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.

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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

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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.

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Montview and Tollgate Recognized for Outstanding Success

 

NEWS RELEASE # 35
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2012

Montview and Tollgate Recognized for Outstanding Success

Montview Math and Health Sciences Elementary and Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning received awards today for outstanding success in improving academic performance. The schools are winners of the Foundations for Great Schools 2012 grant awards program, which focuses on recognizing and encouraging success among schools serving high proportions of low-income students.

“Many of the metro area’s public district and public charter schools that serve high numbers of low-income students are doing remarkably well,” said Tom Kaesemeyer, President of the Fox Family Foundation and spokesperson for Foundations for Great Schools. 

“Given the significant number of students from low-income families in metro Denver, we believe it is important to identify and reward high performing schools that serve these students, and to share the strategies that helped them achieve strong results in academic growth and performance,” added Kaesemeyer.

Award winners were selected based on a variety of factors, including academic performance and growth, percentage of students qualifying for the Federal free and reduced lunch benefit, school culture, leadership, and instructional effectiveness.

Common success factors found among the 2012 winners range from principals with exceptional leadership skills; to a school culture with high expectations, values, accountability, and consistency; to data-driven teaching strategies; to success in English language acquisition.

A total of $500,000 in grant awards will be distributed among 16 award winners.

About Foundations for Great Schools

Foundations for Great Schools mission is to recognize, reward, and encourage outstanding success among public schools serving low-income families in metro Denver. A partnership of five private Colorado foundations comprises the Foundations for Great Schools: The Anschutz Foundation, Daniels Fund, Fox Family Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, and The Piton Foundation. 

The group collectively selects annual award winners from among a 12-district area, including, Denver, Aurora, Jefferson County, Cherry Creek, Mapleton, Sheridan, Westminster 50, Adams 14, Brighton, Englewood, Littleton, and the Charter School Institute. Elementary, Middle, High School, Public District, and Public Charter are all considered.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Transformer Issue Closes Hinkley High School

 

 

NEWS RELEASE # 34
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2012

Transformer Issue Closes Hinkley High School

A transformer issue has caused a power outage at Hinkley High School. School is being dismissed for the day. Students who ride the bus are now being picked up and delivered to their regular bus stops.

There are no afternoon or evening practices or activities scheduled at Hinkley the rest of the day.

Xcel Energy crews are currently on scene. We are making repairs and will provide an update when we have more information.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rangeview Presents Hairspray

NEWS RELEASE # 33
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2012

 

 

Rangeview Presents Hairspray

 

Rangeview High School’s Advanced Performing Arts group will present the musical Hairspray later this week. Rangeview is the first high school to perform this musical in Colorado. It features crazy dances and good times, as well as a commentary on the civil rights movement.

Tickets are $7 for students and $8 for adults. The performance schedule is as follows:

 

January 19, 20, 21
7 p.m.
Rangeview High School
17599 East Iliff Avenue
Aurora, CO 80013

 

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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 # 32
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2012

WHAT: APS Board of Education Executive Session
WHEN: January 10, 2012
WHERE: 1085 Peoria Street, Aurora, CO  80011

APS Board of Education Executive Session

On Tuesday, January 10, 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 regarding the budget.

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

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