Emergencies/ School Closures

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Douglas County School District takes the safety of our students, staff, parents and community members extremely seriously. Information about school closures and delays will be updated on a red banner at the top of the DCSD website.

When a snowstorm is approaching

By far, the biggest reason for school closures in Colorado are snowstorms. In Douglas County, we have a "snow team" that is dedicated to monitoring incoming storms, accessing whether a closure or delay is warranted and then communicating that information to our stakeholders and the public.

How the decision is made

Beginning early in the morning we have several staff members, including experienced bus drivers and grounds people relay the conditions they see across the county and at our schools. If conditions are extremely treacherous or the forecast indicates that they may become too dangerous the team makes a recommendation for a closure or delay to the Superintendent, who makes the final decision.

In addition to safety, we also have a responsibility to balance the impact that our decisions have on families and our work -- educating students.

Douglas County School District may close or delay the entire District as a group or by regional area, depending on the conditions.

If school remains open

During Colorado winters, snow and ice are to be expected. We encourage everyone within the District to drive extremely cautiously.

Those that do not feel comfortable driving in these conditions or are inexperienced should consider alternate transportation options. As always, we respect a parent's decision to keep their students home, if necessary.

If there is a 90-minute delay

When DCSD schools are placed onto a 90-minute delay all schools start 90 minutes after their normal start times. Bus routes are also delayed by 90 minutes, so students should plan to be picked up one and a half hours later than normal. Before and After School (BASE) programs also begin 90 minues later than normal. During a delay, morning preschool and kindergarten programs are canceled. Full-day preschool and kindergarten programs operate on a 90-minute delay. Decisions about before school activities are generally made on a school-by-school basis.

Where are closures and delays posted?

In the event of a closure or delay, the information will be immediately posted on the top of the District's website. We will also post updates on the District's Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as the DCSD mobile app. Finally, we notify local media outlets.

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).