Dear Jeffco Families & Community,
With the release of the Jeffco Generations Vision in 2017, we have worked hard to make Jeffco Public Schools an innovative school district. Symbolically, this involved the introduction of a new organizational value, an “entrepreneurial spirit,” which calls on us to take calculated risks, adapt, and boldly embrace our changing world.
A tangible example of this value in action is the
Jeffco Innovation Acceleration Fund. Annually, the district makes available a total of $1 million for new ideas that are aligned to our strategic plan. In the past, any staff member has been eligible to bring their idea forward to apply for Innovation funding. This year, students (with the support of a sponsoring staff member) are also eligible to develop their ideas and apply for funding.
Ideas must meet three key touchstones for funding. First, they must align to some aspect of the district’s strategic plan. Second, they must positively and authentically impact student learning experiences. Finally, applicants have to show how they will make their idea sustainable as Innovation funding is for a maximum of three years.
Ideas are sorted into different articulation areas and by size (big ideas are over $50k, medium ideas are $5k to $50k, and small ideas are under $5k).
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Ideas are then competitively selected, and the Jeffco Public Schools community votes on the initial proposals using randomly matched pairings. The best ideas are selected out of every articulation area and by size.
Next, ideas go through a design round, where district and school experts provide advice and critique to improve the ideas. They are then revised, resubmitted, and vetted again so that the best ideas get funded.
Recent successes from the Innovation Acceleration Fund include a dropout prevention and recovery program that is showing results, a career exploration program in the Green Mountain area, and a new leadership model for school safety across the district.
We have a fun
new video to introduce the student aspect of the Innovation Fund and you can learn more about the Jeffco Public Schools
Innovation Acceleration Fund . Be sure and encourage your teachers, staff, and students to consider applying!
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.
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JEFFCO BUILDS: UPDATE
September 25th was a special day for
Summit Ridge Middle School as they cut the ribbon on their new middle school wing -- marking the completion of their 3,500 square foot addition.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass and Board President Ron Mitchell were in attendance for the celebration. Read more about the Summit Ridge Middle School addition and follow along on all of our #jeffcobuilds projects at
www.jeffcobuilds.org
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TEEN MENTAL HEALTH
Jefferson County
data shows that many teens don’t have an adult to turn to when they need to talk. Be that adult for a teen in your life!
Visit
twelvetalks.com
for key facts, local data, conversation starters and resources about important topics like hopefulness and coping, marijuana, vaping and tobacco, relationships, identity, drugs/alcohol, mental health, and more.
The best way to show your teen you care? Be there.
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OCTOBER IS FAMILY ENGAGEMENT MONTH
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Superintendent Dr. Glass addresses parents at Pomona Family Engagement night
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A young scientist poses with an iguana at Witt Elementary
STEM night
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A teacher demonstrates how the banana Makey Makey makes music using fruit and electricity
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October is Family Engagement Month in Colorado and Jeffco Public Schools is off to a great start! We define Family Engagement as “families, schools, and communities actively partnering to develop, implement, and evaluate effective and equitable practices to improve educational outcomes for students.” We see engagement in action in Jeffco schools every day.
The family that STEMs together, learns together!
Witt Elementary School recently hosted its annual STEM night as an opportunity for families to make learning meaningful by getting hands-on experience. From beginning sign language, to making harmonicas, to understanding conductivity, there was something for everyone. Families had the opportunity to learn alongside their students with educators leading the way. What a great way to connect learning!
Family Engagement Night at Pomona High School
Schools in the Pomona articulation area - Pomona High School, Moore Middle School, Little Elementary School, Parr Elementary School, Warder Elementary School, Weber Elementary School, recently gathered to discuss how family engagement is implemented in their schools. Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass opened the evening, then participants broke into small groups to talk about how everyone can contribute in partnership to help students succeed. Even Prowler, the Pomona High School mascot, didn’t want to miss the fun. How will these schools move forward in their family engagement efforts? Stay tuned!
For more information about family engagement in your school community
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TECHforED:
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
This month, Jeffco Public Schools' classrooms are engaging in digital citizenship learning related to cyberbullying, digital drama, and hate speech.This month's theme focuses on courage and kindness.
Jeffco’s Ed Tech team has resources for families to supplement classroom learning that can help students connect positively, treat others respectfully, and create a culture of kindness.
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GOOD NEWS
New Fitzmorris Elementary library para-professional Nicole Crow acquires new books for school library, inspired by her love of books and Dr. Seuss.
Arvada High School was chosen as 9NEWS Cool School for implementing new teaching model of Project Based Learning (PBL) into career pathways.
Future news for Warren Tech as school expands to meet various industry job demands.
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CAREER FAIR
Join 2,000+ high school students from Jefferson, Clear Creek, and Gilpin County schools to learn more about career pathways in business, energy, hospitality, criminal justice, health sciences, architecture, information technology, communication, transportation, and more! This event is a unique opportunity for students to engage with industry professionals and interactive exhibits.
Inquire with your school counselor for more information by October 11th.
October 29
Jefferson County Fairgrounds
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INNOVATION FUND - APPLY NOW!
Calling all Student Innovators! Do you have an idea that will improve your learning experience? The Jeffco Innovation Fund is back and is looking to fund amazing student ideas.
Need software? New instruments? Training? Want to start a club? The sky's the limit!
Share it with us and the Innovation Fund might fund it! How can you #InnovateFun?
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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!
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important dates
October 25 - No school for students
October 28 - No school for students
November 5 - Jefferson County elections
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Pirate the Wonder Dog Works Wonders
Meet Everitt Middle School's 4-legged social-emotional learning team member - Pirate the Wonder Dog. Wandering the halls with furry snuggles, Pirate lives up to his namesake, working wonders for both students and staff.
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Soccer Day for Adapted Athletics
Jeffco Public Schools held its Adapted Athletics Soccer Day on Sept. 24 in Lakewood. Athletes from 18 middle and high schools participated. Student athletes from various Jeffco high schools volunteered to referee the games.
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board of education meetings
Thursday,
October 10
, 5:00 p,m., Study Session
Thursday,
October 10
, 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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