On Tuesday, Jan. 31, middle school students faced off in Adams 14's Middle School Spelling Bee. The top three finishers were as follows:
Congratulations to these three top spellers. Evelynn, best wishes in the next round of competition!
This week, Adams City High School (ACHS) began offering daily bus transportation for students participating in after school activities, athletics, clubs and tutoring. The District's goal is to enable more students to participate in important after school activities.
The first bus will leave ACHS at 4:45 p.m., and the second and final bus will leave at 5:30 p.m. Buses will drop off students at the elementary school closest to their house or at their usual bus stop.
For questions about these daily bus routes, please call the transportation department at 303.853.7909.
Adams County School District 14 cordially invites you to a reception in honor of our newly elected Board of Education members on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Education Support Services Community Room 5291 E. 60th Avenue Commerce City, CO
Please contact Monica Aviña at 303.853.3205 or meavina@adams14.org if you have any questions.
Adams 14 recently received an award in recognition of its financial reporting division.
The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) presented Adams 14 with its Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Program. This accolade, awarded for excellence in preparation and issuance of the fiscal year-end 2011 financial report, celebrates Adams 14’s high-quality Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
Sponsored by VALIC, the Certificate of Excellence (COE) award confirms the school business office’s commitment to financial accountability and transparency. Recognition through the COE program can help strengthen a district’s presentation for bond issuance statements and promotes a high level of financial reporting.
This is the second time ASBO has recognized Adams 14’s financial department for its work on the CAFR. The District was also awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year-end 2009.
“Being recognized for our District’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report once again highlights the dedication and proficiency of our financial business staff,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “The District’s approach to financial reporting creates transparency and enhances two-way communication opportunities with key stakeholders, as well as within the community we serve.”
Musical programs at a couple of schools in Adams County are getting a financial shot in the arm, thanks to a nationwide giving campaign. Monaco Elementary in Commerce City and the Studio School in Northglenn were among 73 schools around the nation to win grants from the “GLEE Give a Note Program.” The schools won $25,000 and $10,000 respectively, money that can be used to buy new instruments, fix up old ones and help pay for field trips to musical performances, among other things.
Read more here on the Denver Post's YourHub.com.
Community Members: please take a moment to complete our online survey to provide input on two calendar options for the 2012-13 school year. The Board of Education will vote to approve one of these two calendars for next year. Thank you for taking a moment to complete the survey.
Many Adams 14 elementary schools are experiencing enrollment increases, and many schools are now overcrowded. The District recommends moving several preschool classrooms to Hanson next year, as well as making school attendance boundary adjustments to rebalance student populations in schools.
Any proposed changes must be approved by the Board of Education to go into effect for the 2012-13 school year.
Please join us for one of our community meetings to learn more about possible attendance boundary adjustments.
Meeting Schedule:
Alsup Elementary – Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6 p.m. Dupont Elementary – Friday, Jan. 20, 9:15 a.m. Hanson Elementary – Wednesday, Jan. 25, 5 p.m. Monaco Elementary – Wednesday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, local families in Commerce City will have the opportunity to attend College Goal Sunday to receive free assistance on how to pay for college.
College Goal Sunday will be held at Adams City High School on Sunday, Feb.12, from 2 to 4 p.m. Families will receive free professional guidance on ways to pay for college, specifically how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a crucial step in the college planning process.
The FAFSA must be completed for a student to receive any type of financial aid, including grants, work study, student loans and even many scholarships. Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as close to the first of the year to receive as much financial aid as possible.
“In a time where college is no longer a luxury, but a necessity in the workplace, it is more vital than ever to provide families with the knowledge and resources to make higher education a reality,” said Dawn Taylor Owens, executive director of College In Colorado – an initiative of the Department of Higher Education. “For many families the greatest hurdle is how to pay for college. College Goal Sunday provides an incredible platform for families to receive free direction on ways to make college affordable.”
College Goal Sunday will take place at 16 other locations across the state. Spanish translation will be available to families, and more than $20,000 in scholarships will be given away during the day.
Families are encouraged to bring their 2011 federal tax records, to ensure they can work through the FAFSA during the time they have with financial aid experts. More information on College Goal Sunday can be found at www.collegegoalcolorado.org.
For local College Goal Sunday information, contact Sarah Pingel at sarah.Pingel@du.edu.
The partners of College Goal Sunday include Colorado Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAFAA), CAFAA – Past Presidents, College In Colorado, Colorado Department of Higher Education, LUMINA Foundation for Education, University of Denver and Regis University.
Twelve school districts in Colorado are sharing a seven-year, $35 million federal grant aimed at increasing college attendance. Hiring counselors, staging college fairs and offering scholarships are all part of the deal. But two schools in Commerce City are taking it further in an effort to curb rising numbers of students who arrive at college and then are forced to take remedial courses before they can even begin their degree work.
Read more on DenverPost.com.
Ashley Barbieri, Learning Specialist at Central Elementary school in Adams County School District 14, knew that she could help Austin learn. Austin has autism and is non-verbal. Until recently, he used an iTouch to communicate. However many programs are difficult to access due to its small size.
Read more on the DenverPost.com.
Adams 14 recently received a generous donation from the Cherry Creek Whole Foods, valued at more than $15,000, to support the Weekend Backpack Program and Tote Bag Food Program.
The donation will be used to resume the Weekend Backpack Program, which was recently canceled due to lost funding sources. The program will continue to serve students in seven before and after school programs in Adams 14. The program serves 125 to 150 students each weekend, and each bag includes two breakfasts, two lunches and two snacks for the weekend.
The contribution will also support the Tote Bag Food Program, which supports students in transitional housing. Teachers and staff at all 13 schools help identify students who have the greatest needs, and they are sent home with a weekly tote bag filled with food to support their nutritional needs.
Students in Ms. Corzine’s second-grade class received a special Christmas surprise this week from two generous young ladies. Sisters Madison and Marisa took on a philanthropic project to make and sell ornaments this holiday seasons. All of the proceeds – more than $150 – went to purchasing special Christmas bags filled with incredible gifts for Ms. Corzine’s second graders!
Click here for more photos from the event.
The Adams City High School (ACHS) boys’ basketball team is jumping a little higher at games, thanks to a generous donation of snacks from KIND Healthy Snacks! When KIND heard that the boys were hungry at practice and needed sustenance, they stepped in to provide healthy fruit and nut bars at no cost. Team players remarked on how important it is to have a snack before practice and games, and that the bars tasted really good! KIND is a brand of all natural, whole nut and fruit bars made from ingredients you can see and pronounce. KIND was founded on the principle of holistic kindness, and its snacks are healthy and tasty, convenient and wholesome, economically sustainable and socially impactful.
About 30 fifth-graders sat, rapt with attention, and watched a documentary as the stirring notes of Beethoven's "Ode To Joy" played in the background. Each of the students scribbled notes as Monaco Elementary School music teacher Kristen Lewis commented on the documentary, which detailed what it took for Beethoven to compose his signature symphony.
Thanks to participating funders, The Colorado Health Foundation and LiveWell Colorado, four elementary schools – Alsup, Central, Monaco and Rose Hill – in Adams 14 were able to participate in the Junior Chef program this fall, which is a program sponsored by the Children's Health Foundation. Other Adams 14 schools will participate in the second half of the school year.
New this year, Adams 14’s Nutrition Services Department is participating in LiveWell Colorado’s Mobile Chef Program, where Cook for America chef instructors provide ongoing culinary training in the form of one-on-one consultations, workshops, evaluations and critiques.
An extension of the Mobile Chef Program, the Junior Chef Program provides students with hands-on opportunities to make fresh, healthy meals under the direction of culinary professionals. Students then enjoy the delicious meals, and learn first-hand the nutritional impact of scratch-made cooking and eating!
Providing healthy meals to students has been a District focus, as Adams 14 works to increase the number of fresh fruits and vegetables in the meal program, as well as meals made from scratch in District kitchens.Involving students in the meal preparation provides an opportunity to educate them on the importance of healthy eating as a means to life-long health and academic success.
Click here for photos of the Junior Chef events around Adams 14.
Katie Jones, IB Coordinator and Instructional Coach at Adams City Middle School (ACMS), was selected by the Center for Teaching Quality to participate in the Denver New Millennium Initiative.
Along with 32 other award-winning teacher leaders, Katie will participate in opportunities and offer insight that will impact Colorado’s teacher evaluation legislation, encouraging the use of multiple, more accurate and transparent measures of teaching effectiveness.
The team’s work will focus on how evaluation and compensation policies can help all teachers become more effective.
Katie is a course instructor for teacher candidates at Colorado State University, and supervises teacher candidates placed at ACMS by the University of Colorado at Denver. She completed her Bachelor’s in English Education at Illinois State University and her master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration at Aurora University.
Students from Kearney Middle School (KMS) and Adams City Middle School (ACMS) were given the special opportunity to attend a college football game over Veteran’s Day weekend.
The trip was orchestrated by two incredible supporters of Adams 14 – Bryant Amador, an Adams City High School graduate who attended and played football at CU, and now serves as an Alumni ‘C’ Club Board member and Darius Holland, who also played football at CU and played 10 seasons in the NFL, and is now a Pastor at True Life Church in Broomfield.
At the University of Colorado (CU) vs. Arizona game, more than 150 KMS and ACMS students participated in the Ralphie’s Kids Roundup, sponsored by generous donors, which provides tickets to deserving children, so that they can attend CU games and enjoy the accompanying pageantry.
Students received custom Adams 14 T-shirts, transportation, lunch tickets and the opportunity to meet Rashaan Salaam, the 1994 Heisman Trophy Winner.
“Last year we were able to take 50 students to a CU football game and it made an enormous impact on our students. As a result, we wanted to offer this amazing opportunity to as many students as we could this year. What made it even more special was that we supported students from both ACMS and KMS,” said Jennifer Skrobela, ACMS principal. “We leveraged this opportunity to showcase different aspects of college life and the excitement associated with college campuses. We reinforced messages to students that working hard in school results in opportunities to extend their educational experiences past high school.”
“The intent of this trip was to expose Adams 14 students to the largest University in the state, and get them excited about their future educational endeavors,” said Bryant. “I was pleased that students had so many questions about college – and I was excited to share my story, since I was once an Adams 14 student myself!”
At the end of the day, the CU Buffs delighted fans with a 48 – 29 win over Arizona in the PAC 12. Click here to view photos from the day.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (December 1, 2011) – The Commerce City Police Department (CCPD) is investigating an incident that occurred this morning at the Adams City High School, 7200 Quebec Parkway.
Just after 9 a.m., a 911 call was received that indicated a bomb threat to the school. The school initiated a lockout, and the CCPD arrived on scene within minutes to investigate. It was determined through the investigation that the threat was not credible; therefore, the school was not evacuated.
Adams City High School has resumed regular classes and activities. CCPD is continuing its investigation.
Adams 14 and CCPD appreciate the cooperation of school staff, students and the community during this effort to ensure the safety of the school.
*A letter was sent home with ACHS students today about the incident.
Adams 14, which serves nearly 7,000 students annually, celebrated National Parent Involvement Day on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011.
The District commemorated this occasion by inviting all parents and caregivers to their child’s school to hear the benefits of family engagement, and tips for enhancing education at home.
“Friday’s parent turnout was amazing, and an incredible increase from last year’s celebration,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “Increasing parental involvement is a key strategy outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, because we recognize and value the fundamental role parents play in their child’s academic success.”
More than 30 years of research regarding the academic benefits of family participation reveals that students earn higher grades, receive higher test scores, attend school more regularly, complete more homework, demonstrate more positive attitudes and behaviors and graduate from high school at higher rates when families get involved in school.
Parents and caregivers play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning at school, as well as at home. By promoting positive attitudes about learning, families can have a powerful impact on their child’s literacy and long-term academic success. Some tips for family engagement include:
Click here to view pictures from Adams 14’s celebration of National Parent Involvement Day. To learn more about National Parent Involvement Day, visit www.projectappleseed.org.
The Adams 14 Board of Education welcomed new school board members at their regular meeting on November 22. Board members Mary Morton, Larry Quintana and David J. Rolla took their seats with the Board after reciting the oath of office. Larry Quintana previously served a four-year term, while Mary Morton and David Rolla are newcomers on the Board. Following the swearing-in ceremony, the Board realigned to appoint officers as follows:
The new Board of Education articulated excitement about increasing engagement within the Commerce City community to continue the success of Adams 14 and all District students. Also at the meeting, Board members expressed gratitude for the dedicated service of outgoing Board President Jeannette Lewis and Secretary Bill Klocker. The Adams 14 Board of Education believes that when the community, students and staff are involved, all students do learn and succeed. The Board’s goals are:
To learn more about the Adams 14 Board of Education, visit www.adams14.org/board-of-education.
The public is welcome at meetings of the Adams 14 Board of Education, which are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, except in July and December (only one meeting each during those months). Attendance allows citizens the chance to be directly involved in improving Adams 14 schools. Regular board meetings always allow time for citizens' comments.
FACT: Marijuana and alcohol use among teens is rapidly rising in Adams County. PROBLEM: Teen drug and alcohol use negatively impact every area of a teen’s life and negatively impacts our community. JOIN US TO: Get the Facts; Get Resources; Get Help; Get Connected; Get Inspired; Get DINNER FREE
Guest Speakers:
Hosted by: Adams County Youth Council, Adams County Youth Initiative, and The North Metro Drug Task Force
Click here for a flier with more information, or contact Becky Hoffman,Adams County Youth Initiative, beckyhoffman@acyi.org.
The ACHS Boys Soccer Team will play in the semifinal game at Englewood High School tomorrow morning (Saturday, Nov. 5) at 11 a.m. vs. Heritage High School.
The cost of the game will be $6.00 for students and seniors, and $8.00 for adults.
Please come support our team!
Please note, the Mobile Food Pantry at the Adams 14 Educational Support Services Building will take place on Friday, Nov. 4.
No food will be distributed on Saturday, Nov. 5, as the District will be closed.
Thanks for your cooperation! Click here for more information.
Adams City Middle School (ACMS) signed up for the 2011 Get Schooled Attendance Challenge this fall. This competition is designed to support schools as they work to improve their entire school’s attendance over the course of the multi-week challenge (October 3 through November 18). The Attendance Challenge includes 90,000 students across 88 schools and 17 states who are engaged in the friendly competition to increase attendance rates. One of the activities in the Attendance Challenge that ACMS took part in is recognizing inspiring teachers. Students at ACMS nominated teachers who motivate and inspire them to show up for class each day.
ACMS had the most participation of any school in the challenge, and had the most nominations! Students nominated ACMS teachers who deserve recognition for their ability to students to be in class each day. ACMS students nominated their teachers a total of 77 times!
Click here to read some of the student nominations.
Additionally, ACMS teacher James Foster was selected by Bounty and Get Schooled to receive a $462 grant to help pay for school supplies in his classroom. Vanessa Williams also left a very special congratulatory voice message for the students and teachers of ACMS, which was shared with the entire school.
On Monday, Oct. 24, preschool students at STARS Early Learning Center in Adams 14 received a special literacy treat. Mile High United Way and the Pearson Foundation selected STARS as a stop on the Llama, Llama Red Pajama book tour. Students enjoyed a reading of this beloved book in both English and Spanish. Students also received their very own copy of Llama, Llama Red Pajama to share and read with their families. Click here to check out more photos from the book tour stop at STARS.
Due to a power surge over the weekend, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at Adams City High School is malfunctioning. Had theHVAC system been working properly, the methane gas odor would not have filled the school on Monday, Oct. 24.
Adams 14 staff and contractors have worked around the clock to repair the system, which is mostly functional at this point. Adams City High School did not hold classes on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
Adams City High School's after school sports and activities will continue as normally scheduled today. This includes classes at the Intergenerational Learning Center, the Adams City playoff soccer game and other after school events.
At this point, the District anticipates that Adams City High School will be open for school tomorrow. In the event of a weather or other emergency closure, Adams 14 will notify families through the phone dialer system, local media outlets and online at adams14.org.
Adams City High School students were sent home this morning due to a methane gas odor in the building. The fire department checked out the odor, and they determined it was not a gas leak.
Today, students may access the building to pick up any personal belongings beginning at 2 p.m., or students may simply wait until tomorrow to retrieve their belongings. Students, please check in at the main office if you wish to enter the school at 2 p.m. today.
After school sports and activities will continue as normally scheduled today, except for the Junior Varsity football game, which has been canceled. Adams City High School will resume its normal schedule tomorrow. Thank you for your cooperation.
On Friday, Oct. 14, more than 60 student leaders from across Colorado descended on Adams 14 elementary schools as part of a service project. Dr. Geri Anderson, assistant vice president and provost, Colorado Community College System (CCCS), helped to organize this event with the Adams 14 Education Foundation.
“The State Student Advisory Council (SSAC) is an advocacy group for all state community college students,” said Dr. Anderson. “The SSAC coordinates and hosts a fall leadership conference for student government and other organization leaders that was held this year at Johnson and Wales University. When the Foundation approached us about helping with a book drive, our student leaders enthusiastically embraced the idea, but they also wanted the conference participants to be able to meet with the kids of Commerce City.”
SSAC, with help from CCCS staff, devised a project where students visited Adams 14 classrooms to conduct a brief reading session, followed by a related activity. They selected an award-winning children’s book entitled, Elephants Can Paint, Too! After the session, the college students left the books and activity materials for the kids’ continued enjoyment.
Small teams of community college students went to four Adams 14 elementary schools – Alsup, Central, Dupont and Rose Hill –where they worked with excited kindergartners and first graders for about an hour. “Central students thoroughly enjoyed having community college students visit and engage with them in literacy activities,” said Central Elementary Principal, Hollene Davis.
Part of the service project included a book drive at each of the colleges for books that the Foundation could distribute, for free, at El Dia de Los Ninos and Derby Daze. To date, more than 4,500 new and gently used books have been collected.
Jacci McKenna, president of the Adams 14 Education Foundation Board, said that she was very pleased with the project. “It was great to have student role models working with our kids, but I think that this experience likely had a great impact on the volunteers as well,” she commented. “I also want to thank Teresa Benallo, principal at Alsup Elementary, Hollene Davis, principal at Central Elementary, Lea Mitchell, principal at Dupont Elementary and Samara Williams, principal at Rose Hill Elementary, for undertaking the extra effort. I think that they, the teachers and especially the kids found it worthwhile.”
John Chin, executive director of the Foundation, said that the project was overwhelmingly successful. “We knew that the college students would be role models for our kids, but I was pleasantly surprised by many conversations, initiated by our kids, about going to college.”
You can contact John Chin, Foundation executive director, for more information about the Foundation and its programs. He can be reached at jchin@adams14.org or 303.853-3253. Click here to view additional images from the event.
“To enhance the quality of education in Adams 14 by supporting literacy, student achievement, and expanded learning opportunities for all students.” Adams County School District 14 Education Foundation 5291 East 60th Avenue, Commerce City CO 80022 (303) 853-3253 (Office) info@adams14.org www.adams14.org/education-foundation
This week, Adams 14 celebrated National School Bus Week. In Adams 14, we have nearly 40 employees who coordinate the safe travels of more than 3,000 students who access 36 Adams 14 buses each day. Ensuring the safety of our students is a top priority, and this week is a great time to celebrate our professionals who get our students where they need to go.
The Adams 14 Transportation Department goes above and beyond typical regulations to ensure the safety of students.
All Adams 14 bus drivers go through mountain skills trainings that are not state mandated, but are another way they set the standard for well-rounded transportation safety in our state.
While the state requires a 20-hour in-service training for all district transportation departments at the beginning of each school year, we match that with a 40-hour in-service training. This allows our drivers to experience more in-depth professional development regarding student safety, student behavior management and teamwork best practices.
We applaud the Transportation Department for implementing a new safety program this year – Think Safety – which includes hands-on trainings at District elementary schools. The drivers help students engage in fun activities that are centered around school bus safety expectations.
Thank you to our District bus drivers who work hard each day transporting students to and from school, while ensuring their physical and emotional safety.
In the month of October, Adams 14 offered two great wellness initiatives to employees – a free farmers market and flu shots! Employee health and wellness is a top priority for Adams 14, as we want you to be your best at work and at home! The Adams 14 employee wellness program is designed to help employees feel better, reduce stress, have more energy and engage with colleagues in fun, healthy activities! Nearly 100 employees enjoyed fresh, delicious produce at the farmers market held in the ESS building parking lot on October 13. A variety of farm fresh produce was made available for free to employees from Farmer Steve of Fossil Creek Farms. More than120 employees also took advantage of the flu shot clinics at ACHS on October 13 and at the ESS building on October 18. Check the Star Newsletter each month for information about monthly employee wellness activities that are available to you at little to no cost!
On October 19, 2011 at approximately 8:15 a.m., several Adams County police agencies, in cooperation with Adams County School District 14, conducted a search of Adams City High School for illegal contraband and narcotics.
Various K-9 units from throughout Adams County joined together to search the building. The school was temporarily locked down while the search was conducted.
These efforts are conducted randomly at the school’s request to ensure student safety and compliance with school regulations and state laws.
Adams City High School’s total enrollment is approximately 1,750 students. The police K-9 units located illegal narcotics in one student locker and another student vehicle. Those students may face criminal charges.
The effort was successful, and it showed great cooperation amongst several different organizations.
National School Lunch Week was celebrated this year the week of October 10-14. This week celebrates the benefits of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which began in 1946 and is the largest of the federal child nutrition programs.
In Adams 14, the Nutrition Services Department serves nutritious and delicious meals to 7,000 students each day! Thanks in large part to funding through The Colorado Health Foundation, Adams 14 has been able to add more scratch cooked items to school lunch menus, including homemade sauces, breads and salad dressings. Thank you to all the members of the Nutrition Services Department who work tirelessly each day to support the health and wellness of our students! Click here to check out photos from school celebrations.
Third-grade students at Monaco Elementary, along with teachers Ms. Lewis and Ms. Preisser, submitted a fantastic video to the GLEE Give a Note Foundation’s competition.
If awarded, Monaco would receive much-needed funding to support its music program, including up to $50,000!
Please help Monaco by simply clicking here and watching the video – then, click “Vote Now.” The music department needs your support! Voting runs through November 7 and you can vote once per day per computer.
Click here to view the bilingual letter that was sent home with ACHS students yesterday.
NEWS RELEASE COMMERCE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Pepper Spray Contaminates Classroom
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (October 13, 2011) – The Commerce City Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred this morning at the Adams City High School, 7200 Quebec Parkway.
At around 9 a.m., a 15-year-old student discharged a can of pepper spray in a classroom full of students. Approximately 35 students and one teacher in that classroom were affected by the pepper spray, and two students were transported to local hospitals for treatment of minor eye and lung irritation.
The classroom was evacuated while the fire department ventilated the room. No other classrooms were affected, and the school schedule was not disrupted.
It is unclear how the student obtained the pepper spray or why it was discharged, though it does not appear to be a malicious act at this time.
The student is currently on administrative suspension from the school while school officials and police investigate the incident. Criminal charges and disciplinary action from the school will be determined at a later time.
A pilot program launched earlier this year in the Adams 14 School District is helping students get on a path toward college.
The school district, which covers Commerce City, is participating in a statewide program called GEAR UP, or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. Read more here.
Darlene Lopez, fourth-grade teacher at Kemp Elementary, was surprised today by OfficeMax’s annual A Day Made Better classroom event. Each year, teachers spend approximately $1,000 out of their own pockets to purchase much-needed classroom resources to enhance student learning. OfficeMax’s A Day Made Better program, in partnership with Adopt-A-Classroom, aims to help end the need for teacher-funded classrooms.
Ms. Lopez was nominated by Nancy Cruz, Kemp Parent Liaison and Michelle Mascarenas, Kemp Secretary. “Ms. Lopez has made a tangible difference in the lives of her students, and she makes all her students feel important and successful at school,” said Nancy. “Ms. Lopez is just like a family member to her students. She does things to help with CSAP like singing, cheering and motivating her students. If a student doesn’t understand, she will put all her effort and time to help those students succeed. Mrs. Lopez is a wonderful person who cares for her students and goes above and beyond to put a smile on their faces.”
Ms. Lopez and her class were overwhelmingly surprised by local OfficeMax manager Mark DeLong, when he presented her with $1,000 worth of classroom supplies! Thanks in large part to Ms. Lopez’s exemplary commitment to student success and academic excellence, her classroom is now stocked with supplies to support her instruction and her students’ learning. Click here to view all the photos from today’s celebration.
Maria Zubia has served a critical role in the Commerce City community for more than 10 years, as the Director of Outreach and Resources for Community Health Services (CHS). There was no doubt in Maria’s mind that she wanted a career that would enable her give back to the community she grew up in.
Remember to mark your calendars for the 2011 ACHS homecoming festivities!
The community is invited to partake in this wonderful fall tradition, including the annual parade from 64th and Olive to ACHS.
Click here to check out photos from last year’s homecoming celebrations!
The first two installments of Channel 9 News’ series, The Life of a Teacher, featured Adams 14’s own Justin Davis.
We invite you to view these great features that demonstrate the critical role that teachers play in students’ lives.
Adams 14 teachers, thanks for all you do!
At Alsup Elementary in Commerce City, the school day begins with feeding the stomach before the mind. "A lot of our students were coming to school hungry," Cindy Veney, the manager of nutrition services for Adams 14 School District, told 7News. "They couldn't sit still and were going to the nurse's office with stomach aches and headaches."
Read and watch more here.
This week, educators, law enforcement officials, human services personnel and juvenile justice staff met at the Adams County Youth Initiative's countywide conference entitled Changing the Culture of Truancy: A Summit to Address Excessive Absences from Elementary to High School.
Attendees heard from experts and seasoned practitioners in the following areas:
Among the teams presenting at the summit were Adams 14's own Mary Kay Lucas (left), truancy intervention specialist, Jenn Skrobela, ACMS principal, and Danelle Yocum (below right), dropout prevention coordinator.
Mary Kay Lucas and Jenn Skrobela presented a model for attendance interventions at the middle school level. Danelle Yocum presented the ACHS CARE team model for creating community awareness of the importance of strong school attendance habits, identifying students with attendance issues and making direct contact with students and families to encourage and require students to attend school.
"The bottom line is that students must attend school each day to learn valuable skills for their future," said Jenn Skrobela, ACMS principal. "Students come to school when they feel safe, secure and confident that the teachers and staff at school care about them. That's why we work so hard to create a positive school climate and build great relationships with each child."
As the keynote speaker for the summit, Adams County District Attorney Don Quick emphasized the importance of strong school attendance habits as an indicator for students staying in school and graduating. Quick cited prevailing research demonstrating that students who do not attend school regularly are at risk of dropping out. Furthermore, each dropout will cost a community $290,000 over time, and 68 percent of inmates in Colorado prisons are dropouts. In conclusion, Quick emphasized that it is more efficient to invest funds in early interventions for children and families than it is to build more prisons to house students who do not attend school, have behavior problems, fail courses and eventually drop out of school.
Adams 14 has long been a leader in addressing the challenge of intervening with truant students. In Colorado, it is mandatory that students who are age six to 17 attend school. A student is considered truant if he/she has more than four unexcused absences in one month or more than 10 unexcused absences in one school year. Adams 14 implements many steps to intervene with students who struggle with attendance. These interventions include phone calls and meetings with students and parents, building level attendance plans, referrals to community services to support families, an interagency review board and district hearings to understand root causes of the issue. If all else fails, Adams 14 will pursue court proceedings to enforce the state's compulsory attendance law.
Mary Ann Mosquera (third from right), Adams 14 Homeless Liaison, was one of six finalists for the ninth annual Colorado Rockies Hispanic Leadership Award! Mary Ann was recognized for her positive work in the Hispanic community, and was honored by the Rockies on Sept. 18 in a pregame ceremony that was part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The overall winner of the Hispanic Leadership Award was Marcela de la Mar, director of educational programs and outreach at the Consulate General of Mexico. Click here to read more.
The Adams City High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC (MCJROTC) program was awarded Naval Honor School Status last week during a visit from Dr. Bill McHenry, national JROTC program director for the United States Marine Corps.
During his visit, McHenry praised the outstanding facilities and opportunities provided at ACHS. Additionally, McHenry bestowed honors upon Superintendent Sue Chandler, ACHS Principal Shelli Robins and Lt. Col. Sean Heery. Above all, McHenry lauded the ACHS cadets for their significant demonstration of commitment and character to earn recognition as one of the nation's best JROTC programs. Naval Honor School status is the highest award that may be attained by a battalion, and it reflects a superior standard of excellence.
"I am so proud of our students and staff for achieving this honor," said Superintendent Sue Chandler. "This program has a strong history in our community, and we continue to see it grow and excel. It is one more way for students to access opportunities that empower them for success."
With all cadets present in the ACHS theater, Dr. McHenry provided the following advice to students: stay in school and take advantage of the educational opportunities available in Adams 14 and post-secondary institutions; obtain a good job; get married; have kids and raise a strong family. McHenry stressed that it is important for students to do those four things in that order; otherwise, students may struggle to find success in their lives.
For more information about the Marine Corps JROTC program's efforts to build leadership and character in America's youth, visit www.mcjrotc.org.
Enjoy great food for a great cause! Please join us at Arby’s on September 27 from 3 to 8 p.m. to help raise funds for students with disabilities in Commerce City. Simply enjoy a great meal at Arby’s on this date, and a percentage of all sales will benefit the Adams 14 School to Work Alliance Program, which enables powerful futures for students with disabilities. The School to Work Alliance Program, or SWAP, supports Adams 14 students as they transition from school to work and adult life. SWAP assists students in identifying and maintaining jobs, so that they are self-sufficient members of the community they serve. SWAP assists students in preparing for life after high school, including developing employability skills and networking skills, and helping with resumes, job applications and mock interviews. The SWAP team works closely with local employers to identify and connect students to job opportunities where they will truly thrive. The money generated through this fundraiser will provide students with employment opportunities that will help shape and develop their career paths and future success. Click here for more information.
Seven candidates have been certified to run for three open board director seats in the upcoming November election. Each of the three seats is for a four-year term.
The candidates are:
In Adams 14, all candidates are vying to represent the entire school district. There are no wards or districts represented by individual Board members. All members act on behalf of the Adams 14 citizenry.
For questions about the Adams 14 Board of Education election process, contact Assistant Secretary to the Board of Education Monica Avina at 303.853.3205 or meavina@adams14.org.
With school back in session, Adams 14 is hopeful that extra steps taken to reverse summer learning loss and jumpstart student learning will help students grow academically this school year.
The District understands that students experience summer learning loss when there is a lack of engaging, educational activities over the summer months. Additionally, students who are transitioning from one school level to the next (i.e., elementary school to middle school, or middle school to high school), often face challenges in being prepared for this change.
Adams 14 and its Board of Education believe in providing the very best educational opportunities for students, both during the school year and throughout the summer. To ensure students in Adams 14 had access to learning experiences over the summer, the District offered the following FREE jumpstart programs:
Click here to view photos from summer jumpstart activities throughout the District.
At the start of the 2011-12 school year, Dr. Chandler presented the State of the District to employees across Adams 14. Click here to watch the presentation.
Jody Roper, fourth-grade teacher at Rose Hill Elementary, would love to count on your vote for the Silhouettes on America’s Got Talent.
The Rocky Mountain Silhouettes are 42 kids from ages three to 19 that are technically trained in every style of dance plus acting, singing and tumbling. They are a part of the Rocky Mountain School of Dance, an award winning competitive performing arts studio from Denver.
Jody’s two children, Emerson (age four) and Brady (age seven) have been competing with the group on America’s Got Talent, and they have made it to the next round! The group will compete on Tuesday, Aug. 30 on NBC.
Click here to watch their video from the last show.
This summer, the District welcomed nearly 85 new teachers to team Adams 14!
This group of excited teachers went through an intensive new teacher induction process, where they learned Adams 14 instructional strategies as well as tactics for student engagement and academic achievement.
The 2011-12 school year is off to a great start, and Adams 14 is proud to welcome its group of new teachers.
Click here to see photos from the 2011-12 new teacher induction.
A variety of surplus equipment from several Adams 14 schools will be auctioned off on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. at the former Adams City High School.
Click here for more information.
Adams County School District 14 (Adams 14) is working with the community to ensure every student is reaching their full potential by attending class every day, every class and on time.
Adams City High School (ACHS) administrators, counselors and members of the Adams 14 Board of Education walked door-to-door to meet with neighbors and ask for their assistance in supporting students’ success last Friday morning. Neighbors were encouraged to contact the ACHS team if they see students in the community during school hours.
Check out more on Fox 31 and The Denver Post.
On Friday, Aug. 12, 2011, Hanson families and staff proudly unveiled a new, electronic marquee on the front lawn of the school. Funds for the new sign were raised exclusively by Hanson parents and the PTO with the help of some additional funds from The Denver Foundation. In approximately seven months, the funds were raised partially from food sales, dance tickets, craft sales and other creative funding activities. "The main goal of the sign is to improve communication between parents and the school, and to reduce the use of paper," said Liza Aguilar, Hanson Parent Liaison. Hanson is proud to have the first electronic display in Adams 14. The electronic sign is capable of displaying messages in a number of languages, and will be updated daily. Click here to view photos of the ribbon cutting.
Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) scores released on August 3, 2011, by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), show that Adams 14’s test scores increased by 1.02 percent to 33.27 percent overall proficiency.
“While any improvement in student performance is exciting,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler, “we know we have much more work to do.” CSAP results are one of many indicators that the District reviews annually to measure student achievement. In 2008-09, Adams 14 developed its strategic plan to improve instruction throughout the District. In 2009-10, test scores dipped as schools implemented many changes. The 2010-11 school year was the second full year of implementing the plan, and the slight test gains and other indicators show that the District is improving.
“This school year,” said Superintendent Chandler, “we will go deeper into our instructional initiatives to fine-tune curriculum and instruction, teacher collaboration, data and assessment and student engagement.” The District will remain focused on the research-based instructional strategies that it has adopted across all schools. “Students must know what they are learning and why; and on top of that, they must have great teaching from an engaging teacher,” added Chandler. “We believe this fundamental approach will result in long-term growth of all Adams 14 children.”
Despite the fact that the odds are stacked against students of poverty, Adams 14 students are making gains in many areas. “What we know is that our students are facing more barriers to school success than they have in the past,” continued Chandler. “It is critical that we continue our work in developing and supporting highly effective teachers who have the ability to help students grow, despite the challenges they face.”
With the statewide move to the Colorado Growth Model, Adams 14 is looking more closely at how students grow each year. “We are still looking at overall proficiency of students,” said Chief Academic Officer Lynn Heintzman, “but now we also look at the value added by a teacher or school.” That value added is called growth. Using growth data validates why schools exist – to help students grow academically and improve their chances for a successful future.
According to CDE, the Colorado Growth Model indicates how much academic progress students are making based on their CSAP scores. For Adams 14, the goal is for every student to make at least one year’s growth in a year’s time. In Adams 14, each school receives a rating of Low, Typical or High for overall student growth, which is calculated based on the median growth of all students tested in the school.
“Because our test scores have been below the state average every year,” said Heintzman, “our schools need to make high growth. That is how we will catch up and reach our goal. The District’s median growth increased by two points, which is really impressive with nearly 10,000 tests taken.” Even with signs of success, Heintzman noted, “There’s a real sense of urgency in our District, because we know how important it is to move student achievement.”
In December 2011, the state will publish statewide performance reports called School Performance Frameworks. These reports will provide a comprehensive picture of how well Colorado schools are preparing students for success, and the reports will include growth model data, CSAP and ACT test results, graduation and dropout rates and other measures.
Community Leadership Academy (CLA) charter school is no longer part of Adams 14, so the District has discontinued reporting their scores.
For more information about individual school CSAP performance results and the Colorado Growth Model, visit CDE’s website at www.schoolview.org.
Adams County School District 14’s Board of Education calls for nomination of candidates for the Board Directors to be placed on the ballot for the regular biennial school election to be held on Nov. 1, 2011.
For the 2011 election, three directors will be elected for terms of office of four years. To be qualified, a candidate must have been a registered voter in the school district for at least 12 consecutive months before the election. A person is ineligible to run for school director if he or she has been convicted of committing a sexual offense against a child.
A person who desires to be a candidate for Board Director shall file a written notice of intention to be a candidate and a nomination petition signed by at least 50 eligible electors who are registered to vote in the regular biennial school election.
Nomination petitions may be obtained at Adams 14 Educational Support Services at 5291 East 60th Avenue. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Completed petitions should be submitted to Assistant Secretary to the Board of Education Monica Avina, the District’s designated election official, no later than 3 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2011.
For questions about the Adams 14 Board of Education election process, contact Assistant Secretary to the Board of Education Monica Avina at 303.853.3205 or meavina@adams14.org. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Board of Education of Adams County School District 14, in the County of Adams and State of Colorado, has caused this call for nominations to be given this third day of August, 2011.
Shannon Holtmann, counselor at Adams City High School (ACHS), was recognized this July with the coveted Naviance Excellence in Leadership Award.
Naviance helps schools and districts use data to promote, measure and improve college and career readiness.
Shannon was recognized for her work in a low-income, urban school setting with a college attendance rate of 15 percent. Shannon and her team developed programming to improve student access to college and post-secondary careers using Naviance tools.
Shannon was one of only three finalists selected from more than 600 nominations for the prestigious Naviance Excellence in Leadership Award!
As an award finalist, Shannon attended the Naviance Summer Institute in Austin, Texas, with all expenses covered by Naviance. On July 20, at a special awards dinner, Shannon received this accolade.
Adams 14 congratulates Shannon on this prestigious award!
Due to a loss of grant funding, the Community Health Services (CHS) at Kearney Middle School clinic will be closed to the general public as of August 5, 2011.
Community members are welcome to call the main clinic at 303.289.1086 for future appointments.
Click here for more information about this change, and click here for more information about immunization clinics.
Adams 14 has adopted a Districtwide sun safety policy that includes encouraging students to wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outside, and shade trees and shade structures are being added in three school gardens. Click here to read more on Education News Colorado.
On Friday, July 1, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Shelli Robins as the interim principal of Adams City High School. Ms. Robins has been a celebrated member of the Adams 14 administrative team since 2008, when she joined the ACHS staff to serve as assistant principal and athletic director. In 2009, Ms. Robins became principal of Kearney Middle School, where she cultivated a positive school climate and promoted schoolwide efforts to improve student achievement. During her tenure as KMS principal, the school was named a Center of Excellence Award recipient by Colorado Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones. The awards are distributed annually to those schools that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal academic growth and enroll a student population that is at least seventy-five percent at-risk.
Understanding the importance of collaboration in improving student outcomes is among Ms. Robins’ strong suits. She has an open door policy and strives to build strong relationships with each staff member, listening to thoughts, concerns, positive experiences and suggestions. Her track record of successfully supporting teachers through thoughtful dialogue, coaching and professional interactions will be a tremendous asset at ACHS.
Ms. Robins has made student success her top priority, and she believes that public schools exist to educate students academically and socially. She is hopeful that all ACHS students graduate with the skills required to be successful.
Adams 14 is confident that Ms. Robins will lead Adams City High School forward, and the District officially welcomes her as interim ACHS principal.
Also approved were two new administrative hires and two interim administrative appointments.
Hailing from Aurora Public Schools, Gateway High School Assistant Principal/Athletic Direcor Robert Jefferson is joining the Adams City High School team as the assistant principal/athletic director. Mr. Jefferson has broad experience, both as an athletic director and instructional leader. He has led staff professional development, supervised Gateway’s special education programs, managed a comprehensive and competitive athletics program, and developed schoolwide emergency and evacuation plans. His vast experience will be a great contribution to Adams City High School.
The new Kearney Middle School assistant principal is Cristina Costas. Ms. Costas comes to Adams 14 from Academy School District 20 in Colorado Springs, where she has served as International Baccalaureate (IB) world language department chair and Spanish teacher at Mountain Ridge Middle School for seven years. She brings vast knowledge and understanding of curriculum and instruction, assessment, data use and the IB program to Adams 14. Ms. Costas has a genuine passion for serving kids, and her experience as a bilingual educator will prove an asset to the KMS staff and community.
Upon Shelli Robins appointment as the interim ACHS principal (see attached email for the formal announcement), the District made two additional interim appointments. First, Kathy Heronema, current Dupont Elementary principal and long time Kearney Middle School staff member, will take the reigns as interim principal of KMS. Ms. Heronema is thrilled to return to Kearney and feels like she has been training for this position for her entire career. During her 34 years in Adams 14, she has served many capacities: teacher (Central and KMS), learning coordinator (Central), dean and assistant principal (KMS) and principal (Dupont). She is committed to supporting students, staff and parents to promote continued academic growth at KMS.
As Ms. Heronema returns to KMS, Lea Mitchell will be the interim principal of Dupont Elementary School. Ms. Mitchell is the current assistant principal at Dupont, and she is excited to have the opportunity to continue the great work already achieved with Dupont staff, students and parents. With students as the center of her work, Ms. Mitchell is committed to the path that Dupont staff has established as a team; and she looks forward to implementing the school’s plan to increase student achievement.
It is an exciting time in the District as we all prepare for the 2011-12 school year. Shelli Robins, Robert Jefferson, Cristina Costas, Kathy Heronema and Lea Mitchell, congratulations on your administrative appointments in Adams 14!
The following letter was sent to Community Leadership Academy (CLA) parents to explain the separation of the school from Adams 14.
Dear CLA Parents and Guardians,
By now you have probably learned that Community Leadership Academy (CLA) will no longer be an Adams 14 school. Beginning July 1, 2011, CLA will be authorized by the Charter School Institute (CSI) and be designated as a State charter school. What this means, in part, is that services previously provided by Adams 14 will no longer be provided by the District, but instead, by CLA. These services include the delivery of special education support, nutrition services, transportation, emergency, risk management, and technology support.
Additionally, if your child received special education services, CLA’s move to CSI should not result in any disruption to those services as the Individual Education Program (IEP) developed for your child in the last year will remain in effect until you meet with an IEP team to make changes to the plan. There will be a change in the service providers, however, as CLA will provide the staff required to meet the needs of all students with disabilities enrolled in the school. Any questions or concerns about your child’s IEP services should be addressed to your child’s teacher(s), the administrative staff of CLA, CSI, or the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
Any comments, concerns, or conflicts that may arise with CLA and its educational services will need to continue to be directed toward Community Leadership Academy staff, administration, and their board of directors. Information about the Charter School Institute can be found at www.csi.state.co.us or they can be contacted directly at 303-866-3299.
We have enjoyed collaborating with you and the staff at CLA to provide quality services over the last five years, and we know your children will continue to be successful in their school of choice.
Sincerely, Susan Chandler, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools
Adams 14, Colorado’s 23rd largest school district, will welcome students back to school for the first day of the academic year on Aug. 15, 2011.
This year, with the exception of Adams City High School (ACHS), registration materials will not be mailed home. Instead, schools will provide families with informational packets when they register during the established times below.
For students at Hanson, please note that starting on August 15, the school will be on the elementary school schedule. The school start/stop schedule for the 2011-12 academic year is listed below:
The Adams 14 academic and registration calendars are available online at www.adams14.org/calendar.
At the June 28 meeting, the Board of Education approved a recommendation to end the process of pursuing an exit strategy for Superintendent Chandler. The specific language of the motion, as read by Mr. Klocker and approved by the Board, is as follows:
“The Board has completed its evaluation of the superintendent, pending finalizing by the school district’s attorney; therefore, I move that Dr. Chandler continue her position as superintendent, pursuant to her contract, and that the process of pursuing a mutual, agreeable, exit strategy is at end.”
This Board action means that there is no separation agreement for Dr. Chandler, and the District will continue implementation of the strategic plan under her leadership.
Adams City High School (ACHS) will receive the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation during a ceremony at the American School Counselor Association’s annual conference in Seattle on July 27, 2011.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a national nonprofit that supports school counselors’ efforts to help students focus on academic, personal, social and career development. ASCA’s RAMP designation recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program, and creating an exemplary educational environment.
“The expertise and dedication of the Adams City High School counselors translates to exceptional services for our students,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “This recognition by the American School Counselor Association truly highlights the efforts of our outstanding counselors, who go above and beyond to ensure all of our students build strong foundations that lead to lifelong success.”
The ACHS counseling department – Shannon Holtmann, Kim McKenna, Carolyn Quayle and Janelle Winders – applied to be a RAMP school in the fall of 2010. ACHS is now only one of seven schools in Colorado to have received this coveted designation.
This summer, Adams 14’s gifted and talented students took an exploratory journey to South Asia through the annual Summer Enrichment Camp.
More than 150 students participated in the camp, organized by Cheryl Franklin-Rohr, coordinator of gifted and talented services. Camp participants received a special treat on June 7, when members of the Mudra Dance Studio mesmerized students with the beautiful, rhythmic movements of the North Indian classical dance, Kathak. Students watched as the dancers showcased traditional Kathak dancing, paired with contemporary musical beats and traditional Japanese Taiko drumming.
After learning more about the history of the dance, students were up on their feet dancing alongside Mudra Dance Studio instructors!
Click here to view the exciting photos from the enrichment camp.
Mudra Dance Studio is located in at 18757 E. Hampden Avenue, Suite 162, Aurora, Colo. 80013. They offer a variety of classes for all ages and backgrounds.
A 30-year-old program aimed at bringing quality medical care to low-income students in Adams County School District 14 is gaining national attention. Click here to read more on DenverPost.com.
Yesterday, Wish for Wheels, a local nonprofit, distributed free bikes and helmets to 90 Rose Hill kindergartners!
About 40 second graders from Denver Jewish Day School have been fundraising for this project all year, and they arrived yesterday to help with the bike giveaway. The kindergartners and second graders have exchanged letters and Skype conversations all year.
Adams County School District 14’s school-based health centers have received a 2011 Magna Award.
The Magna Awards is a national recognition program co-sponsored by American School Board Journal, the National School Boards Association, and Sodexo School Services that honors school board best practices and innovative programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement in schools.
Access to healthcare is limited for many in Adams 14, due to low-income status, lack of health insurance or geographic isolation. Additionally, there are very few private medical practices in the community, and none that will serve the indigent. The District understands that access to healthcare improves students’ lives inside and outside the classroom. It is incredibly important to have school-based health centers throughout the District, so students can easily access the care they need to thrive and succeed in the 21st Century.
“Students perform better when they are healthy, and ready to learn when they show up for class,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “Adams 14’s school-based health centers bring the doctor's office to the school, so students avoid health-related absences and get support to succeed in the classroom.”
Adams 14 has a rich history of providingcomprehensive preventive and primary health care services to students. More than 30 years ago, Adams 14 was one of the first school districts in Colorado to provide school-based health care services when it collaborated with Community Health Services to open a clinic near Adams City High School.Since then, Adams 14 has valued its partnership with Community Health Services, which provides vital health and wellness services for students across the District. “I truly believe school-based health clinics have improved our attendance rate,” said Adams 14 School Board Member Jeannette Lewis. “It’s critical that all school districts support school-based clinics. They improve the quality of both students’ lives and their education. Click here to access a video showcasing Adams 14’s award-winning school-based health centers.
At the May 11 meeting, the Board of Education approved a recommendation to direct the District's legal counsel to initiate the Superintendent's exit strategy. The following is an explanation of what the Board's action means:
The District remains committed to the work of advancing student achievement through research-based instructional strategies.
If you have questions, please email questions@adams14.org.
May 11, 2011
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Community Members,
This is an exciting time of year to be principal of Adams City High School. Each spring, our school celebrates one of the most important events of any student’s life: graduation. This year, as we celebrate a variety of May milestones, I want you to know that this will be my last year as principal of Adams City High School (ACHS).
After serving as ACHS principal for six years, I have chosen to resign my position. I make this decision with a very heavy heart, as I remain steadfast in my belief in the District’s mission to inspire, educate and empower every student to succeed in the 21st Century. It has been my privilege to watch eager freshmen enter the halls of ACHS, and then graduate with skills and experiences that will truly serve them well in attaining powerful futures.
Together, we have enjoyed many bright moments and significant achievements. We built a breathtaking new school to inspire generations, and we created a student board of education to provide youth with a voice in District governance. We have reduced our dropout rate and increased the number of students graduating from our school. We have offered our students opportunities to complete rigorous programs like International Baccalaureate and community college. Our programs, both academic and extracurricular, have attracted more students each year.
Above all, I am proud of creating an academically-focused environment at the new ACHS, hiring talented and dedicated teachers and staff, meeting fantastic students and helping them find success, and building partnerships with community members to support student growth.
Because of the work we have done together, I feel confident handing over the leadership role of this amazing school. Thank you for your support and your passionate advocacy for excellence for all students. It has been an honor to serve this community.
I look forward to seeing you during our upcoming end of school events.
Sincerely,
Wesley Paxton ACHS Principal
Click here for bilingual PDF version of this letter.
Adams 14 CSAP Scores Improve 11 Percent in Third Grade
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (May 10, 2011) – Preliminary third-grade Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) reading scores for Adams 14 have been released by the Colorado Department of Education. Seven out of eight Adams 14 elementary schools showed improvement over last year (see table). The Adams 14 third-grade reading results are the first published scores out of 27 CSAP scores to be released this year. The remaining scores for all grade levels will be released in July.
“We are pleased to see improvement in the overall third-grade reading results,” said Superintendent Dr. Susan Chandler. “There are two ways we look at these scores. First, we look at the overall proficiency level compared to the state, and then we look at the improvement our schools have made over time.”
Kemp, Monaco and Community Leadership Academy (CLA) students reached proficiency levels exceeding 70 percent. Monaco posted the highest student achievement gains from last year, with a 37 percent increase in student proficiency.
While the District demonstrated improvement in third-grade reading over last year, principals and teachers are focused on the work required to reach Adams 14’s goal of increasing student achievement to 80 percent proficiency. In 2010, Adams 14 schools had a dip in performance, which is common when a District initiates sweeping changes in instructional methods. This year, many of the District’s elementary schools bounced back to where they were two years ago.
“Third-grade reading results are a reflection of the hard work of teachers, students and families in preschool through third grade,” said Dr. Chandler. “It’s too early to definitively say that our education reforms are showing results, but we remain committed to research-based teaching strategies in all of our classrooms.”
The District’s strategic plan outlines initiatives to support teachers in delivering rigorous first-time instruction, using data to tailor instruction to individual student needs, and designing and delivering highly engaging lessons for all students. This year, the District is training teacher teams to analyze student achievement results as part of the lesson planning process. “At all times, teachers must know each student’s progress on the pathway to mastery of the state standards,” said Dr. Chandler.
The third-grade reading test was administered to 592 students in English and to six students in Spanish. Brian Fuller, director of assessment, said, “The test administration was well done, which is a credit to the administrators and teachers who planned and executed the testing process.”
Adams 14 will report all CSAP test results in July 2011.
Adams 14 is participating in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, which fills nutritional gaps throughout the summer months to ensure children get the nutritious meals they need.
Adams 14 is committed to supporting the health and wellness of students, and is participating in the Summer Food Service Program to enhance summer nutrition for all children.
Nutritious meals will be provided Monday through Friday at no charge to all children ages one to 18, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Additionally, adults living in the District can purchase breakfast for $1.50 and lunch for $2.50 throughout the Summer Food Service Program.
The following sites will provide meals at the designated times below:
Adams City High School 6/6/2011 through 7/29/2011 7200 Quebec St. Meal times Commerce City, Colo. 80022 Breakfast: 8:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Adams City Middle School 6/13/2011 through 7/29/2011 4451 E 72nd Ave. Meal times Commerce City, Colo. 80022 Breakfast: 7:30-8 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Kearney Middle School 5/31/2011 through 7/29/2011 6160 Kearney St. Meal times Commerce City, Colo. 80022 Breakfast: 8:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Monaco Elementary 6/6/2011through 7/1/2011 7631 Monaco St. Meal times Commerce City, Colo. 80022 Breakfast 8:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Hanson Elementary 6/6/2011 through 7/1/2011 7133 E 73rd Ave. Meal times Commerce City, Colo. 80022 Breakfast 8:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dupont Elementary 7/5/2011 through 7/29/2011 7970 Kimberly St. Meal times Commerce City, Colo. 80022 Breakfast 7:30-8 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Central Elementary 7/5/2011 through 7/29/2011 6450 Holly St. Meal times Commerce City, Colo. 80022 Breakfast: 7:30-8 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
To file a complaint of discrimination, immediately write to, or call: USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Adams 14 is providing FREE summer sessions for students entering District Kindergarten. Click here for more information.
Students at Adams City Middle School (ACMS) have been fighting back against Big Tobacco, through their participation in the Get R!EAL program.
Get R!EAL is Colorado's youth movement against the tobacco industry, and stands for Resist! Expose Advertising Lies. This movement is designed to prevent youth from starting to use tobacco, and assist in the reduction of, and protection from secondhand smoke. Through its youth engagement model, Get R!EAL gives Colorado youth a voice in the fight against Big Tobacco.
ACMS students, along with Get R!EAL staff, Adams 14 Board of Education President Jeannette Lewis, Commerce City Police Department Officer Mike Vasquez, Tri-County Health and the Boys & Girls Club, have participated in this youth-led initiative since 2006.
For the past two years, the group focused on second-hand smoke policies here in Commerce City. The students want to ensure that all trails and parks in Commerce City are tobacco free, as children shouldn’t be exposed to smoke while playing outdoors.
Rosa Carmona (eighth grade), Abigail Jimenez (seventh grade) and Miguel Alvarez (eighth grade) were the leaders responsible for the successful passage of Commerce City Ordinance 1851, which prohibits smoking in city parks, trails, open spaces, and recreation facilities with certain exceptions (golf courses and parking lots). The ordinance went into effect on May 1, 2011.
Congratulations to the Get R!EAL coalition, for achieving its goal of reducing tobacco use in public spaces in Commerce City!
During CSAP testing at Dupont, students who were on their best behavior and tried their best received Dupont Dollars that they could exchange for different prizes.
One coveted prize included Recess with the Rapids.
Rapids players Anthony Wallace and Drew Moore paid a special visit to Dupont and practiced several different soccer drills, answered students’ questions and distributed prizes!
Students also earned a voucher good for two, free Rapids tickets. Anthony and Drew even remarked on the enthusiasm and first-class behavior of Dupont students that day. Click here for additional photos.
Students, teachers and community members celebrated Alsup’s Silver Award in the state’s School Breakfast Challenge this week. The celebration at Alsup included a delicious breakfast, and musical entertainment by students who played recorders while guests enjoyed their food. Alsup Elementary received the Silver Prize for increasing its breakfast program by 78.59 percent. The school received a $3,000 prize, and the Adams 14 Nutrition Services Department received an additional $1,000. Click here to view pictures from the celebration.
Jamie McDaniel, learning specialist at Kemp, took on this amazing project, which guided students through the writing process of developing either a class book or individual compositions. Once the writing was completed, every student received a hard-bound copy of their work to cherish for years to come!
Jamie worked with Nationwide Learning, LLC on this initiative. A division of Nationwide Learning, LLC, Studentreasures® is the student publisher committed to motivating students to learn to read and write through innovative student publishing opportunities.
The best part about this program is that everything is free! Once a school’s publication date is set, Studentreasures will send the material kits – which can accommodate typed or handwritten compositions. The kits contain the actual pages in each book, along with a blank page for cover design. The completed kits are returned to Studentreasures and created into books, which are then shipped back to the school. All shipping and handling is paid for by Studentreasures.
All students in grades three through five get a free copy of their book, and teachers in kindergarten through second grade receive a copy of their class book. Parents are welcome to purchase additional copies of the books.
Teachers who are interested in learning more about this program can visit the Studentreasures website or contact Jamie with additional questions.
Please click here to check out pictures of students enjoying their books.
Celebrate the arts at Adams City High School April 28 through May 6! Click here for more information.
Adams County School District 14, which serves more than 7,500 students annually, has received a special accolade in recognition of its financial reporting division. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) rewarded Adams 14’s CAFR with its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This is the fourth consecutive year that Adams 14’s financial division has received this coveted award.
The award for Financial Reporting is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and showcases Adams 14’s spirit of full disclosure in clearly communicating its financial story.
On Friday, April 15, UPS allowed 30 employees to take the day off and volunteer their time at Rose Hill Elementary all day.
The excited volunteers taught the Junior Achievement curriculum, and enjoyed a fun day of interaction and learning with the students of Rose Hill.
Cynthia Veney, the food director at Adams 14, says everybody told her if she got rid of chicken nuggets, the students would revolt. It didn't happen. Read more here.
Adams City Middle School (ACMS) offered unique rewards for students who did their best on CSAP and completed each test this year.
A variety of individual rewards were offered. Each day during testing, ACMS raffled off 24 “jeans for a day” passes to students who were present and active participants during testing days. More than 200 students earned this coveted honor!
To encourage 100 percent student participation in testing, ACMS offered two school-wide rewards.The first reward allowed the school talent show to be held during the school day on Friday, April 1, as opposed to hosting the event after school.
The second reward allowed students to give makeovers to members of the ACMS administrative team, as well as volunteer members of the staff. Approximately 25 students were randomly selected to administer the makeovers, and they were announced on Thursday afternoon so they could bring the appropriate supplies to school on Friday.
On Friday morning, the ACMS library was transformed into a chic salon for more than an hour while teams of students went to work creating makeover magic on the ACMS administrative team and teachers.
Student stylists came prepared with curling irons, hair straighteners, make-up and accessories – the library was filled with beauty products and laughter.
Following the makeovers, staff members walked the catwalk throughout the hallways and at lunch. Much to Principal Jenn Skrobela’s surprise, the student body transformed into eager paparazzi almost immediately!
Students and staff enjoyed this fabulous day, and many students remarked that winning this reward next year would be incredible.
Please join us for the Adams 14 Community Wellness Forum on Tuesday, May 24 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Fifth-grade students at Rose Hill organized a student bake sale to raise money for the victims of the earthquake in Japan.
The students raised more than $200 for this great cause!
On Thursday, April 21 from 5 to 8 p.m., Adams City High School will open its doors to community members who need free and confidential legal advice.
The students at Rose Hill Elementary once again participated in the Pennies for Patients® program through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Rocky Mountain Chapter.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Pennies for Patients is a service and philanthropy program that gives students a unique experience making a difference through teamwork – working together to aid thousands of children and adults in the fight against blood cancers like leukemia.
Principal Samara Williams has been supporting Pennies for Patients for many years, and continues to support this remarkable charity in honor of a childhood friend who lost her battle with leukemia as a child.
The students at Rose Hill happily collected spare change over the last three weeks from family and friends to support this worthy cause. Second-grade students in Cristine Goodman’s class raised the most money in the school with $114.12.
This week Samara presented a check for $993.71 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Rocky Mountain Chapter on behalf of the students at Rose Hill.
When the time comes to enroll your student in kindergarten in July, we want your family to be prepared. Join us to learn more.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR KINDERGARTEN IN ADAMS 14? Children who will be five years old by October 1, 2011, are eligible for kindergarten classes. All kindergarten programs in Adams 14 are full day, and they are free for all Adams 14 families.
HOW CAN YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN? To find out more about kindergarten programs in Adams 14, parents may attend a kindergarten roundup event at any elementary school. The schedule is as follows:
WHY FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN? The District is committed to full day kindergarten for all students, because research shows students benefit from the extra time spent on literacy and math. Adams 14 teachers and paraprofessionals will work with all students to help smooth the transition from preschool to kindergarten.
QUESTIONS ABOUT KINDERGARTEN? If you have questions about Adams 14 kindergarten programs, please contact your local school: Alsup Elementary, 303.288.6865 Central Elementary, 303.287.0327 Dupont Elementary, 303.287.0189 Hanson PreK-8, 303.853.5800 Kemp Elementary, 303.288.6633 Monaco Elementary, 303.287.0307 Rose Hill Elementary, 303.287.0163
On Thursday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m., the Adams 14 Board of Education will hold a public hearing to consider a request by Community Leadership Academy (CLA) to apply to the state Charter School Institute (CSI). If the Board votes to allow CLA to move forward, and if CSI approves such an application, then CLA’s charter would convert to CSI.Members of the public may attend the meeting to speak about the issue prior to the Board vote.
Adams City High School (ACHS) sophomore, Juan Villalpando Jr., was featured on Top Teens TV this week!
Top Teens TV profiles teens from around Colorado who are making a difference in their community. These exceptional teens showcase exemplary commitments to philanthropy and academic excellence.
Juan demonstrates impressive leadership as a Platoon Sergeant in the Marine Corps Junior ROTC program at ACHS. He plans on joining the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduating from high school.
Juan recently participated in the Junior ROTC Physical Fitness Challenge – ACHS won first place, beating out seven other schools!
Click here to watch Juan’s segment on Top Teens TV.
Adams 14 has received an application to name the ACHS wellness clinic after Lois M. Kimmes, longtime community volunteer and advocate for community access to healthcare. To learn more about Lois and to voice your support or opposition to this proposal, please complete a one question online survey:
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BY4TDXNU9/
The survey will close on Friday, March 4.
This week, the Qwest Foundation presented Adams 14 with a check for $5,500, which will support the continuance of the weekend backpack program in place in the District.
The weekend backpack program provides healthy food to students in need throughout the District.
Nearly 1,000 students in need in Adams 14 will benefit from this funding – and will receive nutritious, non-perishable foods for the weekend (when free breakfast and lunch is not available), so they will return to school the following Monday prepared to learn.
Click here to view video footage from the event, and click here to view pictures.
Adams County School District 14 has received the Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in the preparation and issuance of its 2010-11 annual budget for the third consecutive year.
Designed by the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) and sponsored by ING, the Meritorious Budget Awards Program recognizes budget presentation excellence amongst school business administrators.
“We are thrilled to once again be recognized for Adams 14’s fiscal responsibility and excellence by the Association of School Business Officials International,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “This accolade truly represents and celebrates the high caliber professionals who make up the District’s financial department.”
This award recognized Martha Baldwin, Adams 14’s director of finance and her department, including George Hansen, Loretta Mann, Gina French, Toni Klocker, Rhonda Farrell, Sandra Harmon and Linda Holloway.
Click here to learn more about the ASBO International’s Meritorious Budget Awards Program.
Community Health Services (CHS) received funding from the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) grant to hire an enrollment specialist/financial screener. This specialist will work within Adams County School District 14 to get eligible children signed up for Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Read more here.
Colorado has the fasted growing rate of child poverty in the nation. Free food programs in schools – which are offered in Adams 14 - are at risk of being cut. Rose Hill showcases the benefits of its breakfast in the classroom program on KMGH Channel 7. Watch more here.
Adams 14 seeks your input on two choices for the 2011-12 academic calendar. Please complete our online survey to select the calendar that you prefer.
Enjoy a free night of fun for the entire family on Saturday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Celebrate the Colorado Rapids' championship and one-year anniversary of Let's Move!, a caompaign to raise a healthier generation of kids.
You could say Adams 14’s health and wellness has grown exponentially – 15 feet to be exact.
Thanks to a grant from the USDA, Adams 14’s Nutrition Services Department has increased its fresh fruit and vegetable orders so much that the 20 foot truck that once delivered the produce has been replaced with a 35 foot truck.
Adams 14 students enjoy a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables each day – including avocados, strawberries, jicama, asparagus and kiwi!
This week, the Adams 14 food service team met at Adams City High School for a special workshop hosted by Chef Andy from Denver Public Schools. Attendees learned best practices for preparing and serving fresh fruits and vegetables to students – with the end goal of making consumption of healthy foods easy and enjoyable for kids.
Click here to view more photos.
Alison Montana, an AT Specialist in Adams 14 shares her perspectives surrounding the 35th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Read more here.
Despite the freezing temperatures, Rose Hill families and students braved the cold to enjoy a night of musical delight at the Rose Hill Elementary Family Literacy Night.
Students, dressed in their best, enjoyed sharing a night of classical music played by members of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
Click here to see the evening’s photos.
At a ceremony at the Colorado Department of Education, Gov. Ritter awarded prizes to the top three winning schools of the School Breakfast Challenge. This friendly contest encourages schools to increase the use of the free and reduced-price breakfast program. Alsup Elementary received the Silver Prize for increasing its breakfast program by 78.59 percent. The school received a $3,000 prize, and the Adams 14 Nutrition Services Department received an additional $1,000. Read more here.
Adams City High School (ACHS), in partnership with Access Housing, provided a unique gift to the Commerce City community on December 15.
The ACHS theatre department’s A Christmas Carol, which was depicted through a readers’ theater production, was attended by nearly 200 members of the community.
Approximately $100 from admission will be donated to Access Housing, which offers a comprehensive continuum of care to help homeless families regain their independence, achieve self-sufficiency and secure permanent housing.
Additionally, 50 pounds of non-perishable goods were collected that night, which will be donated to Access Housing.
Fifth-grade students at Alsup Elementary received a hands-on lesson in nutrition on December 15.
Chef Andy, from Denver Public Schools, engaged students in a lively discussion about nutritional best practices – reviewing the food pyramid and talking through healthy snack options. He also reinforced the fact that snacks are powerful and nutritious if they include ingredients from several different food groups.
Students then built their own yogurt, fruit and granola parfaits – and were encouraged to try things they haven’t tasted before.
Click here to view photos from the parfait assembly line.
Deserving families in Commerce City celebrated the holidays with treats and shopping at the HOPE Family Resource Center on December 15.
Because of generous donations from various organizations throughout Denver and Commerce City, families in the community received special gifts to make this holiday brighter.
Children enjoyed picking out toys to take home, while parents received new coats, uniforms and food to support their families.
The HOPE Family Resource Center is a community-supported initiative that operates out of the first floor of the administration building and offers food, clothing, school supplies, uniforms and other basic living resources for families. Since it opened in 2007, the Center has served more than 1,000 children by providing sources of nutrition, clothing, furniture and other essential items. The HOPE Family Resource Center also offers job assistance and referrals to adult education classes to Adams 14 families.
Students from Adams City Middle School (ACMS) were given the special opportunity to attend a college football game this fall.
At the University of Colorado (CU) vs. Iowa State game, 52 ACMS students participated in the Ralphie’s Kids Roundup, sponsored by American Family Insurance, which provides tickets so deserving children can attend CU games and enjoy the accompanying pageantry.
Students received custom ACMS T-shirts, themed beads, CU flags and the opportunity to get on the field during the game.
“We wanted to make this a memorable day for the students,” said Jennifer Skrobela, ACMS principal. “We leveraged this opportunity to showcase the excitement and excellence associated with attending college. We reinforced messages to students that working hard in school results in opportunities to extend their educational experiences past high school.”
The trip was orchestrated by Bryant Amador, an Adams City High School graduate. Bryant attended and played football at CU, and now serves as an Alumni ‘C’ Club Board member.
“The intent of this trip was to expose Adams 14 students to the largest University in the state, and get them excited about their future educational endeavors,” said Bryant. “I was pleased that students had so many questions about college – and I was excited to share my story, since I was once an ACMS student myself!”
Students toured the campus, visited with the marching band, took pre-game photos with Ralphie the buffalo, met the CU mascot, Chip and were invited by CU Athletic Director, Mike Bohn, to eat pizza at the student-athlete tailgate.
Click here to see photos from this memorable day.
On December 15, members of the U.S. Air Force from Buckley Air Force Base, as well as students from Merino High School, exemplified a spirit of giving at Alsup Elementary.
For the third consecutive year, Staff Sgt. Alex Walker, and his wife, Simonette, led the efforts to bring a special Christmas celebration to the entire second grade class at Alsup Elementary.
Dressed in their military uniforms, Maj. Roger Hughes, Maj. Clarence Eder, Capt. Brian Bishop, Master Sgt. Joe Schmidt, Staff Sgt. Josh Tarrant and Staff Sgt. Kevin Balcom delivered gifts to each second-grade student.
Nikki Schmidt, Ty Lebsock, Danielle Rinaldo, Anna Kindvall, Russell Tappy, Tucker Carver, Alex Kirschbaum, Kix Conger, teacher Erin Schmidt and Principal Lonnie Brungardt, from Merino High School, joined in on the fun by helping to deliver the presents and treats to the deserving students. To the delight of the children at Alsup, even Santa made an appearance!
Each student received a brand new jacket as well as socks, and each class received several pieces of playground equipment including basketballs and soccer balls. Lockheed Martin was instrumental in helping with donations to make this day possible, and Old Navy on 104th and I-25 offered generous discounts for clothing purchases to keep students warm.
As the children tore into their gifts, they were truly shocked to receive such beautiful, brand new gifts picked out especially for them – and they were excited to interact with the group of special visitors.
In addition to the gifts, $200 was donated to Alsup second-grade teachers for school supplies.
Click here to view more photos from the celebration.
More than 60 pieces of art by Adams 14 students were enjoyed by the community on December 13 at the Civic Center art show and open house.
Following the open house, Mayor Paul Natale and Councilman Dominick Moreno recognized students and named the participating schools during the City Council meeting. The exhibit will remain open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., through January 8. Read more here, or click here for photos from the event.
Adams 14 students from Lester Arnold High School, Adams City Middle School and Hanson PreK-8 supported the 10th Annual Derby Winter Festival by participating in the tree decorating contest on Friday, Dec. 10.
Students joined Adams 14 Board of Education President, Jeannette Lewis, in adorning the trees with unique decorations and enjoyed homemade holiday treats. The trees were illuminated that night and were given to deserving families throughout Commerce City.
Rose Hill Elementary was recognized on Thursday, Dec. 9, as the Fit 4 Colorado School Challenge winner for December.
The Fit 4 Colorado School Challenge, presented in partnership by CBS4 and HealthONE’s Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, recognizes schools that are working to create a healthy atmosphere within their schools, by coming up with creative and innovative ways to keep students and faculty healthy.
Rose Hill was recognized for showcasing exemplary initiatives that support and promote health and wellness. CBS4 Meteorologist, Jennifer Zeppelin, presented Rose Hill Principal, Samara Williams, with a check for $1,000 that will support the school’s ongoing health and wellness programs.
Click here to watch the awards ceremony featured on CBS4.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Dec. 8, 2010) – Adams City High School students were released at their normally scheduled time after the school was put on a precautionary lockdown earlier in the day.
The school, with just more than 1,700 students inside, was locked down as a safety measure around 7:30 a.m. after a pistol magazine was found in a classroom.
The Commerce City Police Department was notified, and officers and district staff enacted the lockdown to allow a search of the school.
The search concluded without locating a firearm inside the school.
Students were let out around 2:30 p.m. today and classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Thursday.
During the search, students remained in their classrooms, and members of the public were not allowed access to the school.
Due to the large area that needed to be searched, and to ensure the safety of all students and staff, partners from throughout Adams County contributed to the search, including Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Brighton Police Department, Colorado State Patrol and Commerce City Neighborhood Services. Commerce City Police Department was the lead law enforcement agency. Kroenke Sports Enterprises/Dick’s Sporting Goods Park also assisted by loaning 15 hand scanners to facilitate the search for the gun.
Adams City High School (ACHS) has been placed on a precautionary lockdown as a safety measure.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., a pistol magazine (a firearm ammunition storage and feeding device) was found in a classroom. The Commerce City Police Department was notified, and officers and district staff enacted the lockdown to allow a search of the school. Students will remain in their classrooms, and members of the public are not allowed access to the school during the lockdown. At this point, no information has been provided to suggest there is a gun in the school. The school district requests that parents refrain from calling or coming to ACHS at this point and will use its automated phone dialer system to provide further details to parents as available. Additional information will be provided to media as it becomes available.
The Cops vs. Kids flag football fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 4 was a great success! The entire community came out to root for the team of their choice all in the name of supporting Commerce City youth.
Cops vs. Kids is a national program that brings together youth and local law enforcement members in ways that help build positive relationships.
Cops vs. Kids is also part of Commerce City’s EPIC program, an umbrella program that offers fun, healthy and low-cost activities for youth and teens as an alternative to crime and violence. EPIC aims to help youth build positive relationships with community members, police, businesses and organizations and reduce or prevent involvement in crime, gangs, drugs or antisocial behaviors. While the final score revealed a 22 to 14 win for the Cops, truly everyone walked away a winner with proceeds benefitting the Commerce City Recreation Center’s Youth Scholarship Fund and Project Present.
Click here to view more photos from the game.
Adams City High School (ACHS), in partnership with Access Housing, is providing a unique gift to the Commerce City community this holiday season.
The ACHS theatre department will showcase A Christmas Carol, but with a twist. This classic tale will be depicted through a readers’ theater production, where actors will be in basic costume and will dramatically interpret the script without memorization.
A portion of the money from admission will benefit Access Housing, which offers a comprehensive continuum of care to help homeless families regain their independence, achieve self-sufficiency and secure permanent housing.
The entire community is invited to the production, which takes place at the ACHS theater on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Admission for adults is $3 and $2 for children and students. Attendees who bring a canned good will receive 50 cents off their admission, with a limit of $1 off the total price. The canned goods will also be donated to Access Housing.
“There are two unique aspects surrounding this year’s holiday production,” said Justin Davis, ACHS Arts Academy Coordinator. “It’s a meaningful way for students and staff participating in the play to give back to the community, and a great way to raise funds to support Access Housing, which provides vital support to those in need in our community.”
Adams 14 Nutrition Service Manager, Cindy Veney, was invited to speak at a special event held at Fairmont Dual Immersion Academy in Denver on Wednesday, Dec. 1. Along with leaders from Denver Public Schools, Jefferson County Public Schools and the Colorado Department of Education, Cindy engaged in a discussion to share best practices and ideas for success around summer food programs. USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Kevin Concannon, visited with leaders from the three districts and learned more about best practices in offering fresh, healthy food options to enhance childhood nutrition at the school level.
Adams City Middle School (ACMS) will once again host the Cherry Creek Mobile Arts Gallery this year. The Mobile Arts Gallery includes original works of art from exhibiting artists and tours perpetually throughout Colorado to schools, libraries, community centers and other public venues. The Mobile Art Gallery provides entrance to the visual arts in an accessible, non-threatening setting and introduces the public to various art forms through exhibition of original artwork.
Community members are invited to visit ACMS to view the Mobile Arts Gallery on Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m.
ACMS students will serve as docents to provide tours to community members.
The Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization, with more than 45,000 clubs worldwide. The Lions’ motto is “We Serve,” and Club members do whatever is necessary to support local communities. Founded in 1917, and best known for fighting blindness, Lions Club members also care for the environment, feed the hungry and support seniors and citizens with disabilities. Here in Commerce City, Lions Club members and husband and wife team Sharla and Rudy Fritz have been supporting Adams 14 students with a critical vision screen called Kidsight.
Sharla and Rudy are volunteering across the District to provide preschoolers and kindergarteners with six different vision screening tests. The results are analyzed by vision experts, and are then returned to Adams 14 (in English and Spanish). Results are provided to parents, and if the results suggest a recommendation for further evaluation, they receive a list of resources that includes financial assistance.
Sharla, a nurse by trade, has been a Lions Club member for 20 years, and Rudy has been a member for eight.
The couple is dedicated to supporting this community, and say there is no better feeling than hearing that a student who was struggling, is now thriving – because all they needed were screenings to determine that they needed glasses to assist with reading.
Lincoln Peirce, a cartoon artist who writes the comic strip Big Nate, made a special stop in Commerce City on October 26 to visit with students at Kemp Elementary.
Students were all ears as Lincoln shared with them what it’s like to develop and write cartoons. Students engaged in drawing games, heard about visual vocabulary used in cartoons and learned more about the Big Nate book and how Lincoln put it together.
Kemp Elementary also raffled off several copies of the Big Nate book at the end of the presentation, so students were able to take home their very own copy of Big Nate Strikes Again.
Check out video of Lincoln’s visit to Kemp by clicking here. Click here to view photos of students during his visit.
Adams County School District 14 (Adams 14) Board of Education President, Jeannette Lewis, has been named the 2010 Colorado Credit Union Volunteer of the Year.
This accolade celebrates outstanding credit union volunteers who truly exemplify philanthropic leadership. Additionally, recipients are recognized for their volunteerism and dedication to giving back to the community in which they work and live. Jeannette was nominated by the Community Choice Credit Union, and was selected amongst hundreds of other nominations from across the state.
“I am honored to be recognized as the Colorado Credit Union Volunteer of the Year,” said Jeannette. “I believe in the credit union philosophy, and am proud to support the businesses and individuals that make up our excellent community.”
In addition to serving on the Adams 14 Board of Education, Jeannette sits on the Board of Directors for the Community Choice Credit Union.
Adams County School District 14 (Adams 14), which serves nearly 7,500 students annually, celebrated National Parent Involvement Day on Friday, Nov. 5, 2010.
“We are thrilled that so many parents came to schools across our District Friday morning, to celebrate and recognize the fundamental role parents play in their child’s academic success,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “We are appreciative to have active parent and caregiver support to enable and enhance student achievement throughout the District.”
“It seems simple, but when students are provided a comprehensive approach to education – one that includes effective instruction, enrichment opportunities and support from home – they are truly set up to thrive academically,” said Lynn Heintzman, Adams 14 Chief Academic Officer. “We are developing and implementing Districtwide strategies that enhance parent and caregiver collaboration in our schools.”
Parents and caregivers play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning at school, as well as at home. By promoting positive attitudes about learning, families can have a powerful impact on their child’s literacy and long-term academic success.
Some tips for family engagement include:
View pictures from Adams 14’s celebration of National Parent Involvement Day online. To learn more about National Parent Involvement Day, visit www.projectappleseed.org.
Lisa Garcia, a ninth-grade English teacher at Adams City High School, has been awarded one of the 2010 National Family Literacy Day Grants from Fresh Perspectives – publishers of materials that help people learn.
Lisa will receive multiple copies of Words of Wisdom: Four Minutes a Day to a Richer and More Powerful Vocabulary – including a copy for each student in her class, and one copy for each of their families.
“This grant award will help me engage students and their families in literacy development,” said Lisa. “It’s crucial to have classroom instruction that is supported by supplemental parent and caregiver participation at home. This literacy program will provide families with tools to support student success.”
This week Adams 14 launched a new video series entitled Adams 14 Empowers Your Community. The series features community members who attended Adams 14 schools and who are making significant contributions to the community.
Adams 14 Grants and Communications Specialist Breanna Deidel is the host of the show, and Video Production Specialist Cameron Weise produced the series.
Each month, Adams 14 will celebrate a former student who exemplifies leadership and commitment in the community. Superintendent Sue Chandler said, "We want our community - students, parents, staff, businesses and residents - to know that Adams 14 students are making a positive impact locally."
Look for the show on Comcast Commerce City Channel 8, or view the segment online at the Adams 14 Vimeo channel.
The first guest on Adams 14 Empowers Your Community is Commerce City Police Chief Phil Baca, who has fond memories of his years in Adams 14 schools.
Adams 14 Empowers Your Community - Chief Phil Baca from Adams 14 on Vimeo.
Lunch time at Rose Hill Elementary means no more chocolate milk. The school nixed chicken nuggets for grilled patties. Want French fries? Forget it – you can try roasted potatoes instead. Read more here.
The Adams City High School (ACHS) Girls Volleyball Team supported Breast Cancer Awareness Month by honoring two Breast Cancer survivors - Imelda Huerta (ACHS secretary) and Jen Irelan (ACHS teacher).
On Tuesday, Oct. 5, the team hosted Thornton High School, and with the support of the community, parents, staff and students, the team helped raise nearly $500 dollars for the Susan G. Koman Foundation, on behalf of Imelda Huerta and Jen Irelan.
ACHS student Anastasia Ortiz, and her dad, Danny Valdez, made the KOSI 101 Blog for showing their support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the game.
Coach Meghan Barkman invites the community to catch one more home match this season on Thursday, Oct. 21 (and don’t forget to wear you pink!):
Heather Nolen, an English teacher at Adams City High School, is one of 12 educators from Title I schools selected by the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), for its fourth annual class of Javits-Frasier Teacher Scholars.
The primary purpose of the Javits-Frasier Scholarship Fund is to increase culturally and linguistically diverse students’ access to talent development opportunities, through educator training and support related to equity and excellence in gifted education. This select group of educators will attend a special strand of sessions at the 57th annual NAGC Convention in Atlanta, Nov. 11-14, 2011, and receive a travel stipend through support made possible by the Javits-Frasier Teacher Scholarship Fund for Diverse Talent Development.
“We are very proud of Ms. Nolen, who is one of just 12 educators across the nation selected as a Javits-Frasier Teacher Scholar,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “Ms. Nolen’s commitment to developing the talents of culturally and linguistically diverse students is clearly celebrated through this accolade.”
Nolen and her fellow educators will be trained using the tools Dr. Mary Frasier, the late past president of NAGC, developed and inspired during her career.
About Adams 14: Adams 14, a nationally recognized leader in education innovation, is Colorado’s 23rd largest school district and serves more than 7,000 students annually. Nestled in the historic community of Commerce City, Adams 14 strives to ensure academic success for every student by providing highly effective classroom instruction, supplemental enrichment opportunities and parent/family collaboration opportunities. Under Superintendent Dr. Susan Chandler’s leadership, the District is implementing a strategic plan to improve student achievement so that 80 percent of students assessed will be on grade level by 2014, by ensuring that each classroom has a dynamic, standards-based teacher who provides powerful 21st century learning experiences. To learn more about Adams 14, visit adams14.org.
About NAGC: The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is an organization of parents, teachers, educators, other professionals, and community leaders who unite to address the unique needs of children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents as well as those children who may be able to develop their talent potential with appropriate educational experiences. We support and develop policies and practices that encourage and respond to the diverse expressions of gifts and talents in children and youth from all cultures, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. NAGC supports and engages in research and development, staff development, advocacy, communication, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies who strive to improve the quality of education for all students. To learn more about NAGC, visit www.nagc.org.
On Sunday, Oct. 10, more than 100 Adams 14 students, teachers and principals participated in the Commerce City Running with the Buffalo 5K Run/Walk, along Prairie Gateway Trail.
“It’s fantastic to see so many Adams 14 students participating in community events that support health and wellness,” said Emily Jacobs, wellness coordinator at Adams 14.
Alsup Elementary Assistant Principal, Drew Hoelscher, who manages a run club at the school (100 students run with him three days a week before school), recruited a number of students to participate in Sunday’s race.
“I have a dedicated group of Alsup students who enjoy running, so their participation in Running with the Buffalo was a natural alignment,” said Drew.
A ceremony followed the run, where awards were presented in a variety of categories. Adams 14 students walked away with several accolades, including:
Girls 13 and Under:
Boys 13 and Under:
Boys 14 to 19:
Kemp Elementary Participates in National Walk to School Day
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Oct. 6, 2010) – Adams County School District 14, which serves more than 7,000 students annually, participated in National Walk to School Day on October 6, 2010.
More than 120 Kemp Elementary School students, parents and teachers came together to celebrate the benefits of walking as they strolled from Lester Arnold High School to Kemp Elementary School – where they enjoyed refreshments and prizes. Walking to school promotes health and wellness, benefits the environment and presents opportunities to reinforce safe walking tips with students.
“We applaud Kemp Elementary for its participation in National Walk to School Day, as a part of International Walk to School Month,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “Our District supports wellness initiatives that enhance our students’ health and increase safety and awareness around student transportation to and from school.”
In Adams 14, Central Elementary, Rose Hill Elementary and Hanson PreK-8 School also celebrated National Walk to School Day by encouraging safe and healthy exercise on the way to and from school.
Since 1997, communities around the nation have been celebrating Walk to School Day. Current U.S. participation has reached a record high with more than 3,300 events taking place from all 50 states. Walk to School Day events are aimed at bringing forth permanent change to encourage a more walkable America — one community at a time. Click here for more information on International Walk to School Day in the United States.
About Adams 14: Adams 14, a nationally recognized leader in education innovation, is Colorado’s 23rd largest school district and serves more than 7,000 students annually. Nestled in the historic community of Commerce City, Adams 14 strives to ensure academic success for every student by providing highly effective classroom instruction, supplemental enrichment opportunities and parent/family collaboration opportunities. Under Superintendent Dr. Susan Chandler’s leadership, the District is implementing a strategic plan to improve student achievement so that 80 percent of students assessed will be on grade level by 2014, by ensuring that each classroom has a dynamic, standards-based teacher who provides powerful 21st century learning experiences.
On Saturday, Oct. 2, the Commerce City community joined Rose Hill Elementary to celebrate the ribbon cutting for its new fitness course.
The funding for the Rose Hill Fitness Course came from several local businesses, grants attained by school staff as well as student fundraising efforts. Local businessman, Dr. Evan Crist, spearheaded the effort to build business support to purchase and construct this community asset. “We wanted to contribute to the school in a way that would be lasting and visible for the neighborhood,” said Crist.
Located on the west side of the school, the Rose Hill Fitness Course has nine different stations, and is designed to give participants a total body workout.
“The Course will benefit our students by providing an interactive space for physical education classes and after school sports and fitness club events,” said Samara Williams, principal at Rose Hill Elementary. “Additionally, the course will enhance our annual field day activities.”
The Fitness Course will be used by Rose Hill during the school day, encouraging students to increase their health and wellness through exercise. The entire community is welcome to use the Fitness Course when school is not in session.
Adams 14 Receives Two Awards for Its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Aug. 31, 2010) – Adams County School District 14, which serves more than 7,000 students annually, has received two awards in recognition of its financial reporting division.
The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) presented Adams 14 with its Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Program. This accolade, awarded for excellence in preparation and issuance of the fiscal year-end 2009 school system, celebrates Adams 14’s high-quality Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) also rewarded Adams 14’s CAFR with its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The award for Financial Reporting is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and showcases Adams 14’s spirit of full disclosure in clearly communicating its financial story.
“Being recognized for our District’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by two prominent entities really highlights the dedication and proficiency of our financial business staff,” said Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams 14 Superintendent. “The District’s approach to financial reporting creates transparency and enhances two-way communication opportunities with key stakeholders, as well as within the community we serve.”
Click here to learn more about the ASBO International’s award in Financial Reporting Program, or here for more information about GFOA’s certificate program.
Adams 14 CSAP results: overall student performance lags
COMMERCE CITY (August 10, 2010): Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) scores released on August 10, 2010, by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) show that Adams 14’s overall test scores declined by 2.2%.
“We are disappointed with any decline in overall student performance,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler, “and we are redoubling our efforts to improve the quality of instruction in all Adams 14 schools.” Adams 14 students made solid gains at the middle school level, where eighth grade scores improved significantly at Adams City, Hanson and Kearney Middle Schools. These three middle schools posted gains in 12 of 12 eighth grade tests.
Adams 14 is in the midst of comprehensive system reform, and research suggests the District should expect some decrease in scores in the change process. Changing teaching practice is like taking up a new hobby or sport; it takes time to master new skills. This phenomenon is called an implementation dip.
While the District is disappointed with the overall decline in scores, District and school administrators affirm their commitment to continuing educational improvements in 2010-11. “We are at a point where these small annual gains aren’t going to get us to our goal,” said Chandler, “and now is the time to strengthen our system and increase our expectations so that 80% of our students are proficient by 2014.” Chandler acknowledged that last year was a difficult year in the first phase of implementing a new strategic plan. “We made a lot of changes last year, and while we’re still in transition, much of our data shows that we’re on the road to academic success,” reinforced Chandler. With the statewide move to the Colorado Growth Model, Adams 14 is looking more closely at how students grow each year. “We are still looking at overall proficiency of students,” said Chief Academic Officer Lynn Heintzman, “but now we also look at value added by a teacher or school.” That value added is called growth. Using growth data validates why schools exist – to help students grow academically and improve their lives.
According to the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado Growth Model indicates how much academic progress students are making based on their CSAP scores. For Adams 14, the goal is for every student to make at least one year’s growth in a year’s time. Schools receive a rating of Low, Typical or High for overall student growth.
“Because our test scores have been below the state average every year,” said Heintzman, “our schools need to make high growth. That is how we will catch up and reach our goal.” Kearney Middle School and Community Leadership Academy are the only Adams 14 schools to make high growth this year. “We have a lot of work to do,” added Heintzman.
CSAP scores are now being looked at in two ways (proficiency status and growth), and both scores are used to make adjustments to the educational program Adams 14 provides for every student. “Test scores are important to students and parents, because results let parents know if schools are performing and growing each year,” said Superintendent Chandler.
“Our strategy makes effective instruction the focus of our work,” added Superintendent Chandler. Through effective classroom teaching, collaboration and data use, Adams 14 will make further progress toward its achievement goals. “Students must know what they are learning and why; and on top of that, they must have great teaching from an engaging teacher,” said Chandler. “We believe this fundamental approach will result in long term growth of all Adams 14 children.”
In December 2010, the state will publish new performance reports called School Performance Frameworks. These reports will provide a comprehensive picture of how well Colorado schools are preparing students for success, and the reports will include growth model data, CSAP and ACT test results, graduation rates and other measures.
-8.18
Low
-2.87
Typical
-3.10
-5.25
-3.62
-8.03
+7.47
High
+7.86
+0.96
-2.25
-2.20
-3.75
For more information about individual school CSAP performance results and the Colorado Growth Model, visit the new CDE website www.schoolview.org.
Adams 14 student handbooks for 2010-11 are now available online. This year, the District printed a limited number of copies for each school as a cost saving measure.
The handbooks may be referenced here, at Adams 14 Educational Support Services, or in school offices.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (July 19, 2010) – The first day of school for all Adams 14 students is rapidly approaching. Children will begin their work this academic year on Thursday, August 12. Districtwide registration days are scheduled for the end of July. “We welcome all children,” says Superintendent Sue Chandler, “and we are excited to begin another year in our schools.”
This year most registration materials will not be mailed home. Instead, schools will provide registration packets for families when they register during the times below. Registration dates and times for Adams 14 schools are: July 26 – Adams City High School (ACHS) Senior Class Registration, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27 – ACHS Juniors, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; All Elementary and Middle Schools, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. July 28 – ACHS Sophomores, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; All Elementary and Middle Schools, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. July 29 – ACHS Freshmen, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; ACHS All Grades, 4-6 p.m.; ACHS Freshman Parent Orientation, 6-7:30 p.m.; All Elementary and Middle Schools, 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. July 30 – ACHS All Grades, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 2 – ACHS New Students, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 3 – ACHS New Students, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; All Elementary and Middle Schools, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. August 4 – ACHS New Students, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; All Elementary and Middle Schools, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. August 5 – ACHS New Students, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; All Elementary and Middle Schools, 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. August 6 – ACHS New Students, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There are many important dates and times for students and families to remember this year: • Elementary school start/stop times: 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. • Middle school and Hanson PreK-8 start/stop times: 8:05 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. • High school start/stop times: 7:15 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. • School year calendar start/stop days: August 12, 2010 through May 26, 2011 • Assessment Days Grades K-8: August 12, 13 and 16
All students from kindergarten through eighth grade will be assessed prior to the start of the school year. This will provide teachers with information on how to best meet each child’s needs throughout the year. The three days for assessing students are August 12, 13 and 16. The first full day of school for all students is August 17.
In order to allow all children from the same family to attend on the same day, use the last name of your oldest child. For example, if your oldest child has the last name Sanchez, but your younger children have the last name Garcia, all of them will attend on August 16. The schedule, based on last names, is listed below:
A through G – Thursday, August 12 H through O – Friday, August 13 P through Z – Monday, August 16
For preschool screenings, please call Child Find at 720.322.8190 to make an appointment.
For information about services in Adams 14 schools, please reference the following contact list: • Student Records Department, 303.289.3949 • Immunization requirements: Community Health Services, 303.289.1086 • Transportation: Adams 14 Transportation, 303.853.7909 • Breakfast and lunch programs: Adams 14 Nutrition Services, 303.853.7950 • General Inquiries: Adams 14 Educational Support Services, 303.853.3333
The Adams 14 academic calendar is available online at www.adams14.org/calendar.
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – July 16, 2010) –Adams 14 continues its cost saving measures and responsible energy use through a summer installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems on eight facilities throughout the school district. Superintendent Sue Chandler and Chief Operations Officer Sandy Mutchler were instrumental in bringing the projects to fruition.
Green Power Company and Kenyon Energy cooperated with the District to develop the solar projects. Kenyon Energy will be responsible for design and construction, will own and operate the systems and will provide the electricity to the school buildings under a twenty-year Solar Services Agreement (SSA). This arrangement will allow the District to take advantage of the environmental, educational and financial benefits of solar energy without incurring any expense. “This solar panel installation allows Adams 14 to not only reduce energy consumption, but it will also allow us to purchase energy at a reduced cost,” said Mutchler.
Superintendent Sue Chandler is excited about the project. “This is a continuation of our effort to incorporate environmental responsibility in Adams 14 through energy management,” Chandler said. From lighting improvements, motion sensors and improved heating and air controls to recycling programs and even changes at the policy level, Adams 14 has made a commitment to conserving resources while continuing its commitment to fiscal sustainability.
By partnering with a private company to develop the photovoltaic systems, the District will avoid all of the capital expenditures required to construct and maintain these systems. Mutchler added, “There is no cost to Adams 14 for installation or for the equipment.” The electricity produced by the systems will replace a portion of each school’s current energy purchase, and will enable the District to realize substantial savings on their energy bills over the term of the contract.
The solar systems collectively will generate about 800 kilowatts of renewable electricity per year. This is enough electricity to meet the annual consumption of approximately 600 homes. The carbon offset from these systems is equivalent to removing 2,200 cars from the road or planting nearly 30,000 pine trees.
The first systems are expected be installed and producing electricity in August 2010.
About Kenyon Energy: Kenyon Energy is a renewable energy systems integrator that develops, builds, owns and maintains commercial and municipal solar PV projects nationally. Visit www.kenyonenergy.com for more information. About Green Power Company: Green Power Company is Colorado-based renewable energy company. Visit www.greenpowercompanyllc.com for more information.
Photo caption: The installation team places solar panels on the roof of Kemp Elementary School.
Adams City Middle School (ACMS) has been recertified as a National Demonstration School by Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), following a site visit and evaluation by national experts. Larger percentages of AVID students at ACMS score at Proficient and Advanced levels compared with non-AVID students.
The school’s AVID program consists of six certified teachers and a coordinator to coach students, review their work and provide additional educational support; students spend 60 minutes engaged in a customized AVID curriculum during their literacy block. In addition to regular coursework, students keep binders of class materials and learn study skills, test preparation, time management and writing. Teachers fill out progress reports for the AVID coordinator to ensure students are making adequate progress.
Adams 14’s program evaluation this year demonstrated the positive impact of the curriculum and AVID’s team subsequently designated ACMS a national demonstration school through 2013.
“It’s rare for a school to be recertified for three years,” said ACMS Principal Jennifer Skrobela. “I believe this demonstrates the success of the initiative. We have seen the impact of the AVID curriculum and our teachers in helping students with support and skill-building. The result is improved opportunities for students to attend college later in their educational careers.”
AVID is a college-readiness system that prepares students in grades 4-12 for higher education by providing extended support from teachers, tutors and school leaders. 120 students participate at ACMS and the school has been an AVID national demonstration site since 2000. Adams 14 students also participate in an AVID program at Adams City High School.
(Photo caption above: Senator Michael Bennet visits AVID students at ACMS)
Janet Etchart, a culinary arts teacher and bistro chef at Adams City High School in Commerce City, sat three rows down from where First Lady Michelle Obama spoke on the lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. With nearly 1,000 other chefs from around the country, Janet absorbed the First Lady’s powerful message: young Americans must eat nutritious, healthy food. A third of the nation’s children are obese and something can and must be done in the one place that has a tremendous impact on their lives: schools.
Janet earned this privilege from her long history of volunteerism, cooking, and teaching in school districts. She taught and worked in Jefferson County Schools for nearly 20 years before arriving in Adams 14 in April 2009. She has also invested her culinary expertise in volunteering with Share our Strength, a nonprofit organization that combats childhood hunger in the United States. As part of the organization’s Kids Up Front project, Janet leads six week long courses in Denver-area elementary schools to teach disadvantaged children how to prepare and eat healthy foods.
She first received an invitation last month from the American Culinary Federation to a June 4 kickoff for the new Chefs Move to Schools initiative. The initiative, to be spearheaded by White House Chef Sam Kass, is focused on tackling the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic by pairing chefs with community schools to work with teachers, parents and school nutrition professionals to help educate kids about nutrition.
With seven other chefs from the Denver metropolitan region and the others from all around the country, Janet arrived in Washington, DC, to experience first of all what a healthy and affordable breakfast looks like. At the dining room of the JW Marriott in downtown Washington, she was served fruit, yogurt, an egg-white omelet and some oatmeal. “The idea was to demonstrate how to affordably prepare nutritious full meals for children,” says Janet. “The funding that went into each breakfast was the equivalent of what a student is typically allocated from federal funds.”
She adds that another message from the breakfast was that introducing knowledge about healthy and nutritious eating into schools should be sensitive and respectful. For a long time, schools have served a certain type of food a certain way and broad changes, no matter how healthy, will likely take time and patience to implement.
After breakfast, it was on to the White House where the chefs toured the White House grounds, including the gardens, which are maintained by the First Lady and Chef Kass. “Gardens are important to learn how to eat healthily,” continues Janet. “When students see how food is grown, they understand where vegetables such as potatoes, for example, come from, how they are prepared for eating, and what happens when they are cooked into something like French fries.”
Eventually, the chefs took their seats on the South Lawn to hear the speakers. In addition to First Lady Obama, who urged healthy and nutritious eating in schools in support of her Let’s Move campaign, a local principal and a prominent Washington chef spoke about a program they had already started. If the participating chefs had any doubt that the highest levels of public servants want to reach students across the country, this event dispelled it.
Janet says the White House visit opened her eyes to new possibilities. One idea she returned to Commerce City with is to try to start an herb garden in Adams 14 with active participation from students. She emphasized the importance of scratch cooking using fresh ingredients, rather than from processed foods that can contribute to levels of obesity that Chefs Move to Schools and First Lady Obama are trying to combat.
“There is a lot of potential to initiate change in public schools,” says Janet, who in addition to her White House visit was also interviewed for the latest issue of the magazine Sizzle to discuss opportunities for student graduates in the culinary arts. “But as we were reminded in Washington, despite opportunities to increase healthy eating, change happens slowly. We know where we need to go to increase nutritious eating among our students and as long as we’re heading in the right direction, that’s good.”
Adams 14 is already on a trajectory to increase healthier eating in schools. The district’s nutrition services department recently secured a $220,000 fresh fruit and vegetable program grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Department of Education to improve student access to healthier snacking options in schools. Earlier this month, Adams City High School hosted a culinary boot camp to teach food services staff from different school districts how to prepare healthier meals including through scratch cooking (original ingredients) rather than processed foods. The event was sponsored by LiveWell Colorado, a nonprofit committed to reducing obesity. Finally, Adam14 has started serving breakfasts in the classroom at the beginning of the school day, rather than before school, ensuring that every student in attendance has access to a solid meal before learning begins.
(Photo caption above: Janet Etchart [third from left] with other food services specialists from the Chefs Move to Schools kickoff event at the White House.)
Fresh, healthy and made-from-scratch meals will be on the menu in schools across the state this fall thanks to LiveWell Colorado’s School Chef Culinary Boot Camps, which kicked off in Commerce City last week. Hosted at Adams City High School from June 7-11, the first boot camp in a statewide series equipped food service directors and cafeteria staff with the tools, skills and confidence to consider replacing processed foods with fresh produce and healthy options.
The boot camps are coordinated by LiveWell Colorado, a nonprofit committed to reducing obesity by promoting healthy eating and active living.
Out with chicken nuggets and frozen pizza, in with fresh fruits and veggies In the five-day, intensive hands-on training course, cafeteria staff and food service directors learned the fundamentals of cooking from scratch. Coached by Chef Andrea Martin, a New York City and state certified teacher who specializes in school lunch reform, participants learned lessons ranging from meat and poultry handling, to knife skills, to quick recipe tips, such as adding pureed carrots to marinara sauce and using concentrated apple juice as a key ingredient in healthier French toast.
In the classroom portions of the boot camp, participants learned the fundamentals of social marketing, menu planning, a history of school food and handy “culinary math.” These classroom lessons were led by Chef Kate Adamick, a proponent and speaker on institutional food systems, sustainable agriculture and childhood obesity issues.
“The made-from-scratch recipes and the teaching tips from Chef Kate in the classroom are great takeaways for all of us participating chefs to take back to our schools and really implement with confidence,” said Jeremy West, nutrition service director for Weld County District 6 and a participant in last week’s boot camp.
The culinary boot camps are available to school districts with at least 40 percent of their student populations qualifying for free or reduced lunches; other districts are welcomed and included if possible. The Adams City High School event hosted chefs from 11 different school districts.
“These Culinary Boot Camps are a long time coming and really open the doors for the kids to get access to the good nutrition they so desperately need,” said Jeannette Lewis, president of the Adams 14 Board of Education. “Healthy bodies build healthy minds, which create healthy and successful students as they move through school.”
Smart for schools – and school food budgets For many participating chefs, the best part of the boot camp experience was learning how to order foods and implement these new skills to improve the quality of their food as well as saving time and money. Simple adjustments such as removing chocolate milk and providing only nonfat or skim milk to students, or timing food orders to minimize waste can make a considerable difference in a school’s food spending.
In addition, participating districts also received a $1,000 donation for minor equipment to begin implementing techniques learned at the boot camp.
Reducing obesity in Colorado It is a fact: school food impacts kids’ health – especially when a majority of a community’s children rely on meals consumed at school as a primary source of nutrition. In Adams 14, 82 percent of students qualify for free or reduced meals.
“More than one in four Colorado children are overweight or obese, and only eight percent of Colorado’s children meet recommended levels of fruit and vegetable consumption,” said Maren C. Stewart, president and CEO of LiveWell Colorado. “The Culinary Boot Camps teach food service staff to implement a structure that allows them to meet mandated nutrition requirements on a daily basis by regularly incorporating whole fruits and vegetables, and decreasing unwanted calories, fat and sodium.”
The Culinary Boot Camps are part of a larger effort to provide more of Colorado’s children with access to healthy and fresh food at school – which LiveWell Colorado believes is an important strategy for preventing childhood obesity. In fact, studies have shown that children who skip breakfast are more likely to be obese or overweight, underscoring the need for schools to provide nutritious breakfast and lunch at school.
Coordinated by Rocky Mountain Center for Health Promotion and Education and funded by a grant through LiveWell Colorado from the Colorado Health Foundation, as well as a federal grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act facilitated by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s (CDPHE) Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (COPAN), this summer’s series of Culinary Boot Camps are taking place in Commerce City, Colorado Springs, Montrose and Aurora.
This week Adams 14 was featured on two segments on Fox 31 News. The videos are posted below.
On Monday, May 17, Adams 14 hosted a community meeting at Lester Arnold High School to discuss proposed changes to the school’s educational program.
Adams 14 Chief Academic Officer Lynn Heintzman began the meeting with a synopsis of the proposed changes for LAHS.
Rationale for change:
Proposed change:
Potential savings: $260,000 annually through staff reductions handled according to certified staff agreement.
Following this synopsis, Ms. Heintzman opened the floor to community feedback and comments from the approximately 50 attendees. A full report of the written and spoken comments, as well as the District response to the feedback may be viewed here.
Adams 14 Nutrition Services will again offer summer food programs for the community. Children age 18 and under eat for free. Prices for adults are $1.50 for breakfast and $2.50 for lunch. The locations and times are as follows:
Kearney Middle School 6160 Kearney Street Serving times are: Breakfast - 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.; Lunch - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 1 to July 30 (closed on July 5 for the holiday)
Adam City Middle School 4451 East 72nd Avenue Serving times are: Breakfast - 8:30 to 9 a.m.; Lunch - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 8 to July 23 (closed on July 5 for the holiday)
Hanson Elementary 7133 East 73rd Avenue Serving times are: Breakfast - 8:30 to 9 a.m.; Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 7 to July 2
Monaco Elementary 7631 Monaco Street Serving times are: Breakfast - 8:30 to 9 a.m.; Lunch - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 7 to July 2
With questions please call Cyndy Veney, Manager of Nutrition Services, 303.853.7950.
Just Announced: Adams County Camp Registration Wednesday, 5/19 4-6pm at Scott Carpenter Middle School (7001 Lipan Street, Denver 80221)
Families will be able to register their kids for any of these three sites: Scott Carpenter, Shaw Heights, or Adams City Middle Schools. General information is below, please visit www.adamscountycamp.org for additional information.
Who can register? Adams County students (attending Adams School Districts 1, 12, 14, 27J, and 50) entering the 4th to 8th grade (and their siblings entering the 1st to 3rd grade). What is the cost? A $15 per camper fee is collected at registration. Payment accepted is cash or check. How to register? First Come First Serve at Scott Carpenter Middle School, May 19, 4 to 6p.m. Registration is also available online. What are the camp structure and activities? Adams County Camp is built on an innovative community partnership that provides sports, physical fitness, arts and crafts, computers, life skills, fun learning and field trips. This summer’s focus areas will include: Service Learning, Media, Design, and Technology. When is camp? Dates: June 14 - July 22 (No camp on Fridays or July 5) Days: Monday to Thursday Times: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Locations: Adams City Middle School, Scott Carpenter Middle, Shaw Heights Middle School.
2010 THIRD GRADE READING CSAP RESULTS
SITUATION ANALYSIS Adams 14 staff is disappointed in the 10 percent overall decline in 2010 CSAP third grade reading. The third grade reading results are the first published scores out of 29 CSAP scores to be released this year. These tests were completed by 578 students. The remaining scores for all grade levels will be released in mid-July. While third grade reading scores are traditionally not a good predictor of other test results for the District, Adams 14 is closely reviewing these data to define concrete next steps. Adams 14 is defining next steps in relation to two key factors in the decline of third grade scores:
Adams 14 is in the midst of comprehensive system reform, and research suggests the District should expect some decrease in scores in year one of change. Changing teaching practice is like taking up a new hobby or sport; it takes time to master new skills. This phenomenon is called an implementation dip. According to the work of Michael Fullan in Leading in a Culture of Change, “All successful schools experience ‘implementation dips’ as they move forward (Fullan, 2001). The implementation dip is literally a dip in performance and confidence as one encounters an innovation that requires new skills and new understandings.” Fullan explains that the reasons for this dip are based in 1) the fear of change and 2) a lack of knowledge or skill in implementing the new initiative. The second point is most relevant to the current situation, because Adams 14 is still providing training, coaching and professional development for teachers and leaders in its reform initiatives.
Secondly, third grade students showed a significant decline in performance on constructed response on the third grade CSAP. The data and response to this decline in performance will be discussed at length below.
While the District is most immediately concerned about the third grade reading scores, District and school administration affirms its commitment to the systemic educational improvements undertaken this year.
For the third grade students who scored poorly in reading this year (partially proficient or unsatisfactory), Adams 14 will provide a targeted summer reading program to help these students catch up prior to entering fourth grade.
TARGETED SUMMER READING PROGRAM Adams 14 is scheduling a targeted summer reading program for third graders who are not proficient readers. A strong summer reading program helps students catch up and also lessens summer learning loss. The students who attend this summer reading program should enter fourth grade with a better potential to succeed academically. Schools will target the 318 students – or 54% of third graders – who scored partially proficient or unsatisfactory on the third grade reading test. Summer sessions for targeted third graders throughout the District are tentatively planned for Central and Dupont Elementary Schools. Funding for this program comes from reallocated Title I dollars.
In addition to the targeted summer reading program, each school will have funds through Title money to provide after school tutoring for students who are not proficient in reading.
IMPLEMENTING READING SERIES In May Adams 14 will work with all third grade teachers to identify and discuss strategies for third grade classrooms next year. Teachers and instructional administrators will identify existing Storytown resources and will practice using these resources in the classroom. Use of these resources will help to prepare students for the proper level of thinking and rigor required for proficiency on the CSAP. Storytown was introduced in Adams 14 in November 2008 with districtwide implementation beginning in earnest this year; as a result, many teachers have not received full training and some are simply unaware of the abundant materials that are provided through this resource. Additionally, schools administer DIBELS reading assessments throughout the year, and the key is using the data from these assessments to tailor instruction for individual student needs.
CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE Constructed response questions account for 38% of the questions on the CSAP. These are questions that require students to write an answer (as opposed to multiple choice questions). Among the skills required for constructed response are organizing information graphically, identifying main idea and supporting details, and summarizing and inferring (drawing conclusions). Adams 14 will continue to work with instructional staff to condition and prepare students for constructed response; not just because these skills are tested on the CSAP, but because the skills required for constructed response are essential skills and strategies for understanding the meaning of text.
Because Adams 14 students did not score well in the constructed response section of the test, the District has concluded that students need more practice in responding to literature. The scores also indicate that students and teachers need better examples of what good written responses look like. The District instructional team will provide exemplars for teachers that will show what proficient student writing looks like, will guide teachers in teaching to proficiency and will provide a framework for giving students feedback. Next year, students across all schools will respond to literature once a week. Time in literacy instruction for all third graders will be increased to ensure uninterrupted literacy instruction for each student.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT A review of the CSAP data shows that Adams 14 students need more support and skill in responding to literature using complete sentences. Teachers will receive embedded professional development on incorporating constructed responses throughout their instruction, and they will also receive training on using existing materials like weekly assessment items to support practice on writing constructed responses. Teachers will receive a newly created rubric with appropriate criteria for a solid constructed response to literature, and they will receive professional development on using the rubric to determine proficiency in student constructed responses. The new Adams 14 writing scope and sequence contains a section designated as Response to Literature. Beginning in kindergarten, students will learn skills to aid their progress to mastery in written responses to literature by the end of third grade. When third grade teachers return for additional professional development this fall, this writing progression will be one of the key training modules they receive. Next year, each elementary school will have a Consortium on Reading Excellence (CORE) consultant for eight days throughout the school year. One area that these consultants will support is the implementation of strategies for response to literature.
WALK THROUGHS Weekly walk throughs have supported principals in becoming effective instructional coaches, a role that has been added to their current responsibilities of instructional leader and evaluator. Additionally, monitoring the implementation of reforms is important. Members of the Adams 14 administration team are committed to Tuesday walk throughs to give teachers feedback around their effective instructional strategies and necessary next steps for increasing student engagement and accountability. Professional development will be provided through Teach for Success for administrators to provide more explicit coaching to teachers and to assist principals in providing teachers with tools to monitor student academic progress. The District began walk throughs this year, and the process has improved consistently throughout the year. Adams 14 will continue its focus on walk throughs as a coaching tool for all teachers.
The District is disappointed with a 10 percent decrease in the overall third grade scores. The focus for 2010-11 will be on correcting the implementation dip for reform initiatives. In the meantime, Adams 14 will offer a targeted summer reading program to provide students with critical skills required to enter fourth grade successfully.
Detailed scores are provided in the chart below:
School
2010
% Proficient/Advanced
2009
Change
Alsup Elementary
47%
76%
- 29%
Central Elementary
40%
46%
- 6%
Dupont Elementary
51%
66%
- 15%
Hanson PreK-8
39%
27%
+ 12%
Kemp Elementary
43%
63%
- 20%
Monaco Elementary
34%
52%
- 18%
Rose Hill Elementary
53%
71%
CLA
56%
37%
+ 19%
District
- 10%
Adams 14 welcomes community support in raising funds to fight childhood disease
(COMMERCE CITY – May 4, 2010): Members of the Commerce City community can help save lives by supporting a Trike-A-Thon event that will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 112 students, 14 teachers and 2 administrators from Adams 14’s STARS Early Learning Center will participate on Thursday, May 6, and community support is welcome to raise funds for St. Jude, a Memphis, Tennessee-based hospital internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures for childhood disease. The Trike-A-Thon will be held in the parking lot of the STARS Early Learning Center at 5650 Bowen Court in Commerce City from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Trike-A-Thon is designed to expose children to the safe use of riding through a week of fun activities and provide an awareness program that helps parents teach safe behavioral practices to their children. “Our goal is to help children around the world stricken with cancer, AIDS, sickle cell disease and other catastrophic illnesses,” says Kristen Morel, event coordinator and director of the STARS Early Learning Center. “This is our third year of participating in Trike-A-Thon. We’ve had amazing turnout in the past that made our children and their families excited about the bike safety program and the chance to help others who need their support.”
Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities globally. No family pays for treatment not covered by insurance and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization, through events such as Trike-A-Thon.
To participate or to make a donation, please call Kristen Morel at 303.853.5000. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org/trike.
Adams 14 To Present Facilities Master Plan
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (April 16, 2010) – Adams 14 invites the community to a public review of the District’s facilities master plan. The facilities plan will provide a framework for decision making about future use of school district properties, and the forum will allow community members to learn more about the details of this plan.
This is the second of two community meetings regarding the facilities master plan. During the first meeting, the District heard from the community about educational desires for schools in the future. The meeting on April 20 will include a presentation of the completed plan and future facility priorities.
Facilities Master Plan Community Forum Tuesday, April 20, 6 p.m. Adams City High School Community Room 7200 Quebec Parkway Commerce City, CO 80022
The District will provide a light dinner for attendees.
Adams 14 has released a public budget report to the community that provides information about the state of school finance in Colorado and the impact of budget reductions on Adams 14 schools.
Read the report online by clicking the links below:
Informe del Presupuesto 2010-11
CU-Boulder Presents Scholarship Opportunities for Adams City High School Students
COMMERCE CITY (March 23, 2010): Junior Visit Day is an annual event at CU-Boulder that offers Denver metropolitan-area schools and students the chance to get an inside look at college life. This year, 14 participating juniors from Adams 14’s Adams City High School (ACHS) received more than they expected when at the end of the day, the university admissions office announced each student’s eligibility for a $6,000 scholarship.
The announcement came as the culmination of a day-long visit on Thursday, March 11. In addition to providing a tour of campus, the event presented students from attending schools with a cycle of three challenges intended to demonstrate strong teamwork and communication. More than 200 juniors from 17 schools competed. For one challenge, ACHS students designed a poster representing their school. The other challenges included building a car from a mousetrap kit; ACHS students successfully built a fast-moving car that triumphed over other schools in subsequent races. They also had to design a logo for the School of Business’ Office of Diversity. One junior with an artistic bent designed an impressive shield image over the CU buffalo logo with the letter “D” for diversity and a slogan: “Lead the World”.
“One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was how well the students collaborated,” says Shannon Holtmann, the high school’s post graduate counselor who attended. “The students did not all know each other ahead of time; they’d independently requested permission to participate in Junior Visit Day and many of them hadn’t necessarily socialized beforehand. But the way they came together as a team to meet each challenge head on and impress the university’s admissions team was remarkable.” Afterward, Holtmann continued, they had a great time celebrating together. “This kind of success encourages high school students to see the hope and possibility of attending college. A future in higher education is within reach.”
But if the scholarships represent a great opportunity, it is only the first step in a journey the students still must commit to. All the students must apply to CU-Boulder with other applicants, and maintain sufficiently competitive grades and ACT scores to earn admission. That’s when the scholarships kick in.
“Our students had a great time at Junior Visit Day and made us incredibly proud,” adds Wes Paxton, ACHS Principal. “We look forward to seeing them take advantage of this opportunity by applying their strong talents throughout the rest of this year and the next.”
Caption: Adams City High School students designed this poster at CU-Boulder’s Junior Visit Day.
Parent Satisfaction Survey Winners Announced
COMMERCE CITY (March 19, 2010): Veronica Muñoz, Dawnielle Miller and Linda Boldt are the three lucky parents in Adams 14 who each won $75 gift cards from Wal-Mart. The three winners are parents of students at Monaco Elementary School, Adams City Middle School and Rose Hill Elementary School, respectively.
Every spring, the District encourages parents to provide feedback about their overall satisfaction levels regarding their child’s education. This year the chance to win was offered to every parent who responded by Friday, February 12 to an updated 21-question survey. To date, approximately 1,500 responses have been recorded.
Adams 14 emphasizes that the greatest value of the surveys comes from increasing its ability to better understand satisfaction levels of parents regarding their child’s progress in school. “Our priority is educating students,” says Superintendent Susan Chandler, “and this survey provides a great opportunity to learn what parents think is working well and what areas need improvement in our schools.”
Although the prizes have been awarded, Adams 14 reminds parents that they may still return their surveys with feedback that will help the District continue to provide students with a high quality education. Completed surveys can be returned to the Adams 14 administration building at 5291 E. 60th Avenue, Commerce City, or to your child’s school.
2010-11 Budget Survey Summary of Results
Statewide Budget Crisis Reduces School Funding Adams 14 Community Budget Survey In 2010-11 there will be drastic reductions to public school funding in Colorado. The news from the State Capitol is disturbing; and as we consider the outlook for coming budget years, the reports keep getting worse.
In Adams 14, we are anticipating revenue reductions for 2010-11 as high as $3.5 million. This projected revenue decrease could go up or down depending on the actions of the legislature this session. Adams 14 is weighing its options to create a balanced budget for next year. We must also consider how to best meet the needs of students within our financial means. It is unlikely that school funding will turn around for several years, so we need to implement long term solutions this year to help with budgeting for future years.
Given previous cuts and the size of this upcoming cut, it is clear all parts of the District will be touched. As a result, the District developed an online survey to gather community input on budget priorities. The survey was public, available in both English and Spanish, and included respondents from various groups: staff, students, parents and other community members.
Participants completed the survey February 19 through February 26, 2010. The District received more than 700 responses to the survey. Teachers and staff members constitute the largest group of respondents, followed by parents.
The District has taken the input from the online survey into consideration in developing its budget reduction plan. The Board of Education has studied preliminary recommendations for budget reductions that align to the survey results. The Board has scheduled two public hearings on the budget, the first on March 23 and the second on April 27. The Board will vote to adopt the budget for 2010-11 on June 22.
Survey Results Respondents were clear about their support of the quality educational programs that Adams 14 offers. Respondents expressed difficulty in prioritizing options to help balance the budget. Respondents’ priorities for each of the five categories covered by the survey, as well as themes from open-end free responses, are outlined below.
Elements of a Quality Education Overall respondents said great teachers were their top priority in providing students a quality education. This was closely followed by class size, safety, and teacher training. Finally, respondents prioritized the arts and competitive athletics as important elements of a quality education.
Personnel Costs Education relies on people - teachers, principals and support staff. Approximately 85% of the Adams 14 budget goes to people (for salaries and benefits). As a result, cutting the budget in Adams 14 will require including reductions to staffing costs. Respondents were given several options regarding personnel costs to prioritize to save money. The preference was to have staff take furlough days when students don’t normally have school. The next choice was to have staff take furlough days when students do normally have school. Salary reductions of 1% and 3% followed in that order. Finally, the least preferred option was for the District to cut jobs.
Support from Central Office Adams 14 Educational Support Services and other offices provide a variety of services to schools to support the education of children. Respondents said the most important services from the central office were to support classroom instruction. The first priority was to recruit high quality staff. The second and third priority tied. Those priorities were supporting curriculum, instruction and testing, and supporting classroom technology. Delivery of supplies to schools, maintaining and cleaning schools, and upkeep of fields, playgrounds and parking lots were prioritized least.
Athletics and Activities Adams 14 currently pays for students to participate in athletics and activities beyond the school day. The District also pays the cost for students to take high cost classes. Respondents recognized the value of athletics and high cost classes; however, they prioritized cuts and fees for such offerings. To offset costs, respondents preferred charging fees for sports and activities. The second and third priority options ranked very close and those were eliminating high school sports with low participation and charging fees for high cost classes like music and CTE. Lowest on the priority list was to eliminate middle school sports.
Transportation Although not required by state law, Adams 14 provides transportation to students living outside of an established walking distance to their school or to students who must cross hazards to get to school. The walking distances vary by school level with elementary school children walking the shortest distance to school and high school students walking the greatest distance. To offset costs, survey respondents preferred increasing the walking distance for high schoolers. Second priority was increasing the walking distance for middle school students, followed by the option to increase walking distance for elementary school children. The least favored option was eliminating bus transportation for high school students.
Respondent Comment Themes Respondents were provided the opportunity to write comments about their responses on the survey. Clearly, the Adams 14 community is passionate about education; and, therefore, respondents expressed frustration with the need for budget reductions. It is evident that respondents struggled to prioritize items that they consider essential services for students. Many respondents commented that the state should increase the funding for public education.
Comments about reducing personnel costs vary from reductions made in central office support to reductions for school maintenance and upkeep. Overall, respondents favor reductions in programs and salaries over complete elimination of services. The community also expressed their support for finding efficiencies, yet they wish to protect class size, core academics and music and the arts.
Respondents perceived that certain groups of employees might be protected from job cuts or salary reductions. There was a strong theme that cuts should be across the board, impacting all employee groups.
Download the narrative report. Download the detailed budget survey results.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (March 10, 2010) – Adams 14 invites the community to provide input for the District’s facilities master plan. The facilities plan will provide a framework for decision making about future use of school district properties, and the forum will allow community members to contribute their thinking to the process.
This is the first of two community meetings regarding the facilities master plan. The District wants to hear from the community about educational desires for schools in the future. Community members may also voice concerns regarding safety, parking and current conditions of school buildings. A second meeting in April will include a detailed presentation of the complete plan and future facility priorities.
Facilities Master Plan Community Forum Tuesday, March 16, 6 p.m. Adams City High School Cafeteria 7200 Quebec Parkway Commerce City, CO 80022
Adams 14 Wins International Award for Budget Excellence
COMMERCE CITY (March 1, 2010): The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded the Meritorious Budget Award to Adams 14. This award was given for excellence in the preparation and issuance of a 2009-10 school district annual budget.
ASBO’s Meritorious Budget Awards Program helps school districts build a solid foundation in the skills of developing, analyzing and presenting a budget. The award is only presented to districts that have met or exceeded the criteria for budget excellence. No other organization or award program is specifically designed to enhance school budgeting and honor a school district for a job well done.
“The Adams 14 Finance Department has instituted several positive changes to the budget process in recent years, and this award is confirmation that we are moving in the right direction,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler. For Chief Operating Officer Sandy Mutchler, winning this award is fulfillment of one of her professional goals. “We believe the format of our budget books is very reader-friendly and provides good information for our public,” said Mutchler. “The format allows readers to tie our revenues and expenditures to our overall educational vision.” Mutchler says that should be the purpose of any quality budget book.
Adams 14 congratulates Chief Operating Officer Sandy Mutchler and the entire Finance Department for this outstanding achievement.
Qwest Foundation Provides Weekend Nutrition for Homeless Students
Adams 14 will receive $5,500 in Qwest Foundation funding to provide homeless students with healthy food during weekends. The initiative, coordinated through the Colorado Department of Education, will provide homeless students in school districts across the state with nutritious, non-perishable food during the weekends (when free breakfast and lunch is not available) so students return to school the following Monday prepared to learn.
This award builds upon an existing weekend backpack program, conducted through before and after school programs at Central and Kemp Elementary Schools. That initiative, which benefited from a $4,000 grant the City of Commerce City made to an area food bank, has supported the purchase of healthy food and the distribution of 25 backpacks of food to students identified as in need at the end of each week. Those funds will run out soon, however, and the Qwest funding will provide a much-needed source of relief for homeless students who do not have access to adequate nutrition.
According to the Colorado Department of Education, the number of homeless students across Colorado rose from 12,302 during the 2007-08 school year to 15,800 during the 2008-09 year. The Qwest Foundation donated $50,000 to support this program with the United Way providing matching grants in five of the nine recipient districts.
Monaco Elementary Students Donate $1000 for Haiti Relief
Providing relief aid for natural disasters requires broad support and students at Monaco Elementary School are happy to help out. On Tuesday, February 16, fifth graders in Robbie Robinson’s English Language Development class hosted Nathan Roberts and Sara Hazel of the Mile High chapter of the American Red Cross and presented a check for $993.11 to help victims of last month’s earthquake in Haiti.
The money came from donations made by students and their families. The idea to collect funds began when Mr. Robinson was teaching a current affairs unit and the subject of Haiti came up. One idea led to another and soon the lesson turned into an international assistance effort coordinated by students. “Speaking to them about the scope of the disaster, students asked what they could do,” explains Mr. Robinson. “One we decided to hold a fundraiser, they became responsible for distributing collection canisters, and collecting and counting money. It was a great educational experience in the sense that students got to learn more about a community outside their own where people needed help.”
The fifth graders also played an instructional role. After learning about Haiti in Mr. Robinson’s class, they drafted and delivered speeches to younger students in classrooms throughout the school while requesting financial support for the victims.
After the check presentation, Mr. Roberts, the senior program manager of response, and Ms. Hazel, development manager of events and corporate sponsorships for the Red Cross, thanked students and spoke with them about the role of their organization in providing local, national and international relief and what support efforts were underway in Haiti. They also fielded questions from the fifth graders who demonstrated their awareness of the country by asking about Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital, which had been severely impacted by the earthquake and the orphaned children and others trapped in the city’s rubble. They also expressed concern about rebuilding the country and making new buildings safer.
“Clearly there was a lot of understanding in the students with regard to the disaster in Haiti as well as the local impact of disasters here in Colorado,” said Mr. Roberts. “The money we collected will go to the International Red Cross for the purchase of supplies and to pay for transportation to deliver supplies, food and clothing.”
Monaco Elementary School is part of Adams 14 in Commerce City, CO.
Photo caption: Students in Mr. Robinson’s class donate nearly $1000 to the International Red Cross to aid Haiti relief efforts.
Keeping Pace with Technology: Adams 14 Celebrates Three Years of Global Learners
Technology moves fast, but so does Adams 14. On February 12, the District celebrated the third anniversary of its Global Learners project, which has supplied teachers with technological tools such as laptops, interactive white boards and digital cameras to begin transforming the teaching and learning experience throughout schools. Equipping teachers with knowledge and resources about new technological skills is crucial to helping students succeed in the 21st century.
The project began after Adams 14 “improved student and teacher technology access through a Districtwide technology replacement plan, and the next step was to begin training teachers in the effective use of this technology,” explains Superintendent Sue Chandler.
By all accounts, Global Learners has been a huge success. Coinciding with its launch was a Global Learners blog (http://principianteglobal.blogspot.com/), to which teachers have since contributed a variety of stories about their classroom experiences. The blog has generated widespread enthusiasm and support among worldwide readers who have benefited from Adams 14’s insights. The overall impact on the District has been a sophisticated understanding on the part of teachers and students of how modern technologies are changing the communications landscape. Many participating teachers have spoken at regional and national conferences, a testament to their growing capacities for implementing student-centered learning and collaboration around the integration of technology in the classroom.
District technology trainer Dave Tarwater says, “Being involved in the Global Learner Project has been the highlight of my 19 years as an Adams 14 educator. Seeing the project grow from ideas and conversations three years ago to a total of 47 participating Global Learner teachers seems incredible. Witnessing their amazing creativity and dedication (and that of the students) weaving 21st century teaching and learning throughout classrooms and curricula continually inspires me. One only has to visit the Global Learner classrooms to see the engagement, interest, collaboration and learning taking place.”
In a globalized world, education must help students keep pace with innovation and technology, and harness the power of both to form new opportunities for global collaboration. Opening its virtual doors to the world via Global Learners, Adams 14 is now actively engaged in a worldwide community of educators focused on student learning and ensuring that their experiences today lead to success that lasts a lifetime.
Global Learners videos are publicly available for viewing on Adams 14’s High Quality Teacher Resource Center at http://resourcecenter.adams14.org/engage-with-technology.aspx.
Hanson Students Receive Generous Book Donation from Colorado Educator
Students at Hanson PreK-8 School in Commerce City received free books and educational supplies due to the generosity of a Colorado Springs-based group and its respected founder and educator, Dr. Barbara Swaby. On Friday afternoon, February 5, students from kindergarten through fifth grade filed into the school gym one classroom at a time, smiling, to receive colorful, bulging bags of grade-appropriate story books, coloring books, flash cards, stationery and other educational tools. The gifts were donated by Literacy on the Go (LOGO), an organization created by Dr. Swaby in 2005 to help support children who left New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and moved to Colorado. Since those first sets of books were donated five years ago, LOGO has responded to the needs of local, low-income students by providing books to more than 2,000 children in Colorado.
Dr. Lara Eddy, Adams 14’s administrator of elementary curriculum and instructional services, performed her post-graduate work with Dr. Swaby and arranged for the LOGO donation. Dr. Swaby is an author, speaker and recognized champion in reading and literacy. Her group’s donation to Hanson students increases educational opportunities for children who do not have access to many books or other supplemental learning resources.
“We are grateful to Dr. Swaby and LOGO for including us in their generous giving initiatives,” said Nelson Van Vranken, principal at Hanson PreK-8. “Our students looked forward to receiving the books, and I am happy to see they now have access to these educational tools to help them succeed.”
Photo caption: Hanson students enjoy reading their new books.
Adams City High School Seeks Historic Memorabilia
Adams City High School (ACHS) is creating a historical display in the school's community room. ACHS is looking for memorabilia from staff, community members and alumni. All items would be considered on loan, marked with the donor's name and placed in locked display cases.
Some examples of the types of memorabilia that will be included in the display are photos, uniforms, pennants, homecoming items, prom items, and various school club memorabilia.
If you have ACHS memorabilia to loan to the museum, please contact Lisa Hill at lahill@adams14.org or 303.853.7752 or complete this form to loan your item. You may drop your item(s) off in the front office of Adams City High School at 72nd Avenue and Quebec Parkway in Commerce City.
January is School Board Recognition Month in Colorado – Adams 14 thanks its Board of Education members for their service
COMMERCE CITY (January 13, 2010): January is School Board Recognition Month, and Adams 14 joins other districts across the state to honor the invaluable contributions local school board members make to their communities.
At the January 12 Board meeting, Adams 14 Superintendent Sue Chandler read a resolution into the record recognizing this important month. In addition, the District honored Board Members with a video presentation, and several students from Adams City Middle School presented the Board with official school t-shirts to thank them for their service.
"Volunteer school board members serve countless hours working to improve public education," said Superintendent Chandler. In difficult times, school boards develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect the entire community and the lives of individual students. Adams 14 Board members oversee an annual budget over $50 million; 7000 students, ages three to 21; nearly 1000 employees; and 13 schools.
"School board members have a tremendous responsibility, preparing today's students – and tomorrow's leaders – for productive roles in our society. The Adams 14 Board of Education represents the voice of this community, serving first and foremost in the best interest of our students," said Chandler.
"We proudly join educators and community members in saluting these education advocates as they provide leadership for Adams 14. Their volunteer service ensures that decisions about local public schools are made by those most familiar with the needs of the community's children and families," said Chandler. "They deserve recognition and thanks for their commitment and dedication to the continuing success of our students and schools, and they truly understand the Adams 14 mission to inspire, educate and empower.”
The members of the Adams 14 Board of Education are:
Former Board Director Jeff Smith was also recognized for his outstanding service at the Tuesday meeting. Smith has served several terms on the Board, both as an elected and appointed official.
For more information about the Adams 14 Board of Education, visit our website at www.adams14.org/board-of-education.
Photo caption: Adams City Middle School students present Board Members with official school t-shirts as part of School Board Recognition Month.
Adams 14 Education Foundation Grants More Than $12,000 to District Teachers
The Adams 14 Education Foundation has granted more than $12,000 to 30 Adams 14 teachers to be used for learning projects in literacy, math, and science. Tony Uva, Executive Director of the Foundation, said “we are delighted to make this grant available to the District again this year.”
The teachers designed a variety of learning projects and then applied to the Foundation for mini-grants. The money that is awarded will help to purchase education supplies that support teacher projects. The Adams 14 Education Foundation helps support projects that increase student achievement in Adams County School District 14 that are not covered by the District’s budget. Following are quotes from three teachers who recently received Foundation grants.
The Adams 14 Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization created in 1999. While the Foundation operates independently of Adams County School District 14, it shares a vision of enhancing education for all students. The foundation funds programs and services not normally funded by the District’s operating budget. Learn more or donate online at www.adams14.org/education-foundation.
To honor one of Mexico’s most beloved images, celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe with free general admission to the Denver Art Museum for the whole family December 12 - January 3. Free Spanish language tours are available every Sunday, December 13 - January 3 at 2:30 p.m. Please call 720.913.0169 to request your invitation or to schedule a free tour if your group wishes to visit at a different time.
En honor de una de las imágenes más amadas de México, acompáñenos a celebrar a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe con admisión general gratuita para toda la familia! Del 12 de diciembre al 3 de enero. Visitas guiadas en español gratis todos los domingos del 13 de diciembre al 3 de enero a las 2:30pm.Por favor llame al 720.913.0169 para solicitar su invitación o para programar una visita guiada gratis, en caso de que su grupo desee visitarnos en diferente día u hora.
Visit the Denver Art Museum for some animal-inspired fun this Winter Break. December 19 - January 3, families are welcome to use the invitation to Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration to receive free general admission for the whole family. Make a posable horse at our Western Hotspot, or try an animal-themed Family Backpack, or even participate in Scavenger Hunts, drawing in the galleries and much, much more!
Acompáñenos a gran diversión con el tema de animales durante las Vacaciones de Invierno! Del 19 de diciembre al 3 de enero. Puede presentar la invitación a la Celebración de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe para recibir admisión general gratuita para toda la familia.
Hagan un caballo que posa en el Hotspot de las galerías del Oeste. Jueguen con mochilas con temas de animals. Hagan dibujos y mucho más!
Visit the Denver Art Museum's website for more information or call to request an invitation.
Adams 14 is pleased to provide the public with another opportunity to tour the award-winning Adams City High School. See the flyer below for more information, or call ACHS at 303.289.3111.
Sat. Dec. 5th. Auction Begins at Noon
Adams 14 has built a new high school, everything unattached will be sold! A second ring will begin at 12:30. Ring one will begin with Kitchen equipment, Move to Vehicles and shop equipment. Ring two will sell individual lots of File Cabinets, Desks, Chairs, AV and related equipment.
TOOLS/Vehicles- 5 Milling machines w/digital read outs some with power tables by Bridgeport, Enco and Comet, Enco model 91250 5’ bed metal lathe, Like new down draft panelized paint booth, Older panelized paint booth, Rockwell uni-saw, Wood shop equipment, Like new dust collection system, Hobart and Miller Welders, scrap steel, 8 Blue Bird School buses in both 29 and 66 passenger models one w/wheelchair lift, 15 passenger vans, 1 ton service truck, snow plow blades, compressors and more.
KITCHEN- Seven 2 and 3 door True SS reach in freezers, FormaKool 18’ x 8’ panelized walk in cooler, Daeco 12 x 12 panelized walk in cooler, 4’ SS flat top w/oven, Several SS sinks in various sizes and styles, Scotsman 400# ice maker, 2 True Reach in clear view coolers, SS Pizza serving cart, Market Forge kettle cooker, 13 Formica cafeteria booths and other related items. Several roll up security gates both manual and power in 8, 10 and 20’ models, Home Economics classroom of stoves and refrigerators.
SCHOOL EQUIPMENT- Hundreds of desks including student, teacher and specialty, Hundreds of stacking chairs, dozens of Octagon shaped folding cafeteria tables, 1940’s steel chairs, Dozens of black topped science tables, science lab equipment, Science lab cabinetry, Several hundred file cabinets in every style you can imagine, Paper safes and storage cabinets in various styles, A complete auditorium of molded theatre chairs (200 plus), Over one thousand lockers in various styles to be sold in groups, Weight room equipment, showcases, computer equipment, Large, complete steel library shelving system with stand along and wall mount units, two safe doors, Nurses office equipment, Televisions galore!, Media carts, white boards, chalk boards, Gym mounted basketball goals, sports equipment and the lists goes on and on!
Selling at the former Adams City High School 4625 E. 68th Ave., Commerce City, CO Auction starts at Noon- Indoors. Preview starts @ 8:00am sale day
Bid online with Proxibid Visit our Website for more information! Also, visit us on Facebook!
Terms: Cash, Good Check, Visa, MC, or Discover day of sale. 10% Buyers Premium.
The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is proud to present the Mobile Art Gallery at Adams City Middle School. The gallery features a set of origninal works of art from the Arts Festival's exhibiting artists. The goal of the Mobile Art Gallery is to provide entrance to the visual arts in a comfortable setting and introduces the public to various art forms through exhibition of original work.
The Mobile Art Gallery will be on display at the ACMS media center December 1 through January 4. Community nights are scheduled on December 2 and December 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The program is part of the Alliance Project, an initiative that provides opportunities for students in Metro Denver to experience the offerings of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Sponsors of the gallery are Janus Capital Group and SCFD.
Adams City Middle School is located at 4451 East 72nd Avenue in Commerce City. To reach the school, call 303.289.5881.
Photo caption: "A Quiet Town" by Suhas Bhujbal from San Francisco, CA. The work was part of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in July 2008.
Request for Qualifications to Obtain Qualifications and Capabilities for Preparing a Comprehensive Facility Master Plan
The purpose of this Request for Qualifications is to obtain qualifications and capabilities from qualified individuals and firms interested in preparing a Comprehensive Facility Master Plan. All questions should be made in writing and addressed to the Chief Operating Officer for the District.
Sandy Mutchler 5291 E. 60th Avenue Commerce City, CO 80022 303.853.3223 303.853.3334 fax sdmutchler@adams14.org
Ten (10) copies of a response to the Request for Qualifications shall be received no later than 5:00 p.m. December 1, 2009 at the above address. It is the responsibility of the submitting firm to ensure RFQ response packages are received prior to the deadline. RFQ response packages received after the above date and time will not be considered.
Download the RFQ here.
In October Adams 14 recognized the importance of bus drivers who are responsible for transporting District students to and from school safely each day. During National School Bus Safety Week (October 19-23), Adams 14 held a poster design contest, encouraging students to create images that communicate the importance of school bus safety.
This year’s theme was “Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm,” which means that when a school bus stops and flashes its lights or extends the red STOP sign, drivers should stop their vehicles and look for students crossing the street or getting on and off the bus.
Below are the student winners of the poster design contest. Several of the posters will be hung throughout Adams 14 schools for the community to enjoy.
· Justina Archuleta, Kemp Elementary School, Grade 2
· Jennifer Carrillo, Dupont Elementary School, Grade 4
· Farrah Garcia, Dupont Elementary School, Grade 5
· Jovana Ibarra-Centeno, Alsup Elementary School, Grade 2
· Melina Lopez, Kemp Elementary School, Grade 2
· Joshua Molina-Vidal, Dupont Elementary School, Grade 4
· Christian Murillo-Mendoza, Dupont Elementary School, Grade 5
· Jacqueline Olivas-Nava, Dupont Elementary School, Grade 3
· Jennifer Orona, Dupont Elementary School, Grade 5
· Ricardo Pastrana-Jacobo, Kemp Elementary School, Kindergarten
· Courtney Randle, Hanson PreK-8, Grade 5
· Matilde Rubio-Archambault, Monaco Elementary School, Grade 5
· Natalia Ruiz, Dupont Elementary School, Grade 4
· Gerai Sanchez, Alsup Elementary School, Grade 4
· Mathew Uribe-Gonzales, Dupont Elementary School, Grade 4
· Axel Valenzuela-Mendoza, Alsup Elementary School, Grade 3
· Daisy Villalobos-Garcia, Monaco Elementary School, Grade 3
· Rakia Wesley, Central Elementary School, Grade 2
Throughout National School Bus Safety Week, Adams 14 bus drivers educated students and parents about the importance of school bus safety by providing handouts and engaging bus riders in conversations about getting to and from school safely. This initiative was an integral part of Adams 14's commitment to helping students and families understand the importance of bus safety.
For more information about Adams 14 schools and educational programs, visit us online at adams14.org.
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – November 11, 2009) – The Adams 14 Board of Education welcomed new school board members at their regular meeting on November 10. Board members Adrian Schimpf and Robert Vashaw took their seats with the Board after reciting the oath of office. Robert Vashaw previously served a two-year term, while Adrian Schimpf is a newcomer on the Board.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the Board realigned to appoint officers as follows:
Also at the meeting, Board members expressed gratitude for the dedicated service of Board Director Jeff Smith, who completed a temporary appointment on the Board. Smith has served the community several times as a Board member, and he left with a token remembrance – a plaque that reads, “One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of home I lived in, how much I had in my bank account – nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.”
The Adams 14 Board of Education believes that when the community, students and staff are involved, all students do learn and succeed. The Board’s goals are:
To learn more about the Adams 14 Board of Education, visit www.adams14.org/board-of-education. Commerce City Channel 8 viewers may also watch a special edition of The Adams 14 Report to learn more about incoming Board members Vashaw and Schimpf.
Photo caption: Adams 14 Board of Education members (L-R): Larry Quintana, Bill Klocker, Jeannette Lewis, Adrian Schimpf and Robert Vashaw.
Adams 14 won two awards for the new Adams City High School in October's Gold Hard Hat Awards. The awards are part of Colorado Construction Magazine's way of recognizing excellence in the construction industry.
Adams 14's first award was for Outstanding K-12 Project. The new ACHS was recognized as an excellent comprehensive high school construction project, particularly since the District had not built a new school in over 40 years. One of the largest schools constructed in state history, the new ACHS offers students a variety of program choices in a state-of-the-art facility.
Adams 14's second award was the Judges Special Award for Outstanding Community Contribution. The project team of H+L Architecture and A&P Construction designed the new ACHS as a one of a kind school. With no existing prototype to reference, the design team drew heavily from classic European village design by making the massive structure (293,000 square feet) appear as a cluster of individual buildings around a central courtyard. The school is widely gaining recognition as an example of how a facility can change the image of a community. Additionally, the project is lauded for its positive community impact and as a place where the community will come together with a single goal – improve the education of Adams 14 students and the community.
To learn more about the Gold Hard Hat Awards, visit Colorado Construction Magazine online.
Nov. 5, 2009
News Release
Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight D. Jones Recognizes 13 School Districts and Schools for Innovation in Health and Wellness
New Web site helps parents, educators and communities create healthier schools
Commissioner of Education Dwight D. Jones today recognized 11 school districts and two schools at the second annual Commissioner’s Choice Awards hosted by the Colorado Legacy Foundation. The awards recognize school districts and schools that apply best practices and get results.
“Schools are ideal settings for developing healthy habits that last well into adulthood, especially considering that kids spend almost half of their waking hours in school,” says Commissioner of Education Dwight D. Jones. “Healthy schools provide nutritious meals, snacks and beverages, and require that students are physically active every day. They teach students what it means to be healthy, offer access to health care services and have effective workplace wellness programs.”
This year’s award winners are taking innovative steps to improve health education, nutrition, physical activity, school health services and workplace wellness. They are:
• Adams County School District 14, Commerce City
• Boulder Valley School District, Boulder
• Denver Public Schools, Denver
• Douglas County School District RE-1, Castle Rock
• Durango School District 9-R, Durango
• East Grand School District 2, Granby
• Garfield School District RE-2, Rifle
• Gunnison High School, Gunnison
• High Point Academy, Aurora
• Las Animas School District RE-1, Las Animas
• Montrose County School District RE-1J, Montrose
• Poudre School District R-1, Fort Collins
• Pueblo City School District 60, Pueblo
Five award-winning school districts are profiled online at www.colegacy.org/guide_2009. Those five school districts are: Adams County School District 14, school-based health clinics; Boulder Valley School District, nutrition; Douglas County School District RE-1, workplace wellness; Durango School District 9-R, health education; and East Grand School District 2, physical activity.
“Healthy kids learn better, so creating healthy schools makes good sense,” says Helayne Jones, executive director, Colorado Legacy Foundation. “Everyone has a role—school board members, administrators, educators, parents, students and the community.”
The announcement of award winners coincides with the Colorado Legacy Foundation’s release of its new online 2009 Health and Wellness Best Practices Guide.
This Web site offers best practices, action steps, and success stories for educators, parents and community members who want to create healthier schools. It features at-a-glance checklists to help school districts measure their efforts in health education, nutrition, physical activity, school health services and workplace wellness.
It’s packed with practical resources, including strategies for handling pushback from those who might argue that health and wellness are not the responsibilities of schools.
Healthy students and academic achievement go hand in hand. Research shows that obese students are more likely to have lower grade point averages than their more fit peers, and health-risk behaviors increase the likelihood of students dropping out of school.
Available at www.colegacy.org, the guide is the second in a series of annual best practices published by the Colorado Legacy Foundation in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Education. Shorter print versions in English and Spanish are available to download.
Award-winning Boulder Valley School District was recognized for its cutting-edge work in nutrition. The district has reinvented its school lunches by eliminating all highly processed foods. Students are served fresh fruits and vegetables daily—many of which are locally grown.
“Previously, our food service employees’ tools of the trade were a box cutter and a can opener,” says Boulder Superintendent Chris King. “We weren’t cutting up fresh food and cooking it. Now it’s fresh food cooked from scratch.”
King says science shows good food is good for students. “There is a lot of research that supports the link between good cognition and good nutrition,” he says. “Clearly when you eat well, your brain and body perform better.”
In Commerce City, award-winning Adams County School District 14 is focusing efforts on keeping students healthy by providing greater access to health care. About 80 percent of the district’s students come from low-income families, and health care is hard to come by. The district stepped in not only to keep kids healthy, but also to keep them in school.
“I truly believe school-based health clinics have improved our attendance rate,” says School Board Member Jeannette Lewis. “It’s critical that all school districts support school-based clinics. They improve the quality of students’ lives, the quality of their education, and they have a huge, positive impact on the community.”
The release of the new Web site and awards announcement are part of today’s Healthy Kids Learn Better! Legacy Luncheon and Summit hosted by the Colorado Legacy Foundation, whose health and wellness initiative is funded through a grant from the Colorado Health Foundation.
For more information, contact Helayne Jones, executive director, Colorado Legacy Foundation, 303-866-6193 or hjones@colegacy.org.
Photo Caption: (L-R) Commissioner Dwight Jones, Governor Bill Ritter, Board President Jeannette Lewis, Legacy Foundation Executive Director Helayne Jones.
About the Colorado Legacy Foundation
The Colorado Legacy Foundation is a privately funded nonprofit that addresses emerging educational issues and sparks innovation in Colorado schools. The foundation convenes educators, policy makers and community leaders to improve schools, and identifies and invests in promising ideas. Successful best practices are shared with Colorado school districts. Founded in 2007 by the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado Legacy Foundation is governed by an independent board. Visit www.colegacy.org.
For more information, contact Mark Stevens, 303-866-3898, or Megan McDermott, 303-866-2334, in the CDE Office of Communications. To sign up for the CDE e-mail news service, please visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/Communications/index.html.
On Tuesday, October 20, The Denver Post published an article about retired ACHS Wrestling Coach and Biology Teacher Joe Gilas. Follow this link to read the story online.
Congratulations, Mr. Gilas, and thanks for all of your work to support Adams 14 students for almost 30 years.
Adams 14 Board of Education Clarifies Position on Former Superintendent’s Termination
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (October 22, 2009) – The Adams 14 Board of Education would like to clarify its position regarding the termination last year of Superintendent Dr. John Lange.
First, the Board wants to acknowledge that during his 14 ½ years with the District, Dr. Lange accomplished numerous achievements that led to significant improvements for the education of Adams 14 students.
Dr. Lange’s contract was terminated on September 8, 2008. The contract termination was not for cause. Dr. Lange and Adams 14 had previously entered into an employment agreement by which Adams 14 could terminate Dr. Lange’s contract without cause if less than one year remained on that contract and Adams 14 paid him compensation owed to him for the remainder of the contract period. This is the provision under which Dr. Lange’s contract was terminated.
Dr. Lange’s contract was terminated because a majority of the Board determined that it was time for a change of leadership. The termination of Dr. Lange’s contract was not the result of any concern of the Board of any criminal, intentional or negligent conduct or malfeasance.
Adams 14 recognizes the leadership and service of Dr. Lange to Adams 14 during his tenure from 1994 through 2008. During his tenure as Superintendent, Adams 14 schools showed an overall increase in Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) test scores; Adams 14 successfully passed a new school district bond issue to construct a new High School on land donated by the City of Commerce City to Adams 14; and Adams 14 successfully brought significant additional federal monies into the School District for the benefit of its students. Dr. Lange has consistently been recognized as an outstanding educator.
Lester Arnold High School Students are Fundraising for Trip to Ireland
Students at Lester Arnold High School (LAHS) are raising funds to take an educational journey to Ireland this summer. The students are competing to see who can raise the most funds and who can perform best in school to earn one of 10 spots for the trip.
Currently students are selling butter braids and cookie dough for $10 a pack, and $4 of every sale comes back to the school to support the trip.
To find out how you can help support these students, contact LAHS at 303.853.3301.
In October, Adams 14 celebrates Classified School Employees Week, National School Lunch Week, and National School Bus Safety Week
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (October 12, 2009) – Every year, Adams 14 bus drivers travel thousands of miles, safely transporting thousands of students. Adams 14 cafeterias serve thousands of nutritional meals. Adams 14 secretaries greet thousands of students and families with a smile. Adams 14 grounds employees beautify the many schools and buildings in the District. Adams 14 paraprofessionals help teach our students critical skills. And Adams 14 building engineers keep schools safe and clean.
October is the month when Adams 14 officially recognizes each of these employee groups for their commitment to the students in our schools.
Classified School Employees Week, October 11-17: Governor Bill Ritter proclaimed Classified School Employees Week to recognize the essential services performed by classified employees: daily cleaning and maintenance, safe transportation, school food services, and other tasks to benefit children. The proclamation salutes classified employees as “an essential part of the services we provide to students, parents and staff.” Adams 14 joins Governor Ritter in honoring classified employees.
National School Lunch Week, October 12-16: Signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1946, the National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced low-cost and free meals to students. According to the "State of School Nutrition 2007" report, school nutrition programs have introduced students to more fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat and reduced sugar food varieties. Adams 14 salutes its many Nutrition Services staff for the healthy food choices they provide to students each day.
National School Bus Safety Week, October 19-23: During this week, Adams 14 wishes to call attention to the importance of safety in transporting students. Adams 14 bus drivers safely transport thousands of students each day. We ask the community for cooperation in helping us to maintain our excellent safety record. Our bus drivers are doing a great job, and they need the cooperation of other motorists to ensure that the roads around Adams 14 remain safe. The theme this year is “Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm.” When you see flashing lights on our buses or the red STOP sign, please stop your vehicle to make the streets safe for students who are entering or exiting the bus.
“Our classified employees should be very proud of the excellent work they are doing in Adams 14,” says Superintendent Sue Chandler. “The District would not function without the critical services these employees provide. They truly are making a difference in students’ lives.”
Adams 14 classified employees play an important role in fulfilling the District mission to inspire, educate and empower every student to succeed in the 21st Century.
Photo caption: Superintendent Chandler (left) with Rose Hill Elementary Custodian Nohemi Salas.
Adams 14 to provide No Cost Meals for 2009-10
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – October 12, 2009) Adams 14 today announced that it will provide No Cost Meals to students through its breakfast and lunch programs. The announcement coincides with National School Lunch Week, October 12 through 16.
“Thanks to the efforts of parents, students and staff, we had a high return rate with our applications this year,” said Chief Operations Officer Sandy Mutchler. As a result, Adams 14 will extend no cost meals to all students.
School breakfast and lunch programs enhance children's learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well being. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class. “We hope our students take advantage of the no cost breakfast and lunch programs this year,” said Nutrition Services Manager Cindy Veney.
Adams 14 Nutrition Services is a key player in the District’s wellness program. Adams 14 believes that providing healthy meals for students increases parent and student satisfaction, one of the District’s strategic priorities.
Adams 14 Solicits Comments and Suggestions for Before and After School Programming Opportunity
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (October 8, 2009) – Adams 14 welcomes your comments and suggestions.
The District is applying for federal funding through a 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21 CCLC) grant to support before and after school, and summer school programming at area schools. The grant award, which will be coordinated with community partners in Commerce City and throughout the Denver metropolitan region, will provide additional academic and enrichment activities at Monaco and Hanson Elementary Schools, and Hanson and Adams City Middle Schools.
The Colorado Department of Education has identified these schools as eligible recipients for the grant.
If selected as an award recipient, Adams 14 will provide programming that maximizes opportunities for students to improve performance and increase achievement. The District has received two previous 21 CCLC grants, which supported successful programs for 250 students each at Alsup and Dupont Elementary Schools, and for 200 students each at Adams City and Kearney Middle Schools.
The grant application deadline is Tuesday, October 20, and comments and suggestions from the community are welcome through Friday, October 16. Please contact Joe Kovacs, Adams 14 Grants Specialist, at 303.853.3221 or via email at jkovacs@adams14.org, or Patty Gleason, Youth Program Coordinator at the District’s Intergenerational Learning Center at 303.853.5578 or via email at pjgleaso@adams14.org.
Monaco Elementary Kindergarten Teacher is “A Day Made Better” Winner
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (October 8, 2009) – Andrew Giles typically spends his classroom budget before the school year even begins. His story is similar to that of thousands of teachers across the country who often rely on personal funds to create high-quality learning experiences for their students throughout the school year.
Giles, a kindergarten teacher at Monaco Elementary School in Adams 14, is the recipient of an “A Day Made Better” award, an annual award program sponsored by OfficeMax and Adopt-A-Classroom that recognizes not only outstanding instructors but also provides them with educational resources to assist in students’ learning experiences.
Each year, more than 1,100 teachers receive $1,000 in school supplies. The project mission, according to www.adaymadebetter.com, is “Working to Erase Teacher Funded Classrooms”.
On the morning of Tuesday, October 6, several OfficeMax employees visited Giles and his students in his kindergarten classroom with Monaco Principal Jennifer Ikenouye, and presented him with a box of classroom supplies including a digital camera, a printer and other learning resources. As students flocked around the unopened box and unexpected newcomers, OfficeMax District Sales Manager Herb Brown presented Giles with an award certificate to recognize his contributions to elementary education.
“The students kept asking if it was my birthday,” laughs Giles. “I told them it was a gift reflecting the great job the students and teachers do at Monaco Elementary. I used the box as the basis for a vocabulary lesson and asked the children to make predictions about what was inside. This is an amazing school. If you look around Monaco, it’s evident that the leadership, students, parents and volunteers have made this a positive and engaging place to learn.”
Photo caption: Monaco Elementary School teacher Andrew Giles (second from left) and school principal, Jennifer Ikenouye (right), with OfficeMax team members during “A Day Made Better” award presentation.
Channel 8 adds new programming for viewers
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – September 25, 2009) – Commerce City Cable TV Channel 8 today announced the addition of daily national and world news coverage and other insightful programming from Deutsche Welle TV (DW-World). “This is a great new programming source for our viewers,” said Video Producer Cameron Weise, “and with DW-World we now bring an international news source to Channel 8.” Deutsche Welle is Germany’s international broadcaster, much like the BBC networks in the UK. DW-World reaches more than 100 million listeners and viewers worldwide every week.
Channel 8 is operated by Adams 14 Video Production as a public service to the community. Through a special arrangement with DW-World, these programming enhancements were added at no cost to Adams 14 or the taxpayers of Commerce City.
The new schedule is as follows:
Time
Program
Program Description
6 a.m. daily
NASA Education
Science and Space Education
7 a.m. daily
Deutsche Welle Journal News
Current News
8 a.m. daily
Local Programming
Adams 14, Commerce City, other
10 a.m. daily except Mon. & Fri.
10 a.m. Mon. & Fri.
Adams 14 Board of Education
Board of Education Meeting coverage
Noon daily except Mon. & Fri.
2 p.m. daily except Sat. & Sun.
2 p.m. Sat. & Sun.
Army News Watch
United States Army Showcase
3:30 p.m. Mon.
Deutsche Welle Global 3000
Business and Science Program
3:30 p.m. Thurs.
Deutsche Welle Drive It
The Motor Magazine
3:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat.
Deutsche Welle Quadriga
International Talk Show
5 p.m. daily
6 p.m. daily
7 p.m. Wed.
11 p.m daily
Classic Arts Showcase
Classic Arts Program
Whenever the above programs are not airing, the Channel 8 community bulletin board – complete with national news feeds, local events calendar and local weather – keeps viewers informed.
Questions about Channel 8 may be directed to Cameron Weise, Adams 14 Video Production Specialist, at 720.322.8157 or video@adams14.org.
Adams City High School homecoming events: 10/2-10/3
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – September 25, 2009) – Adams City High School (ACHS) invites the community to participate in the 2009 homecoming events. Organized by ACHS Student Council, events this year include a powder puff game, bonfire, parade, barbecue, the homecoming football game and the dance. This year’s theme is “Lay out the Lions” since the Adams City Eagles will be taking on the Lions of Littleton High School.
Student Body President Matthew LaCrue says, “The biggest change this year is that the parade will actually end at the new school at 7200 Quebec Parkway.” The parade will again begin at 64th and Olive, but the route has changed to include eastbound 72nd Avenue as the route to get to the high school. “We worked with the Commerce City Police Department a couple years ago to make sure we had this route planned for the opening of the new school in 2009,” adds LaCrue.
The schedule of events for homecoming weekend (Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3) is as follows:
Adams City High School and the Commerce City Police Department are collaborating closely to ensure a safe homecoming weekend. Street closures will be minimal during the parade.
“This is a great time for folks to come out to the new Adams City for a day of food and fun for the whole family,” says Principal Wesley Paxton. “Homecoming is always an exciting time for our students, and it is a great opportunity for community members to display their pride in Adams City High School.”
Adams City High School welcomes students to a new, state-of-the-art school that opened in August 2009. Students choose from four academies within the school: Early College (with Career and Technical Education), Arts, Science and Technology, and International Baccalaureate. To learn more about the school, visit www.adams14.org/adams-city-high-school.
Caption: The 2009 ACHS Homecoming Parade Route (north on Olive from 64th to 70th, east on 70th, north on Pontiac, east on 72nd to ACHS).
Senior Citizens: Volunteer in Adams 14 to receive a rebate on your property taxes
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (September 18, 2009) – Adams 14 is launching the Senior Tax Rebate Volunteer Program for the 2009-10 school year. The program is an easy way for senior citizens to receive a rebate for their property taxes by volunteering in the School District.
“In a time when folks often struggle to pay their monthly bills,” says Superintendent Sue Chandler, “this program gives our senior citizens a chance to earn a little help to pay the school portion of their property taxes.” In fact, senior volunteers may earn up to $350 throughout the school year. Chandler adds, “This is an easy way for Adams 14 to say thank you to the senior citizens who have supported our schools for so many years.”
All Adams 14 senior citizens (anyone over the age of 60) are eligible for the program. Throughout the school year, a senior citizen may work up to 65 hours volunteering for Adams 14 at the rate of $5.38 per hour. Once senior citizens pay their taxes, they receive a reimbursement from the county.
According to program coordinator John Albright, “Enrolling in the program is quite simple: first, give us a call; then we send out the enrollment form, which senior citizens complete and return with a copy of their most recent property tax statement; then we line up volunteers with work that suits their needs.”
Senior volunteers in Adams 14 fulfill many needs; for example, some volunteers tutor and read with students, while others are greeters or work outside beautifying the school grounds. “Whatever your interest or skill set, we have a spot for you!” says Albright.
For more information about the Adams 14 Senior Tax Rebate volunteer program, contact Director of Communications John Albright at 303.853.3259 or pio@adams14.org.
Photo caption: Adams 14 Senior Tax Rebate volunteer Elsie Knisley helps a student at Kemp Elementary School select an appropriate book during a book exchange.
DENVER - Visitors to the Colorado History Museum will no longer be charged an admissions fee. The museum began this practice on Colorado Day, Aug. 1, 2009.
Permanent exhibitions and collections on the Colorado History Museum’s M-level are currently under a phased deconstruction schedule, and the level will remain open to visitors and private parties until the closing of the final exhibition, Allen True’s West, on March 28, 2010. Until then, the museum will continue to remain open during regular business hours.
Location: 1300 Broadway Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. Contact: 303.866.3682
Montrose vs. Adams City football game to appear live Friday night
MONTROSE — The Montrose Daily Press will host a live webcast of the Montrose High-Adams City football game Friday, September 18, against Adams City — weather permitting. The live broadcast will start around 6:45 p.m. with the game's kickoff at 7 p.m.
The webcast will feature camera work from Daily Press MIS Chris Kennedy, as well as color commentary and play-by-play from Bill Swaim, managing editor, and circulation manager Phil Ashley.
Last year, the Daily Press successfully hosted Montrose High's playoff run as well as Olathe High's regular season games and run at a state championship via live webcast, with thousands of viewers from across the state, nation and as far away as Iraq.
To view the live webcast, click on the red tab at the top of our home page, www.montrosepress.com. Read over the requirements for viewing and enjoy the game if you can’t make it to Montrose to see it. The live webcast is FREE, thanks to our sponsors.
Adams 14 Board of Education cancels November election
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – September 2, 2009) – In a special meeting on Tuesday, September 1, the Adams 14 Board of Education resolved to cancel the November school board election.
The deadline for District residents to indicate their interest in candidacy for the Board was Friday, August 28, and only two residents filed nomination petitions. With two open seats and two candidates, there is no need for a November election. Colorado allows for such a cancellation.
“This move will save the District precious funds that will be redirected to meet other needs,” said Board President Jeannette Lewis.
With a unanimous vote, the Board of Education passed Resolution 09-012 to cancel the election. The resolution states that the following individuals are declared elected to the Board: Robert Vashaw and Adrian C. Schimpf.
Vashaw is the current Board Vice President; Schimpf will be new on the Board.
At the November 10 Board meeting, the two Board Directors will be sworn in after reciting the traditional oath of office.
PRESIDENT OBAMA TO DELIVER NATIONALLY BROADCAST ADDRESS TO STUDENTS ON SEPT. 8
The President will deliver a speech about the importance of persisting and succeeding in school on Sept. 8, the first day of school for many children across America. The Department of Education is encouraging educators, students and parents to use this opportunity to help students get focused and begin the school year strong. The speech will be broadcast live on www.whitehouse.gov at 1 p.m. EDT. The Department of Education has also asked a group of U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellows to develop some suggested classroom activities around the speech to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. The suggested classroom activities will be available on www.ed.gov.
Here's how the President described the speech in a recent interview with 11 year-old reporter Damon Weaver yesterday: "On Sept. 8, when young people across the country will have just started or are about to go back to school, I'm going to be making a big speech to young people all across the country about the importance of education, the importance of staying in school, how we want to improve our education system, and why it's so important for the country. And so I hope everybody tunes in."
WHO: President Obama WHAT: Presidential Address To Students WHEN: 1 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 – that’s 11 a.m. in Colorado WHERE: Broadcast live at www.whitehouse.gov
As the new school year begins, please take some time to consider preparing for potential illnesses your child or family may encounter. It is important for you to pay attention to messages from schools, local public health agency officials, state health officials, or your private health care provider, regarding illness in our communities.
Flu spreads easily. If you suspect your child is getting the flu, it is important that he/she does not attend school or go anywhere else—such as group childcare, the mall, or sporting events—where other people would be exposed to flu germs. It is also important to teach your children how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and protect others from infection.
If we all practice good hygiene, health officials believe we can limit the spread of both seasonal influenza and Novel H1N1 influenza in schools at this time.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children and our schools healthy.
Members of the community may order a copy of the group photo taken at this summer's Alumni Extravaganza by contacting Roni Reynolds at rlreynolds13@yahoo.com.
Adams 14 CSAP results: middle school performance is strong
COMMERCE CITY (August 7, 2009): Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) scores released on August 7, 2009, by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) show that Adams 14’s overall test scores improved by 1.73%.
“The real story this year,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler, “is at the middle school level, where scores improved significantly at both Adams City and Kearney Middle Schools.” ACMS posted gains of 6.11%, while KMS scores increased 6.21% overall. Seven of 12 District schools showed overall growth on the state tests this year.
“We are at a point where these small annual gains aren’t going to get us to our goal,” said Chandler, “and now is the time to reform our system and increase our expectations so that 80% of our students are proficient by 2014.” Chandler acknowledged that last year was a difficult year for Adams 14, with changing leadership and the development of a new strategic plan. “There were many changes last year, and while we’re still in transition, we feel like we’re on the road to academic success,” reinforced Chandler.
With the statewide move to the Colorado Growth Model, Adams 14 is looking at test scores two ways this year. “We are still looking at overall proficiency of students,” said Dr. Joseph Miller, “but now we also look at value added by a school, or growth.” Miller is the Adams 14 Chief Accountability, Evaluation and Strategy Officer. He applauds the state’s move to the growth model, recognizing that Colorado is a leader in the nation by adopting this approach. “Colorado is making a sensible move that really validates why schools exist – to help students grow academically and improve their lives,” added Miller.
According to the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado Growth Model measures academic growth of students from year to year. The goal is for every student to make more than one year’s growth in a year’s time. Schools receive a rating for overall student growth – Low, Typical or High.
“Because our test scores have been below the state average every year,” said Miller, “schools need to make high growth. That is the only way we will catch up and reach our goal.” Kearney Middle School and Community Leadership Academy (middle school level) are the only Adams 14 schools to make high growth this year. “We have a lot of work to do,” added Miller. Adams 14 will use growth data to determine whether students are improving enough each year to reach proficiency.
CSAP scores are now being looked at in two ways, and both are used to provide the best educational opportunities for every student in Adams 14. “Test scores are important to students and parents, because results let parents know if schools are performing and growing each year,” said Superintendent Chandler.
“We developed a new strategy last year that makes effective instruction the focus of our work,” said Superintendent Chandler. Through effective classroom teaching, collaboration and data use, Adams 14 will make further progress toward its achievement goals. “We are emphasizing standards-based instruction,” said Chandler. “We believe this fundamental approach will help improve our overall scores on CSAP.”
CSAP % OVERALL INCREASE/DECREASE GROWTH RATING
Alsup Elementary -10.21 Low
Central Elementary +1.71 Typical
Dupont Elementary +6.90 Typical
Kemp Elementary +5.11 Typical
Monaco Elementary -6.94 Low
Rose Hill Elementary +5.21 Typical
Community Leadership Academy +4.07 Low (elem.)/High (middle)
Hanson PreK-8 School -9.26 Low (elem.)/Typical (middle)
Adams City Middle +6.11 Low
Kearney Middle +6.21 High
Adams City High +1.16 Low
Lester Arnold High -9.81 Typical
Total Adams 14 Growth +1.73
The Adams County Education Consortium and Exploring invite you to:
· Aerospace
· Architecture
· Automotive
· Bioscience
· Business
· Construction
· Coroner
· Culinary Arts
· Education
· Emergency Services
· Energy
· Engineering
· Fine and Performing Arts
· Health
· Hospitality
· Interior Design
· Information Technology
· Law Enforcement
· OSHA Certifications
· Plus others!
Visit Companies! Meet Employers! Learn What They Do!
Are you interested in a career or profession?
What education or experience will you need to pursue it?
Who: High School Students
Districts 12, 14, 50, 27J, & 31J
When: Required Orientation (Parents and Students) 6 pm , Thursday, Sept. 17 @ Adams City High School
Sessions 6 pm, Thursdays from Oct. 1 through Nov. 12, 2009 Community College Night is Nov. 19, 2009
Cost: $10.00
Space is limited! Visit your career counselor or counseling office for an application and more info or www.denverexploring.org.
Call for Nominations for Board Directors – Adams 14 Board of Education
COMMERCE CITY (August 5, 2009): The Adams 14 Board of Education in Adams County, Colorado, calls for nomination of candidates for Board Directors to be placed on the ballot for the regular biennial school election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
At this election, two directors will be elected for a term of office of four years. To be qualified, a candidate must have been a registered elector of the school district for at least twelve consecutive months before the election. A person is ineligible to run for school director if he or she has been convicted of committing a sexual offense against a child.
Nomination petitions may be obtained at Adams 14 Educational Support Services . Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Completed petitions should be submitted to Assistant Secretary to the Board of Education Monica Avina, the District’s designated election official, no later than 4 p.m. on August 28, 2009.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Board of Education of Adams County School District 14, in the County of Adams and State of Colorado, has caused this call for nominations to be given this Fifth day of August, 2009.
Dear Adams 14 Parents and Guardians,
Adams 14 is implementing a new approach to supporting English language learner (ELL) students. Language and literacy are critical for student success in school. Research shows that if students are not reading well by third grade, they may never catch up. As a result, Adams 14 is committed to providing the best opportunity for students to excel in English.
Since April, an ELL Design Team has met regularly to review and recommend a delivery model for all instruction in Adams 14. The team is guided by this vision statement: All English language learners in Adams 14 will receive high quality instruction to achieve English proficiency. Adams 14 values native language and culture to ensure multiple opportunities for lifelong success in a global community.
In June, the ELL Design Team announced its recommendation to implement the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) model. Beginning this year, teaching in Adams 14 will be delivered in English with an emphasis on addressing English Language Development (ELD) standards for student learning. Schools will provide native language support for students, but classroom teaching will be in English. This requires a change in behavior, attitude and practice across our schools; and I believe that we must all work together to make this an effective change for students.
Students will not be punished for speaking languages other than English. In fact, Adams 14 encourages and supports families to maintain their native language in the home. We must distinguish between social and academic settings. In academic settings, students are expected to focus on learning and practicing their newly acquired English skills. In social settings (lunchroom, outdoor activities), students may use their native skills. Students will not be punished for using Spanish but will be redirected to learning and practicing English.
We also understand how important it is to involve parents in our schools, so we will continue communicating with you in English and Spanish.
I wish to ensure you that our goal is to help each student to succeed – in school, life, a career or college. We will support all students to continue their education through graduation and beyond. In return, we ask for your support of academic improvement in Adams 14.
As we continue this educational journey together, know that the District will continue to refine its approach to language and literacy over time.
Adams 14 places a high priority on student safety. We also want to be certain we are spending your tax dollars wisely. As a result, Adams 14 is redesigning bus transportation routes for the 2009-10 school year. As you prepare your students for the coming school year, please familiarize yourself with the changes outlined in this letter.
The New Adams City High School Opening the new Adams City High School requires significant changes. We design bus routes to make sure students are safe riding the bus, walking to school, and being dropped off and picked up at school. It is Adams 14’s policy that students who live within 2 miles of a school are required to walk. For most schools (including ACHS), we reduce the walking area to less than 2 miles. We do this to make sure that students are safely transported across hazardous walking areas. You will be notified of the location and your student’s pick up and drop off time by the Transportation Department by August 7.
Adams 14 has eliminated some bus routes, because they were not cost effective. These reductions include after school activity buses, district-wide busing to Hanson PreK-8 School, and buses that transport only a few students.
Activities Transportation Students that participate in after school activities will be responsible for their own transportation home from school. Adams 14 will provide transportation for athletics for league games and competitions only. We will no longer provide a late bus for students attending Adams City High School, Adams City Middle School and Kearney Middle School. Students participating in student council will also be responsible for their own transportation to attend meetings.
Lester Arnold High School Teen parents participating in Lester Arnold High School’s child care program will be responsible for transporting their child to and from school.
Hanson PreK-8 School Hanson PreK-8 School will once again be a walking school. Students who live within the Hanson boundaries must walk to school or provide their own transportation. Students who live outside of the Hanson attendance area may still choose to attend Hanson, but families will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school.
Attendance Boundary Changes for Hanson and Kemp The biggest change to attendance boundaries involves Hanson and Kemp. There is no longer an overlapping attendance area for these two schools. The neighborhood school for students on the south side of 72nd is Kemp Elementary; the neighborhood school for students on the north side of 72nd is Hanson.
If you need to change any of your student records or have general questions about student enrollment, please call Student Records at 303.853.3238. If you have questions regarding transportation services, please call the Transportation Department at 303.853.7906.
We appreciate your cooperation with and support of our improvements to our transportation system.
Adams City High School Class of 1999 Ten Year Reunion
The reunion will be held at Werth Manor on August 14, 6 to 10 p.m. A barbecue buffet dinner will be served. The cost is $20 per person if reservation and money is received by August 10, otherwise the fee will be $25 per person at the door on the evening of the event.
Please make checks payable to Julie McCollam. Please RSVP to Julie Clegg McCollam at 303.518.2717 or julie@juliemccollam.com. Money may be mailed to:
Julie McCollam P.O. Box 6166 Aurora, CO 80045 When: August 14, 6 to 10 p.m. Where: Werth Manor, 8301 Rosemary Street, Commerce City, CO 80022
New Adams City High School to host community college courses
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – July 9, 2009) Community college courses will be offered at the new Adams City High School this fall. Adams 14 has partnered with Front Range Community College to offer Basic Composition, Computer-Aided Drafting, English Composition, General Psychology I and II, and Humanities: Early Civilizations.
Courses are scheduled in the late afternoons and evenings to accommodate daytime work schedules. They will also be affordable, led by qualified college faculty and small enough to facilitate significant student-teacher interaction. Youth and adult students are eligible to enroll and classes start on August 24.
“We are excited to offer these courses with Front Range,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler. “They help expand the educational opportunities available within Adams 14. This is the first time such classes have been offered to adults in our community. It’s a great way for adults to gain marketable skills for their careers.”
Adults who wish to register or learn more about these courses can do so at two upcoming one-stop workshops.
Friday, July 17, 3 to 7 p.m. – Adams 14 Educational Support Services, 5291 E. 60th Ave. Saturday, August 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Adams City High School, 7200 Quebec Parkway.
Come to a one-stop workshop to apply, take a free course assessment, meet with an advisor and register for class.
For more information, please visit www.adams14.org/community-college or http://frontrange.edu/adamscity. You may also contact Renée Tastad McDonald, instructional coordinator for high school programs at Front Range Community College at 303.404.5212 or via email at renee.mcdonald@frontrange.edu.
View the detailed schedule here.
Adams 14 Registration Process Begins for 2009-10 School Year
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (May 4, 2009) – Adams 14 schools are registering students for next school year. All schools – except Adams City High School and Adams City Middle School – will send home enrollment packets beginning the first week of May. The School District requests that families complete and return forms to their student’s school prior to the end of the school year. Families, please return forms as soon as possible, so school secretaries may begin preparing for next year. When families return the forms, they may pick up a school supply list and important health insurance information from Community Health Services.
In order to be certain that the District has accurate information for all students, parents should pay close attention to the student information form in the enrollment packet. This short form allows parents to update student information like phone numbers and address. The packet also includes the emergency contact form, residency form, and the 2009-10 student school calendar.
“We hope parents will take advantage of the early opportunity to register their student for next year,” says Superintendent Sue Chandler. “This will help us plan and schedule classes better and will allow us to update critical student information during the summer break.”
During the summer, parents may notify Adams 14 of address or phone number changes by calling Student Records at 303.289.3949.
It is important that the District has the latest phone contact information for parents, because that is information the District uses for parent communication and emergencies.
Adams 14 provides choices for students with diverse interests. Music, art, physical education, International Baccalaureate, enhanced technology, and career and technical education are some of the many programs Adams 14 offers its students. “In Adams 14,” states Chandler, ”we have established high expectations for the services our District provides, its teaching team, its school leaders and administrators, and its students. Our mission is to inspire, educate and empower every student to succeed in the 21st Century.”
Adams 14 welcomes students to 14 schools: two preschools, six elementary schools, one Pre-K-8 school, one charter school, two middle schools, and two high schools.
Adams City High School: Authorized International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – May 4, 2009) – Adams City High School (ACHS) is officially authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) school. It joins the ranks of only 25 schools in Colorado to offer this rigorous academic program for students. ACHS will offer the IB Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme for students in the IB Academy at the new ACHS. With the addition of the Diploma Programme, Adams 14 will offer International Baccalaureate for students in grades K-12 at Alsup Elementary, Adams City and Kearney Middle Schools, and Adams City High School.
“This program is a natural fit for the new Adams City High School,” says ACHS Principal Wesley Paxton, “because we want to offer students the tools to succeed in a global, 21st century world.” IB encourages international-mindedness in students. Students in the IB Academy at ACHS will first develop an understanding of their own cultural and national identity. All IB students learn a second language and the skills to live and work with others internationally – essential for life in the 21st Century.
IB Academy Coordinator Kristen Harkness believes the IB program will help students develop a positive approach to learning. “IB encourages students to ask challenging questions, to critically reflect, to develop research skills, and to learn how to learn,” says Harkness. This approach helps students to become lifelong learners.
It is a significant accomplishment for ACHS to be authorized as an IB DP school. “We’ve done a tremendous amount of work to make sure we are ready to offer this great opportunity to our students,” says Paxton. Superintendent Sue Chandler is also pleased with the authorization. “From intensive professional development for teachers and administrators to a commitment of resources to the program, Adams City High School and Adams 14 have worked extremely hard for this,” says Chandler. “I’m excited for our students – this is another example of how we are changing the culture at Adams City High School to one of high expectations for students and staff.”
The graduating class of 2011 IB Diploma Candidates at Adams City High School will take the following courses in their Junior and Senior years: IB DP History of the Americas, IB DP Biology, IB DP English, IB DP Spanish, IB DP Math Studies, Theory of Knowledge/Extended Essay, and IB DP Theatre or IB DP Art.
IB Certificate Candidates will be able to select which of the IB DP courses fit their needs and post-secondary aspirations. Additional IB DP courses will be offered in the 2010-11 school year. Students completing the full IB Diploma Programme have the opportunity to earn college credit. No fewer than 24 credit hours will be granted from a Colorado state secondary institution for successful completion of the DP. “That’s really incredible, if you stop to think about it,” says Paxton. “A student who successfully completes this program could enter college as a sophomore.”
Students interested in the IB MYP (grades 9-10) must fill out an Academy Selection sheet available at the ACHS counseling center or the coordinators’ office. IB DP applications will be available May 13, 2009, on the ACHS website at http://schoolweb.acsd14.k12.co.us/ACHS/ or may be picked up at the school in the coordinators’ office (upper cafeteria). Students interested in the IB Diploma Programme must fill out an application and return the application with the required information to kjharkne@adams14.org or mail to:
Adams City High School Attn: Kristen Harkness, IB Coordinator 4625 East 68th Avenue Commerce City, CO 80022
Please note this address will change in July 2009 with the move to the new ACHS at 7200 Quebec Parkway.
An informational parent and student meeting will be held at the Adams City High School library at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. For more information, contact IB Coordinator Kristen Harkness at kjharkne@adams14.org or 303.853.7842.
Adams 14 CSAP Reading Scores Improve 4% in Third Grade
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – May 1, 2009) – Third grade CSAP reading scores for Adams 14 have been released by the Colorado Department of Education. Four of the eight schools taking the English language test showed improvement over last year, while the other half showed a decline (see table). The third grade reading scores are the first published scores out of 29 CSAP scores to be released this year. The remaining scores for all grade levels will be released in mid-July. “Adams 14 made significant progress at many schools this year,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler. “We are looking at these scores two ways. First, we look at the overall proficiency level compared to the state, and then we look at the improvement our schools made since last year,” added Chandler. Last year, Rose Hill Elementary students achieved record levels of performance in their tests, improving to 58% proficiency. This year, Rose Hill Elementary again grew significantly, jumping 13 percentage points to a proficiency level of 71%. The overall proficiency level for Adams 14 third graders tested in English is 56%, a 4% gain from 2008. “We know that our improvement outpaced the state,” said Superintendent Chandler, “and that’s a good sign that things are moving in the right direction in third grade reading." Superintendent Chandler delivered the news personally to principals in Adams 14. At Dupont Elementary, when Chandler told Principal Kathy Heronema that her school’s third grade reading scores were up 29%, Heronema danced around the room with glee. At Rose Hill, after shaking the initial shock at a surprise visit from the Superintendent, Principal Samara Williams screamed with joy at her school’s improvement. “These test results are important for us, because they show how we are doing in teaching our students to read,” said Chandler. “We know that literacy is the key to our students’ success, so we must continue improving at all grade levels, but especially at the early levels.” Four of the eight Adams 14 schools that take the third grade CSAP reading test are within ten percentage points of the state average. Alsup (76%), Dupont (66%), Kemp (63%), and Rose Hill (71%) are all close to the 73% state average. Other highlights are a 16% gain at both Kemp and Central. “While we had some successes this year, we must continue to refine our instructional practices and to implement our strategic plan. We know this will result in a better education for our students,“ said Superintendent Sue Chandler. The test was administered to 539 students in English and 10 students in Spanish. Joe Miller, Director of Assessment, said, “The test administration was well done, which is a credit to the administrators and teachers who planned and administered the testing process.” Adams 14 will report on the remaining CSAP scores in July 2009.
2008
86%
-10%
30%
+16%
+29%
Hanson PK-8
29%
-2%
60%
-8%
58%
+13%
57%
-20%
+4%
For the latest information on H1N1 flu in Colorado, visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/H1N1.html.
UPDATED INFORMATION (8:30 a.m., May 6)
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed ten cases of H1N1 flu in the state.
This information does not change the state’s approach to the H1N1 flu outbreak. We continue to ask all individuals with mild flu-like illness to stay home. This is regardless of travel history. Children and adolescents with fever should not go to day care or school. Adults with fever should not go to work until their symptoms resolve. Individuals with severe illness, such as difficulty breathing, should contact their health care provider.
The department advises those who experience influenza symptoms need to stay home for seven days after onset of symptoms, or at least 24 hours after the symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
The state health department also encourages people to take these personal precautions to decrease their chances of getting the flu:
UPDATED INFORMATION (11 p.m., May 4)
UPDATED INFORMATION (4 p.m., April 30)
April 30, 2009
Dear Adams 14 Staff, Students and Parents,
Although there are no cases of the Swine Flu reported in Colorado at this time, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and its partners are carefully monitoring the illness. Adams 14 has been in contact with Tri-County Health Department throughout the week, and Adams 14 Risk Management has provided precautionary information to school administration and health staff about swine flu. Additionally, Adams 14 building engineers are taking precautionary measures to ensure that our schools are as germ free as possible. Floors are cleaned daily, soap and towels are stocked regularly in all restrooms, doorknobs and light switches are wiped with anti bacterial wash, and desks and chairs are kept clean.
The following information is from the Center for Disease Control:
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people? The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
What should the community do to keep from getting swine flu?
If family members or students in Adams 14 show symptoms of flu, please stay home. It is important that we limit the spread of the swine flu. We certainly do not want to turn people away from school, but a sick child should stay at home or go to the doctor to be checked out. Taking these simple steps can help protect our students, parents, staff and community.
Thank you,
Dr. Susan Chandler, Superintendent of Schools For more info: www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Adams 14 Proudly Announces Star Teacher Cohort 2
Adams 14 began the Star Teacher program last year. The program identifies dynamic classroom teachers who will expand their knowledge of content and the repertoire of teaching and assessment strategies for standards-based instruction. Adams 14 Star teachers receive technology equipment, such as a laptop and an LCD projector, as well as six professional development days with the Adams 14 Star teacher cohort. What is expected of an Adams 14 Star teacher?
Members of Star Teacher Cohort 2 are as follows:
NAME
POSITION
LOCATION
Sigrid Bowen
1st Grade Teacher
Rose Hill
Jan Carson
8th Grade Language Arts Teacher
ACMS
Jon Fisher
Kemp
Drew Hoelscher
5th Grade Teacher
Emily Klein
7th Grade Science Teacher
KMS
Christine Loehr
K-5 Art Teacher
Colleen Monahan
6th-8th Grade Eagle’s Nest Teacher
Summer Racine
3rd Grade Teacher
Monaco
Nicole Stokke
7th Grade Language Arts Teacher
Josh VanAuken
Tara Ward
Dupont
The mission of the Adams 14 Star Teacher Program is to recognize and further develop quality teacher leaders in Adams 14. Congratulations to Cohort 2 Star Teachers. For more information about the Star Teacher program, contact Lara Eddy at leeddy@adams14.org.
On Monday, April 20, members of the Adams 14 ELL Design Team began their work to develop a Districtwide approach to language development. Members of the team were announced publicly at the ELL forum that evening.
Team members are as follows:
Patricia Almeida
CRF/ English Language Acquisition Specialist
Audrey Beaugh
ECE teacher
3C’s
Janice Bonilla
Parent/Community Member
Rose Hill, KMS,
ACHS
Mirna Escalante
ELA Specialist
Mark Gonzales
Hanson
Dan Gurzick
Child Advocate/School Psychologist
Alsup
Andrew Hoelscher
Darlene Lopez
4th Grade Bilingual Teacher
Mandy Martinez
Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher
Central
Sophia Masewicz
Principal
Frankie Ramirez
2nd Grade
Jennifer Skrobela
Principal (co-applicant)
Michelle Troch
Learning Specialist
Samara Williams
Kristen Wood
Janell Sueltz
Dir. Of Student Achievement
Dr. Frank Dávila
ELL Consultant
Lynda Franco
The ELL Design Team members will be announced at the forum. They will begin their work on Monday morning. Hope many of you are able to attend the forum on Monday.
Preschool Screenings and Kindergarten Roundups are scheduled in Adams 14
(COMMERCE CITY, CO – April 8, 2009) – Beginning in April, Adams 14 parents will start the process of enrolling their children in preschool and kindergarten for the 2009-10 school year. Children who will be three years old by October 1, 2009, are eligible for preschool. Screenings will be held April 17, May 8, and May 29 through June 4. The screenings are scheduled by appointment only, so please call soon. Parents will receive enrollment notification by June 12. Children who will be five years old by October 1, 2009, are eligible for kindergarten classes. Screenings will not be necessary this year, as every child will be in enrolled in full day kindergarten beginning with the 2009-10 school year. To find out more about kindergarten programs in Adams 14, parents may attend a kindergarten roundup event at any elementary school. The schedule is as follows:
Address
Date
7101 Birch Street
Thursday, April 16
6 p.m.
6450 Holly Street
Thursday, May 7
7970 Kimberly Street
Wednesday, April 15
5:30 p.m.
7133 E. 73rd Avenue
Wednesday, May 6
8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1 to 5:30 p.m.
6775 Oneida Street
Tuesday, April 28
7631 Monaco Street
6900 E. 58th Avenue
Monday, April 20
In the 2009-10 school year, Adams 14 will offer full day kindergarten at all elementary schools. “Adams 14 is able to offer full day kindergarten,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler, “because the taxpayers of the District generously supported constructing new classrooms at all elementary schools.” Research shows students benefit from the extra time spent on literacy and math, and the District is committed to full day kindergarten for all students. While full day kindergarten may be an adjustment for some children, Adams 14 teachers and paraprofessionals will work with all students to help smooth the transition. Child Find will screen children ages three and four for preschool for the upcoming school year. Preschool screenings are free and are scheduled by appointment only on May 8, and May 29 through June 4. Bringing your child for a screening is the first step in qualifying for preschool, and enrollment is limited. Preschool screenings do not guarantee a spot in preschool. For preschool information or to schedule an appointment, please call 720.322.8130.
Adams 14 ELL Design Team
Why an ELL Design Team? The District is convinced that a District and community representative group of student advocates and thinkers will commit to reviewing the overall ELL needs, available resources and program options and then, through their combined voices, offer a recommendation of an ELL plan that meets the needs of all ELL students in Adams 14.
What is the work of the ELL Design Team? The ELL Design Team will participate in at least nine working sessions and at least one public forum and one Board of Education meeting. The design team will engage in a review of research-based practices and available resources at the District and building level to determine how to best meet the academic and language needs of our ELL students. The work will be intensive and extensive. Team members will have opportunities to bring forward other items that are directly related to the work proposed. Their job will be to bring a recommendation to the Board of Education in June. The overall focus and dates are listed below.
Focus
4.20.09
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Design Team work
6:30 am – 8:00 pm
Rescheduled ELL Forum
4.21.09
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
5.07.09
5.08.09
5.26.09
5:30 pm – 6:15 pm
BOE Study Session
5.27.09
Community/Parent/Staff Forum
5.28.09
6.08.09
6.09.09
6:30 p.m.
Recommendation to the Board
6.10.09
Design Team Plan for Implementation
How will members be selected to the ELL Design Team? District staff, parents, and community members will be invited to complete and submit an application to be a member of the ELL Design Team. A pool of potential members will be selected based on ELL experience, expressed interest in ELL programs, commitment to attend all work sessions, and building level representation. From the pool of candidates, 14 will be selected based on the representation below:
If you are interested in serving on the Design Team, please complete the application and submit it to Therese Nellessen (email: tnellessen@adams14.org phone 303.853.3244) by Wednesday, April 15. STAFF: If you submit electronically, please cc: your principal as their approval to be out of your school. COMMUNITY: You may submit the application electronically or by dropping it off at Adams 14 Educational Support Services, 5291 East 60th Avenue.
Click here to download the application for staff.
Click here to download the application for the community.
Urban Land Institute to study Adams City High School property
COMMERCE CITY (March 31, 2009): Adams 14 has retained the services of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to facilitate a two-day study of the current Adams City High School property. The current Adams City High School will be vacated this summer as the District prepares to offer 21st century education at the new Adams City High School at the Prairie Gateway. The purpose of the study is to develop recommendations for potential next steps for the Board of Education as they consider what to do with the property.
Throughout 2007 and 2008, Adams 14 conducted multiple community forums about the ACHS property. ULI, which has previous experience working with Denver Public Schools on various land use studies, will convene a group of community stakeholders to discuss the property. At the end of the study, the group will prepare a report for the Board.
“We believe ULI’s work will provide another tool for the Board,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler. “This is a critical decision for this community, so we want to be sure we use the resources that are available to assist us as we move forward.”
ULI is a nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the institute now has more than 40,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service. ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information and experience among local, national and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places.
The mission of the Urban Land Institute is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.
Adams 14 Board of Education approves 3 year contract for Superintendent Chandler
COMMERCE CITY (March 25, 2009): The Adams 14 Board of Education last night approved a three year contract for Dr. Susan Chandler as Superintendent of Schools. The contract was approved in a 4-1 vote, with Board Member Larry Quintana dissenting.
Board President Jeannette Lewis provided a strong statement of support for Dr. Chandler’s leadership. “Dr. Chandler and the Board agree that academic success for all students is the top priority of the District. The Board is confident that Dr. Chandler is the best choice for Superintendent. She has shown herself to be a hardworking, compassionate and creative leader.”
With the new Adams City High School opening in the fall and the District strategic plan in place, the Board approved the three year contract to maintain established leadership and preserve continuity in the District. Board President Jeannette Lewis cited several reasons for approving the contract with Dr. Chandler.
The Board of Education solicited requests for proposals and contacted board members in other school districts to obtain information on what a superintendent search would cost and the impact a search has on operations of a district The Board came to consensus that a costly – up to $100,000 – and extensive search would prolong the leadership transition of the District during a critical time. Board President Jeannette Lewis noted that in recent months other school boards in Colorado have chosen to hire from within to ensure stability.
President Lewis remarked that “continuity in leadership is important for the District. The Board is pleased with Dr. Chandler’s performance, and we wish to build upon the work that she is doing for the District and the community.”
Dr. Susan Chandler has served as Superintendent of Schools for Adams 14 since September. Under her leadership, the District developed a new strategic plan that is highly focused on academic improvement through effective teaching. Addressing the Board at the meeting, Chandler said, “I have all confidence that in working together and implementing the strategic plan we can increase student achievement.”
Adams 14 Facility Naming Committee seeks community input
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (March 18, 2009) – The Adams 14 Facility Naming Committee has been requested to provide a recommendation to the Board of Education to rename the current Adams 14 Child Care Center (3C’s), located at 5650 Bowen Court, Commerce City, Colorado, to STARS Early Learning Center. Information submitted in the Application for Facility Naming states, “Parents, staff and community have come together to choose a name that is connected to the Adams 14 STAR Logo and spirit of the district. We all feel that STARS can bring up images of a bright future, something that all of our students represent for us. STARS also appear to be small, but in reality are large in size, brightness and function. We believe children are small in stature but not in importance and certainly not in ability. …We also feel that is it important to have Early Learning Center in the name to clearly identify us for what we do… The building functions as a school, focused on early childhood education.”
Prior to making any recommendations to the Board of Education, the Adams County School District 14 Facility Naming Committee is requesting input through 4 p.m., Monday, March 30, in renaming the facility.
Questions, comment and input would be appreciated and may be directed to Teri Abbott, Facility Naming Committee Facilitator, Adams 14 by telephone/voice mail: 303.853.7904; e-mail: tabbott@adams14.org; or direct mail: 4211 East 68th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022. The committee wishes to express its appreciation in advance to the community for their assistance.
Adams County School District 14
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice of Proposed School Budget
Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Education of Adams County School District 14 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, and has been filed in the office of the Superintendent where it is available for public inspection.
There will be two public hearings for input on the budget on March 24 and April 28 at 6:30 p.m. Both meetings will be in the board room of Adams 14 Educational Support Services. Such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a regular meeting of the Board of Education of said District at 5291 East 60th Avenue, on June 23 at 6:30 p.m. Any person paying school taxes in said District may at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget file or register objections thereto.
Adams County School District 14 Board of Education
COMMERCE CITY (January 29, 2009): Parents and students can find out more about paying for college and even get some help preparing for college by attending College Goal Sunday at Adams City High School, February 8, from 2 to 4p.m. The third annual Colorado College Goal Sunday event will be held at 15 sites throughout the state.
This event is an opportunity for students and parents to have financial aid experts provide free help in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the cornerstone of the higher education financial aid application process. Students in the community who currently attend college or seniors in high school who will attend college next year should come to College Goal Sunday. In 2007, the first year College Goal Sunday was held in Colorado, 1,500 attendees at 10 sites throughout the state received help completing a FAFSA.
The FAFSA is a crucial first step for all college bound students who plan to pay for college with the help of grants, scholarships, work-study funds and/or student loans.
“College Goal Sunday is an important event for us,” says ACHS Principal Wesley Paxton, “because it is another way we support our students in fulfilling their dreams to attend college.” Paxton believes College Goal Sunday is a great way for students to get expert help in filling out forms and answering questions about college. “This event also shows the community that we want to help send students to college after they graduate from Adams City,” adds Paxton.
College Goal Sunday
Sunday, February 8, 2 to 4p.m.
Adams City High School Media Center, 4625 East 68th Avenue, Commerce City 80022
Students who plan to fill out the FAFSA at College Goal Sunday should bring their parent(s) or legal guardian and the following family information:
Adams City High School counselors will devote the week following College Goal Sunday to helping students plan for college. Throughout the week of February 9, College in Colorado, College Invest, Colorado State University, and Front Range Community College will visit the ACHS Counseling Center to help students with financial aid and scholarship applications. Seniors interested in taking advantage of these opportunities should contact Ms. Holtmann for detailed information.
For more information about College Goal Sunday and other college planning at ACHS, contact Senior Post-Graduate Counselor Shannon Holtmann at 303.853.7871.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (January 12, 2009) – Kearney Middle School staff were pleasantly surprised on Monday, January 12, when a contingent of dignitaries from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), District and State arrived to announce that Principal Sophia Masewicz has been named the Colorado Title I Distinguished Principal of the year.
“This is the best day of my life,” announced Masewicz, as Judy Huddleston from CDE presented the award and a personal check for $5000. In addition to the check and trophy, former state senator Regis Groff read a commemoration from Senate President Peter Groff to Masewicz. “The Senate of the Colorado legislature,” reads the commemoration, “hereby extends heartiest congratulations and commendation to Sophia Masewicz, earning Title I Principal of the Year Award for the State of Colorado. In achieving this award, Principal Sophia Masewicz exemplified true leadership, perseverance, and a dedication to education as she worked to make a difference in the lives of young people in the State of Colorado.”
“Quality instruction and student academic growth are hallmarks of Sophia’s time as principal of KMS,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler, “and the results are telling: out of five Adams 14 secondary schools, Kearney has made the most overall academic growth in CSAP results in four of the past five years. Kearney’s overall percent proficient on CSAP has grown in five of the past 6 years, with an overall proficiency increase of 12.36%. We know that effective school leaders improve the experience of students and staff each day in our schools.”
There are numerous significant accomplishments of Kearney Middle School under the leadership of Principal Sophia Masewicz. According to Superintendent Chandler, “Sophia is an inspiring, effective, and extraordinary principal and leader. We are proud of her achievements as principal of Kearney Middle School, and her collaboration and input into the direction of the District are invaluable.”
The Colorado Distinguished Title I Principal award annually recognizes one Title I school principal who demonstrates outstanding commitment and excellence in leadership. According to CDE’s website, ”The Colorado standards for identifying the Title I Distinguished Principal incorporate what research reveals about excellent leaders. It is hoped that the Distinguished Title I Principal Program identifies an ever-increasing pool of highly effective Colorado principals who will be models for and consult with colleagues across the state.”
Kearney continues to shine for Adams 14 on all of the academic ratings, from the School Accountability Report (SAR) to the Colorado Growth Model and CSAP results. With a focus on student and staff success, Principal Sophia Masewicz is an excellent choice for Colorado Title I Distinguished Principal. Join Adams 14 in celebrating her success this year.
To learn more about Adams 14 schools, visit us online at adams14.org.
COMMERCE CITY (January 9, 2009): Parents and students who are interested in learning more about the new Adams City High School should attend an upcoming open house at the Commerce City Civic Center. At the open house, staff from Adams City High School will provide detailed information about the four academies and the enrollment process. Join us on Wednesday, January 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., to learn more about the exciting opportunities awaiting your student at the new Adams City High School.
The first open enrollment window opened on January 5. Academy coordinators and school counselors will work with current Adams 14 eighth graders from Hanson, Community Leadership Academy, Adams City Middle, and Kearney Middle to begin the academy orientation and selection process. Academy coordinators will attend the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences the week of January 19, so parents and students may ask specific questions and learn more about the academies then. Academy selection forms will be available to eighth graders at both Parent-Teacher Conferences and the upcoming open house. Students and parents should complete the form to return to the ACHS Academy coordinators and school counselors when they visit middle schools in February. Look for more information coming soon about dates and times of ACHS staff visits to your school.
Current eighth and ninth graders will select one of four academies: International Baccalaureate, Early College, the Arts, and Science and Technology. The new school will phase in the academy structure, so juniors and seniors in the 2009-10 school year will not select an academy. They will finish as traditional high school graduates.
The New Adams City High School Open House
Wednesday, January 28, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Commerce City Civic Center lobby, 7887 East 60th Avenue, Commerce City 80022
For open enrollment, Adams 14 will maintain a wait list for students who wish to enroll in our new school. According to District spokesperson John Albright, Adams 14 “anticipates that demand will be high, because excitement about the new school is growing.” Open enrollment dates are:
Students who open enroll will be placed on a wait list on a first come, first serve basis.
Visit the current ACHS counseling center (4625 East 68th Ave., Commerce City 80022) during the open enrollment window to fill out a brief form stating intent to enroll. The center is open during the school week from 7:30a.m. to 2:30p.m. Students who visit ACHS to sign up for the wait list should be prepared to show identification. Acceptable forms of ID include a birth certificate, Social Security card, state ID, or passport.
Report to Marilyn Reinart in the counseling center, fill out the form, and she will provide you a receipt as proof of the date and time your student entered the wait list.
Families will be notified by March 16 of their wait list status or enrollment acceptance from the first open enrollment period.
For more information, call the Adams City High School academy coordinators office at 303.853.7842 or visit our website at adams14.org/the-new-adams-city-high-school.
The Adams 14 Board of Education, Superintendent, administrators and teachers will not make any distinction on account of race, national origin, sex, ethnic group, religion, marital status, or disability of any student who may be in attendance or who seeks admission to any school maintained by the District.
Adams 14 reserves the right to refuse a student's admission in cases of overcrowding or past disciplinary incidents that may be considered detrimental to the welfare or safety of other students or school personnel.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (January 9, 2009) – On Wednesday, January 7, two males approached and attempted to pull into their vehicle a student from Adams City Middle School. Commerce City Police Department classified the occurrence as an attempted abduction.
Adams 14 places a high priority on student safety, both in our schools and on the way to school. Each day you place your children’s safety in the hands of Adams 14 employees, and you also place your trust in the community in which you live. The tips noted below (from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) will help families lessen the opportunity for abduction and better safeguard their children.
An additional tip for the 21st century student is to avoid using personal electronic devices that might interfere with your awareness of your surroundings. For example, music players and cell phones can be distractions that place you at a higher risk for an attempted abduction.
The Adams City Middle School student arrived safely at school after running away from the suspects. Adams 14 wants all of our students to arrive at school safely each day.
“We urge parents to talk to their students about the importance of being aware of their surroundings in the community,” said Superintendent Susan Chandler.
The following information about the suspects and their vehicle was provided by the CCPD: red, medium sized truck, tinted windows, “vida loca” on back window, silver rims, two Hispanic males – driver with spiked hair, bald passenger.
If you have any information that will help the Commerce City Police Department find the suspects, please contact Lt. Chuck Saunier at 303.289.3792.
Adams 14 appreciates the community’s support of safe schools.
COMMERCE CITY (January 12, 2009): Three Adams 14 secondary schools have received official Middle Years Programme (MYP) certification from International Baccalaureate (IB) in Geneva, Switzerland. IB is a recognized leader in the field of international education, encouraging students to become active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. Adams City Middle School and Kearney Middle School have been authorized to teach the first three years and Adams City High School to offer levels four and five of the IB MYP. The certification is effective immediately for the three schools.
“This official certification comes after years of hard work by all three schools,” said Superintendent Susan Chandler, “and it adds a rigorous academic choice for students in Adams 14.”
After a detailed multi-year review process, the three schools become part of an elite group of schools to offer this high quality program. Only about 2000 schools worldwide offer IB MYP. As part of the certification, KMS, ACMS and ACHS are now designated “IB World Schools.”
“IB fits well into our strategy to provide an education that is relevant to the 21st century,” said Chandler. IB MYP emphasizes learning how to think critically and how to evaluate facts. “These are important skills for our students, whether they wish to enter the workforce or move on to college,” added Chandler.
Adams 14 IB Coordinator Kristen Harkness, who led the certification effort, stated “Adams 14 students are now a part of an established, proven rigorous academic program, where they will participate in a program of study connecting their high school course work to real world experiences. They will refine their knowledge and ability to become critical and reflective thinkers.” With Alsup as an IB Primary Years Programme, Adams 14 now adds MYP to benefit students at the middle and high school levels.
Adams City Middle School will offer the IB MYP schoolwide, while Kearney will offer students an IB MYP school-within-a-school. “The MYP certification is critically important for the new Adams City High School,” said ACHS Principal Wesley Paxton, “because we have chosen IB MYP for one of our academies.”
For more information, log on to the IB website at www.ibo.org/myp.
COMMERCE CITY (January 7, 2009): January is School Board Recognition Month and Adams 14 joins other districts across the state to gratefully acknowledge the invaluable contributions local school board members make to their communities.
"Volunteer school board members serve countless hours working to improve public education," said Superintendent Sue Chandler. In difficult times, school boards develop polices and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect the entire community and the lives of individual students. They bear responsibility in Adams 14 for an annual budget over $50 million; 6500 students, ages three to 21; nearly 1000 employees; and 13 schools.
"We proudly join educators and community members in saluting these education advocates as they provide leadership for Adams 14. Their volunteer service ensures that decisions about local public schools are made by those most familiar with the needs of the community's children and families," said Chandler. "These individuals deserve recognition and thanks for their commitment and dedication to the continuing success of our students and schools, and they truly understand the Adams 14 mission to inspire, educate and empower.”
For more information about the Adams 14 Board of Education, visit our website: adams14.org/board-of-education.
Although not the first school district in the state to have a Student Board of Education (SBOE), Adams 14 has assumed a leadership role in getting the concept out to other districts. This past December 5 th the Adams 14 SBOE under the leadership of SBOE President Matthew La Crue, Board members Sean Zeiler, Alexandra Guzman, Darren Vallejos, Ana Hickman, Vanessa Mogollon and Lupita Lopez presented their student perspectives on a SBOE at the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) convention at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.
Setting up in one of the presentation rooms at the Broadmoor the SBOE prepared for their session on the Development of a SBOE within a school district. Matthew La Crue started the presentation with a short film on the history of the Adams 14 SBOE from initial discussions by student leaders then bringing the idea to the Board of Education. Along with other members of the SBOE he described the give and take required to put the concept into its present reality. Matthew was assisted in the presentation by ACHS Principal Wesley Paxton, Mrs. Jeannette Lewis, President of the Adams 14 BOE and District Superintendent Susan Chandler. Mr. La Crue and some of the SBOE members fielded a number of questions from the larger then expected group of Board Members each expressing a desire to start a similar program in their districts.
It was clearly pointed out to Board Members that as school district leaders there is a need to connect with students within your community. The SBOE also provided student perspectives in the decision making process of the BOE. It was noted that in the first year of the Adams14 SBOE the Student Board is already making a difference in their district. The board members attending learned how to develop a SBOE, from policy adoption to recruitment and election of student leaders. These young leaders received a number compliments for their efforts, their presentation and the success of the Adams 14 SBOE.
The convention also included another group of Adams City High School students. The ACHS Mariachi Aguilas were selected from applicants from around the state to perform for the 2008 CASB conference. The students performed at a reception for school board members, district representatives, student representatives and elected dignitaries from around the state of Colorado. The following members performed at the reception held at the Broadmoor, Angel Brito-Martinez, Luz Buso-Botello, Karina Gonzalez-Villalobos, Ana Hickman-Triana, Lucero Juarez-Cervantes, Isahar Mendez-Flores, Adolfo Olguin, Angel Orucuta-Quintos, Jessica Ramirez, Adrian Robles-Fernandes, Perla Rodriguez-Sanchez, under the direction of Pamela Virden ACHS Fine Are Coordinator.
COMMERCE CITY (December 16, 2008): The Adams 14 Board of Education at its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 9, appointed Jeff Smith to serve as interim Director. The fifth board seat, formerly held by Angela Kreutzer, was declared vacant on October 14. In a study session prior to the regular meeting, the Board interviewed three prospective candidates – Brenda Sharpe, Estelle Remington and Jeff Smith.
After roll call votes on each of the three candidates, none of the three candidates received a Board majority. According to board rules, the president must appoint a citizen to fill the vacancy within 60 days. President Jeannette Lewis made the recommendation to appoint Mr. Smith, citing his years of experience on the Adams 14 Board of Education as a value to the Board in the coming months. Smith will serve out the remainder of the term vacated by Angela Kreutzer. The seat will be up for election in 2009.
Jeff Smith served on the Adams 14 Board of Education from May 1987 to November 1993 and again in 2007. Smith brings great knowledge of the District and community to his post on the Board.
The next regular meeting of the Adams 14 Board of Education is Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at 6:30p.m. For Board of Education minutes and agendas, visit adams14.org. The public is welcome at all regularly scheduled Board meetings.
Adams 14 is participating in a national survey on 21st century technology in schools.
To take the survey, please visit www.netdayspeakup.org/speakup2008. The survey has been extended through December 23. To access the survey, parents, students, teachers and administrators will need the secret word: adams14.
Speak Up is an annual national research project facilitated by Project Tomorrow. The purpose of the project is to:
Quantitative survey results are available to participating schools and districts, online, free-of-charge, so that they can use the data for planning and community discussion. National findings are released through a variety of venues, including: a Congressional Briefing in Washington, DC, national and regional conferences, e-mail distribution, Project Tomorrow website, and our Speak Up partners. Local, state and national stakeholders report using Speak Up data to inform their new programs and policies.
COMMERCE CITY (December 11, 2008): Colorado Department of Education (CDE) released School Accountability Reports (SAR) on Tuesday, December 9. Three Adams 14 schools – Alsup, Kemp and Monaco – maintained their “Average” rating this year. Additionally, five schools – Central, Kemp, and Monaco elementary schools, and Hanson and Community Leadership Academy middle schools – showed “Typical” growth. Typical growth is an indication that the schools are meeting expectations for advancing students in their academic year. “We are proud of the steady gains our schools have made over the last seven years,” said Superintendent Susan Chandler, “but we are not satisfied with our rate of growth.” Chandler added, “We are learning a lot from these schools that have shown improvement. The SAR is a reminder that there is a great deal yet to accomplish, including raising expectations for students, teachers, and administrators, and ensuring that all students are receiving a high quality education.”
How to read the SAR The first SAR score is based on a school’s student performance on the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) exams, which are given each spring to students in grades three through ten. The tests cover math, science, writing and reading. At the high school level, the ACT scores are also incorporated into the rating. The ratings are Unsatisfactory, Low, Average, High and Excellent. The second score is based upon student growth. The state sets a target for student academic growth (how much progress students make in a year), and then schools are rated on how they met the target. The ratings for growth are Low, Typical and High.
Kearney Middle School an Adams 14 highlight Kearney Middle School achieved a High rating on the growth portion of the SAR. Kearney was one of 348 schools in the state to receive this rating, which places them in the top 17% of schools for growth in the state of Colorado. In addition, Kearney was one of only 24 schools rated Low overall that also achieved a High growth rating. Even though the overall academic performance rating of Low has not changed since 2003, Kearney has significantly improved the school’s score so that they are only four one hundredths of a point away from being rated Average. Both the School Accountability Reports and CSAP tests form the core of Colorado's effort to hold teachers, principals and students accountable for classroom instruction. School Accountability Reports will be mailed directly to every student’s household in January. Each school report lists pertinent information regarding student performance by grade; percent of students scoring proficient and advanced by subject; staff and safety; and a taxpayer’s report. Additionally, the SAR includes information about school goals and sources of pride. The SAR is available online at the CDE website, www.cde.state.co.us.
Academic Performance Rating
Academic Growth of Students
LAHS
No Rating
Alsup IB
Average
Central ES
Dupont ES
Hanson (Elementary)
Hanson (Middle)
Kemp ES
Monaco ES
Rose Hill ES
Community Leadership Academy (Elementary)
Community Leadership Academy (Middle)
Kearney Middle School is selling student-designed holiday cards as a fundraiser for the annual trip to Mesa Verde. The trip is a reward for students that are part of the Reading Incentive Program at the school.
The cards are available for viewing online. Simply click on the card image at the left to visit the KMS holiday card page.
Each card costs $1.00 and includes an envelope. Inside, the card is blank to allow you to personalize your message. All cards were designed by students in Ms. Climaco's art classes. To order, you can contact a Kearney Middle School student or contact Fred Kreienkamp by phone at 303.853.5542 or by email at ffkreie@adams14.org. Alternatively, mail a note identifying how many of each card you would like, including a check payable to Kearney Middle School for the amount due plus $2.00 shipping costs to:
Holiday Cards Kearney Middle School 6160 Kearney St Commerce City, CO 80022
Your cards will be mailed out within two days of reciept of your check. Thanks for supporting the talented students of Kearney Middle School.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (November 17, 2008) – Adams 14 launched two important public documents this week. The Draft Strategic Plan and the new adams14.org website provide a wealth of information for stakeholders of Adams 14.
“Our goal is to provide a one-stop resource center for Adams 14 stakeholders,” said Superintendent Sue Chandler. “The simpler we can make getting information about Adams 14, the better.” As a result, the District will use its new website as the primary mode of communication for District publications and initiatives. Highlights of the new website include:
One of the important initiatives of Adams 14 is the launch of the Draft Strategic Plan. The draft plan went public on Monday, November 17, which marks the beginning of the public comment period. After months of gathering feedback throughout the District, the publishing of the draft plan is a critical step toward District improvement. Adams 14’s strategy is stated as follows: to improve student achievement so that 80% of students assessed will be on grade level by 2014 by ensuring that each classroom has a dynamic, standards-based teacher who provides powerful 21st century learning experiences to all students. Three simple things you should know about the Draft Strategic Plan:
It is a draft, which means that further revisions and additions are forthcoming.
The three areas of emphasis for this academic plan are effective first time instruction, effective use of data to inform instruction, and effective collaboration.
Opportunities for feedback are coming to a school near you. Between now and January, Superintendent Chandler will visit with instructional staff to talk about the plan and how it will be implemented. Additionally, the Board of Education will attend parent meetings to discuss the plan and what it means for students and families. In the spring of 2009, Adams 14 will finalize the plan to include all District departments and services.
Review the plan online at www.adams14.org/strategic-plan, and then tell us your thoughts by using the form at the bottom of the page.
According to Superintendent Chandler, “The District is moving forward with improvement efforts, and we hope the community will get involved in determining the future of education in Adams 14.”
At the regular meeting of the Adams 14 Board of Education, Board President Jeannette Lewis read the following resolution into the record.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 08-014 BOARD OF EDUCATION ADAMS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 14 NATIONAL PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT DAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT DAY IN ADAMS 14; AND PROVIDING A CALL TO ACTION FOR PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN ADAMS 14 SCHOOLS.
WHEREAS, The Adams 14 Board of Education recognizes that the future depends on today’s youth who will become tomorrow’s leaders and that a sound education is key to producing the next generation of successful, productive and conscientious citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Adams 14 Board of Education supports collaborative efforts that promote the academic achievement of children and encourages strong parental involvement through active and meaningful participation in their children’s education, along with an established channel of communication between home and school; and
WHEREAS, Research indicates there is a direct correlation between high student achievement and the high expectations and positive contributions of a child’s parents/caregivers; and
WHEREAS, Family involvement in a child’s learning is critical to their success in all stages of their educational careers, and a decisive factor in attaining a good job; and
WHEREAS, Creating an environment where learning takes place not just in a classroom – but becomes a central part of family life – requires that parents/caregivers play a more active role in their children’s education; and
WHEREAS, The importance of the role that parents/caregivers have in creating a successful preschool through college education system for each Adams 14 child cannot be overstated; and
WHEREAS, Adams 14’s school-based parent groups and parent involvement liaison are available to assist families with ideas and resources so that parents/caregivers may engage more fully in their children’s education and develop stronger connections with schools and communities; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting to support the goals of this observance, as when parents/caregivers, schools and communities work together, our children are more likely to succeed in school and the workplace and, subsequently, in all other aspects of their lives;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Board of Education of Adams County School District 14, Adams County, State of Colorado, does hereby proclaim Thursday, November 20, 2008, as National Parental Involvement Day in Adams 14.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 11th day of November 2008.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (November 10, 2008) – With a history of communications excellence, the Adams 14 Video Production Department garnered more awards this year. The department recently won 3rd place in the National Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors (NATOA) 2008 Government Programming Awards in the category “Documentary – Profile under $200,000.” The video, “Adams 14 & UPS: A Definition of Community,” competed against entries from across the nation.
According to Adams 14 spokesperson John Albright, “The competition for the NATOA awards is extremely high, so it is a testament to the excellence of Mr. Weise’s work that he won this award.” The video was also recognized by the Colorado School Public Relations Association with their 2008 Award of Merit.
Another national award recently won by Adams 14 is the Pegasus Award of Honor for the video “Adams 14 Achieve Field Trip to War Eagle’s Horse Ranch.”
“Our mission is to educate and inform our community – students, staff and citizens,” added Albright. “Excellent video production entertains and informs our community here in Adams 14. At the same time we are building a reputation for communications excellence on a national level.”
Adams 14 is proud to offer channel 8 television as a public service to the community. If you do not have Commerce City Comcast TV, visit the Adams 14 video archive online.
COMMERCE CITY(November 3, 2008): The Adams 14 Board of Education at its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 28, outlined the application process for the open Director position. The Board will accept applications until November 21, and then Board members will review the applications prior to conducting public interviews on December 9.
Applicants must submit the following information:
A letter of interest including:
A minimum of two letters of support (maximum of five) – one from a business leader and one from a civic leader.
To be eligible to serve on the Adams 14 Board of Education, a community member must have been a registered voter for 12 consecutive months at a residence within the District boundaries.
Applicants may deliver the required materials to Adams 14 Educational Support Services, Attention: Monica Avina, 5291 East 60th Avenue, Commerce City, CO 80022. With questions, please contact Monica Avina, assistant secretary to the Board of Education at 303.853.3205 or meavina@adams14.org.
At the regular meeting of the Adams 14 Board of Education on October 28, the Board acknowledged many students from Adams City High School and one Lester Arnold High School teacher.
Student Council – Homecoming Success The Board honored the student council for their phenomenal work on the final homecoming at the current Adams City High School.
The Board recognized September and October students of the month from Adams City High School. September Students of the Month Gabriela Armendariz - Gabriela is a senior at Adams City High School, where she maintains an outstanding academic record and is in the top ten of her class. She is taking Advance Placement classes, Front Range Community College classes, and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) class to prepare her for college. Last year she received the CU Boulder Outstanding Junior Award, which provided her the opportunity to visit the Boulder campus for a day and attend a special recognition luncheon. Gabriela plays for the ACHS Volleyball team, and participates in extracurricular activities at school. Estevan Olivas - Estevan is a junior at Adams City High School, where he maintains an outstanding academic record and is in the top of his class. This year he is taking Advance Placement classes and Honors classes to prepare him for college. In addition to his academic success, Estevan is an active member of the ACHS Marching Band, the Rotary Interact Club, Cross-Country Team, and Swimming Team. October Students of the Month Serena Beard - Serena is a junior at Adams City High School, where she maintains an outstanding academic record and is in the top 15 of her class. She is preparing for college by taking Advance Placement and Honor classes, while maintaining a high grade point average. In addition to her academic success, Serena is an active member of the Mighty Eagles Marching Band, the Eagle-Aires Choir group, the ACHS Drama Club, and the Commerce City Youth Orchestra. Serena’s acting skills and singing voice have earned her the starring role in several plays and musicals at Adams City. Jason Abeyta - Jason is a senior at Adams City High School, where he maintains an above average grade point average. He enjoys taking advantage of Career and Technical Education programming by taking classes like Carpentry, Machine Tooling, and Auto Body. In addition to his academic success, he is a leading player on the ACHS Boys Golf Team and the ACHS Wrestling Team.
ACHS Students tutoring at Rose Hill Brandon Morrison, Cameron Morrison, David Hernandez, Angel Vasquez, Martin Chacon, and Nathaniel Engbarth have been tutoring and helping out with science two days a week at Rose Hill. Brandon and Cameron are former Rose Hill students and jumpstarted the tutoring program by recruiting other students to help. Rose Hill Principal Samara Williams says it is outstanding for her school.
Kyle Kelly and Elizabeth Schmidt – CASASTART. Peer leaders Armando Ascensio, Vanessa Mogollon, Isiah Maestas, Johnatan Lopez, Kitzia Mora Kyle Kelly is the peer leader program coordinator. Kyle has been a CASASTART case coordinator in Adams 14 for the last several years and is currently starting the CASASTART program in Kearney Middle School and Central Elementary. Peer leaders provide extra support to the CASASTART case coordinators and frequently step up to help kids who might be struggling with an activity, or are having a difficult time following directions or meeting expectations. During the school year, peer leaders attend groups to offer extra support.
John Mason, Lester Arnold High School Teacher, Commerce City Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Lester Arnold reading teacher John Mason was recently named Commerce City Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. According to Principal Alan Hollenbeck, Mr. Mason is the rock of instructional teaching at LAHS. Hollenbeck says Mr. Mason will “do anything for kids and volunteers to represent Lester Arnold at various functions.” Mr. Mason received a $100 award, and LAHS received $1000 for the school.
The goal of the Student Achievement Resource Team (StART) is to ensure that each classroom has a dynamic, standards-based teacher who provides powerful 21st century learning experiences to all students. To achieve this goal, nine dynamic classroom teachers were chosen to participate in the Adams 14 STAR Teacher Program. These teachers will expand their knowledge of content and repertoire of teaching and assessment strategies for standards-based instruction and serve as “demonstration classroom teachers” for various curriculum and instruction initiatives.
All STAR Teachers will receive technology equipment such as a laptop, LCD projector and six professional development days designed to support quality, standards-based instructional practices. Congratulations, STAR Teachers – Karen Babcock, Kelli Mrogenski, Deana Valadez, Colleen Urlik, Justin Davis, Callie Varnum, Carl Hunerwadel, Laura Backman, Jenny Bloom.
It’s official - the new Adams 14 school at 72nd and Quebec will be named Adams City High School!
On September 23, the Board of Education approved the name for the new school at 72nd and Quebec Parkway. In a unanimous vote, the Board continued the Adams City High School name for the new school.
Additionally, the Board approved the naming of the ESS HOPE Family Resource Center. HOPE stands for Help, Opportunity and Provision in Education. The resource center consists of the food and clothing pantry and a computer lab/classroom used for adult education.
On August 26, Community Health Services (CHS) opened a new clinic at KMS with a bandaid cutting ceremony. Under the direction of outgoing leader Betty Pepin, the agency has partnered with Adams 14 to deliver health services to students and families for three decades.
CHS was the first school-based health center in the state. The centers provide critical services to our students and families: pediatric medical services; mental health counseling; classroom education on dangers of tobacco use, the importance of wellness and physical activity; AIDS and HIV awareness. The KMS center is the first of three new centers that will be built in Adams 14.
In 2009-10, CHS will provide services at the new Adams City High School. In 2010-11, an additional school-based health center will open at Adams City Middle School.