APS Board of Education Newsletter: March 5, 2024

Welcome to the March 2024 Edition of the

APS Board of Education Newsletter!

President's Message

Greetings, APS Community!

The fourth quarter is just around the corner and we are looking forward to a strong finish for this school year! This time of year is busy with standardized testing and preparations for graduation season. We swore in two new Board members in December and I want to use this opportunity to welcome Directors Tiffany Tasker and Danielle Tomwing to the Board of Education. Thank you for your involvement and I look forward to your thoughtfulness and diligence in serving our community.

We also recently elected new Board officers and I am honored to be serving as your new Board President. Director Michael Carter is now our Vice President, Director Tasker is our Treasurer and Director Tomwing is our Secretary. Thank you all for your unrelenting service to our district and community.

Our Superintendent, Mr. Michael Giles, Jr., has wrapped up the second part of his district listening tour. I am excited to hear about our community’s feedback and see how our feedback will be used for future strategic planning efforts. I am also looking forward to the feedback presentation about the recent Blueprint APS community engagement that took place in January and February. Aurora Public Schools continues to plan for great things and I am excited to see what lies ahead for us as a community!

The Board of Education is also looking forward to joining district leaders in engaging the APS community to plan for a potential 2024 bond campaign. Thank you in advance for your engagement and input. This potential bond measure would give us an opportunity to plan for the future while improving all of our school buildings and the quality of learning for all of our students.

Board members are excited to continue visiting schools, talking to students and engaging with staff, families and volunteers. The future of our society is only as bright as the future of our students!

- Dr. Anne Keke, APS Board President

Important Board of Education News

During this quarter, the Board has monitored the following results and limitations:

Equity, specifically sixth-grade and ninth-grade Black and Hispanic students who are below grade level as measured by iReady assessment in English Language Acquisition (ELA) and math

The Board also took the time to revise its progress monitoring calendar and engage in a discussion about their own self-evaluation tool in lieu of taking the self evaluation.

During this quarter, the Board voted in favor of the following significant motions:

Charter school contract renewal for three and five years
APS readopted budget
Beginning fund balance resolution.

To read more Board news, discover upcoming agenda items, learn how to provide public comments and/or find the link to live stream our meetings, please visit our website at aurorak12.org/boe.

March 5, 2024 Edition

Agendas & Minutes

View the latest agendas and minutes in BoardDocs

Upcoming Events

Board Work Session

3/5

Spring Break

3/11-3/15

Board Business Meeting

3/19

Board Work Session

4/3

View the BOE Calendar

We Want to Hear from You!

The APS Board of Education typically meets twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays. Time is set aside at the beginning of the second monthly meeting for the public to address the Board on items that are not on the agenda.

Board member

committee assignments

Board member

school assignments

If you have questions or comments, please join us at one of the meetings. View the complete schedule of APS Board of Education meetings or contact Aurora Public Schools at 303-344-8060, extension 28988.

Out and About: Board Members in Our Schools and Community

Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) Conference

The last few months have been an incredible whirlwind for us! As the newest Board members, Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing hit the ground running.

In December, the Board of Education attended the CASB Conference and had the opportunity to connect with other education leaders, sharing ideas and learning from each other. We took the opportunity to host our retreat, which allowed us time to listen and re-affirm what really matters - our students’ results.

Left to right: Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker, Board Vice President Michael Carter, Board Director Tramaine Duncan, Board President Dr. Anne Keke and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing at the annual CASB conference

Mid-Year Graduations

There isn’t a better way to end the quarter than by celebrating with our students and their families at the mid-year graduations. What an honor to be able to share this moment with them!

Congratulations, graduates!

Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin preparing to speak at the mid-year graduation.

Left to Right: Learning Community Directory Dr. Sue-Lin Touissant, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Jaelyn Coates, Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing, Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker, Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin, Board Vice President Michael Carter and Chief of Staff Mark Seglem

APS Students waiting to walk for their graduation

Aurora Public Schools students waiting to walk for their graduation.

Love the Bus Day

Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing, Board President Dr. Anne Keke and Board Director Vicki Reinhard spent the morning celebrating our transportation staff as part of Love the Bus Day on Valentine’s Day.

There are so many great people working in our district behind the scenes and we love the opportunity to stop by and say “Thank you!”

Board President Dr. Anne Keke (center) taking the time to chat with our transportation staff

Board President Dr. Anne Keke, Board Director Vicki Reinhard and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing with Aurora Public Schools transportation staff at the “Love the Bus” celebrations

Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker took the opportunity to join Denver Broncos mascot Thunder at the “Love the Bus” kick-off event with the Broncos.

Notes and Events from Vicki Reinhard

I am both excited and honored to have been re-elected to the APS Board of Education for a second term. There are many events upcoming that I look forward to, including school performances, building visits, retirement celebrations, graduations and so much more!

Love the Bus Day

One of my favorite events has always been Love the Bus Day for APS transportation staff. This is a time to acknowledge and shine the light on all of the unsung heroes who staff our transportation department. To those who schedule routes, drive the buses, and keep our vehicles running – thank you! You are all so very genuinely appreciated!

More to follow as our spring events get rolling!

Board Director Vicki Reihnard assisted with the “Love the Bus” raffle.

Board Director Vicki Reinhard assists with the “Love the Bus” raffle.

Notes and Events from Dr. Debbie Gerkin

Rangeview Interact Club

On January 31, I had the pleasure of meeting with Rangeview High School’s Interact Club. Interact is the youth division of the Rotary Club. Aurora Rotary Club members joined the gathering to hear presentations from the Interact students about their leadership and fundraising activities throughout Rangeview. The students were currently involved in collecting new socks of all kinds for the Comitis Crisis Center in Aurora.

Above: Rangeview teacher and Interact Club sponsor Carmen Curtis Basham (left) welcomes Rotary visitors to the Interact Club.

At right: Students lead the Q&A session. Left to right: Sarah Park, Aliyah Trudeaux Baum, Danica Green and Ingrid Romero.

Notes and Events from Tramaine Duncan

One of the most rewarding parts of being on the Board is being able to connect with our students during our school visits.

Board Director Tramaine Duncan attended a Charles Burrell Dance Class.

Charles Burrell Campus Visit

It was wonderful to spend time at the Charles Burrell Visual & Performing Arts Campus and observe these programs in action. The students were incredibly engaged and I enjoyed every minute of their performance.

Board Director Tramaine Duncan attends a Charles Burrell Dance Class.

Side Creek Elementary Visit

Inclusivity and equity have remained at the forefront of our planning and we’re thankful for community partners like RISE Colorado who share this vision and help lead this charge in Aurora. On Saturday, August 19, RISE Colorado held their annual All Inclusive Community Festival, which recognized the hard work and dedication from their family and student leaders. The Board was invited to take part in the celebration that also acknowledged many Aurora Public Schools staff for their dedication to Aurora students and families.

Board Director Tramaine Duncan attended music class at Side Creek Elementary.

Board Director Tramaine Duncan attends music class at Side Creek Elementary.

Board Director Tramaine Duncan observed a 5th Grade Classroom at Side Creek Elementary.

Board Director Tramaine Duncan observes a 5th Grade Classroom at Side Creek Elementary.

Notes and Events from Dr. Anne Keke

Community College of Aurora Fundraiser

I recently attended a fundraiser event for the Community College of Aurora with Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin and Chief of Staff Mark Seglem. It is always a pleasure for Aurora Public Schools to support their partners. The fundraising event focused on student success.

(Left to right) Board Director Dr. Debbie Gerkin, Board President Dr. Anne Keke and Chief of Staff Mark Seglem attending the CCA Fundraiser

Notes and Events from Tiffany Tasker

Day at the Capitol with Gateway High School

As we kicked off this year’s legislative session, I spent the day at the Capitol with students from Gateway High School. They were incredibly inquisitive as we toured the Capitol building and soaked up the history of the building and the unique stories that make up our city. The students also had the opportunity to observe a session. It was a very informative day for all of us!

Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing with Gateway High School students and their teachers at the Capitol

Board Treasurer Tiffany Tasker and Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing with Gateway High School students in the dome at the Capitol

Notes and Events from Danielle Tomwing

I am excited and honored to be serving our APS students. Over the past few months, I have had many opportunities to meet and work with our leadership team, and being able to visit a few of our schools has only reinforced what this is all about.

Visit to North Middle School

North Middle School has an impressive performance art program, so when I got invited to attend their Black History Month Celebration, I did not hesitate. They encouraged every classroom to participate in celebrating Black History Month, and when we walked through the hallways, there was no doubt that this school embraced the opportunity!

Above: Board Secretary Danielle Tomwing attended the Black History Month performance at North Middle School.

At right: At North Middle School, every classroom door was decorated to celebrate someone who inspired that class.

Aurora Public Schools Board of Education

Educational Services Center 1

15701 E. 1st. Ave., Suite 206

Aurora, CO 80011

aurorak12.org/boe

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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