Distributed to the Stapleton, Park Hill, Lowry, Montclair, Mayfair, Hale and East Colfax neighborhoods DENVER, COLORADO NOVEMBER 2014 Anatomy of a Turnaround: Painful and hopeful David Chavez takes a photo of his son, Davian, with Ashley Elementary ECE teacher Michael got through a grant to support their turnaround plan. Ashley had a difficult year as they transitioned Cammilleri, aka “Dean of Fun,” to use as the background for Davian’s new iPad, which the school to the new plan, but the program now appears to be moving forward in a positive way. By Courtney Drake-McDonough that will be used in the school’s literacy program, giving students access to a digital library his fall, Ashley Elementary became the first DPS school to put an iPad in the hands of accessible from school and home. every one of its students from kindergarten through 5th grade, thanks to a grant from A key purpose of the iPads is to provide personalized assessment. With the data obtained through Tthe Walton Family Foundation. Incorporating technology into day-to-day classwork the iPad programs, teachers can identify specific skill gaps children may have, down to a “miniscule” is part of the plan as Ashley Elementary gets its fresh start as an innovation school (see Ashley level, and can research and evaluate an appropriate app and send it to that child’s iPad. “Instruction turnaround story on page 9). The $250,000 award provided 350 iPads and a software program is incredibly tailored for that student so it’s time-saving for the teacher (continued on page 8) Giants of the Deep Visit DMNS Eastbridge Plans Continue to Evolve Museum visitors pose as divers swimming by a whale at the new DMNS exhibit about whales. King Soopers says the decor in the proposed Eastbridge store at Havana and MLK Blvd. will be like their store at Leetsdale and Cherry—and will have a sitting area similar to the one shown above. By Laurie Dunklee get to these giant mammals. Although King Soopers has not yet signed a contract or formally submitted a design, they are hales: Giants of the Deep, at Denver’s Two sperm whale skeletons—the largest 50 continuing to modify their plans based on feedback they are receiving. Museum of Nature & Science, might feet long—greet visitors to the exhibit, here An update on King Soopers’ and Evergreen Development’s evolving plans is on page 38. Wbe the closest many of us landlubbers through Feb. 15.Whale(continued on page 42) Printed with soy-based ink. Paper contains 40% postconsumer waste. New Town Stanley Museum Exhibit Film Festival Matisse Like us at Front Porch Builders’ Award Groundbreaking about Race Reviews Exhibit Newspaper for updates 6 12 16 18 22 on local news and events. sta130324 MCA_Header_L5.pdf 1 3/22/13 2:24 PM ! Disney princesses sing carols at the 2013 Winter Welcome, Stapleton’s annual event to kick Events & off the holidays. This year’s Winter Welcome will be November 21. See details below. Announcements at Stapleton Community DNA All event proceeds will benefit local Do you RSVP when you receive an invita- nonprofits: Bluff Lake Nature Center, tion? It is coming up on the holiday season The Urban Farm and Sand Creek Re- and if you are hosting an event or party, you gional Greenway. know how important it is to have an accu- rate count of how many people are attend- Composting ing. If you receive an invitation, we would Nov. 1–Nov. 16: The MCA and Happy like to challenge you to respond with a “yes” Dirt are providing composting drop sites or “no” within 24 hours. The nice thing at the four pools on the south side of with electronic invitations, you can always Stapleton. Small bundles will be accept- go in and change your reply as needed! ed only at Aviator and Jet Stream in the parking lot. The space will be designated MCA Annual Members Meeting and please be sure you only drop off small Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6:30pm bundled items or items that fit inside a Most of the events listed below are FREE or support nonprofits. The Annual Meeting of Members will be closed trash bag. If you need to drop off All are open to the public (additional events are listed on pages 30-33). held in the MCA Community Room at larger items, please do this at the compost 2823 Roslyn St. This meeting is open to the dumpsters in the PJ or F15 parking lot. public and Stapleton residents are encour- NOVEMBER NOVEMBER aged to attend. The meeting will also be Saturday Night Live…for kids only! available as a webinar; go to Saturday night, Nov. 15 from 6–9pm Saturday, Nov. 1 Wednesday, November 12 www.stapletoncommunity.com to access. The MCA and Central Park Rec Center Cabinet in the City—Mayor Hancock and city officials Community Garden Fall Meeting 6:30pm, MCA If you are interested in serving as a delegate are partnering again to host a night of will make presentations and meet individually with citi- Community Room* entertainment for children ages 7–12 at zens 9-11am Bill Roberts School, 2100 Akron Way in 2015, call the MCA at 303.388.0724. The Thursday, November 13 Annual Meeting of District Delegates and the Central Park Rec Center. The pool Saturday, Nov. 1 Active Minds Seminar “China’s Human Rights Strug- the Executive Board meeting will be held on will be open for this event so make sure Divorce 101. 1-4pm at Montview Presbyterian Church, gle” 6:45–7:45pm, Sam Gary Library* Wednesday, Nov. 19 at noon in the MCA to bring your swimsuit.Get the latest The onevent will 1980 Dahlia. Hosted by Blue Iris Divorce Resources for include snacks, dinner, games, prizes Women. Friday, November 21 Community Room. To RSVP for this meet- Winter Welcome 6–8pm. The MCA will host a night ing, email [email protected]. and music. Preregistration is $15 and November 1-16 of festive traditions. 29th Avenue Town Center* available online at www.stapletoncom- Compost collection, small bundles accepted at Aviator* Coat Drive munity.com. The week of the event the and Jet Stream*, larger items at Puddle Jumper* or F15* sta130324 MCA_Header_L5.pdf 1 3/22/13 2:24 PM TheMaster MCA is hosting Community a coat drive to benefit Association cost does increase to $20, so reserve your November 1, 8 and 15 the Academy of Urban Learning (AUL). spot today! Free coed self-defense classes 5:30pm. Stapleton Family AUL is a Denver Public School charter high Karate at The Shops of Northfield between Macy’s and DECEMBER school serving students ages 16 to 21 who Active Minds Harkins Theater. Space is limited, call to reserve a spot Thursday, Nov. 6, 6:45–7:45pm 303-928-0043. Thursday, December 4 have experienced many difficult barriers to achieving success at their former schools. A Eleanor Roosevelt November 3,14 and 20 Active Minds Seminar 6:45–7:45pm, Sam Gary Library* largeEvents population at the school & is homeless As the longest-serving First Lady of the Denver Zoo - SCFD Free Days www.denverzoo.org United States, Eleanor Roosevelt was both 303-376-4800 Friday, December 5 and these coats will help make it a warmer winterAnnouncements for them. outspoken and, at times, quite controver- Winter Movie “Elf” 6pm, Stapleton South Green November 7, 14 and 21 Allat sizes Stapleton of coats are wanted. Kid to adult sial. Join Active Minds as we examine her Free women only self-defense classes 6:45pm. Stapleton Thursday, December 11 sizes are needed, so please either drop them life and the impact it had on important Family Karate at The Shops of Northfield between Ma- Active Minds Seminar 6:45–7:45pm, Sam Gary causes such as human rights and the suc- cy’s and Harkins Theater. Space is limited, call to reserve Library* off at the MCA office at 2823 Roslyn St., or a spot 303-928-0043. bring them with you to the Winter Wel- cessful launch of the United Nations. Thursday, November 6 come booth where we will have a bin at the Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:45–7:45pm Active Minds Seminar “Eleanor Roosevelt” 6:45–7:45pm, ticket booth. Coats will be accepted through China’s Human Rights Struggle Sam Gary Library* Nov. 25 at the MCA office. For more infor- Twenty-five years ago, China’s human * More information at [email protected] mation on AUL, visit www.auldenver.org. rights issues were showcased to the Saturday, November 8 Aviator pool: 8054 E. 28th Ave. How to manage gluten-free, dairy-free and other diets at world by the Tiananmen Square massa- Jet Stream pool: 3574 Alton St. Winter Welcome Thanksgiving. Hosted by NE community co-op. 11:30am. Puddle Jumper pool: 2401 N. Xenia St. cre. Join Active Minds as we look at how *Sam Gary Library. northeastco-op.org. See p. 30. F15 pool: 2831 Hanover St. Friday, Nov. 21, 6–8pm modern China continues to struggle Sam Gary Library: 2961 Roslyn St. Join the MCA at the West Crescent to kick with the balance between authoritarian Tuesday, November 11 29th Avenue Town Center: 29th Ave and Roslyn St. off the holiday season! The MCA will host Community Garden Fall Meeting 6–7pm, MCA Commu- MCA Community Room: 2823 Roslyn St. government and basic human rights. We nity Room* Stapleton South Green: 29th Ave & Roslyn St. a night of festive traditions including the will highlight the ways in which Chinese lighting of the trees and streets at the 29th society is restricted as we peer through Ave.