• Graduation rates above state average
• Superintendent receives award
• New Jeffco publication available through the newspaper
• Celebration of Excellence date
• Key Communicator survey
• Good News Breakfast celebrates great kids
• Construction update
• Board of Education Meetings

Darrell Grant
International Jazz Artist
Lakewood High School Alumnus

The Bright Stars program recognizes Jeffco
Public Schools' graduates who have gone on to distinguished careers or have accomplished a significant achievement. If you have a Bright Star you would like to nominate, please e-mail Communications Services.

Graduation rates in Jeffco above state average

Jeffco Public Schools’ graduation rate for the 2006-2007 school year is 76.1 percent according to figures released this week by the Colorado Department of Education. The statewide graduation rate is 75 percent, which was an increase over the previous year. The graduation rate formula begins with each school district’s ninth-grade class and is tracked through the end of the 12th grade year.

What else would you like to know about Jeffco Public School's graduation rates?

Jeffco Superintendent receives distinguished award

Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Cindy Stevenson, will receive a distinguished service award from the University of Colorado at Denver next month. The award is given in recognition of those people who have made great contributions to the State of Colorado. Dr. Stevenson will receive her award during graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 17 at the Auraria campus of CU Denver.

Jeffco Public Schools recently published an insert in the Mile High Newspapers called the Jeffco Schools Quarterly. The purpose of the Jeffco Schools Quarterly (JSQ) is to communicate to our external audiences about the district and local schools on a regular basis. Each issue will carry timely information and schedules for Jeffco Schools as well as feature and more in-depth stories about students, staff, news, events, fiscal expenditures, district resources and more.

The publication is a joint partnership with Mile High News and Metro North Newspapers to provide information to the public that is subsidized through advertising and therefore does not require funding from the school district. The insert was included in all of the Mile High Newspapers including the Arvada Press, Golden Transcript, Wheat Ridge Transcript and Lakewood Sentinel. The Westsider, a MetroNorth Newspaper, also included the insert and copies were available through neighborhood schools on a first-come, first-serve basis. Inserts are also available through the Mile High Newspaper rack locations which can be found online under the online extras tab. Westsider rack locations are available online under the newsracks tab.

The JSQ was originally circulated six years ago but was discontinued because of district budget cuts. To view a copy of the most recent edition, check out the Communications Services Web site. For more information or to request a copy, contact Jeffco Public Schools Communications Services, 303-982-6808.

What types of stories would you like to see in the JSQ?

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (location to be determined) for the fourth annual Key Communicator's Celebration of Excellence. This recognition is the district's way to say thanks to our Key Communicators and to celebrate the accomplishments of students, teachers, staff and our Jefferson County community. This wonderful evening includes individual and group represention in academics, athletics, arts, teachers, staff and community service. The event will again provide student entertainment and demonstrations.

The Seventeenth Annual Good News Celebration Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, April 29 from 6:59 to 8:29 a.m. Come and help us celebrate some of the positive values and happenings throughout Jefferson County. This year's theme is Great Kids Building Great Communities. During the Good News Breakfast, students and young adults that help communities throughout the county to reach their full potential, will be honored.

Place: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 West 6th Ave., Golden, Colorado
Tickets: $12.00 per person. A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible.
Breakfast: Full Breakfast - Catered By Warren Tech
Donations: Continuing the “Good News” tradition, you are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Jeffco Action Center. Cash donations for the food bank are also accepted.
To register: All reservations must be prepaid. Payment must be received by April 22, 2008. Mail To: Good News Celebration Breakfast, c/o Bandimere Speedway, 3051 South Rooney Road, Morrison, CO 80465. Make check payable to: “Good News Breakfast”.

For additional infomration please call Tami at 303-697-6013, ext 104. The Good News Coalition brings Jefferson County citizens together to celebrate the positive happenings and spiritual values that link our diverse communities.

Jeffco Public Schools currently has 200 school construction projects completed, 22 under construction and 41 projects in the design and/or bidding phase. All projects are part of the 2005-2010 Capital Improvement Program and funded from the 2004 $328.5 million bond.

School construction continues on-time and on-budget. To keep accurately informed, and to help inform others, please download and print the April District Construction Update fact sheet

What additional information would be helpful?

The Board of Education holds study/dialogue sessions (Seminar Room, 4th floor) and business meetings (Board Room, 5th floor) at the Educational Services Center, 1829 Denver West Drive, Bldg #27, Golden, unless otherwise noted.