USDE Secretary Arne Duncan to Visit Aurora Public Schools

NEWS RELEASE # 45
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2012

WHAT: USDE Secretary Arne Duncan to Visit Aurora Public Schools
WHEN: February 28, 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Vista PEAK Preparatory School, 24500 East 6^th Avenue 80018

USDE Secretary Arne Duncan to Visit Aurora Public Schools
APS to Host Roundtable Discussion

Aurora Public Schools is pleased to host U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan for a roundtable discussion focusing on APS Academic and Career Pathways. The discussion will feature APS parents, students, staff, community members and pathway partners.

APS Academic and Career Pathways provide students with rigorous curricula connected with focused, hands-on, relevant learning that prepares them for higher education and the workforce. Pathways are designed to: 

• Prepare students for college and careers with university credits, industry certificates, and associate's degrees
• Engage students through career exploration and relevant core academics
• Position students to compete globally for high-demand, high-skill, high-paying careers

Studies show that students with coursework related to career goals tend to have higher educational aspirations and higher self-esteem. On average, students who set career goals are more satisfied with their education than students who are indecisive about their future careers. APS has developed four Academic and Career Pathways: 

• Arts and Communication
• Business
• Health Sciences
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM)

Media may join USDE Secretary Duncan and his special guests as they discuss APS Academic and Career Pathways. Due to security protocol, please arrive by 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 28
12:30 p.m.
Vista PEAK Preparatory School
24500 East 6^th Avenue
Aurora, Colorado 80018

 

###

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lieutenant Governor Launches “Colorado Literacy Week”

NEWS RELEASE # 44
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2012

WHAT: “Colorado Literacy Week” Launched at APS
WHEN: February 27, 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Crawford Elementary School, 1600 Florence Street 80010

Lieutenant Governor Launches “Colorado Literacy Week”
APS to Host Official Kick-Off Event

Aurora Public Schools is pleased to host Colorado Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia for the official kick-off to “Colorado Literacy Week.” Lieutenant Governor Garcia will make his proclamation at Crawford Elementary School on February 27. Colorado Literacy Week is scheduled February 27-March 2. 

Media may join Lieutenant Governor Garcia and his special guests as they highlight some of the innovative community-based initiatives happening across the state to improve early literacy. Following the proclamation, Lieutenant Governor Garcia will read to students in a classroom. The lieutenant governor and students will also be available for interviews.

Monday, February 27
9:30 a.m.
Crawford Elementary School
1600 Florence Street
Aurora, Colorado 80010

 

“The more you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
- Dr. Seuss

 

###

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APS Board of Education Executive Session

NEWS RELEASE # 43
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2012

WHAT: APS Board of Education Executive Session
WHEN: February 21, 2012
WHERE: 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO  80011

APS Board of Education Executive Session

On Tuesday, February 21, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education is expected to recess into executive session under the authority of C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e) to discuss the budget, and strategy and guidance for negotiations.

This session will take place from 5-6 p.m. in Conference Room A of Educational Services Center 4, located at 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora 80011.

###

“Love the Bus” Campaign Rolls into APS

 

NEWS RELEASE #42
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2012

WHAT: “Love the Bus” Campaign Comes to APS
WHEN: February 14, 9 a.m.
WHERE: Peoria Elementary School, 875 Peoria Street 80011

“Love the Bus” Campaign Rolls into APS
Special Valentine’s Day Celebration

Valentine’s Day will be one to remember for bus drivers in Aurora Public Schools. Drivers will be honored as part of the national “Love the Bus” campaign. Upon arrival at Peoria Elementary School, drivers will be presented with cards, posters and treats to thank them for their service.

The American School Board Council’s “Love the Bus” campaign is designed to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport students to and from school. “Love the Bus” promotes the idea that every person involved in education is critical to a student’s success.

###

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

 

 

 

 

 

APS to Hold Grand Opening for Aurora Hills

NEWS RELEASE #41
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2012

WHAT: Aurora Hills Middle School Grand Opening Celebration
WHEN: February 11, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Aurora Hills Middle School, 1009 South Uvalda Street 80012

APS to Hold Grand Opening for Aurora Hills 

Aurora Public Schools will hold a grand opening celebration for the new Aurora Hills Middle School on Saturday, February 11 at 10 a.m. The school is located at 1009 South Uvalda Street, just north of the old Aurora Hills school site.

The new school replaces a 1973 building constructed without windows, classroom walls or doors. The new school will benefit students and staff by providing a much improved learning environment for the Aurora Hills International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

The new building was funded as part of the $215 million bond approved by Aurora voters in November 2008. The bond is also funding improvements at every APS school.

Members of the media are welcome to attend the dedication of the school. The event will also include free food, activities and building tours.

For information on APS bond projects, visit aurorak12.org/bond.

###

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

 

 

 

 

 

Aurora Public Schools February 4 Weather Update

NEWS RELEASE #40
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2012

 Aurora Public Schools February 4 Weather Update

All Aurora Public Schools and Pickens Technical College athletics, events, activities and rentals are canceled for Saturday, February 4 due to weather conditions.

###

Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303.326.2755 for more information

 

 

 

 

APS Closed on Friday, February 3

 

NEWS RELEASE #39
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2012

APS Closed on Friday, February 3

Due to weather conditions and as a safety precaution, Aurora Public Schools and Pickens Technical College will be closed on Friday, Feb. 3. All athletic practices, events and activities are also canceled.

All APS district offices and daycare centers will also be closed. The preschool screening at the Meadowood Child Development Center and the “Season of Nonviolence” event at Aurora Central High School are also canceled.

NOTE: Many APS students and staff members already have Friday, Feb. 3 off, due to a staff exchange day.

###

Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303.326.2755 for more information

 

 

 

 

 

A Day in the Life of an APS Truancy Specialist

 

NEWS RELEASE # 38
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2012

WHAT: APS tackles truancy with door knocking campaign
WHEN: February 7, 10 a.m. (news conference followed by door knocking campaign)
WHERE: Professional Learning & Conference Center,
                             15771 East 1^st Avenue, 80011

A Day in the Life of an APS Truancy Specialist

Aurora Public Schools is working hard to curb truancy. It is often the dedicated work of those behind-the-scenes that brings students back to school. In APS, these people are known as truancy specialists.

The work of the truancy reduction team resulted in 295 students coming back to school this year. That brings a total of $1.9 million to the district in per pupil revenue.

Truancy specialists make home visits every day. The annual APS truancy door knocking campaign will feature the APS truancy specialists and the effort behind bringing students back to school. An APS student will also share his amazing story of how a truancy specialist changed his life.

Following the news conference, APS Superintendent John L. Barry will join the truancy specialists and other staff members for a truancy door knocking campaign. The group will knock on the doors of APS students who have been chronically truant this year. The goal is to invite these students back to school.

Last year, nearly half of APS schools had no habitual truants or showed some decrease in the percentage of habitual truants. Of the 134 students in the 2010-11 truancy program, 73% showed improvement in their rate of unexcused absences.

Local media is invited to join Superintendent Barry and other APS staff members at the news conference and as they visit homes to encourage truant students to return to school.

###

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

 

 

 

 

 

Students to Learn about Injury Prevention

NEWS RELEASE # 36
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2012

WHAT: Students Receive Safety Education from Safe Kids Denver Metro, led by Children’s Hospital Colorado
WHEN: February 6, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: Tollgate Elementary School, 701 South Kalispell Way, Aurora 

Students to Learn about Injury Prevention

Kindergarten students at Tollgate Elementary School are learning about their bones and how to protect them. As part of their study, representatives from Safe Kids Denver Metro, led by Children’s Hospital Colorado, will visit the school to provide traumatic brain injury prevention education and help fit each child with a helmet.

Students will learn about the rules of the road, the importance of always wearing a helmet on every bike and other wheeled sports ride, and how to properly wear a helmet to help prevent injury. Safe Kids representatives and volunteers will fit each student with their helmet.

Monday, February 6, 2012
8:30 a.m.
Tollgate Elementary School
701 South Kalispell Way
Aurora, Colorado 80017

###

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

 

 

 

 

 

APS Board of Education Executive Session

NEWS RELEASE # 37
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2012

WHAT: APS Board of Education Executive Session
WHEN: February 7, 2012
WHERE: 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO  80011

APS Board of Education Executive Session

On Tuesday, February 7, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education is expected to recess into executive session under the authority of C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e) to receive information regarding strategies for the upcoming negotiations.

This session will take place from 5-6 p.m. in Conference Room A of Educational Services Center 4, located at 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora 80011.

###