Douglas County School District launches new website
By Lisa Crockett
Last month, the Douglas County School District (DCSD) launched a re-designed website aimed at helping parents, students and employees – the so-called stakeholders in the District – to more easily access information. Castle Pines resident Sandra Haworth, a parent of DCSD students, was instrumental in helping the district realize their goal of a new site.
“I’m a concerned parent who has access to good web developers and designers,” said Haworth, whose background is in marketing and who was previously instrumental in helping the District develop its mobile app. “The new website will really reflect the good things the district is doing.”
The new site is meant to be a one-stop shop for parents who want to get information about everything from lunch menus to District financial data. The re-design features details that make it look and feel inviting. Photos on the site, for instance, showcase real students and employees in DCSD rather than stock photography.
“Communication is a key part of what we do,” said Internal Communications Officer Randy Barber, who was the project manager for the new website. “We wanted the website to be a true reflection of what we do in the District.”
The new site has been re-designed to be aesthetically pleasing as well as more user-friendly. Information is arranged so it can be found with a minimum of “clicks” and new technology has been utilized to ensure that information added or changed will remain consistent throughout the site as well as with the District’s mobile app.
Of special interest to many parents is an improved feature, which will allow for the district to more quickly and clearly communicate plans in case of emergency, whether it be a lockdown procedure or an early dismissal for a weather event.
“Group feedback on this site has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Elizabeth Fagen, DCSD superintendent. “We believe that it will be easier to use, that people will like it, and that our employees will be proud of it.”
To view the newly re-designed site, visit www.dcsdk12.org.
