Dear LCSD Families, Staff and Partners:

Happy October! What a stunning leaf peeping season we have had here in the high country. I am so grateful every day to be surrounded by nature and its gifts. In our classrooms, learning is underway and we are deep into the work.

This month I want to start with some Family Engagement updates:

• We can’t wait to see you on October 15 and 16 for Parent-Teacher conferences! Please look for sign up information in each school’s weekly update.
• The District Accountability Committee is once again organizing a parent and business potluck to support teachers and staff during conferences on Wednesday, October 15. This will be the only conference potluck of the year, so please sign up! Sign up here
• This year, we are partnering with Lake County Build a Generation to help keep families connected to LCSD. Stephanie Radilla is our Family Engagement Coordinator, and she is available to assist with questions or problem solving. Stephanie can be reached at 719-427-7143 or sradilla@lakecountyschools.net.
• Stephanie and I are recruiting a group of parents who are interested in helping make connections with other parents and get the word out about school events. Want to join the Panther Padres? Please email me (kbartlett@lakecountyschools.net) or Stephanie. This is a very low commitment volunteer opportunity–just a few minutes a month! 

October Headlines (scroll to learn more!)

• Student Outcomes progress – Fall data is in!
• Strategic Plan – Thank you to everyone who participated in a focus group.
• School Consolidation – Planning continues.
• Calendar Committee – The committee will make its recommendation on 10/27

October Updates

Improving Student Outcomes: We have completed our fall checkpoint assessments and are using those results to help ensure that we are on the right track in English Language Arts and Math. Teachers are meeting regularly in teams to discuss lesson planning and interventions. At LCES and LCIS, students have weekly IXL homework challenges. This platform provides a great opportunity for students to focus on academic skills that need work!

Strategic Plan: Wow! What an incredible turnout for our strategic plan focus groups. We held over 20 conversations and reached over 140 students, staff, parents and community members last week for conversations about LCSD. These conversations covered what is going well, what we could be doing better and what we all want to see for our students. THANK YOU to everyone who joined us!

School Consolidation: In the summer of 2026, we will consolidate our school campuses from four to three. We continue to work on the various steps we need to take to make this transition successful. Read our Q&A about school consolidation.

Calendar Committee: Watch for the final calendar survey and also an opportunity to provide input on the final options at Parent-Teacher conferences. The committee will be making its final recommendation to the Board of Education for the 2026-27 school calendar on October 27. Thank you to the many parents and community members who have been a part of this work!

We look forward to seeing many of you in person at conferences this month!

Kate

Kate Bartlett, Superintendent