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December 11, 2019
superintendent's corner
Dear Jeffco Public Schools Families & Community,

The holidays are nearly upon us and I know everyone is definitely in hustle and bustle mode in the days leading up to our coming break. We do want to draw your attention to some important items in this special edition of Chalk Talk with EnrollJeffco opening this week.

Launched just last year, almost 90% of families in Jeffco used the EnrollJeffco system to make school selections for this current school year. We expect that number to grow even higher this December. EnrollJeffco was a success in that most families were able to easily navigate the new system to learn about different school options. It was also successful in reducing the paperwork and variability that existed in school enrollment and choice previously.

We’ve made changes and upgrades to EnrollJeffco for this year based on feedback from you and lessons learned. We expect an even smoother enrollment and school choice process looking ahead to the 2020-21 school year, and we are also planning on continuing to add more data and features to EnrollJeffco going forward.

I encourage you to learn about the diversity of school options in Jeffco Public Schools, including the great school that is right in your neighborhood. We have several new school models and program changes being added this year that you can read about below.

Thanks for entrusting your child’s education to us. On behalf of everyone with Jeffco Public Schools, happy holidays!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jason Glass
Superintendent & Chief Learner

Jeffco students, parents, families, staff, and community members may engage with Dr. Glass via Facebook, Twitter, and his blog, advancejeffco.
ENROLLJEFFCO NOW OPEN
The enrollment window for the 2020-2021 school year opened Tuesday, December 10th. Last year, Jeffco Public Schools launched an online enrollment system - EnrollJeffco - that makes school information easier for families to access, streamlines the enrollment process, and ensures the same timeline for all schools. 

As part of the EnrollJeffco platform, you can use School Finder to identify your neighborhood school and learn about other schools and programs. 

In School Finder, you can search schools by:
  • neighborhood
  • address
  • school name
  • grades offered
  • academic programs
  • before-and-after school programs
  • extracurricular programs

If you are a current Jeffco Public Schools family, you should have received an email on December 10th that contains family-specific instructions about how to login to EnrollJeffco. If you are new to Jeffco Public Schools, you can call the school you are interested in attending or establish an account with our parent portal known as Jeffco Connect. Once you have a Jeffco Connect account, you can then begin the enrollment process through EnrollJeffco. 

EnrollJeffco is open from Tuesday, December 10 through Wednesday, January 15, 2020. You may use the system any time during this window. Please contact your current or prospective school with any questions or concerns and they will be happy to assist.
EARLY LEARNING STARTS IN JEFFCO PRESCHOOLS
Authentic, experience-based, and engaging learning begins in preschool. Preschools build a foundation of academic, social-emotional, and physical learning so children are ready for school and a thriving future. Our programs are play-based and responsive to student needs so that children can be curious, joyful, and gain self-confidence.

Jeffco Public Schools offer a wide variety of quality preschool options for three and four-year-olds at 55 sites across the county. Programming includes core instruction, services for English language learners, social-emotional needs, and special education. Other options include programming that aligns with International Baccalaureate, Expeditionary Learning, and dual language instruction.

Be sure to check out what programs and services are offered at your local neighborhood school with our School Finder tool. You can also call your local school or browse their website for more information about programs and open house nights to learn more.
TUITION-FREE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN
All full-day kindergarten programs in Jeffco Public Schools are now tuition-free for every family. Research shows that starting students on their academic path in kindergarten (ages 5-6) promotes children's enthusiasm, initiative, persistence, and engagement in learning. 

Over 90 schools in Jeffco Public Schools offer kindergarten, so be sure to check out what programs and services are offered at your local neighborhood school with our School Finder tool. You can also call your local school or browse their website for more information about programs and open house nights to learn more.
SCHOOLS SEEING NEW CHANGES IN 2020
Vivian Elementary School
Launching for the 2020-2021 school year, Vivian Elementary School is transitioning to New Classical Academy at Vivian. This school model is designed to build character and develop academic potential through a highly-structured environment. With traditional programming focused around core knowledge, as well as content anchored in Greek and Latin roots, the PreK-5 elementary school aims to create 21st century philosophers.
Foster Elementary School
Foster Elementary will become Foster Dual Language PK-8 option school starting with the 2020-21 school year. This shift will provide school-wide dual language programming and the option for students to continue in dual language through middle school. Foster will continue to give priority to students who live in the neighborhood, though it is important to enroll during the first round of EnrollJeffco if a spot is desired.
Alameda International Jr/Sr High School
Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, Alameda International Junior/Senior High School is proud to offer Bright MINDS (Multisensory Intensive Dyslexia Support Program), a choice program for 7th through 9th grade students who are challenged by dyslexia and related language-based learning differences. Explicit, systematic, and intensive reading instruction, along with building-wide systems of support will be used to help students overcome obstacles to learning and thus more fully achieve their potential.
Rose Stein International Elementary School
Rose Stein International is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School.

IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Summit Ridge Middle School
Summit Ridge Middle School is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP). The MYP is a schoolwide framework that encourages all students aged 11 to 16 to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life.
Doral Academy of Colorado
Doral Academy, an arts integrated charter school, will be expanding to K-10. The curriculum for high school will be changing to a blended model where some core classes will be taught through Jeffco Virtual Academy, and electives, English, and Math will be taught at Doral Academy.
FAMILY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP SURVEY
Since 2008, Jeffco Public Schools has administered an anonymous district-wide Family-School Partnership (FSP) survey to families. The FSP survey specifically gauges family input centered around six nationally recognized standards for family engagement: 
  • welcoming all families into the school community
  • communicating effectively
  • supporting student success
  • speaking up for every child
  • sharing power
  • collaborating with community

In addition to asking about these national standards, Jeffco Public Schools has added survey questions related to the Jeffco Generations Vision and Skills:
  • content mastery
  • critical and creative thinking
  • civic and global engagement
  • communication
  • self-direction and personal responsibility
  • collaboration and leading by influence
  • agility and adaptability

Jeffco Public Schools is committed to ensuring that your family and school partnership experience is collaborative, successful, and helps your child learn and grow. We welcome your feedback. The survey closes Friday, December 20 so please take the time to complete the survey today. We appreciate your time and input!
happening in jeffco

Staying connected with our families and community is important to us. See the many ways we share news, info, and keep in touch!
important dates

December 2 - 20 - Family-School Partnership survey open

December 10 - January 15 - EnrollJeffco open

December 17 - Kendrick Lakes Elementary ground-breaking, 1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

December 23 - Jan 3 - Winter Break for students

Jan 6, 2020 - School resumes
board of education meetings
Thursday, December 12 , 5:00 p.m., Study Session
Thursday, December 12 , 6:00 p.m., Regular Session

Meetings are held at the Jeffco Ed Center Board Room, 1829 Denver West Drive #27, Golden.
Meeting schedules and agendas are posted on BoardDocs.
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