August 2011 - JEFFCO Public Schools

Jeffco at forefront of reforming
teacher compensation
When school starts this fall, 20 Jeffco schools
will embark on a pilot project that has the
potential to change teacher compensation in
Jeffco. The 20 schools will pilot the district’s
new strategic compensation project that focuses
on student and teacher learning, and teacher
leadership.
The pilot is funded by a $39 million federal
Teacher Incentive Fund grant, the largest grant
the district has ever received. Funds from this
grant can only be used for this project and not
to restore other district budget cuts.
“The pilot means Jeffco Public Schools is
at the national forefront of developing ways
to reward educators for improving student
achievement. While compensation is important, we are looking at other variables as well.
Teachers will receive more feedback, more
support for instructional excellence and more
time for problem-solving with other teachers.
Through this pilot, we will identify initiatives
that all schools can implement if we have sufficient funding,” said Superintendent Cindy
Stevenson.
Action research
Jeffco Public Schools is home to
nearly 86,000 of Colorado's finest
students. Step inside one
of our 150 schools and you will
see a staff dedicated to building a
bright future for every student.
Our staff is supported by a
committed school board, involved
parents and a caring community
that combine to provide
a quality education that
prepares all children for
O’Connell Middle School teacher Lisa Suomi will be participating in the Strategic Compensation program.
• Strategic use of school time to allow educators to study student achievement data and plan
together about how to help all students succeed
• Master and mentor teachers – top performers
– who share their expertise
To help determine the most effective components of this pilot project, there are two external
program evaluators. Using grant funding, the
district has contracted with a research firm to
look at the new supports to find out what makes
the most difference.
To research the impact of compensation, the
U.S. Department of Education hired a consultant that divided the 20 pilot schools into two
groups. All 20 schools receive the same supports; the only difference is compensation.
a promising future.
Educators in the 10 design schools are eligible for additional stipends of up to $15,000
per year based on their evaluations and meeting
team and school goals for student achievement.
Educators in the 10 control schools will receive
a one percent participation stipend.
Design schools are Deane, Foster, Kullerstrand, Pennington, Secrest, Stein, Thomson,
and Welchester elementary schools, and North
Arvada and O’Connell middle schools.
Control schools are Fitzmorris, Foothills,
Green Mountain, Lawrence, Lumberg, Slater,
Stevens, and Wilmore-Davis elementary
schools, and Everitt and Wheat Ridge middle
schools.
page 15
s
A goal of this project is to find out what
makes the most difference in student achievement. The components being tested are:
• Educator compensation tied to student
achievement goals and personal performance
evaluations
• More frequent observations and feedback to
teachers through a new peer evaluation model,
and individualized professional development
based on these observations
Our Mission
To provide a quality
education that prepares
all children for a
successful future.
District Guide
Pages 10-11
Registration Dates
Page 11-12
Mountain education program survives
Mt. Evans Outdoor Lab School Principal David Epp and
Barbara Adams take a lap for labs at a PTA fundraiser to
save the lab schools.
Many Jefferson County residents, both young
and old, can share memories and stories from
their sixth-grade trip to the mountains at Jeffco’s
Outdoor Lab Schools.
Those emotional connections played an
important role in keeping Mt. Evans and Windy
Peak Outdoor Lab Schools open for the 2011-12
school year.
The Outdoor Lab program, which has been
providing environmental education for more
than 50 years, was slated for suspension for the
2011-12 school year as a result of district budget
reductions.
Many students and their families did not want
to see the mountain experience end after more
than 50 years, so they decided to take action,
raising enough money to keep the historic
schools open for business.
“The donations, large and small, show how
much our community cares about keeping
this experience alive for Jeffco students,” said
Kathy Weiss, president of the Outdoor Lab
Foundation. An anonymous donor has contributed $99,500, the Community First Foundation
donated $25,000 and we’ve had schools, PTAs,
businesses and community members raise hundreds of dollars as well. It’s been an incredible
outpouring of support for this program.”
Outdoor labs offer a rare opportunity for students to experience a week-long stay where they
study the history of the land, ecology, wildlife,
geology, and astronomy. To help keep the program functioning, the cost per student to attend
Outdoor Lab will increase from $199 to $300.
The foundation is now tasked with raising
money to make the program self-sustaining,
including finding community and business partners who will help with fundraising. If you
would like to find out how you can support
fundraising efforts to keep the outdoor lab
schools operating, contact the Outdoor Lab
Foundation website at www.outdoorlabfoundation.org or The Jefferson Foundation at www.
jeffersonfoundation.org or 303-982-2210.
Jeffco
Schools
Quarterly
Occupational and Physical Therapy
Specializing in the Treatment of:
• Sensory Processing Disorders
• Fine Motor and Gross Motor Delays
• The Listening Program (TLP)
A free publication for parents
and residents of Jefferson
County, the Quarterly is
Two Convenient Locations
7935 E. Prentice Ave #104
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
published in partnership with
5275 Marshall St. #104
Arvada, CO 80002
The school district's
Mile High Newspapers.
Communications Services staff
provides the articles, photos and
303-756-0280 • www.spd4kids.com
graphics in an effort to keep the
community informed with news
WINDOW &
GLASS
CLEANING
•
•
•
•
•
Commercial
Residential
Screens
Chandeliers
Power Washing
about Jeffco Schools.
Citizen comments about the
publication are welcome.
Get ready for spring with
clean windows, decks
and patios! We offer the best
prices on window cleaning and
power washing. You’ll be happy with
the work because we always make
sure it’s done to your satisfaction.
Mile High Newspapers
provides layout, sells
advertisements, prints and
distributes the publication at no
cost to the school district.
To contact
Communications Services:
Jeffco Public Schools
1829 Denver West Drive, #27
Golden, CO 80401
303-982-6808
303-982-6816 Fax
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
e-mail:
303-514-5653
Call today for a free quote!
Spitshine Services LLC
We’re insured!
NO TRYOUTS, NO DRAFTS.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
[email protected]
To advertise in the JSQ,
please contact
Mile High Newspapers:
303-279-5541
Photographer:
Flag Football, Soccer, Lacrosse,
Basketball, Baseball, and Cheer
Lorie Hirose
Jeffco Schools
Register Now for Fall and Winter Programs!
• Organized programs for boys and girls ages 4-14
• Focused on fun, good sportsmanship and safe play
• Coaches background checked and certified
• All skill levels. No tryouts!
Register Online: www.i9sports.com or Call: 303-462-1520
Each location independently owned and operated.
The earlier you register, the more you save! Grants available
Are you ready for a youth sports experience that's more convenient and affordable, less political, and more FUN? We don't have practices
several nights a week, make you buy expensive equipment, do fund-raising, or travel around town. Register today!
Helping Kids Succeed in Life Through Sports
®
Jeffco Schools Quarterly
1
2
12/31/08
1:45:15 PM
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
Message from the Superintendent
Dr. Cindy Stevenson
Superintendent, Jeffco Schools
to ensure the very best education for students.
Pilot school teachers also will receive individualized,
on-the-job professional development based on the skills
they need to increase effectiveness in the classroom.
By including more frequent observations by multiple
observers, our evaluation process will become more
rigorous and have a greater impact on helping teachers
continually improve their instruction.
I am proud that this groundbreaking work will position Jeffco as a leader in the national discussion about
how to make educator evaluations more meaningful,
increase accountability and most importantly, improve
student learning through excellent teaching.
I look forward to sharing the results of this pilot as
our work proceeds over the next four years.
As educators, we know the value of continuous
improvement and lifelong learning, not only for our
students, but also for ourselves as adults. Great teachers can get even better. That’s the goal of providing
increased, ongoing feedback to teachers in Jeffco’s new
strategic compensation pilot.
The strategic compensation pilot project, funded by
the largest federal grant Jeffco Public Schools has ever
received, begins this fall in 20 schools. (See story about
the pilot on the cover).
To enhance teacher learning, pilot school teachers will
be observed more frequently in their classrooms by their
principals and – for the first time – also by peer evaluators. These are highly trained, exceptional teachers who
will provide feedback on what’s working and what’s not
Bear Creek teacher Mark Leachman watches his last class
graduate.
When Motsenbocker returned home, his view on
life and the world changed.
“It was like for the first time in years, I was
viewing the world and what was going on and
where I was going, with a clear mind,” he said.
“I learned how to take a step back and live a little
more in the moment and not worry about the little
things — I was worried about going to college,
living in the dorms and it was a difficult year, but
Arvada Chamber
Third Friday
Breakfast
featuring the
Jefferson County Board
of Education Candiate
Forum
Aug. 19, 7-9 am
The Arvada Center for
the Arts & Humanities
6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
in Arvada
RSVP to 303-424-0313
Arvada Chamber
Life on the other side of the creek
In Mark Leachman’s class at Bear Creek High
School, learning is an adventure.
From whitewater rafting in Utah, camping out
in the Arizona desert, to living on a rural farm in
Eastern Colorado, Leachman uses his senior field
studies class to connect students to the world
outside of the classroom walls.
“If these kids aren’t nervous or a little bit afraid
or tingly inside, they’re not learning,” he said.
“You’re learning when the wind is in your face
and the rain is coming down and you’re afraid,
you’re excited and you’re in a new situation —
that’s when you get their attention going.”
Leachman’s semester-long program combines
independent study with classroom work and
field trips. Students learn about rural, urban
and wilderness environments, government and
energy systems, participate in a variety of community service activities, and much more. The
self-supporting program does not receive district
funds and raises money for equipment, food,
travel and staff.
“It’s experiential learning,” said Leachman.
“I want to teach to the whole person and give
students a bigger picture of how they fit into
the world and when you’re out there and you’re
hiking with them, having dinner with them and
camping out, you really make a difference.”
During the 14-day camping trip to the Sonoran
Desert in Arizona, Bear Creek graduate Aaron
Motsenbocker and his class got their feet wet and
their hands dirty setting up camp, cooking meals,
rock climbing, hiking and hauling equipment,
working together to build trust and teamwork.
Join us for the next
Cost: $18 before 8/15;
$20 on or after 8/15
after the trip, it all seemed do-able.”
Leachman instills a can-do attitude in his students and it’s one of the many reasons he won the
Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award
from the University of Northern Colorado and the
2011 Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Agriculture in the Classroom.
It’s also one of the reasons the program has
persevered and continues to grow.
When Leachman started at Bear Creek in 1977,
six out of 12 high schools had field studies programs. Today, Golden High School is the only
other Jeffco school that has a similar program.
Students from other schools in the district come
to Bear Creek just to experience the class.
“It’s a game changer,” said Leachman. “It’s
pretty easy to think everybody’s like you, but you
know when you get out and go to a farm family
or you travel or you see other people, you then
realize it’s a big world out there so you need to
be more open to different types of people and different situations.”
After 34 years in Jeffco, Leachman is retiring
with Bear Creek teacher Steve Porentas taking
over the program.
“He’s given me a career path and this program
is what I think education aims at,” said Porentas.
“He makes kids want to come to school and it
makes them remember their high school experience years and years later. He makes them realize
the connection of what they’re learning and the
real world.”
Jeffco Schools Board of Education
Reservations required
Jeffco Public
Schools Service
Directory
Main Switchboard.................... 303-982-6500
Assessment............................. 303-982-6565
Athletics/Activities.................... 303-982-6634
Benefits Office (medical,
dental, vision insurance,
retirement)............................... 303-982-6527
Boundaries/Demographics
(property management)........... 303-982-2339
Building/Facility Use
(community use of
school facilities)....................... 303-982-6500
Communications Services....... 303-982-6808
Education Center
(main switchboard).................. 303-982-6500
Employee Records.................. 303-982-6519
Employee Relations................ 303-982-6544
Employment Services.............. 303-982-6500
Food and Nutrition
Services................................... 303-982-6748
Home School Option
Program................................... 303-982-6321
Human Resources................... 303-982-6515
Jeffco Public Schools
Hotline..................................... 303-982-6600
Department for Learning
and Educational
Achievement............................ 303-982-6994
Payroll Department.................. 303-982-6780
Registrar.................................. 303-982-6994
Security (24-Hour)................... 303-232-8688
Student Records...................... 303-982-6715
Substitute Office...................... 303-982-6523
Superintendent........................ 303-982-6800
Transportation Terminals:
Central..................................... 303-982-2324
North........................................ 303-982-1998
South....................................... 303-982-9057
West........................................ 303-982-5215
Dave Thomas, President
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
Jane Barnes, First Vice President
Laura Boggs, Second Vice President
Paula Noonan, Treasurer
3
Robin Johnson, Secretary
Schools are listed in the business white pages of the Qwest
phone book under Schools, Public,
Jefferson County. For information,
contact Communications Services
at 303-982-6808, or visit the website
at www.jeffcopublicschools.org.
August 2011
Taking the humble route to success
H
umility is a virtue that defines
Annie Kunz.
The Wheat Ridge High School
graduate is a household name in
Colorado high school sports and
has captured too many state titles
and awards to count in track and
soccer. Along with being a fivetime All-American and clenching
four track titles this past spring, she
has also been nationally recognized
by Parade Magazine, ESPN, Sports
Illustrated, and the National Soccer
Coaches Association of America.
Most recently, Kunz won the
Freddie Steinmark Award, named
after another Wheat Ridge graduate,
which is one of the most prestigious
awards an athlete can receive in
Colorado.
“It’s always been a dream of mine,
since freshman year” she said. “I
would walk past it every day at
school.”
Even with all of her honors, Kunz
is happiest just playing sports and
being part of a team.
“The accolades are rewarding and
it’s great when your hard work pays
off,” she said. “But, it’s a team
effort, not just me and it’s really the
memories and the friendships that I
have made that I will remember the
most.”
The 6-foot-1 track and soccer star
contributes her modesty to her parents and family.
“My parents raised me to be
grounded,” she said. “They have
taught me that with everything that
I have been given, to always give
back.”
Kunz is involved in several community and youth activities. She
helps with Special Olympics and
special needs programs, youth soccer and track summer camps. This
summer, she will participate in a
pioneer program for young athletes
with disabilities.
“It’s so rewarding to help those
kids out,” she said. “They have it
harder than everyone, but they are
the happiest kids I have ever met.
They really teach you to appreciate
things in life.”
Next in Kunz’s life is college. The
hometown girl is leaving the comfort of Wheat Ridge to attend Texas
A&M this fall where she’ll run
track and play soccer. One day, she
dreams to compete in the Olympics
Twice the honor
When mail from the Boettcher
Foundation arrived at the Mayberry
home, identical twins Colin and
Garrett tore the envelopes open at
the same time. Both Ralston Valley
High School seniors were in the running for the prestigious Boettcher
Scholarship, which covers the cost
of college tuition, room and board
and books for four years for any
Our Services are
Customized to Meet Your
Family’s Needs.
Nanny Services –
Full Time, Part Time, On-call
Childcare that’s easy,
safe and reliable; custom
matched to your family’s
needs and interests.
Colorado college or university.
“One of the things they asked
Colin in the interview was how
would you feel if your brother got
the scholarship and you didn’t,”
explained Garrett. “And he said that
he would be really proud – I would
say the same thing. It’s an honor and
we’d be so happy for each other.”
With a rip of the envelope, the twins
discovered they were both awarded
the Boettcher. The Mayberry twins
are among 40 Colorado high school
seniors who were named Boettcher
scholars from 1,300 applicants. The
twins say they don’t have any sibling rivalries.
“We push each other to do our
best,” said Colin. “We’re like builtin study partners; it’s not really a
and will only stop playing sports
when they’re no longer fun.
“I don’t think I could ever live
without having sports as a big part
of my life,” she said. “It’s always
been a part of me — having that
drive in you to do well for not only
yourself, but your team. I am not
sure where my life will take me with
both sports, but I believe in myself
and if I can reach the Olympics, it
would be amazing. Even if I can just
go to watch them — that would be
awesome.”
Wheat Ridge senior Annie Kunz hurdles her way to a state championship.
Standouts in 2010-11 Jeffco spring sports:
Swimming:
4A boys 200 yard freestyle –
Jeff Garnier, D’Evelyn HS
4A boys 200 yard individual –
Eric May, Arvada HS
4A boys 100 yard butterfly
– Micah Blackwell, Green
Mountain HS
4A boys 100 yard freestyle –
Jeff Garnier, D’Evelyn HS
competition.”
Both Colin and Garrett maintained
a 4.26 grade point average. They
played soccer, they’re on a competitive club volleyball team and they
were in the high school musical for
three years.
What’s the secret to their success?
“Well, their mother is a Jeffco
teacher,” joked their father, Lee
Mayberry. “Seriously,” he continued, “We believe in and are strong
supporters of public education.”
Garrett offers this advice for
would-be scholars, “I would just do
the things that you love,” he said. “I
didn’t set out to get the Boettcher,
I just pursued a lot of things that I
loved and studied hard and did soccer and gave back to people.”
“My advice would be establishing
yourself as a person,” added Colin.
“Having your parents influence you
Boys high jump 4A – Trevor
Evanson, Golden HS
4A boys 100 yard backstroke –
Darian Brunetti, Wheat Ridge
HS
Girls 100 meter hurdles 4A –
Annie Kunz, Wheat Ridge HS
Track:
Boys 400 meter dash 5A – Erik
Gaytan, Chatfield HS
Boys shot put 5A – Jake
Jones, Lakewood HS
Girls 300 meter hurdles 4A –
Annie Kunz, Wheat Ridge HS
Girls high jump 4A – Annie
Kunz, Wheat Ridge HS
Girls triple jump 4A – Annie
Kunz, Wheat Ridge HS
Boettcher Scholars Colin (left) and Garrett Mayberry graduated from Ralston Valley High School.
and your values. It’s really important
because you carry those through
every part of your life.”
The next chapter of their lives
includes the University of Colorado
at Boulder. Garrett plans to major in
International Affairs and Spanish.
Colin will major in Environmental
Studies and Spanish.
Students and seedlings
S
Tutor Services –
1-on-1 Tutoring, All Ages - All Subjects
tudents at Eiber Elementary
School recently spruced up
their school’s grounds and have
the green thumbs to prove it.
Sixth-grade teachers Jen
Byrne and Glenn Johnson,
along with Principal Stacy
Bedell, organized a tree-planting event for students to celebrate Arbor Day.
The earth-friendly project
allowed students to learn how to
plant and care for tree seedlings
Now is the right time
to jump start learning
for the coming year!
Call: 720.536.8562
www.collegetutors.com|www.collegenannies.com
Jeffco Schools Quarterly
4A boys 200 yard freestyle
relay – D’Evelyn HS
from the City of Lakewood’s Forestry
Department.
Nearly a dozen blue spruce seedlings were planted around the elementary school with the help of
a $1,400 grant from the Colorado
Tree Coalition and Xcel Energy's
Vegetation Management.
The new trees replace 11 older trees
that had been removed from around
the school property by crews building
the new light rail system.
Eiber Elementary students work to keep their school community green.
4
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
More than Band-aids
Stomach aches, Band-Aids for
minor scrapes and not feeling well
are typical ailments in school clinics, but surprisingly, they make up
only a small part of the day.
At Bear Creek K-8 School, clinic
aide Camille Wood regularly gives
insulin shots to her diabetic students.
Sometimes, she sees a student four
times a day, testing their blood glu-
cose levels and making sure they’re
stable throughout the school day.
In a typical week, she pre-treats an
asthmatic student before PE class or
provides medication to a child having a seizure. That’s in addition to
allocating daily prescription medications, monitoring students with lifethreatening allergies and treating the
usual bumps and bruises kids get on
Community Safety Day
and Shred-a-thon
The Jefferson County District
Attorney’s Office is holding
its third annual Community
Safety Fair on August 27, 9:001:00 at the Jefferson County
Fairgrounds. Take advantage of
free recycling of small electronics, document shredding, free
credit reports run by DA staff
and bank officers to review it
with you.
Whether you are interested
in staying safe in your home,
during recreational activities, or
have concerns about your kids
going back to school, this is
the place to be. This year we
have expanded kids activities -
DA Investigators and cool cat
CHEEZO will be there to talk
to kids about Internet and cell
phone safety, we’ll have a free
Bicycle Rodeo, State Patrol driving simulators, "Crash Car" on
display with teen driver safety
information, bounce castles, face
painting and more.
With over 80 booths the event
offers a complete range of safety
services for the entire family
with valuable information and
giveaways. FREE, fun, safety
tools and tips for the entire family. For more information call
Cary Johnson at 303-271-6970
or [email protected].
Submitted by the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.
the playground.
In Jeffco Public Schools, there
are approximately 22,000 students
with significant health concerns and
approximately 60 to 80 visits per
day to the school clinic — that’s
roughly over half a million visits per
school year.
And as the intensity of students’
needs continues to increase, Wood,
along with other school clinic aides
and district nurses, agree their roles
in schools have changed.
Gone are the days when school
nurses just put a Band-Aid on an
injury and sent a student back to
class. Today, one in four children
comes to school with a chronic illness that requires regular medical
care.
Some students have bleeding disorders that have to be monitored.
Other students need catheterization,
feeding tubes, gastrointestinal care
or are dealing with eating and mental disorders.
Karen Harriman, a Jeffco registered nurse, says a nurse and school
clinic aide’s job is not only important medically for a student, but is
vital to the education process.
“A few years ago, students with
severe needs would stay home and
not come to school,” she said. “Now,
if we have a child with intensive
health needs, we work on a health
plan immediately so they can return
Rebecca Chau, Westgate Elementary School’s clinic paraprofessional and licensed physician
assistant, handles medical needs.
to school within 24 hours. If their
neighborhood school can’t fit their
needs, we find another option for
them, whether it’s a center-based
or home-bound program, or online
education. It’s all about meeting
with families and assessing students’
needs so they have equal access to
the curriculum and are successful
in school.”
To ensure that students achieve,
licensed district nurses support,
supervise and train school clinic
aides and school secretaries so they
are prepared to respond to and provide direct student care in school
clinics.
“The training and the technology continues to increase and provides us a better ability to diagnose
and treat students with significant
needs,” said Linda Buzard, director
of Jeffco’s Health Services. “But
it really is the person, the care and
the person delivering the care at the
school site – it’s the clinic aide and
the nurse at the school talking to the
child and the parent that makes the
difference. That will always be true.”
Providing award-winning financial
education programs to Jeffco Public
Schools students for over 30 years.
Check out FoolProof, our consumer education portal,
at www.westerracu.com
You Can Join Westerra
All who live or work in Jefferson County can join!
Aurora – 14305 East Alameda
Arvada – 7270 West 88th
Belmar – 98 North Wadsworth
Centennial – 5698 South Himalaya
Cherry Creek – 3700 East Alameda
Green Mountain – 355 Union
Littleton – 8174 South Kipling
Stapleton – 3700 North Quebec
Get $50 When you open a savings account!
*
Bring this coupon to any Westerra Credit Union branch to open
your account.
*$50 bonus will be deposited at account opening. Minimum balance of $100 for 12 months to avoid fees. $5
membership fee waived. Bonus will be reported to IRS as income as required by law. Offer valid for new members only
who join by August 31, 2011. Top 5-Star rating for financial strength by Bauer Financial (www.bauerfinancial.com).
Federally insured by NCUA up to $250,000.
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000
and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government
Federally insured by NCUA.
303-321-4209 • www.westerracu.com
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
5
190 Locations. 1000 Free ATMs.
August 2011
Hands down - a great first year
Kindergarteners at Arvada K-8 put
their hands together to celebrate the
school’s first year and its first graduating class.
Students painted their palms to
make hand prints on a large banner that will hang in the gym to
honor the hard work and success the
school has built in its first year as
Arvada K-8.
Last year, the Jefferson County
Board of Education closed Russell
Elementary and moved its students
to Arvada Middle School to form
the new Arvada K-8 in an effort to
help reduce a $40 million budget
shortfall.
“Arvada K-8 is thriving,” said
Principal Susan Chapla. “Our
enrollment is up and we have 100
more seventh- and eighth-graders
than we expected — we even have a
waitlist. Students have come back to
their school.”
Enrollment numbers aren’t the
only thing moving up — Chapla
says test scores have grown and
more students are performing at
grade-level.
“We are making huge changes
in instruction,” she said. “Teachers
work together, especially between
elementary and middle school, and
they can see what a student learned
the year before. Rigor in the classroom is expected and Arvada K-8 is
a great place to learn.”
Assistant principal Tara Pena
agrees and says the school has
grown along with the community.
“It was a lot of change for our
kids, but they did it and didn’t skip a
Arvada K-8 kindergartners make their mark
on their school’s history. Pictured from left to
right: Clarisa Cline, Katelin Hopkins, Renee
Martin, Gustavo Medina, and Lily Rocha.
beat,” she said. “The older students
have become role models for the
younger students, we have created
a tremendous sense of family in the
school and community and it fits
— it works and it feels like this is
how it’s always been and how it was
always supposed to be.”
Listening to Jeffco student voices
Why are there achievement gaps
between males and females, and different ethnic groups, and what can
Jeffco Schools do about these gaps?
This question was the focus of
a conversation between Superintendent Cindy Stevenson and 37
Jeffco high school students. The
students are members of Student
Voice, a new group established by
the superintendent to provide her
with the opportunity to hear directly
from students about what’s working
and what can be improved to help
them succeed in school.
Student Voice held its first meeting in May with team-building
activities, a discussion of diversity
and a dialogue with the superintendent. Each high school selected
two students who represent diverse
constituents of the student body to
participate in the event. The group
included student leaders and those
who are disenfranchised; white students and students of color. Adult
advisors from each school had the
opportunity to work together on
issues of diversity at their schools
as well as participate with their
students.
Starting with the 2011-12 school
year, Student Voice will meet with
the superintendent three times annually to discuss issues such as the
achievement gap and their experiences in Jeffco high schools. The
events are being organized by the
Jeffco Schools Office of Diversity
and Inclusion.
What did students say about the
achievement gap? They talked about
the importance of finding their
niche, being involved, and feeling welcome and respected. They
focused on priorities, such as having to work and time for study;
expectations that may differ among
racial groups; and relationships with
teachers and peers. For example,
students said elementary school is
more like a family and in high
school, there are more cliques, and
it’s easier to get lost.
Here are some of their comments:
• When we walk into a classroom,
we already have labels, like Hispanic, high achiever, low achiever.
Teachers have different expectations
depending on that label.
• Teachers who make us welcome
and want us to learn help close the
achievement gap.
• Some kids have it rougher
because of their home environment.
• When I moved here, I learned
fear, racism and police brutality. I
let people get to me and say I won’t
make it. I had to decide I won’t let
people push me down because of the
color of my skin or my clothes.
• My dad died and my mom works
at Wendy’s. I have to work to help
my family.
• We turn kids into numbers. What
do we consider achievement? All
kids are achieving something.
• When we hit fourth grade, we get
caught up in real life.
• Priorities and motivation change
as you get older.
The group will meet again in the
fall.
Jeffco Schools Quarterly
6
Schools change with
the community
Big changes are happening in
the city of Wheat Ridge and
alongside the revitalization of
local businesses along the 38th
street corridor, two area schools
are undergoing their own makeover.
Stevens Elementary and
Wheat Ridge 5-8 aren’t changing the exterior of the schools,
but rather, making a recommitment to the students and neighborhood.
“We want to ensure that we
are a successful part of the community,” said Heather Stewart,
principal at Stevens.
In May, the Jefferson County
Board of Education voted to
close Martensen Elementary and
reconfigure grades at Stevens
and Wheat Ridge Middle
School. This fall, Stevens opens
as a K-4 and Wheat Ridge a 5-8.
The schools’ new principals
agree the news of Martensen
closing came with a lot of emotion and surprise in the community, but say the changes will
bring opportunities. Each school
plans to focus on and increase
student achievement, restructure
and develop school staff, and
build relationships with the community, which both say contribute to student success.
“To our families, community
is important,” said Stewart. “I
believe it really takes a village
to raise a child, let alone 300.”
The principals have met regularly with city council members
and business leaders to discuss
their schools’ roles in the changing community.
“We want to develop a great
relationship with the city so they
can see our great kids,” said
Warren Blair, principal at Wheat
Ridge 5-8. “We want to let them
know that the city cares about
them and what they’re doing is
important.”
Blair partnered with city judges, the police chief, the fire chief
and the city manager to have student leaders tour the city buildings and learn how Wheat Ridge
works. He plans to have city
employees come to the school
once a week to have lunch with
a student.
At Stevens, Stewart is working
to develop a community between
the two schools where the older
kids mentor the younger kids
and hopes that connection will
build more parent and community involvement.
Students from each school
come from diverse backgrounds
where a sense of community is
Stevens Elementary School Principal
Heather Stewart
Wheat Ridge 5-8 Principal Warren Blair
“We want this
community to
be proud and we
want this to be
a place where
the city, families,
students and
Jeffco Schools
are proud of our
work.”
important and both principals
agree that when students feel
valued and have people believe
in them, they thrive.
“These kids can learn and do
great things,” said Blair. “We
want this community to be proud
and we want this to be a place
where the city, families, students
and Jeffco Schools are proud of
our work.”
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
Principal takes first pitch
When Columbine High School
Principal Frank DeAngelis arrived at
the Rebels’ last home baseball game
in May, he was in for a surprise.
“All of a sudden I saw (Jeffco
Superintendent) Dr. Cindy Stevenson,
and then my parents, my brother and
sister, and my daughter, and I thought,
‘What are they all doing here?’”
DeAngelis said.
They were all there to celebrate
the re-naming and re-dedication of
Columbine’s baseball field. They
watched as the covering was removed
from the scoreboard, to reveal the
field’s new name: Frank DeAngelis
Field.
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
Columbine High School Athletic
Director Ed Woytek called it, “An
honor for a man who has done so
much for the Columbine community and the sport of baseball at
Columbine.”
DeAngelis has been at Columbine
in some capacity for 32 years, either
as a coach, teacher or administrator.
He was the head baseball coach for 13
years, and led the Rebels to two state
championships.
“He is an avid supporter of high
school athletics and academics,” said
teacher and track coach Ivory Moore.
It is also fitting that Frank DeAngelis
Field is adjacent to the Dave Sanders
Memorial Field, named in honor of
DeAngelis’ former assistant baseball
coach and close friend, who died in
the Columbine tragedy.
“I looked out to the bleachers to
the area where so many people were
sitting for the re-dedication. That was
the same place that I had my last conversation with Dave. So to have the
Frank DeAngelis Field right next to
the Dave Sanders Field definitely has
meaning to me,” DeAngelis said.
Right before he threw out the first
pitch, DeAngelis wiped away a tear
and told the crowd, “They say there’s
no crying in baseball, well, today,
there was.”
7
Columbine High School Principal Frank DeAngelis throws out the first pitch on the field that
bears his name.
August 2011
Here is some information about
what your family can do to prepare
in the event of a school closure:
What parents need to do
WELCOME
BACK TO
SCHOOL!
Back-to-school – it’s a phrase that
carries many emotions for children;
excitement about seeing friends and
making new ones; apprehension
about the unknown of a new school;
sadness in saying goodbye to warm
summer days spent without schedules and homework.
For parents, back-to-school can
be overwhelming. There are fees
to pay, registration details and last
minute shopping for school supplies. We hope the following information will help you get organized
and take some of the stress out of
starting a new school year. Many
of the steps to register your student for the new school year can
now be accomplished online from
any computer that has an Internet
connection. An online registration
checklist will walk you through the
steps to access Jeffco Connect, pay
fees online and review the necessary
paperwork. Visit www.jeffcopublicschools.org/back_to_school/.
Athletics
One of the great things about
returning to school is the chance
to participate and attend athletic events. For the fall 2011
athletic schedules, visit the athletics homepage at www.jeffcopublicschools.org/athletics/index.html.
Bus Fees
This year a transportation fee will
be introduced due to increased costs
and decreasing state and local financial support. Students eligible to
ride to their neighborhood school
will pay $100 per year and students
traveling to an option school will
pay a $150 bus fee. Choice-enrolled
students or students ineligible for
bus service (those living within
walking distance and/or beyond bus
service) may buy a bus pass for
$150 per year depending on space
available.
Transportation fees may be
paid before or during registration.
Students who have pre-paid will be
given passes at registration; those
who pay at registration will be given
the pass by their bus driver at the
start of the school year. After the
first two weeks of school, students
will need to show their pass upon
boarding the bus.
Students who qualify for free and
reduced lunch can apply to have
bus fees waived. Special education
students with individual needs and
an approved IEP specifying eligibility for transportation as a related
service, will also be exempt from
bus fees.
Want to make sure that your child
does not miss the bus on the first
day of school? Is your child eligible
to ride the bus? If you answered
yes to these questions, then here is
some information you need to know
before sending your student out on
the big yellow bus. School district
policy determines who is eligible
for transportation according to the
distance they live from their school
and their grade level.
Elementary students walk to
school if the distance is approximately one mile from where they
live, middle school students,
approximately two miles and high
school students, approximately two
and one-half miles. Additionally,
the director of transportation may
assess the route a student must walk
to their school. Serious safety hazards that students encounter on that
route are considered to determine
if additional transportation services
are needed within the above walk-in
boundaries. For more information,
visit www.jeffcopublicschools.org/
transportation/.
Tips to avoid missing
the bus
There is always that fear when
school starts that you will be running
late and your student will miss the
bus. To ensure that your student does
not miss the bus, have your child
arrive at the bus stop five minutes
before their scheduled pickup time
and be waiting outside, in plain view
of the driver. The driver will not
leave the stop until the scheduled
pick-up time. However, the driver
cannot wait for late riders. Drivers
or bus assistants are not allowed to
go up to a house or honk the horn.
Prepare your child for longer waits
in inclement weather.
Jeffco busses are usually very
reliable, but there may be conditions which cause a late bus. Parents
should have a contingency plan in
case a bus is running extremely
late or breaks down before reaching
their child’s stop. For more information, please visit www.jeffcopublicschools.org/transportation/.
Jeffco Schools Quarterly
10
Calendar
Parents and students should check
their school website for the first
day of school and to look for any
assessments or transition programs
that may be scheduled. For example,
first-graders or ninth-graders may
attend a day early without other
grade levels. The family calendar
for the school year is posted on the
district’s website at: www.jeffcopublicschools.org/calendar/index.html.
Closures
There are times, especially during
the winter months, when schools
will need to close because of bad
weather. Many factors go into making the decision to close schools but
the safety of students is always the
first priority. To see a video about
school closings, please visit www.
jeffcopublicschools.org/closures/.
Unless otherwise announced,
school weather-related closures are
for one day only. Check with individual schools or event sponsors
regarding the cancellation of events
and activities. District policy mandates 175 days of teachers working directly with students. When a
school falls below this level, makeup days may need to be used or
scheduled.
Call the Jeffco Public Schools
Hotline at 303-982-6600 for the
most up-to-date information about
possible school closures or check
local television and radio stations,
newspapers and media websites
for closure messages such as “All
Jeffco Public Schools are closed”
or “All Jeffco Mountain Schools are
closed.”
Mountain Schools include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bergen Meadow Elementary
Bergen Valley Elementary
Coal Creek Canyon K-8
Conifer High School
Elk Creek Elementary
Evergreen Middle School
Evergreen High School
Marshdale Elementary
Mountain Phoenix
Ralston Elementary
Rocky Mountain Academy
of Evergreen
Parmalee Elementary
West Jefferson Elementary
West Jefferson Middle School
Wilmot Elementary
• Children should know where to
go if a parent will not be home and
how to contact parents or guardians.
• Parent contact information,
including work phone numbers,
should be kept up-to-date with
the school. You can enter emergency contact information using
SchoolMessenger. If you are
instructed to pick up your student
at a location other than their school
due to a school closure, you will be
asked to present photo ID before the
student will be released.
• In cold weather, students should
be dressed appropriately. No one
can predict when a fire alarm will go
off or when buildings will have to
be evacuated due to an emergency.
Bulky coats and boots can be stored
in classrooms or other areas designated by the principal in addition
to student lockers. Since parents
are the primary protectors, they will
need to decide what is best for their
children regardless of any decision
by the district. The option to keep
children home when weather conditions are extreme is always at the
parents’ discretion and the school
understands and respects the decision. Parents can contact the school
and arrange for an excused student
absence.
Conduct Code
The district’s conduct code for
students and parents outlines district
policies designed to promote safety
through responsible behavior. The
conduct code includes all policies
related to student rights, conduct
and discipline. Every parent should
review the code with their child. To
save money and valuable resources,
the conduct code is available to
all families online at www.jeffcopublicschools.org/publications/conduct_code.pdf.
Parents will receive a sign-off
form (signature page) at registration asking them to confirm that
they know the conduct code will
be available online. If families do
not have access to a computer, a
printed copy will be provided to
them. Additionally, there will be
copies in the school’s office and in
each classroom.
Senior high students will be asked
to sign the signature page. By signing the form, high school students
acknowledge that it is their responsibility to read and discuss the contents of the conduct code with their
parents.
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
Fees
The district supplies students with textbooks
and instructional materials which are necessary for successful completion of classes. All
fees for activities are voluntary and no student
will be denied participation in an activity for
nonpayment of fees. Students may be required
to pay the cost of materials for projects in
specified classes when the items produced will
be retained by the student. The principal shall
grant a waiver for students eligible for free
or reduced lunch under the National Income
Poverty Guidelines. If other hardship conditions exist, the principal should be contacted.
Purchases of non-instructional goods and services, such as yearbooks or photos, are not
included in this waiver policy. School fees have
been approved by the school decision-making
group and community superintendent. If you
have questions regarding student fees, contact
the secretary at your school.
To make paying fees a little easier, Jeffco
Public Schools has contracted with an online
vendor called PaySchools where fees can be
seen and paid. The PaySchools program allows
school-related payments, except for meal payments, to be made online with an electronic
check or credit card. The program uses secure
software, requires passwords and does not
store personal bank or credit card information
to ensure privacy and security for users. A
$2 convenience fee is charged each time you
complete the payment process to help cover
the cost of implementing and maintaining this
online fee payment service. It’s recommended
that you pay for multiple students at one time
to avoid being charged more than one $2 fee.
For more information about PaySchools go
to www.jeffcopublicschools.org/current_parent_student/payschool.html.
Immunization
Immunizations are an important part of your
child’s health care because they protect against
vaccine preventable diseases. To ensure that
students remain healthy, the Colorado School
This year, a $2 transaction fee will be charged
each time money is deposited into a student’s
account. MealpayPlus simplifies bookkeeping
and helps ensure your child always has lunch
money. For more information, please visit
www.jeffcopublicschools.org/food_services/
mealpay.html or call 1-877-237-0946.
Entrance and Immunization Law requires all
students to provide proof of immunizations to
attend school. Please provide your student’s
Certificate of Immunization record to the
school before the first day of school. To check
the minimum number of doses required for
this certificate of immunization, visit www.jeffcopublicschools.org/health/medication.html.
Military recruitment
Statement of Exemption to
Immunization Law
Provisions of the federal No Child Left
Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires educational institutions to provide military recruiters, institutions of higher education and
prospective employers, access to secondary
schools students’ names, addresses and telephone listings. Colorado law states that school
districts have 90 days to comply with any military recruiter’s request for this information.
NCLB also states that a secondary school student or his/her parent may request that the student’s name, address and telephone listing not
be released without prior written consent, and
the educational institution will notify parents
of this option. Jeffco’s policy KLMA, provides high school students with an appropriate
way to obtain accurate information regarding potential careers, employers (including
the military), and postsecondary educational
opportunities. Parents or students who have
questions about recruitment, including the
opt-out policy should contact their high school
student counselor for more information.
Parents may sign for their child’s exemption from immunizations due to medical,
religious, or personal concerns as identified
on the Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment Certificate of Immunization,
www.cdphe.state.co.us/. To learn where to
obtain immunizations for free or at low cost,
call the Family Health Line at 303-692-2229
or 1-800-688-7777.
Lunch
Jeffco Public Schools prepares over six
million meals a year for students. The district
participates in the United States Department
of Agriculture’s National School lunch, breakfast, and snack program. Some children may
qualify for free meals or for reduced price
meals. To apply for free or reduced price
meals, use the Free and Reduced Price School
Meals Application, which is available at each
school. School vending machines offer bottled
water, fat free or low fat milk, and 100 percent
juice. For more information including menus
and fees, visit Jeffco’s Food and Nutrition
website at www.jeffcopublicschools.org/food_
services/ or call 303-982-6748.
Parent portal
MealpayPlus
MealpayPlus is an online payment system
that allows parents to pay for their student’s
meals online using a bank account or credit
card. Parents can also pay for meals 24 hours a
day using a toll-free number, 1-866-609-0949.
REGISTRATION DATE & TIMES
Elementary Schools
Allendale Elementary School
Arvada K - 8
Bear Creek K - 8 School
Belmar Elementary School
Bergen Meadow Elementary School
Bergen Valley Intermediate School
Betty Adams Elementary School
Blue Heron Elementary School
Bradford Primary & Intermediate School
Campbell Elementary School
Coal Creek Canyon K - 8 School
Colorow Elementary School
Columbine Hills Elementary School
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
Aug. 9: 7:30 am - 1:30 pm & Aug. 10: 12 - 6 pm
Aug. 10: 7 am - 4 pm, Aug. 11: noon - 7 pm &
Aug. 12: 8 am - 3 pm
Aug. 9: 9 - 12 am & 2 - 5 pm & Aug. 10:
9 am - noon
Aug. 11: 7 am - 7 pm
May 6 & May 9
May 6 & May 9
Aug. 3: 7 am - 1:30 pm & 3:30 - 6 pm
Online, pick up packets on Aug. 10: 7:30 am - 4 pm
Aug. 4: 7:30 - 11 am & Aug. 9: 3 - 6 pm
Aug. 8: 7:30 am - 2 pm & 4 - 6:30 pm
July 27 - Aug. 22: 8 am - 3 pm
Aug. 4: 10 am - 6 pm
Aug. 4: 7:30 - 11:30 am & 1:30 - 5:30 pm
11
Safety, security and
emergency planning
Jeffco Public Schools is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of students
and staff. Jeffco’s security staff is at work 24
hours a day, seven days a week, protecting
schools and district facilities. The district’s
safety plan identifies security programs and
measures that focus on prevention, intervention and crisis response. For more information
about safety and security, see the security
Web page at: www.jeffcopublicschools.org/
security/.
Start/end times
Be sure to check your school’s start and end
times prior to the first day of school. To cut
costs and maintain efficiency, bus schedules
may have been adjusted prior to the start
of school. Check with your school and the
transportation website at: www.jeffcopublicschools.org/transportation/.
Supply list
As every student moves up to the next grade,
there is a new supply list including items like
glue, crayons, pens, and pencils. Teachers can
modify the list based on the courses and area
of study. To find your student’s supply list,
visit your school’s homepage or www.jeffcopublicschools.org/back_to_school/.
Registration
Jeffco Public Schools offers parents the
opportunity to keep up-to-date with their student’s grades, attendance, classroom assignments and more through a parent portal called
Infinite Campus. Check with your school’s
administrative office or website regarding
access to the parent portal or go to www.jeffcopublicschools.org and under Quick Links,
Parent Portal will take you to the site to log in.
www.jeffcopublicschools.org/parent_portal/
index.html.
To make sure that things start off smoothly,
schools hold registration to prepare students for
classes and activities. Neighborhood schools
typically hold registration the week before
school begins in August. If your school is not
listed, or if you have questions, please contact
your school or call communications services at
303-982-6808.
Coronado Elementary School
Deane Elementary School
Devinny Elementary School
Dutch Creek Elementary School
Edgewater Elementary School
Eiber Elementary School
Elk Creek Elementary School
Fairmount Elementary School
Fitzmorris Elementary School
Foothills Elementary School
Foster Elementary School
Fremont Elementary School
Glennon Heights Elementary School
Governor's Ranch Elementary School
Green Gables Elementary School
Green Mountain Elementary School
Hackberry Hill Elementary School
Hutchinson Elementary School
Kendallvue Elementary School
Kendrick Lakes Elementary School
Kullerstrand Elementary School
Kyffin Elementary School
Lasley Elementary School
Lawrence Elementary School
Leawood Elementary School
Online, packets on Aug. 4: 8 am - 6 pm
Online, Aug. 11: noon - 6 pm, Aug. 12:
7:30 am - noon
Aug. 10: 7 - 10 am & 3 - 7 pm
Online, Aug. 10: 7 am - 1 pm & 2:30 - 5 pm
Aug. 8: 1 - 7 pm & Aug. 9: 7 am - noon
Aug. 4: 7 am - 6 pm
Online, new student packets available after Aug. 1
Online, new students: Aug. 10: 7 am - 2 pm &
Aug. 11: 1 - 6 pm
Aug. 2 7 - 11:30 am & Aug. 3: 12 - 6 pm
Aug. 11: 7 am - noon & 2 - 6 pm
Aug. 3: 7:30 - 11:30 am & 3 - 7 pm
Aug. 5: 7:30 am - noon & Aug. 8: 4 - 7 pm
Aug. 4: noon - 6 pm & Aug. 5: 7 am - 1 pm
Aug. 9: 7:30 am - 6 pm
Aug. 4: 7 - 11 am & noon - 5 pm
Aug. 4: 1 - 6 pm & Aug. 5: 7:30 am - noon
Aug. 3: 7:30 am - 1:30 pm & Aug. 4: noon - 6:30 pm
Aug. 9: noon - 6 pm
Aug. 3: 7 am - 7 pm
Aug. 4: 7 - 10 am, 11 am - 2 pm & 3 - 6 pm
Aug. 4: 7 am - 3 pm & Aug. 5: 10 am - 6 pm
Aug. 10: 7:30 - 11:30 am & Aug. 11: 1 - 7 pm
Aug. 1: 7 am - 7 pm
Aug. 10: 7:30 am - 2:30 pm & Aug. 11:
11 am - 6 pm
Aug. 9: 7am - 1 pm & 3:30 - 7 pm
August 2011
Little Elementary School
Lukas Elementary School
Lumberg Elementary School
Maple Grove Elementary School
Marshdale Elementary School
Meiklejohn Elementary School
Mitchell Elementary School
Molholm Elementary School
Mortensen ElementarySchool
Mt. Carbon Elementary School
Normandy Elementary School
Parmalee Elementary School
Parr Elementary School
Patterson International School
Peck Elementary School
Peiffer Elementary School
Pennington Elementary School
Pleasant View Elementary
Powderhorn Elementary
Prospect Valley Elementary School
Ralston Elementary School
Red Rocks Elementary School
Rooney Ranch Elementary School
Ryan Elementary School
Secrest Elementary School
Semper Elementary
Shaffer Elementary School
Shelton Elementary School
Sheridan Green Elementary School
Sierra Elementary School
Slater Elementary School
South Lakewood Elementary School
Stein Elementary School
Stevens Elementary School
Stober Elementary School
Stony Creek Elementary School
Stott Elementary School
Swanson Elementary School
Thomson Elementary School
Ute Meadows Elementary School
Van Arsdale Elementary School
Vanderhoof Elementary School
Vivian Elementary School
Warder Elementary School
Weber Elementary School
Welchester Elementary School
West Jefferson Elementary School
West Woods Elementary School
Westgate Elementary School
Westridge Elementary School
Wilmore - Davis Elementary School
Wilmot Elementary School
Witt Elementary School
Aug. 3: 6:30 am - 12:30 & 4 - 7:30 pm
Aug. 3: 7 - 11 am & 1 - 6 pm
July 27 - 29 & Aug. 1: 8 am - 3 pm
July 28: 7:30 am - 5 pm
Online, May 24 - 27
Aug. 12: 7 - 11 am & 2 - 6 pm
Aug. 10: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm & Aug. 11:
12:30 - 6:30 pm
Aug. 3 & 4: 8 am - 5 pm
Aug. 3: 6 - 8 am 10 am - noon, 4 - 6 pm
Online
Aug. 9 & 10: 7:30 am - 4 pm
Aug. 4: 8 am - 6 pm
Aug. 9: 8 am - noon & Aug. 10: 2 - 6 pm
Packet pickup: Aug. 3: 7 am - 2:30 pm &
Aug. 4: 9 am - 5 pm
Aug. 2 - 5: 7 am - 3 pm
Aug. 12: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm & Aug. 15:
6:30 am - 6:30 pm
Aug. 1: 7:30 am - 5 pm
Aug. 9: 7:30 - 11:30 am & Aug. 10: 3 - 7 pm
Aug. 3 - 5: 7 am - 7 pm
Aug 2: 7:30 am - noon & Aug.3: 1 - 6 pm
Daily through August
Aug. 4: 7:30 - 10:30 am & 2 - 6 pm
Aug. 3: 8 am - noon, 4 - 7:30 pm
Aug. 3: 7:30 am - 4 pm
Aug. 4: 7 am - noon and 2 - 7 pm
Mail - in, Aug. 10 & 11: 8 a.m - 3 pm
Aug. 17: 7 - 10:30 am & 3:30 - 6 pm
Aug. 3: 7 am - 2 pm & Aug. 4: 2 - 7 pm
Aug. 3: 7 - 11 am & 1 - 6 pm
Aug. 4: 9 am - noon & Aug. 8: 4 - 7 pm
Aug. 4: 8 am - 6 pm
Aug. 3: 12:30 - 6 pm & Aug. 5: 7 - 11:30 am
Aug. 4 - 5: 7:30 am - 4 pm
Aug. 10: 7 am - 3 pm & Aug. 11: noon - 7 pm
Aug. 1: 7 am - 1 pm & Aug. 2: 1 - 7 pm
Aug. 3: 7 am - 1:30 pm & 2:30 - 6 pm
Aug. 4: 7 am - 7 pm
Aug. 10: 10 am - 7 pm
Aug. 3: 3 - 7 pm & Aug. 4: 8 - 11 am
Aug. 3 - 4: 2 - 6 pm
July 28: 2 - 6 pm & July 29: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm
Aug. 3: 7 am - 1 pm & Aug. 4: 1 - 7 pm
Aug. 2: 8 am - 4 pm & Aug. 3: 10 am - 7 pm
Aug. 9: 7:30 am - 7 pm
Registration packets dropped off between
7 am - 3 pm
Aug. 12: 7 am - 7 pm
Aug. 8 - 12
Aug. 5: 7 am to 2 pm
Aug. 8: 8 am - 2 pm & Aug. 9: noon - 6 pm
Aug. 8 - 12
Aug. 2: noon - 7 pm & Aug. 4: 8 am - 1 pm
Ongoing after Aug. 1
July 28: 7 am - 3 pm
Brady High School
Collegiate Academy
Compass Montessori Golden
Compass Montessori WR
Connection Learning Center
Dennison Elementary
Aug. 9 & 11: 2 - 7 pm
Aug. 2: noon - 7 pm & Aug. 3: 9 am - 3 pm
8 am - 7 pm
May 1 - 5
Aug. 19: 8 am - noon
Packet pick up, Aug. 9: 11 am - 7 pm
Other
Jeffco Schools Quarterly
D'Evelyn Jr/Sr High School
Excel Academy Charter School
Free Horizon Montessori
Jefferson Academy Elementary
Jefferson Academy High School
Jefferson Academy Junior High
Jefferson County Open School
Lincoln Academy
Manning School
McLain High School
McLain Community High - Adult
Miller School
Montessori Peaks Academy
Mountain Phoenix
New America School
Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Sobesky Academy
Two Roads Charter School
Virtual Academy
Warren Tech
Warren Tech North
Woodrow Wilson Academy
Middle Schools
Bell Middle School
Carmody Middle School
Creighton Middle School
Deer Creek Middle School
Drake Middle School
Dunstan Middle School
Evergreen Middle School
Everitt Middle School
Falcon Bluffs Middle School
Ken Caryl Middle School
Mandalay Middle School
Moore Middle School
North arvada middle
Oberon Middle School
O'Connell Middle School
Summit Ridge Middle School
Wayne Carle Middle School
West Jefferson Middle School
Wheat Ridge 5 - 8 School
High Schools
Alameda High School
Arvada High School
Arvada West High School
Bear Creek High School
Chatfield Sr. High School
Columbine High School
Conifer High School
Dakota Ridge High School
Evergreen High School
Golden High School
Green Mountain High School
Jefferson High School
Lakewood High School
Pomona High School
Ralston Valley High School
Standley Lake High School
Wheat Ridge High School
12
Online, Aug. 10: 7 - 11 am & 1 - 5 pm
Aug. 5: 7:30 am - 3 pm & Aug. 8: 9 am - 6 pm
Aug. 5: 8 - 11 am
Aug. 15 & 16: 8 am - 4 pm
Aug. 4: 7:30 am - 12:30 & 2:30 - 7:30 pm
Aug. 4: 7:30 am - 12:30 & 2:30 - 7:30 pm
Aug. 10: 7 am - 3 pm & Aug. 11: 10 am - 6 pm
Aug. 9: 1 - 6 pm
Aug. 3: 8 - 11 am & 1 - 3 pm, Aug. 4: 11 am 1 pm & 3 - 6 pm
Aug. 10 & 11: 9 am - noon & 4 - 7 pm
Aug. 2 - 3 10 am - 6 pm
Aug. 1: noon - 4 pm
Aug. 11: 9 am - 6 pm, Aug. 12: 7 am - noon
Aug. 1: 5 - 8 pm
Aug. 1 - Oct. 1: 8 am - 8 pm
Aug. 8: 1 - 4 pm & Aug. 9: 2 - 6 pm
Aug. 2 - 3: 9 am - 3 pm
Aug. 16 - 18: 8 am - 3 pm
Online, Aug. 4: 2 - 5 pm Ed Center
Mail - in, walk - in beginning Aug. 1
Mail - in, walk - in beginning Aug. 1
Aug. 4: 10 am - 7 pm
Aug. 9 new registrations, call for appointment
Aug. 10: 9 am - noon & Aug. 11: 3 - 6 pm
Aug. 9 & 10: 5 - 8 pm
Aug. 4: 8 am - 1 pm & 4 - 7 pm
Online, Aug. 10: 8 am - 5 pm
Online, Aug. 9: 8 - 11:30 am & Aug. 10:
8 - 11:30 am & 5 - 7 pm
Online, Aug. 9: 8 - 11 am new students
Aug. 9: 7:30 am - 1:30 pm & Aug. 10: 11 am - 5 pm
Online, Aug. 15 - 19
Aug. 3 & 11: 8 am - 3 pm & Aug. 19: 11 am - 5 pm
Aug. 9: 8 am - 2 pm & 4 - 7 pm
Aug. 10: noon - 7 pm & Aug. 11: 8 am - noon
Aug. 9: 11 am - 3:30 pm & Aug. 11: 8 am - noon
Aug. 8 - 9: 8 am - 3 pm new students, Aug. 11:
7:30 - 11:30 am & 1 - 5 pm for students who
have pre-registered
Aug. 9: 11 am - 4 pm & Aug. 10: 7:30 - 11:30 am
& Aug. 11: 2 - 7 pm
Aug. 15 - 16: 2 - 7 pm
Aug. 10: 7:30 am - 1 pm & 4 - 7 pm
Aug. 9: 8:30 - 11 am & 1 - 3:30 pm & Aug. 10:
8:30 - 11 am, 1 - 3 pm and 5:30 - 7 pm
Aug. 8: 7 am - 6 pm
Aug. 10 & 11: 2 - 7 pm
Aug. 10: 7 am - noon & Aug. 11: 2 - 6 pm
Online, computer lab available Aug. 10 & 11:
8 am - 2 pm
Aug. 9 (11 - 12 grade) - 10 (9 - 10 grade):
7:30 am - 3 pm
Online
Aug. 11: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Online
Aug. 9: 9 am - 1 pm & 2 - 7 pm
Online current students, new students Aug. 19:
9 am - 1 pm
Online through Aug. 15
Aug. 10: 1 - 8 pm & Aug. 11: 9 am - 3 pm
Aug. 11 - 12: 8 am - 3 pm
Aug. 10: noon - 6 pm & Aug. 11: 2 - 5 pm &
Aug. 12: 7 - 10 am
Online, Computer lab for registration on Aug. 9:
8 am - 11 & Aug.10: 1 - 4 pm
Online
Aug. 11: 7:30 am - 1 pm
Aug. 10: 7:30 am - noon, Aug. 11: 3 - 7 pm
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
Bandimere’s
perfect run
E
an extra-curricular activity
that helped put you on your
career path?
ngines throttle and ignitions
Bandimere: I was not very interroar — it is the sound of drag
ested in studies during my school,
racing and anyone who grew up in
but learned much about relationJefferson County, especially those in
ships from my
the racing world,
teachers (which
knows Bandimere
goes a long way
Speedway and
in business dealits driving force,
ings). My favorJohn Bandimere
ite teacher was
Jr. The Wheat
Mr. Brockman,
Ridge
High
PE teacher at
School alum was
Wheat Ridge.
raised
around
exhaust
pipes
Bandimere
and
carbureSpeedway,
tors through the
with the
family business.
help of your
Bandimere took
daughter
over for his father
Tami Shrader,
and has since
hosts Race
fueled the nationto Read.
al racing scene
Wheat Ridge High School alumnus John
Why is it
Bandimere Jr.
in the Rocky
important for
Mountain region.
Bandimere
Today, the speedway hosts automoSpeedway and your family
tive and non-automotive events for
to be involved with Jeffco
adults and kids including Race to
Schools and the program?
Read, a reading program designed
Bandimere: Bandimere Speedway
to encourage literacy by providing
is a business that is 53 years old
an exciting race-themed incentive
this year. It is easy for new genfor elementary-age students.
erations of children to not know
Bandimere took a break from the
about the history of our great county
races to talk about his memories and
and the businesses in it. Bandimere
partnership with Jeffco Schools.
Speedway was founded on getting
young adults to not race on the street
What is your fondest memoand to take their need for speed to
ry about Jeffco Schools?
a safe place. The encouragement
Bandimere: My classmates and the
of learning to develop a love for
great sports programs that I was able
reading at a young age – especially
to participate in!
in boys – is another form of education that we feel we can provide and
How did Jeffco prepare you
the success of the “Race to Read”
for your career and help you
program proves that it is making a
become successful? Was
difference in today’s kids. Teaching
there a teacher, a class, or
them this at a young age is priceless, besides the fact that it gives
their parents a chance to visit our
facility and find out truly what we
are all about!
Jeffco’s virtual
academy leads
the nation
How do you define the success of Race to Read? Where
do you see the program
going in the next 10 years?
Bandimere: Any program that helps
children to read is important. Ours
has a special way of reaching the
boys. The program works really well
the way it is currently...if we opened
it up to several more schools it
would require more help and extra
funding. If that funding were ever
to come our way, through grants,
sponsorships, or donations, we are
certainly open to letting it grow.
The old story of don’t try to fix
something that works is definitely
true in this case. However we are
open to new ideas that could take it
across the country...because we have
proven that it DOES WORK!
How can community members get involved with Race
to Read?
Bandimere: The entire program
has been funded by the Bandimere
Family Foundation and the small
amount that each participating
school pays to be involved. It would
be a blessing if the community
would not only enjoy it, but embrace
it with some funding. Honestly, it
cannot grow without funds.
Any good driving tips?
Bandimere: Yes! On the street –
don’t text/talk on your cell phone
and drive. On the race track - get
good lights (reaction time), and keep
your foot to the metal! “He/She who
snoozes….loses.”
Director of Student Online Learning Judy Bauernschmidt will share tips for online
education success at Denver's Colorado Summit on Blended Learning.
The nation’s best online educators look to Jeffco's 21st Century
Virtual Academy (J21CVA) for
how to succeed in their school
districts with online education.
Recently, educators from
Colorado and around the nation
were in town for the second
annual Colorado Summit on
Blended Learning hosted by the
Donnell-Kay Foundation.
Director of Student Online
Learning Judy Bauernschmidt
shared her department's work
and her experience as principal
of the virtual academy.
“Blended learning refers
to the combination of online
learning with brick-and-mortar
classes," said Bauernschmidt.
"More K-12 schools are adding
an online component to allow
students to flex their pace based
on their learning needs, increase
educational access and more
efficiently use resources."
J21CVA is an example of a
"More K-12
schools are adding
an online component to allow
students to flex
their pace based
on their learning
needs..."
metro Denver district delivering blended learning on a large
scale growing by 6,000 students
last year. The summit aimed
to give examples of successful
technological ideas and generate innovative thought on how
blended learning can grow,
avoid policy barriers, and fit
into districts, large and small.
Student assessment
test gets a makeover
Colorado’s student assessment test is getting a makeover that will align
with new state standards.
Next spring, as Jeffco students sit down at their desks to test their
achievement, they will notice the test’s name has changed. The test is
no longer called the Colorado Student Assessment Program or CSAP.
Instead, it will be called the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program
or TCAP.
TCAP acts as a bridge between the current CSAP test and a new test,
slated to roll out in 2014. TCAP is designed to help school districts
continue to assess third- through 10th-grade students in reading, writing,
math and science until the state’s new assessment test is put into place.
The test will provide one picture of how students are progressing toward
meeting academic standards.
The Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K), a result of Senate
Bill 08-212, aims to prepare all students for postsecondary and workforce
readiness. Following the adoption of the new standards, the redesign of
the new assessment began. TCAP will be in place until 2013.
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
13
August 2011
Jefferson Foundation announces JCRSEA Scholarship winners
The Jefferson Foundation, fiscal agent for the Jefferson
County Retired School Employees Association (JCRSEA)
scholarship, is pleased to announce that four Jeffco graduating
seniors have been awarded the 2011 JCRSEA Scholarship.
Nathaniel Burdick, a graduate of Bear Creek High School,
will enroll at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in
the fall to study math and science.
Ashley Stroaub, a graduate of Arvada West High School, will
attend Mesa State College to pursue a degree in chemistry.
Mathew Vaninger, a Chatfield High School graduate, is going
to the University of Colorado-Boulder to study disciplines
related to aerospace.
Evergreen High School graduate Haley Rowan will study
criminal justice at Johnson & Wales University. Haley was also
one of eight 2011 My Student, My Hero award honorees. My
Student, My Hero is a program of The Jefferson Foundation,
Southwest Plaza and the Columbine Courier newspaper.
The JCRSEA Scholarship is funded by retired Jeffco school
employees to provide further educational opportunities to Jeffco
graduates. In addition to funding and maintaining the scholar-
JF's Crystal Ball
celebrates Congressman
Perlmutter
JF announces Salazar
Literacy Initiative grants
In partnership with long-time
supporter The Salazar Family
Foundation,
The
Jefferson
Foundation announced nearly
$40,000 in grants to schools and
community organizations providing literacy programming to more
than 1,000 students of Jeffco Public
Schools.
The Salazar Family Foundation,
a private grant-making foundation
founded by former Jeffco elementary school teacher Lola Salazar
and her husband, Rob, has provided close to $1 million to The
Jefferson Foundation for literacy
programming since 1999. The funds
have created the Salazar Literacy
Initiative, the largest single source
of literacy funding at The Jefferson
Foundation. Over time, grant funds
have provided reading and writing
programs that serve students in every
neighborhood in Jefferson County.
“The Salazar Literacy Initiative
enables us to fund projects that
address identified achievement gaps
in literacy, including reading and writing,” said Katie Tiernan, executive
director of The Jefferson Foundation.
Jeffco Schools Quarterly
“It’s a focused way for
our schools and community partner agencies
to develop innovative
approaches to literacy,
and combined with
excellent teaching in all
our schools, it helps our
schools develop strong
readers and writers.”
In the coming 201112 school year, The
Jefferson Foundation is
awarding literacy grants
to Mortensen, Westridge,
Vivian and Fairmount
elementary schools and
to Spellbinders and the
Gold Crown Foundation.
Funded programs vary
by school and community organization. Mortensen Elementary School,
for example, will use funding to continue the Sixth-Grade Boys Literacy
Success! program, which it launched
with a previous literacy grant. The
program battles a stubborn reading
achievement gap between male and
female sixth-grade students by providing more diverse reading materi-
ship program, members distribute books through the Books for
Kids program, for which The Jefferson Foundation acts as a
fiscal agent. Several members also volunteer with the Serving
Kids clothing project, a program of The Jefferson Foundation.
If you are interested in establishing a scholarship for Jeffco
students or another fund for schools or to address a specific issue in the Jeffco community, please contact Jefferson
Foundation Executive Director Katie Tiernan at 303-982-2261.
This story was submitted by The Jefferson Foundation.
Jeffco Spellbinder storytelling project coordinator, Linda Boettcher, shares a story with a
class at Foothills Elementary School.
als, such as nonfiction books and
magazines, and providing training to
teachers to encourage male students
to read and write more.
Vivian Elementary School will use
a Salazar Literacy Initiative grant
to fund its Summer Safari Reading
Program, a three-week intensive
summer literacy project focused on
helping to strengthen student skills
in phonics, phonemic awareness,
comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency, and to help students preserve
these skills over the summer.
The Salazar Literacy Initiative is
an annual grant competition open to
all Jefferson County Public schools
and community agencies providing literacy-related programming to
Jeffco students. Application information is available at The Jefferson
Foundation’s website, www.jeffersonfoundation.org.
For more information, please contact Katie Tiernan at 303-982-2261.
This story was submitted by The
Jefferson Foundation.
14
The Jefferson Foundation
is planning to pull more than a
bunny out of its fundraising hat
at the 26th Annual Crystal Ball
when the fall gala event honors
U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter and the
five chambers of commerce serving Jefferson County’s cities. The
Crystal Ball, themed “Believe in
the Magic,” is set for Saturday,
Oct. 15 at the Arvada Center for
the Arts and Humanities.
“The Crystal Ball is a celebration of Jeffco Public Schools and
the magic that occurs every day
in our classrooms,” said Katie
Tiernan, executive director of The
Jefferson Foundation. “Is education anything less than magic?
Kids learn something new and
have important experiences every
day in our schools, ‘magically’
transforming them into the adults
who will lead our communities in
the future. It’s incredible and joyful, and we love to celebrate it.”
This year’s honorees will
include Rep. Ed Perlmutter who is
receiving the 2011 Distinguished
Jeffco Public Schools Alumni
Award. Raised in Jefferson
County, Perlmutter graduated from
Jefferson High School and attended law school at the University of
Colorado. He was elected to the
Colorado Senate and served two
terms before being elected to represent the 7th U.S. Congressional
District in 2006. He has garnered
a reputation as a bipartisan bridgebuilder and a champion of renewable energy and smart growth policies.
The Jefferson County Chambers
of Commerce will receive the 2011
Crystal Globe for Distinguished
Service Award. Representing
businesses and nonprofit organizations in the communities of
Arvada, Conifer, Edgewater,
Evergreen, Golden, Lakewood,
Littleton, Morrison, Wheat Ridge,
and Westminster, the Chambers of
Congressman Ed Perlmutter
Commerce represent the engines
for economic growth in Jefferson
County. An estimated 70 percent
of Jeffco Schools’ 86,000 students
will live and work in the Denvermetro area as adults, making Jeffco
the primary educational driver
for the future regional economy.
Through various programs and
support of Jeffco Public Schools
and students, the Chambers of
Commerce promote investment in
schools and the growth of an educated workforce.
This annual fundraising event
generates a significant portion of
the Foundation’s annual operating income, which helps provide
services for students and schools
around the district. With Jeffco
student performances featuring
the Arvada String Quartet and the
Lights On After School Mariachi
Juvenil, among other surprises,
the Foundation’s 26th Crystal Ball
will definitely create magic.
To purchase tickets, sponsor the
Foundation’s programs and events,
place congratulatory ads in event
programs, or to learn more about
volunteering with the Foundation,
please call 303-982-2210.
This story was submitted by The
Jefferson Foundation.
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
s
Teacher compensation
page 1
Teachers, administrators, parents,
and community leaders worked
together for three years to create
this research-based strategic compensation plan.
What the district learns from this
2011
Mini
Cheer
Camp
pilot project will help inform future
initiatives in Jeffco because the
project aligns with state laws for
school and teacher effectiveness.
The Jeffco plan parallels Colorado
law that rates schools and districts
by growth in student learning from
year to year. It also complies with
a new state law, effective fall 2013,
that ties at least half of each teacher’s and principal’s evaluation to
how much students learn each year.
For information, visit: www.
JeffcoStrategicCompensation.org.
hosted by:
TIGAR Gymnastics
and Cheer
and the
Wheat Ridge
High School
Cheerleading
Squads
Calling All
Cheerleaders!
L - E - T - S
G - O !
August 9-11; 9:00 am to Noon
Ages 4-14
$59 registration fee includes:
All cheer lessons
Tumbling
Choreography
Performance
Entry to Future Farmer Night
at Jeffco Stadium
Uniform Shirt
Learn a full All-Star style cheer routine
including stunts, tumbling, chants and
dance!
Perform for your friends and family on
August 11th and at the Future Farmers
Football Game Halftime Show!
Proceeds benefit WRHS Cheer Squads
Call 720.89TIGAR (84427) or
visit www.tigargymnastics.com for
your registration form!
Release Your Inner Tiger!
4860 Van Gordon Ave. #B
Wheat Ridge, CO 80039
Circus Arts
Preschool Gymnastics
Dance
Recreational Gymnastics
Birthday Parties
Competitive Team
Cheerleading Now Enrolling for Fall 2011!
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
15
August 2011
Can the Library Build the
Next Superhero?
The Library can help your child succeed.
JCPL’s programs are designed to promote early literacy, academic
achievement, positive social skills and more.
Check out our:
•Baby and toddler storytimes
•Homework help
•Summer Reading Club
•Book clubs and discussion groups
•Programs and classes
For more information, visit your local library or go to jeffcolibrary.org
303-235-JCPL (5275)
Online anytime at jeffcolibrary.org
The Basement
Building spaces to match your imagination
Let us help you design a space where kids can store their
gear and get their homework done ... or, a place for Mom
and Dad to play!
• Design to meet your needs, wants, and budget
• See your project in 3-D prior to the build
• Completion Date Guarantee
• Price Guarantee
• Licensed • Insured • Warranty
Ask for the Jefferson County
Schools Special Offer!
www.thebasementedge.com • 303-683-1477
Schedule a free
design appointment
303-683-1477
[email protected]
and receive a free
CO2 monitor
Jeffco Public
Schools
11
3
12
10
2010-11
13
11
13
1
2
14
17
4
15
5
6
16
7
We
look great in pict ures!
1. Freedom Concepts donates a day of adaptive bikes to Fletcher Miller Special students.
2. Eighty-five percent of Jeffco students graduate on time from neighborhood schools.
8
3. Patterson International celebrates peace day
by planting pinwheels for peace.
4. Golden Mayor Jacob Smith congratulates
Kyffin Elementary sixth-graders Sophia
Caronna-Morseman, Ethan Gurevich, and Alex
Singh after they hold a mock fairy tale trial.
5. Principal Sam Palamara holds the 5280
magazine that lists Bradford Primary and
Bradford Intermediate among the metro areas
top elementary schools.
9
Jeffco Schools Quarterly
8
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
6. Dennison Elementary celebrates a national
Blue Ribbon award for educational excellence.
www.jeffcopublicschools.org
7. Wheat Ridge High School’s football team
makes the state 4A championship game, the
only public school to make the 4A or 5A finals.
8. Jeffco schools celebrate Veterans Day by
honoring those who have served our country.
9. The Meiklejohn family donates $25,000 to
the school named in honor of Al Meiklejohn.
10. Jefferson High School area kindergarteners
graduate to first grade.
11. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer and Golden
High School Assistant Principal Brian Conroy
nominated principal Mike Murphy and Jeffco
Superintendent Dr. Cindy Stevenson for Patriot
Awards.
12. Zerger Elementary School holds a closing
ceremony. Jeffco closed Zerger as a budget
reduction move.
13. D'Evelyn senior John
Ahern wins 4A state golf title.
14. Bear Creek gymnasts
are 5A state champions.
15. Olympic Gold Medal skier
Lindsey Vonn visits Devinny
Elementary School.
16. Students dedicate Arvada
K-8, formerly, Arvada Middle School.
Consolidating grades helped save
Jeffco money.
18
17. Chatfield High School students fill holiday
stockings for soldiers on duty.
18. Jeffco made space available for the Feed
the Children school supply distribution. Jeffco’s
Indian Education Coordinator Sena Harjo helps
deliver supplies.
9
August 2011