EPICER

Quick Guide to all things EPICER!

At Cherokee Trail, we focus on four traits; teaching and fostering them in our classrooms in order to create learners that are strong both academically and socially. They are:

Enthusiasm

Perseverance

Integrity

Courage
Empathy
Respect

Each character trait has indicators which help students understand what the trait may look like at school.

Enthusiasm

* I show a positive attitude at all times

* I am eager to learn

* I show active engagement throughout my day

Perseverance

* I use determination to try to finish a task

* I have a growth mindset

* I continue through tough times and problem solve

Integrity

* I am honest

* I show empathy to those around me

* I encourage and support others to do their best

* I do what is right even when no one is watching and it is not the popular thing to do

Courage

* I am willing to take risks in my learning

* I stand up for what's right at all times

* I have self confidence

Empathy

* I actively listen to others to understand their feelings and the situation

* I can put myself in someone else’s shoes

* I notice clues about how others are feeling: their words and body language

* I celebrate how I am the same and how I am different from others

* I consider other people's feelings/wants/needs when I act

Respect

* I listen carefully to adults and students and do not interrupt

* I show empathy when interacting with others

* I accept feedback and respond in a positive way

* I own my actions and make things right

* I use manners

The CTE Promise:
At CTE, we promise to prepare our students to navigate and transfer their learning to solve real world problems.Through STEAM, we empower our students to understand themselves as learners, know their passions, and advocate within the global community.
We are passionate about making a positive impact. Show Enthusiasm!
We embrace change and don’t give up. Commit to Persevere!
We always show respect and do what’s right. Demonstrate Integrity!
We are risk takers and explorers. Be Courageous!
We consider others' feelings. Advocate Empathy!
We own our actions and use manners. Exemplify Respect!

Ways We Recognize EPIC Behavior at CTE:

Individual Recognition for being EPICER:

Students can receive an EPICER sticker from a staff member when they show any one or more of the traits. The student fills out a ticket with his/her name on it along with the reason why the sticker was earned. The student is then able to take it down to the office to put it in the ticket drum. One ticket from each grade level is drawn for the week and those students are recognized on announcements.

Students can also be nominated by a teacher to be an EPICER student for the quarter. These students consistently show the EPIC qualities on a day to day basis. These students are recognized at an all school assembly each quarter.

Class and School Recognition for EPICER:

Each time a student earns an EPICER sticker, he or she also receives a ping pong ball to drop into the school EPICER tubes. These are located near the front office. Once these tubes fill up, the whole school earns a reward.

Each class sets an EPICER sticker goal. Once the class reaches that goal, they can do a whole class reward.

Each classroom also has a horseshoe on which the class can earn STARS from other staff members for demonstrating EPICER behavior that goes above and beyond. If the class earns 7 stars by the end of the day on Thursday, the class is announced and receives a reward on Friday.

CTE Teams:

In order to promote positive behavior as well as get students to be a part of something greater than themselves, each classroom at Cherokee Trail is connected to a larger team within the school. Similar to the point system used in the Harry Potter books, positive behavior by students earns points for their team. Every month we have a different team challenge where students can also earn points for their teams. At the end of the month we chose a team winner based on the number of points that team has earned. Daily, students can see in real time the point totals on the TV in our cafeteria. At the end of every quarter, we will have a huge celebration for the winning team for that quarter. We name our teams after different people based on our STEAM acronym. Next time you are in our building, make sure you check out our team banners hanging in the halls from the previous years.

Student indicators:

Respect: Showing high value towards other students, teachers, and staff:

I listen carefully to adults and students and do not interrupt.

I show empathy when interacting with others.
I use manners.
- I say please, thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me, may I
- I hold the door for the person behind me.
- I do not talk when someone else is talking.

I accept feedback and respond in a positive way.

I own my actions and make things right.

Staff indicators:

I am a professional.
- I am on time and prepared
- I listen carefully to others’ ideas
I am a productive group member
- I am engaged and collaborative
I respect student and teacher privacy
- I assume positive intent when working with students, parents, and staff.
- I use an appropriate tone of voice and pull students aside to talk to them.

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 ).