May 2012 - JEFFCO Public Schools

May 2012 Vol. 5 No. 1 

Jeffco Schools 

Quarterly 

A Jeffco Schools Publication 

O’Connell Middle School creates living legacy 

When Heather Killman recently walked 

into the O’Connell Middle School gym, she 

was transported back to 1994, when she was 

an eighth-grader at the school. 

“When you’re that age, you don’t think 

you’re making an impact on anything,” said 

Killman. 

But Killman and her classmates in 

Jennifer Heider’s social studies class made 

a huge impact. At the time, there was talk 

that students were going to stage a walk out 

on Veterans Day. Heider always brought a 

veteran in to speak to her class on Veterans 

Day. 

“The students came to me and said, ‘Ms. 

Heider, we can’t let there be a walkout, what 

will the veterans think,’” said Heider. 

Heider sent the students to talk to 

O’Connell’s then principal, Sue Brown. 

Brown challenged them by asking, “What 

are you going to do about it?” 

Killman and her classmates decided to 

put together an all-school assembly to honor 

veterans. Not only was the assembly a 

success, it continues today. 

“O’Connell is extraordinary in that they’re 

teaching their students at a very good age 

about the principles of our country,” said 

Bill Baldaccini chair of the Proud to be an 

American Committee of the Korean War 

Veterans Denver Chapter #195. 

That’s why Baldaccini and his fellow 

veterans voted to honor O’Connell Middle 

School with the Proud to be an American 

Spring break in Jeffco Schools this year 

was anything but relaxing for the mountain 

community which ended up in the middle of 

a deadly and fierce fire storm. 

The staff of Conifer High School and 

West Jefferson Middle School, along with 

other Jeffco employees, found themselves 

working as a team to offer support 

and shelter to the firefighting crews, 

homeowners, law enforcement and rescue 

organizations during the recent Lower 

North Fork Fire. 

“When we come together as a team, it’s 

amazing what we can accomplish,” said Jeffco 

Schools Superintendent Cindy Stevenson. 

Conifer High School provided shelter 

to more than 600 firefighters and first 

responders, while West Jefferson was the 

Red Cross evacuation center for home 

Award, for showcasing America’s values at 

the annual Veterans Day event. 

“And the beautiful part of it is that it’s 

really done by the kids,” added Baldaccini. 

Baldaccini presented the award to Jennifer 

Heider and the original group of students 

that organized the Veterans Day assembly 

eight years ago. 

“It’s pretty cool that the kids continued the 

tradition,” said Allan Jacob who was part of 

the original class. 

“I think it’s pretty special,” said Killman. 

“It makes you feel good.” 

Now, every Veterans Day, O’Connell 

students and staff pack the gym. Flags hang 

from the rafters. Patriotic music fills the air. 

There are speeches and solemn ceremony: a 

living legacy to Jeffco’s veterans. 

O’Connell middle-schoolers decorate their building with posters thanking veterans. 

Fighting fire with teamwork 

owners who were forced to evacuate their 

homes. Tragically, three people did not 

make it out of their homes safely and were 

killed as a result of the fire. 

The sense of urgency to protect people 

and property was felt at both Conifer High 

and West Jeff Middle schools as exhausted 

firefighters and worried homeowners 

used the buildings as welcome refuges. 

The schools’ custodial staff provided 

service both day and night, while Jeffco 

Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services 

staff secured food, equipment and 

prepped the kitchens for first responders. 

“West Jeff didn’t have cable or satellite 

capability for the evacuees to monitor media 

reports on the fire,” said John McDonald, 

the district’s executive director of Safety, 

Security and Emergency Planning. “The local 

Medal of Honor recipient Joe Sakato, a member of 

the 442 nd Regimental Combat Team, was honored at 

O’Connell’s Veterans Day Assembly. 

Best Buy donated a large TV and Internet 

system and Jeffco’s Information Technology 

team helped set it up and they also installed 

10 phones in the Incident Command Center 

to help us all with critical communication.” 

Conifer High Principal Mike Musick says 

people were eager to volunteer. “This wasn’t 

just an effort by our schools and government 

agencies, but local groups, like The Journey 

Church, that assisted us with anything from 

moving furniture to helping us clean,” he said. 

FEMA workers from Arizona, Utah, 

Montana, Nevada, South Dakota and 

Colorado told Musick that the district’s 

support helped them fight the fire more 

effectively. 

“I’m hoping all that effort prevented less 

injury and loss to the mountain community,” 

Musick added. 

www.jeffcopublicschools.org 

Our Mission 

To provide a quality 

education that prepares 

all children for a 

successful future. 

Jeffco Public Schools is home to 

nearly 86,000 of Colorado's finest 

students. Step inside one 

of our 150 schools and you will 

see a staff dedicated to building a 

bright future for every student. 

Our staff is supported by a 

committed school board, involved 

parents and a caring community 

that combine to provide 

a quality education that 

prepares all children for 

a promising future. 

Conifer High School Principal Mike Musick updates 

Jeffco’s Safety Director John McDonald and Community 

Superintendent Dan Cohan on how his school 

and the district could provide support to evacuees 

and firefighters staying at the mountain school.

Jeffco Schools 

Quarterly 

A free publication for parents and residents of Jefferson 

County, the Quarterly is published in partnership with Mile 

High Newspapers. The school district's Communications 

Services staff provides the articles, photos and graphics in an 

effort to keep the community informed with news about Jeffco 

Schools. Citizen comments about the publication are welcome. 

Mile High Newspapers provides layout, sells 

advertisements, prints and distributes the publication 

at no cost to the school district. 

To contact Communications Services: 

Jeffco Public Schools 

1829 Denver West Drive, #27, Golden, CO 80401 

303-982-6808 | 303-982-6816 Fax 

www.jeffcopublicschools.org | e-mail:commsvcs@jeffco.k12.co.us 

To advertise in the JSQ, 

please contact Mile High Newspapers: 

303-279-5541 

Photographer: 

Lorie Hirose, Jeffco Schools 

Message from the Superintendent 

The class of 2012 will graduate 

in a few weeks, their high school 

diplomas tucked under their 

arms signifying the end of one 

journey and the beginning of 

another. Behind every one of 

those diplomas are the people 

who helped that student stay 

on the path to graduation: great 

teachers, caring administrators, 

encouraging parents, and a 

supportive community. Our 

goal is to have every one of our 

graduates leave Jeffco with the 

education and skills they need to 

be successful. 

In the four short years that the 

class of 2012 has been in high 

school, funding for their education 

decreased by nearly $700 per 

student. Jeffco Public Schools has 

lost $64 million in state funding over the past three 

years. Rather than compromise on the education we 

want our students to have, our employees and our 

central departments have absorbed the majority of 

those budget cuts, protecting our classrooms. For the 

2012-2013 school year, our employees will continue 

to take a three percent pay reduction. We will also 

use roughly $30 million from the district’s savings 

account or rainy day fund to avoid impacts to the 

Jeffco Schools Superintendent 

Cindy Stevenson 

classroom. Additionally, we have 

continued to reduce administrative 

costs which now account for just 

five cents of every dollar spent 

from the district’s general fund. 

Today, our rainy day fund 

is running out, our central 

departments are struggling to do 

more work with fewer people, and 

our schools are feeling the weight 

of unfunded mandates. Despite 

those challenges, Jeffco continues 

its tradition of excellence with 

a highly-qualified staff and 

students who continue to excel. 

Eighty percent of our thirdgraders 

read at or above grade 

level, we outperform the state on 

the Colorado School Assessment 

Program (CSAP) and we have the 

fifth highest graduation rate of the 

50 largest school districts in the country*. 

If you feel strongly about making sure that all of 

our graduating classes have the quality education 

they need, please let members of the Jefferson County 

Board of Education know. Make sure that you have 

a voice in deciding what we want our schools to look 

like now and in the future. 

*Education Week, 2008 

Jeffco Library 5x6.5 

Jeffco Schools Quarterly 2 www.jeffcopublicschools.org

Questions and Answers about Jeffco Public Schools 

Where does Jeffco get its funding? 

Jeffco’s revenues come mostly from: 

• State dollars :49 percent 

• Property tax: 44 percent 

• Automobile ownership taxes: 4 percent 

(Source: 2010-2011 Jeffco Public Schools Annual Report) 

Where is the money spent? 

Here is the breakdown for every dollar spent: 

• $.57 to instruction (classroom) 

• $.11 to operations and maintenance 

• $.10 to instructional support 

• $.09 to special education instruction 

• $.08 to school administration 

• $.05 to general administration 

Is there oversight of Jeffco’s finances? 

Yes, Jeffco has an independent auditor look at the books. 

Annually, the district undergoes financial inspection 

from an independent auditing firm. The auditor, Clifton 

Gunderson LLP, gave the district a rank of “unqualified 

opinion” which is issued when the auditor believes the 

organization’s financial statements are presented fairly. In 

addition, the district has a Financial Oversight Committee 

which is made up of community members with financial 

expertise. During the school year, the committee meets 

monthly to review financial operations. 

How transparent are the district’s finances? 

Jeffco was one of the first school districts to create an 

online searchable database for the public to use. The district 

is committing to providing an easy-to-use, clear view of 

how taxpayer dollars are spent by listing expenditures by 

fund. Jeffco’s financial transparency website was recently 

awarded an “A” by the editors of Sunshine Review. They 

reviewed more than 6,000 government websites and only 

214 were given an “A” rating. 

Isn’t Jeffco top-heavy with administrators? 

No, in fact there are only 133 centrally-based 

administrators in Jeffco. They manage and oversee the 

operations for 154 schools, 14,000 full and part-time 

employees, and more than 85,000 students. Central 

administrators account for just seven percent of general 

fund expenditures. 

Why doesn’t the district just get rid of the 

Education Center building in Denver West? 

The district owns the Education Center which houses 

employees from financial services, technology, human 

resources, communications, district leadership, the board 

room and the district’s data center. Jeffco doesn’t own 

any vacant buildings with the capacity to efficiently and 

effectively house the operations that currently exist at the 

Education Center. 

What has Jeffco done to tighten its economic 

belt? 

The district has reduced costs by closing several schools, 

reducing employee compensation, trimming staff and 

reducing department budgets. From 2010-12, the district 

has reduced operating expenses by $63 million. 

Board of Education Advice to Graduating Class of 2012 

Lesley Dahlkemper 

Live your own life. Chances are good you 

will live well into your ’80s. That may seem like 

forever. But it will fly by. People will have a lot 

of opinions about what you should do with your 

life. Use your time well to make your own way. 

Go after what you want. Think about what 

success looks like for you and go for it. How you 

define success will change over time — and that’s 

good. Embrace mistakes. “Creativity is allowing 

yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which 

ones to keep.” — American cartoonist Scott Adams 

Focus on what matters. And let go of the stuff 

that doesn’t. This is harder than it sounds. Stay 

focused on what you can control. Don’t obsess 

about what you can’t. It’s a waste of time and you 

have too much to do. 

Do what scares you most. Your reward: 

greater confidence, deeper knowledge and the 

sheer satisfaction of knowing that you did it. 

Next time, it will be a little easier. 

Laugh a lot. Life serves up lots of twists and 

turns. Roll with it. Laugh and have fun along the 

way. 

Give back to your community. Volunteer at 

an animal shelter or tutor students at your old 

elementary school. Run for school board. There 

are so many ways you can make a difference. Our 

community — and you — will be better for it. 

Send hand-written thank-you notes. Forget 

texting. Find a good pen and let the words flow. 

Tell someone why she made a difference in your 

day — or your life. 

Appreciate mom and dad. You will largely 

shape your life from here on out. Your parents 

have influenced you in ways you may not even 

realize just yet. Keep them close. 

We are so proud of you. 

Paula Noonan 

Seniors: Good work! You’ve accomplished 

12 years of steady effort that will hold you in 

good stead in your future. My observation about 

what an accomplished life looks like: a person 

who strives to do more, read more, know more, 

think more, grow more, and contribute more. 

You never stop — you just keep on adding. 

Laura Boggs 

First I want to congratulate you and your 

families and supporters. Rarely does a major 

accomplishment happen without the support of 

many. As you walk across your graduation stage, 

we want you to know we are proud of the effort 

and energy you have put into accomplishing your 

goal — you have finished — you are a graduate! 

Jeffco Schools Board of Education 

I hope you will take a moment to thank those that 

helped you accomplish your goals…celebrate 

with them and enjoy your success....and then the 

next stage begins. For the last twelve or thirteen 

years, you have worked toward this goal. Now 

you must set the next series of goals. What do 

you want to accomplish next? How will you be 

of service to your fellow man? What will you 

do to leave this planet a better place than it was 

before you arrived? How will you approach life 

so that those you come in contact with will be 

better off for having known you? How will you 

provide for yourself, your family and or others? 

Many believe you must have all those answers 

now — may I suggest life is a journey and while 

you should always be pointed toward your goals, 

you should count on many course corrections, 

some will be small, some will be large. 

Don’t let the course corrections take you off 

track. Act constantly with integrity and progress 

in the direction of your dreams and goals. You 

will never know the impact of your contributions 

so treat each interaction with the faith that 

you are significantly impacting others: be the 

encourager; smile often; leave the world a better 

place. Always remember one person can make a 

significant impact! 

Robin Johnson 

First I would like to say congratulations on 

your graduation. My advice to the class of 2012 

is to live every day to the fullest. Enjoy whatever 

path you take in life and be a lifelong learner. 

Whether you choose a two or four-year degree 

or choose to enter into the military, remember 

to keep learning. Be proud of who you are and 

where you came from. Don’t be afraid to dream 

big. 

Jill Fellman 

My advice to the graduating class of 2012 is 

the same advice I offered to my own children as 

they graduated. The years following high school 

are all about finding and following your passion. 

This is the time to listen to your heart and soul 

and discover what makes you excited. Explore 

those areas, see where they lead you and be open 

to new ideas. Continue learning about yourself 

— how do you learn best; what do you need to 

do to maintain organization around you; how 

can you contribute to your world in a positive, 

productive manner. Most of all, treasure the 

relationships you’ve built — with family and 

friends — continue to nurture these relationships 

with honesty and integrity. 

Lesley Dahlkemper 

President 

Paula Noonan 

First Vice President 

Laura Boggs 

Second Vice President 

Robin Johnson 

Treasurer 

Jill Fellman 

Secretary 

www.jeffcopublicschools.org 3 May 2012

Changing course 

The office of Wheat Ridge 5-8 School was buzzing 

with “Holas” and “Hellos” as Spanish is intermingled 

with English on a busy morning at this newly configured 

Jeffco school. 

“Hey, work really hard today,” Principal Warren Blair 

said to a student as he leaves the office area. 

It’s been 12 months since Blair started his new job as 

the principal of Wheat Ridge 5-8 and the challenges of 

turning a middle school into a blended elementary/middle 

school model have been demanding — at times daunting 

— for him and his new staff. Seventy-five percent of the 

teachers and support staff at Wheat Ridge 5-8 were at 

other schools last year. The existing staff had to re-apply 

because of an agreement between the district and the 

Jefferson County Education Association. They worked 

together to ensure that everyone assigned to the school 

had the same level of commitment. 

“One of the biggest challenges was taking a new staff 

with two additional grade levels and trying to integrate 

them into a seamless system of support for students so 

that their education is always at our forefront. That’s why 

we’re here — for education,” Blair said. 

Blair spent seven years as the principal of Hackberry 

Hill Elementary — a school with a diverse population 

where more than 13 languages are represented. Still, the 

challenges and the dynamics at Wheat Ridge 5-8, where 

eight out of 10 students qualify for free and reduced lunch 

(a measure of poverty), adds to the complexity of the 

work. 

“The difference is they’re not the type of kids that 

typically are going to come up and say, ‘Excuse me, I don’t 

know how to do this problem’. What they’re going to do 

is put their head down, show their frustration in behavior, 

or they’re not going to engage; it’s how they sometimes 

express their frustration in learning,” said Blair. 

To get the students engaged, Blair and his staff used 

innovative thinking and programs. One such program 

is a Life Skills class that pairs struggling students with 

a teacher who checks their grades, their attendance and 

Wheat Ridge 5-8 Principal Warren Blair greets sixth-grader Jami Marquez on the first day of school. 

teaches them about goal-setting and problem-solving. 

In addition, eighth-graders at Wheat Ridge 5-8 have the 

opportunity to enroll in the GEAR UP program which 

helps low-income students prepare for college. There 

are 70 students in the program now, with about the 

same number expected to join next year. Teachers also 

implement the Habits of Mind into their lessons to help 

students further develop the 16 research-based skills 

needed to be successful in life. 

“I’m in a classroom the other day talking about college 

and there’s a girl sitting in the back sitting up straight. 

She’s taking notes, her eyes are on me — she’s engaged. 

When she leaves, she comes up to me and thanks me. She 

was hanging on every word about how she can get into 

Effective libraries steer student achievement 

The collaborative work going on in Jeffco libraries between 

teacher librarians and teachers and students is not 

going unnoticed. 

Eighteen Jeffco schools have earned the Highly Effective 

Library Program designation from the Colorado 

Department of Education. 

“It’s a validation that the work we do every day with 

students and teachers makes a difference in our students’ 

futures,” said Arvada West High School teacher librarian 

Susan Lackey. “We support every student and support 

our teachers through technology and improving their instruction, 

it tells us we are on the right track.” 

Congratulations to all of the Jeffco schools honored 

with the Highly Effective School Library designation: 

Arvada West High School - Susie Lackey 

Bell Middle School - Patsy Thompson 

Betty Adams Elementary - Kristen Whitley 

Bradford Primary & Intermediate - Heidi O’Leary 

D’Evelyn Jr/Sr High School - Lisa Porter 

Drake Middle School - Kori Chubb 

Edgewater Elementary - Michelle Hollandsworth 

Elk Creek and West Jefferson Elementary - Wendy Bittner 

Evergreen Middle School - Debbie Richards 

Golden High School - Christy DeMeyer 

Peck Elementary - Andi Johnson 

Peiffer Elementary - Cami Shellhart 

Powderhorn Elementary - Debbie Bowen 

Ralston Valley High School - Jen Jonson 

Sierra Elementary - Christy Yacano 

Swanson Elementary - Shannon Feely 

Ralston Valley Teacher Librarian Jen Jonson helps a student with a Google Apps program. 

college – it was beautiful. Many of our students want to, 

and need to, believe in their college dream,” Blair said. 

At the beginning of the school year, the staff made a 

commitment to recognize and highlight academics at the 

school through award assemblies honoring students for 

making the honor roll and improved grade point average. 

It’s a ceremony that leaves a seasoned principal in awe 

of how acknowledgement of achievement can change the 

course of a life. 

“The students come up and say, ‘Look, look Mr. Blair, 

see this?’. Even though I handed it to them on the stage, 

they still want to come back and show it to me again. 

For many of these kids, this is the first time anyone has 

recognized them with an academic award,” Blair said. 

Warder Elementary - Tammy Langeberg 

Wheat Ridge High School - Debbie Livingston. 

“The highly effective library designation is a competitive 

process which honors the critical role of our teacher librarians,” 

said Mary Beth Bazzanella, library services coordinator. 

“We’re thrilled with the acknowledgement that our 

library programs play a part in increasing student achievement 

and fostering 21st century teaching and learning.” 


Golden 

High School 

graduate 

Jerrett John 

Thomas, or 

“JJ” as he’s 

known to his 

friends and fans, 

has the moves of a professional 

snowboarder and has the awards 

to prove it. He won the Bronze in 

the half-pipe at the 2002 Olympics, 

and has also competed in Winter X 

Games events. Currently, Thomas 

is both a snowboarding coach and 

the co-owner of Yea.Nice clothing 

company and is looking forward 

to attending the 2014 Winter 

Olympics. 

When did you first start 

snowboarding? 

I first started in fifth grade when 

I was 10-years-old, I was attending 

Mitchell Elementary. 

How long do you plan to continue 

snowboarding competitively? 

I actually got hurt at the 

beginning of this year. I hurt 

my knee and I hit the deck and 

tore my ACL, so I haven’t been 

able to compete all year. But, 

while I’m healing, I’m running 

my brand, and coaching (prosnowboarder) 

Louie Vito, a 

friend of mine. Next year I hope 

to compete again. 

Can you tell me about your 

clothing label, Yea.Nice, and 

how it got started? 

Yea.Nice is a company I started 

with my friend, Josh Sherman, 

that’s privately owned and 

funded by us, and we’re entering 

our second year in business. 

We specialize in headwear, like 

beanies and hats and we also 

make T-shirts. We wanted to 

start a company about five years 

ago, and it took us a few years 

to come up with a good name. 

Once we got a name, we got it 

trademarked, we got our logo, 

we started making stickers, and 

we promoted it for a full year 

before we even had products. I 

was riding with the Yea.Nice 

label on my board about two 

or three years ago, so everyone 

had heard of us before we even 

had products and launched, and 

started getting retailers. We have 

a few retailers, like Tactics.com 

and Active Ride Shops out of 

California. 

How different is coaching from 

competing? 

Coaching is definitely more 

fun than competing. Competing 

Jerrett John Thomas (“JJ”), Golden High School grad, shows his award-winning form on 

the half-pipe. 

is hard work and isn’t as much 

fun unless you win. Coaching 

is more gratifying, but they’re 

definitely different. There’s a lot 

less stress as a coach. 

What impacted you the most 

during your time at Jeffco? 

Probably just the friends I 

made; the relationships I made 

with everyone. I’m still in touch 

with a lot of the kids I went to 

high school with. The biggest 

parts of high school are learning 

how to really socialize with your 

peers and understanding how to 

work with lots of people and be 

friends with anyone. That’s what 

I’ve taken into my business and 

to my career, everything. 

Is there a teacher that made 

the greatest impact on you? 

Sure. I really liked my art 

teacher. I’m more of a creative 

person, so needless to say, 

art class was my favorite. It’s 

important to have those kinds 

of outlets in school; I’m really 

active and I like to be creative, 

so it was definitely cool to have. 

Not everyone is a math and 

science type of person. It’s a 

creative outlet, just like P.E. is 

a physical outlet. You’ve got to 

have art and music and drama 

so everyone can be healthy and 

do their best in what they like 

best. 

What’s next for you in your 

career? 

Right now, whether I’m going to 

compete or not is up in the air, but 

I know for sure I’m going to grow 

my brand, continue my company. 

I work with Inside Ally Force 

on YouTube with a cameraman, 

who films during an event, and 

after the event, I give a recap on 

it through my eyes. I’ll continue 

doing that. I don’t know if I’ll 

ever go back to the Olympics as a 

competitor. Last year I tried, but I 

tied with someone else and they 

picked him. I do think I’m going 

to go back to the Olympics as a 

snowboarder, either coaching, or 

broadcasting. Either way, I’ll be 

there. I’m very satisfied with my 

career, and I have no regrets. I 

gave it my complete all and I’m 

totally satisfied. I’m happy to 

help other kids get medals and 

I’m happy with where I am, right 

now. 

Jeffco’s 

graduation 

rate 

rising 

The percentage of Jeffco students graduating continues 

to increase. For the 2010-11 school year, 86 percent 

of students attending a Jeffco neighborhood school 

graduated – that’s an increase of one percent over last 

year. Additionally, the overall district graduation rate, 

which includes option and charter schools, increased by 

one percentage point to 79.1 percent. 

“I’m so proud that our graduation rate continues 

to rise. That one percent increase represents 50 to 60 

more kids who will have brighter futures because they 

have completed high school. We begin in kindergarten 

by setting the expectation with students that they will 

graduate. Our staff is relentless in helping students meet 

that expectation,” said Jeffco Superintendent Cindy 

Stevenson. 

The number of Jeffco students dropping out of school 

increased slightly for the 2010-11 school year; the district 

dropout rate is 1.9 percent, an increase of 0.1 percent over 

the previous year. 

Jeffco’s on-time graduation rate 

2009-10 2010-11 

Neighborhood schools 84.7 percent 86 percent 

District rate including 78.1 percent 79.1 percent 

option and charter schools 

NAUTILUS: The Mountain Sub Resurfaces. 

GILPIN HISTORY MUSEUM 

Open Memorial Day to Labor Day 

Tues - Sun • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

303-582-5283 

www.gilpinhistory.org 


Colorado’s Principal of the Year works in the heart of Jeffco 

Lakewood High School Principal Ron Castagna is a believer. 

“I’m a believer in this generation,” said Catagna. “And I believe 

they’re doing some things that my generation never thought of 

doing.” 

That steadfast belief is just one reason The Colorado 

Association of School Executives named Castagna the 2012 

High School Principal of the Year. He is now eligible for National 

High School Principal of the Year recognition. That award will 

be announced later this year. 

Lakewood High School’s Assistant Principal Lisa Ritchey 

encouraged Castagna to apply for the honor. 

“He believes strongly in the power of teaching, not in the 

power of testing,” Ritchey said. “He doesn’t look for the easy 

road; he looks for the road that continues to improve education.” 

Working to improve education at Lakewood has meant offering 

challenging Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate 

classes. But it also means providing an opportunity for students 

to create and celebrate. Lakewood was the first high school 

in Jeffco to produce a lip dub. The video of 2,000 Lakewood 

students singing and dancing to a Katy Perry song went viral. 

Students who attend Lakewood High School chant, “It’s a great 

day to be a Lakewood Tiger,” daily. And they mean it. 

“The kids here, it’s cool to be smart, other schools it’s almost a 

crime,” said Lakewood Senior Charlie Jones. That’s part of what 

makes this school excellent.” 

A baseball player, Jones transferred to Lakewood from another 

school his sophomore year. He’s been awarded a scholarship to 

play baseball at Adams State College. Jones credits Castagna for 

his success. 

“He gave me the opportunity to come here and thrive as a 

student and as an athlete,” Jones said. 

When Castagna came to Lakewood 15 years ago, he set the 

tone with the theme, “We are family.” While Castagna admits it 

might be a little corny it’s been successful. 

“There’s a large support base,” he said. “Whether it’s alums or 

kids in the school, I think they want to be part of the family. It’s 

definable, even in our dysfunctional moments.” 

Under Castagna’s leadership, Lakewood has been recognized 

as an outstanding school by 5280, US News &World Report and 

Newsweek. 

“We’re very proud of Ron and it’s a well-deserved honor,” 

said Jeffco Superintendent Cindy Stevenson. Stevenson is a 

Lakewood High School graduate. “It’s always an extra jolt for 

me when Lakewood High School gets recognized.” 

Castagna is quick to acknowledge the Lakewood family for the 

school’s success. He says staff and students share the honor. And 

he says it is the students that drive him. 

“It’s the opportunity to make a student’s day a little bit better,” 

he said. “Or listening to kids talk about the opportunities that 

await them after graduation. It makes it all worthwhile.” 

Lakewood High School Principal Ron Castagna speaks at 

this year’s homecoming assembly. 

Choosing Life 

Brendan Schuster 

Arvada High School playwright 

In what was truly a labor of love, Arvada West High School 

student Brendan Schuster found a way to unite his school through 

an inspirational and heart-wrenching play called How We Live. 

Telling the story of a man’s fall from grace who considers 

suicide, the theme of the play focused on receiving love and 

finding hope even in the darkest of hours. The play held special 

meaning for the school’s student body which was still reeling from 

the suicide of their classmate,18-year-old Trevor Wade. 

In the first version of the play, written before Trevor’s suicide, 

the main character ultimately takes his own life. After the death of 

his classmate, Schuster decided to change the ending. 

“I said no to my original ending because there are so many 

people who need help,” said Schuster. “I figured, why not give 

hope instead?” 

The decision to change the play’s ending gave a voice to students 

who were still recovering from the impact of their friend’s suicide. 

Schuster said their feelings guided the theme of How We Live and 

helped him find the direction he wanted the play to take. The show 

became an outlet for Trevor’s friends to tell their story in a public 

and honest way. 

Not only was the play’s subject of suicide very close to hearts 

of the general student body, it was a cause that helped drive the 

actors’ desires to be a part of it. 

One of those students was lead actor Conner Bottke whose 

younger brother committed suicide in 2009. While the story hit 

painfully close to home, the emotion Bottke was able to bring to 

his performance took the play to a more powerful, personal level. 

“If my brother were alive today, would he want me to not be 

able to do something because of him?” said Bottke. “No. He’d 

want me to get out there and perform.” 

How We Live premiered in January to a positive response and 

raised $750 for the Second Wind Fund, a local organization 

devoted to ending teen suicide. 

“The main goal of the show is that there’s always something 

more,” Schuster said. “It’s all about love, and who you love, and 

who loves you. Don’t ever think that when you are considering 

suicide, there is no other hope. That was the one thing I wanted to 

get across to people. Everyone is willing to give someone the love 

they need.” 

If you, or someone you know, needs help, call the Second Wind 

Fund at 303-988-2645. 

Gift out of nowhere 

When Fremont Elementary School Principal Deb 

Hines answered a phone message and the person on 

the other end let her know her school was getting 

$100,000, she was caught a little off guard. 

“They left a message on a Monday, but I didn’t 

believe them,” said Hines. “I had my secretary return 

the phone call and that’s when we found out the grant 

was for real.” 

Fremont parent Dawn Cherico, who has a fourthgrader 

and a second-grader attending the school, wrote 

a letter to The Ellen DeGeneres Show explaining the 

school’s needs. Target has partnered with the TV show 

to donate $5 million in grants to K-12 schools in 31 

states across the country. 

Hines adds they certainly have ideas on how 

the school could use the money, including literacy 

resources, a reading resource teacher, laptop 

carts, SmartBoards, playground equipment, music 

instruments, library books and a new firing kiln for 

the art room. 

“I shared the good news with our parents, 

community, staff, PTA and accountability groups, and 

we worked collaboratively to figure out how we will 

spend the grant money,” said Hines. 

Starting this school year, the school will use some of 

the money to purchase iPads, SmartBoards, document 

cameras, laptops and projectors for every classroom. 

“Our teachers are really excited about the technology 

coming into their classrooms,” said Hines. 

After the school purchases the technology, they will 

still have some grant money left and will take a look 

at their school’s needs in the fall. 

Fremont Principal Deb Hines and sixth-grader Abby Hubbard look at the morning announcements 

on the smartboard. 


Jeffco 

schools 

measure 

up to the 

challenge 

The Washington Post ranked 

four Jeffco high schools in the top 

20 Colorado schools included in 

the 2011 High School Challenge. 

The list ranked 35 Colorado public 

high schools, including Jeffco 

schools as follows: 

#2 Lakewood High School 

#7 Evergreen High School 

#12 Conifer High School 

#18 D’Evelyn High School 

The national survey used the 

Challenge Index, a simple formula 

of the number of Advanced 

Placement (AP), International 

Baccalaureate (IB) and collegelevel 

tests a school offers, divided 

by the school’s graduating seniors, 

which equals the school’s 

Challenge Index. Jeffco principals 

agree — it’s no coincidence 

Jeffco schools are represented 

well on these national ranking 

lists. 

“This is a sense of pride for our 

individual work, but also gives 

our community and students 

a sense of security that helps 

people feel really good,” said Evergreen 

Principal Matt Walsh. 

“Our school leadership teams 

are having thoughtful and transparent 

conversations about the 

courses we want to offer to our 

kids that follow our mission and 

match our students’ ambitions – 

the ranking lists don’t drive us, 

the kids do.” 

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Minutes from Downtown Denver 

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always promised adventure. The gentle rock of the rails has set the rhythm 

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Stroll the Museum’s 15-acre railyard with over 100 narrow 

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2012 Celebration of Excellence 

HONORING 

ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC, INSTRUCTIONAL 

Columbine High School Rebels win the 5A State Football championship. 

They defeated Lakewood High School (41-31) in an all-Jeffco contest. 

The Sparkles, a special cheer squad made 

up of challenge students and peer coaches, 

leads Arvada West High School in spirited 

cheers at home games. 

The Celebration of Excellence is a Jeffco 

Public Schools signature event designed to 

honor the best of the best in Jeffco. Students 

and staff are recognized for achievements in 

academics, athletics, and instruction. Special 

honors are given for making a difference. And 

partnerships are held up as a special thank you 

to community businesses and not-for-profits 

for supporting our schools. This year’s event 

was held at Bear Creek High School on April 

18, 2012. Here’s a look at some of the award 

winners. 

Evergreen Gymnastics win the 4A state title. 

Jeffco Schools receives the Colorado Legacy Foundation’s 

Collaborative Partnerships Matter Award for work with the school 

board, district leadership and associations in working on the 

district’s budget. 

Jefferson High School’s class of ’61 supports current students. 

Wheat Ridge High School Biology Teacher Dori Walker is recognized 

by the National Biology Teacher’s Association as an outstanding 

biology teacher. 

Jeffco has 18 National 

Merit Semi-Finalists and 

five Boettcher Scholars. 

Wheat Ridge High School’s softball team brings home the 4A state title. 

Evergreen counselors are recognized by the 

American School Counselor’s Association for 

having a model program. 

D’Evelyn Jr/Sr brings home the 2A State Band 

trophy. 

Volunteers with the Arvada Food Bank stuff bags full of food each week for 

free and reduced lunch students to eat over the weekend. 

Green Mountain High School teacher Jonna Gentry wins 

the American Association of Geologists Earth Science 

Teacher of the Year. 

Kyffin Elementary School teacher Mike Carroll named Colorado’s 

Elementary Art Teacher of the Year. 

Jeffco Schools Quarterly 

8 

www.jeffcopublicschools.org 

www.jeffcopublicschools.org 9 

May 2012

Learning Source 

2x4 SPOT 

Spanish teacher says ‘Adios’ to paper 

Arvada High School Spanish teacher Matt Cisneros 

and his students are doing their part to save trees and 

the school’s budget. 

By moving his entire classroom curriculum online 

into the district’s free Google Docs web-based office 

suite and data storage service, he’s spending less time 

shuffling papers, less money on classroom supplies, 

and motivating creative student learning. 

“By not making copies we were able to save nearly 

$3,000 in two classrooms and used that money to buy 

document cameras for our classrooms,” said Cisneros. 

“In a time when we have dwindling budgets, it just 

makes sense.” 

Cisneros saw value in the paperless model after he 

watched his students throw away paper assignments 

and hand outs. He adds that by only having to pay 

for the licensing of online textbooks, thousands of 

dollars could be saved by not buying hardback books. 

“Once I understood the software and what it’s all 

about, it’s taken shape and I collaborate a lot,” said 

Cisneros. “I’m savvy with online tech stuff, so I 

developed the concept of what I thought the paperless 

classroom looked like.” 

Students embraced the model by actually creating 

online, digital portfolios for their futures. 

“The idea is that they continue that digital portfolio 

through their high school careers and into college,” 

said Cisneros. “As the years go by, they can add 

content and it can really help them in their future to 

show their work and skills.” 

Cisneros still monitors how his students are working 

in the virtual classroom. 

Many of Cisneros’ Arvada High School colleagues 

are taking advantage of the professional development 

offered to learn how to use, manage and create with 

Rocket scientists volunteer at 

Kendrick Lakes Elementary 

Rocket scientist Sue Pawloski took the morning off 

from her work as Lockheed Martin’s Military Support 

Program Simulation Manager to read to second 

graders at Kendrick Lakes Elementary School. 

“I thought it was wonderful,” said Pawloski. 

Pawloski is part of a group of Lockheed Martin 

employees that started volunteering to read in 

classrooms at the beginning of this school year. The 

group watched the movie, Waiting for Superman 

over the summer, and decided they needed to get 

more involved in education. Lockheed Martin 

already invests time and money in STEM (Science 

Technology, Engineering and Math) programs in 

schools. But Pawloski’s group realized something 

else. 

“No one can become an engineer or scientist or 

future employee of Lockheed Martin, if they cannot 

read well,” said group organizer Stacy Garfield. So 

Garfield and fellow Lockheed Martin employee 

Katherine Abe came up with the idea of reading to 

students. 

“The first time a student is tested for their reading 

abilities or levels in Colorado is in third grade,” 

explained Garfield. “That is how we picked secondgraders 

to read to. We wanted to get them early 

enough that we can make an impact on their future.” 

They already are making an impact. Pawloski 

read a book about rockets and space to Kendrick 

Lakes second graders. It started student Aiden Porter 

dreaming. 

“Yeah, I want to be the one to launch the rocket,” 

he said. 

Arvada High School Spanish teacher Matt Cisneros and student 

Phillip McKenzie look over an assignment. 

the online program. The hope is to get other teachers 

embracing the paperless model. 

Utilizing the program’s features is a learning 

process, but other teachers are learning to use the 

software and more and more students are creating 

their own websites. 

Students can see their Spanish class calendar at a 

glance, create, mix and match projects and collaborate. 

“My students used to write a composition on paper, 

hand it in to me and I would grade it and hand it back 

to the student, who would eventually throw it away,” 

said Cisneros. “Now everything is posted on our 

classroom site, where we can incorporate pictures, 

research site links, and YouTube videos in Spanish. 

The future’s here and I’m not sure what others are 

waiting for.” 

Lockheed Martin’s Sue Pawloski volunteered to read to secondgraders 

at Kendrick Lakes Elementary School. 

Kendrick Lakes Principal Barbara Gunther says 

the school volunteers inspire students. 

“They bring in their work experiences so the 

students can see who they might want to become 

someday,” Gunther said. 

In addition, community members get an inside 

view of school. 

“They’re seeing, oh my gosh, you don’t just read 

to the kids,” Gunther explained. “You have to think 

about the text, and process, and use comprehensive 

strategies. So, it’s really been eye-opening for them 

as well, it’s been great.” 

Palowski agreed, “What a lot of energy! And it was 

really interesting to see how students are learning to 

sort through the facts and opinions. I took something 

personal from it as well, to interact with these bright 

young second-graders.” 


Jeffco Schools earn academic performance awards 

John Irwin Schools of Excellence 

The Colorado Department of Education has 

given 25 Jefferson County Public Schools “John 

Irwin School of Excellence” awards for ranking 

in the top eight percent of state schools in overall 

academic performance. 

The following schools “exceed” expectations 

on the school performance framework academic 

achievement indicator and “meet or exceed” 

expectations on the indicator related to academic 

growth gaps that is used by the state to evaluate 

schools. Schools receiving the awards include: 

Bear Creek K-8 School 

Bergen Valley Intermediate School 

Bradford Intermediate School 

Bradford Primary School 

Conifer Senior High School 

Dennison Elementary School 

D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School 

Devinny Elementary School 

Evergreen High School 

Jefferson Charter Academy Senior High School 

Kyffin Elementary School 

Manning Options School 

Maple Grove Elementary School 

Meiklejohn Elementary 

Montessori Peaks Charter Academy 

Normandy Elementary School 

Parmalee Elementary School 

Ralston Elementary School 

Ralston Valley Senior High School 

Red Rocks Elementary School 

Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen 

West Woods Elementary School 

Jeffco schools receive 2011 Colorado 

Governor’s Distinguished Improvement 

Awards 

The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement 

awards are given to schools that demonstrate 

exceptional student growth. On the school 

performance framework that is used by 

the state to evaluate schools, these schools 

“exceed” expectations on the indicator related 

to longitudinal academic growth and “meet or 

exceed” expectations on the indicator related 

to academic growth gaps. The Colorado 

Department of Education honored the following 

Jeffco schools with the Governor’s Distinguished 

Improvement award: 

Bradford Intermediate School 

Campbell Elementary School 

Coal Creek Canyon K-8 Elementary School 

Columbine Hills Elementary School 

Dennison Elementary School 

Elk Creek Elementary School 

Fairmount Elementary School 

Governor’s Ranch Elementary School 

Green Mountain Elementary School 

Lincoln Charter Academy 

Maple Grove Elementary School 

Meiklejohn Elementary School 

Mitchell Elementary School 

Montessori Peaks Charter Academy 

Parmalee Elementary School 

Ralston Elementary School 

Semper Elementary School 

Shelton Elementary School 

Ute Meadows Elementary School 

Warder Elementary School 

West Woods Elementary School 

2011 Colorado 

Centers of Excellence Awards 

Each year, the Colorado Department of 

Education recognizes public schools in the state 

that enroll a student population of which at least 

75 percent are at-risk pupils and that demonstrate 

the highest rates of student longitudinal growth, 

as measured by the Colorado Growth Model. 

On the school performance framework that 

is used by the state to evaluate schools, these 

schools have demonstrated impressive results on 

the indicator relating to longitudinal academic 

growth. This award program was established 

in 2009 by the Education Accountability Act of 

2009. Out of 22 schools, Jeffco had two schools 

receive the award, Deane and Stein Elementary 

schools. This is the second year that Dean won 

the award and the third year for Stein. 

Jeffco educators lead state, national school reform 

National research shows that in a single 

year, students with the most effective 

teachers make academic gains up to 

three times the rate of students with less 

effective teachers, regardless of students’ 

backgrounds. 

In Jeffco, we know students are their best 

when we are our best. That’s why we are 

researching new ways of doing business 

— including new ways to reward teachers 

for achieving results with students. The 

goal is to dramatically increase student 

learning. 

Jeffco’s innovative strategic 

compensation pilot project in 20 schools 

involves more than 650 educators. We are 

proud to be part of this national project 

that started last fall. The project, which 

is funded by a $39 million federal grant, 

goes through spring 2015. 

Jeffco is one of only 11 districts in the 

nation funded by the U.S. Department 

of Education to test significant changes 

to educator pay. We’re also testing new 

supports for teachers such as mentoring 

throughout the school year and peer 

evaluation. 

Here’s what one elementary school 

teacher says about peer evaluation: “Most 

of the teachers I’ve ever met want to be 

the best teachers they can be. You always 

think about what could have gone better, 

and to have another set of eyes to see what 

you maybe haven’t noticed, it makes a 

huge difference.” 

Our strategic compensation pilot project 

is unique. It’s not just about pay. Instead, 

it focuses on six components that are 

grounded in high quality research about 

pay incentives that lead to improved 

student learning, and additional support 

that helps even great teachers get better: 

Student achievement. The goal of 

Jeffco’s pilot is to dramatically increase 

student learning. Educators set school 

and team goals to take on their toughest 

instructional challenges in reading, 

writing and math. 

Collaboration. Teachers work together to 

analyze student data and develop shared 

strategies to improve student learning. 

Research about effective alternative pay 

plans underscores the importance of 

teachers’ sharing their expertise. 

Professional development. Teachers 

receive individualized, job-embedded 

professional development in their 

classrooms from new master and mentor 

teachers — to become better teachers and 

help students succeed. 

Shared leadership. Each pilot school’s 

new instructional leadership team, 

composed of administrators and teacher 

leaders, works with classroom teachers to 

help reach student learning goals. 

Stein Elementary Principal Socorro Alarcon works with students. The Colorado Department of Education 

named Stein Elementary a 2011 Centers of Excellence school for the third year in a row. 

Secrest Elementary Master Teacher Melissa Swenson works with a student on a special project. 

Evaluation. Peer evaluation makes 

Jeffco’s pilot project unique. Highly 

trained teachers observe and evaluate their 

peers, providing immediate and frequent 

feedback that helps even great teachers get 

better. 

Compensation. Does pay impact teacher 

effectiveness and student learning? To 

find out, all pilot schools get the same 

new supports; the only difference is pay. 

In half the schools, educators can earn up 

to $15,000 more per year for achieving 

results with students and receiving 

outstanding evaluations. 

To find out more, visit: 

www.JeffcoStrategicCompensation.org 


Jeffco summer school programs 

Jeffco Public Schools offers a variety of summer school programs. The district is sponsoring core programs in math, language arts, science, and 

social studies at each grade level. Below is a summary of the summer school programs or you can pick up a brochure at your nearest Jeffco school. 

Summer school partial fee waivers may be available to students who are on free/reduced lunch. For information about summer school, call 303-982- 

5236 or go to the district website at www.jeffcopublicschools.org/programs/summer_school/. 

ELEMENTARY SUMMER SCHOOL 

(Grades K-6) 

This year’s K-6 summer school continues 

with a standards-based approach for meeting 

students’ educational needs. The program 

focuses on student learning and student success 

for the content standards in the areas of English 

language arts and math. This program is 

designed for students who have just completed 

kindergarten through sixth grade. 

Registration Dates/Times 

Between May 7 and May 23 at student’s home 

school. Parents must register students for elementary 

summer school by filling out the Registration 

Form and returning it with payment to 

your child’s home school by Wednesday, May 

23. Non-district students must register at the 

summer school site they wish to attend. 

Summer School Dates: June 5 - June 29 

Summer School Times: 8 - 11:45 a.m., 

Monday through Friday 

Locations: Peiffer, Swanson and Welchester 

elementary schools 

Fees: The registration fee is $175 per student 

($275 for non-district students) The registration 

fee is due on the day of registration. VISA, 

MasterCard and Discover credit cards are accepted. 

Cancellation policy: 

Summer school is self-supporting. If a class 

does not have a minimum of 10 students, it will 

not be offered. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER SCHOOL 

(Grades 7-8) 

Option I: Traditional Summer School Program 

Designed for students who need to remediate 

academic skill deficiencies and/or make up 

credit in a required subject area. Students may 

take up to two classes and earn a maximum of 

one unit/credit during the program. 

Option II: Alternative Summer School Program 

Designed for students who need to develop 

their study skills, improve their attitudes toward 

school and improve their performance in the 

basic skill areas, with an emphasis on reading, 

writing, and math. In this 10-day program, 

students will work with a team of teachers for a 

three and a half hour block of time. Academic 

and study skills will be integrated into instructional 

units. 

SENIOR HIGH SUMMER SCHOOL 

(Grades 9 - 12) 

The senior high summer school program is 

primarily designed for students who need to 

make up credit or remediate skill deficiencies 

in required subject areas. It offers classes in 

English Language Arts, mathematics, science, 

social studies and physical education. 

Registration Dates/Times 

June 6, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. at Summer School 

Site 

Summer School Dates: June 7 - July 18 

(no class July 4) 

Summer School Times: 7:30 - 11:30 a.m., 

Monday - Friday 

High School Locations: Bear Creek, Conifer, 

Lakewood and Ralston Valley high schools 

Fees: The registration fee is $150 per student, 

per ½ credit, with a maximum of 1 credit (two, 

half credit courses). An additional $100 is assessed 

for non-district students. The registration 

fee is due on the day of registration. VISA, MasterCard 

and Discover credit cards are accepted. 

Cancellation policy: Because summer 

school is self-supporting, a class must have 

an enrollment of twenty-two students before 

it will be offered. If a class is not offered at 

a certain summer school site, students may 

transfer to another summer school site where 

it is available. 

Notice of Stormwater Program 

Notice is hereby given that Jeffco Public Schools is seeking input on the implementation 

of their stormwater program as required by the Colorado Department of Public 

Health and Environment. This program requires that the school district implement a 

program that educates the public and prevents water pollution from our sites. A copy of 

the current program can be obtained from Environmental Services by calling 303-982- 

2349. Any input or questions are welcomed and should be communicated by December 

31, 2012. 

Learn more at the following websites: 

US Environmental Protection Agency 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/schools/top_sub.cfm?t_id=49&s_id=124 

Highlights from 


Annual Report 

Each year an Annual Report is published 

by Jeffco Public Schools to provide 

an overview of the work completed 

during the school year and to report on 

the areas required by law. This year, a 

welcome message from Superintendent 

Cindy Stevenson is available on the 

district website, in addition to the Annual 

Report, at www.jeffcopublicschools.org. 

Community members may also request a 

printed version to be mailed to them by 

calling Communications Services at 303- 

982-6808. Here are some highlights of 

what is in the report: 

• 2010-11 Total student enrollment: 

84,602 

• Total staff: 12,753 

• Student’s qualifying for free and 

reduced lunch: 31% 

• Dropout rate: 2% 

• Percentage of highly qualified 

teachers in the district: 99.67% 

• Six Jeffco schools offer an International 

Baccalaureate (IB) Program which offers 

accelerated learning opportunities. 

• Students from Jeffco’s Warren Tech 

program have expanded their learning by 

creating equipment and experiments as 

part of the NASA space program. 

Jefferson County, Colorado 

http://jeffco.us/planning/planning_T59_R128.htm 

Colorado Stormwater Council – 

http://www.coloradostormwatercouncil.org/ 


14 

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• Taking registrations for our Fall programs (With this ad, get 1/2 registration fee) 

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• Pre-school only prices begin at $75 

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Jeffco Schools 2012 High School Graduation Schedule 


The Jefferson Foundation 

receives literacy grant 

The Jefferson Foundation was 

awarded a highly selective Social 

Innovation Fund grant to advance 

early childhood literacy. The fiveyear 

grant from Mile High United 

Way will be matched by the Denverbased 

Salazar Family Foundation, a 

long-time supporter of The Jefferson 

Foundation’s literacy programming. 

The Jefferson Foundation will use the 

grant funds to expand an evidencebased 

summer literacy program which 

helps students retain reading and 

writing skills over the summer months 

between school years. The program 

will serve Jefferson County students 

each year at Swanson, Edgewater, 

Molholm and Lasley elementary 

schools. 

“We know that being able to read 

and write proficiently by third-grade 

is one of the greatest indicators 

of future academic success,” said 

Katie Tiernan, Jefferson Foundation 

Executive Director. “The simple fact is 

that some of our kids need more time, 

attention and instruction than their 

peers to become successful readers, 

and that summer reading loss makes it 

even harder for them to read at grade 

level. Offering this opportunity makes 

sure all our students are prepared for 

successful futures.” 

Mile High United Way announced 

last October that it had received a $3.6 

million grant from the Corporation for 

National and Community Service to 

address early literacy. As one of only 

five organizations around the country 

to receive an award, Mile High 

My Student My Hero 

Eight extraordinary Jeffco high 

school students were honored during 

the My Student My Hero ceremony 

at Southwest Plaza in March. The 

students were nominated by their 

principal or counselor for their 

outstanding leadership qualities in their 

school and community. The Jefferson 

Foundation sponsors the event every 

year to recognize and celebrate the 

students. Following entertainment by 

The Manning School choir, students 

were honored as the 2012 My Student 

My Hero recipients: 

Joseph Tiner – Arvada High School 

Conner Bottke – Arvada West High 

School 

Luis Zuniga – Brady High School 

Tori Kelly – Columbine High School 

Melba Njenga – Dakota Ridge High 

School 

Rebecca Lidvall – D’Evelyn High 

School 

Adrienne Prueitt – Golden High 

School 

Clare Livingston – Lakewood High 

School 

New this year was a surprise 

scholarship for one of the students. 

The Jefferson Foundation executive 

director Katie Tiernan presented a 

$1,000 check to Joseph Tiner from 

Attending the governor’s announcement of literacy grant funding are: (L to R) 

Heather Beck (Chief Academic Officer, Jeffco Public Schools), Celeste Sultze 

(Principal Edgewater Elementary), Katie Tiernan (Executive Director, The Jefferson 

Foundation), Rebecca S. Feuerstein (Director, Early Childhood Education), Priscilla 

Straughn (Executive Director, Division of Instruction), John D’Orazio (Principal, Molholm 

Elementary) and Lola Salazar (President, Salazar Family Foundation.) 

United Way used an extensive review 

and interview process involving 60 

community and education leaders 

and hundreds of hours of review. The 

grants, called Social Innovation Fund 

grants, require both Mile High United 

Way and the final recipients to raise 

matching funds as part of the criteria 

for accepting a grant. 

The Jefferson Foundation Executive Director Katie Tiernan presents the first Positive Choice 

Scholarship to a surprised Joseph Tiner. 

From left are: Joseph Tiner (Arvada HS), Connor Bottke (Arvada West HS),Tori Kelly (Columbine 

HS), Luis Zuniga (Brady HS)Rebecca Lidvall (D’Evelyn Jr./Sr.), Adrienne Prueitt (Golden HS) 

Clare Livingston (Lakewood HS).and Melba Njenga (Dakota Ridge HS) 

Arvada High School. The Positive 

Choice Scholarship was created by 

an anonymous donor and given to 

Articles on this page submitted by The Jefferson Foundation. 

The Jefferson Foundation in order to 

recognize one of the student heroes. 

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For comprehensive consumer information 

visit devry.edu/studentconsumerinfo 

Where the FUN begins! 

Birthday parties, picnics, family reunions, 

church activities, or just for the fun of it! 

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning 

Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. 

Program availability varies by location. 

©2011 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved. 


The 2012 Jefferson Foundation student art exhibits 

When budget cuts threatened to end the forty-year tradition 

of student art shows in Jeffco Public Schools, The Jefferson 

Foundation and its supporters committed more than $17,000 

annually to keep the shows alive. Now in its third year of 

funding four district-wide shows, the Foundation says 

saving the shows was one of the best decisions it ever made. 

“Jeffco schools have a reputation for excellence with 

regard to the arts in education,” said Katie Tiernan, the 

Foundation’s executive director. “The arts help students 

develop better planning and reasoning abilities, help them 

connect diverse subjects, and help them become the kind of 

critical thinkers they need to be in the 21 st Century.” 

The 2012 Jefferson Foundation Equity and Excellence 

and Elementary Art Show opened to rave reviews. The 

public is invited to attend the remaining art shows which 

run through May. 

The Jefferson Foundation gratefully acknowledges the 

support of FirstBank, Kaiser Permanente, and the Betty and 

Joe Wetherbee Arts and Music Fund, which all contributed 

to make the 2012 student art exhibits possible. 

This article submitted by The Jefferson Foundation 


2012 Middle School Art Show 

Open through May 7, 2012 

Lakewood Cultural Arts Center 

(480 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226) 


2012 High School Art Show 

Open through May 13, 2012 

Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities 

(6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada, CO 80003) 

Jefferson County Schools Dental Days! 

Monday, April 16 th through Friday, June 29 th 

¡Los Días Dentales de Las Escuelas de Jefferson County! 

Lunes 16 de Abril a Viernes 29 de Junio 

All students of Jefferson County Schools 

that are in need of dental care will be 

served at one of MCPN’s three School 

Based Health Clinics. 

Jefferson High School - 2305 Pierce St., Edgewater, CO 

Stein Elementary School - 80 S. Teller St., Lakewood, CO 

Alameda High School - 1255 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 

Todos los estudiantes de Jefferson County 

que necesitan cuidado dental pueden 

recibir servicios en una de las clinicas de 

MCPN situadas en las escuelas. 

¡Una Sonrisa Bella Vale Mucho! 

A Beatiful Smile Goes A Long Way! 

For more information or to make 

an appointment, call 303.489.8091 

Para más información o para hacer 

una cita, llame 303.489.8091

May 2012 - JEFFCO Public Schools

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