As superintendent, I have worked hard to build relationships with educational partners outside our district, as I know that the work that we need to do to increase student achievement is work that cannot be done alone or in isolation. As a result of one of these collaborations, I am very excited that DC Charter is one of only three districts in Douglas County that was invited to participate in the Chalkboard Project!

Chalkboard Project is an initiative of Foundations for a Better Oregon—six independent, nonpartisan Oregon foundations united by a common purpose: A better state for all Oregonians. The goal is elevating student achievement, eradicating achievement inequalities, and making our K-12 public schools among the best in the nation.

Chalkboard's vision statement says:
We believe Oregon students deserve a public school system that is among the nation’s best as measured by student achievement, and that all students deserve equal educational success. Our vision is to use philanthropic collaboration to improve K-12 public education and by doing so, lift up the entire state.

The Chalkboard website goes on to say that an effective teacher has the single greatest influence on how well a student learns; school leaders are second. That’s why our efforts focus on ensuring educators and school leaders have the systems and supports they need to help every student succeed. 

Thanks to funding from Ford Family Foundation, six DC Charter employees are participating in this initiative, which we anticipate will lead to improved teaching and learning through improved professional learning for educators. 

As part of our initial training, we were asked to examine and articulate our core beliefs.  I brought back the work that we did that day and shared it with all employees, giving everyone here the opportunity to respond and provide feedback to improve our draft.  After revising our initial statements, I presented the document to both the charter board and the district board and gave each an opportunity to help us refine the statements to ensure they were accurate reflections of what we believe.

Next, we examined the existing district philosophy of education, the charter school's mission, and my priorities as superintendent, ensuring appropriate intersectionality between the various cornerstones of who we are, what we believe, and how we operate.

Below, you will find a link to the final document, which also has a new home on the homepage of our district website: click on the "Core Beliefs" link at the bottom of the homepage. 

Thank you for walking this journey with us, as we seek continual improvement to become the very best version of ourselves.

Respectfully,

Mark


http://www.dayscreekschools.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_803186/File/Corebeliefs%20(2).pdf

The daily schedules for those of us who work and learn at DC Charter continue to be filled with new adventures and learning opportunities.  In addition to all the new things we started last year that we have continued this year, here is just a small sample of some of the additional opportunities available for our students this year that weren’t on the agenda last year:

--Art Express: retired teachers Marilyn and Joanie are providing art education several times throughout the year for students in Grades K-5.

--Music education: all elementary students have music instruction 30 minutes daily and we have several high school students enrolled in choir.

--Other music opportunities: we’ve hosted two renown performance groups this year.  Through a partnership with the Umpqua Symphony Association, all students K-12 were guests of the Rhythm Future Quartet, whose performance genre is gypsy jazz.

Through a partnership with Roseburg Community Concerts, our 6-12 students got to travel to 7-Feathers Convention Center to hear The Kat Trio perform a selection of classical music from around the world.

--Nutrition Education: through a partnership with Mercy Foundation, a nutritionist is visiting elementary classrooms regularly to talk about making healthy food choices.

--Robotics: the robotics materials are no longer stored in the closest!  Instead, all middle school students will have the opportunity to engage in a robotics unit as part of the Technology Exploratory class.

--National FFA Convention: our high school forestry team, which won the state competition, is representing Oregon in Indianapolis this week.

DC Charter is fortunate to have so many great students, a school that is filled with teachers who care about them, and parents and community members who support our efforts in providing such a wonderful variety of opportunities to meet their varying needs and interests.

Thank you for continuing to partner with and support our school!  And, be sure to follow us on Facebook to see regular posts on all the activities mentioned here as well as the many other activities going on around campus!

Respectfully,

Dr. Mark Angle, Superintendent

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Days Creek Charter School seeks to become the best educational environment possible for the students we serve!  To meet this goal, we need your help!  Please consider volunteering in one or more of the following ways…

BOOK BUDDY

Commit to coming to the school once each week for at least thirty (30) minutes to work one-on-one with an assigned elementary student.  Activities may include reading a book to the student, listening to the student read a book to you, taking turns reading a book to each other, or practicing word flash cards to improve the students’ reading.

LUNCH BUDDY

Commit to coming to the school at least twice per month to have lunch with a group of students (elementary, middle, or high).  You may purchase a lunch at the school or provide your own lunch.  Activities may include asking students about school, talking to students about their interests, and playing games with students during recess...anything to help support students and show them the community cares about their success.

CLASSROOM READER

Commit to coming to the school at least once each month to read aloud to an assigned class.  You may bring your own favorite children’s book to share or the teacher will provide a book for you.  

TEACHER’S HELPER

Commit to coming to the school on a regular basis (schedule to be worked out with assigned teacher) to help with the clerical aspects of teaching...making copies, creating bulletin boards, preparing materials for classroom activities, etc.

LIBRARY HELPER

Working collaboratively with the library assistant, create a schedule for coming to the school when available to assist with shelving, restocking, inventory, and other tasks related to library operations.

TECHNOLOGY DOCENT

Working collaboratively with the teacher, create a schedule for coming to the school when available to assist students as they log into computer programs, practice keyboarding skills, or engage in online educational software; or, teach a specific technology tool such as Excel or PowerPoint.

ART DOCENT

Working collaboratively with the teacher, create a schedule for coming to the school when available to assist students with classroom projects or preparations, or teach a mini-lesson on a specific art skill such as pottery, watercolor, photography, etc.

GARDENER

Working collaboratively with the Supervisor of Maintenance, commit to coming to the school as available  to assist with yardwork and gardening.  Activities may include, weeding, planting, outdoor cleaning, washing windows, etc.

HOUSEKEEPING

Commit to coming to the school as available to assist with indoor cleaning that is beyond the scope of regular custodial work.  Activities may include organizing, cleaning trophy cabinets, dusting, wiping down baseboards, washing dishes in the staff workroom, etc.

SUPERINTENDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT

June 2016

Dear District Board of Directors and Charter School Board of Directors:

I am providing this narrative as a summary of the 2015-16 school year and to share with you the goals I wish to work toward for the 2016-17 school year.

As you may recall, soon after being hired, I established as our priority the Give Me Five initiative.  I have carried that logo and tagline throughout the entire year and it has appeared on many documents to help give us a brand identity.  We will continue in 2016-17 to focus our improvement efforts around these cornerstones of student success. 

ATTENDANCE

During the 2015-16 school year, 230 students passed through our doors, compared to 193 students in 2014-15.  We began the year with an artificially high 198 students “on the books.”  In September, after the dust had settled, we were at 194 students, and then grew throughout the year to end June with 199 students actually enrolled and attending classes.

The average daily attendance rate for the 2015-16 school year was 92 percent.  Compared to previous years, we had fewer students who were chronically absent as well as fewer tardies and early dismissals.

For 2016-17, we will strive to increase our average daily attendance rate to 93 percent.

ATTITUDE

We had very few behavior problems overall, and zero issues in which the district board was asked to consider expulsion.  Overall, employee morale was better (zero staff turnover) and students were happier in school (leading to an enrollment increase from a projected 149 to an actual 199 students enrolled, which we sustained throughout the year). 

The newly formed behavior committee spent the year studying various behavior programs and developed a new discipline matrix that we intend to use during 2016-17 to bring greater accountability and consistency as we manage student behavior and impose disciplinary consequences.

For 2016-17, we will implement the new discipline matrix and respond to out-of-district student behavior issues more quickly and consistently using a revised out-of-district student contract.

ACADEMICS

Teachers in grades K-5 implemented the new reading curriculum.  Elementary teachers frequently used the new iPads and worked closely throughout the year with Ryan Zeedyk from the ESD for instructional technology support.  River Studies returned after a two-year hiatus as a year-long science emphasis for grades 4-5. 

Creative writing was taught during the middle school wheel rotation for the first time.  A math tutor was hired to provide support to high school students struggling with math content. 

The senior project process was improved to include collaboration between the Senior Project teacher and the English teacher as well as to have greater consistency between the research paper, community service, and project itself; and, seniors were expected to find ways to tie all three of these components to their future career goals. 

Fewer students had “F” grades on their report cards than in 2014-15.  Rock 101 was added as an elective.  The anthropology class included several guest artisans who shared their unique talents, including cedar basket making, flint knapping, and pottery making (using locally harvested clay).  All of these provided students with hands-on opportunities for learning.  The Vo-Ag and FFA programs received recognition at district and state level competitions. 

As a result of planning that was done this year, for 2016-17 numerous new academic opportunities will be available to Days Creek students including, but not limited to:

●      New math curriculum K-12

●      Dual credit writing through Southern Oregon University

●      Metals shop (in preparation for dual credit welding through UCC in 2017-18)

●      Robotics

●      Elementary music

●      Beginning Band

●      High School Choir

●      Healthy Kids Outreach Program for hygiene and health education (returning after several years absence)

Goals during the 2016-17 school year include implementing a preschool readiness initiative in partnership with the South-Central Early Learning Hub and articulating a K-12 natural resources theme that will be embedded throughout the curriculum in various content areas and throughout various times of year beginning in 2017-18.

ATHLETICS

During 2015-16, we continued our tradition of offering high-quality athletic programs.  Our student-athletes performed successfully on the field/court and in the classrooms.  Expectations for student-athletes to be models with regards to attendance, attitude, academics and leadership were articulated and enforced by the coaches and co-athletic directors. 

In addition, we piloted a successful return of softball as an option for student athletes.

In 2016-17, we plan to investigate the return of baseball as an option for student athletes using the same pilot process as was used with softball.

ACTIVITIES

During 2015-16, students were provided with numerous opportunities to participate in a variety of grade level and whole school activities including, but not limited to:

●      Recognition at district board meetings

●      Participation in charter board meetings

●      Frequent awards assemblies

●      Glee club (sang National Anthem at volleyball games)

●      Mercy flight helicopter tours

●      Trim-a-tree

●      Caroling at Forest Glen Retirement Center

●      OMSI science assembly

●      UCC choir assembly

●      Oregon Rising video campaign

●      Ski Club

●      Class field trips

●      Fancy Friday School Days

●      First Annual Badminton Tournament of Champions

●      Young Author’s Night

●      Spirit Weeks

●      Student Council

●      Senior Walk

●      Move-Up Day

In 2016-17, we will continue to offer a variety of activities that appeal to a variety of student interests as a way to keep our students actively engaged with school.

* * * * * * * * *

In addition to the areas articulated above, I was directly involved in these areas of leadership and management:

TEACHING AND LEARNING

●      Every teacher received a full clinical observation and evaluation

●      Year-long work with the Institute for Research and Reform in Education (IRRE) to gather baseline data to inform improvement efforts

COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING

●      New website

●      Active Facebook page (grew from 100 to 455 followers!)

●      Instragram account

●      Frequent emails to teachers and boards

●      Superintendent’s blog

●      Transparent budgeting process

●      Collaboration with DD Bixby at ESD

RELATIONSHIPS

Much time was invested this year getting to know people and building collaborative relationships with:

●      Teachers and staff

●      Parents and community members

●      Superintendent colleagues

●      Partners, including but not limited to:

○      UCC

○      Southern Oregon University

○      Ford Family Foundation

○      IRRE

○      ESD

○      First Student

○      News-Review

○      KPIC

TECHNOLOGY

●      Upgraded infrastructure and hardware

BUDGETING

●      Good steward of public resources

●      Healthy balance between spending and saving

●      Improved and streamlined process for employees to request purchases

●      Transparent budgeting process that included teachers in decision making

●      Awarded $10,000 grant for music program

POLICY

●      Policy manual has been kept up-to-date throughout the year and is available online

FACILITIES

●      Part-time custodian hired

●      Implemented new maintenance tracking system

●      Four restrooms remodeled

●      Water line moved from neighboring property

●      Grounds upkeep improved (compared to previous year)

GOVERNANCE

●      Formed school level committees

●      Formed site council

●      Professional Learning Communities (PLC) monthly meetings

●      Rewriting charter document

●      Title I audit and transition to school-wide program

●      Declaration of single entity to streamline budgeting and eliminate duplicate audit

Thank you for partnering with me and supporting these many endeavors!  It has been an incredibly busy year with a tremendous amount of change and growth.  Though there have been some stalled initiatives and some frustrating setbacks along the way, I think that an objective look at the year as a whole reveals that together, we have made Douglas County SD #15 and Days Creek Charter School a better place for our students, their families, and the employees who work here.

I look forward to continuing during the 2016-17 year the work we have started and striving for continuous improvement in all the ways we serve our community.

                                                                                                Respectfully,

                                                                                                Dr. Mark A. Angle, Superintendent

The Class of 2016

A collaborative poem written by DC Charter employees for our graduates

When I look back on the class of 2016…

…I’ll remember those students who persevered no matter what;

…I’ll remember the return of happiness;

…I’ll remember how good they worked with our elementary students.

When I look back on the class of 2016…

              …I’ll remember hard work, fun personalities, and the great senior projects;

              …I’ll remember that it wasn’t always easy, but they persevered;

              …I’ll remember camouflage!

When I look back on the class of 2016…

              …I’ll remember the positive growth I witnessed, which has been a huge blessing to us all;

              …I’ll remember a group of young people who like to get involved;

              …I’ll remember the mint moochers…you know who you are!

When I look back on the class of 2016…

              …I’ll remember a class that had to work to meet the goal of walking across this stage;

...I’ll remember a few quiet, appreciated, students who always tried to do the right thing and the massive growth in maturity and work ethic in others from freshmen year to senior year.

…I’ll remember taxidermy!

When I look back on the class of 2016…

…I’ll remember chefs, bull riders, singers, rockers, softball players, pony racers, outdoorsmen and women, mathematicians, scientists, readers, writers, and wolves all round.   

              …I’ll remember the laughter and smiles and genuine affection they have shown over the years. 

And, I will miss them!

Days Creek Charter School announces Open House for prospective students

Days Creek Charter School is currently accepting applications for the 2016-17 academic year for all grade levels, K-12.  Families considering school enrollment options for next year are invited to a drop in Open House between 6p - 8p on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at the school, which is located at 11381 Tiller Trail Highway in Days Creek.

Teachers and administrators will be available to talk to prospective students and their families about the courses, programs, athletics, and activities available at the school.  Current high school students will give tours of the building and grounds to prospective students.

Days Creek Charter School accepts students from throughout the area with daily busing from Tri-City, Myrtle Creek and Canyonville. With an enrollment around 200 students, the small school climate allows teachers to focus their teaching on individualized and responsive instruction that adapts to students' needs.  With a charter that focuses on natural resources, elementary students have the opportunity to participate in riparian restoration with a nationally recognized expert in this field.  The agriculture classes and FFA program are vibrant and growing.  A musician-in-residence will begin building a strong music program in the upcoming year to include music classes twice weekly for every elementary student, and daily band classes beginning in fourth grade. High school students will have the opportunity to participate in a performance choir.

Other new courses that will be offered for 2016-17 school year include Robotics for middle school students and dual-credit writing for high school, which will be offered in partnership with Southern Oregon University.  The district also offers several math courses and a computer science course for dual credit with Umpqua Community College.

The district has a history of strong athletic programs and will be offering its student athletes the opportunity to participate in football, volleyball, basketball, softball, and track during the 2016-17 year.  The district also plans to continue its popular Ski Club with several trips planned to Mt. Ashland during the snow season.

The district has made a significant investment in technology including an iPad cart that allows elementary students to have frequent interaction with this learning resource.  Computers in labs and classrooms are being upgraded this summer to the latest Windows operating system and will be complemented in the fall by a laptop computer cart.   

The single campus set up of the school allows for enriching interaction between primary and secondary students and opportunities for becoming and finding role models. Responsible high school students can be tasked with internships, learning valuable organization and leadership skills, while younger pupils watch successful teens excel in high school. Teachers and staff are longtime and integral members of our community, many of whom are former Days Creek graduates and returned to give their shared enthusiasm for this small school that’s got a big appetite for learning.

For more information, please explore the district website at www.dayscreekschools.com.  While there, be sure to click on the links for our active and frequently updated Facebook and Instagram pages.

Days Creek Charter School announces Kindergarten Orientation

Days Creek Charter School will be hosting kindergarten orientation for students and their families who will be enrolling in kindergarten for the 2016-17 school year.  Families are invited to visit the kindergarten classroom beginning at 6p on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 to have pizza and dessert with Kindergarten teacher Sarah Hooper.  The school  is located at 11381 Tiller Trail Highway in Days Creek.

In addition to the opportunity to meet and interact with the teacher, kindergarten orientation will provide the opportunity for families to learn school readiness activities they can do together this summer to help ensure a successful start to school.  Every family that participates will get a learning kit that includes play dough, crayons, learning activities and a story book.  Additionally, each child will receive a free “Class of 2029” t-shirt that they can wear on the first day of school in the fall.

For more information about Days Creek Charter School, please explore the district website at www.dayscreekschools.com.  While there, be sure to click on the links for our active and frequently updated Facebook and Instagram pages.