• New strategic plan
• Governor proposes education reform
• Jeffco's new technology plan
• Key Communicator survey
• Foster Elementary changes with the time
• Construction update
• Board of Education Meetings

Trey Parker
“SouthPark” co-creator of animated TV series
Evergreen 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.

New strategic plan

The district has a new Strategic Plan for 2008-2010. District leadership, with the help of teachers and support staff, developed the plan which will guide Jeffco Schools for the next two years. The Strategic Planning and Advisory Council also contributed to the planning and review efforts.

The goals of the plan are:
 All students graduate prepared for continued learning and the world of work in the 21st century.
 All employees are accountable for a high performing organization.

Do you have any feedback on the new strategic plan?

Governor Ritter’s education reform bill, the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K), was recently released. The plan would redesign the state's preschool, K-12 and postsecondary education standards around the belief that all students must receive a high-caliber education that leads to 21st century college or career readiness. The bill calls for a school readiness assessment test for incoming kindergartners, as well as a postsecondary and workforce readiness assessment test(s) at the high school level; the specific details of the assessments would be developed after a review of the Colorado Education Content Standards is complete.

Colorado first created content standards, which determine what students learn at each grade level, in 1993 but has not updated them since. The governor proposes establishing a Preschool to Postsecondary Alignment Council. This would be an 11-member panel of curriculum and testing experts to recommend new curriculum standards to the state Board of Education, modernize exams to test for those standards and create a tiered diploma system for high school graduates.

Would you like to continue to receive legislative updates?

“For the first time in history, we’re preparing kids for a future that we cannot clearly describe.” These words belong to author David Warlick, but the sentiment is fundamental to education in the 21st century.

Imagine trying to see in the technological future – what will computers look like five years from now? What will we be using to communicate with each other? Those are the challenges facing Jeffco Public Schools as it looks into the crystal ball of technology. The district now has a three-year technology plan that will guide teachers, students and administrators through the fast-changing world of gadgets and gizmos. The plan was developed with the help of stakeholders including students, parents, teachers and community members. Please take some time to read it and give us your feedback.

What additional information would you like about the Technology Plan?

There are nearly 1,300 community leaders in the Jeffco Public Schools Key Communicator Network. As opinion leaders, the district depends on your voice to educate the community about important school district issues. At the same time, we also need to hear you on the effectiveness of this important communication program. The next issue of the Key Communique will ask for your opinion through our annual survey. The district is asking for all Key Communicator's to take a few minutes and complete the online survey in the April issue of the Key Communique. Your feedback is extremely important, so please keep an eye out for the survey in April. Your support is greatly appreciated.

The Rose Community Foundation featured a story in the spring 2008 edition regarding Foster Elementary School in Arvada. The story highlights how the school has adapted to the school's changing demographic with the help of a dual langugage program.

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 March 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.