Growing Together

Laurie Lacomb and Aaron Regan talk with John Widmier (the coordinator of social, emotional and behavior services for Littleton Public schools) about advice for parents to help their students get through unknown times.

QUESTIONS:

John, tell us about your background.

What advice do you have for parents during this unprecedented time?

Do you have any tips on how parents can build more positive relationships with our kids?

Do you have any day to day steps that we can take to be there for our kids?

Where should parents start?

If our listeners could take one thing away from this conversation, what would that be?

Erica Mason talks with Jeff Collins, a music teacher at Eagle Academy about how he has adapted to remote learning. 

QUESTIONS:

Tell us about yourself, Eagle Academy, and everything you are doing there.

How has remote learning changed your approach to learning?

What have been some of the biggest challenges for you and your students?

Tell me about teaching music in a remote learning environment.

Tell me about your students, how are you keeping connected with kids?

Is there anything else you would like to share before we wrap up today?

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Regan talk about the importance of mindfulness during these times of uncertainty.

QUESTIONS:

In times like these, how can mindfulness help?

Why face your fears with curiosity, and how does it help?

Erica Mason talks with Graig MacHendrie (Digital Library Specialist at Sagewood middle school) and Linda Conway (Director of Library Programming) about how they have transitioned to a remote library, how things have changed, and how they are supporting teachers with remote learning. 

QUESTIONS:

Tell us about your job and how your role has changed during remote learning?

 What do you see are the biggest needs for teachers and students?

What are the kinds of things you look at when looking at resources, to determine, what is valuable and will support good learning?

What are some ideas and strategies that you're using to do remote work and supporting teachers? 

What are you most excited about when implementing our strategic plan?

What are some of the challenges you have faced?

What is the most important lesson you have learned as an educator over the years?

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon talk with Dr. Scott Cypers, Director of Stress and Anxiety programs at the Helen and Arthur E Johnson Depression Center, about how to help students with anxiety. 

QUESTIONS:

What advice do you have for families that are trying to balance school, work, and staying safe?

Do you have any tips or tricks for parents in helping center kids at home?

If you have parents take away one thing from this podcast, what would that be?

Erica Mason talks with Tony Jackowski and Mary Murphy about their program at Mesa middle school regarding Global awareness and social entrepreneurship. 

QUESTIONS:

Tell us about your program at Mesa Middle school regarding global awareness and social entrepreneurship.

What does it look like for incoming students?

Do you have students that have leadership opportunities to mentor new/ incoming students?

What other ways can the community support the program?

How has remote learning affected your program?

Is there anything else you would like to share with our listeners?

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon talk with Patrick Alley, the training coordinator at DJEATC about their trade school program.

QUESTIONS:

What does your program do for students?

What does it look like to join your program?

How long does it take to work through the training?

What's the earning potential for someone who becomes an electrician?

Are the benefits good?

How long have you been in this field?

Do you personally work with recent graduates in this program?

What traits do you see in successful students?

What is the success rate of your program?

If you could give one message, what would it be?

RESOURCES:

303-295-1903 – office

DJEATC68.com

Erica Mason talks with Kent Allison, Technology & Engineering Teacher, Department Chair and Technology Student Association Advisor at Mountain Vista High School and Debbie Tawzer, Digital Design/Engineering Teacher and TSA Advisor at Legend High School about their program and how students are helping 3D print supplies for local medical facilities. 

QUESTIONS:

Q. What are you experiencing as a teacher during this national pandemic? What are you hearing from students? How do you continue to connect with your students?

Q.  What do you wish every student, parent or family knew about CTE, your program?

Q.  What advice or strategies do you have for students and parents as they navigate this new environment?

Q.  What are the benefits to students, families that participate in CTE?  What challenges do they face and what advice do you have for overcoming these challenges?

Q. What is the most rewarding experience and/or what brings you the most joy in your work with the students in your programs?

Q.  What is the most important lesson that you learned either as a teacher in all your years in education?

RESOURCES:

For more information please reach out to Kent and Debbie:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Regan talk with Tiffany Anderson, the Counselor for Prevention at Sierra middle school about the programs and events they offer for students and parents.

QUESTIONS:

What does C4P mean?

Is there anything that stands out that you are proud of?

As a counselor, if you could have all parents internalize one message, what would that be? 

What message would you give to kids?

Are there any events coming up, or books we should read?

RESOURCES:

 Tip Sheet:

Talking to Teens

ADVICE FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS, COACHES AND MORE

Sometimes it may feel like youth aren’t listening to what you say but research shows adults can have a big influence on their behavior. What you think matters to the young people in your life. As an adult they trust, you can impact their choices. What you say, and the example you set, make a difference. The following tips can help you get talking.

LISTEN

Make them feel heard. Consider their opinions and keep the conversation going. Even if you’ve talked about this topic before, their issues and opinions change all the time. Plus, as youth get older, they can feel more pressure from friends and classmates.

SET CLEAR RULES

Make family, school and sports team rules clear and stick to them. Let them know what will happen if they don’t follow them.

FOCUS ON POSITIVE MESSAGES

Encourage them to make choices that help them achieve their goals.

LEARN HOW TEENS ARE VAPING

Because of the wide array of discreet vape devices, it is easier than ever to hide them and vape at school or during school activities. Get a sense of what vaping devices look like.

REMIND THEM WHAT CAN HAPPEN FOR BREAKING THE RULES

Teens that break school or school activity rules can be suspended or kicked off a team.

continued...

SOURCE: CDPHE “Good to Know Tips” ** This content piece is based on the Good to Know campaign “Tips for Talking to Students & Athletes” document.

LET THEM KNOW: THEY COULD LOSE CONTROL

Most vapes contain nicotine, even many that say “nicotine free” on the label. Most teens start out thinking they can stop whenever they want and won’t ever become addicted. And lots more start smoking cigarettes, a product that kills half its users. In fact, a teen who vapes is four times more likely to start smoking.

REMIND THEM THEY’RE ROLE MODELS TO OTHER YOUTH

Let them know that younger students and siblings look up to them as examples. How would they feel if a younger sibling got addicted to vaping?

NOT EVERYONE IS DOING IT

It is easier for youth to say “no” to peer pressure if they know not everyone is doing it. Let them know that more than half of high school and middle school students have never vaped, so they’re in good company.

SHARE THE SCIENCE

Despite what teens may hear, vaping is not just “harmless water vapor.” Most vapes contain nicotine, artificial flavoring and other chemicals. Stress the fact that teens who JUUL or vape nicotine or THC may have trouble learning and memory issues, as both nicotine and THC have negative effects on adolescent brain development.

BOOK:

"13 things mentally strong parents don't do" by Amy Morin 

Erica Mason talks with Joy Griffin, our CPE and CE Coordinator at DCSD about remote learning and student support. 

QUESTIONS:

1) As we rollout and implement our Strategic Plan, what are you most excited about? How does this support the work that you are doing?

2) Can you tell our listeners about what CTE and CE is?  Why is it important for our Douglas County School District’s students? What opportunities are available to students across the district?

3) What do you wish every student, parent or family knew about CTE/CE?

4) What are the benefits to students, families that participate in CTE/CE courses? What challenges do they face and what advice do you have for overcoming these challenges?

5) How does remote learning impact students that are in CE courses?

6) What advice or strategies do you have for students and parents as they navigate this new environment?

7) How are you continuing to grow and develop the programs?  What new developments might people see in the upcoming years?

8) What is the biggest challenge that educators today face? And how do we (leaders, community, etc.) support them? How do you think that the development and implementation of our strategic plan helps move our district forward related to CTE/CE?

9) What is the most rewarding experience and/or what brings you the most joy in your work with CTE/CE in Douglas County?

10) What is the most important lesson that you learned either as a teacher or leader in all your years in education?

RESOURCES:

March 27, 2019

Press Release

Paula Hans, Public Information Officer

303-387-0031 | [email protected]

DCSD Uses 3D Printing to Supply Protective Face Shields

to Healthcare Providers

Douglas County School District is stepping in to help remedy a shortage of protective face shields used by healthcare providers treating those with COVID-19. Career and Technical Education (CTE) engineering teachers at Castle View, Legend, Mountain Vista, and Rock Canyon high schools have joined forces to supply face shields to healthcare providers at Sky Ridge Medical Center.

By using 3D printers, these CTE teachers are able to print face shields that provide facial protection for healthcare workers.

“I think in these uncertain times, we need to join together to do as much as we are capable of for the betterment and sustainability of our communities and world,” said Mountain Vista High School Engineering Teacher Kent Allison. “If that means I check on shut-in neighbors to see if they need help, or 3D print face shields for doctors on the front lines, we all can find that thing to do to help out. I am honored to help in any way I can and will continue to do so until we get through this.”

DCSD CTE teachers are collaborating with local healthcare partners to engage students in authentic learning while the District has transitioned to remote learning following the governor’s executive order suspending in-person learning in public and private schools across the state.

“We are deeply humbled by the outpouring of love and support from our community,” said Sky Ridge Medical Center’s Linda Watson, Vice President of Marketing. “Thank you to the Douglas County School District for their creative engineering of these face shields. We are so proud to partner with you and grateful for this gift.”

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About DCSD

Douglas County School District is Colorado’s third largest school district and serves 68,000 students. Learn more at www.dcsdk12.org.