Jeffco Public Schools

Superintendent's Corner

Dear Jeffco Families,

We’ve almost made it through another successful year in Jeffco Public Schools. Kids in our community have grown academically, socially, in character, and have taken another step towards being ready to meet the exciting future the world holds for them.

I want to personally thank all of you for the contributions you’ve provided in making that happen. Whether you are a student, a parent, a staff member, or a community member, we’ve all had to pull together to support our kids. Jeffco is a wonderful place to be a kid and to grow up and thank you for all you’ve done to make that happen.

This week and next, we have graduations to look forward to across Jeffco. These are great celebrations of all our students have accomplished and the sacrifices our families and staff have made on behalf of these kids. I’m looking forward to attending several Jeffco graduations and shaking the hands of our newly minted graduates!

Read more.

Jeffco students, parents, families, staff, and community members may engage with Dr. Glass via Facebook, Twitter @COJasonGlass, and through his blog, advancejeffco.blog.

A MESSAGE FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT RON MITCHELL

Dear Jeffco Families,

At this time, we are rapidly approaching the end of a great school year in Jeffco Public Schools. Our students have accomplished much during this year. The list of significant accomplishments by our students is long and the result of their pursuit of excellence in a wide variety of areas. As I attend the end of the year events, our students continue to inspire me, and they give me hope for our collective future.

There is an old quote that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Each of us who have contributed to the success of our students can certainly be proud of the growth we have witnessed in our young people this year. Great schools require us to work together. On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to parents, staff, students and all community members who are part of the Jeffco village. Together we have made a positive difference in the lives of 86,000 students.

Finally, on behalf of the Jeffco Board of Education, I would like to offer our sincere congratulations to each member of Jeffco’s Class of 2018. These graduates are tomorrow’s leaders, and I am confident in their ability to make a positive difference in the future. As I attend Graduation Ceremonies and observe and listen to our graduates, I often wish that all citizens could attend graduation and celebrate the talent, hard work, ability, and sophistication of these students. It is truly an inspiring experience. Once again, congratulations to the Class of 2018. We wish you nothing but the best as you continue your life’s journey!

Sincerely,
Ron Mitchell
President, Jeffco Board of Education

JEFFCO TRACK STARS SHINE BEFORE STATE MEET

Pomona senior Ryan Marquez is wrapping up one of the most impressive 3-year runs athletically by a three-sport athlete in Jeffco.

“It’s been an amazing run and I’ve loved every second of it,” said Marquez, who played in three 5A state football games, along with playing basketball and running track at Pomona. “It feels right. Everything is wrapping up right for high school. Now it’s time to take this success and momentum into college.”

Marquez will play football at the University of Wyoming next fall, but he had some unfinished business to take care of last weekend at Jeffco Stadium. Marquez was successful in getting personal records in the 110 and 300 hurdles to set the school record in both events.

“My focus all season has really to get that 110,” said Marquez, who ran a 14.46 in the 5A boys 110 hurdles and 38.75 in the 5A boys 300 hurdles to win both events. “I just want to go out on top.”

FRANKY THE FASHIONISTA

Franky Scaglione was straightening up after another hard, creative day in Classroom 23 at Wheat Ridge High School. This comfortable space is full of student artwork, as well as influences from Scaglione’s life and career. Classroom 23 goes by another name well known at Wheat Ridge: Studio 23. The students who come through these doors are considered Studio 23 artists.

My job is just to oversee this and try and encourage them to take it big and to go on some different ways than they ever shown their art before, and so I really felt fortunate for the opportunity to work with these students in this way,” explained Scaglione, Wheat Ridge’s drawing and painting teacher.
He pointed with pride to a wall of photographs of Studio 23 alums who’ve gone on to professional careers.

“People that I've taught are now living in New York City, going to different art schools, living in Hong Kong, working on things and students that are all over the country doing different projects and a lot of them I still connect with and communicate with,” he said.

Read more.

Good News in Jeffco

Alameda Jr./Sr. High School students competed in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers 2018 Technology Student Association Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics & Science. Read more.

Witt STEM Elementary had an opportunity to celebrate kindness with two of their current students and a teacher from 32 years ago. Read more.

A team of engineers from the CU visited with GT students at both Everitt Middle School and Stevens Elementary to demonstrate how augmented virtual reality is used in space exploration! Read more.

Wish For Wheels (WFW) was at it again! Every second-grade student at Vivian Elementary School received a bike and helmet! Read more.

The North Arvada Middle School chapter of the Technology Student Association won first place in the inaugural state-level SeaPerch competition, held in conjunction with the Colorado TSA. Read more.

Leawood Elementary enjoyed a choice learning day where they took part in authentic, meaningful, and engaging projects tied to the curriculum at each grade level. Read more.

Conifer High School's DECA Chapter competed with 18,000 other DECA students from around the globe in the International Career Development Conference. Read more.

Swanson Elementary's modern rock band, Band of Colts, got the audience's toes tapping at the Denver Art Museum's celebration of all children, Dia del Nino. Read more.

Warren Tech fire science, criminal justice, forensic science, and building trades students team up with fire investigators, Rob Sprenkle and Mark Campbell, to get some real-world experience in arson crime scene investigation. Read more.

Lakewood High School student Jocelyn Holman, took second place with her team (#4499) at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship in Houston. Read more.

West Jefferson Middle School computer teacher Jason Wooldridge had his eighth-grade graphic design class team up with Weston Snowboards and the National Forest Foundation. Read more.

Kelly Cvanciger of Bear Creek High School was nominated for the Harris History Teacher Award by the University of Colorado Denver, administrator of the National History Day (NHD) program in Colorado. Read more.

Katherine Flecksing, Indian Education community liaison, was named a 2017-18 ACT College and Career Readiness Champion for the K-12 professional category. Read more.

Edgewater Elementary students won first place in the State of Colorado Middle School Stock Market Game Year-Long Challenge and the SIFMA Foundation. Read more.

The Boettcher Foundation announced its 2018 Class of Boettcher Scholars, including two Jeffco seniors. Read more.

Deer Creek Middle School students competed in the 2018 KidWind Challenge in Chicago. Read more.

The eighth-grade language arts class at Mandalay Middle School held a Humanities Fair. Read more.

For more good news, visit the Good News Blog and see Jeffco in the News.

GOOD TO KNOW

2018 High School Graduations

Click here to view the schedule of high school graduations. Watch our Facebook page for graduation coverage and check out JPS-TV for select graduation videos.

Facebook Live:
Talking Ed with Dr. Glass
June 4

Coming June 4 at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Glass talks with Tom McDermott, special assistant to the superintendent, about the Strategic Plan. Watch here! 

Budget, School Funding, & Teachers at the Capitol

Funding for K-12 Public Education has been in the news a lot lately. Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass has shared a lot of information over the last month on these issues:

• Jeffco Public Schools 2018-19 Budget
• Jeffco Public Schools Future Funding Options
• Superintendents Respond to Teacher Walkout
• Dr. Glass Informs Families that Students Will Not Have School on April 26
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About April 26
• Facebook Live “Talking Ed” about Jeffco Public Schools funding

If you’d like to engage with Dr. Glass about these issues, visit Facebook, Twitter @COJasonGlass, and his blog, advancejeffco.blog.

How Should Jeffco Public Schools Engage with the Community?

Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass is starting a Community Engagement Task Force. The group will meet initially to hear how the district reaches out currently, give initial feedback, and plan for future meetings.

Tuesday, June 12, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Jeffco Public Schools
Ed Center Board Room (5th floor)
1829 Denver West Drive, Bldg. 27, Golden, CO 80401
Light refreshments and beverages provided.

Questions? Contact Tracie Apel at 303-982-6831. Click here for more info.

Coming Soon: New Food & Nutrition Services Online System

Food & Nutrition Services is pleased to announce SchoolCafé arrives July 1. This is one-stop shopping for families that take advantage of school breakfast and lunch. Users simply need to create an online account in order to:

• Apply for Free/Reduced meals. Remember, this must be done every year. Paper applications will also continue to be accepted.
• Pay for meals online. Account balances will be transferred from the old system to new system.

Be on the lookout for detailed information at the end of June.

GT Gazette Newsletter

Click here for the latest issue of the GT Gazette newsletter, with updates on students, classes, events, and resources for supporting gifted learners. The Spanish version is available here and also on the GT public website.

Check Out the Latest from JPS-TV

Emmy®-nominated JPS-TV is the official YouTube channel for Jeffco Public Schools. It features stories about Jeffco kids, teachers, and staff who are building bright futures! Be sure to check out the latest from JPS-TV here. 

Keep Up with Jeffco Athletics

To get the latest on Jeffco’s high school athletics, be sure to check out the CHSAANow.com/jeffco website, JPS-TV Sports, the Jeffco Athletics Facebook page, and scores and photos via @JeffcoAthletics on Twitter.

HAPPENING IN JEFFCO

Warren Tech Summer Spa Days
May 29-June 11

Warren Tech's cosmetology programs are hosting their annual Summer Spa Days May 29-June 11. They are offering numerous spa packages and services including deep conditioning treatment, waxing, brow tint, hair-styling, polish change, and water manicure/pedicure. Save over 85% compared to major salons! Contact Warren Tech Cosmetology at 303-982-8544 or see the attached flyer for more information.

JA Business Week
June 10-15

JA (Junior Achievement) Business Week is a one-of-a-kind summer program that lets high school students experience the business world, develop leadership skills, and focus on their futures. Students currently in grades 9-12 learn about business from hundreds of professionals while working on "Shark Tank"-style projects. They also get a taste of college life by living on a university campus. Click here for more information and to register.

Field of Dreams Camp for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students
June 23-24

The 21st Annual – 2018 - Sertoma Field of Dreams Baseball Camp for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community is June 23-24 at All-Star Park - Keli McGregor Field in Lakewood. See the attached flyers for details and registration info.

IMPORTANT DATES

• May 24 - Last Day of School

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

• Thursday, June 7, 5:00 p.m., Special Meeting
• Thursday, June 7, 6:00 p.m., Regular Meeting
• Monday, June 11, 9:00 a.m., Special Meeting

Meetings are held at the Jeffco Ed Center Board Room, 1829 Denver West Drive #27, Golden. Meeting schedules and agendas are posted on BoardDocs.