Story and photos submitted by the APS Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Team

On May 18, Meadowood Child Development Center will host a unique movie premier to showcase a ‘first of its kind’ training videos created by Rangeview High School students Abel Negussie and Semhal Abbady and acted by Dalton Elementary students Sasha Garg and Aiden Bojang.

Abel and Semhal wrote, produced, directed and edited the videos that feature a kid spokesperson who helps train a para in sanitation and diapering protocols. Students have earned APS Digital Badges for their collaborative skills. The videos will help APS paraprofessionals meet Colorado state standards. As far as is known, the videos are the first of their kind in Colorado -- especially created by students!

PLEASE NOTE: THIS APS PRESCHOOL SCREENING IS FOR ALL APS LOCATIONS!

APS Preschool Screening
Friday, July 22, 2016
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fletcher Community Campus
10455 E. 25th Ave., Aurora, CO 80010

APS offers preschool classes at 31 APS elementary schools,four child development centers, eight community child care sites and two district charter schools. Most APS schools offer half-day preschool and free full-day kindergarten. Also, beginning Aug. 2016, Rocky Mountain Prep Charter School will also offer preschool at the Fletcher Community Campus.

Children ages 3 or 4 years old on or before October 1, 2016, are age eligible for the APS Preschool Program. In order for your child to be considered, a parent or legal guardian must attend the preschool screening process.

Appointments are not necessary. Due to a limited number of preschool slots, attendance at a screening does not guarantee placement.

A greeter will be available at the screenings to guide you to the screening area.

For more information, view the preschool screening flier, visit ece.aurorak12.org or call 303-364-9371.

All children ages 3 or 4 on or before October 1 are age-eligible for the Aurora Public Schools Preschool Program. In order for your child to be considered, a parent or legal guardian must attend the preschool screening process. Your child must be present for the screening and you must bring the required registration documents. Visit http://admissions.aurorak12.org for a list of required documents. If your name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate, you must bring legal documentation of guardianship.

Appointments are not necessary. Due to a limited number of preschool slots, attendance at a screening doesn’t guarantee placement. For more information, visit http://ece.aurorak12.org or call 303-364-9371 or view the flier.

Preschool Screening Dates / Locations:

Laredo Child Development Center - 1420 Laredo St.
- Feb. 1, 8 am-6 pm
- Feb. 8, 8 am-4 pm
- March 1, 8 am-2 pm
- March 22, 8 am-2 pm
- April 5, 1-4 pm

Jamaica Child Development Center - 800 Jamaica St.
- Feb. 2, 8 am- 6pm
- Feb. 15, 8 am-4 pm
- March 8, 8 am-2 pm

Meadowood Child Development Center - 3333 S. Norfolk Way
- Feb. 3, 8 am-6 pm
- Feb. 22, 8 am-4 pm
- March 15, 8 am-4 pm
- April 19, 8 am-2 pm

Clyde Miller P-8 - 1701 España St.
- March 22, 4-6 pm

Peoria Elementary - 875 Peoria St.
- March 1, 4-6 pm

Wheeling Elementary - 472 S. Wheeling St.
- March 8, 4-6 pm

APS Early Beginnings - 812 N. Jamaica St.
- April 12, 8 am-2 pm

Boston P-8 - 1365 Boston St.
- April 12, 4-6 pm

Edna & John W. Mosley P-8 - 55 N. Salida Way
- April 19, 4-6 pm

The Children's Academy - 14551 E. Tennessee Dr.
- April 7, 1-4 pm

Little Angels Day Care - 13963 E. Exposition Ave.
- April 10, 9-11 am

Beck Recreation Center - 800 Telluride St.
- May 3, 1-4 pm

Join Aurora Public Schools March 6-10 as we celebrate National School Social Work Week! The annual celebration, sponsored by the School Social Work Association of America, is a time for us to pause and honor school social workers for the vital role they play in creating and maintaining positive, safe and supportive school climates.

School social workers tend to students' social and emotional needs, help parents access resources, help staff understand underlying factors affecting student performance and much more. In addressing barriers to learning, this team of dedicated staff members empower students academically and behaviorally to reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances.

The unique knowledge and skills school social workers bring to our district help build a community of trust between students, staff and families. They also exemplify the APS 2020: Shaping the Future strategic plan core belief that student achievement and growth are driven by a highly-effective and respected staff working as a team.

If you see an APS school social worker this week (or at any time in the future), please thank him or her for their commitment to excellence.

Below are a few members of the APS school social workers team who share their passion for the profession.

Rachel Fox, LSW—APS School Social Worker and Mental Health Team Support
“School social workers play a vital role in our district, serving as agents for positive change through child-centered systems of support. I have worked for Aurora Public Schools for almost six years, and I continue to find my work to be rewarding and fulfilling, both personally and professionally. I am continually learning from the students, families and educators I support and this keeps me going at the end of the day!”

 

Deborah Mastin—Rangeview High School
“Serving as a school social worker in a high school setting has been incredibly rewarding. The thing I enjoy most is watching students grow from somewhat immature freshmen into young men and women moving on to pursue postsecondary or workforce goals. Having the privilege of working with many of the students for four years really adds to this experience. After 26 years as a social worker—first in mental health and now in education—I can still say that most days, ‘I love my job.’“

 

Dawn Schierling-Harder, MSW—Crawford Elementary School and Fulton Academy of Excellence
“This is my 26th year as a school social worker in APS and even though I have had many tough years, I still love my job. I love my schools, the people I work with and most of all, my kids! Relationships are so important to our students and I feel connecting to kids is one of my biggest strengths. I have worked at the elementary school level most of my career, which is my absolute favorite age group. I enjoy the energy and hope students give me. So many of our students have experienced trauma most of us could never imagine and their resilience is inspiring to me--honestly, it keeps me going most days. I love their smiles, hugs and waves from across the hall or classroom. Being a school social worker has been incredibly fulfilling and I truly believe that if I had it to do over again, I would be a school social worker.”

 

Lisa Vratny-Smith, MSW—Meadowood Child Development Center
“My children often tell me I have too much fun at my job when I recount the funny stories of the things I do with my preschool students and the funnier things they say. Having a career that allows me to play, laugh and be silly each day to support the social and emotional development of my students is a joy. While I have a lot of fun, it can also be challenging and difficult at times. The work we do to bridge the gap for students with special needs and addressing other barriers is critical in providing students with the essential tools they need as they begin their educational journey. As a school social worker, I believe supporting the social, emotional and behavioral needs of my students through working with them, their families and their teachers plants the seeds for their life-long success.”

 

Katia Duncan, LSW—East Middle School and Rangeview High School

“I’m relatively new to school social work, having started in APS just last year, but I love what I do—there is never a dull moment! I feel really strongly that we have the unique opportunity to work with kids that may not have the opportunity to get mental health support outside of school. I see my job as primarily working with students to identify their strengths and help them have the best possible shot to make the most of themselves, despite outside factors that might be working against them. Sometimes I am their cheerleader and sometimes I have to have tough and honest conversations with the students I work with, but, most of all, I just make sure they know that I believe in them and their capacity to do great things with the hope that they can start to believe it too.”

Rigorous instruction and high expectations are not only reserved for older students in Aurora Public Schools. At Meadowood Child Development Center, teachers are closing the achievement gap early on by challenging our three- and four-year-olds to expand their minds far beyond ABCs and 1, 2, 3s.

To start, Meadowood staff focused their attention on equity in the classroom and began creating engaging experience-based projects that help students develop critical thinking, collaboration and invention skills.

One project, led by Meadowood teacher Erin Uhernik (pictured right), featured doctored photos of an unruly chicken caught red-handed stealing from the classroom. Across the hall, teacher Erin Whitney (pictured below) presented The Case of the Missing Joey where a fictitious baby kangaroo strayed from its mother and needed help finding its way back home.

Both projects encouraged students to learn more about these animals and determine the best ways to catch them. Students tapped into deeper levels of thought to design and construct sophisticated traps and reflect on ways to increase the traps’ efficiencies. Students also learned the value in collaborating with others, experienced empathy, demonstrated their ability to analyze a situation and proposed effective solutions.

Other experiences at the school include exposing students to sea life, gardening and more. Thank you to Meadowood staff for your hard work and dedication to laying a solid foundation for our youth.

Did You Know?

APS offers preschool classes at 35 elementary and P-8 schools, four child development centers, eight community childcare sites and two charter schools.

Most APS schools offer half-day preschool to those who qualify through required screenings and full-day kindergarten free to all age-eligible children.

For more information about APS Early Childhood Education options, click here!

The Colorado Rockies and Aurora Public Schools Foundation invite students, families and staff to celebration the annual APS Appreciation Day at Coors Field this Sunday, May 7 at 1:10 p.m.!

Enjoy an exciting game as the Colorado Rockies face off with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Purchase discounted fundraiser tickets at rockies.com/APS.  

Students from Side Creek, Vassar, Montview and Iowa elementary schools are scheduled to sing the National Anthem.

Visit our Facebook event page to let your friends know you are attending!  Check out more Coors Field theme days at rockies.com/themedates.

Aurora Public Schools is excited to start the 2017-18 school year off on a high note with our 10th annual Back to School Kickoff! APS students and families will receive free goodies, food and entertainment. This is an event you won’t want to miss.

Join us Saturday, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Town Center at Aurora.

Free backpacks and school supplies will be provided to APS students while supplies last. The event is also a great opportunity to meet school staff, explore tons of resources and register your child for school.

Low- or no-cost immunizations will be available for children two months to 18 years old. Please be sure to bring your child’s shot records.

Holding strong to the belief that families are our partners in education, we can’t wait to connect with families from every school across the district.

We hope to see you there!

Please note that the first day of school for most students in grades 6-12 is on Aug. 8. The first day of school for most students in grades 1-5 is Aug. 10. Preschool and kindergarten students start school on Aug. 14. Please contact your child’s school regarding the exact start date.

• View district and school calendars for 2017-18.

It’s almost time for students to return to school for the 2017-18 school year!

The first day of school for most students in grades 6-12 is Aug. 8. The first day of school for most students in grades 1-5 is Aug. 10. Preschool and kindergarten students start school on Aug. 14.

Please contact your child’s school regarding the exact start date.

• View individual school calendars.
• View individual school start and end times.

Meadowood Child Development Center operates under the belief that it is never too early for students to think about college and career success.

In an effort to engage students in conversations about different professions, the school recently hosted a Career Week!

Each day, students (and staff) dressed as employees from various fields. Throughout the week, little doctors, artists and more strutted into school ready to learn more about their professions and how they impact the community. This aligns with the thematic units in each classroom.

Aurora Public Schools applauds Meadowood staff for exposing preschool students to careers in a way that is concrete and tangible for their young, developing minds. This creative approach is just the tip of the iceberg in how Meadowood is helping students contemplate their plans for the future.

Written by APS Intern Esthefane Salcedo

Are you wearing a striped red and white hat today? What about enjoying green eggs and ham? It’s that time of year to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day, formally known as Read Across America Day!

Today marks the 21st year the iconic children’s book author has been celebrated across the nation. APS staff and community members are reading books aloud to children in an effort to foster a love for reading.

APS students are revisiting the classic Dr. Seuss books that have been enjoyed by readers for decades, participating in fun activities and recreating references from his books.

In APS, we believe students, families, staff and community members share the responsibility for student achievement. We thank our readers for their dedication to students. 

Check out how schools across the district are honoring the amazing Dr. Seuss!

Aurora Public Schools will have a student non-contact day on April 27 due to a teacher shortage. This means that all classes will be cancelled. However, extracurricular activities will take place as scheduled unless parents and guardians hear differently from school staff.

As a district, we strongly value instructional time and act in every possible way to protect it. However, due to the number of APS teachers who have reported absences on Friday, we will not be able to maintain productive learning environments for our students.

A large number of APS teachers are taking leave time this Friday to rally with colleagues from across the state at the capitol to call for increased K-12 education funding. The Colorado Education Association organized the rally because despite a booming economy, our state ranks near the bottom in per pupil spending.

While instructional time is incredibly important, we also know that we need appropriate resources to make sure our students shape successful futures. At present, our limited resources constrain our ability to pay competitive wages, provide appropriate instructional and behavioral supports and maintain a well-rounded educational environment.

Although we are cancelling classes on Friday, it will remain a work day for APS staff members. Any staff member who is not planning to come to work will need to use the appropriate leave time.

We apologize for any inconvenience that our student non-contact day may have on our families and we thank them for their patience and understanding.

Story and photos submitted by the APS Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Team

On May 18, Meadowood Child Development Center will host a unique movie premier to showcase a ‘first of its kind’ training videos created by Rangeview High School students Abel Negussie and Semhal Abbady and acted by Dalton Elementary students Sasha Garg and Aiden Bojang.

Abel and Semhal wrote, produced, directed and edited the videos that feature a kid spokesperson who helps train a para in sanitation and diapering protocols. Students have earned APS Digital Badges for their collaborative skills. The videos will help APS paraprofessionals meet Colorado state standards. As far as is known, the videos are the first of their kind in Colorado -- especially created by students!

Aurora Public Schools is excited to host our 11th annual Back to School Kickoff to celebrate the beginning of the 2018-19 school year! APS students and families will receive free goodies, food and entertainment. This is an event you won’t want to miss.

Join us Saturday, Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Town Center at Aurora.

Free backpacks and school supplies will be provided to APS students while supplies last. The event is also a great opportunity to meet school staff, explore tons of resources and register your child for school.

Low- or no-cost immunizations will be available for children two months to 18 years old. Please be sure to bring your child’s shot records.

We are looking for volunteers to help from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.! If you are interested in supporting this important event and sharing in the fun, please contact Barbara Chapman at  bgchapman@aurorak12.org or 303.365.5819 ext. 28948.

Holding strong to the belief that families are our partners in education, we can’t wait to connect with families from every school across the district.

We hope to see you there!

Please note that the first day of school for most students in grades 6-12 is on Aug. 7. The first day of school for most students in grades 1-5 is Aug. 9. Preschool and kindergarten students start school on Aug. 13. Please contact your child’s school regarding the exact start date.

• View district and school calendars for 2018-19.

Aurora Public Schools is a district of momentum, opportunity and impact. As we build on our momentum, we have an exciting opportunity to look to the future together. All of us want to ensure that our students have the educational opportunities and school facilities necessary to shape successful futures. We also recognize that Aurora is changing and growing in a way that will impact our schools and community.

It’s going to take all of us putting together great ideas to imagine and design our new comprehensive, long-term educational and facilities plan: Blueprint APS.

As part of the initial development of Blueprint APS, we are excited to hear the voices of our students, families, staff and community members as we think about the opportunities our schools and district should provide. Please join us at one of our Blueprint APS Community Forums listed below:

Wednesday, Sept. 5
4:30 p.m.
Gateway High School
1300 South Sable Blvd.
Aurora 80012

Thursday, Sept. 6
6 p.m.
Vista PEAK Preparatory
24500 E. 6th Ave.
Aurora 80018

Saturday, Sept. 15
10 a.m.
Aurora West College Preparatory Academy
10100 E. 13th Ave.
Aurora 80010

Monday, Sept. 17
6 p.m.
Mrachek Middle School
1955 S. Telluride St.
Aurora 80013

Childcare for children toilet-trained and older will be available. Younger children who are not yet toilet-trained are welcome to attend the forums with their families. Older children are encouraged to participate in the forums. 

Language services will be provided. If you require interpretation in a language other than Spanish, please call 303-365-7805.

To learn more about Blueprint APS, visit aurorak12.org/blueprint. Beginning late next week, you may also provide input via an online survey. If you are unable to attend a community forum, please be sure to complete the survey before Sept. 24.

All registered voters who reside in the APS district will have a chance to vote on ballot measure 5A to fund safety and educational programs in Aurora Public Schools. If approved, ballot measure 5A, a mill levy override, will provide $35 million annually to invest in key areas that support student health, safety and learning. The mill levy would cost APS homeowners about $8 per month for every $100,000 of home value.

Registered voters can send in a mail-in ballot or vote at a polling center on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6. Voter registration can be completed online at GoVoteColorado.com or at the Adams or Arapahoe county clerk’s office by Oct.  29. After this date, you can still register and vote in person at a voter service and polling center.

To learn more about ballot measure 5A, visit aurorak12.org/mill-levy.

Aurora Public Schools is developing conventional school calendars for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. As part of the APS 2020: Shaping the Future strategic plan, APS is proposing calendars that will help every student shape a successful future.

A committee made up of parents, teachers and other APS staff members has been formed to develop calendar scenarios to present to the public for feedback. Parents, staff and community members are invited to attend either of the open houses listed below to provide input on the calendar scenarios.Not able to attend? You may view the scenarios online and take the online survey by Nov. 19!

The committee will use feedback to develop a draft calendar for the next two school years. The Board will review the 2019-20 and 2020-21 proposed calendars on Jan. 8 and will likely make a final decision on Jan. 22.

Please check with your child’s school as individual school calendars may vary.

We are pleased that Aurora voters overwhelmingly approved Ballot Measure 5A, a $35 million mill levy that will support student health, safety and learning.

The mill levy will ensure student success by investing in the following key areas:

• Expanding staff and training dedicated to student mental health
• Increasing pay to recruit and retain high quality teachers
• Expanding after-school learning programs for K-5 elementary students
• Adding seat belts on school buses

We are grateful to our community for their continued support to ensure that every student shapes a successful future. 

Please visit our mill levy page to learn more about the 2018 mill levy. 

Read the full message about passage of the Mill Levy Override from Superintendent Rico Munn.

For the past eight years, Linda Lee Wood has worked as a school nurse at APS Meadowood Childhood Development Center, meeting diverse health needs for preschoolers and their families. 

Wood, one of four school nurses in the state to be nominated for the 2018 Colorado School Nurse of the Year award, was presented with a special award created just for her: the 2018 Outstanding School Nurse for Students in a Specialty Area. Wood was recognized by the Colorado Association of School Nurses for going above and beyond her assigned duties as a preschool nurse.

Wood decided to pursue school nursing following 34 years in neonatal intensive care.

“I wanted to help families who were experiencing a whole new world once their child left the neonatal intensive care unit and were now entering the school system,” says Wood. “I love working with all children and making a difference in my community.”

Congratulations, Linda, on this well-deserved accomplishment!

The Aurora Public Schools Preschool Program provides high-quality early learning opportunities for students. Children who attend high-quality preschools enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, larger vocabularies and stronger basic math skills than those who do not.

All children ages 3 or 4 on or before October 1, 2019 are age-eligible for the APS Preschool Program. APS offers preschool classes at 33 elementary schools, four child development centers and eight community child care sites. Most APS schools offer half-day preschool.

In order for a child to be considered for the APS Preschool Program, the child’s parent or legal guardian must complete the screening process. Screening procedures for the APS Preschool Program is a three-step process:

1. Screening at ece.aurorak12.org
2. Registration at APS Centralized Admissions
3. Enrollment at the child’s school

The APS Preschool Program has limited availability. Participation in this three-step process does not guarantee placement.

Current preschool students advancing to kindergarten in August 2019 do not need to be re-registered at the Centralized Admissions office.

Help your student shape a successful future by completing the preschool screening today! For screening details, visit ece.aurorak12.org or call the APS Early Childhood Education Department at 303-364-9371.

In a matter of days, students, families and staff will begin a new school year in Aurora Public Schools. For most schools, the first day of school is Aug. 6 for grades 1-12. Preschool and kindergarten students start school on Aug. 12.

Please contact your child’s school regarding the exact start dates or view official school calendars here.

Below are a few highlights for the upcoming 2019-20 school year:

• First Days of School: Students in grades 1-12 will have a simultaneous start on Aug. 6. As we have done in the past, preschool and kindergarten students will start school the following week on Aug. 12.
• Full-Day Professional Release: APS eliminated the half-day student early release to ensure uninterrupted learning. There are now five full professional release days held Sept. 27, Oct. 21, Dec. 6, Jan. 6 and Feb. 28, in addition to the district in-service day on Jan. 31.
• Fall Break: APS will continue to have a full-week Fall Break held Oct. 14-18 with Oct. 11 and 21 slated as student non-contact days. It occurs at the end of first quarter to ensure uninterrupted learning.
• Thanksgiving Break: APS will maintain a three-day Thanksgiving Break for students. It will be held Nov. 28-29 with Nov. 27 slated as a student non-contact day.
• Winter Break: APS will continue to hold Winter Break at the end of December and the beginning of January. It will be held Dec. 23 through Jan. 3 with Dec. 20 and Jan. 6 slated as student non-contact days.
• Spring Break: APS moved Spring Break from the last week of March to the third week of March. It will be held March 16-20.