Fantastic 49 & Staff Honors
Fantastic 49 is a long-standing, meaningful celebration of excellence, honoring outstanding staff, students, and volunteers who clearly demonstrate the D49 brand of role model performance. We remain deeply committed to recognizing the contributions that make our district a special place to learn, work, and lead.
In light of recent changes across the district, we are temporarily pausing the Fantastic 49 program. This pause will allow us to thoughtfully evaluate our approach and consider how it can best move forward in alignment with our current environment.
We understand how important this recognition has been, and this decision does not diminish the incredible efforts of those who continue to make a difference every day. We are grateful for the impact our staff, students, and volunteers have across the district.
During this time, we encourage you to continue sharing stories of excellence through the Compass C.A.R.E. Line. These stories will help ensure that outstanding contributions are still recognized and celebrated within our community.
We appreciate your understanding and will share updates as more information becomes available.
2025-2026 Honors and Recognition
![Tom Payne and Sarah Luce]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763673677/d49org/wvty64wdvdosvdgmwfto/DSC_02831.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763673677/d49org/wvty64wdvdosvdgmwfto/DSC_02831.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763673677/d49org/wvty64wdvdosvdgmwfto/DSC_02831.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1763673677/d49org/wvty64wdvdosvdgmwfto/DSC_02831.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1763673677/d49org/wvty64wdvdosvdgmwfto/DSC_02831.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1763673677/d49org/wvty64wdvdosvdgmwfto/DSC_02831.jpg","width":2200}])
District 49 hosted November's Fantastic 49 celebration before the monthly Board of Education meeting.
![Role Model Organization Graphic]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1755291238/d49org/xc6d2tyowrvxeiqly3ej/RoleModelOrganizationGraphic.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1755291238/d49org/xc6d2tyowrvxeiqly3ej/RoleModelOrganizationGraphic.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1755291238/d49org/xc6d2tyowrvxeiqly3ej/RoleModelOrganizationGraphic.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1755291238/d49org/xc6d2tyowrvxeiqly3ej/RoleModelOrganizationGraphic.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1755291238/d49org/xc6d2tyowrvxeiqly3ej/RoleModelOrganizationGraphic.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1755291238/d49org/xc6d2tyowrvxeiqly3ej/RoleModelOrganizationGraphic.png","width":2101}])
School District 49 is among a short list of only seven organizations in the U.S. selected as finalists for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s only presidential award for performance excellence.
2024-2025 Honors and Recognition
![Ending The School Year with Honors for Outstanding Students and Staff]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747347808/d49org/qad6pkhe5bhvpjtyfmtj/Fan49May82025-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747347808/d49org/qad6pkhe5bhvpjtyfmtj/Fan49May82025-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747347808/d49org/qad6pkhe5bhvpjtyfmtj/Fan49May82025-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747347808/d49org/qad6pkhe5bhvpjtyfmtj/Fan49May82025-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747347808/d49org/qad6pkhe5bhvpjtyfmtj/Fan49May82025-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747347808/d49org/qad6pkhe5bhvpjtyfmtj/Fan49May82025-1.jpg","width":2200}])
District 49 hosted May's Fantastic 49 celebration on May 8 before the monthly Board of Education meeting.
![Liz Dalzell holds Jostens Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745600698/d49org/czivup6kxkxb1q5cbgbn/LizDalzellJostensAward.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745600698/d49org/czivup6kxkxb1q5cbgbn/LizDalzellJostensAward.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745600698/d49org/czivup6kxkxb1q5cbgbn/LizDalzellJostensAward.jpg","width":549}])
Elizabeth Dalzell, HMS, walked into quite a surprise on Thursday, an award ceremony.
![Shining Bright: Honoring Outstanding Students and Staff]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744835638/d49org/ibg9i4ga0qzp4xbuol68/Fan49April10-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744835638/d49org/ibg9i4ga0qzp4xbuol68/Fan49April10-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744835638/d49org/ibg9i4ga0qzp4xbuol68/Fan49April10-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744835638/d49org/ibg9i4ga0qzp4xbuol68/Fan49April10-2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1744835638/d49org/ibg9i4ga0qzp4xbuol68/Fan49April10-2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1744835638/d49org/ibg9i4ga0qzp4xbuol68/Fan49April10-2.jpg","width":2200}])
District 49 hosted April’s Fantastic 49 celebration on April 10 before the monthly Board of Education meeting.
![Honoring Dedication: A Night Celebrating Students & Staff]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743544922/d49org/bvbcfdjf4o4aijbsastk/PZ-04.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743544922/d49org/bvbcfdjf4o4aijbsastk/PZ-04.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1743544922/d49org/bvbcfdjf4o4aijbsastk/PZ-04.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1743544922/d49org/bvbcfdjf4o4aijbsastk/PZ-04.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1743544922/d49org/bvbcfdjf4o4aijbsastk/PZ-04.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743544922/d49org/bvbcfdjf4o4aijbsastk/PZ-04.jpg","width":2048}])
District 49 hosted February’s Fantastic 49 celebration on March 13 before the monthly Board of Education meeting. The meeting was hosted by Sand Creek High School, as part of a series of showcase meetings that have been held different schools across the district.
![Celebrating Excellence: An Evening Honoring Teachers & Transportation Volunteers]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739999728/d49org/n5aahs8jcapgdsh43gaw/F490225-03.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739999728/d49org/n5aahs8jcapgdsh43gaw/F490225-03.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739999728/d49org/n5aahs8jcapgdsh43gaw/F490225-03.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1739999728/d49org/n5aahs8jcapgdsh43gaw/F490225-03.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1739999728/d49org/n5aahs8jcapgdsh43gaw/F490225-03.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1739999728/d49org/n5aahs8jcapgdsh43gaw/F490225-03.jpg","width":2200}])
District 49 hosted February’s Fantastic 49 celebration on February 13 before the monthly Board of Education meeting. The meeting was hosted by Bennet Ranch Elementary School, as part of a series of showcase meetings that have been held different schools across the district.
![Picture of Ridgeview Elementary principal Dr. Corey DeFelice and staff with Dr. Bob Marzano and Dr. Phil Warrick]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739898537/d49org/dzxtnlgpul7lgo5g3f8q/HRS2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739898537/d49org/dzxtnlgpul7lgo5g3f8q/HRS2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739898537/d49org/dzxtnlgpul7lgo5g3f8q/HRS2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1739898537/d49org/dzxtnlgpul7lgo5g3f8q/HRS2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1739898537/d49org/dzxtnlgpul7lgo5g3f8q/HRS2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1739898537/d49org/dzxtnlgpul7lgo5g3f8q/HRS2.jpg","width":2200}])
Two POWER Zone school accepted recognition in January for their hard work on their journey to becoming high reliability schools (HRS)
2023-2024 Honors and Recognition
![Transportation staff winners 2024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1719520067/d49org/jj9bydbdorka8exhgzdf/Transstaffwinners2024.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1719520067/d49org/jj9bydbdorka8exhgzdf/Transstaffwinners2024.jpg","width":500}])
D49 Transportation Staff Members Earn Honors at the State Bus Road-eo.
![Employees of the Year 2024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1719511577/d49org/z2v324hz80fevn2lhurc/EoY2024groups1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1719511577/d49org/z2v324hz80fevn2lhurc/EoY2024groups1.jpg","width":500}])
District 49 honored the best of the best.
![Brian LaCosse]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1719510635/d49org/nfkhmyxxvhhxn9tgwno1/Fan49May2417.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1719510635/d49org/nfkhmyxxvhhxn9tgwno1/Fan49May2417.jpg","width":500}])
All of those honored in May are great examples of leadership in the district.
![EES staff member receives a Fantastic 49 award.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715726505/d49org/dggjbeh62cvfugl8adln/DSC_0162banner.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715726505/d49org/dggjbeh62cvfugl8adln/DSC_0162banner.jpg","width":370}])
District 49 honored staff and volunteers during Fantastic 49 festivities on April 11.
![Quinn Coleman, fifth grader at SRES, receives a Fantastic 49 Award.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715726491/d49org/dr4sx3j9dhjv3m4nbpbv/Quinnbanner.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715726491/d49org/dr4sx3j9dhjv3m4nbpbv/Quinnbanner.jpg","width":370}])
With staff and students returning from spring break this week, we finally had the opportunity to hand-deliver Fantastic 49 Awards to our March honorees.
![Kathy Schmidt is honored during Fantastic 49.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715726462/d49org/a48ussaouortgzaobb7z/Kathybanner.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715726462/d49org/a48ussaouortgzaobb7z/Kathybanner.jpg","width":370}])
D49 honored team members who are exceptional examples of the district’s Cultural Compass during Fantastic 49.