Public Hearing on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Unified Improvement Plan Schools

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2016

WHAT: Public Hearing on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Unified Improvement Plan Schools
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, 6 p.m.
WHERE: APS Professional Learning & Conference Center, 15771 E. 1st Ave., Aurora, CO 80011

Public Hearing on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Unified Improvement Plan Schools

On December 13, 2016, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. at the Professional Learning and Conference Center,15771 East 1st Avenue, 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:

• Aurora Central High School
• Aurora Hills Middle School
• AXL Academy
• Dartmouth Elementary
• East Middle School
• Fletcher Community School
• Gateway High School
• Jewell Elementary School
• Kenton Elementary
• Laredo Elementary
• North Middle School Health Sciences and Technology
• Paris Elementary
• Sable Elementary School
• Sixth Avenue Elementary School
• South Middle School
• Vaughn Elementary School
• Virginia Court Elementary School
• Vista PEAK Preparatory
• Wheeling Elementary School

The Board of Education is expected to approve the plans on January 3, 2016  For more information, please contact Director of Accountability and Data Reporting, DJ Loerzel at 303-340-0861.

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Pickens Technical College Spring Plant Sale 5/5-5/11

Please join Pickens Technical College for their Annual Spring Plant Sale! Pickens students have grown a variety of beautiful plants, flowers, herbs, hanging baskets and much more for a fraction of the price of your local home improvement centers.

The sale begins Thursday, May 5. The dates and hours are as follows:

• May 5: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• May 6: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• May 7: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• May 9-May 11: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. OR UNTIL SOLD OUT

>We look forward to meeting you at Pickens Technical College - Building C for your springtime gardening needs!

• Download the Pickens Tech Spring Plant Sale Order Form.

ACTION Zone Innovation Update

Based on feedback from parents, students, staff and the community, the Aurora Central High School innovation plan has been revised and posted at the ACTION Zone website.  The revised plans from the other proposed ACTION Zone schools were also posted a week ago at the ACTION Zone website at aps2020.aurorak12.org/action-zone/.

Innovation plans for Boston K-8, Crawford and Paris will be presented to the APS Board of Education on March 1.  The Aurora Central plan will likely be presented to the Board later this month. Staff at Aurora West College Preparatory Academy decided not to move forward with their innovation plan at this time.

Public Hearing on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Unified Improvement Plan Schools

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2015

WHAT: Public Hearing on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Unified Improvement Plan Schools
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, 6 p.m.
WHERE: APS Professional Learning & Conference Center, 15771 E. 1st Ave., Aurora, CO 80011

Public Hearing on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Unified Improvement Plan Schools

On December 15, 2015, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. at the Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15771 East 1^st Avenue, 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:

• Century Elementary School
• Fletcher Community School
• Jewell Elementary School
• Lansing Community School
• Lyn Knoll Elementary School
• Sable Elementary School
• Sixth Avenue Elementary School
• Vaughn Elementary School
• Virginia Court Elementary School
• Wheeling Elementary School
• Aurora Hills Middle School
• East Middle School
• Mrachek Middle School
• North Middle School Health Sciences and Technology
• South Middle School
• Vista Peak Exploratory
• Gateway High School

The Board of Education is expected to approve the plans on January 5, 2016.  For more information, please contact Chief Accountability and Research Officer Lisa Escárcega, at 303-344-8060 ext. 28436.

 

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Park Lane Elementary Students Celebrate New Wheelchair Accessible Playground

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2015

What: Park Lane Playground Grand Opening
When: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Park Lane Elementary School
               13001 E. 30th Ave.
               Aurora, CO 80011

Park Lane Elementary Students Celebrate New Wheelchair Accessible Playground

Park Lane Elementary School students, staff and families are celebrating their new wheelchair accessible play area with a grand opening ceremony.

Park Lane houses a large number of students that qualify for special education services, including many who are in wheelchairs. This new playground promotes inclusiveness and includes many components that are accessible and enjoyable to all students.

The project was made possible thanks to many community partners including the City of Aurora, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Colorado Lottery and Lowe’s Home Improvement.

Students, parents and community members will take part in the event and share remarks about what the new play area means for the neighborhood. Park Lane provides one of the only playground facilities in the area which is affected by high poverty. Prior to 2014, updates had not been made to the play area in more than 40 years.

Families now often use the playground after school and on weekends. This increases physical activity and promotes wellness. The playground has also been an important tool for expanding outdoor educational opportunities.

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

Sixth Avenue Elementary School Launches Program for Dad Volunteers

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2015

Sixth Avenue Elementary School Launches Program for Dad Volunteers

Sixth Avenue Elementary is launching a new program to recruit more Dads to volunteer. The WATCH D.O.G.S.^® (Dads Of Great Students) program was also recently launched at Vista PEAK Exploratory.

Thanks to the program, Vista PEAK Exploratory logged more than 1,000 male volunteer hours during the last school year. Sixth Avenue Elementary hopes to see similar success in signing up more fathers to spend the day at school.

A typical daily schedule for a volunteer is as follows:

7:45-7:55                Check-in at the office and receive your official WATCH D.O.G.S.^®  ‘Dog Tag’ nametag to place on your official                                    WATCH D.O.G.S.^®  uniform T-shirt above the WATCH D.O.G.S.^®  logo.  Have a photo taken of you and                                                your student(s) for the Wall of Fame.

7:55-8:20                Assist with student arrival in the bus and car areas.

8:20-8:45                Take part in orientation with the WATCH D.O.G.S.^® School Representative.

8:45-9:00                Patrol hallways, parking lot, buildings and perimeter 
                                 (Special Attention: Get a feel for the layout of the building)

9:00-9:45                Volunteer for _____________ in room ______.

9:45-10:00              Patrol hallways, parking lot, buildings and perimeter. (Special Attention: Upstairs Passing 9:50-9:55am)

10:00-10:40            Volunteer for ______________ in room ______.

10:40- 1:35             Lunch and recess interaction – we encourage you to eat lunch with your own student(s) and visit with the                                            other students during this time. Also assist PARA professionals with lunch and playground duty.

1:35-1:45                Patrol hallways, parking lot, buildings and perimeter. (Special Attention: Outside Playground)

1:45-2:15                Volunteer for _______________in room ______.

2:15-2:25                Patrol hallways, parking lot, buildings and perimeter. (Special Attention: Upstairs Passing 2:20-2:25pm)

2:25-2:55                Volunteer for _______________in room______.

2:55-3:05                Take the WATCH D.O.G.S.^® ‘End of Day’ online survey. 

3:05-3:30                Assist with student dismissal in the bus and car areas.

About WATCH D.O.G.S.^®
WATCH D.O.G.S.^® is the father-involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering. It was created in 1998 at George Elementary in Springdale, AR. Since then, the program has spread to more than 4,000 schools across the United States and internationally. 

Studies by the U.S. Department of Education have demonstrated that a positive adult male role model will have a uniquely positive impact on the development and educational success of a child. The U.S. Department of Education has identified the WATCH D.O.G.S.^® program as an effective way to increase male involvement in our nation’s schools.

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

Aurora Public Schools Hosts Annual Back-To-School Kickoff

NEWS RELEASE 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2015

What: Aurora Public Schools Back-To-School Kickoff
When: Aug. 8, 2015 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Town Center at Aurora
               14200 E. Alameda Ave.
               Aurora, CO 80012

Aurora Public Schools Hosts Annual Back-To-School Kickoff

Aurora Public Schools cordially invites students and families to attend the eighth annual Back-to-School Kickoff.

Free immunizations will be available. We are asking families to bring shot records. We will host a backpack giveaway at school tables (while supplies last)! Students must be present to receive a backpack. Community partners will also meet with families and provide giveaways.

PLEASE NOTE: The Back-to-School Kickoff is exclusively for families of students attending Aurora Public Schools.

The first day of school for most students in grades 6-12 is Aug. 11. The first full day of classes for most students in grades 1-5 is Aug. 13. Preschool and kindergarten students will start school on Aug. 18. Please contact your child’s school regarding the exact start date.

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

Vista PEAK Exploratory Logs Huge Increase in Dad Volunteer Hours

                                                                                                    

NEWS RELEASE #27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2015

Vista PEAK Exploratory Logs Huge Increase in Dad Volunteer Hours

Vista PEAK Exploratory is seeing a huge spike in volunteer hours this school year. It’s all thanks to fathers and father figures participating in the new WATCH D.O.G.S.^® (Dads Of Great Students) program.

During the last school year, Vista PEAK Exploratory logged just 38 volunteer hours from men. This year, the school is on track to have more than 1,000 male volunteer hours.

A typical daily schedule for a volunteer is as follows:

7:45-7:55                Check-in at the office and receive your official WATCH D.O.G.S.^®  ‘Dog Tag’ nametag to place on your official                                     WATCH D.O.G.S.^® uniform T-shirt above the WATCH D.O.G.S.^®  logo.  Have a photo taken of you and your                                         student(s) for the Wall of Fame.

7:55-8:20                Assist with student arrival in the bus and car areas.

8:20-8:45                Take part in orientation with the WATCH D.O.G.S.^® School Representative.

8:45-9:00                Patrol hallways, parking lot, buildings and perimeter.                                                                                                                                           (Special Attention: Get a feel for the layout of the building)

9:00-9:45                Volunteer for _____________ in room ______.

9:45-10:00              Patrol hallways, parking lot, buildings and perimeter.                                                                                                                                         (Special Attention: Upstairs Passing 9:50-9:55am)

10:00-10:40            Volunteer for ______________ in room ______.

10:40- 1:35             Lunch and recess interaction – we encourage you to eat lunch with your own student(s) and visit with the                                             other students during this time. Also assist PARA professionals with lunch and playground duty.

1:35-1:45                Patrol hallways, parking lot, buildings and perimeter.                                                                                                                                           (Special Attention: Outside Playground)

1:45-2:15                Volunteer for _______________in room ______.

2:15-2:25                Patrol hallways, parking lot, buildings and perimeter.                                                                                                                                           (Special Attention: Upstairs Passing 2:20-2:25pm)

2:25-2:55                Volunteer for _______________in room______.

2:55-3:05                Take the WATCH D.O.G.S.^® ‘End of Day’ online survey. 

3:05-3:30                Assist with student dismissal in the bus and car areas.

In honor of this year’s many volunteers, Vista PEAK Exploratory is hosting a celebration for families:

WHAT: Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night
WHEN: Thursday, January 15th, 6:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Vista PEAK Exploratory Cafeteria, 24551 E 1st Ave, Aurora, CO 80018

About WATCH D.O.G.S.^®
WATCH D.O.G.S.^® is the father-involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering. It was created in 1998 at George Elementary in Springdale, AR. Since then, the program has spread to more than 4,000 schools across the United States and internationally.

Studies by the U.S. Department of Education have demonstrated that a positive adult male role model will have a uniquely positive impact on the development and educational success of a child. The U.S. Department of Education has identified the WATCH D.O.G.S.^® program as an effective way to increase male involvement in our nation’s schools.

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

APS 5th Graders Create Healthy Recipes, Compete For Prizes

                                                                                                                                                                                 
NEWS RELEASE #20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2014

APS 5^th Graders Create Healthy Recipes, Compete For Prizes 

Working collaboratively with the 5th Gear Kids Team, ZisBoomBah.com is challenging 6,500 5th graders in two Colorado school districts to create their very own recipe from healthy whole foods. 5th Gear Kids is a collaborative effort between the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora Public Schools, and Cherry Creek School District.

“The Healthy Recipe Challenge was created to help 5^th Gear Kids gain the knowledge on how to create a recipe, experiment with whole food and find out what healthy recipes they like to eat, and build a sense of pride around healthy living. The goal of the challenge is to get kids to take an active role in making healthy eating fun, affordable and delicious for themselves and their families.  Recipes with photos and/or videos will be posted on ZisBoomBah.com http://www.zisboombah.com/recipes,” said Karen Laszlo, Founder of ZisBoomBah.com.

5^th Gear kids and their parents or guardians are invited to create and submit an original recipe made from scratch and using real whole foods. The panel of judges from ZisBoomBah.com http://ZisBoomBah.com and 5th Gear Kids https://5thgearkids.org/ will select winning recipes based on the nutritional value of the recipe; perceived taste; creativity and originality; use of ingredients that are in-season in Colorado; affordability; and the story behind the recipe. 

Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 recipes chosen by the judges, as well as a prize for “Kids Choice” at the 5th Gear spring celebration March 14, 2014. 5th Gear students who do not compete in the contest can still be engaged with healthy eating and can vote for their peer’s recipes. This contest is in support of the 5th Gear Kids mission to engage and empower 5th graders to make healthy decisions regarding food and physical activity through understanding energy balance. “We are really excited to see what our kids create. When kids make healthy food choices at home, their whole family wins,” said Lisa Alexander, Community Partnership Coordinator for 5th Gear Kids.

The ZisBoomBah approach is a departure from everything that has been tried and failed, and the first approach that puts children at the center of the solution. ZisBoomBah ’s website – “where it’s OK to play with your food” – arms children (and parents) with the truth about the food they eat every day and empowers them to create their own wholesome meals with an easy, free online tool called “Pick Chow!” By playing “Pick Chow!” children learn to make responsible food choices early on – a skill that will serve them throughout their life.

About ZisBoomBah

ZisBoomBah.com is the award-winning online game where kids are the hero of healthy living and where parents get credible tools and information to raise a healthy family. ZisBoomBah.com offers family wellness programs to companies, communities, schools and doctors which includes online adventures, weaving real-life activities into the fun elements of gaming, making healthy choices a part of a kids’ daily routine. The programs are designed by ZisBoomBah.com’s team of nutritionists, fitness experts, psychologists, teachers and game writers with the purpose of stimulating kids to make better choices. Parents motivated to make a change will find everything they need at ZisBoomBah.com with credible tools, games, information and adventures! ZisBoomBah.com is the Award Winning #1 Online Nutritional Tool for Kids by Let’s Move & USDA | 5-Star Rating by Common Source Media |  As seen on WebMD & Rachel Ray’s Yum-o! 

About 5th Gear Kids
Developed through collaborative efforts between the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora Public Schools, and the Cherry Creek School District, 5th Gear Kids is an innovative health and wellness program with the goal of educating 5th grade students about energy balance—the relation between food intake and physical activity. Through education, practical experience, and a rewards system, 5th Gear Kids’ main objective is to prevent excessive weight gain in 5th graders and give them the skills they need to maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives. Children encounter a multitude of food and physical activity choices every day. 5th Gear Kids enables students to better understand the consequences of these choices and to become ambassadors for health at school, at home, and out in the community. 

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

Gateway High School Hosts Calculus Bowl

NEWS RELEASE # 73
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2011

WHAT: Gateway High School Hosts Calculus Bowl
WHEN: Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Gateway High School, 1300 S. Sable Blvd, Aurora, CO 80012

Gateway High School Hosts Calculus Bowl

Students from across the metro area are busy preparing for the Calculus Bowl at Gateway High School. Unlike most math competitions, the Gateway Calculus Bowl is much more than a room full of students scratching away on paper with pencils. It is a lively, verbal competition run like the Jeopardy television show.

This fun, fast-paced competitive math event is for high school AP Calculus students. The Calculus Bowl will include 60 teams, with nearly 300 high school students from the metro area competing for the championship title. The competition is open to family, friends and anyone interested in math education.

This is the fourth year that Gateway has hosted the Calculus Bowl, which was originally created in 1992 for calculus students at the university level.  Since then, it has become very popular with high school students.

Interested media, please contact the Aurora Public Schools Communication Department at 303-365-7805 for more information.

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