December 31, 2015
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Proposal for new school debated It would serve students in grades K-8 with emotional and behavioral needs The DePoty family received first place for its movie-inspired decorations on Blackbird Place, off South Quebec Street. “We are big ‘Star Wars’ fans,” Ron DePoty said. Photos by Alex DeWind
Bright lights bring prizes Winners announced in annual HRCA contest By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com Highlands Ranch Community Association’s annual Holiday House Decorating Contest had 17 entries this year. Participants were asked to complete an online entry with a photo by Dec. 5, and the community voted online Dec. 7 through Dec. 11. Meet the winners: First place The DePoty family, at Blackbird Place, near South University Boulevard and South Quebec Street, went with a “Star Wars” theme this year following the premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Ron, his wife Megan, and their two boys spent three consecutive weekends decorating their home. Every year it gets bigger and better, Ron said. What will they do with the $200 prize? “Probably pay the electrical bill,” Ron said, jokingly. Second place Hunter Bogle, 13, at Bentwood Circle, off Wildcat Reserve Parkway near Southridge Recreation Center, sketched out a plan with his mother and stepfather before decorating their home, which took about a month. Their theme was all things Christmas with a dancing Santa on the doorstep and candy canes scattered throughout the yard. Hunter was initially interested when a neighbor down the street participated in the contest and won. What will they do with the $100 prize? “We will go out and buy more decorations for next year so we can try to win first,” Hunter said.
Hunter Bogle, 13, and his mother and stepfather took second place for their festive display on Bentwood Circle, off Wildcat Reserve Parkway. “We wanted to take on the Christmas spirit,” Bogle said.
By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Douglas County School District has proposed a new K-8 school that will be modeled after Plum Creek Academy — which caters to high school students with significant emotional and behavioral needs — to service the same population of children at the elementary and middle school levels. The proposed school is expected to have a maximum enrollment of about 120 students, depending on the size and space of the facility. District officials said they would like to find a location near the I-25 corridor, but a potential site has not yet been found. Plum Creek Academy, in Highlands Ranch, serves about 50 high school students from throughout the district with severe emotional and behavioral needs. But for younger students, the district purchases services from outside of the district. At this time, nearly 30 of those students are sent to out-of-district options. “We feel this is something that is an absolutely imperative and needed for kids,” said Jason Germain, the district’s chief student advocacy officer. “We feel like even Education continues on Page 11
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The Rohr family received third place for its “wooded wonderland” theme on Cottoncreek Drive, near Lincoln Avenue. “We really enjoy decorating our house,” Jeff Rohr said. “We do a big display for Halloween and Christmas.” Third place The Rohr family, at Cottoncreek Drive, in south Highlands Ranch off Lincoln Avenue, had a “wooded wonderland” theme this year with a number of unique trees decorated in their front yard. The
family participates in the contest because of the enjoyment it brings to them and the neighborhood. What will they do with the $50 prize? “We will put it right back into the house for next year’s decorations,” Jeff Rohr said.
A year to remember: Valor Christian’s state softball championship was one of many titles for area teams in 2015. Turn to Page 7 for the stories of the year.
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