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| Woodland Park School District Newsletter |
| Issue No. 1 |
August 18, 2008 |
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Superintendent's Welcome
Greetings!
I would like to welcome you to the new Woodland Park School District e-newsletter. This new e-newsletter will be published two times a month. The first of the month issue will highlight happenings in the district and the second issue will focus on school board issues.
The School Board and the entire district want to increase communication with our parents and community. Please forward this newsletter to your family and friends. It is our hope that this format will create a stronger link between community and schools.
Please feel free to give us your comments and suggestions to help us improve our communication efforts. We are all looking forward to another exciting year at Woodland Park Schools - Go Panthers!!
Guy Arseneau
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21st CENTURY SKILLS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD'S ENDS POLICIES
Discussion of the School Board's Ends Policies and 21st Century skills took center stage at the August School Board meeting. The Board's Ends policies were developed by the School Board over the past year and created a vision of the skills needed by all students as they move through our schools. Blending these skills with the 21st Century skills that were identified by a working committee last year will be a District focus for this year. Thanks go to all of the individuals involved with this very important wok.
ENDS POLICIES
E-1
District Ends Statement
The Woodland Park Re-2 School District exists so that students develop their foundation to thrive as citizens in the 21st Century.
E-2
Academic Achievement
Students shall have the academic skills they require to interact and excel in society.
The board recognizes academic achievement as the number one fiscal priority.
· Students will be able to reason and think independently.
· Students and their families will be encouraged early in their high school career to investigate the
specific course requirements and pathways needed for their future education.
E-3
Social Achievement
Students shall have the traits and life skills necessary for them to become meaningful citizens.
· Students will accept responsibility and accountability for their own actions.
· Students will understand the value of service to others and the impact of service on their school,
community, state, and nation.
· Students will understand the importance of exercising the right to vote in a democratic society.
· Students will demonstrate positive work habits and attitudes to be successful in school and future
career.
E-4
Exploratory Achievement
Students shall have opportunities to explore their talents, to expand their interest and passion for life.
21st CENTURY SKILLS
1. Critical Thinker and Problem Solver
2. Innovator & Creator
3. Effective Communicator & Collaborator
4. Media, Information Communication & Technology Literate
5. Globally Aware, Culturally Sophisticated, and Civically Engaged
6. Financially and Economically Literate
7. Self-Directed Learner with a Positive Work Ethic
8. Advocate for Personal Wellness
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GOLD PASSES FOR DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Gold Passes providing free admission to Woodland Park School District Re-2 athletic, music and drama activities will be issued to district residents who are 60 years of age or older, according to Guy Arseneau, Superintendent of Schools.
"This is the district's way of expressing appreciation for the support these citizens have given the school system through the years," Arseneau said.
There is no charge for the passes and eligible persons may obtain them by calling the Office of the Superintendent, 686-2017, or by writing Guy Arseneau at P.O. Box 99, Woodland Park, Colorado 80866.
The Gold Passes will be honored at all events with the exception of District and League Tournaments and State sponsored activities.
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TRANSPORTATION AND THE RISING FUEL COSTS
School Bus drop off and pick up stops were discussed by the School Board and Durham Transportation at the August School Board meeting. The rising cost of diesel fuel is a concern to all. The discussion centered on the impact of higher fuel prices and the district's ability to stay within the transportation budget. Meetings with parents of students riding the bus will be scheduled in September to get input on how pick up and drop off locations can be adjusted. To help conserve fuel, Durham will be parking eight buses at Summit Elementary. This should save the district around $15,000 annually.
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New Fee Payment Options
Starting with the 2008-2009 school year, WPSD will be offering credit card payments to our Parent/Guardians. Parents will be able to pay student course and activity fees as well as pay for student's lunch. Please visit one of our schools or login to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal Account to see your student's current fees. You can get to the Parent Portal by clicking on this link:
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HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVES STATE RECOGNITION
News Release
School Districts and Individual Schools Lauded
Several urban school districts and nine individual schools from around the state were highlighted during today's news conference announcing results from the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) and Colorado's Growth Model.
Commissioner Dwight Jones noted the strides among several key districts. He recognized the "major surge" in reading scores from Denver Public Schools, the "terrific growth" in writing from School District 11 in Colorado Springs, and "significant increases" in results from Aurora Public Schools.
In addition, Commissioner Jones cited progress in Greeley-Evans School District 6, which was removed from academic watch status last year for its progress then and continued to post "very strong gains" this year. Gov. Bill Ritter also congratulated all the schools and districts that were recognized. "It takes leadership," said Gov. Ritter, "and we really do appreciate it."
"These schools are lighthouses for how others may accomplish their journey," said Assistant Commissioner Jo O'Brien who invited nine schools from around the state to attend the news conference. She said the nine schools represented some 100 other schools that all deserve "meritorious" recognition for meeting an extremely high bar-performing above the state average and showing improvement in at least one CSAP subject area over a three-year period.
The nine schools recognized were Pomona High School (Jefferson County Schools); Woodland Park High School (Woodland Park RE-2 School District); Yuma High School (Yuma 1 School District); Aurora Academy Charter School (Aurora Public Schools); Challenge to Excellence Charter School (Douglas County Schools); Odyssey Charter School and Wyatt-Edison Charter School (both Denver Public Schools); Steamboat Springs High School (Steamboat Springs RE-2); and Fowler Elementary School (Fowler School District No. R4-J).
Fowler Elementary School principal Steve Grasmick, Wyatt-Edison principal Helen Hargis, and Steamboat Springs High School principal Kevin Taulman also were asked to share their strategies of success. Each in turn emphasized the importance of hiring and retaining top-quality staff and doing everything it takes to meet the needs of all individual students. Steamboat's Taulman emphasized in particular that he was looking forward to using Colorado's Growth Model (see related news release today) to assist in the continued effort to boost achievement for all students.
Colorado Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, speaking prior to the comments from individual school representatives, anticipated the themes. "Students don't
grow up in a vacuum," she said. "We need to keep pressing forward and hold a 'no excuses' mind set."
To sign up for the CDE e-mail news service, please visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/Communications/index.html.
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WOODLAND PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL REVEIVES STATE RECOGNITION
The Woodland Park Middle School will be recognized as one of only thirty nine (39) schools in the State for their success in closing the achievement gap. The award is a result of a study completed by the Piton and Donnell-Kay foundations. Our Middle School will be recognized at the inaugural awards luncheon sponsored by the Colorado Legacy Foundation on Wednesday, September 17. Congratulations to all the staff at the Middle School.
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Middle School Teachers Attend 21st Century Schools Workshop
Another note of recognition goes to two of our Middle School teachers. Sonia Reavis and Sharon Reiter attended a 21st Century Schools workshop this summer. The Director of the workshop wrote "You are very fortunate to have teachers this dedicated to their profession, with such a fire to help all students reach their full potential." This is another example of the quality of staff in our district. Thanks to Sonia and Sharon
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Cripple Creek and Victor Mining Company
Awards $13,000 Grant to Schools
Cripple Creek and Victor Mining Company has awarded a grant of $13,000 to our school to support a van that will take students to the afternoon programs at Pikes Peak Community College. Currently students are only transported to the morning classes. This grant is a result of a lot of hard work and persistence by Suzanne Herberger. Thanks to both the Mine and Suzanne for providing this opportunity for our students.
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ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS START UP AT WOODLAND PARK SCHOOLS
Greetings and welcome to the 2008-2009 school year. We are all looking forward to the upcoming school year and anticipate cheering on our students at athletic and activity events.
This school year, we have a record number of students taking part in our athletic and activities programs. Participation in extra-curricular activities plays an important role in a well-rounded education. We wish all of our students success in the upcoming season and look forward to many exciting games and activities.
Our District staff and students are proud of our Activities and Athletics programs and invite the entire community to come out and watch our fall line-up of football, cross country, girl's softball, boy's soccer, marching band, volleyball and golf. Our teams and their dedicated coaches have set a standard of excellence and continue to perform in an outstanding manner. Good luck to all of our teams!
Our staff and students appreciate the support and involvement of the community and parents in our school district and its varied programs. Please come and get involved in our schools.
High School athletics ... how exciting! Go Panthers!
2008-2009 Athletics & Activities Schedule
For a complete schedule click the link below:
Athletics & Activities Schedule
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ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM HAS $300,000 GRANT
Congratulations to Steve Randolph and the whole Alternative Education team for their grant renewal. Woodland Park School District will receive $300,000 for the 2008 school year. This will be the third year of operation for the Alternative Education program.
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Technology Update
Summer 2008:
- Installed 172 New Desktop Computers
- Installed 60 Laptops
- Implemented 2 Wireless Carts (Middle School & Summit Elementary)
- 70 Telephone Upgrades
- 2 New Intercom Systems
- 1 New Fire Alarm system
- Fire Alarm Maintenance
- Installed Microsoft Office 2007 Professional Plus on 1500 Workstations
- Provided Staff Development in Software
- Auditorium Maintenance
- Recycled 400 pieces of equipment, including 150 Computers
- Installed Exchange 2007 for Students Grades 5-12 and all Staff
Next Steps:
- Wireless Throughout all Buildings
- Telephones in all classrooms
- 3 New Intercom systems
- 2 New Fire Alarm systems
- Update older Wireless Labs
- Interactive White Boards in All Classrooms
- Classroom Response Systems
- Classroom Amplification Systems
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We Value Your Opinion!
Please take a moment to give us your comments and feedback on our e-newsletter.
Click the link below:
Comments
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Woodland Park School District - Where our Students are # 1 |
211 North Baldwin
Woodland Park, Colorado 80866
719-686-2000 |
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