Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen announced in November that there will be no budget cuts for the next school year.

“We have reviewed the state revenue forecast, we have reviewed the Governor’s budget proposal and we have reviewed possible increased costs in the district for next year – like PERA, health insurance premiums, and fuel costs – and we have determined that given the stability and excellent � scal health of our budget, we will be making no budget reductions for next year,” said Fagen. “� is is great news for our students and our employees.”

Following a di� cult economic climate and � ve years of pay freezes and budget cuts, DCSD worked diligently last year to balance the budget and plan for the increased costs curve.

Last year DCSD faced an $18 M budget de� cit. � e district constructed a budget package with three goals in mind: to prepare every student to compete on the world stage for any college or career of their choice; improve the quality of life for employees; and continue to improve the � scal health of the district.

“We were committed to ending years of pay freezes, reducing class sizes in our high schools, not cutting our elementary schools at all, holding our middle schools steady, and improving employee bene� t packages – a seemingly impossible combination when we began,” continued Fagen. “We chose to scour every District budget line and simultaneously look closely at all contracts for reallocation possibilities.”

As a result of budget work, DCSD reduced central budget lines by approximately $12 M, reduced $1.5 M from our high schools, reduced $2 M through contract negotiations and increased funding to middle and elementary schools. � e District also provided all employees with a 3% compensation increase as well as increased bene� ts.

“For the coming year, our goal is to continue to add money back to our schools by increasing site-based budget amounts across the board and to continue to give employee raises and one-time stipends (with one-time money) with any additional dollars we receive from the state,” said Fagen.

Responsible � scal management and improved revenue forecast placeDistrict on good � nancial footing

Douglas County School DistrictWinter 2012

Visit www.dcsdk12.org/today to read full stories about the topics in Today

No Budget Cuts for 2013-2014 School Year

Today Douglas County School District | (303) 387-01002

PREPARE FOR YOUReducational future

Check out DeVry University’s ACT prep review and have your parents stay fora Financial Aid Information Session. The review session will help prepare students to take the ACT. Math and Science sessions will be taughtby DeVry professors using official ACT review materials. Each student will receive an ACT review booklet.

Lunch will be provided. Space is limited to the first 30 students, so please reserve your place early.Register online at: www.wes.devry.edu/ACT- Review.html

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Saturday, January 26, 2013 | ACT Review 8a-5p | Parent Info Session 8a-9a

� e Castle Rock Economic Development Council (EDC) has endorsed the Douglas County School District Pay for Performance program.

“We know excellent schools are one of the top reasons that companies choose to locate in Douglas County,” said Frank Gray, President, Castle Rock EDC. “We applaud DCSD for their ongoing commitment to excellence and we believe Pay for Performance will continue to improve our schools.”

� e DCSD Pay for Performance plan celebrates and rewards employees for outstanding work. “Our goal is to attract and retain the very best teachers and employees for our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Fagen. “One of the reasons we are so con� dent in the e� ectiveness of this program is the number of great teachers already educating students in classrooms across our District.”

“Douglas County schools are one of the best recruiting tools we have,” continued Gray. “Employers want to locate in a place with great schools and a great workforce. We are fortunate to have some of the best schools in Colorado and the country.”

Business leaders give DCSD a thumbs-upCastle Rock Economic Development Council supports Pay for Performance program

Whereas, the Castle Rock EDC’s Board of Directors understands that the attraction and retention of primary businesses in a community is directly linked to the performance of the community’s school district; and

Whereas, the Castle Rock EDC also understands that an educated workforce is essential to maintaining and growing our existing businesses; and

Whereas, the Castle Rock EDC supports the fundamental principle of a compensation system that rewards excellence and encourages innovation; and

Whereas, the Castle Rock EDC recognizes that leadership in making fundamental changes to an established system is di� cult and o� en times unpopular; and

Whereas, the Board of the Directors of the EDC applauds the Douglas County School District (DCSD) for its visionary and innovative e� orts to make the DCSD a leader in education; and

Whereas, the Castle Rock EDC recognizes that the recruitment and retention of outstanding educators is critical to the DCSD’s mission;

Now � erefore, Be It Resolved by its Board of Directors that the Castle Rock Economic Development Council strongly supports the DCSD’s innovative and critically important move to a Pay for Performance model, in the belief that said model will improve the overall education experience for students in the District, as well as improving the prospects for Economic Development within the District.

The full text of the Castle Rock EDC resolution is as follows:

Douglas County School DistrictWinter 2012

A free publication for parents and residents of Douglas County, ‘Today’ is published in partnership with Colorado Community Media. Douglas County School District sta� provides the articles, photos and graphics in an e� ort to keep the community informed with news about Douglas County Schools. Citizen comments about the publication are welcome. Colorado Community Media provides layout, sells advertisements, prints and distributes the publication at no cost to the school district.

To contact DCSD:Douglas County School District

620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104(303) 387-0100 | www.dcsdk12.org

To advertise in ‘Today’ contact:Colorado Community Media | Jennie Herbert

303-566-4092 | jherbert@ourcoloradonews.comwww.OurColoradoNews.com/advertise

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100 teachershelp to buildWorld-Class Targets

CASTLE ROCK – While it’s hard to say what our founding fathers felt like when they were huddled in Independence Hall cra� ing the Declaration of Independence, it is possible that 100 Douglas County teachers may have gotten a taste last weekend. � ey gathered on their day o� to build a document that heralds a new age in American education.

Sure, they didn’t have to battle the sti� ing mid-summer heat like � omas Je� erson, George Washington and John Hancock, but the work of de� ning the 12 World-Class Targets was not always comfortable.

“In the a� ernoon it was hot, the sun was coming through those windows—we were sitting in the awful cafeteria chairs and we were sitting shoulder to shoulder,” said DCSD Curriculum Coordinator Jaime Bailey.

� e teachers debated and wrangled over the de� nitions of what a target like Teacher Leadership really means. � ey are setting a new, challenging bar for the best of the best teachers – those that do not stop at being highly e� ective.

“I told them, ‘no one else in the country is doing this.’ � at to me is exciting,” explained Bailey. She and other members of the World-Class Education and Choice Programming Department helped to coordinate the daylong summit during which teachers led the way.

“We started with blank pieces of paper. We started with the de� nition; tell us the criteria you would use to measure this for a kindergarten teacher, a music teacher,” Bailey said.

� e teachers involved, including team lead and Chaparral Physical Education Teacher Tony Persichina, know Bailey’s team could have created the criteria for the 12 World-Class Targets.

“I think that would have been the easy way of doing it,” said Persichina. “It de� nitely is not an easy

process… but it is for the betterment of our students.”

It was clear that educators needed to set these expectations for themselves.

“Who better to ask than the teachers in the trenches? Teachers felt they were being respected by being asked to be part of the work. � ey loved that it wasn’t just being done to them,” Bailey said.

Persichina says being part of the process has helped him to better understand the large-scale change that the District is going through.

“It felt like a closer step to clarity,” he said regarding the weekend workshop. “Being involved in it helps. I want to know the why. Just like a student. I want to know why.”

Not only did the opportunity help him to ask those questions, but it provided him with the chance to give concrete feedback to make the targets better.

“� ey want our input. � ey really want to hear from us.”

� e goal is to make the World-Class targets clearly de� ned and easy to understand for all teachers.

“If I can see the target, I have a better chance at hitting it,” Bailey explained.

Still, the teachers that took part in the process soon realized that it will be challenging for even the most e� ective teachers in the District to hit every target. In fact, the teachers a� ectionately began to refer to reaching the goals as a ‘holy cow’ sort of event.

“If you are doing this, holy cow—you’re blowing my socks o� ,” Bailey explained. “� ere are some of our teachers that have some of these targets in their pocket, but there are other targets that they haven’t even thought of. While I might be the guru of sustainable learning and you might be the superstar of restorative practice, we will be a better World-Class educator when we add these other tools to our belt.”

In the end, the goal of setting the targets is to ensure all Douglas County students receive the best education. Bailey hopes every DCSD teacher will incorporate these twelve practices in their classroom, including backwards design, because they have been proven to improve teaching.

� is type of change does make some teachers uncomfortable.

“I think anytime you implement change there is going to be a push back, because people don’t like change,” explained Persichina. “You have to feel comfortable feeling uncomfortable. You know change is going to happen. You tell your students that change is going to happen. Feeling unsure is healthy.”

“I know teachers are feeling disequilibrium. But disequilibrium is a good thing,” Bailey said.

She says that change is needed in education, even in Douglas County, where test scores have stayed relatively � at.

“While there are dynamite teachers in Douglas County, as a whole, the education system is broken,” Bailey said.

� e teachers are expected to meet again on January 12 to continue their work. Another 80 teachers will join them to begin de� ning the targets for employees that teach non-core subjects.

Bailey acknowledges that the e� ort is a work in progress, but she is excited about where it will lead DCSD.

“We may make missteps. We may have errors, but it’s still forward progress. How cool is that?” Bailey asked.

“� at is the biggest thing, knowing that my input and knowledge as an educator is valued, not only by your students, but also by your peers and your colleagues,” Persichina said.

Today Douglas County School District | (303) 387-01004

In Douglas CountyNutrition Makes, Breaks

“Food is more than mere sustenance; it fuels great thought and capability; it energizes and it comforts; it is a gi� we should never take for granted.”

– Brent Craig, DCSD Nutrition Services Director

How does participating in the “Chefs Move to Schools” program impact students?

“When the opportunity to hire American Culinary Federation Certi� ed Chef Jason Morse presented, we jumped,” explains Craig. While the national Chefs Move to Schools program holds tremendous promise, execution of such is unchartered territory. Craig has leveraged the services and “celebrity status” persona of DCSD’s Chef Jason to improve school lunch menus through collaborative e� orts with Nutrition Services sta� , recipe development (great tasting, low fat) and training and motivation for front-line kitchen personnel (Jason’s boot camps are becoming legendary). Additionally, he serves as host at special student contests, food demonstrations and tastings.

Name a few ways Nutrition Services is responding to the needs of DCSD students?

Harvest Bars: Long before it was fashionable or mandated, DCSD Nutrition Services was pushing the value of eating fresh fruits and veggies. Successful piloting of Harvest Bars in a few elementary and middle schools has led to a District-wide roll-out, with carts being � nanced by school PTOs. “Students literally � ock to the bars at lunch-time…cramming their trays full of fresh produce,” said Craig.

Nutrition Breaks: � e Nutrition Services team believes its next pilot program, Nutrition Breaks, will eventually be as popular as Harvest Bars. No school district is immune to the impacts of our challenged economy. Busy lifestyles have taken a toll on student nutrition. DCSD’s free and reduced population is growing; and our overall student population is showing signs of inadequate nutrition.

Elementary school educators lament, “Students seem to fade mid-morning.” A pilot of Nutrition Breaks is now underway in twelve elementary schools providing delicious mid-morning, energy-boosters such as yogurt parfaits, DCSD signature nut-free granola bars and fresh baked banana mu� ns. Early response to the program is promising. “� is program roll-out has the potential to reach all 53 elementary schools and serve approximately 20,000 students daily,” said Craig.

Pine Lane Elementary Principal Danelle Hiatt with Banana Man and DCSD Nutrition Services Director Brent Craig at a recent Fruits & Veggies Challenge Tasting.

My 5 year-old decided to tryschool lunch Monday. He’s usually quite

reluctant to try new things. Yet, he’sproclaimed school lunch ‘AWESOME’ and

wants to eat ‘school food’ every day. He even wants me to volunteer in the lunch area

to see how to cook new things.

by Janelle JonesA candid interview with DCSD Nutrition Services Director Brent Craig regarding the role his department plays in thelives of Douglas County SchoolDistrict families.

— Parent Kim Chappler to DCSD Nutrition Services

Douglas County School District (DCSD) Nutrition Services operates as a self-sustaining pro� table enterprise to o� er nutritious, appealing meals and ala carte food items to DCSD students and personnel while supporting the DCSD community with resources which promote optimum learning and wellness.

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5Visit www.dcsdk12.org/today to read full stories about the topics in Today8

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Technology Teacher of the YearLegend High School Teacher Debbie Tawzer recently received the Technology Teacher of the Year Apex Award from the Colorado Technology Association (CTA).“This award recognizes Debbie Tawzer’s efforts, passion and the enormous impact she has in expanding her students’ knowledge and interest in technology,” said Kristin Pegg, Career and Technical Education Coordinator for Douglas County Schools.

PE Teacher of the Year Castle View teacher and head strength coach Patrick McHenry was named the High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (COAHPERD) during an award ceremony on October 19 in Loveland.

Kyler Dunkle Wins Top Golf HonorsDouglas County High School Junior Kyler Dunkle captured the 5A Colorado State High School individual golf championship on October 2.

Ponderosa senior selected as 4A Runner of the YearPonderosa High School Senior Eli Hemming was named to the All-Colorado Cross Country Team in November and earned the honor 2012 Class 4A Runner of the Year. Hemming won the 4A State Cross Country Championship on Saturday October 27 in Colorado Springs.

ThunderRidge football makes 5A semifinalThe ThunderRidge football team made it all the way to the 5A State Semifinal game, which turned out to be a match up between two Highlands Ranch titans. The Grizzlies faced Valor Christian, which went on to win the 5A State Championship, after defeating ThunderRidge.

Mountain Vista wins 5A Boys Cross Country ChampionshipThe Mountain Vista High School Golden Eagles soared to victory in the 5A Boys Cross Country finals. This is the first-ever state championship for a boys’ team at Mountain Vista.

Several teams won their divisions during the Universal Dance Assn.’s Mile High Dance Competition on November 17, including Chaparral, Mountain Vista and Rock Canyon High Schools, as well as Cresthill Middle School.

Schools make impression at Dance Competition

Today Douglas County School District | (303) 387-01008

Many of us are familiar with physical bullying on school grounds. One imposing student took a swing at another who ‘didn’t � t in’ with the crowd and couldn’t defend himself. � ere was the time a student called a kid fat while harassing him throughout the day, even on the bus ride home. � e day when a student bothered another classmate incessantly about the way they dressed or even their sexuality.

Adults who lived through bullying in their childhood recall bullying typically coming to an end when they got home from school. However, with the increased use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter, school

relationships and bullying actions now continue well a� er the � nal bell of the day.

Bullying is no longer exclusive to school grounds or the bus. It happens during all hours of the day and even within a student’s home, according to DCSD Student Wellness Coordinator Staci McCormack.

“Bullying used to be very physical and verbal. It was in our face and we could see it. While we still see bullying like that, it’s becoming relational,” McCormack said. “Whether in person or online, it’s not just kids being kids. It’s not just a rite of passage that we’d talk meanly about other people. It’s a form of bullying.”

With the passage of Colorado House Bill 11-1254, schools were required to adopt a framework cra� ed with the intent of reducing the frequency of bullying in schools and within school relationships. While much of that framework was already in place within the DCSD, the legislation gives all Colorado schools a guideline to follow to create a safer environment for all students, no matter which district or school they attend.

With that framework, DCSD’s Student Wellness team created a variety of di� erent initiatives and programs, including “Be the Change,” a seminar built for freshmen at every high school. Over 90 minutes, the seminar guides students through conversations in which they de� ne bullying and discuss ways in which they have seen bullying happen as bystanders.

“It’s a humbling experience,” said Legend High School freshman Charli Dickman, who acknowledged the seminar opened her eyes to the times when she, perhaps, was the bully herself.

“Legend is like a family, and we want to act like a family and be nice to each other. If I could treat other students like they were my brothers and sisters, then it would be easier to treat them with more respect,” Dickman said.

When the seminar concludes, students share messages of hope and encouragement upon post-it notes, which they place on a poster in their high school’s main hallway. � e poster reminds students of their pledges to be the change, whether it is ending their bullying ways or standing up for someone who would not otherwise have a voice as a victim.

“When I sit with those freshmen and talk to them about their own heartache, they are ready for change. We need to tap into them to make the change happen for all of us,” McCormack said. “I’m extremely hopeful when I see those kids step up.”

For a list of resources assisting families and students with information about bullying, please visit the DCSD Student Wellness page. https://ucmprod.dcsdk12.org/dcsd/studentwellness/studentwellnesstopic/index.htm

If you see any threatening behavior or suspect a friend may be contemplating suicide, you can report it anonymously on the Colorado Safe2Tell website. http://safe2tell.org/

For teacher resources about stopping bullying, visit the Stop Bullying website. http://www.stopbullying.gov/

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9Visit www.dcsdk12.org/today to read full stories about the topics in Today

Grand Master

Han W. Lee2 Times Olympian2000 US Olympic Coach

A child’s early learning experiences help shape the way they grow and thrive as they move through early childhood, elementary school, and into their adolescent and adult years. � e Douglas County Early Childhood Council (DCECC) is dedicated to working with local agencies, businesses and individuals to help make Douglas County the best county to raise young children.

As an early childhood council, DCECC’s role is to:

• Build and support partnerships with community agencies and organizations that serve families with young children, prenatal to age 8.

• Provide helpful resource information to families to connect them to the services and support they need.

• Promote and support high quality learning opportunities for adults who work with young children.

• Support the overall health and emotional well-being of young children.

DCECC’s community projects include: the Journey to Kindergarten, Healthy Beginnings mental health consultation project, Touchpoints training, and Expanding Quality for Infant and Toddlers (EQIT) training. DCECC’s annual “Early Childhood Adventure,” to be held at � e Wildlife Experience on March 2, 2013, will o� er families with young children a chance to get out of the cold and enjoy some fun play activities including a puppet show and art projects. A resource fair helps parents learn about services and programs available in Douglas County.

DCECC has many local community members who are interested in improving early childhood services in Douglas County. For more information or to join DCECC, please go to: www.dcearlychildhood.org or contact Sandy Gregory at (720) 560-7300.

Early Childhood Council works to make Douglas County the place to raise young childrenDCSD Newsroom

Visit the DCSD newsroom at www.dcsdk12.org/communityrelations/newsroom.

DCSD Mobile AppThe DCSD app provides news, sports scores, lunch menus, calendar information and much, much more. Find it in the iTunes and Droid stores.

NewslineNewsline features stories and important announcements about students, staff, and great events. www.dcsdk12.org/communityrelations/newsline.

Traditions (Front Page Videos)On the front page of the website, visit the collection of videos highlighting DCSD’s best stories representing Excellence, Innovation, Efficiency or Safety.

Let’s Talk Education Radio ShowSuperintendent Dr. Elizabeth Fagen hosts a weekly radio show that focuses on the achievements and work of the Douglas County School District every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. on CastleRockRadio.com.

Channel 54: DougTVComcast Channel 54 , also known as DougTV. DougTV exclusively features DCSD programming, including video versions of Let’s Talk Education, sports events, and more.

Week In ReviewWeek in Review highlights the most interesting and fun DCSD events. On Facebook and You Tube, you can also find previous episodes on the DCSD website: www.dcsdk12.org/communityrelations/weekinreview.

DCSD on You TubeView the growing collection of DCSD videos on www.youtube.com/user/DougCoSchools/featured.

Telephone TownhallsJoin DCSD leaders for regular Telephone Townhall events: www.dcsdk12.org/communityrelations/telephonetownhall.

Board BriefingBoard Briefings provide a recap of Board meetings, a summary of action items, recognitions, and audio: www.dcsdk12.org/boardofeducation/boardbriefing.

FacebookFollow DCSD on www.facebook.com/dcsdk12.

Twitter Follow DCSD on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dcsdk12.

Today Douglas County School District | (303) 387-010010

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OurColoradoNews.com

Starting kindergarten is one of the biggest milestones in a young child’s life. � e Journey to Kindergarten (J2K) is a quick and easy reference that will provide important information about the skills and experiences that are necessary to prepare a young child for school success. It also gives parents and caregivers the peace of mind to know that they are doing just the right things to promote their child’s learning in a fun and interactive way.

A community partnership was envisioned and formed by the Douglas County Early Childhood Council, the Douglas County Libraries, and the Douglas County School District with grant monies generously donated by the Temple Buell Foundation. Kerry Goudy, early childhood consultant and president of � e Toudalou Company, was appointed to serve as project director for J2K. She assembled a project team of early childhood experts from Douglas County including the early childhood council, DCSD (pre-school teachers, kindergarten teachers, elementary school principal), library, health department, mental health network, and community members.

� e main beliefs behind the development of J2K are:

1) It is a priority to prepare every young child for school success.

2) Each child is unique and learns at his/her own pace.

3) � e use of a “common language” regarding kindergarten readiness promotes community alignment and consistency in preparing young children for school success.

4) “Play” stimulates a child’s curiosity, creativity and intellect and provides important learning opportunities.

5) � e parent is the child’s � rst teacher and the child’s home is where learning begins.

A� er conducting extensive research, a framework emerged for J2K that uses � ve important domain areas in school readiness:

• Language and Literacy (express ideas, listen, read and write)

• Math and Science (learn about numbers, patterns and space)

• Social Skills and Relationships (build self-con� dence, self-control and get along with others)

• Approaches to Learning (build interest, enthusiasm, curiosity and creativity)

• Health and Wellness (develop a healthy mind and body for a lifetime).

Important skills for each domain were summarized into an easy-to-read format with associated fun and interactive activity suggestions for children. J2K is not a readiness checklist or assessment but rather a guide for the journey of learning that begins when a baby is born and continues thoughout one’s lifetime.

Parents, grandparents, early care providers and librarians are encouraged to learn more about � e Journey to Kindergarten. Parents can visit dcearlychildhood.org and can select “Journey to Kindergarten” from the menu bar to try some of the fun and interactive activities with your young children.

Journey to Kindergarten paves way to life-long successIt is time to join the DCSD familyOpen EnrollmentThough January 7Opportunity to enroll in a school outside of your bound-ary school

PreschoolJanuary 15-26For kids three to � ve years old

January 15-19Early Childhood Center South3950 Trail Boss Lane, Castle Rock

January 22-26Early Childhood Center North8200 Park Meadows DriveSuite 204, Lone Tree

Kindergarten Enrollment January 7-11Eligible children must be � ve years of age by October 1, 2013

More information isavailable at DCSDK12.org

11Visit www.dcsdk12.org/today to read full stories about the topics in Today8

These are just a few of the projects we are These are just a few of the projects we are These are just a few of the projects we are These are just a few of the projects we are working on for upcoming editions of your working on for upcoming editions of your working on for upcoming editions of your working on for upcoming editions of your award-winning Douglas Countyaward-winning Douglas Countyaward-winning Douglas Countyaward-winning Douglas Countynewspapers. newspapers.

For more information on advertising your For more information on advertising your For more information on advertising your For more information on advertising your business in one of these upcoming special business in one of these upcoming special business in one of these upcoming special business in one of these upcoming special sections, contact Barb Stolte:sections, contact Barb Stolte:sections, contact Barb Stolte:sections, contact Barb Stolte:Phone: 303-566-4113Phone: 303-566-4113Email: bstolte@OurColoradoNews.comEmail: bstolte@OurColoradoNews.comEmail: bstolte@OurColoradoNews.comEmail: bstolte@OurColoradoNews.com

These are just a few of the projects we are working on for upcoming editions of your award-winning Douglas Countynewspapers.

For more information on advertising your business in one of these upcoming special sections, contact Barb Stolte:Phone: 303-566-4113Email: bstolte@OurColoradoNews.com

JanuaryJanuary Douglas County Guide Douglas County Guide New Year New You New Year New You

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January Douglas County Guide New Year New You

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303-566-4100 | OurColoradoNews.com

It is something that was planned even before construction began on Mesa Middle School. Now there is a giant sign on the school announcing that the staff and students have achieved their goal—Mesa is Douglas County’s first International Baccalaureate middle school.

In July, Mesa and its partner, Douglas County High School (DCHS), learned that they had received authorization to offer the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) to the schools’ seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth-graders.

It was a natural partnership since it was an extension of what DCHS has been offering for more than a decade. The school has offered IB’s Diploma Program (DP), which is only for high school juniors and seniors, since 1998.

The two schools worked closely to fill out the voluminous amounts of paper work required and then to prepare teachers at both locations for the change.

“Really it’s been a five-year journey,” explained DCHS Assistant Principal and MYP Coordinator Carla Holland.

“We’ve spent a lot of time, both at the administrative level and at the teacher level, building relationships [between the schools], added Jordi Owens, Mesa’s

IB coordinator. We spent a lot of [in-service] days in vertical articulation and ensuring that there is a logical scope and sequence as kids travel throughout the program.”

The transition also ties perfectly to the DCSD’s Strategic Plan. IB, like DCSD, focuses on providing students a World-Class education, while ensuring that teachers prepare for their lessons through practices

like backwards design.

“What we love about the MYP program is that it mimics all of the initiatives that the District is using right now in our change efforts, to bring our District into 21st-century learning. We have it all in one package deal,” Holland said.

“For our teachers it has been a really powerful experience, because they’ve become World-Class teachers through this process and through this learning,” Owens added. “IB requires that they backwards design their units and that they use an inquiry approach. So we are approaching the classroom as facilitators of learning and we’re developing real world authentic assessments for our kids. Our teachers have shifted to really caring about application in our students, so it’s no longer about the knowledge, it’s about what our students can do with their knowledge.”

The best part about Mesa’s addition to the IB network is Douglas County students can now choose to be in the IB program from elementary school until the day they graduate. In fact, Rock Ridge and South Ridge Elementary Schools, and especially Douglas County High School, have worked closely with Mesa to ensure that students’ experiences in the program are seamless from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Authorization clears the way for K-12 IB experience