Jeffco schools open doors to new year - #lakewoodnews

From new playgrounds and schools to a new way to help credit-deficient students graduate, Jefferson County Schools have myriad new programs for its 86,000 students as they start the new school year."There's always that excitement about the start of the school year," said Jefferson County School District Superintendent Dan McMinimee. "Who's my teacher? Who's in my class?"The district, McMinimee said, is looking forward to a positive start.The first day of classes for most of Jefferson County's 155 schools is Aug. 18. And there are some highlights to look forward to in the 2016-17 academic year, said the district's chief communications officer Diana Wilson.• A new charter school opens this year.The ribbon-cutting for Doral Academy, 7100 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada, took place Aug. 15. The school, according to its website, focuses on an arts-integrated curriculum and is serving students fromkindergartenthrough seventh grade. The principal is Scott Eldred.• Virtual academy initiates credit-recovery program.Jeffco Virtual Academy is starting its eighth year, but this fall a new program called Targeted Actions to Graduation will be implemented for full-time students, grades 10 through 12, who may need help getting back on track for graduation.The goal of the new program, said Dr. Leonard Brown, the director of blended and virtual learning for Jeffco Public Schools, is to provide an alternative pathway to graduation. The purpose is to positively impact graduation rates, decrease student dropout rates and further prepare students for college/career readiness."Students come together on campus once a week to work together on project-based learning, academic coursework and their required internship class," Brown said, "which exposes our Targeted Actions to Graduation students to invaluable experiential learning experiences."In general, virtual academies and blended learning benefits both students and teachers, Brown said."Students appreciate learning in a blended environment because it allows them the flexibility to do school in an environment that is conducive to their personal needs," he said. "Teachers find the ability to create individualized programming to meet the needs of all students valuable."• Westgate Elementary School in Lakewood is inaugurating its first new playground in about 20 years."Up-to-date and safe equipment can make recess more engaging for the students," an excited David Weiss, the principal, said.The playground has three new play structures and swings, and the basketball court has new backboards and hoops. And there also is a new outdoor classroom, where teachers can have class discussions or science lessons.The new playground, two years in the making, was a collaborative effort started by parents Wendi Strom and Amanda Karger."The community got really exicted," Weiss said.Parents, the school district, the City of Lakewood and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) were all involved. Just under $200,000 was raised, including a $114,500 GOCO grant."I really want the students to see that when many people come together to accomplish something big," Weiss said, "it can be done."• Union hopes for continued collaborative relationship.The district's teacher's union is looking forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the school district and Board of Education to ensure every student has the school they deserve, said union president John Ford, a social studies teacher."Educators are relieved to be returning to a situation where we feel respected as professionals and have a long-term negotiated agreement in place that will allow us to have a strong, collaborative voice in decisions at all levels of the district," Ford said. "We will continue to focus on providing quality opportunities for all of our students to succeed."Focus, he said, will be on attracting and retaining high-quality, experienced educators; addressing challenges related to K-12 funding in Colorado; and actualizing visions for schools and students developed in partnership with parents and other community stakeholders.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Jeffco-schools-open-doors-to-new-year,233820