Dear Jeffco Families & Community,
With Labor Day behind us, the days are getting shorter which means summer is winding down and fall is just ahead. This also means we are coming up on the scariest time of year. That’s right, folks – I mean election season!
Two of the five seats for the Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education are up for election this year. We thank Ali Lasell and Amanda Stevens for their four years of service on the board, navigating the district through a politically contentious and difficult period of change.
We are also appreciative of the new candidates stepping forward to run for the school board. In District Three (representing Wheat Ridge and Arvada) we have two candidates vying for the seat: Robert Applegate
and
Stephanie Schooley.
In District Four (representing much of Lakewood), we also have two candidates:
Joan Chavez-Lee
and
Susan Miller.
Serving on the board of education is an unpaid elected position. Board members deal with complex issues and have to make tough decisions on issues such as the strategic direction of the district and the annual budget. The races are nonpartisan, meaning the candidates do not declare their party affiliations as part of the election process. These provisions are intended to keep public school boards focused on what is in the best interest of students and our community’s schools in an effort to keep partisan politics out of boardroom decisions.
I have had the chance to meet with all the candidates and look forward to attending
events during the campaign
to hear their perspectives and ideas. Candidate forums are presently scheduled on September 25th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Lakewood High School (sponsored by the Jeffco PTA) and on October 10th from 7-9 p.m. at the Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church (sponsored by the Lakewood American Association of University Women).
As a public servant, I am prohibited in my professional role from encouraging any vote for or against any issue or person on the ballot. Similarly, I remind Jeffco Public Schools employees not to engage in election activities while at work, though they are free to exercise their civic rights on their own time.
I encourage everyone to learn about the candidates and make an informed choice this November.
Please see the
Election 2019
webpage under Board of Education on our district
website
for more information. Ballots will be in the mail in October, so be sure and exercise your right to vote!
On behalf of all of us with Jeffco Public Schools, thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve your family. We have the greatest jobs in the world – working with your kids!
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: NEW FURNITURE, FIELDS & FUN
In the last few weeks of summer, we have been busy putting on the final touches for big reveals. Two middle schools opened new additions with extra classroom space and modern upgrades. Evergreen High School premiered its brand new sports field. Arvada K-8 replaced 20+ year old furniture and 2 elementary schools debuted brand new playgrounds. And nearly 60 elementary schools received new safety and security upgrades - all thanks to Jeffco voters!
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JEFFCO GT SUPPORTS ADVANCED LEARNERS
Jeffco GT Center Schools offer experiences that foster meaningful growth, challenge, and support for qualified gifted learners. Teachers certified in gifted and talented education offer differentiated instruction with a variety of programming options including acceleration, enrichment, and social-emotional support.
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CAREERS TAKE FLIGHT ON AVIATION DAY
Over 800 Jeffco Public Schools students from 21 schools will explore career pathways in the aviation industry at Aviation Day on September 6. Students learn about jobs in engineering, mechanics, aerospace, pilot, electronics, flight crew, UAVs, operations, air traffic control, military, and more!
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GOOD NEWS IN JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
North Arvada Middle School Student Scores Big with $180K Grant for New Playground
West Jefferson Middle School Chef competes on Food Network's
Chopped Junior!
Episode airs Sept 10.
Read more
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SUMMER READING STARS
Jeffco Public Schools students logged 11 million minutes of reading this summer as part of the Jefferson County Public Library's summer reading program. Top schools receive $800 for having the highest percentage of super readers.
Great job to these winning schools:
Adams Preschool, Glennon Heights Elementary, Bell Middle, Arvada High, Addenbrooke Classical Academy
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HELPING KIDS THRIVE
Jeffco Public Schools is committed to engaging families to help support student success. For almost 30 years, Jefferson Center has hosted the
Helping Kids Thrive conference
for Jeffco families to provide hands-on, practical tools and information to help kids grow in positive ways.
Classes focus on kids ages 0-19.
Free to attend. Food and childcare are provided.
5:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
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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
September 20
- No school for students
November 5 -
Jefferson County elections
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Jeffco Builds: Look What You Bought
It was a busy summer of construction across Jeffco as the school district launched the first capital improvement projects. Watch this 4-part video series about bond-funded summer construction updates at several of our schools.
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Jeffco Stadium Celebrates 60 Years
The flagship stadium for Jeffco Public Schools began its 60th season with the opener between the two old Jeffco rivals that were around when Jeffco Stadium opened its doors in 1959.
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board of education meetings
Wednesday,
September 11
, 8:30 - 11:00 a.m., Study Session
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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