Montview Math and Health Sciences Elementary principal Michelle Barone, left, and Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning principal Laurie Godwin accept the Centers of Excellence Award on behalf of their schools for the third consecutive year.

• The Colorado Department of Education recently recognized Montview Math and Health Sciences Elementary and Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning with the 2011 Centers of Excellence award. The CDE distributes these awards annually to schools with the highest rates of student academic growth as measured by the Colorado Growth Model. In addition, the school must have a student population that is at least 75 percent at-risk.

Tollgate also earned this award for the third consecutive year.

“We are proud of the work that our students, staff and families is being recognized for by the Colorado Department of Education,” Godwin said. “Our goal is to ensure that students are engaged in rigorous, meaningful and joyful learning everyday that results in student achievement.”

• The CDE also awarded several APS schools with the 2011 Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards.

The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award is given to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth by exceeding expectations related to longitudinal academic growth and by meeting or exceeding expectations related to academic growth gaps. Congratulations to staff and students of the following schools:

• Aurora Academy

• Aurora Quest K-8

• Aurora Frontier P-8

• Clyde Miller P-8

• Side Creek Elementary

• Yale Elementary

• Congratulations to Aurora Quest K-8 for earning the John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award. This award is given to schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement by exceeding expectations on the academic achievement indicator and by meeting or exceeding expectations related to academic growth gaps.

Good things are happening at Aurora Frontier P-8, specifically inside art teacher Thad McCauley’s classroom.

McCauley’s room, full of colorful sculptures, paintings and other dynamic artifacts, is featured in the April 2012 edition of School Arts Magazine. The national publication centers on art education and promoting excellence, advocacy and professional support for educators in the visual arts. Visit http://bit.ly/FPXpyg to view the magazine's feature.

Congratulations on this wonderful accomplishment!

The city of Aurora recently honored many Aurora Public Schools students through the Aurora Scholars program and awards ceremony. Now in its fourth year, the program honors one student from each grade in every Aurora-area public and private school in a city-wide ceremony with the Mayor, City Council, superintendents and other designees. The program is designed to identify those students in Aurora who strongly contribute to the life and community of their schools.

Students receive a certificate and gifts donated by the community.  Students are selected by their principals and teachers for being overall first-rate students and excellent members of the school community.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

Altura Elementary School
Giovanni Roman
Anthony Moreno Castro
Nour Righi
Azael Tarango
Chandra "Jeffrey" Leng

Arkansas Elementary
Unique Gee
Yesenia Jimenez
Dayahna McFall
Alejandra Navarro Ramirez
Max Marucut

Aurora Academy P-8
Sarah Mesfin
Egla Mengistu
Ethan Moore
Lydia Woldemichael
Haley Brinson
Helina Seyoum
Jade Zimmer
Marie Ferdinand

Aurora Frontier K-8
Max Gonzales
Chang Liu
Phuong Chu
Nathaniel Pagibigan
Trevor Chhoun

Aurora Hills Middle School
Irina Amouzou
Luis Banos-Vazquez
James Dinius 

Aurora Central High School
Kevin Nguyen
Javier C. Lopez
Francisco Lobatos Sanchez
Shirley Tun-Verde

Aurora Quest K-8
Savannah Snow
Ashlynn Stewart
Iyanla Ayite
Avery Hill
Anusha Vajrala
Jalen Mergerson
Taylor Phillips-Jones
Kendra Cameron

Aurora West Preparatory Academy
Krystal Armas
Ta'jay Richardson
Daimeon McGary
Alex Garcia
Claudia Gomez

AXL Learning Academy
Betanya Esayas
Elijah Brown
Trevon Jackson
Sebastian Pau
Andrea Reyna
Juan Simental
Ayman Aouinat
Najavay Stewart-Sanders

Boston P-8
Aritza Villalobos
Gisselle Ortega
Karina Murillo De Lazaro
Stephany Garcia Caraza
Nevaeh Hal
Gabriela Recinos
Gonzalo Rico Perez
Rodolfo Moncado Arrendondo

Century Elementary School
Abigail Bean
Nicky Marten
Ashley Martinez
Arrion Knight
Kara Mendez

Clyde Miller P-8
Lily Ruiz
Michelle Rodriguez
Fatima Mata Ruiz
Daniel Soto Sanchez
Eliasar Castillo Ortega
Jesus Hernandez
Jorge Hernandez Munoz

Columbia Middle School
Alexandra Katschke
Heather Schneider
Bryanna Telles 

Crawford Elementary School
Vanessa Espinoza
Isaac Gutierrez Gomez
Matilda Sariana Martinez
Eduardo Guarneros Soto
Alexis Jimenez

Dalton Elementary School
Alexus West
Natalie Jilot
Reece Berkey
Aleksandra Mayotte
Riley Reinhardt
Zachary Epperson

Dartmouth Elementary School
Sara Sanchez
Catherine Linza Drevost
Liuis Mier Perez
Katherine Finell
Arianna Hernandez

East Middle School
Josue Estrada Murillo
Kayla Readus
Roverto Santamaria

Elkhart Elementary School
Sally Valladares Guerrero
Andrea Pedroza
Bonsitu Kebeto
Tony Tran
Stephanie Chavez Martinez

Fletcher Intermediate Science and Technology School
Monique Jara
Joseph Salinas
Jaime Gutierrez
Ruby Martinez
Cynthia Casilla

Fletcher Primary School
Shelssy Sanchez-Fuentes
Daniel Torres-Diaz
Jonathan Ruiz

Fulton Elementary School
Natalia Reyes Medina
Karina Huerta
Stephanie Pickens
Litsy Hernandez
Moenisa Flores

Gateway High School
Shannon Folan
Shaunie Housden
Brandon Thomas
Carlos Dickens

Hinkley High School              
Chance Wright Hobart             
Sabitra Niroula                       
Raul Amaya                 
Joseph Little Bird

Iowa Elementary School
Hugo J. Cabello Resendiz
Sontee Wright
Melissa Favela
Meliza Castrejon Calvillo
Karely Nava Chavez

Jewell Elementary School
Andrea Ursua-Garcia
Samantha Morvant
Karla Vazquez
Paulina Ursua-Garcia
Gideon Getachew

Kenton Elementary School
Ny'Asia Ragland
Marlene Garcia Hernandez
Misael Herrera
Jocelyn Curiel
Antonio Welke

Lansing Elementary School
Alexa Aguilera

Laredo Elementary School
Madisson Espejo
Saul Perez
Armando Camacho
Erik Pool
Jill M. Hoffman

Lyn Knoll Elementary School
Abraham Rodriguez
Abalardo Sanchez
Azariah Hines
Brooke Slaughter
Adonijah Greer

Montview Elementary School
Ty Fix-Rose
AnnaBell Sanchez
Galilea Landa Posas
Heather Shortridge
Selena Perez

Mrachek Middle School
Heaven Smith
Frank Vargas
Sara Dessie

Murphy Creek P-8
Emma Jackson
Amari Norman
Olivia Fernelius
Aiyanah Munyororo
Samantha Girodano
Julia Rosales
Jasmin Sanchez
Riley Hott

North Middle School
Antonio Pelliccione
Natassja Wilburn
Vanessa Savcedo

Paris Elementary School
Leslie De Los Santos
William Cardena
Rogelio Gutierrez
Sarahi Carreon
Jonarhan Moncada

Park Lane Elementary School
Saul Chairez
Kevin Torres
Iyanna Guyse
Mildred Gonzalez
Andrea Phan

Peoria Elementary School
Jackeline Deras
Eduardo Soto
Karina Montoya
Christopher Gonzalez
Nathalie Hernandez

Rangeview High School
Brandon Topete
Andre Rizo
Feyone La
Hannah Robinson 

Sable Elementary School
Kendale Dejavonte Lewis
Ismael Ivan Inda Rueda
Abdi Girmae
Wilfrido Orzco Barrera
Briseida Saari Cisneros Casteneda

Side Creek Elementary School
Julian Garza
Kaoutar Eloudi
Emily Park
Trung VuIndi Sandika

Sixth Avenue Elementary School
Luis Geovany Saucedo
Omar Perez Jiminez
Katie Torres
Samantha Carmona
Calden McCaughan

South Middle School
Zacqariah Caesar Richmond
Austin Samuel Sills-Hicks
Leoncio Ortega-Venzor

Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning
Bryanna Tancrede
Thanh Dao
Perla Morales Correa
Emily Chavez
Luis Martinez, Jr.

Vassar Elementary School
Amare Porell
Devon Odom
Andrew Ebert
David De La Cruz Cervantes
Anthony Bello Filiu

Vaughn Elementary School
Alisha Willow
Morgan Riepl
Kevin Torres
Elizabeth Serrano
Jacqueline Castaneda

Virginia Court Elementary School
Bryan Rivera Franco
Cristina Becerra Navarro
Monica Rivera
Jimena Becerra
Xavier Garr

Vista PEAK Exploratory
Jasiah Lewis
Myles Miller
Benjamin Spengler
Jesmeray Guel
Luis Gonzales
Melanie Santillana Munoz
Adriana Robinson
Hunter Vidal

Vista PEAK Preparatory
Rune Brown
Christine Hartley

Wheeling Elementary School
Thyler Endita
Brian Figueroa
Ellen Amaro Campa
Estrella Soto Salas
Claudyne Morales

Willam Smith High School
Dorothy Agyemang
Gerardo Sanchez
T'hani Holt-Middleton
Davin Grunewald

Yale Elementary School
Nasir Mills
Kaleia Long
Nearyroth Preap
Landon Steinkamp
Alexis Crawle

Aurora Public Schools recently participated in a special community art project at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

A host of artistic minds collaborated to create 85 murals to adorn the construction fencing surrounding Children’s Colorado’s new east tower expansion. The art project, which began in late 2011, brought patients, families, nurses, physicians and hospital staff together while providing a transformative experience for the entire Aurora community. Students and staff from Aurora Frontier P-8, Fletcher Primary School, Murphy Creek P-8 and Side Creek Elementary School participated in the project.

“This could be the start of something big for Children’s Hospital,” said APS Traveling Art Show volunteer Jacqueline DeLangie.

Starla Sieveke-Pearson

Nancy Klinedinst

Congratulations to Nancy Klinedinst and Starla Sieveke-Pearson, principals at Yale Elementary School and Aurora Frontier K-8, respectively, who earned the 2012 Distinguished Principal of the Year honors.

The award recognizes principals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and success at their schools.

Klinedinst, who is in her fourth year at Yale, has held a variety of positions in her career between Colorado and South Dakota, including classroom teacher, gifted educational instructor and building-level administrator. Her wide range of experience has been her best teacher.

“With experience also comes understanding for motivation behind behaviors of adults as well as children, and in this business of education, it is all about the people,” Klinedinst said.

Before becoming principal of Aurora Frontier K-8 four years ago, Sieveke-Pearson served as an assistant principal in Douglas County Schools and has held leadership positions in local and national organizations. In addition to her intense study of leadership theories, she credits her 25-year career in education to those she learned from along the way.

 “I borrow from the best, with pride,” Sieveke-Pearson said. “I am not a perfect leader – far from it; I am a human leader who leads with a wacky combination of heart and intellect.”

You’re Invited to APS Community Resource Fairs!

Aurora Public Schools will host two community resource fairs and celebrations for parents and students.  The events will feature student performances and refreshments.

In addition, because the holiday season may create stress for families and students, several community groups will be present with support on topics including housing needs, strategies for handling holiday stress and personal safety and security.

Please join us for these celebrations and to access resources to support student and family success.

Thursday, Dec 13                                                     
Paris Elementary School
1635 Paris St.
Aurora, CO 80010
5 p.m.

Monday, Dec 17
East Middle School
1275 Fraser St.
Aurora, CO 80011
5 p.m.

• Visit the APS Disaster Recovery website.

From left: Christopher Vann, Erika Rojas Arroyo, Lisa Trudgian, Colleen Carr, APS Deputy Superintendent William Stuart, Maren Getz, Elaine Esquibel, Lucy Compean, Judith Dake, Shawn Jones and Joe Gonzalez. Not pictured is Lori Petersen.

Congratulations to the staff members, parents and local business partners of Aurora Public Schools who earned a Superintendent’s Quarterly Award for the third quarter of the 2012-13 school year. During a ceremony at the Professional Learning & Conference Center, Deputy Superintendent William Stuart and members of the Board of Education and Leadership Team praised the honorees for their commitment to helping all students succeed.

Superintendent’s Quarterly Awards recognize outstanding parents, staff and community members who make a difference in the lives of APS students. 

Kudos to the following winners: 

• Erica Rojas Arroyo, Parent Volunteer at Boston K-8, in the category of Parent
• Colleen Carr, Paraeducator, Kid’s Tech at Pickens Technical College, in the category of Classified Employee, Elementary
• Lucy Compean, Clerk, District Receptionist at ESC-4, in the category of Classified Employee, Support 
• Judith Dake, HS Teacher – English Language Arts at Hinkley High School, in the category of Licensed Employee, High School/Pickens 
• Elaine Esquibel, Volunteer at Jewell Elementary School, in the category of Community/Business Member
• Maren Getz, Elementary Teacher at Crawford Elementary, in the category of Licensed Employee, Elementary 
• Joe Gonzalez, Student Liaison at Columbia Middle School, in the category of Classified Employee, Secondary
• Shawn Jones, Middle School Counselor at East Middle School, in the category of Licensed Employee, Middle School 
• Lori Petersen, Assistant Principal at Hinkley High School, in the category of Assistant Principal Employee
• Lisa Trudgian, Elementary Teacher at Aurora Frontier K-8, in the category of Licensed Employee, Elementary
• Christopher Vann, Coordinator of Prevention and Intervention at ESC-4, in the category of Administrative and Professional/Technical Employee 

The city of Aurora honored a host of Aurora Public Schools students recently through the Aurora Scholars program and awards ceremony. The program, now in its fifth year, honors one student from each grade in every Aurora-area public and private school in a city-wide ceremony with the mayor, city council, superintendents and other community stakeholders. The program is designed to identify those students in Aurora who strongly contribute to the life and community of their schools.

Congratulations to all of the 2013 winners!

Altura Elementary 
Josue Torres Madera
Jorge Herrera-Puente
Itzel Trujillo Melendez
Joselyn Rico-Sullivan
Fernando Melendez

Arkansas Elementary
Yahir Estrada Bonilla
Morgan Garst
Ariana Gomez
Ingrid Romero 
Cassidy Stiles

Aurora Academy K-8
Samuel Kingsbury
Issac Sprong
Lawrence Gonzales
Faheem Sharif
Ivan Tochimani Hernandez
Kaitlyn Thompson
Christian Wells
Ricardo Angel-Lucero

Aurora Central High School
Jasmine Carr
Brenda Sanchez
Dillon Elliott
Cesar Castaneda Hernandez

Aurora Frontier K-8
Thomas Hurtya 
James Kinney
Natasha Thornton

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy 
Meleah Bennett
Raul Vazquez Hernandez
Gabriella Casillas
Daimeon McGary
Sherlock Crockett
Andrea Gomez

AXL Learning Academy
Jordan Martinez
Evan Eimer
Avery Martinez
Kameren Kelly
Barron DeVille
Andrea Reyna
Jessica Pau
Ruby Skinner

Aurora Hills Middle School 
Kendra Leslie 
Hendrick Lopez-Beltran
EryKah Williams

Aurora Quest K-8
Kaylynn Stewart
Mimi Rai
Hannah Bonansinga
Zakary Nfaoui
Madeline Torrez
Anusha Vajrala
Trinity Stevenson
Shelby Kleinhans 

Boston K-8 
Miria Coronel
Sergio Ramirez
Juan Quintanar
Francisco Toledo
Liea Daniels
Verna Valenzuela
Stacey Zepeda
Diana Olivas Cordoba

Century Elementary
Litzy Venalonzo
Ashley Williams
Nelise Jacquart
Josie Warner
Genesis Pineda 

Columbia Middle School 
Katharina Wiegand
Jewel Brown
Sydney Comet

Clyde Miller Elementary P-8 
Brianna Arias
Carlos Lopez
Ashly Castaneda
Bryan Herrera
Ashley Madera
Indiana Cloud
Haylee Ortiz
Dylan Clayborn

Crawford Elementary
Jocelyne Lopez Pinedo
Hung Thang
Isaac Gutierrez
Nancy Hechavarias
Yadira Espinoza Ortega

Dalton Elementary 
Madalynn Dossey
Rachel Labit
Jordan Kimpson
Chloe Johnson
Danielle Arellano

Dartmouth Elementary 
Carol Escoto Llanos
Nesseem Ould-Khaled
Katerin Urias Zamora
Jose Soto Echeveste
Ashley De La Hoya Esparza

East Middle School
Brayan Macias Solis
Kimberly Nerio
Micaela Tomkins

Elkhart Elementary
Camila Cardenas
Jack Tran
Wynter Rains
Bonsitu Kebeto
Ashley Uribe

Fletcher Intermediate
Victoria Castaneda
David Lopez
Mariana Leon
Hector Galindo
Esperanza Torres

Fletcher Primary
Isaac Lopez
Yulissa Farrera
Marswella Doucett

Fulton Academy of Excellence
Antonio Guzman Colon
Ruby Rodriguez
Alexsis Angulo Duran
Stephanie Pickens
Daniel Hernandez

Gateway High School
Isidro Vargas Hernandez
Cindy Rodriquez
Zephaniah Baca
T'Aunsanae Quarles

Global Village Academy
Eve Baker
Sarah Capule
Gavin Geiger
Ashley Kidwell
Anthony Curtis Hicks II
Ariana Carmody
Jorge Flores Martinez
Ebelyn Tapia Garcia, 8th grade

Hinkley High School
Meshalay Cherry
Jacob Duke
Salamasina Fifita
Adrian Nava

Iowa Elementary 
Jayda Arbor
Presley Gordon
David Cisneros
Jonathan Seyoum
Damon Nash

Jewell Elementary 
Eman Adam,
Andrea Ursua-Garcia
Jocelyn Villanueva Loredo
Eugenie Budnik
Kristal Picazo

Kenton Elementary 
Rodrigo Quintero
Patience Graves
Erica Torres
Nickolas DeLeon
Miguel Gomez

Lansing Elementary
Margarita Dominguez Flores
Angel Aguilera
Gissele Bueno Castaneda
Jaylene Cruz

Laredo Elementary
Victoria Mancinas
Giovanni Escobar
Thomas Miller
Meja Trammell
Emily Hernandez

Lotus School for Excellence 
Samantha Crossland
Irwin Pascual
Abdullah Haji Ewaz
Sofia Carrera
Kihra Martinez
Khalillaulah Haji Ewaz
Alexandria Campbell
Samantha Shapard
Leah Galvez Valencia
Mehmet Karaoglu
Abenezer Beyene
Haneen Ziyadeh

Lyn Knoll Elementary
Guadalupe Chavez
Iris Serrano
Carlos Jimenez
Karla Agustin
Liya Seleshi

Montview Elementary 
Giezi De Leon Morales
Anahi Cruz Hernandez
Cristal Dominguez
Galilea Landa Posas
Josue Hernandez Serna

Mrachek Middle School
Tristan Workman
Laurian Quezada
Brandy Holmes

Murphy Creek P-8
Christopher Hopp
Madison Jones
Tabitha Passeretti
Chantel Williams
Kylie Severin
Avery Budny
Angelina Rivera
McKale Williams

North Middle School 
Abemelk Tadesse
Ezmarae Cardona
Hannah Dinkel

Paris Elementary 
Abner Mendez
Zulue Jimenez-Lopez
Alexander Salazar
Valerie Morales
Hebelin Alcaraz Ortiz

Park Lane Elementary 
Alison Remigio
Eduardo Soto Garduno
Alexis Romero
Eh Way Paw
Sofia Marquez Mendez

Peoria Elementary
Elizabeth Bedolla
Abigail Rios Olivan
Angel Rodriguez
Dihana Araujo
Rosaly Cosme Garcia

Rangeview High School
Lam Nguyen
Michael Lozoya
Idannya "Iraly" Salazar
Lisa Napper

Sable Elementary
Moo Ku Paw
DJ Wilcher
David Oh Win
Mara Regina Bencomo
Viviana Mercedes Segovia

Side Creek Elementary 
Lilia Juarez
Ayush Khadka
Samantha Carmona
Blessed Asare
Sheldon Lucas-McHenry

Sixth Avenue Elementary 
Dulces Montes Araujo
Maximiliano Martinez Ozuna
Takari Draper
Bianca Marquez Cortez
Ossiel Arciba Rodriguez

South Middle School 
Mykhia Johnson
Joanna Mendy
Dahlia Enriquez

Tollgate Elementary 
Adrian Pinedo Gutierrez
Adrian Solano
Diego Navarro
Karen Ramos
Kawena Johnson

Vassar Elementary 
D'Hani Fleming
Joseph Nguyen
Ruben Porras
Anthony Detweiler
Nicholas Olquin

Vaughn Elementary
Kevin Melgar
Joseph Reyes
Gustabo Fuentes
Alliyah Reynosa
Kaylee Gonzalez

Virginia Court Elementary
Abigail Estrada
Derek Acuna Garcia
Christina Becerra
Brian Sanchez
Giselle DeHaro

Vista PEAK Exploratory P-8
Ally Bohn
Joseph Farrell
Harley Zubia
Jena Crawford
Sydney Allen
Julian Robinson
Cesar Saenz

Vista PEAK Preparatory 9-12
Adriana Robinson
Hunter Vidal
Andrea Parra Banales
Miguel Lobatos

Wheeling Elementary
Aurora Sterret
Jorge Melendrez, Jr.
McKenzie Z'Dorne
Jorja Whyte
Jate'via Bailey

William Smith High School
Yonathan Fisseha
Kyle Bundy
Jai Hemmelgarn
Savana Patchen

Yale Elementary
Nataly Leon
Eli Uribe
Giovanni Flores
Elizabeth Ortega
Liseth Vargas

Fifth graders are learning about making healthy choices through the “5th Gear Kids” program. It’s the second year of the wellness program in Aurora Public Schools.

5th grade students and their families recently attended the kickoff celebration to sign up for the program. Denver Broncos mascot Miles,  Colorado Rapids mascot Edson the Eagle and Ronald McDonald also attended.

The goal of “5th Gear Kids” is to prevent obesity, improve academic performance and enhance lifelong health. It teaches 5th graders about energy balance and healthy habits by offering incentives and prizes when they make healthy choices with participating community partners.

"5th Gear Kids" is a partnership between the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora Public Schools and the Cherry Creek School District. “5th Gear” is funded by a grant from the Colorado Health Foundation.

There are a host of Aurora Public Schools staff members who once roamed the halls of various APS schools as
students. Here’s a quick look at what some of them are doing now.

Govednik

April Govednik, Aurora Frontier P-8 Teacher, Gateway High School - Class of 2006

“I am most proud of working for APS because the schools I attended set me up for success. APS prepared me for college and that is still the vision in place today. The teachers I had growing up had a huge impact on my life and, I hope I have the same impact on my students.”

Hamilton

Steve Hamilton, Columbia Middle School Principal, Hinkley High School - Class of 1982

“I’ve always loved the Aurora community. I have really enjoyed watching the Aurora community grow as I have grown. A part of this enjoyment comes from seeing many of the people I grew up with who are now also working in Aurora Public Schools, and we are working together with today’s students to continue to support their needs and develop Aurora’s future leaders.”

Hernandez

Shanika Hernandez, Communication Team Clerk, Aurora Central High School - Class of 2003

“I’m proud to serve the community that I live in. My husband grew up going to schools in APS, and now our children are APS students. Our family has a history with this district. Right now, I’m pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology so I can help APS students in more ways.”

Download the Kids Clinic flier in English.
Descarga el folleto Clínica Kids en Español.

Keeping Aurora kids healthy, in school and ready to learn

The Kids Clinic at Crawford and Laredo Elementary Schools provides comprehensive, caring and affordable health care to elementary students attending Aurora Public Schools (APS) and their younger brothers and sisters. The clinic is operated through a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics, APS and the Aurora Mental Health Center.

The Kids Clinic is the only school-based health center in the APS district. It provides physical, mental and dental health care to more than 2,000 APS students each year.

Each clinic is staffed by bilingual nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified medical assistants. Care is provided to students Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  From birth through elementary school, the Kids Clinic offers students access to the same medical providers. This helps students receive consistent medical care throughout their elementary school education.

All Kids Clinic services are offered at low-cost fees. No student or family is turned away if they are unable to pay for services. The Kids Clinic accepts private insurance, Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and both locations can help uninsured families enroll in health plans.

Kids Clinic Services

Physical Health 

• Physical/wellness exams
• Immunizations (shots)
• Routine lab tests
• Management of chronic conditions (asthma, eczema, Get Fit Clinic)
• Sports physicals
• Treatment of minor injuries or illnesses

Pharmacy services, x-rays and family planning are not offered.  

Dental Health 

• Regular school visits from the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics dental mobile
• Teeth cleaning
• X-rays
• Sealants
• Fluoride varnishing
• Dental exams
• Referrals to low-cost dental services for additional treatment

Mental Health Services

• In-school mental health counseling (provided by Aurora Mental Health Center) including:
  • Individual, group and family therapy
  • Case management services
  • Psychiatric medication management

Appointments:

APS students can enroll as Kids Clinic patients throughout the school year. Family members must complete a brief consent form, health history questionnaire and provide information on their income to complete this process. Once students are enrolled, their younger brothers and sisters are also able to receive care at the Kids Clinic.

A family member or school nurse must request Kids Clinic services for a student ahead of time. However, appointments can be scheduled the same day to treat illnesses or unexpected injuries.

Learn More:

Kids Clinic – Crawford Elementary School
1600 Florence Street
Aurora, CO 80010
720.837.4761

Kids Clinic – Laredo Elementary School
1350 Laredo Street
Aurora, CO 80111
720.837.4761

Please complete the form below to request more information on the Kids Clinic:

Aurora Frontier P-8 students participate in a 5th Gear Kids yoga class at prAna, a yoga studio and store in Cherry Creek.

Downward dog. Plank. Cobra. 

These three buzz words may not mean anything to some people, but they're like music to yoga enthusiasts' ears. And recently, more than 30 Aurora Frontier P-8 students, who also participate in 5th Gear Kids, got a little taste of yoga and the true power in those words.

Thanks to collaboration between 5th Gear Kids and the Colorado Avalanche, Aurora Frontier students participated in a 30 minute yoga session at prAna in Cherry Creek, learning an array of techniques and moves from studio instructors. And, in a surprise twist, Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden dropped by to learn alongside Aurora Frontier students. Wasting no time, Holden got right down to business, positioning himself in the middle of the class. 

Holden also fielded questions from students and signed autographs at the end of the session. Students didn't go home empty-handed, as the Avalanche provided vouchers for students and their families to attend an upcoming game.

Check out this latest production highlighting the benefits of the 5th Gear Kids health and wellness program. Aurora Public Schools students, staff and parents give their take on the program's success and likability. 

Students at 12 APS schools are leading the charge to find ways to save energy in a competition called ReNew Our Schools. The main goal of the competition, sponsored by the Center for ReSource Conservation, is to see how much energy each school can conserve during the month of April. Each of the participating schools is attempting to win one of three $20,000 solar arrays for their building.

The student-led challenge will focus on changing behaviors such as turning off lights, shutting down computers, and unplugging unused appliances. Students will earn points in the competition for energy savings and initiatives such as forming environmental clubs, creating videos, and developing energy lesson plans. Parents and community members can earn points for the school of their choice by pledging to save energy at home. Schools are competing in three separate divisions. The school in each division with the greatest number of points at the end of the month will win a solar array.

To aid student efforts, APS installed eGauge electricity monitors donated by local companies eGauge and Magnelab at each of the participating schools. These devices will track each school’s electricity usage during the competition and show real-time changes in energy use via a web-based computer application. Students can use this information to find ways to reduce energy and sharpen their strategy in the competition.

Students will also benefit by partnering with “energy mentors” from nine local companies and organizations. Mentors will teach students about energy-saving opportunities, share motivational strategies, and conduct energy “walk-throughs” to identify areas in each school where energy can be saved.

The following schools are competing in the ReNew Our Schools challenge:

To learn more about the ReNew our Schools Competition or to complete a Home Energy Improvements pledge form visit http://conservationcenter.org/rnos/.

Representatives from the South Metro Safety Foundation, APS Risk Management and the APS Leadership Team helped present an AED to Aurora Frontier K-8.

Thanks to the generosity of the South Metro Safety Foundation, several APS schools will now have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at their site. AED's are medical devices that analyze the heart’s rhythm. If necessary, it delivers an electrical shock, known as defibrillation, which helps the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

Recently, representatives from the Foundation and the APS Risk Management department were on hand at Aurora Frontier K-8 to present the school with their own device. Staff members gave a brief overview to students on how to use the AED, which is user-friendly and easy to understand. The South Metro Safety Foundation will donate AEDs to five other APS schools, including Aurora Hills, Columbia, North, Mrachek and South middle schools.

Currently, there are 32 AEDs across APS. Risk Management hopes to have at least one device at every site as soon as possible.

APS Risk Management Safety Specialist Peter Hallez explains how to use the AED to a group of Aurora Frontier students.

The Aurora Public Schools Activities and Athletics Department is giving APS middle school students a head start on their high school football careers — and hopefully convincing them to stay in APS through graduation.

APS has teamed up with the Denver Broncos to offer the Futures Program, a true middle school football feeder program for APS high schools. Current high school football staff members will help piece each team together using team evaluation events, which began immediately after the middle school basketball season. Practice and games will be held at the student’s high school of attendance.

Thanks to the unique partnership with the Broncos, who provided a grant to APS for the Futures program, teams will look the part with state of the art equipment and custom uniforms that sport the Broncos logo in the APS high school team colors.

Students will also volunteer at various schools and other sites to learn the importance of giving back. 

During the month of April, students will have the chance to show their skills over the course of five games. Teams with the best records will compete in two playoff games and culminate with a championship game on May 13 at the Aurora Public Schools Stadium at Hinkley High School. Later in May, the Broncos will host all players and coaches for an end-of-year banquet at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

2014 Season Schedule

Game 1 - April 5
Game 2 - April 12
Game 3 - April 19
Game 4 - April 26
Game 5 - May 3
Play-In Game - May 6
Semi-Final Game - May 10 @ APS Stadium
Championship Game - May 13 @ APS Stadium

Sieveke-Pearson

Former Aurora Frontier K-8 Principal Starla Sieveke-Pearson is headed in a new direction as one of the new P-20 Learning Community Directors in Aurora Public Schools. However, she recently earned one last award from her successful tenure at Aurora Frontier.

The Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance named Pearson the 2014 COAHPERD Principal of the Year. The nonprofit gives the award to people who have dedicated themselves to excellence in the development of strong, innovative programs in the field of physical education. 

"Promoting physical education and health-conscious initiatives is part of the whole package when educating children," Sieveke-Pearson said. "When you are healthy of mind and body, you are in a much better position to learn." 

Sieveke-Pearson credits the staff members at Aurora Frontier for their creativity in developing methods to strengthen students' minds and bodies while they're at school. Teachers have used activities like brain breaks and the Walking Classroom -- an activity that allows fifth-grade students to deepen their understanding of social studies as they listen to podcasts while they walk -- to connect learning with physical activity.  

"The Aurora Frontier staff not only understands how important it is to make connections from grade to grade and content to content, they understand how to put it in motion--literally," Sieveke-Pearson said. "There is a deeply held belief at Aurora Frontier that every teacher makes an impact on student learning.  The team approach is making a difference."

Sieveke-Pearson is now eligible to earn the same award at the regional level.

Congratulations, Starla, for your innovative leadership and commitment to helping our students be well rounded in and out of the classroom!

Ellis

When it comes to advocating and providing excellent opportunities for students in arts and physical education, no one does it better than the staff members of Aurora Public Schools. 

 The Colorado Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (COAHPERD) recently honored four APS educators  ̶   Clayton Ellis, Jennifer Ebbe Handy, Starla Sieveke-Pearson and Kenny Webb  ̶   for their work in these areas and commitment to promoting active and healthy lifestyles. 

Ellis, a physical education teacher at Aurora Central High School, earned the Honor Award, which recognizes honors exemplary, dedication to the profession. It is awarded to an individual who has significantly contributed to the COAHPERD organization through time and talents.

"Quality physical education is a content area that benefits all children not just physically, but also mentally and socially by instilling lifelong values and soft skills like collaboration/cooperation, confidence and creativity," Ellis said. "I humbly appreciate the recognition that this award provides with the hope that schools will include more “whole child” coordinated school health as a focus of their unified improvement plans."

Ebbe Handy

Aurora Frontier K-8's Ebbe Handy earned the Colorado Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year award, which provides recognition to individuals who have demonstrated continuous dedication to the advocacy and enhancement of student learning in physical education in the state. 

"Physical education is a key component in every curriculum because it teaches students how to be healthy, happy, and ready to learn," Ebbe Handy said.  "It is only possible to make big leaps when those around you  ̶  your students, staff, and parents  ̶  are willing to take the small steps to make the journey possible." 

Sieveke-Pearson

Principal of the Year honors went to Sieveke-Pearson, who recently transitioned from Aurora Frontier into another administrative position in APS. Her passion for developing  strong, innovative physical education programs has been a staple of her career in education.

"Promoting physical education and health-conscious initiatives is part of the whole package when educating children," Sieveke-Pearson said. "When you are healthy of mind and body, you are in a much better position to learn." 

Webb, Instructional Coordinator for Physical Education and the Arts, earned the Health Educator of the Year award. His leadership in the development of 5th Gear Kids has helped to leverage other physical education opportunities for APS students.  

"I thank all of the teachers that have been a part of 5^th Gear Kids.  Without them this program would not be a success," Webb emphasized.  "Students are starting to see at a younger age that their health is important to them.  This can only mean great things for the youth of Aurora! "

Webb

State-level honorees are eligible to compete at the regional level later this school year.

Congratulations to these APS educators for this amazing accomplishment!