Communicator - Academy District 20

Communicator
Issue No. 2
October 2015
Enrollment for fall doubles projections; district planning for more growth
An additional 500 students enrolled
in Academy District 20 for the
2015-16 school year. It was twice the
number projected and brings
current enrollment to more than
25,000 students. The district has never
experienced a decline in enrollment
and new housing developments are
evidence of long-term continued
growth in the district.
Construction of new homes is
occuring throughout the north and
east portions of the school district.
Local developers and builders report
that demand is rising.
Projections by demographers
looking at housing developments
currently under construction and
planned in the near future indicate
Academy District 20 could
conservatively grow by another 4,275
students in the next 10 years.
The most recent bond issue ballot
measure approved by voters in the
district was passed in November 2001
for $163 million. Since that time,
enrollment has grown by 7,000
More than 750 homes are being built in the North Fork development near
Pine Creek High School.
students - an average of 1.5 percent
growth each year. The district has
formed a Growth and Capital Needs
Committee composed of parents,
students, community leaders, staff
members, and residents who do not
Fast facts about growth in Academy District 20
currently have children in school to
study how best to accommodate
future growth. That comittee will
make recommendations to
Superintendent Mark Hatchell in the
spring of 2016.
14 – Years since Academy District 20 voters approved a bond election - $163 million in
November 2001.
7,000 – Number of additional students in October 2015 compared to when voters approved
the bond in November 2001.
54 – Number of modular/portable buildings in Academy District 20.
4,275 – Projected number of additional students in Academy District 20 between 2015-2025
based on conservative estimates of 1.5 percent growth each year.
500 – Number of additional students enrolled Oct. 1, 2015 compared to Oct. 1, 2014.
.7 – Number of students each new single family dwelling constructed in Academy
District 20 generates toward the district’s enrollment.
0 – Number of years enrollment has declined in Academy District 20 since 1957.
Douglass Valley receives $25,000 grant to increase STEM opportunities for students
Douglass Valley Elementary school, located on the
U.S. Air Force Academy, will begin to offer its students and
staff members highly interactive and challenging
programs through the Challenger Learning Center of
Colorado Springs after the school was notified it will
receive a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Air Force Academy.
The funding will provide many more STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math) education
opportunities for the 310 Douglass Valley students.
Douglass Valley staff members will also have access to
professional development opportunities and curriculum
through the funding provided by the National Defense
Education Program. Among the highlights offered through
the grant is the opportunity for 60 students from Douglass
Valley to attend a four-day STEM summer camp next year.
“We’re so thrilled and grateful for the many education
avenues this will provide for our students,” Douglass Valley
Principal Kelly Farmer said. “This will align our 21st
Century skills efforts with STEM education in a very
hands-on, meaningful way.”
Farmer said the collaboration with U.S. Air Force
Academy faculty, the Colorado Consortium for Earth
and Space Science Education, and the staff at the
Challenger Learning Center will provide many benefits for
the students and staff members at Douglass Valley. Every
child at Douglass Valley will experience at least three
standards-aligned, space-themed STEM activities during
the 2015-2016 school year.
Robert Fredell, President and CEO of the Colorado
Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education,
elaborated about what the grant means for teachers.
“The Douglass Valley staff will work with the U.S.
Air Force Academy faculty, via its research office, to
create other events where Douglass Valley Elementary
students visit academy labs, and academy researchers
visit the school to hear students’ presentations,” Fredell
said.
High School graduation dates for 2016
Academy Online - May 18, 10 a.m., Rock Family Church
Aspen Valley - May 18, 10 a.m., Rock Family Church
Pine Creek - May 18, 2 p.m., Clune Arena
Rampart - May 18, 6 p.m., Clune Arena
Air Academy - May 19, 10 a.m., Clune Arena
Liberty - May 19, 2 p.m., Clune Arena
Discovery Canyon Campus - May 19, 6 p.m. Clune Arena
The Classical Academy - May 27, 2 p.m., TCA North Gym
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The Academy District 20 Education Foundation Supports Our Schools
The Academy District 20 Education Foundation supports educational opportunities for students and staff of Academy
District 20 through scholarships, grants, gifts and donations. The Foundation uses the proceeds of its fundraising
efforts, such as the annual Academy District 20 Education Foundation Golf Tournament, for these programs.
The Foundation hosted its 15th annual golf tournament on Aug. 31, 2015, at Flying Horse Golf Club. Proceeds from the
tournament totaled approximately $54,000. The Foundation appreciates the support of the Academy District 20
community, the Flying Horse Golf Club, and the following sponsors and donors:
• Platinum Sponsors:
Iron Mountain, SERVPRO, Penrose St. Francis Health Services, Centura Health, Sodexo, Toshiba/ARO
• Gold Sponsors:
American Fidelity Assurance Company, Anonymous D20 Donor, Champions, Cintas Fire and Safety, Data Business
Systems (DBS), DLR Group, E Light Electric, GE Johnson, GH Phipps, Heuser & Heuser, LLP, Meadow Gold Dairy,
United Floor Company, Wells & West General Contractors, Inc.
• Sponsors:
Delta Dental, JP Morgan Chase, RBC Capital Markets
• Hole Sponsors:
A Green Image, Academy Asphalt, Academy D20 Executive Cabinet, Butler Snow, LLP, Camfil USA, CFM Company,
Challenger Learning Center of CO, CSNA Architects, Kaiser Permanente, Kids Adventure, Mason and Judy Smith,
Meadow Gold Dairy, Mod Squad, Inc., Mold Remediation, Inc., Munson Ditching, Inc., Performance Recreation, Pikes
Peak Glass, Inc., Potestio Brothers Equipment, Inc., Swire Coca Cola, Wold Architects and Engineers, Phil Long Ford
Commercial Sales
• Donors:
Academy School District 20, Air Academy Federal Credit Union, Amanda’s Fonda, American Fidelity, Anonymous
Donor, Barnes & Noble, Biaggi’s Restorante, BJ’s Restaurant, Blicks, CB & Potts, CFM Company, Chris Palmer –
SendOutCards, Cintas Fire Protection, Climate Design, Coaltrain Wine and Spirits, Costa Vida Mexican Grill, Swire
Coca Cola, Data Business Systems, Delta Dental, Dick’s Sporting Goods, DLR Group, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Flying
Horse, Frito-Lay, Inc, Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc., General Mills, Golfsmith, Great Harvest Bread, Il Vicino, IMA,
Kaiser Permanente, La Baguette French Bistro on Chestnut, La Fonda, Level 3 Communications, Liz DiGregorio,
Magnum Shooting Center, Margarita @ Pine Creek, Meadow Gold Dairy, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, Over Easy,
PF Changs, Phil Long Ford, Q3 Consulting, Red Noland, Heuser & Heuser, Salsa Brava, Bob and Mary Lou Sherwood,
Sugarland Soda, Toshiba (John Kouri), UC Health/Memorial, Buddy and Jeanette Van Doren, Vision Service Plan,
Waxie
The following teams played in the 2015 tournament: A Team; American Fidelity Assurance, Champions Extended
Learning, Cintas, COLOTRUST, Data Business Systems, DLR Group, E-Light Electric, Edukit, GE Johnson, GH
Phipps, Heuser & Heuser, IMA, Iron Mountain, Joe Cunningham, Kaiser Permanente, Kids Adventures, Linx, Loomis,
Meadow Gold Dairy, Nunn Construction, Penrose-St. Francis, RBC Capital, SERVPRO, Sodexo, Steve Houston, Swire
Coca Cola, Toshiba/ARO, United Flooring Mannington, Wells & West G. C.
The Foundation thanks these and the many other generous donors who helped defray the cost of giveaways and
expenses for the tournament through their donations, sponsorships, and participation. Because of generous support
like this, the Foundation has been able to provide the following distributions:
2014 Distribution
•
$14,000 in scholarships to seniors from each of our high schools
•
$3,500 in scholarship to DCCHS China trip
•
$800 in gift cards to outstanding staff teachers, volunteers, classified, administrative, and team award
•
$16,395 for the 2nd Annual Speaker Series
•
$13,959 in classroom grants awarded to elementary, middle, and high school teachers
•
$50,000 to Edith Wolford Elementary to enhance their play area destroyed in the Black Forest fire
The Academy District 20 Education Foundation Board thanks all of the participants and contributors to this successful
fundraiser.
Glenn Strebe, President; Jeanette Van Doren, Treasurer; Chris Palmer, Secretary; Directors: Nadine Hensler,
Al Klayton, Pat Salt, Mason Smith, Mary Lou Sherwood, and Superintendent Dr. Mark Hatchell
The Academy District 20 Education Foundation is a non-profit corporation established in 1992. The Foundation is an
all-volunteer organization that receives no taxpayer funding. To accomplish its objectives, the Foundation seeks
contributions from corporate sponsors, private individuals, and fundraising efforts. Information on the Foundation and
how to make a bequest or contribution to the Foundation can be found at www.d20foundation.org
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Colorado Spgs., CO 80920
Education and Administration Center
1110 Chapel Hills Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Permit No. 434
Academy District 20 at a Glance
The Antelope Trails Elementary Rubik’s Cube team of
fifth grade students placed first in the Colorado Springs
Science Festival Rubik’s Cube Challenge on Oct. 3.
Taylor Wagner won the solo division and Avery
Tresemer placed third in the solo division. Other team
members are Lauren Malfeld, Megan Hall, Sable
Marine, Sean Bolt, Caleb Foster, and Nolan Phillips.
The winning team time to solve the puzzle was 5 minutes
and 50 seconds. Teacher Michelle Wade advises the team.
--The Academy District 20 Special Needs Transportation
Road-e-o team won the top three awards at the State
Road-e-o event this fall. First place went to Robert Leach
and Birt Turnwall, Jesse Hill and Brandon Hill were
second, and Chris Fritz and Sydney Sertich placed third.
There were 27 total teams from districts across Colorado.
--Jean Houston, director of risk management for
Academy District 20, was honored in September as a
2015 Health Hero for a 6035 Lifestyle Award presented
by the Colorado Springs Business Journal. Houston was
acknowledged for her many contributions to the health of
district staff members and families.
Chinook Trail Elementary students collected more than
$820 in coin donations during the All For Books Challenge
to benefit Helen Hunt Elementary School in October.
Representatives from Helen Hunt were able to use that
donation to purchase books from Scholastic for their
library. Pictured from left to right are Helen Hunt
representatives: Nate Hansen, principal; Daniel Silvey,
library; and, Elle Lillard, community liaison. Chinook Trail is
represented by Principal Patrick Schumaker, back right, and
members of the JOOI Club.