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September
2026
Newsletter
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School Hours
Monday through Thursday
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Upcoming Events
September
9/07 Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)
9/16 School Picture Day (during lunch)
9/16 Back to School Night 5-7pm
October
10/09 Q1 Report Card Day- No School for Students
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A Fresh New Look for Accelerated Schools!
Accelerated Schools has officially launched a fresh, newly redesigned website! If you have not already, check it out at www.acceleratedschools.org
A massive THANK YOU to the brilliant Yorke, who lent her web design expertise to give our online home a sleek, modern upgrade.
While Yorke is an absolute wizard at web design, her true passion lies in her main business, Arcana Heritage Horses. Dedicated to preserving, breeding, and showcasing rare heritage horse breeds, Arcana Heritage Horses combines deep equine passion with exceptional care and promotion of these extraordinary animals.
Ready to discover the magnificent world of heritage horses?
Visit arcanatekes.com to explore Yorke's main passion project. Head over today to learn more and support her incredible work!
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Decluttering?
Accelerated Schools is always looking for gently used items we can use, such as sports equipment, art supplies, books, bikes, ski/snowboard gear, or even fresh ingredients for our cooking class! Please keep us in mind if you are downsizing or clearing out your space.
We also rely on donations for our silent auctions during annual fundraising events such as our event in December!
Email us at info@acceleratedschools.org for more information. We provide receipts for tax purposes for donations.
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| 8/13/26 Museum of Nature and Science | |
Meet Your New Assistant Principal
Josh Warren, Mathematics Instructor and Assistant Principal
Hello! My name is Mr. Josh, and I'm excited to serve as your new Assistant Principal.
Let’s not forget, I also teach math and I plan to keep teaching because it keeps me connected to what happens in classrooms every day. It reminds me of what teachers face, what students experience, and what works.
As I step into this new role, there is one word I hope people will associate with me: understanding.
Education is always changing. New teachers are learning the profession while experienced teachers are adapting to new expectations. Students bring different backgrounds, different strengths, different challenges, and different ways of learning. Neurodiversity is helping us rethink how we support students, and each year reminds us that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education.
I believe the best decisions come from first seeking to understand. My goal is to listen before I speak, ask questions before making assumptions, and work alongside teachers and students to find solutions that make sense for the people involved.
Whether you're a first-year teacher, a veteran educator, a student trying to find your place, or a parent with questions, I hope you'll know my door is open. I look forward to learning from this community and supporting the incredible work happening here every day.
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Meet the Teacher- Mr. Kyle!
Kyle Pepper, Enrollment Counselor, Activities Coordinator, Social Studies Instructor
Hello Accelerated Schools Families and Students!
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year at Accelerated Schools! If you donl’t already know me, my name is Kyle Pepper but I go by “Mr. Kyle”, and I am thrilled to be your child's Middle School Social Studies and High School History teacher, Enrollment Counselor, and Activities Coordinator this school year! My goal is to create a safe, engaging classroom where every student can grow. I am so excited to welcome your child into my classroom and for a fantastic school year ahead!
I will be guiding your students through all sorts of Social Studies and History topics this school year. I believe in strong parent-teacher partnerships and collaboration.
Get to Know Mr. Kyle!
My Background: I am originally from Houston, TX and moved to Colorado in August 2009. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Human Resource Management from the University of Denver. I have been teaching for over ten years in private and public schools all over the Denver Metro Area.and have been working at Accelerated Schools since August 2019.
Fun Fact: When I’m not teaching, I love to snowboard, attend concerts, and hang out with my wife and two dogs (and soon to be daughter!).
Favorite Thing About Teaching: Watching those "lightbulb" moments when students master a new concept or become interested in and/or passionate about the subject matter.
Please don't hesitate to reach out as we embark on this educational journey together. I have included my contact information below:
Kyle Pepper
Phone: (303) 758-2003
Email: kpepper@acceleratedschools.org
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Introduction- Raechel
Raechel Kimsey, Instructor
Hello! My name is Raechel. Some of you may already know me, while others are meeting me for the first time. Either way, I hope this gives you a chance to get to know me a little better.
I currently teach Art History, Psychology, Art, and Music to students across all grade levels. I was born and raised right here in Denver, Colorado, and I studied Art and Psychology at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Outside of school, I enjoy performing music at open mic nights around Denver, creating jewelry and other handmade crafts to sell, drawing, painting, growing vegetables in my container garden, and staying active through weightlifting, yoga, and outdoor adventures like hiking. I also love to travel and am looking forward to visiting friends on both the East and West Coasts this year.
As you can probably tell, I have a wide variety of interests! One of the things I appreciate most about working at Accelerated Schools is that it encourages curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. It allows me to share many of my passions with my students while continuing to explore new ones myself.
Supporting young people is deeply important to me because I know how much the right encouragement and guidance can shape a person's future. My goal is to create a classroom where students feel challenged, supported, and inspired to discover their own interests and strengths.
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Wildfire Season: The Science of Wildfires and Your Family's Action Plan
Julia Potocnjak-Overn , Science Instructor
When students head back to Accelerated Schools this August, they will learn the importance of energy and matter interactions (Chemistry) and wildfires are a perfect but devastating real-world example of these concepts in action. This is especially important right here in Colorado, as we are prone to fluctuating wildfire seasons each year. A wildfire is a rapid chemical reaction known as combustion, which requires three things: fuel (matter/biomass), oxygen (a gas reactant), and a heat source (activation energy).
Scientists call this the Fire Triangle; remove one side, and the reaction stops. As the fire burns, it demonstrates the Law of Conservation of Mass and Energy by transforming solid wood into ash, smoke, and thermal energy. This extreme heat creates convection currents—a major topic in Earth Science—where scorching hot, less-dense air rapidly rises, drawing in fresh oxygen from the sides and creating its own violent wind systems. Because of this upward heat transfer, wildfires race up hillsides much faster than flat ground, making topography a massive factor in fire behavior.
Understanding these scientific concepts is exactly why waiting until you smell smoke to make a plan is a major trap. Using what we know about how living things interact with their environment, we can understand how wildfires impact habitats and ecosystems. During a wildfire, a massive shift occurs in the ecosystem as habitats are disrupted. Families can protect their own micro-ecosystem by building an emergency game plan before disaster strikes. Sit down together to map out two different evacuation routes, pick a safe meeting spot, and pack a Go Bag with enough food, water, and medications to last 72 hours—plus N95 masks to filter out dangerous particulate matter from the air. You can even use your knowledge of the Fire Triangle to protect your actual house: by clearing away dead leaves and cutting dry grass, you remove the "fuel" component, creating a defensible space that starves an approaching fire and keeps your home safe.
Sources Cited
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National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Wildfire Behavior and the Science of Fire. * Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) / Ready.gov. Wildfire Preparedness and Emergency Kit Checklists.
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Preparing Homes for Wildfire: Defensible Space Principles.
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Introduction-Aisling
AIsling O'Brien, Humanities, English and Social Studies Instructor
Greetings!
I’m so delighted to be part of the wonderful Accelerated Schools community. It has been lovely getting to know some of our marvelous students over the last couple of weeks and what a privilege it is to work alongside such an amazing team. I’ve joined the school as a humanities teacher, focusing on English Language Arts and social studies for both middle and high school. I’m also looking forward to facilitating some electives later on in the school year. My career in education spans over two decades and has afforded me the opportunity to work in a variety of different settings, including schools in the Middle East.
A little about me…I’m from Dublin, Ireland, but have lived in the United States for approximately six years. However, I am new to Colorado since I’ve been based on the West Coast in California and just moved to Denver in April. My husband is a Coloradan so the Centennial State definitely feels like home! I love experiencing the four seasons and the warm vibe here is second to none, everyone has been so welcoming, which means a lot! Most importantly, our two cats have settled in well, too. They rule the house, as I’m sure many of you fellow cat owners can appreciate.
I’m excited to meet the rest of the student population over the coming weeks and getting to know everyone better. Furthermore, I can’t wait to get acquainted with parents, grandparents, and caregivers at the Back to School Night in September. I have a feeling that it is going to be a superb school year! Please reach out at any time if you have any questions or just to say hello. My email address is aobrien@acceleratedschools.org
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More Adventures Through Colorado's History
John Jarvinen, Student and Staff Support, Electives
July has been an exciting month for Accelerated Schools as we’ve continued to explore Colorado’s diverse and inspiring history through another series of fascinating field trips. Students hiked Dinosaur Ridge, discovering the fossilized remains and footprints of creatures that roamed Colorado’s ancient cretaceous shorelines. At Castlewood Canyon, students learned about the catastrophic dam failure of 1933 that resulted in a flood that devastated Denver with lasting impacts.
Students also explored the lives and achievements of women who helped shape Colorado at the Molly Brown House Museum, The Colorado Center for Women’s History. At the Denver Art Museum, they experienced the beauty and significance of Indigenous art and culture, while the Littleton Museum offered a firsthand look at daily life for Colorado’s early settlers in the mid-19th century. Their journey through the Argo Mine in Idaho Springs brought Colorado’s gold rush era to life, giving students a deeper appreciation for the challenges and opportunities faced by the miners who helped build the state.
These experiences have brought Colorado’s history to life in ways that extend far beyond the classroom, giving students the opportunity to connect with the people, places, and events that have shaped our state. As we wrap up our summer of exploration, we look forward to creating even more meaningful learning experiences for our students in the fall!
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Immunizations Reminder
Kayla Presnal, Office Manager
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to remind all families to ensure their students’ immunization records are up to date with the school. Colorado state law requires all students attending school to provide proof of required immunizations—or to submit a valid exemption form.
Keeping immunization records current helps us maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone. Additionally, we as a school get audited for compliance on these files at least once a year. If your child has recently received any new vaccinations, please submit an updated record to the front office or email it to kpresnal@acceleratedschools.org.
Required and Recommended Vaccines
Colorado law requires students who attend a public, private, or parochial kindergarten - 12th grade school to be vaccinated against many of the diseases vaccines can prevent, unless a Certificate of Exemption is filed. For more information, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/schoolrequiredvaccines.
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP, Tdap)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Polio (IPV)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
What do you need to do?
- Check with your child’s healthcare provider to confirm immunizations are current
- Submit updated records as soon as possible
- Contact us if you need help accessing your child’s records or use the links below for an exemption form
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Medication Forms Reminder for the School Year
Kayla Presnal, Office Manager
With school starting on 8/10/26, we want to remind families that a completed Permission to Administer Medication Form is required for any student who needs to take medication during school hours. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications such as allergy medications, pain relievers, topical ointments and more.
To ensure student safety and proper care, the following must be in place before medication can be administered at school:
- A signed Permission to Administer Medication form completed by both a parent/guardian and the student’s healthcare provider
- The medication in its original, labeled container delivered to Michelle, Evan or Kayla
Forms can be requested by email. If your student will require medication at school, please submit the completed form and medication at the start of the school year.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact Kayla, Evan,Josh or Michelle. Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy and supported!
| | Helpful Forms and Links for Accelerated Families | | | |  | |
For more than 40 years, concerned parents have turned to Accelerated Schools for individualized learning programs helping students overcome challenges, and excel academically. The fact is, a traditional school system is not designed to meet the needs of every child. When a student is not being successful, or is not thriving in a traditional environment, parents must often look elsewhere for a solution. This is were Accelerated Schools comes in.
Accelerated Schools begins by creating a learning program designed specifically for a student. Our work points are toward changing the ratio of failure to success and by cultivating an environment of accountability. Our students are given attainable goals and are rewarded by celebrating their accomplishments. Once a student starts experiencing success, their attitude, motivation and effort improve dramatically. This ends the negative cycle and leads to positive academic progress and positive self-esteem.
| | If you have comments and/or suggestions about our newsletter, email Kayla Presnal | | | | |
