Jeffco Public Schools

Superintendent's Corner

Dear Jeffco Families & Community,

This month, students in our community, across our state, and across the nation will begin the annual rite of passage that is taking standardized assessments. As a public institution, our district is required to administer these assessments under both state and federal law.

It can be rightly argued that the nation’s system of standardized assessments expanded dramatically after the 2002 landmark federal law, No Child Left Behind, which required, at a minimum, testing in English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and once in high school. No Child Left Behind also required science standardized testing once in elementary, middle, and high school.

The name of the federal law has changed (it is now called the Every Student Succeeds Act), but the testing system put forth in No Child Left Behind remains, as does the system of ranking schools based on the results.

My message to parents and students when it comes to these assessments is that they should take the test and do their best. This is a good lesson for school and life. Jeffco kids are as smart and capable as any student in the world and these assessments are an opportunity for our schools to show what they can do.

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.

BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTES TO EXTEND SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT

Jeffco Public Schools is pleased to announce that the Board of Education has extended the employment contract of Dr. Jason Glass for an additional five years. This decision was discussed and voted on during the regular board meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2019. The superintendent’s contract is extended until June 30, 2025.

Dr. Glass began serving the district as superintendent on July 1, 2017. During his first year, Dr. Glass built upon the Jeffco 2020 Vision to create the Jeffco Generations Vision and Skills to guide the work of the district forward. A strategic plan was generated and released in October 2017 and is called our Jeffco Generations Strategic Plan.

The plan focuses district efforts on three main strategies with a direct impact on the student learning experience: Learning, Conditions for Learning, and Readiness for Learning. The plan also identifies business operations, financial, and communications strategies that directly support the work of our schools and student learning. The strategic plan’s theory of action holds that if we keep the focus on creating an authentic student experience at the center of our work (Learning), and build repeatable procedures where quality learning can be scaled, replicated, and provided equitably to every student (Conditions for Learning), and create systems to ensure that every student comes to school ready to learn and barriers to learning are removed (Readiness for Learning), then our students will be prepared for successful futures in college, careers, and life.

Read more.

WINTER SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Pomona Wrestling Claims Third Team Title in Four Years

It didn’t take Pomona long to regain the top perch in Class 5A wrestling. A year after Grand Junction prevented Pomona from a team championship three-peat, the Panthers dominated 5A during the three-day state tournament at Pepsi Center. The drama of the Panthers winning their sixth team state title since 2000 was decided even before the title bouts took to the mats Saturday night at Pepsi Center. Read more.

Wheat Ridge Boys Basketball Wins First League Title Since 2007

It only took one basket in the fourth quarter for Wheat Ridge to end a 12-year drought on the boys basketball court. Senior Blair McVicker’s floater just outside the paint with 20 seconds left in the final quarter gave the Farmers a 57-56 lead against rival Golden. Read more.

Evergreen Girls Basketball Clinches 4A Jeffco League Title

Evergreen’s girls basketball team added to its impressive resume on February 12. The Cougars, No. 4 in the latest Class 4A CHSAANow.com girls basketball rankings, wrapped up their second straight 4A Jeffco League title with a dominating 54-11 win over visiting Wheat Ridge. Read more.

Columbine Boys Basketball Wraps Up 5A Jeffco League Title

Columbine’s boys basketball had no interest in sharing during its run through the Class 5A Jeffco League this season. Columbine and Arvada West finished conference play with 10-4 records last year. The Rebels and Wildcats split their two head-to-head meetings that resulted in both sharing the 5A Jeffco title in 2018. Read more.

Good News in Jeffco

Swanson Elementary students share stories on Rocky Mountain PBS’ Super School News. Read more.

Wheat Ridge High School student Trenton Graf used his Eagle Scout Project to help adapted athletics. Read more.

Falcon Bluffs Middle School’s entrepreneurs class focuses on civic and global engagement. Read more.

Shaffer Elementary students donate to the Lakewood Police Department K-9 Unit. Read more.

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

GOOD TO KNOW

2-Hour Delay Schedule

After careful thought and consideration regarding the impact on schools, families, and district operations, we have decided to implement a 2-Hour Delay Schedule when the weather situation indicates it is necessary. We will publicly announce a 2-hour delay and notify families by 5:30 a.m. Click here for more information.

Bond Program Updates

Exciting building improvements are coming to schools across the district, thanks to the voter-approved 2018 bond measure! Many projects are in the design phase and will kick-off over the summer. We look forward to sharing our progress and encourage you to visit the bond program website for specific information on projects planned at your school.

HAPPENING IN JEFFCO

Prom Dress Exchange
March 9

Open to all high school students with a valid student ID. Each teen may choose one long and one short dress from a huge selection. Seamstresses will be available onsite for limited alterations. Organizers ask for a $10 donation or a clean formal dress to exchange, if possible.

Saturday, March 9, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Adams 12 Five Star Schools ESC, 1500 E. 128th Ave., Thornton. For more info call: 303-358-6804 or visit www.promdressexchange.org.

Jeffco Schools Foundation Community Night with the Avs
March 15

7:00 p.m. at the Pepsi Center
Click here for more info and to order tickets.

Peace Jam Conference with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum
March 16-17

Internationally-renowned peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum will join youth ages 13-22 for an interactive weekend at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood March 16-17. Click here to register. Questions? Email info@peacejam.org or call 303-455-2099.

Jeffco Schools Foundation Annual Elevate Education Gala
April 5

5:30 p.m. at the Arvada Center
Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.

IMPORTANT DATES

• March 15 - K-8 early release
• March 25-29 - Spring Break

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

• Wednesday, March 13, 9:00 a.m., Study Session
• Thursday, April 4, 5:00 p.m., Study Session
• Thursday, April 4, 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!