Dear Jeffco Families & Community,
In schools, one of the longest runs of consecutive school days in the year is from when school starts in August to Thanksgiving Break. Both students and staff have been putting in long hours and working hard at having great experiences in school and I know they look forward to some down time to recharge and come back ready to finish the calendar year strong.
Thanksgiving marks a time we should all take stock of and express gratitude for all we have. While many of us have much to be thankful and grateful for, we also wish to lift up and make all in our community aware of those who may be struggling or in need. Jefferson County (and Colorado) has seen a marked increase in reported suicidal ideation among our young people. We also grieve those students we lost to suicide this year.
In this issue of Chalk Talk, you will learn more about our
district’s response to this crisis with our youth and some of the training and resources we are offering to families and staff including a program called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). This is one important part of a large scale increase in mental health supports rolling out across Jeffco this year, thanks in part to funds from 2018’s ballot question 5A.
This Thanksgiving, please take the time to be present and engaged with your children. It is sometimes said about parenting that “the days are long, but the years are short.” On behalf of all of us at Jeffco Public Schools, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve this wonderful community and to be part of your families’ lives.
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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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SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
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Jeffco Public Schools believes it is ethically imperative to do ALL we can to prevent suicide in our Jeffco community. Improving the emotional and behavioral health of our students is a top priority. We do this by utilizing the latest research in the field of suicide prevention, specifically following the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Model School District Policy.
From prevention to intervention to postvention, we are dedicated to offering a comprehensive, evidence-based, suicide prevention program to our Jeffco students and community. For more information about Jeffco's work in suicide prevention and resources please visit:
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ENROLLJEFFCO OPENS DECEMBER 10
EnrollJeffco is a user-friendly system that helps families find Jeffco schools and programs and provide schools with enrollment information to prepare for the next school year. Using this system makes school information easier for families to access, streamlines processes, and ensures the same timeline for all schools.
School Finder is open now and is an easy way to find your neighborhood school and learn about all Jeffco schools and their programs.
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CONCUSSION AWARENESS
In Colorado, when winter temps drop, the play doesn’t stop. We cherish our outdoor play in sledding, skiing, snowshoeing hikes, and other fun outdoor winter activity. With these outdoor activities - the risk of concussion is still present and it’s important to be cautious about brain injury during the winter sports season too. Protect your brain with a helmet and learn what Jeffco Public Schools is doing to recognize and work with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion.
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JEFFCO BUILDS: FURNITURE, FIXTURES & EQUIPMENT
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Arvada K-8
classroom group area
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Arvada K-8
Library Media Center
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Arvada K-8
flexible classroom furniture
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A project doesn’t have to be a major school renovation to make a huge impact. Across the district furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) projects are turning classrooms, libraries, and entryways into inviting and inspiring spaces. In 2020, 15-20 schools will undergo FF&E projects, thanks to our voter-approved 2018 bond measure.
Refreshing FF&E really brings the building to life and creates a space that is functional, comfortable, and exciting. At Arvada K-8 (pictured above), new furniture in classrooms, entryway, and the library gives the school a whole new look.
With a focus on meeting today’s teaching styles and durability, new classroom furniture in Jeffco schools looks a lot different than those uncomfortable desks in rows many remember. Flexible furniture allows educators to change their classroom layout to meet instructional needs. Additionally, this new furniture design gives students the freedom to move which has been shown to keep them focused and engaged during class time.
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TEENS AND VAPING:
FREE WORKSHOP
Are you worried that the teen in your life is currently vaping, worried they may start, or simply want more information about this trend that has been making headlines lately? Join us at the next
Start the Conversation Workshop to gain important insight into the trends, health effects, and youth culture of vape use.
December 5
Golden High School
Golden
5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Light dinner provided
Childcare will be provided
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SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL OR FAVORITE PROGRAM
The "giving season" is fast approaching and Jeffco Public Schools would like to remind you that you can directly support your school, or a program at your school, with our new online donation platform.
- Donate directly to a specific school and designate which program you wish to support
- Donate to one of the 501(c)3 foundations that support Jeffco Public Schools
- Donate to a booster club, PTA/O, or other groups that support a specific school program
If you don't find your school or program listed on our donation platform, please reach out directly to your school.
And on behalf of all students, staff, and families in Jeffco Public Schools - we thank you for your support!
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FAMILY LITERACY MONTH
November is National Family Literacy Month, and recently Jeffco Public Schools participated in the Colorado Department of Education’s
#COHearts2READ campaign. We asked our community to reflect on favorite books, places to read, and why reading is important.
Thanksgiving break is the perfect time to power down the devices and read as a family.
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GOOD NEWS
Leafing a good impression: Arvada High athletes rake in the community service.
Warren Tech volunteer honored as 7Everyday Hero.
37 Jeffco schools earn Colorado Department of Education performance recognition awards.
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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!
in case you missed it
Two Arvada Students featured as 7 Colorado Kids Making a Difference.
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important dates
November 25-29 - Thanksgiving break, no school
December 2-20 - Family School Partnership survey open
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The Bee Project
Leawood Elementary students are all a-buzz as they create new habitats for bees while learning math, ecology, and global engagement.
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Pomona High School Wins 5th State Gymnastic Title
Pomona High School Gymnastics team became the first gymnastics program to win five state titles in a row in the 5A classification.
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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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