Aurora Public Schools Families and Staff Say “Let’s Move!”

NEWS RELEASE #45
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2015

WHAT: Let’s Move Aurora Healthy Fair
WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 9 a.m.-Noon
WHERE: Gateway High School
                    1300 S. Sable Blvd., Aurora, CO  80012

Aurora Public Schools Families and Staff Say “Let’s Move!”

Aurora Public Schools will be hosting the Let’s Move Aurora Healthy Fair on Saturday, May 2 at Gateway High School. APS students, staff and family members are invited to take part in this healthy and fun event.

Participants who are signed up for the Super Hero Fun Run/Walk will be dressed as their favorite crime fighter. The run/walk starts 9 a.m. There will also be a FREE breakfast provided to all attendees following the run.

The healthy fair will have various vendors from the Aurora community, as well as sports physicals, food samples and many activities for children and adults!

The event will conclude with international sensation Paul Mavi, the creator of Bokwa leading everyone in a free “Bokwa” class.

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

Aurora Public Schools Students Showcase Interactive Career and Technical Education Projects

NEWS RELEASE #44
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2015

WHAT: Career and Technical Education Pathway Student Showcase
WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 4:45-5:45 p.m.
WHERE: APS Professional Learning & Conference Center (PLCC)
                 15771 E. 1st Avenue (Mt. Massive Room), Aurora, CO  80011

Aurora Public Schools Students Showcase Interactive Career and Technical Education Projects

Aurora Public Schools is proud to celebrate our Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. A large group of students will be showing off their top work and projects during an interactive showcase. This event will be hosted in the Mt. Massive Room at the APS Professional Learning & Conference Center.

Student work will include: Aerospace, Digital and Software Engineering/Design, Visual & Design Arts Capstone projects, Web Design, Tax Help Colorado services and Biomedical Health Science Capstone projects. Students are representing CTE Pathways from Aurora Central, Gateway, Hinkley, Rangeview and Vista PEAK Preparatory high schools.

Members of the CTE Pathway Advisory Committee will be asking students questions and offering them feedback about their work. The time and efforts of PAC members have positively impacted CTE student achievement and outcomes. 

A requirement of state-recognized CTE programs is to have an active Advisory Committee comprised of 51% business/industry members who provide feedback regarding class curriculum, technology and work place skills, learning opportunities and business and industry trends. CTE Pathways prepare students to graduate from high school prepared for entry-level employment and/or participation in post-secondary programs. 

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

New Tool Helps Gateway High School Students Explore How Much Future College Degrees are Worth

NEWS RELEASE #43
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2015

WHAT: Higher Education Pays Event With Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia
WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 9-9:45 a.m.
WHERE: Gateway High School
                 1300 S Sable Blvd, Aurora, CO 80012             

New Tool Helps Gateway High School Students Explore How Much Future College Degrees are Worth

Gateway High School students will join Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and the Colorado Department of Higher Education to release “Ed Pays”. Ed Pays is a new interactive tool that shows median salaries one, five and 10 years after graduation based on major, degree type and institution.

Starting on April 29, Colorado students and their parents will have access to Ed Pays to help them decide what to study after high school, where to study and how long to study.

Earning a post-secondary credential has proven to be a sound investment for most students, leading to higher incomes and greater employment opportunities. In fact, by 2020, 74 percent of Colorado’s jobs will require some type of postsecondary credential.

“As more and more students borrow more and more money to fund their postsecondary education, the existence of inexpensive pathways to good jobs should become part of student exploration of college options,” said Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

The event will also feature a tour of Gateway High School’s college planning center and STEM-focused Hyperlab, and opportunities to interview students.

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

Aurora Public Schools Celebrates Earth Day by Flipping the Switch on New Solar Panels

NEWS RELEASE #42
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2015

WHAT: Earth Day Celebration
WHEN: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 from 9-9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Elkhart Elementary School
                 1020 Eagle St., Aurora, CO 80011

Aurora Public Schools Celebrates Earth Day by Flipping the Switch on New Solar Panels

Aurora Public Schools is celebrating Earth Day by “flipping the switch” on new solar panel installations. Last year, 12 APS schools competed for three $20,000 energy-saving solar panels at their schools. The ReNew Our Schools competition inspired students to form 11 new environmental clubs and take action to conserve energy in their schools and communities.

Student-led teams worked with a teacher-sponsor and program mentor from the energy industry to reduce energy use in their schools in a points-based contest. The students used energy consumption monitors, provided by e-Gauge and Magnelabs, to conduct classroom and school-wide energy audits and devise energy-saving plans.

Three APS schools will celebrate their new solar panel installations this week: Elkhart Elementary, South Middle School and Aurora Quest K-8. Students will be handing out green ribbons to symbolize Earth Day and raise awareness for sustainability efforts.

Thanks to the following community partners and mentors for supporting the competition: Custom Solar, Center for ReSource Conservation in Boulder, eGauge, Magnelab, CU Denver, Xcel Energy, SlaterPaull Architects, NREL, Johnson Controls, Amplidyne, Green Schools Alliance, Waste Management, Transpower Company and the U.S. General Services Administration.

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

APS Board of Education Dinner Conversation

NEWS RELEASE #41
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2015

WHAT: APS Board of Education Dinner Conversation
WHEN: April 21, 2015
WHERE: 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO  80011

APS Board of Education Dinner Conversation

On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, The Aurora Public Schools Board of Education will host a dinner conversation with Matt Cook and Amy Prince to discuss general bond background information.

The dinner will be held from 5:20-6:15 p.m. in Conference Room A at Educational Services Center 4, 1085 Peoria St., Aurora, CO 80011.

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APS Board of Education Executive Session

NEWS RELEASE #40
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2015

WHAT: APS Board of Education Executive Session
WHEN: April 21, 2015
WHERE: 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO  80011

APS Board of Education Executive Session

On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 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)(b), to receive legal advice. The executive session will be held from 5:00-5:20 p.m. in conference room A at Educational Services Center 4, 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO  80011.

Columbia Middle School Teachers Get Creamed With Pies, Sponges for Great Cause

                                                                                                                               

NEWS RELEASE #39
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2015

WHAT: Fundraiser for the Aurora Mental Health Center
WHEN: Friday, April 17, 2015 from 12:10-12:45 p.m.
WHERE: Columbia Middle School Cafeteria
                 17600 E Columbia Ave, Aurora, CO 80013

Columbia Middle School Teachers Get Creamed With Pies, Sponges for Great Cause

Students at Columbia Middle School are passionate about finding creative and fun ways to help others. This year, they convinced a group of teachers to get creamed with whipped cream pies and wet sponges for a great cause.

Columbia’s Tri-M Music Honor Society is hosting a fundraiser for the Aurora Mental Health Center on Friday, April 17. Students will get the chance to pay to see their teachers get creamed.

Prices are as follows:
$1 to toss a pie at a teacher
$2 to gently smush a pie in a teacher’s face
$2 to throw a sponge at a teacher 

Last year, Tri-M students organized a duct tape fundraiser. Students paid to duct tape teachers to the wall. All proceeds were donated to Children’s Colorado.

About Tri-M
The Tri-M Music Honor Society is a music honor society for middle and high school students. It is designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and to inspire other students to excel at music and leadership. 

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

Aurora Welcome Center Provides Array of Services to Refugee and Immigrant Families

                                                                                                                               

NEWS RELEASE #38
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2015

WHAT: Aurora Welcome Center Open House
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, 2015 from 4:30-6 p.m.
WHERE: APS Educational Services Center 4
                 1085 Peoria St. Conference Room C, Aurora, CO 80011

Aurora Welcome Center Provides Array of Services to Refugee and Immigrant Families

Please join Aurora Welcome Center, Aurora Public Schools, the City of Aurora and many community partners in celebrating the opening of the Aurora Welcome Center.

The celebration will include a ribbon cutting, entertainment, international food and tours of the welcome center. Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan and Superintendent Rico Munn will take part in the program.

About the Aurora Welcome Center
The Aurora Welcome Center is a newly-emerging center located in Original Aurora. The center serves as a shared multi-tenant facility offering a variety of services focused on the international/immigrant community in Aurora. Partner organizations include Aurora Public Schools, the City of Aurora, El Centro Humanitario, Focus Points, Rights For All People, Families Forward Resource Center, Colorado African Organization, Global Bhutanese Community Colorado and the Strengthening Neighborhoods Program of the Denver Foundation. The center is conveniently located in Aurora Public Schools Educational Services Center 4 and serves APS students and families as well as the community at large.  

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