Jeffco Public Schools

Superintendent's Corner

Dear Jeffco Families & Community,

Over the course of the school year, I have a practice of visiting classrooms frequently to talk with staff and students. While these conversations are brief, they do allow me to stay connected to learning happening in our schools and to hear directly from our teachers and students about what they are working on.

Much of the attention in our schools goes to our certified classroom teachers, and rightfully so. Attention also goes frequently to our building principals, who serve in prominent leadership roles for their schools and community. Teachers and building administrators are most centrally involved in the core purpose of our schools: learning. But these are not the only people who make our schools successful.

One often overlooked group is our support professionals. These individuals work in a variety of roles including instructional supports (paraprofessionals), school and district office staff, food service, transportation, building maintenance and custodial, and school safety. All told, Jeffco employs over 4,000 people in support staff positions encompassing over 150 job titles.   

In addition to visiting classrooms, I also spend a few days each year visiting with our support professionals. This can range from short visits and conversations about how things are going and what they are working on or concerned about to sort of “undercover boss” experiences, where I spend a day working alongside our support professionals doing their jobs.

Read more.

Jeffco students, parents, families, staff, and community members may engage with Dr. Glass via Facebook, Twitter @COJasonGlass, and through his blog, advancejeffco.blog.

PROJECT SEARCH: HELPING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FIND SUCCESS

Jeffco Public Schools has a unique school-to-work program for high school students with significant disabilities: Project SEARCH. The program is supported through Jeffco Transition Services and partnerships with Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Hospital (UCHealth), the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and Easterseals Colorado.

During this one-academic-year program, students learn work skills through two different internships (one each semester) on the Anschutz Medical Campus at Children’s Hospital or UCHealth. The goal at the end of the program is for students to gain competitive employment.

There are eight Jeffco students in the program this year: four at Children’s and four at UCHealth. Two of those students, Chris Jordan (Children’s Hospital) from Arvada West High School and Reinaldo Mercado (UCHealth) from Lakewood High School, have already experienced success with the program.

Students begin their day in the classroom with instructors Renee Salvi (Children’s Hospital) and Hannah Scott (UCHealth), where they work on skills to support independent living. Then, the students head off to their internships. Jordan works in Food Service and Mercado first interned in the Inpatient Infusion Center, and now is working in Facilities. Students work alongside a mentor in their department, and paraeducators and job coaches are there to support the students in skill development.

Read more.

LUMBERG ELEMENTARY TO JOIN NATIONAL NETWORK OF EL SCHOOLS

EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) is an educational model that balances both personalized and social learning to help students succeed in learning and in life. Jeffco Public Schools is proud to announce Lumberg Elementary will be joining the national network of EL Education schools for the 2019-20 school year!

EL Education was born out of a collaboration between The Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward Bound USA. The program focuses its work on schools in diverse communities across the country. It offers a different approach to school improvement and improving student achievement highlighting mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality student work.

The EL mission is to create classrooms where teachers can fulfill their highest aspirations and students achieve more than they think possible, becoming active contributors to building a better world.

In addition to Lumberg, Peak Expeditionary at Pennington is aspiring to join the national network, and Dutch Creek, Green Gables, and West Jefferson elementary schools offer EL programs.

To learn more about EL Education, visit eleducation.org.

Good News in Jeffco

Green Mountain High School coach Clint Boston wins Double-Goal Coach Award. Read more.

The Golden Civic Foundation celebrated the donation of funds to Golden schools at the annual Community Grants luncheon. Read more.

For more good news, visit the Good News Blog and see Jeffco in the News.

GOOD TO KNOW

 No Snow Day Make-Up for Most Schools

Though Jeffco Public Schools closed for three bad weather days this year, most schools do not need to make up days. All but about 20 schools have adequate learning time scheduled to meet school needs and state requirements. The few that need to make up time are working on how much time is needed and how best to schedule that time. Schools that need to make up time will communicate directly with their families.

HAPPENING IN JEFFCO

Sobesky Academy/ Fletcher Miller Secondary Art Show
April 1-30

Please join Sobesky Academy and Fetcher Miller in celebrating our Middle School and High School artists. The Artist's Celebration will be Tuesday, April 2nd from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the Lakewood Cultural Center's Corner Gallery. The exhibit will be on display from April 1 to April 30.

Columbine Day of Service
April 20

Columbine students and staff will be participating in various acts of kindness through service projects. The specific service projects and locations are restricted to CHS students and staff. We encourage every community to participate in a service project of your own and to let us know what you are doing in your own community! Visit our website, www.columbineserves.org, for information and resources and connect with us on social media using the hashtags #ColumbineServes, #DayOfRecommitment, and #WeAreColumbine.

20-Year Columbine Remembrance Service
April 20

The community is invited to remember, reflect and recommit at Clement Park, at the soccer field east of the Columbine Library, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Parking will be limited, with shuttle service provided from the parking lot behind Burlington Coat Factory (across W. Bowles Ave. from the park). Please bring folding chairs or blankets for additional seating behind the reserved seating provided for the families who lost loved ones and those wounded in the April 20, 1999 tragedy.

PEACHJAR DIGITAL FLYERS

Jeffco Public Schools is now using Peachjar, a new electronic flyer communication tool. To view school-approved digital flyers, simply click the new peach icon on district or school websites. You will also receive a weekly email if new flyers have been added. You can view all flyers here. This “green” initiative will save paper and reduce copy costs. This system is used exclusively for distribution of school-approved flyers. Your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose. Community organizations can submit flyers for distribution through Peachjar. Simply register for a Peachjar account as a "Program Provider" and upload flyers for distribution to desired schools. Click here to learn more about the process and guidelines.

MENTAL WELLNESS TIP

“Get outside and enjoy the sunshine.” - Golden High School student

Brought to you by The Golden Rotary's  Mental Health committee. This project is in partnership with Golden High School students.  

IMPORTANT DATES

• April 26 - K-8 Early Release

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

• Wednesday, April 10, 9:00 a.m., Study Session
• Thursday, May 2, 5:00 p.m., Study Session
• Thursday, May 2, 6:00 p.m., Regular Meeting

Meetings are held at the Jeffco Ed Center Board Room, 1829 Denver West Drive #27, Golden. Meeting schedules and agendas are posted on BoardDocs.

ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES

Check Out the Latest from JPS-TV

Emmy®-nominated JPS-TV is the official YouTube channel for Jeffco Public Schools. It features stories about Jeffco kids, teachers, and staff! Click here to check out the latest from JPS-TV!

Keep Up with Jeffco Athletics

To get the latest on Jeffco’s high school athletics, be sure to check out the CHSAANow.com/jeffco website, JPS-TV Sports, the Jeffco Athletics Facebook page, and scores and photos via @JeffcoAthletics on Twitter. Click here to check out the latest from JPS-TV!