementary School principal Sarah Fields-Hasler, Sagewood Middle School principal Ryan Hollingshead, Ponderosa High School principal Resources AVID homepage  The AVID College and Career Readiness Framework  AVID National data  AVID in Colorado data Current AVID Schools in DCSD: Legend High School Ponderosa High School VALE High School Cresthill Middle School Sagewood Middle School Franktown Elementary School Frontier Valley Elementary School

    47 min

  8. 03/12/2025

    How AVID Helps Students, Part I

    If you could learn how to learn better or, if you have kids in school,  help them unlock proven strategies to ensure they get the most out of school, would you want to hear more about that?  Here on the DCSD Notebook podcast from the top-scoring school district in the Denver area, we’re going to devote the next three episodes to a deep dive into the AVID program. In this episode, we’re going to start at the 10,000-foot level and learn what Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, is. DCSD’s co-director of the program, Gordon Mosher, who’s going to tell us the why, the how and the what of this program which can literally change the course of a student’s life – from someone who does OK but could achieve so much more if they were equipped, challenged and guided to embrace their potential.  In our next episode, we’ll drill down a little deeper and have a conversation with three principals in Parker who can tell us what AVID looks like at the elementary, middle and high school levels.    Then, in the third episode, we’re going to hear from DCSD graduates who went through the AVID program and can tell us how it helped them go forward into college and careers with confidence.   Guest this week:  Gordon Mosher III, executive director of schools for Choice Programming and DCSD co-director of AVID Resources AVID homepage  The AVID College and Career Readiness Framework  AVID National data  AVID in Colorado data Current AVID Schools in DCSD: Legend High School Ponderosa High School VALE High School Cresthill Middle School Sagewood Middle School Franktown Elementary School Frontier Valley Elementary School Glossary for this episode AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination Metacognition: According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: awareness or analysis of one's own learning or thinking processes. WICOR: Acronym for AVID teaching and learning strategies which stands for Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading

    44 min
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À propos

Extended conversations with educators, leaders and students from Douglas County School District in Colorado -- which is the Number One public school district in the Denver area, serving 61,000 students at 92 schools.  Through DCSD Notebook, listeners will gain a greater understanding of the people, processes and programs in Colorado's third-largest district. Once a month, this feed will also feature Parent University. To learn more about what makes DCSD the Top of the Class, check out the Why DCSD page.

Informations

  • Création
    Douglas County School District
  • Années d’activité
    2025 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    20
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Site web de l’émission
    DCSD Notebook