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| January 16, 2009 In this issue. . . |
Cynthia Hessin The Bright Stars program recognizes Jeffco |
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It’s a dilemma that school districts across the country are facing – how to keep kids from dropping out. Members of the Jefferson County Board of Education heard the results of a study done by Johns Hopkins University at their board meeting this week.Jeffco Public School students were a part of the study which also followed dropouts in Denver, Aurora, Pueblo and Adams County. Researchers said students who were failing classes, had poor attendance records and had behavior problems were more likely to drop out. Jeffco Public Schools has a newly formed office of dropout prevention which will help schools identify and help students who may become dropouts. Last chance to weigh in on budget One last opportunity is available for community members wanting to weigh in on Jeffco's budget priorities; the last scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Standley Lake High School. The Challenges and Choices forums are a way for the public to comment or make suggestions on how to cut district costs. In meetings held last week, audience members had questions such as when they would know school specific decisions and if class sizes would increase. Citizens had suggestions that hit on everything from reducing energy and water use in school buildings to increasing school fees. The board is expected to review all of the public input, along with district work-group reduction recommendations, and make final decisions in the spring. The district budget will have to be reduced by $35 million over the next three years Choice enrollment closes January 24 Jefferson County families who wish to enroll their children in a school other than their neighborhood school, have the option of participating in Jeffco Public Schools’ choice enrollment process. First round choice enrollment began on Tuesday, Jan. 6 and closes on Saturday, Jan. 24 for the 2009-2010 school year. Any student in Colorado may enroll in any Jeffco Public School that has classroom space. To access a choice enrollment form, go to http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/enrollment. Simply fill out the form and submit it to the school of choice by January 24. Students will be accepted on a space available basis. Round one applications will be prioritized through a lottery process and waiting lists will be created if applicants exceed space available at the school. A separate application must be completed and submitted for each child.
D'Evelyn Jr./Sr. High named best overall school in Colorado Businessweek named D'Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School as the best overall school in Colorado. The magazine worked with the San Francisco-based nonprofit Great Schools to determine the top schools in all 50 states. D'Evelyn is a Jeffco public school started by a group of parents in 1994. It accepts students from across the district starting in grade seven and runs through grade 12. It emphasizes structured academics and strict discipline. The school's test scores are among the best in Colorado and the remediation rates of its graduates attending state colleges and universities are among the lowest. Read the story in the Rocky Mountain News Jeffco Public Schools 2007-08 Annual Report to the Community has been published and is now available online or in hard copy. The report, which is required by law, includes information about the district's goals and the progress made towards those goals, as well as assessment scores, teacher qualification and financial data. To obtain a copy of the report, call 303-982-6808 Click here to review online version Upcoming Board of Education meetings The Board of Education holds study/dialogue sessions (Seminar Room, 4th floor) and business meetings (Board Room, 5th floor) at the Educational Services Center, 1829 Denver West Drive, Bldg #27, Golden, unless otherwise noted.
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