The D-11 Digest

A summary of current news from School District 11 ■ November 2007 Prepared by the D-11 Communications Office, 520-2005, [email protected]

The Right Things We are excited about this grant D-11 Leads the Way in El Paso and plan to use these funds to help County Schools build a culture of high expectations By Judy Williams, coordinator of D-11 where everyone can succeed! Quality Teaching and Learning The second press conference on

Oct. 5 was held an hour later at Grant District 11 believes in a quality education for all students. One way the district supports that belief is Elementary School. Grant Elementary has been named a 2007 by encouraging its teachers to grow professionally No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Blue by seeking National Board Certification® through Ribbon School. Representatives from the National Board for Professional Teaching the U.S. Department of Education, the Standards® (NBPTS). Department of Education, D-11 is the only district in the county that has a

the Colorado State Board of Education fully developed program to support teachers who By Dr. Terry N. Bishop, and Congressman Doug Lamborn’s are candidates for National Board. Other districts in Superintendent of Schools office visited Grant Elementary to the area are invited and participate in the D-11

congratulate the staff and students on National Board Certification Program to improve the Friday, Oct. 5, was such a great their accomplishment. Grant principal quality of teaching and learning in their schools. day for District 11 that I almost bought Veronica Anderson and third-grade The number of National Board Certified Teachers® a lottery ticket on my way home. On teacher Joan O’Connor will travel to (NBCTs) in D-11 totals eight, more than any other that day, D-11 held two press Washington, D.C., for the official school district in El Paso County. conferences to celebrate good news. awards ceremony events Nov. 12-13, At 9 a.m., representatives from the 2007. They will be accompanied by National Board Certification is the highest U.S. Department of Education, the two executive directors of student credential in the teaching profession. Those in Colorado Department of Education achievement and school Colorado who achieve the title of National Board and the Colorado State Board of accountability, Dr. Christian Cutter and Certified Teacher (NBCT) are also awarded the Education and U.S. Rep. Doug former Grant Elementary School Colorado Department of Education’s highest Lamborn presented the district with a principal Pat Ring. certification, the Colorado Master Teacher check for $1,878,252. The check This year, U.S. Department of Certificate. Becoming National Board Certified also represents a grant awarded by the Education Secretary Margaret meets the U.S. Department of Education’s No Child U.S. Department of Education under Spellings named 287 U.S. schools as Left Behind (NCLB) requirements for being “highly the Magnet Assistance Program in the 2007 NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools. qualified.” total amount of more than $5.3 million The NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools A voluntary process established by NBPTS, over the next three years. award, one of the most prestigious This grant will help the district National Board Certification is achieved through a education awards in the country, establish a state-of-the-art rigorous 400- to 600-hour performance-based distinguishes and honors schools for math/science magnet school. The assessment that measures a teacher’s practice helping students achieve at very high grant money will be used to help against the highest national teaching standards of levels and for making significant develop curriculum, purchase what accomplished teachers should know and be progress in closing the achievement equipment, establish a summer able to do. program and create a community gap. Spellings says, "It takes a lot of It takes between one and three years to relations and outreach initiative. The hard work by teachers and students to achieve National Board Certification, and only about become a Blue Ribbon school, and it district will first focus on a middle 38% of teachers who complete the process actually is a privilege to celebrate their great school and then expand the program achieve certification the first time. There are over to the high school level. A math and efforts." Two such celebrations in one day 55,302 National Board Certified Teachers science magnet school committee has nationwide, 267 in Colorado, and eight in D-11. been meeting over the last two present a strong indication of the good things that are happening and will After going through the process, teachers months, and that committee will help overwhelmingly agree that it is the best professional the district choose curriculum, continue to happen in Colorado growth experience of their careers due to the equipment and programs for the Springs School District 11 as we magnet school. A big thank you to all continue to do what is right for reflection required to complete the process. Continued on page 2 > the committee members! students.

National Board Certified Teachers . . . from page 1 For Your Information

This forever changed the way they view their teaching Inclement Weather Delays/Closures practices. For some, the process was life-changing and re- It’s that time of year. We have already had our first snowfall – energized their careers. before Halloween! Most important is the difference National Board You can check for delays/closures on the D-11 Web site at Certification makes for students. One National Board Certified www.d11.org and/or Comcast Channel 16 and/or call 520-2000 or Teacher says, “It was the best motivator for my students and 520-2300 for a recorded message. parents. We worked together as a team to achieve certification, You can also sign up to receive an e-mail notification about which ultimately improved student learning.” delays and/or closures! Go to www.d11.org and click on D-11 Answers on the left side navigation bar. When you get into D-11 Grant Elementary Is Blue Ribbon School Answers, click on "My Account." If you already have an account, log in; if not, create a new account. Once logged in, you will see your “User Details.” Under “Notification Groups,” click “EDIT.” Enter your contact information and select which notifications you would like to receive. Click “Submit” to save your changes.

El Paso County Offers Free Flu Shots On Saturday, Nov. 17, the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment will conduct an emergency exercise to test operational readiness and response in the event of a large- scale public health crisis, such as a flu pandemic. Public participation is essential to the success of this exercise, and free flu shots will be provided in exchange for your attendance. Participants must be at least 3 years of age, and children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Free flu shots will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies are available. Please visit the Health Department’s Grant Elementary School celebrates its new No Child Left Web site at www.elpasocountyhealth.org or call (719) 578-3215 on Behind Blue Ribbon School status. Back row (l-r): Board of or after Nov. 12 to confirm day of operations. Education directors Tom Strand and Sandra Mann; Dr. Terry On Nov. 17, 2007, 9 a.m. to noon, please come to any of the Bishop, D-11 superintendent; board directors Jan Tanner, four convenient neighborhood locations in El Paso County and Willie Breazell and Charlie Bobbitt. Front row: board director receive a free seasonal flu vaccine: Tami Hasling; Lynn Bamberry, Colorado Department of ▪ Harrison High School, 2755 Janitell Road, Colorado Education; Pat Clouber, U.S. Department of Education; Grant Springs principal Veronica Anderson; Holly Kuzmich, U.S. Department ▪ Fountain-Fort Carson High School, 900 Jimmy Camp of Education; Peggy Littleton, State Board of Education; and Dr. Road, Fountain Mary Thurman, deputy superintendent, Operations and ▪ Sand Creek High School, 7005 N. Carefree Circle, Instruction. Colorado Springs ▪ Lewis Palmer High School, 1300 Higby Road, Monument

American Education Week Upcoming Arts and Craft Shows in D-11 November 11 – 19, 2007 The Spartan Band will hold an arts and craft show and silent auction on Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and At its meeting on Oct. 24, the School District 11 Board Dec. 2 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the school, 4515 Barnes Road. of Education approved a resolution to support American Palmer High School will host an arts, crafts and collectibles Education Week in recognition of the work of public show Nov. 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Erps Gym at the corner schools and their employees – be they teachers, of Platte and Wahsatch. There will be over 60 tables. Contact custodians, bus drivers, principals or librarians. “Public Nancy Pellow for more details, 328-5049. schools are the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the tools they need to maintain our GED Moves From Work Force Center nation’s precious values of freedom, civility and equality.” On Oct. 26, 2007, the District 11 Adult and Family American Education Week spotlights the importance Education GED/Adult Secondary/Adult Basic Education Program of providing every child in America with a quality public moves from the Work Force Center to Hunt Elementary School. education and the need for everyone to do his or her part The new address is: in making public schools great. The week is a celebration ABE/GED Program of all those who have dedicated themselves to providing 917 E. Moreno Avenue, Room 217 students with quality public schools so they can grow, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 prosper and achieve in the 21st century. Phones: 328-2974 or 328-2973