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Welcome to the June 2025 Edition of the
APS Board of Education Newsletter!
| | Out and About: Board Members in Our Schools and Community | | |
Congratulations Graduation Class of 2025!
We are so incredibly proud of all of you! This last quarter has been busy with so many moments celebrating all of our students' accomplishments, honoring our teachers who have been exuding excellence and celebrating what APS stands for - diversity, resilience and innovation. There were so many little moments that resonated with us this quarter.
Our little ones were all smiles at the APS CEED Block Party. We had the privilege of honoring our teachers at the APS Retirement Event. Whether it was attending APS Bright Lights Ceremony to witnessing our high school students walk the stage and receiving their diplomas, it was clear that the excitement and pride echoed throughout APS.
| | Vista PEAK Graduation - Board Vice President Michael Carter had the honor of giving his son his High School Diploma. | Hinkley High School Graduation - Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker, Board Director Vicki Reinhard, Sue-Lin Toussaint, Board Director Debbie Gerkin and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jesús Rodriguez. | | Vista PEAK Graduation - Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing | | “As we wrap up this school year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the hard work, growth, and resilience of students and educators. I'm incredibly proud of all that we've accomplished together. Thank you for making this year one to remember—your dedication, kindness, and perseverance have been truly inspiring. I couldn't be prouder of how far you've come. Be proud of all you've achieved—you’ve earned it. “ - Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker | | “I am incredibly proud of our students and teachers for the dedication, resilience, and heart they have shown throughout this past year. In every challenge and triumph, they consistently showed up with intention and purpose - holding fast to our core values. Together, you created a learning environment rooted in mutual respect, inclusivity, and personal growth, making meaningful strides toward our shared goals. Your collective efforts and unwavering commitment have been nothing short of inspiring, and I am deeply grateful for the strength and spirit they’ve brought to our school community.” - Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing | | Aurora West Graduation - Board Director Tramaine Duncan and Superintendent Michael Giles, Jr. | | Hinkley High School Graduation - Board Director Vicki Renhard | Aurora Central Graduation - Board Director Vicki Reinhard | | |
“Attending events across our district along with visiting schools is always enjoyable and reminds us why we do this work! From celebrating our transportation employees in February at Love the Bus Day, conversations with Leadership Team members, teachers, and building staff, joining a community meeting at Montview, to attending a National School Board Association conference in Atlanta, our own learning continues alongside celebrating the many successes of the Aurora Public Schools.
We have had and appreciated the honor of attending STEAM night and Family Field Day at Dalton, engaging in planning sessions with the Special Education Advisory Committee, scoring scholarship applications for the Aurora Education Foundation, attending the district retirement dinner, the Executive Internship Sponsors dinner, the Half Cap ceremony, honoring sophomores on track to graduate, at Vista PEAK, and brought the year to a close attending William Smith, Hinkley, Pickens, Gateway and Central’s graduation ceremonies!
| | So many opportunities to celebrate both staff and students – all exciting and enjoyed. I look forward to continued growth and new celebrations in the next school year! Happy summer – rest, relax, rejuvenate!” - Board Director Vicki Reinhard | | Board President Dr. Anne Keke and Board Vice President Michael Carter | | Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin attending the Crossroads Graduation Ceremony | | APS Bright Lights Ceremony | | We celebrated our Top Ten Students of each APS High School. Their adversity, resilience and commitment to being the best version of themselves, was something we should all aspire to. Their experiences were unique and their aspirations will take on a completely different path but their journey will be a great story unfolding. They are already conquering their world! | | Board Vice President Michael Carter, Board President Dr.Anne Keke, Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin (at top) and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing presented certificates to APS Top Ten students. | | | |
APS Retirement Event
Thank you to our APS teachers and staff for your incredible years of service and dedication!
| | Superintendent Michael Giles, Jr., Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker, Board Director Vicki Reinhard and Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin attend this year’s APS Retirement Event to honor our dedicated APS teachers. | | |
Aurora Central Capstone Presentations
Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing was invited to listen to Aurora Central High School newcomer students presenting their capstone projects. What an honor and truly humbling experience! These students amazed her with their passion, courage to speak out and share their ideas.
| | Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing with Principal Kurtis Quig and Aurora Central High School Students. | | |
There were six presentations, and six multi language learner students presented each one. There were similar themes and it was obvious what mattered to them - mental health, the importance of attendance, the need for more support, and real options for our students who need to work and are trying to graduate and classes that are engaging.
Well done Aurora Central High School Trojans!
| | When our community comes together to support our students, something magical happens. The Fulton Family Festival was a great example of this. There was the APS Mobile Library, face paint, balloon animals, fossils, bunnies and a petting zoo. It was a wonderful opportunity for these students to share in this unique experience. | | Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing (left) attended the Fulton Family Festival. | | These students at Fulton Elementary Family Festival were brave enough to pet this snake! | | 10th Grade Vista PEAK Half-Cap Ceremony | | Board Director Vicki Reinhard and Board President Dr. Anne Keke spent the evening celebrating our students at the Vista PEAK Preparatory Half-Cap Ceremony. | | Vista Peak 10th graders at the Half-Cap Ceremony | | Board Vice President Michael Carter attended the Ribbon-Cutting at Park Lane Elementary School. | | Community College of Aurora 41st Annual Commencement Ceremony | | Board Vice President Michael Carter and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing | | |
CEED Block Party
APS knows how to kick off summer with a blast! Thank you to all of our volunteers who came out and made the CEED (Culture, Equity & Engagement Department) Block Party a huge success!
| | Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker at the CEED Block party | | Board President Dr. Anne Keke attending the CEED Block Party pictured here with an APS parent volunteer and APS staff member | | Board President Dr. Anne Keke enjoyed spending the afternoon at the CEED Block Party visiting the vaccine clinic. | | |
Governor Bill Signing at Gateway
Governor Jared Polis spent the afternoon at Gateway High School signing two bills and we were there to witness this very important moment!
SB 25-050 is Racial Classifications on Government Forms:
Concerning a requirement that a government form that requests disclosure of the race or ethnicity of the individual completing the form include a space to indicate that the individual's race or ethnicity is Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian.
SB 25-196 is Insurance Coverage Preventive Health-Care Services concerning measures to protect insurance coverage for preventive health-care services.
| | Governor Jared Polis (left), Representative Jamie Jackson, Principal Scott Fiske, Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin, Board Vice President Michael Carter and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jesús Rodriguez | | |
Ignite Your Power Community Engagement Event
Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing and Board Director Tramaine Duncan were invited to attend Ignite Your Power: Education Workshop. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our families and students.
| | Board Director Tramaine Duncan and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing attending Ignite Your Power: Education Workshop at Paris ABC Collective Building | | |
Aurora West College Preparatory Academy Convocation
May 15 was Aurora West College Preparatory Academy’s Convocation where Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin had the pleasure of celebrating the honors and awards of AWPA’s graduating seniors. She especially enjoyed awarding the Gerkin Family Expository Writing Scholarship to graduate Sher Moo. Congratulations to Sher and the rest of AWCPA’s Class of 2025!
| | Phil Gerkin and Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin with AWCPA graduate Sher Moo | | Eleventh grader Elli Wright welcomes guests. | | |
NHS Brave Table at Rangeview
It was a pleasure to be at Rangeview High School on April 7 when its National Honor Society set a very long table, big enough for 100 people to share dinner and conversation with perfect strangers. This was their first “Brave Table” event in which people from all walks of life – perfect strangers – sat together for a meal and conversation. Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin was amazed at the depth of discussion that took place. It was a wonderful experiment in bravery. Thanks to eleventh-grader Elli Wright and the entire NHS team for a great evening!
| | The long Brave Table for 100 brave conversations! | | |
Aurora Public Schools Board of Education
Educational Services Center 1
15701 E. 1st. Ave., Suite 206
Aurora, CO 80011
boe.aurorak12.org
Aurora Public Schools Boardroom
APS Professional Learning & Conference Center
15771 E. 1st. Ave.
Aurora, CO 80011
Questions or comments? Email Board Assistant Claudia Paz-Blossick at cpaz@aurorak12.org or call 303-344-8060, extension 28988.
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