On Monday, August 21, 2017, our district will be in the path of a near total solar eclipse. This event is being called “The Great American Eclipse” because it is the first time since 1918 a solar eclipse will be visible on a path across the entire continental United States.

Dear Parents and members of the Durango 9-R Community,

This has been a very difficult week in La Plata County. As many of you know, we have dealt with many significant issues this week with regard to students attempting or completing suicide in our community.

The district is implementing Student ID’s for all students within the district. Student ID’s will serve a multitude of purposes as the district rolls out the program, including bus access.

Middle School and Course Selection forms are due. Spring is an exciting time of year for our 5th grade students as we begin the process of planning for middle school.

Durango High School is delighted to announce the support of the Bank of Colorado, Morehart Murphy Regional Auto Center, and Coca-Cola of Durango-Farmington as the first local, corporate sponsors for the DHS Stadium, athletic and activities programs. Their sponsorship dollars will go towards the repayment of the costs of the new stadium construction and new turf, which features the latest technology in synthetic playing fields, creating a safer field on which athletes can train and compete.

Animas Valley Elementary, Riverview Elementary, and Sunnyside Elementary are all recognized by the Colorado Department of Education for various academic achievements with students. On Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at their annual awards ceremony in Denver, the schools will receive their official awards. This is the first year that more than one school from Durango School District 9-R will be recognized for their students’ academic growth and achievement, but is a continuation of a historical streak of similar accolades annually.

The 4th Annual Durango Education Fair will take place on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 5-7pm at Fort Lewis College. This informational fair celebrates the wonderful and unique educational choices and opportunities available in our small town. From innovative public schools, to a variety of private and parochial schools, to rigorous charter schools and many higher education opportunities, Durango-area schools offer choices, diverse curriculum and opportunities for every family from preschool through higher education.

It’s that time of the year when weather can make our lives interesting. While I had another topic for this week’s column, I thought it best to cover the weather procedures used in the district when considering changes in school schedule.

Durango School District 9-R is excited to announce that the Colorado Department of Education has accepted our application to become a new Administrative Unit (AU) for special education effective July 1, 2017. As the district’s Director of Exceptional Student Services, I will be working closely with the San Juan BOCES as well as our district departments to prepare and plan for this transition.

As a public school district, we hold a great deal of responsibility in ensuring that we adequately prepare our students for success after they leave our pre-K-12 system. While we continue to show great growth in the academic arenas, what I am most proud of is the work that is done on a daily basis by our staff – teachers, support staff, coaches, and administrators – to build character that will lead our students to success.