Denver Nuggets Shoot Hoops with APS Students

NEWS RELEASE # 34
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2010

WHAT: Denver Nuggets Shoot Hoops with APS Students
WHEN: November 30, 2:30 pm
WHERE: Aurora Central High School, 11700 East 11^th Avenue 80010

Denver Nuggets Shoot Hoops with APS Students

On Tuesday, November 30, Kroenke Sports Enterprises and the Denver Nuggets will give 150 Aurora Public Schools K-12 students the chance to play basketball with some of the Denver Nuggets. Players and assistant coaches will discuss with the students the importance of a good education and their own personal testimonies of success on and off the basketball court; conduct mini-clinics; and pose for pictures. Students are selected to attend this rewards event based on attendance, citizenship and scholarship. Students will receive goody bags filled with school supplies, notebooks and Nuggets’ memorabilia, including an official Denver Nuggets T-shirt. 

“This is the sixth exciting year that 150 deserving APS students have the opportunity to participate in this clinic. This is an incredible opportunity for APS students to meet professional athletes and the chance to shoot hoops with them as well. Our hope is that they will be inspired to continue to achieve in the classroom to reach their goals and dreams in life,” said Angela M. Hutton-Howard, Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation Executive Director. “The Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation is again excited and pleased to work with Kroenke Sports (Doug Fulton) and the Denver Nuggets for the sixth consecutive year to offer students a unique experience to intermingle with professional athletes. The Nuggets players who participate in the clinic have enjoyed the opportunity to work with APS students who deserve the recognition through their academic and civic achievements.”

About Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation (APSEF)
The mission of the Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation is to fund educational initiatives and innovative opportunities in the Aurora Public Schools community. To learn more about APSEF, visit www.apsedfoundation.org or call 303-326-2042.

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information

 APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications

Governor Ritter Unveils P-20 Partnership

NEWS RELEASE # 33
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2010

WHAT: Governor Ritter Unveils P-20 Partnership
WHEN: December 1, 9:30 am
WHERE: Aurora Public Schools Professional Learning & Conference Center,
                     15771 East 1^st Avenue 80011

Governor Ritter Unveils P-20 Partnership

Governor Bill Ritter will join Aurora Public Schools Superintendent John L. Barry to introduce the Community Workforce Planning Team (CWPT) and collaborative efforts to eliminate the Colorado Paradox.

The CWPT is a major partnership involving APS and more than 30 community groups and organizations. Each member of the CWPT represents the following areas:

• Higher Education
• Industry
• Economic Development
• Workforce Development
• Aurora Public Schools

Although Colorado has the second highest percentage in the country of adults with college degrees, the state ranks 47^th in the country regarding high school graduates who go on to college. CWPT members support Governor Ritter and Superintendent Barry in taking action to eliminate the Colorado Paradox through the establishment of P-20 academic and career pathways. The CWPT will serve as the cornerstone for VISTA 2015 – the strategic plan for Aurora Public Schools.

Please join Governor Ritter, Superintendent Barry, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education and CWPT members to learn more about their commitment to the alignment of economic and educational initiatives for the benefit of students, local industry and the entire community.

Wednesday, December 1
APS Professional Learning and Conference Center
15771 East 1^st Avenue
Aurora, Colorado 80011
9:30 am

Student presentations will conclude the event.

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information

 APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications

Astronaut Helps Students Build and Launch Rockets

NEWS RELEASE # 32
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2010

WHAT: Astronaut Helps Students Build and Launch Rockets
WHEN: November 19, 9:50 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Crawford and Montview elementary schools (see below)

Astronaut Helps Students Build and Launch Rockets

Colorado native and NASA astronaut, Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger will teach third graders at Crawford and Montview elementary schools about life in space. The students will build and launch rockets together, as part of a free lesson series available to teachers through Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (WOTR).

Metcalf-Lindenburger spent more than 15 days in space this year. Tomorrow, she will share her first-hand astronaut experiences and help APS students build and launch their own rockets. The students will use trackers to estimate height and distance.

Media is welcome to attend either event:

Crawford Elementary School                                Montview Elementary School
1600 Florence St.                                                    2055 Moline St.
Aurora, CO 80010                                                    Aurora, CO 80010               
9:50 a.m.                                                                    1:00 p.m.

The class also is part of WOTR’s Wings Aerospace Program (WASP), an eight-unit lesson series that motivates elementary and middle school student achievement in science and math using the excitement of space. WOTR provides the training and course materials to area teachers at no cost. For more information about the program, visit http://www.wingsmuseum.org/education.

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information

 APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications

Barry Named Colorado Superintendent of the Year

NEWS RELEASE # 31
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2010 

Barry Named Colorado Superintendent of the Year

The Colorado Association of School Executives has named John L. Barry the 2011 Colorado Superintendent of the Year.

With the support of the APS Board of Education, School Executives of Aurora nominated Barry for the award, stating that Barry has “changed the focus, philosophy, and physical structure of (the district).”

"This is a tremendous honor, and I gratefully accept it on behalf of our educational partners, including the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education, our administrators, teachers, classified personnel, parents, community and most importantly, our students,” Barry said. “This recognition is a tribute to the partnership that we share and our commitment to accelerate student achievement and close the achievement gaps."

CASE member and Brighton Superintendent Rod Blunk chaired the selection process and stated, “John is truly a visionary leader. He’s willing to take on difficult tasks, willing to look at the realities of the system, and then willing to do something positive about it.”

As Colorado’s Superintendent of the Year, Barry is now a candidate for the American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent of the Year award. The national winner will be announced at AASA’s annual conference in February 2011.

Barry is not alone in receiving state recognition:

• Aurora West Preparatory Academy teacher Andrea (Andi) McCarthy was named the 2010 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
• Sable Elementary School teacher Victoria Montoya was named the 2010 Language, Culture and Equity Educator of the Year.
• William Smith High School Principal Jane Shirley earned the 2010 Wright Way Award.
• Rangeview High School teacher Dave West earned the 2009 Colorado Counselor of the Year award.
• In 2009, the APS Board of Education earned the All State School Board Award from the Colorado Association of School Boards.

To learn more about staff accomplishments, visit www.aps.k12.co.us/communications/docs/points_pride.pdf.

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information

 APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications

Jewell Elementary Students Salute Veterans

NEWS RELEASE # 30
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2010

WHAT: Jewell Elementary Students Salute Veterans
WHEN: November 11, 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Jewell Elementary School, 14601 East Jewell Avenue 80012

Jewell Elementary Students Salute Veterans

Jewell Elementary School is proud to host a special salute to veterans. The Veterans’ Day ceremony is planned for Thursday, November 11 at 9:00 a.m.

The Colorado Army National Guard will be on hand to post and retire the colors. The ceremony will also include remarks from Jewell students, including the meaning of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Members of the media are welcome to attend this special event.

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information

 APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications

APS Board of Education Meeting

NEWS RELEASE # 29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2010 

WHAT: APS BOE Executive Session
WHEN: November 9, 2010
WHERE: Professional Learning & Conference Center, 15771 E. 1st Ave., 80011

APS Board of Education Meeting

Because of interest in the Nov. 9 Aurora Public Schools Board of Education's meeting, it will be held in the Mount Massive Room at the APS Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15771 East 1st Ave., rather than the usual location on Peoria St. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

The Board will consider an arbitrator's non-binding recommendation in the Aurora Education Association's grievance regarding the District's 2010-11 implementation of the language in Article 13, Section 4 of the Master Agreement, which governs high school and middle school teaching assignments.

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APS Board of Education Executive Session

NEWS RELEASE # 28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2010 

WHAT: APS BOE Executive Session
WHEN: November 9, 2010
WHERE: 1^st Avenue and Centertech Parkway

APS Board of Education Executive Session

The Aurora Public Schools Board of Education is expected to recess into executive session on Tuesday, Nov. 9 under the authority of C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b), to receive legal advice on an arbitration decision.

This session will take place from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in the A3-VIP conference room at the Professional Learning and Conference Center, located at located at 1^st Avenue and Centertech Parkway east of the ESC 1 and 2 buildings.

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APS Students Reach New Heights

NEWS RELEASE # 27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2010

WHAT: APS Superintendent Leads Aviation Ground School
WHEN: November 6, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Front Range Airport, 5200 Front Range Parkway #1 80137

APS Students Reach New Heights

A group of APS students will soon “take flight” with Superintendent John L. Barry. The students are taking part in Aviation Ground School at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and learning about the wonders of flight.

“By putting a light in the eyes of students on the possibility of reaching for the sky and outer space, we instill in the next generation the excitement of flight in our atmosphere and beyond,” said Barry.

Superintendent Barry is relying on his 30+ years of flight instruction experience as he teaches the students. The program involves math, science, reading, aeronautics, meteorology and physics. Students are focusing on:

• forces of flight
• aircraft controls and instruments
• flight planning
• weather
• airport operations
• taxi, takeoff and landing procedures
• flying a simulator
• flying in an aircraft

The class concludes on November 6 when students get to fly with Superintendent Barry.

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information

 APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications

Holocaust Film Project Comes to Hinkley High

NEWS RELEASE # 26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2010

WHAT: Holocaust Film Project, “The Making of Forgotten Transports”
WHEN: November 4, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Hinkley High School, 1250 Chambers Road 80011

Holocaust Film Project Comes to Hinkley High

A monumental four-part Holocaust documentary that traces the history of Czech Jews through their deportation to four lesser known communities is coming to Hinkley High School on Thursday, November 4. The documentary chronicles the group’s ultimate experiences of survival.

The film series was created by award-winning director and producer Lukas Prybyl from the Czech Republic. He spent ten years researching, interviewing and creating the film series. Prybyl will show clips from his documentary and answer questions from students and staff members.

The documentary film focuses on human identity and its changes. The four-part film deals with the difficult choices people escaping Nazi ghettos and labor and death camps had to make in order to adapt and survive, on the run, in hiding – with a great deal of ingenuity, much humor and tremendous optimism.

This event is possible through the Mizel Museum.

***Please note: this event is not open to the general public***

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information

 APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications