Iowa Elementary School recently celebrated its No Place for Hate designation.

Congratulations to Iowa Elementary School and Gateway High School for recently earning their No Place for Hate designations for the second and third consecutive years, respectively.

Iowa celebrated its success with a school wide ceremony. The Bears completed one year of anti-bias and anti-bullying programs, which included forming a coalition, adopting a resolution pledging to create a more inclusive school and implementing a number of projects promoting respect for differences. Projects completed this year include the construction of cultural artifacts, letters of encouragement and art work about Iowa’s unique differences.

Gateway also held a school wide assembly, parading their pride about having so many different cultures within the school. Students participating in the assembly performed songs and dances representing various cultures. The Sign Language Club also performed a sign language translation of the song “Give Me Your Eyes.”

Said Gateway English Language Acquisition Teacher Leader and event MC David Gates, “I really hope that the students see No Place for Hate as a philosophy that lies deep in the hearts of everyone at Gateway, rather than just a banner, a T-shirt or a pin.”

Students Dieumeuse Bordin, left and Brandon Thomas perform at Gateway's No Place for Hate ceremony.

Hauser and the class used Skype, the popular voice-over-Internet Protocol service, to meet and discuss the particulars about her book, "The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens." The students read her book prior to the chat session, and many of them were able to relate to the content. Hauser fielded questions about her inspiration to write the book and told the class of some of her own life experiences.

Some students also submitted some of their own writings to Hauser, and she offered feedback during the session.

I am forwarding a letter from Lt Gov Garcia that I would like you all to read.  Every staff member makes it possible for us to meet our vision of graduating every student with the choice to attend college without remediation.  This letter is for all our teammates and is an accolade for the noble work we do in APS.

JB

May 8, 2012

To District Leaders, Principals, Educators, School Staff and Volunteers,

It was just a few months ago when I had the pleasure of joining a small cadre of early childhood advocates on the Literacy Matters Tour across the state of Colorado.  During those few days, and in the months since, I have had the privilege of meeting some of our state’s finest and most dedicated teachers, principals, district administrators and countless others who provide staffing and volunteer support to school classrooms and early learning centers.

In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, I would like to thank those we met during our travels and the many thousands of other hard-working professionals who give of their time and talent to help ensure that every child in this state receives an exceptional education.

We know that great teachers, great principals, and great district leaders make a significant and positive difference in a child’s education.  In support of our educational professionals,

Colorado is leading an early literacy initiative as part of a statewide effort to help ensure all children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade.  Our office is working closely with the Colorado Department of Education as it develops a state literacy plan that will serve as a roadmap for the implementation of literacy related policies and programs, content standards and assessments.  Together, we will see a day when every child – regardless of zip code, race, ethnicity, or family income – will be a successful reader by third grade and a successful learner for a lifetime.

A student’s future should not be defined by his or her circumstances in life, but by his or her abilities. Effective teachers make connections with students and tap into their individual gifts and abilities, guiding them on a path to success.  Through a teacher’s patient instruction, students learn to read a book, solve a mathematical equation and question assumptions.  Teachers open doors to the mysteries of our past, ignite curiosity in the world around us and inspire students to envision a better world for tomorrow.

Thank you for your tireless commitment to the children in your communities and schools and best wishes for a successful end to the school year,

Joseph A. Garcia

Lieutenant Governor

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 in the Professional Learning and Conference Center (PLCC) 15771 E. 1st Ave., Aurora, CO 80011. A representative from the Division of Finance will present the proposed budget.

The final budget will be presented to the APS Board of Education in June.

• Visit the Budget Reduction website.

Hinkley's Rachel Sogunle, left, and Aurora Central's Diana Morales were two of the scholarship recipients from the second semester.

APS students who participated in internships during the second semester this school year recently celebrated their success during the Sponsor Appreciation Ceremony at the Professional Learning & Conference Center.

Students from Aurora Central, Gateway, Hinkley and Rangeview high schools stood tall as they put a resounding exclamation point on their most recent professional development. Parents, staff and APS Board of Education members showed their support as the honorees reflected on their experiences and future plans. Pickens holds one appreciation ceremony per semester each year.

Students earned the Presidential Service Award and were presented with certificates and pins. Scholarship presentations were made to six students, including two that donated from Broadview Animal Clinic.

Congratulations to the following award and scholarship winners:

Aurora Central
Gold Presidential Service Award Winners (250+ hours of community service)

• Cynthia Duron

Silver Presidential Service Award Winners (175- 249 hours of community service)

• Leonel Enriquez
• Travis Hulme

Bronze Presidential Service Award Winners (100-174 hours of community service)

• Daniela Carrillo
• Vanessa Lopez-Rodriguez
• Tiana Bell

Executive Internship Scholarship Recipients 

• Diana Morales, $250
• Cynthia Duron, $250

 

Gateway
Gold Presidential Service Award Winners (250+ hours of community service)

• Sergio Duran
• Karen Rosas Torres
• Cynthia Torres

Silver Presidential Service Award Winners (175- 249 hours of community service)

• Helena Ton

Bronze Presidential Service Award Winners (100-174 hours of community service)

• Jessi Bost
• Ryan Griffith
• Kyle Johnson
• Dayla Stanley
• Monique Strider
• Clarissa Whited

Executive Internship Scholarship Recipient 

• Clarissa Whited, $250

Hinkley
Gold Presidential Service Award Winners (250+ hours of community service)

• Christian Currier
• Gissela Garcia
• Rachel Sogunle

Silver Presidential Service Award Winners (175- 249 hours of community service)

• Baradji Diallo
• Marcus Maes
• Jasmine Phouk

Bronze Presidential Service Award Winners (100-174 hours of community service)

• Sergio Almeda
• Jozlyn Hunter
• Katarina Lombard
• Oriana Miller
• Nancy Moreno
• Donovan Daniel
• Simon Feseha
• My Duyen Le
• Heather Werner
• Megan Yarmeak

Executive Internship Scholarship Recipients 

• Jasmine Phouk, $250
• Rachel Sogunle, $250

Rangeview

Gold Presidential Service Award (250+ hours of community service)

• One Luv Hull
• Elexxus Norman
• Rachel Warnel

Silver Presidential Service Award (175-249 hours of community service)

• DeAna Gomez
• Catherine Harris
• Yonatan Mekbib

Bronze Presidential Service Award (100-174 hours of community service)

• Prisca Akpai                                       
• Harman Bal
• Michelle Chung
• Brianna Fletcher
• Alexis Gotta
• Lindsey Heaston
• Lisah Malika
• Michelle Starkey

Executive Internship Scholarship Recipient 

• Catherine Harris, $300

As a reward for their hard work, students recently had the opportunity to play a golf tournament with the officers at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club Par 3 Course.

Written By Ian Calvert, Boys Basketball Coach

I would like to take the time to acknowledge Aurora Central High School student Carlton Hurst for the following accolades he received this 2011-12 basketball season:

• First team All-League East Metro Athletic Conference
• EMAC Player of the Year
• All City First Team by Aurora Sentinel
• Aurora Sentinel Player of the Year
• Denver Post All-State 5A Second Team
• One of 15 players selected to Joint Effort All-Colorado Team
• One of 20 players in state All-Star Game at Pepsi Center  

Carlton is a very talented basketball player that has already set state and school records while playing varsity the past three years. With his senior year in front of him, I wanted to bring to APS’ attention that a special student athlete walks our hallways.

This year, Barry also presented the first PaceSetter Award to a community member for outstanding support of Aurora Public Schools.

Aurora Central High School student Shiva Sapkota delivered the opening remarks for the ceremony. Shiva who has earned both Daniels and Gates Millennium scholarships, thanked APS staff for their dedication to students.

The Mrachek Middle School Choir, directed by Amy Gallegos provided entertainment for the evening.

• Learn more about the Superintendent's Quarterly Awards.

Superintendent Annual Award Winners 2012

A group of third and fourth graders from Kenton and Paris elementary schools recently participated in the Elementary Science Symposium 2012 at the Professional Learning and Conference Center.

Students presented an array of engineering design solutions that they learned about in class. During the science fair format presentations, the students answered questions like "What materials did you use in your design solution" and "How did you problem solve through the challenges when it didn't work the way you wanted it to."

Students also learned about many summer science opportunities offered by the Butterfly Pavilion, The Wildlife Experience, The Denver Zoo and others.