Academic Lettering

Academic Lettering Update for 2024 Graduation

All Students who submitted an application and have been approved to receive an academic letter have been notified. This year’s ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 16th at 7:00 pm in the Ponderosa Theater.  Please reach out to Melissa Nansen ([email protected]) or Cris Nuzman ([email protected]) with questions.

Eligibility 

Eligibility is based on a cumulative GPA starting the sophomore year of high school and are as follows: 3.90 for Sophomores, 3.80 for Juniors, and 3.70 for Seniors, through the Fall 2023 semester. 

Application Process

Students will be notified of their eligibility through email by February 14th, 2024If you think you qualify, and have not been notified, please email either Cristian Nuzman or Melissa Nansen.

Your eligibility letter will have instructions including prompts for the 2024 essay and video, and the link for the online application form. The link will also be provided below. Applications are due by Thursday, February 29th, 2024.

APPLICATION LINK

  • The essay is used to inform us on our school goals at Ponderosa High School and select speakers for the ceremony
  • The student videos are compiled and played the night of the ceremony

Ceremony

A ceremony will be held on April 16th, in the Ponderosa Auditorium, for qualifying students who met the lettering criteria and successfully completed the application process.

Awards

The following awards are presented to the sophomore, junior, and senior recipients:
  • Ponderosa letter "P"
  • a Lamp of Knowledge pin
  • an academic letter patch
  • a certificate of lettering
  • and/or a bar per semester
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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 ).