As a timely way to keep you informed, we offer the Jeffco Good News. Our goal is to provide you with a snapshot of the many accomplishments that occur every week in your schools. Please feel free to share the good news and as always, thank you for your support!
MAKING DUAL LANGUAGE LEARNING WORK
Stein Elementary Schoolstaff use a dual language curriculum as the foundation to everything they teach.
"The purpose of the dual language is to have a student learn two languages and be proficient in all subject areas and also have competency not only in academics, but also social aspects and cultural aspects of both languages," saidPrincipal Samantha Salazar. Students like Diana Conway have a personal connection to learning Spanish. "Being bilingual is important to me because one day me and my mom are going to go to Guatemala to see if my birth mother is still there," said Diana. Her mom, Lisa Conway, wanted her daughter to know the language of her heritage and identity. She has a message for other parents. "I've seen her grow in confidence about herself as a bilingual person," she said. "Learning a language does take some time and if they stick with the program and give it some years they will be amazed at the growth they see in their kids of learning and speaking and knowing." Watch the full video story on JPS-TV, the official YouTube channel of Jeffco Schools.
IN THE NAME OF SPORTSMANSHIP
Jeffco student athletes recently got a lesson in sportsmanship at the Fourth Annual Sportsmanship Summit sponsored byJeffco Athletics. "We began addressing sportsmanship in a committed way four years ago as it had become apparent that some fan behavior was not meeting the expectations we had as a school district,"said executive director of athletics Jim Thyfault. Thyfault said they developed a plan to invite up to six student leaders from high schools around the district to share different ideas on how to make the experience of attending a high school game more positive. This year, athletic staff invitedThe Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)that holds seminars across the country to include students, parents and coaches.
BASKETBALL FOR CHARITY
Jeffco students in grades 5 – 8 who love to play basketball are invited to play ball and give back to the community at the same time. The Jeffco Schools Foundation sponsors the Jeffco Youth 3v3 Basketball Charity Tournament on Friday, Jan. 2. The tourney is open to boys and girls, with recreation and competitive divisions offered. Students will play at least three games and championship bracket play and proceeds benefit the foundation. The deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 22. Download a registration form.
TEACHING A MESSAGE OF PEACE
Green Gables Elementary School third-grade teacher Dawn Axelsonis being honored for her work spreading a message of peace with students. She has been awarded the first-everPeaceJam Teacher of the Yearaward. She recently taught at Foster Elementary School where she helped host five Nobel Peace Prize winners and the PeaceJam club led many community service projects.
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME
Some are green with envy over Jeffco's North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC) soccer field. The NAAC is being recognized by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA)for making the arena an award-winning sports field. The organization announced the NAAC as a2014 Field of the Yearaward winner with congratulations to stadium managers Sun Roesslein and Christi Clay. A panel of 11 judges independently scored entries based on playability, appearance of surfaces, utilization of innovative solutions, effective use of budget and implementation of a comprehensive agronomic program. Winning fields will be featured in a 2015 issue ofSports Turf Magazine.
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