2017 Five Star Journal Fall Issue

Fall 2017 Vol. 17 | No. 1
adams12.org
COVER:
HEALTHY
BODIES,
HEALTHY
MINDS
Page 6
ESL program connects
community to school
Page 10
District looks forward
with ELEVATE
Page 14
Cover: Arapahoe Ridge
student gets carrots from
the school garden
P-TECH gives
students options
Page 16
*NEW* FIVE STAR [SNAPSHOTS] | PAGE 12

News Journal
Vol. 17 | No. 1 | Fall 2017
Connecting you
to your Five Star Schools
IN THIS ISSUE
5 Board Message
6 Elementary School Feature:
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
9 Celebrating Anniversaries
10 Middle School Feature:
ESL program connects community to school
News Journal
Official Sponsor of
the Five Star Journal
12 Five Star Snapshots
14 District Feature: Strategic Plan
16 High School Feature:
P-TECH gives students options
19 Parent Pointers
Communications Services
1500 E. 128th Ave.
Thornton, CO 80241
(720) 972-4156
adams12.org
20 District Calendar
21 Five Star | Five Facts
22 In the News
24 Election Notice
Board of Education
Kathy Plomer
Laura Mitchell
Norm Jennings
Brian Batz
Jamey Lockley
Adams 12 Five Star Schools is a caring, inclusive and
engaging district which exists so the students it serves
can attain the knowledge and skills necessary to
pursue the future of their choosing and are equipped
to navigate and thrive in our rapidly changing world.
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 3

BOARD MESSAGE
By Kathy Plomer, President
Celebrations
The best is ahead and we need your voice
in shaping that future
For more information regarding BASE, breakfast and
lunch, kindergarten, preschool and more visit
adams12.org/delayedstart
Welcome back to school!
The beginning of the year is always an
exciting time and the 2017-18 school year is
no exception! There is good news on many
fronts and I will share just a few highlights.
Thanks to the generosity of our community
and taxpayers, bond dollars are being
put to work to renovate schools all over the
district. Every school in the district will see
improvements over the next five years and
you can easily track what’s going on in each
building through the district’s website.
Adams 12 Five Star Schools made strong
academic gains at schools across the district
resulting in a Performance rating for our
entire district. The Performance rating reflects
the hard work of school and district leaders,
teachers, staff and students to achieve
academic excellence. Learn more about
these accomplishments.
We continue to add ways for parents,
community members and students to get
involved in the district. We have a new group
of nearly 70 parents who will take part in
our Five Star Leadership Academy; a new
Finance and Audit Committee begins its
work this fall; the District Accountability
Committee and the Long Range Planning
Advisory Committee will continue their
work; and the superintendent has formed a
new student leadership council this year to
advise him on school-based concerns and
aspirations, and give students a voice and
exposure to district leadership.
Also new is a strategic planning process,
known as “ELEVATE,” that will begin this year.
The process will include outreach, through
meetings and surveys, to Five Star District
stakeholders to hear what they value and
appreciate, and imagine what might be as
the Five Star District moves forward over the
next five years. Look for more information on
how to participate as the year progresses.
If you have questions or ideas to share,
please contact the Board of Education and
tell us what’s on your mind. Enjoy the start of
another great school year! #FiveStarProud •
4 | Feature Name Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 5

Students participating in a “brain break”.
Healthy Choices
Arapahoe Ridge promotes a
culture of wellness; sees impacts
beyond the school community
Healthy choices, whether nutritional, physical,
mental, social or emotional, help students
succeed in the classroom and beyond. And
that’s what they’ve seen for the past five years
at Arapahoe Ridge Elementary. Through an
established program, they have seen a positive
shift in their culture of wellness — both in the
school and across their community.
Co-wellness team leaders, Heather Weber and Zach Foubert, are beginning their fifth year as
head of the Arapahoe Wellness program. The program, one of 39 grant-funded wellness programs
across the district, focuses on encouraging the development of the whole child — one who is
academically successful, healthy, motivated and engaged.
Every year, Weber and Foubert identify wellness priority areas for the school and then establish
and implement a School Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) to address those areas through a number
of wellness initiatives.
Changing the culture isn’t an easy feat. In order to get support from the entire community, the
school wellness team is continually working to educate the community on why certain initiatives
will lead to continued student success.
Some initiatives are well-received from the
start, such as a school garden, school running
clubs, and an annual wellness week. Other
initiatives need additional information to
show the community why they are beneficial
for students, such as the decision to move
away from food-based celebrations and
the implementation of “brain breaks” into
classroom instruction.
The school garden is a perfect example of
how support from the entire community leads
to a successful initiative. Since its inception, the
garden has been run by parent volunteers and
is tied into grade-level curriculum. Students
help decide what is planted and learn about
the entire process, from seed to harvest to how
to cook with fresh organic produce.
“The school garden is eye-opening for some
students,” Foubert said. “They don’t always
realize that food isn’t readily accessible and
love learning about the growing process –
from seed to table.”
Parents applaud the school for the garden
because students come home intrigued and
want to be more active in the grocery shopping
to ensure they have healthy food choices at
home.
The implementation of “brain breaks” took
more education. Initially the thought was that
they would take away from classroom learning,
but it was quickly seen that implementing
“brain breaks” did quite the opposite. The
breaks increase student movement, promote
higher engagement and give the student’s
brain a “boost”.
“It is proven that providing “brain breaks”
increases serotonin and the student’s capacity
to learn more effectively,” Foubert said.
When parents see that the introduction of
physical activity in the classroom shows an
increase in their children’s grades and overall
performance, they recognize that a culture
shift to include wellness in the school day is a
shift in the right direction.
“Before, kids would be slumped over in
their desks or have glazed eyes,” Weber said.
“But now when I walk down the halls and I
hear students jumping and stomping I smile
because I know they are increasing their
capacity for learning.”
As students learn about healthy choices, this
knowledge extends outwards to their families
and larger community, impacting a greater
number of people than just that of the school
community. •
New this year, Arapahoe Ridge will create a student-based wellness team.
Student leaders will take ownership of their wellness initiatives, and work
alongside their fellow classmates and teachers to further promote a culture
of wellness at their school.
6 | Elementary School Feature
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 7

Celebrating Anniversaries
This year, three schools in the district celebrate milestone anniversaries of
producing successful students and serving the Five Star community.
HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE
Eagleview Elementary
celebrates 20 years
IS RETURNING
to Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Planning has begun to offer lacrosse as a single
high school team for the 2018-2019 school year.
Boys and girls
programs will
be offered.
Silver Hills Middle
celebrates 10 years
Stukey Elementary will celebrate 50 years of serving students this
December 2017. Stay tuned for photos in a future Five Star Journal issue.
If interested, please take the online survey.
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 9

Parents and community members attend the weekly ESL program at the International School at Thornton Middle.
Community Connection
ESL program connects community
to middle school
On a recent weeknight, about 70 parents
and community members gathered in the
cafeteria of the International School at
Thornton Middle, introducing themselves
and shaking hands. Behind them hung a
sign in large royal blue, hand-painted letters that read “Be the Change.” This wasn’t a regular
meeting about their students or the school. On this night, they were focused on their own
education, learning English.
Offered once a week throughout the school year, the class allows adults from the community
to focus on speaking, reading and writing in English. In total 125 adults take part in the classes,
offered at four proficiency levels, marking the largest group of adults to participate in the ESL
program since it began being offered seven years ago.
“We see ourselves, not just as a school, but a center of learning for the entire community,” said
Laura Bowman, a transitions facilitator at the middle school and a champion of the adult ESL
program. “This sparked us to do something unique that would bring parents and community
members into the school.”
Glenda Deker, a second-year ESL student, is focused on reading and writing English with her
class. She says she feels more empowered – she can speak with her children’s teachers without a
translator, she can help her children with their
homework and she’s become more engaged
with the school, volunteering on the School
Improvement Team.
“It’s a beautiful thing to learn and communicate
with people,” Deker said. “My goal
was to learn but I feel that I’m learning more
than I expected.”
Teachers said the program can change lives
for its participants, from finding a job to being
able to advocate for a sick family member at
the doctor’s office.
Knowing that these adults are coming
after full days of work and caring for family,
they also ensure that there is child care. But,
you won’t find those youth sitting around
watching a movie. Instead, a teacher creates
educational activities.
Not only does the class empower parents
and community members, it also sends
a message to the community’s younger
students, said Assistant Principal Jason
Gooding.
“By being part of the program, parents set an
example for their kids to be lifelong learners
and show them that you can always improve
your situation,” he said.
Laura Carolina was encouraged to try the
class and says while it’s been challenging, she
has found her classmates and teachers to be
very supportive.
“I’m very happy they have these kinds of
programs for parents,” Carolina said. “It’s very
hard to learn a new language. They give us
an opportunity to learn every day.”
Teachers said it’s most rewarding to see
these students learn and grow.
“It is so inspiring to see the pride, confidence
and independence our learners gain
with their progress. It is a difference you can
see,” said Rebekah Bair, a sixth-grade social
studies teacher who has spent two years
teaching adult ESL.
Trish Burns, a learning specialist who has
taught these adult English language classes
for three years, said the program has a big
impact on all involved: “Opening the doors
for families who want to change their lives
for the better is a win-win for everyone,”
she said. •
“It’s a beautiful thing
to learn and
communicate with
people. My goal was
to learn but I feel
that I’m learning more
than I expected.”
- Glenda Deker
Second-year ESL Student
10 | Middle School Feature
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 11

Five Star Snapshots
The Great American Eclipse
Photos from across the web featuring the first month of school
First day of school at
Skyview Elementary.
Century Middle
Horizon High
Stellar Elementary
Bollman Tech students participated in the 9/11 Memorial
Stair Climb at Red Rocks and raised over $1,600 to benefit
the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Eighth-grade WEB Leaders welcome new
sixth-graders to Shadow Ridge Middle School.
Mountain Range High
Thornton High
City of Northglenn opened a new bike
lane in front of Stukey Elementary.
Stellar Elementary Stargate Charter Staff at ESC
Horizon High’s second HERO’s game.
Photography by: Capture It!
Tag us in your images on social media using #FiveStarProud for a chance to be featured.

Looking Forward
Community engagement process to help discover core priorities and
direction for next five years
For the 2017-18 school year Adams 12 Five Star Schools will embark on a year-long process called
“ELEVATE” to discover priorities and direction for the next five years by building on recent success.
For the second straight year, student achievement has made strong gains. The percentage of
students meeting and exceeding state expectations increased in six of seven grade levels from
2016 to 2017 and the Five Star District is one of only two large districts in the state to show the
highest growth in both English language arts and math.
Significant gains in literacy performance over the past three years demonstrate that the district’s
focus on literacy is positively affecting student academic achievement. Additionally, students
continue to exceed the state average in math and science assessments.
As a result of high student achievement the Five Star District has been accredited as a
Performance District for the second consecutive year by the State of Colorado with 14 schools
increasing at least seven percentage points or higher.
On top of positive academic results, the Five Star community generously passed the 2016 bond
to address needed facility repairs and address overcrowding.
With the passage of the bond and the positive results from the focus on literacy, Five Star Schools
has strong momentum for continued high achievement. Building on this success, the district
will host a year-long engagement process called ELEVATE. Students and teachers, parents and
community members will come together to determine core priorities and direction for the next
five years to elevate student success.
ELEVATE will include sessions throughout
the year for students and staff. Parents and
community members are invited to participate
in fall and spring engagement sessions
hosted at locations throughout the district.
The sessions will take parents through an
Appreciative Inquiry process. Appreciative
Inquiry (AI) is a community engagement
process that starts with the positive to build
upon what works and has proved successful.
In the fall, participants will be asked to help
discover current values and future dreams for
the district. In the spring, participants will use
the data and feedback from the fall sessions
to determine how to implement the desired
vision for the district and what resources will
be needed to do so.
In the end, the goal
of ELEVATE is to
develop a five-year
vision for elevating
success and a
resource plan to
achieve that vision.
Superintendent Chris Gdowski unveiled ELEVATE at the
Community Committee kick-off.
In the end, the goal of ELEVATE is to develop
a five-year vision for elevating success and a
resource plan to achieve that vision. Parent
and community input is encouraged as we
collectively discover who we are and who we
want to be. Together we will elevate the recent
success of Adams 12 Five Star Schools and
continue to engage and inspire all students
to innovate, achieve and succeed in every
classroom, every day. •
14 | District Feature: Strategic Plan
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 15

Level 3 employees working with the first-year cohort of STEM students in their classroom at Northglenn High.
Multiple Pathways
P-TECH students earn degree while in high school
A group of students at Northglenn High School are one year closer to earning not only their
high school diploma but also an associate degree in computer information systems – and all at
no charge thanks to a new program.
This summer, 31 students joined 32 from the previous year who are part of Northglenn’s
P-TECH campus, EC@N-STEM (short for Early College at Northglenn STEM).
Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH, programs bring together high
schools, colleges and businesses to create a unique learning environment geared toward real-world
experience to prepare students for in-demand jobs. Gov. John Hickenlooper signed
off on P-TECH in 2015 and Adams 12 Five Star Schools was one of three districts – and the only
district in the Denver metro area – to announce a P-TECH campus in 2016.
P-TECH gives students options, said Kerry Glenn, district P-TECH-STEM coordinator.
“We want to provide opportunities for students to be immediately employable in STEM-related
fields right out of the program, as well as have opportunities for them to earn bachelor’s and
master’s degrees, if that is a direction they choose to pursue,” Glenn said.
Through this partnership, Northglenn High is an accredited location through Front Range
Community College. Students simply replace an elective for their P-TECH class. In addition to
classwork, the school has partnered with Broomfield-based Level 3 Communications, whose
staff provide mentorship, tutoring and team-learning experiences, including a summer camp at
their campus, said Dan Tesone, a senior project
manager for Level 3.
This is a long-term opportunity, Tesone said,
for Level 3 “to build its own pipeline of talent.”
“One of the neat things about the program
is that once (students) even have their associate’s
degree they’re employable in that middle
technical space,” he said.
A goal of P-TECH is to expose underrepresented
groups to STEM careers. Among last
year’s 32-student cohort, 28 are first-generation
college students, 17 are female and 16
are English language learners.
Tristin Souther, 15, is starting her second
year in P-TECH and hopes to dive deeper into
networking.
“It really feels the same as normal high school
but I know that I’m working harder than if I’d
gone to a different school and I know that I’m
getting to my goals sooner,” she said, adding
that she wants to become an aerospace engineer
and eventually work for NASA.
Her classmate Ruben Damian, also 15,
agreed.
“Doing both (your diploma and college) at
the same time is better,” Damian said. “You
learn a lot … You get all this help and support.”
For Level 3, there’s as much a focus on soft
skills – those less-technical but equally important
workplace skills like communication,
team work and problem solving. Tesone said
that’s an added benefit for students: “They’re
important skills for employees to have. if we
can teach students the professional standards
that are in place it’s going to put them
at a competitive advantage when they hit the
job market.”
This partnership among educational institutions
and business can create even more opportunities
for students, said Sheena Martin,
Front Range’s director of concurrent enrollment.
“We are learning about additional ways
each of the three institutions involved can
support students to ultimately promote success
in the program,” Martin said. “From the
development of mentoring programs to supplemental
support to orientations and career
exploration, we are excited to see both the
first- and second-year cohorts complete the
year with so many people cheering them on.”
Both P-TECH groups have had a waitlist;
Glenn says they hope to grow to two cohorts
per grade in the future.
“We want all students in the district to have
access to career-readiness programs,” Glenn
said. “P-TECH is a good model, but it is only
one of the many ways the district is providing
access to these opportunities.”
“If we can teach students
the professional standards
that are in place it’s going
to put them at a competitive
advantage when they hit
the job market.”
- Dan Tesone
Senior Project Manager, Level 3
16 | High School Feature
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 17

SAFETY & SECURITY: Types of Action
PARENT POINTERS
Lockout
Lockdown
Evacuate
Shelter
Building is locked and students are
brought inside as a precautionary
measure based on activity in the area.
Examples:
• Law enforcement activity such as
serving warrants in a nearby location
• Report of dangerous wildlife in area
Building is put on lockdown due to
danger inside or very near the building.
All students and staff are in lockdown –
Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.
Examples:
• Threat inside the school
• Emergency or dangerous situation
very near the building
Students and staff are moved to a new
or safe location due to a situation in or
near the school building.
Examples:
• Gas leak in the school
• Unsafe situation near school
affecting release times
Students and staff are instructed to
take safe shelter due to a situation in
or near the school.
Examples:
• Tornado, earthquake or other
natural events
Learning at Home
Parent tips to help children succeed in school this year
ACTION: Monitoring
How will you know?
• Email to parents
Further communication as needed
if the situation impacts daily operations.
Please remain at home until receiving
further communication.
ACTION: Active with district and
emergency responders
How will you know?
• Phone call (auto dial) to parents
• Text to parents (if opted-in)
• Email to parents
Updated communication as situation
progresses and as needed. Please
remain at home until receiving further
communication.
ACTION: Active with district and
emergency responders
How will you know?
• Phone call (auto dial) to parents
• Text to parents (if opted-in)
• Email to parents
Updated communication as situation
progresses and as needed. Please
remain at home until receiving further
communication.
ACTION: Active with district personnel
and emergency responders as needed
How will you know?
• Email to parents
Further communication as needed
if the situation impacts daily operations.
Please remain at home until receiving
further communication.
Limit screen time:
How much screen time is too much? According to Common Sense Media — a
non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media
and technology, “what’s more important (than screen time) is the quality of kids’
media, how it fits into your family’s lifestyle, and how you engage your kids with it.”
Read more from Common Sense Media.
Reunification
As a result of any of the above scenarios, students may need to be reunified with parents
through a controlled release at the school or a reunification at a new location.
We want to reunite students with parents as soon as possible during an emergency
situation. We will work with police and fire agencies to determine when it is safe
to reunite students and parents. These situations often take time and planning to
ensure you and your child are reunited safely.
Visit adams12.org/safety to learn more about district safety protocols,
update your contact information and sign-up for text message alerts.
Here are some tips for your role in a reunification:
STAY
STAY
BE
1 HOME 2 INFORMED 3 READY
Watch a video on your role during a reunification
at adams12.org/safety
Create a family agreement around how your students will use devices in your home:
This could include a time limit for using technology, a list of apps and websites
they are allowed to visit, and key information they should never provide online.
See an example here.
• Helpful tip: Keep the charging stations in a central location in your home.
Be the first to know. Receive priority
alerts on your cell phone.
Text “YES” to 68453 *
With this free service * * , you will receive text messages notifying you of
safety alerts or other important information impacting the Adams 12 Five
Star Schools system.
You can opt-out from alerts at any time. Reply with HELP if you need
assistance.
Spark the interest in reading:
According to the Washington Post, “choice rules when kids read for fun. Eighty-nine
percent of kids ages 6 to 17 agree that their favorite books “are the ones that I have picked
out myself”. “
Read more about recommended books for kids of all ages to choose from.
Know the power of the portal:
Families have access to the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal. This is a great tool for all
parents to access their student’s academic progress, check attendance, see messages
from their teachers, pay fees and more. To log in, create an account, or update a password
and/or username: ic.adams12.org/campus/portal/adams12.jsp.
Your privacy is important. Your information will not be sold or provided to third parties. *Your cell phone number must be up-to-date in your
Infinite Campus profile. **Message and/or data rates may apply.
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 19

2017-2018 District Calendar
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
1500 East 128 th Avenue
Thornton, CO 80241
SCHOOL CALENDAR– 2017-2018*
JULY 2017 F First Day of School for Students
JANUARY 2018
S M T W T F S FS-August 16, 2017 6 th morning; 7 th -8 th afternoon; 9 th ONLY
S M T W T F S
FE-August 16, 2017 ALL Elementary K-5 and K-8 Report
1 1 2 3 4 5 6
FS-August 17, 2017 ALL Students K-12 Report
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 B 9 10 11 A 13
L Last Day of School for All Students
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
May 23, 2018
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
A Elementary Assessment Days
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31
September 5, 2017; January 12, 2018
30 31
May 4, 2018
AUGUST 2017
W Elementary School Work Days (No School for K-5 Students)
FEBRUARY 2018
S M T W T F S October 12 , 2017
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 February 14, 2018; May 11, 2018* potential snow day make up
1 2 3
6 7 8 9 I D 12 D Teacher Duty Days (No School for All Students)
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
13 D I FS/FE FS 18 19 August 11, and 14, 2017
11 12 13 W B I 17
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 December 22, 2017
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
27 28 29 30 31 May 24, 2018
25 26 27 28
C Teacher Comp Day – All Schools (No School for All Students)
SEPTEMBER 2017 November 20, 2017
MARCH 2018
S M T W T F S I District In-service Days – All Schools (No School for All Students) S M T W T F S
1 2
August 10, and 15, 2017; February 16, 2018
1 2 3
3 4 A 6 7 8 9 B In-Common Release Days – K-8 (No School for K-8 Students)
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
October 13 , 2017
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11 12 13 14 15 Q 17
January 8, 2018; February 15, 2018; April 2, 2018
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Q Quarters Days
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Oct.13 , 2017 42 days
Dec.21 , 2017 43 days
OCTOBER 2017
Mar. 16, 2018 47 days
May 23, 2018 43 days
APRIL 2018
S M T W T F S Pupil Count Window ............................ September 25 – October 9, 2017 S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Calendar Information
1 B 3 4 5 6 7
B/
8 9 10 11 W 14 Registration of New Students .............. Please Contact Your Local School 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Q
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 School Year Starts, K-9 ................................................... August 16 , 2017 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
School Year Starts, All Students Report ......................... August 17 , 2017
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Labor Day .................................................................. September 4, 2017
29 30 31 Elem. Assessment Days ........... Sept.5, 2017; Jan.12, 2018; May 4, 2018 29 30
Dist. In-Svc. No School-All Students ...... Aug.10, 15 , 2017; Feb. 16, 2018
NOVEMBER 2017 Elementary Work Days ...... Oct.12, 2017; Feb. 14, 2018; May 11* , 2018
MAY 2018
S M T W T F S In-Comm. Rel. Days, K-8 ....... Oct. 13, 2017; Jan. 8, Feb. 15, Apr. 2, 2018 S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 Veterans’ Day Observed ........................................... November 10, 2017
1 2 3 A 5
Teacher Comp Day-No School ................................. November 20 , 2017
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6 7 8 9 10 W* 12
Thanksgiving Break .............................................. November 20-24, 2017
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 End of First Semester ............................................... December 21, 2017 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
19 C 21 22 23 24 25 Teacher Duty Day-No School-All Students ................ December 22, 2017 20 21 22 Q D 25 26
26 27 28 29 30 Winter Break ................................. December 25, 2017- January 5, 2018 27 28 29 30 31
High School In-Common Release Day ..............................January 8, 2018
S M
DECEMBER 2017 All Students Return..........................................................January 9, 2018
JUNE 2018
Martin Luther King Day..................................................January 15, 2018
T W T F S S M T W T F S
Presidents’ Day ............................................................February 19, 2018
1 2 Spring Break ................................................................ March26-30 2018
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Last Day for Students......................................................... May 23 , 2018 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Teacher Duty Day ............................................................... May 24, 2018 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Memorial Day ..................................................................... May 28, 2018
17 18 19 20 Q D 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
BASE CLOSED ...................................................... August 7-11, 2017
SUMMER BASE OPEN - ............................... May 31–August 4, 2017
BASE OPEN ..................................... August 14, 2017 A.M. and P.M.
FIVE STAR | FIVE FACTS
Nutrition Services
Feeding hungry minds and tummies so children can learn
A well-nourished student has better attendance, is more attentive, better behaved,
has an increased energy level, and overall is more likely to be academically successful.
For all of these reasons, Adams 12 Five Star Schools is committed to offering healthy
quality meals with a smile, and contributing to the students’ overall academic experience.
13,400
4,352
LUNCHES BREAKFASTS
served per day
Most meals served in one day during
the 2016-2017 school year was
20,352
15,236
LUNCHES
5,116
BREAKFASTS
30,085+
SERVINGS OF LEFTOVER FOOD
Lunch is
served at
46
SCHOOLS
Breakfast is
served at
27
SCHOOLS
KITCHEN STAFF WORKED
155,000+
hours
throughout the school year
to support students.
186
SERVINGS
PER DAY
donated during the 2016-2017 school year
*Subject to Revision
Approved May 8, 2017
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 21

IN THE NEWS
Achievement scores rise for second year closing
performance gap with the state
For the second straight year, student achievement made strong gains across the district further
closing the performance gap with the state. Five Star Schools is one of two of the largest districts
in the state to show growth of 53 or above in both English language arts and math assessments.
The only other district to show median growth above 53 in both is Denver Public Schools…
Read more
Significant achievement growth solidifies district being
accredited as performance
The Five Star District further solidified its position in the “performance” category due to gains
in academic achievement, and postsecondary and workforce readiness. In addition to the
district being accredited as performance, preliminary state ratings show nearly 80 percent
of schools in the Five Star District are rated as performance — the highest rating given to
schools by the state… Read more
2016 Bond Program projects move forward
It was a busy summer for the Five Star Schools 2016 Bond Program. Construction launched on
a new P-8 school as well as the two-year expansion and renovation of STEM Lab. Plans also took
shape for school expansion and renovation projects scheduled for summer 2018. Get updates
and check the status of all bond projects at adams12.org/bond.
Voluntary Water Sampling wrapping up
For the past year, the district has been voluntarily testing water to ensure it meets Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for lead. During the water sampling program nearly
3,500 fixtures were tested throughout the district. Of those tested, 100 fixtures were identified
with lead concerns. Nearly 100 percent of those identified with a concern have been repaired
and cleared. At this time, final tests and repairs are underway and the final testing results will
be communicated to district families this fall. For more information and your school’s test results,
visit adams12.org/leadtesting.
Navigating the Budget now available online
To help provide a better understanding of the Five Star District budget and what is required
to educate a large, diverse student population, a budget guide has been developed. This
guide provides an overview of Colorado school finance and financial information specific to
the district. In its pages, you’ll learn how the district receives funding and how that money is
allocated. View Navigating the Budget for fiscal year 2017-2018.
Northglenn High moves to the National School
Lunch Program
Nutrition Services and Northglenn High School have teamed up to introduce Northglenn High
to the National School Lunch Program. Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, Northglenn will
implement the Special Milk Program, providing milk to students in schools that are not currently
participating in other Federal Meal Programs at a free or reduced price. This is the first
step towards a full implementation of the National School Lunch Program. The timeline for the
full transition is targeted for August 2018.
Legislative update: Lawmakers not in session, but work on
critical issues continues
Lawmakers are keeping busy ahead of next year’s session as legislative studies begin to take
shape. A two-year review of the school finance system was set up by HB17-1287. The first
meeting of the Interim Committee to Study School Finance was held in late July and largely
focused on procedural matters. A request for proposals was issued to identify a facilitator for
the group. The facilitator will assist the committee in gathering information and analyzing legislatively-specified
school finance issues… Read more
22 | In the News
Five Star Journal, Fall 2017 | 23

Two board of education seats up for election this November
Adams 12 Five Star Schools has two board of education seats up for election this November.
The Board of Education has five directors that are elected at large to four-year staggered terms.
Adams 12 Five Star Schools has a director district plan of representation which requires school
board members reside in a specific geographic area. Elections will be held in Director District No.
3 and No. 4 in the Nov. 7, 2017 General Election. Candidates for the open board of education
seats answered four questions outlining their interest. View the profile of candidates.
Ask for FREE Kasasa ® checking.
Election Day, Nov. 7
District outlines policy on political and campaign matters
• Earn your choice of cash rewards*
• No monthly service fees, ever
• Refunds on ATM withdrawal
fees, nationwide
As we draw closer to Election Day, Nov. 7, it’s important to keep in mind the legal parameters
involved in election matters.
District Policy 8500, “Political and Campaign Matters,” outlines the expectations for
employees and community members.
There is specific protocol for the distribution of political and campaign literature on school
grounds. While this is prohibited during the school day, such information can be distributed
before or after the school day in a location and manner that’s established by the school principal
in order to address traffic, safety and educational interests.
Information which promotes, favors or opposes ballot issues, ballot questions or candidates
for public office cannot be sent home with students nor included in school newsletters.
Additionally, no political and/or campaign signs can be placed on or in district facilities.
They also cannot be placed on district grounds.
To register to vote or to manage your registration information online for
the 2017 general election, go to: www.govotecolorado.com. You also can
check your registration status and track your mail ballot.
24 | Election Notice
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received by our credit union as ATM transactions, non-retail payment transactions and purchases made with debit cards not issued by our credit union. “Monthly Qualification Cycle” means a period beginning one (1) business day prior to the
first day of the current statement cycle through one (1) business day prior to the close of the current statement cycle. Reward Information: When Kasasa Cash Back qualifications are met during a Monthly Qualification Cycle, you will receive (1)
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