News
Pathways Info Sessions
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Pathways hosts information sessions on earning a diploma
Pathways Extended Education Program’s final two information sessions for the school year will be held Thursday, May 17, and Thursday, May 24, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Futures Center, 550 E 124th Avenue in Thornton, for 2012-2013 enrollment.
Pathways serves students in a blended learning environment who are 17 years old or older and are behind in credits. The school’s flexible, design-your-own schedules accommodate a variety of learning styles. Students receive support from highly qualified teachers in a small class size setting.
For more information about the diploma options for full-time students, as well as the credit recovery options for all Adams 12 students, please visit Pathway’s website at http://pathways.adams12.org or call 720-972-GRAD (4723).
Adams 12 and the Children's Hospital Offer Free Sports Physicals
Adams 12 and The Children’s Hospital have teamed up to offer comprehensive physicals . The goal is to provide every student in Adams 12 the opportunity to receive a general medical exam, an efficient orthopedic assessment and a thorough cardiovascular evaluation.
Physicals are free for all Adams 12 district students on Sat., May 19, 2012, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. at Mountain Range High School, 12500 Huron St., Westminster. Students must register to participate.
To register or for more information, students should contact their athletic trainer:
Jenny Van Meter Mountain Range High School 720-972-6431
Kate Brooks Legacy High School 720-972-6801
Matt Brewer Horizon High School 720-972-4507
Ben Locke Northglenn High School 720-972-4649
Main Office Thornton High School 720-972-4800
Supporters of the Five Star Education Foundation raise nearly $60,000 for student success
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Donations to help fund technology
The Five Star Education Foundation would like to thank the generous supporters who raised nearly $60,000 as part of the foundation's annual Gala in February.
The donations will go a long way in funding new and updated technology for the students and teachers of Adams 12 Five Star Schools.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list for future foundation events, or to learn more about how you can support student success, please visit www.5starfoundation.org.
Superintendent Chris Gdowski presents budget cut plan for 2012-2013 school year
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Five Star District to cut $12 million
Superintendent Chris Gdowski presented his budget cut plan on April 9 after completing a multi-step public engagement process to help identify the staff and the community’s values and priorities as they relate to budget cuts.
District leadership considered the input of more than 4,250 district staff, parents and community members who participated in the budget survey, and about 100 people who participated in two dialogue sessions in February.
Based on the State’s latest revenue forecast of March 19, 2012, and the Joint Budget Committee finalizing its figure-setting for K-12 education, Adams 12 Five Star Schools has revised its budget cut range for the 2012-2013 school year. The district anticipates needing to cut about $12 million. This lower amount is due to more positive news in terms of state revenue growth.
While the state’s per pupil revenue (PPR) for school districts is expected to be about the same as it was last year, there are a number of other factors continuing to negatively affect the Adams 12 budget. Last year, the district saw decreased enrollment and increased costs of instructional programming, healthcare, and the state’s retirement plan. Also, over the past few years, the district has sometimes used one-time funds to balance the budget. While those funds help meet budget constraints each year, the district must continue to find a long-term solution.
To view the superintendent’s budget cut plan for 2012-2013, click here.
Donate to A Precious Child
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Drop off items through May 15 at two Five Star District locations
Two Five Star District locations are accepting donations for A Precious Child's spring clothing drive now through Tuesday, May 15.
Drop off gently used clothing (newborn through adult), bedding, shoes, coats, baby gear, diapers, baby food, new underwear and socks and sports equipment at the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Student and Family Outreach Program, 10280 Huron St., Northglenn, or the Educational Support Center, 1500 E 128th Ave., Thornton.
Many of items donated will benefit Five Star District families in need.
Five Star District prepares application for federal funds
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Questions, comments or suggestions invited through June 30
Through June 30, 2012, the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Grants Office will coordinate preparation of the annual Consolidated Application for federal education funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) formerly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
Parents, community members, teachers, students and other constituents of the Five Star community are invited to contact Title Director Tammy Stewart at 720-972-4140 or Tammy.Stewart@adams12.org, with questions, comments or suggestions regarding the development of the application, budgets, and specific programming to be supported with the grant funds.
Programs under this application include: Title I – these funds supplement instructional and support resources in schools with high concentrations of students from low-income families; Title IIA – funds supplemental teacher and principal training and recruitment programs; Title IIIA – funds supplement language instruction to foster English proficiency for students who are English language learners (ELL).
Elementary students will experience art, music and physical education at the same level next school year
Budget cuts will not impact the time students spend in specials
Chris Gdowski
Superintendent
The following letter from Superintendent Chris Gdowski was sent to all elementary school parents and guardians concerning the budget and specials on April 18.
April 18, 2012
Dear Elementary School Parents and Guardians:
Adams 12 Five Star Schools is committed to ensuring all of our students experience a well-rounded education that will prepare them for a global economy. We believe art, music and physical education play a critical role in achieving that commitment.
I’m writing you today because I want to put to rest incorrect information that’s been circulated within our school communities indicating that elementary specials will experience cuts next year.
I want to be very clear. We are committed to offering art, music and physical education in every elementary school, regardless of their size. Your child will continue to experience art, music and physical education next school year at the same level as they have this year.
Lower student enrollment at some of our schools does not require a full-time staff member in order to offer the same level of specials instruction as in years past. For example, to offer all specials, a smaller school may need 0.8 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) for art, 0.8 FTE for music and 0.8 FTE for physical education. This would result in an FTE savings of 0.6 FTE which can be applied toward minimizing additional class size increase in grade level classrooms.
For next year, we currently have 18 schools that do not require a full-time position in each of the specials areas: art, music and physical education. Funding specials in those schools at a level less than 1.0 FTE will result in a district-wide savings of $1 million, or 13.5 FTE. The additional FTE can be used to address class size issues in our elementary schools.
We heard from more than 4,250 staff, parents and community members during our public engagement process for the budget this year. We know from those who participated in the process that they place a high priority on specials and class size. The budgeting approach I’ve outlined above allows us to support both of those priorities.
I appreciate your support during these challenging economic times. Thank you for partnering with our schools and the district to keep the focus on student success.
Sincerely,
Chris Gdowski
Superintendent
District announces schools open for tuition-based Extended Day Kindergarten
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Tuition reduced to $300 per month
New for the 2012-13 school year, tuition for Extended Day Kindergarten will be reduced to $300 per month.
For a complete listing of schools open for the tuition-based, Extended Day Kindergarten Program for the 2012-13 school year, and for information on the application process, visit the kindergarten webpage.
Bus advertising program to support Adams 12 Five Star Schools
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Ads expected to raise up to $10,000 in the first year
Years of substantial budget cuts to K-12 education have Colorado school districts, including Adams 12 Five Star Schools, looking for innovative ways to help drive new revenue. Through the district’s public engagement process for making budget cuts, community members indicated their support for the district pursuing new revenue opportunities, including bus advertising.
Soon the Five Star community will begin seeing district buses with local business partners promoting their products and services while supporting our schools. The program is designed to generate income for schools from exterior Busboards™. The district will approve the ads, making sure they’re appropriate for children and families.
The Five Star District is partnering with Spot On Solutions of Centennial, Colo. and its school bus advertising program. Spot On Solutions anticipates the district could raise up to $10,000 in the first year of the program. The district benefits from revenue generated by the advertisements. The program requires no financial investment or risk as it is a revenue share program.
If you know of a local business that may be interested in supporting its schools and promoting its products and services, you can contact Spot On Solutions at 877-SOS 4 EDU or www.spotonsolutionsinc.com.
Welcome to Adams 12 Five Star Schools - Colorado's fifth largest school district
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Join the nearly 43,000 students who call the Five Star District home
Located just seven miles north of downtown Denver, Adams 12 Five Star Schools is close to the conveniences of a major city center yet far enough to offer the quiet of the suburbs. The five stars represent the five unique communities the district serves: Broomfield, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster.
Our mission is to engage and inspire all students to innovate, achieve and succeed in a safe and supportive environment by ensuring high quality instruction in every classroom, every day.
With nearly 43,000 students, the Five Star District offers families the benefits of a large district with a close-knit feel. That's reflected in the numerous opportunities for students, staff and parents at any of the district's 57 unique learning centers. Get the latest news about the Five Star District.
The Five Star community has made accelerating student achievement a focus and this hard work has certainly blossomed into new areas of growth. Schools in the Five Star District have routinely demonstrated significant academic achievement and growth on the CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program) tests.
The Five Star District saw growth in the percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced on the 2011 Writing CSAP test in seven out of eight grade levels. District elementary and middle school students met or exceeded the state average for proficient and advanced on the 2011 Math CSAP in three of six grade levels. Five of our schools earned top honors in 2011 from the State of Colorado for outstanding performance on statewide assessments.
No matter where you live, you have an opportunity to attend Adams 12 Five Star Schools. At the start of each school year, parents can begin applying for Choice for the following school year. This program allows children to attend a school outside their attendance area if there is space available. To learn more about being a part of this high-achieving district, visit our Choice Program.
We invite you to take a closer look at your neighborhood schools and take pride in the amazing things you've set your mind to accomplishing through your schools.