August 19, 2011  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:
Melissa Reeves, mdreeves@jeffco.k12.co.us , Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6567
Lynn Setzer, lsetzer@jeffco.k12.co.us , Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6810

WHAT:  Jeffco Public Schools opens doors to begin student learning
WHEN:  Monday, Aug. 22 starting at 7:30 a.m.
WHERE:  Wheat Ridge 5-8, 7101 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, 80033

JEFFCO SCHOOLS KICKS OFF THE 2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR
Colorado’s largest school district welcomes back more than 86,000 students in 154 schools on the first day of school.

Wheat Ridge 5-8 students will get a special welcome as they walk through the doors of their school straight from Jeffco Schools’ Superintendent, Cindy Stevenson.

Wheat Ridge 5-8 is a new configuration from its former middle school model.  In an effort to cut $40 million from the 2011-12 budget, Jeffco closed two neighborhood schools, Martensen and Zerger elementaries. 

Many Martensen students now attend Wheat Ridge 5-8 and younger students now attend Stevens Elementary.  Former Zerger students now attend Weber and Lukas elementaries.

Stevenson will begin the first day of school at 7:30 a.m. at Wheat Ridge 5-8, then travel to Stevens Elementary and Weber Elementary and ending at Lukas.
 

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**Note to interested media, please contact the Jeffco Communications Services office to arrange access to any Jeffco schools on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 22