Each year, scores of people go the extra mile to show how much Veterans Day means to them. Whether paying homage to family members, friends or complete strangers, there is no shortage of tributes to those who have fought or continue to fight for our country's freedoms. 

This year, Aurora Public Schools students went all out to show their appreciation for the brave men and women who risk their lives and make tough sacrifices on behalf of all United States citizens. Here is how some schools celebrated Veteran's Day 2014:

Aurora Quest K-8

Aurora Quest K-8 honored and thanked our veterans in a special ceremony that featured an honor guard from Buckley Air Force Base. Students wore red, white or blue according to their grade level. The 11-minute ceremony started promptly at 11:11 a.m. The entire Aurora Quest K-8 community recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Quest A Band performed several songs. Many students wrote thank you notes that they personally handed to veterans as they filed silently back into their classes.

Aurora Frontier K-8

Aurora Frontier K-8 students and staff braved the cold weather and took part in a ceremony in front of the school. Clad in boots, scarves, coats and gloves, students watched as staff lowered the U.S. flag to half-staff and presented a patriotic wreath to the school. Members of the Buckley Air Force Color Guard also participated in the ceremony and stood watch as students sung songs like “The Star Spangled Banner” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” Color Guard members concluded the ceremony by folding the American flag and playing the popular ode “Taps.”

Aurora Hills Middle School 

Aurora Hills held it’s first “Veterans Salute” in honor of Veteran's Day. Students honored veteran staff and family members during the assembly, with Principal Darla Stumpp acting as master of ceremonies. The Gateway High School JRROTC posted the flags, and the school's JRROTC Drill Team provided an outstanding example of precision marching. The Aurora Hills band and chorus, led by staff members J. Franklin Horn and Debbie Lee, serenaded the crowd with patriotic music. Aurora Hills staff are aiming for this to become an annual tradition.

Iowa Elementary School

Iowa saluted local veterans in a variety of ways during a special all-school assembly.  Students presented American flags to their veteran and active duty parents or family members. The students also presented handwritten notes to members of the Department of Veteran Affairs to be handed out at the local VA hospital. Students also helped produce  a tribute video for Veteran's Day to honor those who have fought and continue to fight for our country's freedoms. Iowa staff members showed the video to the entire school during the recent assembly.

Montview Math and Health Sciences Elementary School

Students and staff began the day by hosting a breakfast in honor of all active military and veterans in the Montview community. The breakfast also featured a Skype session with U.S. Army Capt. Keith Robinson, husband of Montview principal Mia Robinson, who is currently serving in Afghanistan. Following the breakfast, the active duty military members visited classrooms to read to students and participated in question and answer sessions.

Virginia Court Elementary School

Virginia Court students gathered into the school's gymnasium to participate in a special ceremony, which featured the ROTC color guard. The school's choir led all students in several patriotic songs, including "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America," "The Pledge of Allegiance," "Star-Spangled Banner" and "Taps." Cold temperatures forced students to stay inside, however staff members still followed their annual norm of raising the American flag outside of the school. 

Saluting America Program

As part of the Saluting America program, APS students joined others from several Colorado school districts to honor our nation’s veterans and active duty military. Activities included participating in a tribute contest, sending special tribute cards and hosting various school activities. To learn more about Saluting America, visit salutingamerica.org.

Great things are happening at Aurora Frontier P-8, as students and staff members are ramping up their community outreach and engagement efforts. Take a look at the visuals from their third annual Turkey Trot and special assembly featuring representatives from Love Grown Foods:

Turkey Trot
The Turkey Trot is Aurora Frontier's annual community and school health and wellness event.  Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving and sponsored by the school's PTO, students, their families and community members have the opportunity to celebrate their health together by running or walking Frontier's two-mile course.  Other community partners include 5th Gear Kids, i9 Sports, Love Grown Foods and many more.  

Love Grown Foods
Maddy D'Amato, founder and Chief Love Officer of Colorado company Love Grown Foods, spoke to Aurora Frontier students about health, nutrition and smart food choices.  Students made yogurt and granola parfaits. D'Amato also left students with Power O's, her company's nutritious cereal.

Story by Ashley Smith
APS Communication Team Intern

“My world! My art! My RTD!” the crowd roared, as the sheet covering the bus in front of them fell. The bus was beautiful, its entire side covered in swirling purple and blue mixed with white stars. 

A marker-drawn alien head adorned the window, pizza floated near the rear bumper, and the letters R-T-D were streaking across the bus like comets. Aurora Frontier P-8students Jenna Braun and Madison Baxter designed the painting that now graces the side of an RTD bus.

The two teens along with 2,400 other middle school students submitted their art to RTD as part of an annual art contest that started this year. Baxter and Braun worked together on the art piece, and because it won first place, they worked with a graphic design artist to place their art onto the side of a bus.

“It’s like a dream!” Braun said, “It’s really cool to have this experience.  It’s just crazy!”

Two other Aurora Public Schools students placed among the top contestants. Helen D. from Columbia won 2^nd place with her gorgeous anime style artwork and Mariana L. from the Aurora West College Preparatory Academy won 3^rd place with a realistic drawing of free-flying birds.

RTD started this art contest in the hopes that they could engage the community and help young artists reach for their dreams. They promised that students who didn’t win would still have their art featured on the interior of busses as encouragement to keep drawing.

“It makes me so proud to see them grow into young, aspiring artists.” said Thad McCauley an art teacher at Aurora Frontier P-8. The contest has certainly kept true to its goal by showcasing such amazing talent.  

Download the Kids Clinic flier in English.
Descarga el folleto Clínica Kids en Español.
(NEW fliers coming soon!)

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., with extended hours available (please call for more information). 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
303-326-2090

Kids Clinic – Laredo Elementary School
1350 Laredo Street
Aurora, CO 80111
303-326-1953

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

Story submitted by APS Art Educators

Students from across Colorado, including many in Aurora Public Schools, submitted over 5,000 original works to be considered for the state's Scholastic Art Awards.  All work honored at the state level will be on display through March 6 at The History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver.   Honorees will be recognized in an awards ceremony on Feb. 21.

Pieces receiving the honor of a "Gold Key" at the state level will be juried at the national level. 

Congratulations to the APS art students and their teachers for all of their hard work!

Gateway High School

• Christian Padilla – University of Colorado, Denver scholarship winner

Silver Key Winners:

• Marisol Meza
• Elinor Netherly
• Christian Padilla
• Rachel Rodriguez

Honorable Mention:

• Alec Himes
• Margarsa Mohamed
• Jennifer Morales Figueroa

Vista Peak Preparatory 9-12

Gold Key Winner:

• AJ Carire

Silver Key Winner:

• Miles Cannon

Aurora Frontier P-8

Gold Key Winner:

• Taylor West

Aurora Central High School 

Honorable Mention:

• Moo Dah 
• Getsemani Diaz Rivera
• Jazmine Sotelo 
• Francisco Villareal 

Silver Key Winner:

• Itzel Solis 

Hinkley High School 

Honorable Mention:

• Reece Hubbard

Rangeview High School

Silver Key Winners:

• Coree Morgan

Aurora Public Schools is excited to host the 2015 Festival of the Arts on April 13-26 at the Town Center at Aurora. During mall hours, come enjoy hundreds of artistic masterpieces created by APS students. Every APS school will be represented.

In addition to visual arts, enjoy the performing arts as students showcase their music, dance and theatre talents on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the lower level near JCPenney and Dillard’s.

Student artwork will be recognized at an awards ceremony on May 9 at the APS Professional and Learning Conference Center, located at 15771 E. 1st Avenue, Aurora 80011.

Statistically, women are underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This disparity can be attributed to many factors, including lack of role models and encouragement. To address this alarming trend, the Aurora Public Schools Information Technology and Educational Technology departments partnered with Hewlett Packard and CounterTrade to host an annual Girls Technology Camp.

The day-long camp, now in its fifth year, provides an opportunity for APS sixth-grade female students to engage in hands-on STEM activities alongside experts. After DaVita Inc. Senior Information Technology Manager Nancy Felix delivered an inspiring speech, students enjoyed constructing and launching rockets, assembling circuits, disassembling NetBooks, creating 3-D house designs in a virtual community using Minecraft and more.

During the “Snap Circuits” session, excitement and curiosity overcame AXL Academy student Angela Rojas as she exclaimed, “This is so cool! I’m going to go home and take my laptop apart!”

“I applaud APS for hosting this wonderful event and empowering girls at such an early age,” said Felix. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to encourage these bright young women whom I firmly believe can do anything their hearts desire.”

APS is proud to help our female students overcome any institutional or societal barriers they may face in pursuit of their dreams.

At the APS Professional Learning & Conference Center, students from across APS recently showed off their math skills in the annual Game 24 Tournament. Nearly 50 students in grades 6-8 from 12 middle schools and K-8 schools participated in this year's tournament.

Nearly 70 students from 17 elementary schools also participated in a separate tournament.

In groups of four, students examined cards that included four numbers and calculated equations in any combination that equaled 24 using only addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. Whoever points to the card first has to explain their calculations out loud, and if they are correct, adds that card to their total score.

In the middle grades tournament, Aurora Quest's David Berg and Zak Nfaoui, Columbia's Devin Philio and Bettania Delcupp of Murphy Creek took top honors after the challenge round. The four students received certificates and trophies as middle school tournament winners. The overall winner David Berg earned a graphing calculator for his top place finish.

In the elementary grades tournament, Aurora Frontier's Michael Agsam and Yohan Young and Aurora Quest's Peter Alisky and Conrad Casebolt took top honors, earning certificates and trophies. The overall winner Michael Agsam also earned a math/puzzle tabletop game.

All competitors in both tournaments also earned medals and certificates for their excellent performances.

Congratulations to all the students who matched mathematical wits with each other in this year's Game 24 Tournament!

Final Tournament Results - Middle Grades David Berg - Aurora Quest Devin Philio, Columbia Zak Nfaoui - Aurora Quest Bettani Delcupp - Murphy Creek	Game 24 Tournament middle school / K-8 (grades 6-8) winners Bettania Delcupp, Zak Nfaoui, Devin Philio and David Berg
Final Tournament Results - Elementary Grades Michael Agsam - Aurora Frontier Peter Alisky -  Aurora Quest Conrad Casebolt -  Aurora Quest Yohan Young - Aurora Frontier	Game 24 Tournament elementary school winners Michael Agsam, Peter Alisky, Conrad Casebolt and Yohan Young

Schools that participated in this year's Game 24 Tournament:

• Aurora Frontier P-8
• Aurora Hills M.S.
• Aurora Quest K-8
• Aurora West College Preparatory Academy
• Boston K-8
• Columbia M.S.
• East M.S.
• Elkhart Elementary
• Iowa Elementary
• Lansing Elementary Community School
• Laredo Elementary
• Montview Elementary
• Mrachek M.S.
• Murphy Creek P-8
• Paris Elementary
• Park Lane Elementary
• Peoria Elementary
• North M.S.
• Sable Elementary
• Sixth Avenue Elementary
• South M.S.
• Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning
• Vassar Elementary
• Vista Peak Exploratory

APS students who strongly contribute to the life and community of their schools were recently honored as Aurora Scholars by the City of Aurora. The program was established in 2009 to bring city officials, district staff and families together to celebrate the achievements of Aurora’s future leaders.

One teacher-nominated student from each grade level (first through 12th) at every school in Aurora is recognized as an Aurora Scholar. The students obtain a certificate and gifts donated by community members.

Bravo to the 2015 APS Aurora Scholars listed below for their hard work and dedication!

Altura Elementary
Giselle Hernandez, 1st grade
Daniel Conde, 2nd grade
Jaxon L. Davis, 3rd grade
Dominick S. Ocampo, 4th grade
Manuel A. Betancourt, 5th grade

Arkansas Elementary
Addison Rarick, 1st grade
Emma Warren, 2nd grade
Jazlynn Rolison, 3rd grade
Kayleigh Leek, 4th grade
Wahida Sehar, 5th grade

Aurora Academy
Joshua Mautz, 1st grade
Zoie Pietriyk, 2nd grade
Sebastian Nguyen-Le, 3rd grade
Dagem Tadesse, 4th grade
Lawrence Gonzales, 5th grade
Natalie Perez, 6th grade
Lydia Willer, 7th grade
Kimball Easton, 8th grade

Aurora Central High School
Aline Thongvanh, 9th grade
Brandie Radilla Galicia, 10th grade
Jesus Montano Gomez, 11th grade
Tonny Sosa Juarez, 12th grade

Aurora Frontier K-8
Romanat Kahssai, 1st grade
Austin Baca, 2nd grade
Thomas Hutrya, 3rd grade
Hannah Sandoval, 4th grade
Jacob Johnson, 5th grade
Elizabeth "Ellie" Newman, 6th grade
Kimora Jackson, 7th grade
Dillon Hutchison, 8th grade

Aurora Hills Middle School
Rayya Hobbs, 6th grade
Noah Dorsey, 7th grade
Breauna Espinal, 8th grade

Aurora Quest K-8
Carson Crockett, 1st grade
Erin Johnson, 2nd grade
Danica Green, 3td grade
Alejandro Salazar, 4th grade
Ashlynn Stewart, 5th grade
Iyanla Ayite, 6th grade
Kathy Pham, 7th grade
Mia LaMontagne, 8th

Aurora West Preparatory Academy
Thulukshika Suresh, 6th grade
Yasmine Al-Nur, 7th grade
Erick Chaulagain, 8th grade
Alexis Cisneros Flores, 9th grade
Madeline Alainz Sanchez, 10th grade
Aaron Landa, 11th grade
Paola Lopez Tena, 12th grade

AXL Learning Academy
Ella Nichelson, 1st grade
Alex Hernandez Lopez, 2nd grade
Abigail Arthur, 3rd grade
Allyson (Ally) Whelan, 4th grade
Angel Mason-Warren, 5th grade
Angela Rojas Silva, 6th grade
Jairo Barragan, 7th grade
Brian Roberts, 8th grade

Boston K-8
Anie Tamla, 1st grade
Kewin Bonilla Saravia, 2nd grade
Ber Ker, 3rd grade
Alondra Esparza Rodriguez, 4th grade
Erik Salas Aguilar, Jr., 5th grade
Poe Reh, 6th grade
Azucena Hernandez, 7th grade
July Htoo, 8th grade

Century Elementary
Pablo Garcia, 1st grade
Rehani Champion, 2nd grade
Gabriel Flores, 3rd grade
Isaiah Doumbia, 4th grade
Amiah Romero, 5th grade

Clyde Miller P-8
Kingston Switzer, 1st grade
Stephanie Perez, 2nd grade
Itzel Martinez, 3rd grade
Joshua Herrera, 4th grade
Leilah Weathersby, 5th grade
Aaron Zarco, 6th grade
Alyssa Ortiz, 7th grade
Judith Martinez, 8th grade

Columbia Middle School
Devin L. Philio, 6th grade
Aliza C. Davis, 7th grade
China S. Noeun, 8th grade

Crawford Elementary
Steven Diaz Rosales, 1st grade
Gennesis Renteria Giron, 2nd grade
JiLisa Daniels, 3rd grade
Alexander Lopez, 4th grade
Miguel Garcia Hernandez, 5th grade

Dalton Elementary
James Eben Moore, 1st grade
Darian Puentes, 2nd grade
Adrian Pinedo Gutierrez, 3rd grade
Julian Anderson, 4th grade
Anthony Conforti, 5th grade

Dartmouth Elementary
Sapphira Doherty-Cedeno, 1st grade
Leandro Jimenez, 2nd grade
Mario Mendoza, 3rd grade
Kendale Lewis, 4th grade
Tinbit Yoseph, 5th grade

East Middle School
Katie Torres, 6th grade
Gabriel Dominguez, 7th grade
Maria Lopez, 8th grade

Elkhart Elementary
Carmen Davis, 1st grade
Aaron Sarmiento, 2nd grade
Fernanda Hernandez Zubiate, 3rd grade
Luis Reyes-Castellanos, 4th grade
Adama Ndiaye, 5th grade

Fletcher Community School
Georgina Gutierrez-Bautista, 1st grade
Cesar Hernandez-Chuc, 2nd grade
Alexa Ramos-Santos, 3rd grade
Melissa Cabrales-Galindo, 4th grade
Camila Lua, 5th grade

Fulton Academy of Excellence
James Ray, 1st grade
Edith Barrientos, 2nd grade
Daniella Salcedo Pasillas, 3rd grade
Ashley Facio, 4th grade
Elena Cruz, 5th grade

Gateway High School
Khalil Flowers, 9th grade
Bibi Madina Arman, 10th grade
Christina Menchaca, 11th grade
Vanessa Rosas, 12th grade

Global Village Academy
Rylie Sain, 1st grade
Anna Latifa Bane, 2nd grade
Asha Munn, 3rd grade
Madeline Joslin, 4th grade
Paige Black, 5th grade
Mackenzie Kupfer, 6th grade
Ricardo Zapata, 7th grade
Nathan Rabuck, 8th grade

Hinkley High School
Calvin Pope, Jr., 9th grade
Lizabeth Luna Estrada, 10th grade
Esmeralda Cabrera, 11th grade
Usbaldo Vela-Tapia, 12th grade

Iowa Elementary
Hunter Kirby, 1st grade
Fatoumata Daou, 2nd grade
Litzy Gonzalez, 3rd grade
Ryan Reyna, 4th grade
Larina Appleton, 5th grade

Jewell Elementary
Colt Tweedale-Wenzel, 1st grade
Raphael Tambunan, 2nd grade
Lily Wall, 3rd grade
Judith Hernandez Correa, 4th grade
Kristin Grigler, 5th grade

Kenton Elementary
Kimmy Alvarez, 1st grade
Keni McGary, 2nd grade
Eric Marquez, 3rd grade
Yuwainy Selvachandran, 4th grade
Alex Camacho Vicario, 5th grade

Lansing Elementary
Amira Quazrane, 1st grade
Vanessa Morales Velasquez, 2nd grade
Bryan Ramos, 3rd grade
Jonathan Guillen, 4th grade
Sara Kiros, 5th grade

Laredo Elementary
Krystal Hernandez, 1st grade
Wendy-Germaine Fu Tamajong, 2nd grade
Anthony Cordova Sanchez, 3rd grade
Walter Giovanni Escobar Ajin, 4th grade
Thomas Miller, 5th grade

Lotus School for Excellence
Chris Lopez Rodriguez, 1st grade
Carlos Young, 2nd grade
Dominic Gonzalez, 3rd grade
Kimberely Torres Marroquin, 4th grade
Joselyn Arriaga, 5th grade
Saba Gebru, 6th grade
Liya Seleshi, 7th grade
Adam Mohmand, 8th grade
Valeria Lopez-Tiznado, 9th grade
Munira Sultan, 10th grade
Jonte Roberts, 11th grade
David McChesney, 12th grade

Lyn Knoll Elementary
Ayse Kalem, 1st grade
Raul Mejia, 2nd grade
Guadalupe Chavez, 3rd grade
Helen Alday, 4th grade
Kaylin Garcia, 5th grade

Montview Elementary
Eliana Klingensmith, 1st grade
Silver Velasquez-Delao, 2nd grade
Genesis Ramirez, 3rd grade
Gabriel Parra, 4th grade
Elizabeth Chavez, 5th grade

Mrachek Middle School
Steven Linares, 6th grade
Crystal Duran, 7th grade
Eryn Noli, 8th grade

Murphy Creek P-8
Zaya Elliott, 1st grade
Sydney Kueber, 2nd grade
Jackson Mitchell, 3rd grade
Zachary Kueber, 4th grade
Cikeng Lee, 5th grade
Katherine Higgins, 6th grade
Mikayla Lee, 7th grade
Nicole Minikus, 8th grade

North Middle School Health Sciences & Technology Campus
Katy Milla, 6th grade
Thomas Taylor, 7th grade
Jenny Hoang, 8th grade

Paris Elementary
Angie Gomez, 1st grade
Amir Nix, 2nd grade
Dayumi Espinoza, 3rd grade
Jorge Argumedo, 4th grade
Hnin Cherry, 5th grade

Park Lane Elementary
Tatiana Holquin, 1st grade
Zarahi Albarran Sanchez, 2nd grade
Crystal Rodelas Castruita, 3rd grade
German Villalobos, 4th grade
Orlando Montelongo, 5th grade

Peoria Elementary
Melany Araujo, 1st grade
Juliana Marquez, 2nd grade
Laila Rojas, 3rd grade
Melanie Sosa, 4th grade
Maria "Lupita" Davila, 5th grade

Rangeview High School
Langston Kelly, 9th grade
Miriam Escanuela-Mata, 10th grade
Kendra Cameron, 11th grade
Michael Lozoya, 12th grade

Sable Elementary
David Calderon, 1st grade
Daniela Alvarez Diaz, 2nd grade
Carolina Herrera Marquez, 3rd grade
Sunflower Tekle, 4th grade
Karen Valenzuela Viorato, 5th grade

Side Creek Elementary
Kyra Wiles, 1st grade
Amelia Reposa, 2nd grade
Eden Hailu, 3rd grade
Katie Ker, 4th grade
Aliya Jones, 5th grade

Sixth Avenue Elementary
Ashlyn Yamira Sims, 1st grade
Juan Antonio Chavez Cardoza, 2nd grade
Leonard Bradley Scott, 3rd grade
MacKenzie Marie Casbarian, 4th grade
Prince Korang, 5th grade

South Middle School
Kevin Torres Hernandez, 6th grade
Dayanna Massu Sanchez, 7th grade
Luis Torres, 8th grade

Tollgate Elementary
DeQuan Williams, 1st grade
Arse Gamada, 2nd grade
Alicia Aguila, 3rd grade
Laih'La Hatch, 4th grade
Kamora Jonell Morehead, 5th grade

Vassar Elementary
Chase Hammond, 1st grade
Leona Shaw, 2nd grade
James Le, 3rd grade
Samantha Vargas, 4th grade
Svyatoslav (Slav) Voznyak, 5th grade

Vaughn Elementary
Angelin Estrada Lozano, 1st grade
Joselyn Martinez, 2nd grade
Austin Delmonico, 3rd grade
Isaac Osei, 4th grade
Asjourri King, 5th grade

Virginia Court Elementary
Chloe McCrea, 1st grade
Jaira Mayo Guatemala, 2nd grade
Jack Tyron, 3rd grade
Mirella Isabel Franco, 4th grade
Makenna Staack, 5th grade

Vista PEAK Exploratory P-8
Carlee Jackson, 1st grade
Vincent Darling, 2nd grade
Brenna Middleton, 3rd grade
Sofia Ochoa, 4th grade
Kayla Karwacki, 5th grade
Adriana Green, 6th grade
Lainey Morris, 7th grade
Alexis Zarate, 8th grade

Vista PEAK Preparatory 9-12
Nolin Boyd, 9th grade
EryKah Williams, 10th grade
Kevin To, 11th grade
Bruno Tapia, 12th grade

Wheeling Elementary
Apichun (Izac) Panichakul, 1st grade
Aailiyah Lambeth, 2nd grade
Melgen Burciaga Buhaya, 3rd grade
Trinity Schermerhorn, 4th grade
Janaina Barboza, 5th grade

William Smith High School
Laissa Torres, 9th grade
Daegan Macias, 10th grade
Diana Gonzalez, 11th grade
Akosua Antobre, 12th grade

Yale Elementary
Abel Torres Mireles, 1st grade
Christie Espinal, 2nd grade
Haiden Ortega, 3rd grade
Angel Castro Castro, 4th grade
Giovanni Flores, 5th grade

APS 2020: Shaping the Future Strategic Plan- Core Belief:
Every student has unique abilities that we must recognize and engage.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2015

Vote for Colorado's Only Semifinalist in Fab Labs Contest

Aurora Frontier P-8 is Colorado’s only semifinalist in the Northrup Grumman Foundation Fab Lab School Labs Contest. Twenty schools have been selected as semifinalists.

The five schools that receive the most votes will win a grant of up to $100,000. The money can be used to turn a science classroom into a dream lab.

Aurora Frontier needs your help on Wednesday, November 18 to win. Frontier’s voting window begins at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17 and ends at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18.

When voting begins, you will be able to see a brief thumbnail description that has been prepared from the information provided in Aurora Frontier’s entry submission. Voters can cast one vote. That means they can only vote for one school on each day of voting.

To vote, follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/fabschoollabs/app_132015160493088

###

Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Patti Moon at 303-326-2755 for more information

Grants of up to $100,000 are up for grabs for five lucky public middle schools nationwide as part of the Northrop Grumman Foundation Fab School Labs Makeover Contest. Aurora Frontier P-8 has made the list of 20 semifinalists, and you can help their students and staff win.

Contest voting for Aurora Frontier will be held only on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Visit http://www.facebook.com/fabschoollabs/app_132015160493088 to cast your vote. You will need a Facebook account to vote. Mark your calendars and share this wonderful opportunity with your family, friends and neighbors!  

Good luck, Falcons!

Left to right: Chris Strater, Amy Farmer and Jennifer Ebby-Handy

Congratulations to Aurora Frontier P-8 Physical Education Specialist Jennifer Ebbe-Handy, Hinkley High School PE Teacher Amy Farmer and Lyn Knoll Elementary School PE Teacher Chris Strater for earning the Society of Health and Physical Educators of Colorado Distinguished Service Award. The honor recognizes the ladies’ phenomenal work within the Colorado Department of Education Physical Education Cadre.

A group of eight PE teachers from across the state comprise the cadre, which strives to improve educator effectiveness. They provide high-quality professional development opportunities regarding assessment strategies, use of technology in PE, brain-based learning and more. Over 3,000 PE teachers trained under the cadre last year.

Ebbe-Handy, Farmer and Strater have collectively served Aurora Public Schools for more than 60 years. We are proud to have such caring educators go the extra mile to ensure Colorado’s students receive top-notch physical education.

To learn more about the CDE PE Cadre, click here.

Students and staff at Aurora Frontier P-8 have plenty to celebrate these days, thanks in part to a national science lab makeover contest they recently won.

The Falcons participated in the Northrop Grumman Foundation Fab School Labs Makeover Contest, where middle schools across the country submitted photos and videos of their current science classroom(s) and shared their visions for a dream STEM lab makeover. After advancing to the semifinal round of 20, Aurora Frontier enlisted the help of students, staff, parents and community members in a one-day-only voting campaign to help them win.

Aurora Frontier — Colorado's lone representative in the contest — is one of only five winning schools and will receive $100,000 to assist school leaders in creating a state-of-the-art STEM lab. Throughout the process, Frontier will partner with science education resource company Flinn Scientific on science supplies and innovative ideas to help teachers and students succeed. The new STEM lab will provide unlimited potential for students to expand, enhance and advance their learning, ensuring their STEM-related coursework is exciting and engaging.

Congratulations, Aurora Frontier! Check out their winning video submission below:

Vea en español.

In October, APS convened a calendar committee to develop options for the 2016-17 Conventional School Calendar. The committee is recommending a draft calendar that is very similar to the one we are currently using, with the following school start and end dates and breaks:

• July 29 – New teachers report to buildings
• Aug. 3 – All teachers report to buildings
• Aug. 8 – First day of school, Grades 6-12
• Aug. 10 – First day of school, Grades 1-5
• Aug. 15 – First day of school, Preschool and Kindergarten
• Oct. 10-14 – Fall recess
• Dec. 19 – Jan. 2 – Winter recess
• Jan. 3 – No classes for Grades P-5
• March 27 - 31 – Spring recess
• May 25 – Last day of school

The committee is recommending this approach because the calendar worked well for APS staff and families this year and a similar calendar would provide a smooth transition into the next school year. Furthermore, due to enrollment and capacity challenges at several of our schools, the recommendation would allow APS to focus on developing calendar options for 2017-18. This will include a four-track, year-round calendar possibility for overcrowded schools.

The APS Board of Education will consider the calendar recommendations at its Jan. 5 meeting and will likely make a decision on Jan. 19. 

2017-18 Calendar

As a reminder, we will convene a 2017-18 Calendar Committee in January 2016 to develop both conventional and four-track, year-round calendar options and evaluate the logistical aspects of implementing a year-round calendar. The Board has directed staff to develop the year-round calendar option as a possible solution to enrollment and capacity challenges at P-8/K-8 schools east of Buckley Road. The year-round calendar would potentially begin in July 2017 at the following schools: Aurora Frontier P-8, Aurora Quest K-8, Clyde Miller P-8, Mosley P-8, Murphy Creek P-8 and Vista PEAK P-8.

The 2017-18 Calendar Committee will be comprised of staff and parents from schools that have been identified as potential candidates for the year-round calendar (listed above), key department and division staff members, and community members. We will be recruiting committee members in the coming weeks.

Read in English.

En octubre, APS convoco a un comité de calendario para que desarrollaran opciones para el Calendario Escolar Convencional 2016-17.  El comité está recomendando un calendario que es muy similar al que estamos usando actualmente, con las siguientes fechas de inicio y final y recesos:

• 29 de julio – Los maestros nuevos se reportan a las escuelas
• 3 de agosto – Todos los maestros se reportan a las escuelas
• 8 de agosto – Primer día de clases, Grados 6-12
• 10 de agosto – Primer día de clases, Grados 1-5
• 15 de agosto – Primer día de clases, Pre-escolar y Kínder
• 10-14 de octubre – Receso de otoño
• 19 de diciembre al 2 de enero – Receso de invierno
• 3 de enero – No hay clases para los estudiantes en los grados P-5
• 27-31 de marzo – Receso de primavera
• 25 de mayo – Ultimo día de clases

El comité está haciendo estas recomendaciones porque el calendario de este año ha funcionado bien para los miembros del personal de APS y para las familias, y sería una buena transición al siguiente año escolar.  Además, debido a los retos en las inscripciones y de capacidad escolar en varias de nuestras escuelas, estas recomendaciones permitirían que APS se enfoque en desarrollar opciones para el calendario escolar 2017-18.  Esto incluirá la posibilidad de un calendario con cuatro términos y un calendario de 12 meses.

El Consejo Directivo de Educación de APS considerará las recomendaciones durante su reunión el 5 de enero y probablemente tomará una decisión el 19 de enero.  Usted puede mirar un ejemplar del calendario propuesto en el sitio web http://aurorak12.org/calendar-draft.

Calendario 2017-18

Como recordatorio, convocaremos a un Comité de Calendario para el 2017-18 en enero de 2016 para desarrollar ambos, un calendario convencional y un calendario de 12 meses con cuatro términos.  El Consejo Directivo les ha pedido a miembros del personal que desarrollen un calendario de 12 meses como una posible solución a los retos en las inscripciones y de capacidad escolar en las escuelas de P-8/K-8 ubicadas al este de la carretera Buckley Road.  El calendario de 12 meses podría comenzar en julio de 2017 en las siguientes escuelas:  Aurora Frontier P-8, Aurora Quest K-8, Clyde Miller P-8, Mosley P-8, Murphy Creek P-8 y Vista PEAK P-8.

El Comité de Calendario 2017-18 estará compuesto de miembros del personal y de padres de las escuelas que han sido identificadas como posibles candidatas para el calendario de 12 meses (en la lista de arriba), miembros del personal de departamentos y divisiones claves, y miembros de la comunidad.  Estaremos reclutando miembros para el comité durante las próximas semanas.

If you are a student or a parent of students in APS who are planning for college or careers after high school, you are welcome to attend the upcoming "How to Afford College and Career Training" Resource Fair sponsored by America's Promise. The resource fair and presentation is for middle and high school students and parents to prepare for life after high school.

America's Promise "How to Afford College and Career Training" Resource Fair
Tuesday, Jan. 26
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Community College of Aurora
16000 E. CentreTech Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80011 (view map)

Colleges and private and occupational schools will be available to answer questions and provide advice. Computers courtesy of KidsTek will also be available to search and review websites that offer financial resources.

High school juniors and seniors can enter to win a $300 scholarship donated by the Community College of Aurora!

To learn more, call 303-326-8708 or visit http://auroragov.org/oyd. 

Vea en español.

The Board of Education approved the 2016-17 conventional school year calendar at its meeting on Jan. 19 based on recommendations by the Calendar Committee. The committee was comprised of school staff, parents and APS administrative staff. 

Some of the 2016-17 calendar highlights include:

• The school year begins for grades 1 through 12 during the week of Aug. 8. Preschool and kindergarten students begin school on Monday, Aug. 15. Please check with your school for specific dates.
• The school year ends for most students on Thursday, May 25. Please check with your school for specific dates.
• Fall Break occurs at the end of the first quarter from Monday, Oct. 10 through Friday, Oct. 14. This will ensure uninterrupted learning during the first quarter.

The new calendar is similar to the one in place for the current school year. The committee recommended this approach because the calendar has worked well for APS staff and families this year. We are confident that a similar calendar will provide a smooth transition into the 2016-17 school year.

El Consejo Directivo de Educación de APS aprobó el calendario convencional nuevo para el año escolar 2016-17 en su reunión de anoche, basándose en las recomendaciones del Comité del Calendario.  El comité fue compuesto de miembros del personal, padres y miembros de la administración de APS.

Algunos puntos para resaltar del calendario 2016-17 incluyen:

• El año escolar para los grados 1 al 12 comienza durante la semana del 8 de agosto. Los estudiantes de pre-escolar y kínder comienzan clases el lunes, 15 de agosto.  Por favor verifique con su escuela las fechas específicas.
• El año escolar termina el jueves, 25 de mayo, para la mayoría de los estudiantes. Por favor verifique con su escuela las fechas específicas.
• El receso de otoño será al final del 1^er trimestre del lunes, 10 de octubre, al viernes, 14 de octubre. Esto asegurara que no haya interrupciones en la instrucción del primer trimestre.

El calendario nuevo es parecido al que estamos utilizando este año escolar.  El comité lo recomendó porque éste calendario ha funcionado bien para los miembros del personal y las familias de APS.  Estamos confiados de que un calendario similar proporcionara una buena transición al año escolar 2016-17.

Students of all ages across Aurora Public Schools are on a mission to save the world, literally. Our students are embracing eco-friendly practices and taking time out of their busy days to promote energy and resource conservation.

At the Spring Green Star Schools Kick Off, students and staff gathered to connect with industry partners, learn ways to make schools more sustainable and determine how to engage more people in their efforts.

Congratulations to the schools below for collectively earning more than $41,000 from energy savings that resulted from student-led activities. The money will aid each school in continuing to go green.

• Aurora Frontier K-8 - $500
• Aurora Hills Middle School - $650
• Aurora West College Preparatory Academy - $2,900
• Century Elementary School - $650
• Dartmouth Elementary School - $300
• East Middle School - $5,800
• Elkhart Elementary School - $1,400
• Fletcher Community School - $850
• Fulton Academy of Excellence - $3,500
• Hinkley High School - $11,500
• Mrachek Middle School - $650
• Rangeview High School - $5,100
• Vassar Elementary - $1,150
• Virginia Court Elementary School - $400
• Vista Peak Exploratory P-8 - $4,800
• Wheeling IB World School - $1,200

The Green Star Schools program supports APS’ goal to ensure every student has credentials that open doors. Students can earn digital badges for leadership, collaboration, innovation and more for being involved in their school's environmental club.

Bravo to the young conservationists!

“If you’d never been born, well then what would you be? You might be a fish! Or a toad in a tree! …Or worse than all that, you might be a Wasn’t! A Wasn’t has no fun at all. No, he doesn’t.” – Dr. Seuss “Happy Birthday to You”

March 2 was Dr. Seuss’s birthday, a national observance known as Read Across America Day. Aurora Public Schools students honored the author’s life, legacy and love for writing by feasting on green eggs and ham, reading his poetic tales, decorating their schools and more.

APS thanks City of Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan for his time with students at Aurora Quest K-8, Aurora Fire Department Chief Mike Garcia for stopping by APS Early Beginnings to read to students, Aurora Public Library staff for reading to students at Aurora Frontier P-8 and every staff member, parent and community member who celebrated this fun-filled day with students. This exemplifies the APS 2020 Strategic Plan core belief that students, families, staff and community members share the responsibility for student achievement.

Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Aurora Public Schools invites your input as we work to anticipate the need for possible changes to school calendars and school facility needs for the next several years. The Board of Education began an extensive process in 2014 to identify various options to address school crowding.   From this process, two top options emerged: 1) hold a possible bond election to fund new schools and 2) consider a possible return to a Year-round school calendar at some of our schools. As part of this work, a BOE- sanctioned Year-round Concept Committee, comprised of APS staff and parents, is currently evaluating the logistical aspects of implementing a contingency year-round calendar and reporting this information to the Board.  A second committee is developing both the district school year calendar for the 2017-18 school year, and as a contingency plan, a potential four-track, year-round calendar at some P-8 and K-8 schools.

Which schools may be involved?
If this contingency was needed, the year-round calendar could potentially begin in July 2017 at the following schools: Aurora Frontier P-8, Aurora Quest K-8, Clyde Miller P-8, Edna & John W. Mosley P-8, Murphy Creek P-8 and Vista PEAK Exploratory P-8.

Committee Process Timeline
The following is a timeline of the committee process and Board of Education consideration:

• Jan.-April 2016: The committees will develop calendar options and a year-round concept plan, gather community feedback and share recommendations with the APS Leadership Team.
• May 2016: The Board will consider calendar options and information, including the year-round calendar contingency.
• June-Aug. 2016: The Board will consider options to address APS facility needs, including possible authorization of a bond election.
• Dec. 2016: APS will present the 2017-18 District School Year and Year-round Calendar options to the Board for a decision.

Open Houses
Please join us for an open house to learn more about the calendar development process, options and the year-round concept. All open houses listed below will include the same information, and participants generally attend for approximately 25 minutes during the one and one-half hour meeting.   A survey will be used to record preferences to various alternatives.

AT THE OPEN HOUSES:

• View displays to learn about the calendar process, options and year-round concept.
• Talk one-on-one with calendar committee and APS staff members.
• Provide your feedback via a brief survey.
• Spanish interpretation will be provided.

If you are unable to attend an open house, you may learn more by visiting aurorak12.org/calendar-process.

Aurora Public Schools middle school female students recently got a dose of empowerment and comradery at the district’s sixth annual Girls Technology Camp. The event encouraged the girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

According to a recent report from the Census Bureau, only about a quarter of STEM professionals are women. APS is committed to changing this statistic, starting with the day-long camp.

After APS Natural & Renewable Resources Coordinator Julie North shared her inspiring path to success, students enjoyed hands-on learning with various technology tools. The girls practiced coding with robots and gaming, assembled circuits, took apart and reconstructed netbooks, designed and built houses via Minecraft and more.

The APS Girls Technology Camp supports the APS 2020: Shaping the Future strategic plan by helping students learn skills to implement their plans. It also provides students an opportunity to earn credentials that open doors. Students walked away with digital badges and a new-found enthusiasm for the future.