Search Parker Magazine August 2023

Date: Date: June 19th-23rd June 19th-23rd

Theme: Theme: Disco Disco Date: Date: July 24th-28th July 24th-28th

Theme: Theme:

Who We Are

Planet Cheer aims to develop children and young adults through competitive coaching in a family-like atmosphere. All of our coaches are USASF certified and credentialed in both stunting and tumbling. We train both competitive cheer athletes as well as athletes who participate in recreational classes and individual lessons. Come to our world and experience the Alien Invasion.

20th 20th

Theme: Theme: Nightmare Before Nightmare Before Christmas Christmas

BY AMBER TUELLER

BY AMBER TUELLER

COMING EVENTS

National Night Out

August 5 O'Brien Park

The Police Department exhibits many of the tools and specialized vehicles they use, including the SWAT team, Bike Patrol, CSI, dispatch and Mobile Command Center. The Town of Parker will host special demonstrations and numerous other community partners will share important safety information.

Parker Honey Festival

August 6 O'Brien Park

Indulge in a fun-filled event aimed at raising awareness and appreciation for the honeybee through educational and entertaining activities. Local beekeepers and beekeeping organizations will showcase their wares and share their knowledge on all things bees! From 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Back To School

August 8

It's school time again! Douglas County School District is gearing up for the start of classes. Whether you're feeling excited or maybe a little sad that summer is over, the first day of school brings a slew of new things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new school.

H2O Glow Swim

August 11 H2O'Brien Pool

Light up the night with an after-hours, glow-in-the-dark pool party at H2O’Brien Pool. Grab your glow gear, enjoy party music, play pool deck games, and hang out with friends. This is a limitedcapacity, after-hours swim party with a unique atmosphere. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Parker Car Fest 2023

August 19 Downtown Mainstreet

The 14th Annual Car Fest supports the Parker Task Force Food Bank fundraiser this year. The event will have cars and trucks from the 1930's to present. Event starts with the national anthem at 9:00 a.m. and then the Rumble at noon. Awards and Plaque Recognition takes place at 1:20 p.m.

PHOTO: TOWN OF PARKER

Youth Commission's Awards

Winners of the inaugural Spirit of Parker and Pride of Parker Awards were celebrated at an art exhibit installation of their works at the PACE Center. These awards recognize outstanding youth in our community who demonstrate what it means to be a member of the Town. Winners: Emma Adams, Megan Bright, Catalina Benitez, Isabella Benitez, Drisha Mishra and Faye Reynolds.

Pedestrian Bridge

The High Plains Trail pedestrian bridge over Parker Road is in place but remains under construction. The High Plains Trail connector project began in April 2022 and is expected to be completed in summer 2023. This $5.2 million multimodal project will connect two major regional trails: the Cherry Creek Regional Trail and the High Plains Trail.

Finance Awards

Congratulations to the Town of Parker's Finance Department for earning several awards! Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (35th time in the Town's 42 years), Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting and Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. These are the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.

Parker Arts Season Announced

Parker Arts released its lineup for the 2023-2024 season. Tickets are now on sale and include season headliners like Don McLean, Spin Doctors, Sister Hazel, Unspoken, Michael Yo, and Karen Morgan, plus a line-up of stage productions, musical and dance performances, holiday events and more! See the full lineup and purchase tickets at ParkerArts.org.

PHOTO: TOWN OF PARKER

PHOTO: TOWN OF PARKER

PHOTO: ARAPAHOE COUNTY

PHOTO: TOWN OF PARKER

Intro to music: Grades K - 3 (no audition required)

Training choir: Grades 3 - 6 (audition-based)

Chamber choir: Grades 7 - 10 (audition-based)

we help provide Peace of Mind

When the dominos of life start to fall, proper insurance coverage can be the peace of mind that protects us from substantial hardship. Our passion, and our mission, is to help our clients achieve peace of mind through exceptional customer service, education and access to the appropriate insurance coverage.

More than just selling Insurance, we help provide Peace of Mind

When the dominos of life start to fall, proper insurance coverage can be the peace of mind that protects us from substantial hardship. Our passion, and our mission, is to help our clients achieve peace of mind through exceptional customer service, education and access to the appropriate insurance coverage.

K&S Insurance separates itself from the competition by Valuing Personal Relationships over revenue, Anticipating Customer Needs, and Offering the Best Insurance Products available.

FOUNDATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

K&S Insurance separates itself from the competition by Valuing Personal Relationships over revenue, Anticipating Customer Needs, and Offering the Best Insurance Products available.

More than providing policies, we want to develop long-lasting relationships with the individuals and families we serve. Our belief is that if you really know us, you will trust us to give you honest and impartial insurance guidance.

FOUNDATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

More than just selling Insurance, we help provide Peace of Mind

CONSULTATIVE ANTICIPATION

More than providing policies, we want to develop long-lasting relationships with the individuals and families we serve. Our belief is that if you really know us, you will trust us to give you honest and impartial insurance guidance.

CONSULTATIVE ANTICIPATION

As individuals and families grow, needs change and insurance policies may need to be revised. We proactively identify your coverage gaps through ongoing communication and periodic policy reviews. We strive to make sure you always have coverage equal to the protection you need.

When the dominos of life start to fall, proper insurance coverage can be the peace of mind that protects us from substantial hardship. Our passion, and our mission, is to help our clients achieve peace of mind through exceptional customer service, education and access to the appropriate insurance coverage.

As individuals and families grow, needs change and insurance policies may need to be revised. We proactively identify your coverage gaps through ongoing communication and periodic policy reviews. We strive to make sure you always have coverage equal to the protection you need.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

protecting what matters most

As an Independent Agency, we are able work with the industry leaders to offer the best products and solutions that suit your needs and fit your budget.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

As an Independent Agency, we are able work with the industry leaders to offer the best products and solutions that suit your needs and fit your budget.

K&S Insurance separates itself from the competition by Valuing Personal Relationships over revenue, Anticipating Customer Needs, and Offering the Best Insurance Products available.

FOUNDATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

More than providing policies, we want to develop long-lasting relationships with the individuals and families we serve. Our belief is that if you really know us, you will trust us to give you honest and impartial insurance guidance.

CONSULTATIVE ANTICIPATION

As individuals and families grow, needs change and insurance policies may need to be revised. We proactively identify your coverage gaps through ongoing communication and periodic policy reviews. We strive to make sure you always have coverage equal to the protection you need.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

As an Independent Agency, we are able work with the industry leaders to offer the best products and solutions that suit your needs and fit your budget.

POOL / HOT TUB SUPPLIES

We Are The Champions

BY SEARCH PARKER STAFF

In one of the most athletically competitive states in the nation, our local schools have shown they can hang with the best of them. Winning recent state championships in multiple sports has been something for the community to celebrate! Here are the most recent.

Douglas County High School Cheer team was the All Girl 5A Cheer Champion for 2023.

Lutheran won the state title for 4A Boys Track and Field in May of 2023 and their girls won the 4A Softball title in a 3-0 win over Holy Family in fall of the same school year.

Ponderosa High School baseball team won back to back 4A state championships, in June 2022, winning 11-1 against Cheyenne Mountain and defeating Holy Family the year prior.

Castle View’s coed cheer team won the 5A Co-Ed Cheer State Championship in 2021.

Legend’s girls’ softball team won the 5A State Championship in 2021, winning 8-0 against Columbine.

In 2019, Chaparral girls took home the 5A Volleyball State Title, winning 25-4 over Valor.

LOCAL SCHOOLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

1 Girls Volleyball 6 Spirit

1 Boys Basketball

3 Girls Volleyball

3 Girls Spirit

1 Boys Cross Country, 1 Boys Golf, 2 Softball, 3 Girls Volleyball, 3 Boys Basketball, 5 Girls Basketball, 1 Girls Track, 8 Boys Track

1 Football, 1 Softball, 1 Girls Volleyball, 1 Boys Basketball, 1 Girls Basketball, 10 Wrestling, 2 Baseball, 1 Boys Lacross, 12 Spirit

Photos: CHSAA

1 Football, 2 Boys Golf

1 Softball, 1 Boys Track 7 Spirit

3 Softball

Parker's original community center owes its beginnings to basketball.

The Schoolhouse Building on Mainstreet was built in 1915 and originally housed grades one to 12. High schoolers attended the Mainstreet location from 1915 until 1958 when the school was closed. Parker students began attending Douglas County High School with students from Castle Rock until Ponderosa High School was dedicated in 1983. In the 1940s, Parker High School had a great basketball team and they were hopeful of the state championship. The gym in the old schoolhouse was small and some of Parker’s opponents thought it was unsafe. They threatened to kick Parker out of the league. The gym was decertified, and Parker High School did not have a venue to play basketball. The community pulled together to build a new location for school sports and events. The Quonset hut style building was built in 1950 by the community. People in the community contributed money, time, materials and work to make the idea a reality. Thankful for a community center to serve the school and town events, the town celebrated on Thanksgiving, 1951, with women from the community providing 15 turkeys along with all the traditional accompaniments. It was a Thanksgiving to remember.

Old timers who attended the historic schoolhouse remember walking to the Quonset hut each day for lunch while the school lunchroom was being remodeled. On the Parker Area Historical Society Facebook page, townspeople shared memories of square dancing, craft shows, haunted houses, community classes, wedding receptions, 4H clubs, and even the beginnings of the Parker Task force tied to this building. Box social memories were shared where women provided a box lunch, and their lunch was auctioned off for a donation. It served as a roller-skating rink for many years and one man recalled riding his horse to the building to roller skate. For a time, there were monthly dances held every second Saturday in the community center. In the mid 90s, youth sports teams played at the Quonset hut and teen nights were held there. The Parker Police Department was also housed in the building at one point.

Eventually, the center was seldom used and fell into disrepair. There were plans to turn it into an ice rink, but it would not be big enough for the official NHL rink size. In 2003, the Town Council made the decision to tear down the building. It was one of Colorado’s largest wood structures at the time, according to a Parker Chronicle article on May 1, 2003. The gazebo and surrounding landscape now stand in the location of the old community center in O’Brien Park.

HISTORY HASTAG COMMUNITY CENTER

Photos: Parker Area Historical society

1965: Arrow on the left shows the community center across the street from Parker Garage (arrow on the right).

HS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Head Coach: Matt Littleton (1st Year)

2022 Record: 1-9 overall 1-4 in league (5th place)

Last 5 Years: 10-37

2022 Total Offense: 340.9 yards per game

2022 Total Defense: 479.3 opp yards per game

2022 Points Per Game: 13.1

2022 Opp Points Per Game: 39.1

Players to watch:

Tevin Stokes - QB

Seth Olsen - T, DE

Frankie Alvarado - WR

Brett Haile - DE, T

First year coach, Matt Littleton, takes over a program eager to prove itself following a disappointing 2022 season that saw only one victory. And already the upward swing is evident this summer with an influx of new athletes joining the program.

Coach Littleton will implement his new offense with Tevin Stokes returning at quarterback. The sophomore had some growing pains last year but looks to rely on Seth Olsen and the line to give him time to operate. He'll have a big target to throw to in Frankie Alvarado, who stands at 6'4.

One key Littleton points to this season will be the in-game adjustments they will make. The coaching staff believe they have the athletes and field savvy to outthink and outmaneuver their opponents.

The Wolverines bring a very young team into this season, but coach Littleton expects to surprise some people this year.

Head Coach: Monte Thelan (8th Year)

2022 Record: 7-5 overall 3-2 in league (3rd place)

Last 5 Years: 39-17

2022 Total Offense: 411.1 yards per game

2022

2022

2022 Opp Points Per Game:

Players to watch: Logan White - T,G

Alex Martinez - RB

Nick Farley - QB

Jaden Lawrence - RB, WR

Brian Doyle - WR

Nate Sandy - LB, TE

Brody Shuss - FS

Head Coach: Jaron Cohen (10th Year)

2022 Record: 9-3 overall 3-1 in league (2nd place)

Last 5 Years: 40-16

2022 Total Offense: 412 yards per game

2022 Total Defense: 348.8 opp yards per game

2022 Points Per Game: 34.6

2022 Opp Points Per Game: 19.8

Players to watch:

Max Mervin - WR

Sean Davis - RB

Carson Keach - WR, S

Dylan Karsteter - WR

Blake Branham - LB

Westen Hoffschneider - DE

CJ Bille - DB

After a 3-0 start to begin the 2022 year, the Titans went 4-5 the rest of the way to finish with their worst record since the 2018 season. The Titans come into 2023 looking to return as a mainstay in the contender discussion.

Coach Thelen will need to replace graduated quarterback Brookhart who threw for over 1300 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. Look for Junior Nick Farley to take the reins of the offense. Farley will have the luxury of being protected by Logan White on the offensive line who returns after a standout junior season.

The Titans have plenty of firepower coming back as well. Alex Martinez anchors a stable of young and promising running backs, as well as joins a talented wide reciever group that will look to Brian Doyle and Jaden Lawrence to post big numbers.

Defensively, the young Titans will look to build on last year's success with most of the statistical leaders returning.

Coach Cohen looks to once again reload, rather than rebuild, entering the 2023 season. Following a successful 2022 campaign, which included wins over both crosstown rivals, the Mustangs have talent returning all over the field.

Speed will be on display this year, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Cohen expects the team speed and experience to help the Mustangs improve on an impressive mark of holding opponents to under 20 points per game.

On offense the wide receiver group will produce some headline plays this year. Led by do-everything junior Max Mervin, the wide outs will be a headache for defensive coordinators all year long.

The offensive line will replace virtually everyone for a very young squad. The season could be made or broken by their play, as well as finding a new quarterback. If the Mustangs have to go to Mervin as their signal caller, they will look for ways to keep the ball in his hands.

Property Taxes - Truths and Myths

By Erin Kane, Superintendent, Douglas County School District

Douglas County homeowners recently received notice that their property taxes are increasing - in some cases, quite dramatically.

So how much additional funding will the Douglas County School District (DCSD) receive from this increase in taxes?

While the increased revenue will benefit many local government and community services, you may be surprised to learn it will not increase funding for our local schools.

While the school district will collect more money in local property taxes, it will not benefit from the increase. Douglas County School District’s total program funding is determined by the School Finance Act and is paid for by a combination of property taxes ("local share") and the state's general fund ("state share"). When the local share goes up, the state share goes down proportionally. An increase in local property taxes has a $0 impact on total program funding - it just changes the balance of who is paying the bill.

When my kids were young, they had an allowance of $10/week. I would give them each what I could based on how much cash I had (I am always woefully short on cash) and my husband (always prepared) would give them the rest. So, one week I might give them each $3 and my husband would give them each $7. The next week, I might give them each $6, and my husband would give them each $4. I spent twice as much the second week, but did my kids benefit in any way? Did they have more money to spend? The answer is no - all that changed is whose wallet their allowance came from.

Douglas County teachers can drive to one of our neighboring school districts and earn a more desirable salary. For example, Cherry Creek School District’s average teacher salary is more than $19,000 higher than Douglas County’s. With the cost of living in our area, many Douglas County teachers are unable to live in the communities where they work. That’s because DCSD’s starting teacher pay is just over $45,000.

So how does a district like Cherry Creek or Littleton pay their teachers more competitively? The only way to increase funding outside of the School Finance Act is through a Mill Levy Override, or MLO. Other school districts have been successful for years in passing MLO ballot measures. Because of this, DCSD now receives $2,000 less per student than Cherry Creek School District and Littleton Public Schools – which equals a gap of $130 million per year.

This has led to significant pay discrepancies for DCSD teachers, with those gaps growing each time an MLO is passed in a neighboring school district.

Are administrative costs to blame? Not in DCSD. The Douglas County School District has the lowest general administration costs in the metro area.

Around 85% of DCSD’s annual revenue is spent on people - salaries, benefits, and PERA contributions. General administration accounts for just 0.6% of DCSD’s Total Operational Spending.

With a $66 million Mill Levy Override, DCSD would:

• Make staff pay more competitive, in order to keep valued teachers and staff in the school district.

• Increase and maintain safety and security, with additional support such as School Resource Officers, or SROs.

Providing safe and effective learning environments is so important for student and staff well-being. With a $484 million Bond, DCSD would:

• Invest in school safety and security upgrades to buildings (such as hardening of school buildings).

• Provide additional Career and Technical Education opportunities for students (such as increasing the number of automotive and other CTE pathway courses).

• Update, maintain and construct educational facilities to ensure safe and adequate learning spaces and reduce overcrowding.

What would this cost you? A Douglas County taxpayer would expect to pay $20 per year per $100,000 of home value. So, for a million dollar home, the total increase of both measures combined would be $200 per year

The DCSD Board of Education will make a final determination of whether to place these measures on the November ballot soon.

Learn more and stay informed at www.dcsdk12.org/funding.

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