Colorado Department of Education

This week, students across Colorado experienced learning outside of the classroom and explored the unique offerings of our state including: 🍕 Students at Bear Valley International School at the Henry Campus exploring entrepreneurship with Giuseppe's Pizzeria and Deli owner Laura Frolick; 🛎️ Students at Patriot High School in School District 49 learning about careers in the hospitality industry at The Broadmoor; 🦋 Aspiring entomologists at Blue Heron Elementary in Jeffco Public Schools - Colorado soaking up the sun at the Butterfly Pavilion; and 🃏Student council members at Pear Park Elementary School in Mesa County Valley School District 51 connecting with community members as volunteers at the Solstice Senior Living Center.

For Family Engagement Friday, we're highlighting last year's Latino Holiday Potluck Celebration at Horizon Community Middle School in Cherry Creek School District. This event was designed to honor and celebrate the culture and heritage of the families in the school community. Attendees prepared traditional dishes and create posters highlighting important cultural traditions. The communal meal, featuring a diverse array of traditional foods, allows participants to experience and appreciate the culinary diversity of Horizon families.

Thanks to the support of our Stronger Connections Grant and the leadership of Superintendent Morgan Crane, Pritchett School District started the year with free weekly on-site wellness support for students. In rural communities like Pritchett, services like these can be challenging to access, and rural schools are often their community's hub for education, resources, and support services. Superintendent Crane told us that student participation in these services has increased by 200% since the start of the year. The Stronger Connections Grant is supporting students in Pritchett with the services they need to stay well, healthy, and engaged in learning!

Last weekend, the students in Vilas School District RE-5's Matrix Robotics Team competed at the First Official Challenge State Qualifier! The team worked together to build and program their robot, Atlas, to complete the required challenges for the qualifier. The district's robotics program has helped to keep students engaged in their learning while developing career-ready skills. The team members said that participating in the competition was an amazing learning experience, and they're excited to bring all that knowledge back to Vilas to fine-tune Atlas and prepare for their next competition in January.

You might remember Boulder Valley School District Transitions Program student Abi Meyer from our feature about her job at Cosmo's Pizza. Today, Abi and her classmates are celebrating their graduation from the program, and we're celebrating her! Congratulations, Abi - we're so proud of you!

Congratulations graduates! Earlier this month, Colorado Excel Center celebrated its first five graduates! The Excel Center is our state's first in-person free adult high school and supports learners to earn their high school diplomas. Students also receive career counseling, free child care, and long-term career development. It was an emotional and joyful ceremony, and the first of many to come! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gnW8mHEA

Career readiness is key, and Colorado educators are preparing students for success after graduation by helping them plan for college and careers! Last week, 130 educators representing 30 districts joined us for a training hosted by our Office of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness. This PWR Regional Training was the 4th of 6 sessions where participants learn about Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP), a personalized plan for students to align their academic and career goals. We have held trainings in Lamar, Durango, and Glenwood Springs with each session designed around unique needs and assets of each region. Learn more about our PWR Regional Trainings at https://lnkd.in/eUAC5rj7

It's Teacher Tuesday and we're spotlighting Julie Kuhlman, a music teacher at Cedar Ridge Elementary School in PUEBLO COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 70. Julie has been an educator for 23 years and currently teaches elementary music. She says: "I LOVE when a student asks me a question about music that I don't readily have the answer to and we have to do some research." Julie believes music is a lifelong pursuit; "music will be part of every student's life, every day, and it is so important that they explore a wide variety of music and develop skills that can help them in the future." In addition to teaching, Julie is a flutist, vocalist, and secretary for the Pueblo Municipal Band and serves as the District 4 General Music Representative for the Colorado Music Educators Association. She also facilitates the Summer Music Theater Intensive in Pueblo West and recently attended a music theater workshop in New York City. When she’s not teaching, Julie enjoys painting, yoga, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her four grown children.

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McClave School District is committed to creating a safe and healthy school climate and culture. One way that Superintendent Brianne Howe and Principal Maggie Pacino do that is by supporting educator wellness! Teachers at McClave can rest, relax, and even work-out in the school's on-site Staff Wellness Room. The staff wellness room opened in 2018 with grant funding from the Center for Rural School Health and Education. The McClave leadership team keeps the space updated with healthy snacks and equipment including two treadmills! The team also continuously improves the Wellness Room's resources based on feedback from staff. With the focus and investment in strong climate and culture - including programs like the Wellness Room - McClave sees strong educator retention in the district.