APS Board of Education Special Open Meeting

NEWS RELEASE # 45
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2012

WHAT: APS Board of Education Special Open Meeting
WHEN: December 1, 2012
WHERE: 1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

APS Board of Education Special Open Meeting

On Saturday, December 1, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education will hold a special open meeting pursuant to C.R.S. 22-32-108, to discuss 2013-14 board of education goals and the superintendent search.

This special open meeting will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall at The Broadmoor Colorado Springs located at 1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.

###

APS Board of Education Executive Session -- LOCATION CHANGE

NEWS RELEASE # 44
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2012

WHAT: APS Board of Education Executive Session -- LOCATION CHANGE
WHEN: December 5, 2012
WHERE: 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO 80011 15771 E. 1st Avenue, Aurora, 80011

APS Board of Education Executive Session -- LOCATION CHANGE

On Wednesday, December 5, 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)(f)(I), to discuss a personnel matter.

This session will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Conference Room A of Educational Services Center 4, located at 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO 80011 the Professional Learning and Conference Center’s “Blanca Peak” room, located at 15771 E. 1st Avenue, Aurora, 80011.

###

Public Hearing on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Unified Improvement Plan Schools

NEWS RELEASE # 43
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2012

Public Hearing on Priority Improvement or
Turnaround Unified Improvement Plan Schools

On December 11, 2012, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education will hold a public hearing  at 6:00 p.m. in the Dr. Ed Lord and Patricia Lord Boardroom, ESC 4, 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, Colorado,  80011, to review the adoption and implementation of a school improvement plan as described in section 22-11-404 C.R.S., a school priority improvement plan as described in section 22-11-405 C.R.S., or a school turnaround plan as described in section 22-11-406 C.R.S. 

The district and following schools are required to develop a priority improvement or turnaround plan:

• Arkansas Elementary School
• Crawford Elementary School
• Jewell Elementary School
• Kenton Elementary School
• Paris Elementary School
• Sixth Avenue Elementary School
• Mrachek Middle School
• Boston K-8 School
• Fletcher Intermediate School of Science and Technology
• APS Online High School
• Aurora Central High School

The Board of Education is expected to approve the plans on January 8, 2012.  For more information, please contact Chief Accountability and Research Officer Lisa Escárcega, at 303-344-8060 ext. 28436.

###

 

 

  

 

 

Rangeview High School Selected to Participate in National Pilot Program

NEWS RELEASE # 42
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2012

  

Rangeview High School Selected to Participate in National Pilot Program
New course expands in-demand, high-skill opportunities for students 

 

Project Lead The Way, the nation’s leading non-profit provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum and professional development to middle and high schools, has selected Rangeview High School to pilot a new PLTW course in the 2013-14 school year. 

The new course is called Computer Science and Software Engineering and will be part of the high school’s Pathway to Engineering program from PLTW. The course addresses an ever-growing need for students across all career paths to explore the new questions and tools opened up by massive data collection and processing. The course also exposes students to the high-demand career paths within Computer Science and Information Technology.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 50% of the 1.4 million job openings in STEM through 2018 will be for computer specialists (PCAST Report to The President: Engage to Excel, 2012.) 

Bill Petry, the instructor selected to pilot the course at Rangeview High School, is among approximately 50 teachers nationwide participating in the pilot program. These 50 teachers will help instruct the professional development for the teachers who wish to implement the Computer Science and Software Engineering course when it becomes available for the full PLTW network in the 2014-15 school year. There are over 5,200 PLTW programs in more than 4,700 schools across the United States.  

About PLTW

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education curricular programs used in schools. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, PLTW exists to prepare students for the global economy through its world-class curriculum, high-quality professional development, and an engaged network of educators, students, universities and professionals. PLTW's comprehensive curriculum has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving skills in students. The hands-on, project-based program engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven path to college and career success. More than 4,700 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are currently offering PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.

 

###

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

 

 

  

 

 

U.S. Department of Education Awards Nearly $50,000 to Assist APS Recover from Theater Shooting

NEWS RELEASE # 41
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2012

  

U.S. Department of Education Awards Nearly $50,000 to Assist APS Recover from Theater Shooting

 

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students, formerly the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, has awarded Aurora Public Schools a Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grant totaling nearly $50,000. The grant will provide assistance for ongoing recovery efforts following a deadly shooting during the midnight premiere of the movie, “The Dark Knight Rises.”

“This senseless attack profoundly impacted students and educators throughout the city, and these resources will help the Aurora community provide special care to those who need it,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “We want to support this community as it continues to recover and reconnect after this horrific event.”

Project SERV provides critical support to districts and institutions of higher education that have experienced a significant traumatic event and need resources to respond, recover and re-establish a safe environment for students. The Office of Safe and Healthy Students has awarded more than $29 million to 97 grantees, including Aurora Public Schools, since the grant program began in 2001.

Aurora Public Schools applied for and received a Project SERV Immediate Services grant in order to support efforts taken by the district to restore the learning environment while also providing critical assistance to students and staff.

 

###

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

 

 

  

 

 

Multicultural Night at FULTON Academy of Excellence

NEWS RELEASE # 40
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2012

WHAT: FULTON Academy of Excellence: Evening of Cultural Celebration
WHEN: November 15, 3:45 p.m.
WHERE: FULTON Academy of Excellence, 755 Fulton Street 80010

  

Multicultural Night at FULTON Academy of Excellence

 

It will be an evening of cultural celebration when students and their families travel the halls of FULTON Academy of Excellence with their “passports” to watch dancers from China, Nepal and Bhutan; attend a theatrical performance from Ellis Island; and taste cuisine from the Philippines and Mexico. Participants will receive stamps in their "passports" while also enjoying table displays and demonstrations that highlight cultural offerings from Malaysia, Kenya, and Mongolia, among many other nations. 

 

###

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

 

 

  

 

 

APS and City of Aurora to Discuss Aurora Compact

NEWS RELEASE # 39
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2012

WHAT: APS Superintendent Meets with City Officials on Aurora Compact
WHEN: November 13, 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: ESC 1, 15701 East 1st Avenue, Suite 206 80011

  

APS and City of Aurora to Discuss Aurora Compact

 

Aurora Public Schools Superintendent John L. Barry will host city leaders on Tuesday regarding the development of the new partnership known as the Aurora Compact. The groups are combining resources and personnel to support this new partnership for the benefit of all APS students.

The Aurora Compact provides students with a practical, hands-on, experiential learning environment where classroom learning can be applied within the city’s workforce and local government. This partnership further enhances the Aurora Public Schools Academic and Career Pathways program. This process began with the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the school district and the city.

Expected attendees include APS Superintendent John L. Barry, APS Deputy Superintendent William Stuart, APS Board of Education President JulieMarie Shepherd, Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, Aurora City Manager Skip Noe and Aurora Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator Roberto Venegas. This meeting is open to media.

 

###

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 # 38
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2012

WHAT: APS Board of Education Executive Session
WHEN: November 13, 2012
WHERE: 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO 80011

APS Board of Education Executive Session

On Tuesday, November 13, 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)(f)(I), to discuss a personnel matter.

This session will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room A of Educational Services Center 4, located at 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO 80011.

###

GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING YOUNG PHILANTHROPIST

NEWS RELEASE # 37
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2012 

  

Gateway High School Graduate Recognized as Outstanding Young Philanthropist

 

Briana Johnson, a recent graduate of Gateway High School, will be recognized for her work as a social entrepreneur for National Philanthropy Day in Colorado on November 9. 

In recent years, Briana participated in several Junior Achievement (JA) programs including JA Business Week, where she was part of the winning team.  Briana was a classroom leader for the Carson J Spencer Foundation’s FIRE Within program, a year-long curriculum delivered in partnership with Junior Achievement that inspires high school students to use innovation and entrepreneurial strategies to address root causes of suicide prevention in their communities. Her leadership in this effort was one of many reasons she was nominated by the Carson J Spencer Foundation, Junior Achievement and the Better Business Bureau for Outstanding Youth Philanthropist.

Over the last academic year, Briana helped lead her FIRE Within class to create and implement a very successful social enterprise called “Ask Me about My List.” After discovering that Gateway students were not reaching out for help when distressed, Briana and her classmates create a t-shirt that engaged students in a conversation about mental health. The FIRE Within group asked Gateway students to write lists of reasons for living on their shirts. If any of those reasons came off the list, the students were instructed to tell someone. The class impacted 942 students and netted $346 in sales in just eight weeks.

“The FIRE Program was inspirational,” said Briana. “It not only motivated me, but it motivated my whole school to work towards suicide prevention. By creating a product that sparks interest in mental health, we created a difference, and that was the most rewarding part.”

“Briana does what all incredible social entrepreneurs do,” said Jess Stohlmann, FIRE Program Director for the Carson J Spencer Foundation, “she sets goals that seem unreasonable, and finds a way to achieve them.”

“Briana exemplifies student success in Aurora Public Schools,” said Aurora Public Schools Superintendent John L. Barry. “Her involvement with her peers is to be recognized and commended. We look forward to hearing about Briana’s future accomplishments!”

Briana also received an $8,000 Inspirational Scholarship from Junior Achievement and a $1,000 Student of Integrity Scholarship from the Better Business Bureau Foundation. Her demonstration of exceptional character, leadership, and ethical values impressed the BBB and Junior Achievement scholarship selection committees.   Briana is currently a freshman at CU-Boulder where she intends to major in environmental engineering so that she can work in conjunction with top energy providers to create a cleaner universe.

 

###

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

 

 

  

 

 

Aurora Public Schools Ballot Measure 3C Approved

NEWS RELEASE # 36
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2012

 

  

Aurora Public Schools Ballot Measure 3C Approved
Thank you, Aurora voters!

On November 6, Aurora voters approved ballot measure 3C, a $15 million mill levy override that will recover a portion of the $70 million in state funding cuts that Aurora Public Schools has experienced over the past three years.

“On behalf of the APS Board of Education and Leadership Team, I would like to thank voters for supporting this important ballot measure,” said APS Superintendent John L. Barry. “Our success is due to the tremendous efforts of our campaign committee, Aurora Citizens for Excellent Schools, our staff, parents and the thousands of community members who supported this measure. Because of our strong community support, every student will benefit from mill levy funding.”

The mill levy will provide funding in three key areas:

• ACHIEVEMENT: Recovering a portion of reduced state funding for reading, writing, math, science, early childhood education and more public school choices

• INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:  Recovering a portion of reduced state funding for instructional classroom technology, equipment and curriculum materials, which aid in preparing students for college and careers

• HIGH QUALITY STAFF:  Recruiting and retaining high quality teachers and staff to provide for smaller class sizes, increases in graduation rates and lower dropout rates

The election results are based on a review of unofficial county results. Official results will be available later this month.

 

###

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

 

 

  

 

 

Aurora Public Schools in Top 100 School Districts Using netTrekker Search

NEWS RELEASE # 35
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2012

  

Aurora Public Schools in Top 100 School Districts Using netTrekker Search 

A national ranking of the top 100 school districts that use the pioneering educational search tool netTrekker Search was recently released by Knovation, the leader in personalized learning solutions. The Digital Learning Awards Program honors school districts that are effectively using digital resources to transform their teaching and learning environments. The winning districts have recognized the impact digital resources can have in creating engaging, differentiated learning experiences while promoting independent learning.

Aurora Public Schools ranked 21 in the top 100 list. The number of educational searches performed using netTrekker Search during the 2011-2012 school year by the top 100 districts ranged from over 124,000 searches to 4 million searches (top user).

With more than 25 industry awards for educational excellence, Knovation’s educational search tool, netTrekker Search, has supported over 27 million students and 1 million teachers in more than 30,000 schools since 2000 in creating engaging, 21^st century learning environments.

Seventy-four percent of school administrators cite increased student engagement in school and learning as the top benefit of regularly using digital content, which is becoming a foundational component of the 21st century classroom. In line with this national trend, the 2012 netTrekker Search Impact Study found that more than three-fourths (77%) of netTrekker Search subscribers rate it as an extremely valuable teaching resource, while 97% of subscribers indicate netTrekker Search has had a positive impact on their students.

“We are proud to recognize the excellent school districts on the list for their commitment to innovation in the classroom and for their work to create an environment that fosters engaging personalized learning experiences with digital tools and curriculum,” said Randy Wilhelm, CEO of Knovation. “We are honored to work with the leaders, teachers and students in these districts year after year to help transform learning for students across the country.”

 

###

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

 

 

  

 

 

APS Students Reach New Heights

NEWS RELEASE # 34
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2012 

WHAT: APS Superintendent Leads Aviation Ground School
WHEN: November 3, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Front Range Airport, 5200 Front Range Parkway 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.

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 

“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.

The class concludes on November 3 when students get to fly with Superintendent Barry.

 

###

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