The Griffin (March, English.)

T H E

E A R L Y

C O L L E G E

O F

A R V A D A ' S

THE GRIFFIN W E

C A N .

A N D

W E

W I L L .

IMPORTANT DATES

MARCH 22-26 SPRING BREAK NO SCHOOL

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M A R C H

I S S U E

@EARLY_COLLEGEARVADA

March Events MARCH 1

MARCH 2

MARCH 3

MARCH 4

MARCH 5

MARCH 8

MARCH 9

MARCH 10

MARCH 11

MARCH 12

MARCH 18

MARCH 19

MARCH 15

MARCH 16

MARCH 17

MARCH 22

MARCH 23

MARCH 24

MARCH 25

MARCH 26

Spring Break

Spring Break

Spring Break

Spring Break

Spring Break

MARCH 29

MARCH 30

MARCH 31

APRIL 1

APRIL 2

RESOURCES FOR GRIFFIN FAMILIES The Shelter in place order issued by Governor Polis in the spring helped keep people safe during this global pandemic. However, one downfall from this was the economic fallout from the uptick in business closures. We are all doing our best to learn from the past and ECA wants to make sure our families are well equipped in the event of a second wave. We have compiled a list of resources for those who may need them. Don't hesitate to reach out to tcordrey@ecarvada.org for assistance. We are here to help.

Food Christian Action Center in Golden Food Pantries in Arvada This website is specific to Arvada and updated regularly Food Pantries in Lakewood

Free Adams County Drive Through Farmer's Market The next one is on Nov. 10th/4:30-6:30p. They only have 250 boxes and you have to sign up HERE

Shelter Arvada Shelter and Services

This website is specific to

Arvada Shelter List

Lakewood and is updated

Denver Shelters and Housing

regularly

services- Govt. affiliated

Food Pantries in Denver

Denver Shelter List

This website is specific to

Denver Shelters (womxn

Denver and is updated

specific)

regularly

Westminster shelters and

Food Pantries in Westminster

transitional housing

This website is specific to Westminster and is updated regularly Document including Pay as you can grocery stores

ECA WILL HAVE BAGGED LUNCHES FOR PICK UP M-F, 12-1 PM

PRINCIPAL

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND ASSESSMENTS JANICE ANDERSON JANDERSON@ECARVADA.ORG

We are working on our re-enrollment for the 21-22 School year. Our staff is reaching out to confirm enrollment and hold your student's place for the upcoming school year. We are currently on a waitlist for several of our grades and will be opening up those spots in the next few weeks. So, please make sure to complete the form following this page to complete the re-enrollment if you have not already done so.

We are also excited to share that we will be providing a Bits Box coding camp for our Middle School students June 7- 11, and for students who newly enroll in ECA. This will be a nice introduction to coding, as our school has recently been awarded the Amazon Future Engineer Grant that will allow us to provide coding and Computer Science electives throughout all grade levels over the next few years.

You have probably seen on the news about the debate over standardized testing in Colorado this year. We are currently being required to administer those assessments over the coming months, with an extended window. It is our position that this is not ideal, but given the regular assessments we provide to help us determine each of our students' individualized learning needs, these standardized tests will only help us to continue to support each students' areas of academic needs and successes. We are so proud to share how our students are progressing with minimal learning loss even through these challenging times. Our commitment to all our families is to ensure that every student demonstrates academic growth yearly. We are so thankful to have the support of our families as I know all of our ultimate goals are for our students to be academically, socially, and emotionally prepared for their future endeavors.

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PRINCIPAL

These scores demonstrate how ECA students have tested in comparison to the national average. Norm grade level mean is referencing the national average. Fall 2019, Winter 2020, Fall 2020, and Winter 2021 are the average test scores of ECA students. We are extremely proud of how well our students have progressed.

Counselor Corner BRIDGETTE FOSTER BFOSTER@ECARVADA.ORG

Hello, Juniors and Seniors, The first step in your college application process is to RESEARCH COLLEGES! Where to start?

1. Out of state, or in state?

Decide if you want to venture outside of Colorado. Definitely, something to consider.

Depending on your GPA, SAT scores, and a number of other factors, it might actually be just as affordable (if not cheaper) to attend college outside of your state.

2. What do you want to study?

You do not have to know exactly what you want to study in college, but it is good to have a general idea. Some colleges do not make you declare your major until the end of sophomore year! Research colleges that offer what you want to study. Be mindful that some careers (such as becoming a Medical Doctor) require education past a 4-year undergraduate degree. If you have specific questions, do not hesitate to call the college and ask questions. There are entire departments of people on staff to help you!

3. Cost of Attendance Again, depending on your GPA and SAT scores, financial aid and scholarships may lower the cost of attending college. There are many different ways to approach cost of attendance, so please make an appointment with your counselor to discuss your options (sooner than later)!

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4. Big School or Small School?

How do you learn? Do you learn better in smaller classes with more individualized attention? Do you want to go to a big school with a national ranked football team and school spirit? Is the possibility of joining Greek Life important to you?

Location, location, location Where will you be happy? In a city? In the forest? In a small college town? By a beach in warm weather or in the mountains playing in the snow?

What else is important to you?

Consider your values. What other factors are important to you? Look at statistics such as student diversity, student clubs and organizations offered, and even the professors in your desired field of study.

Links to Research Colleges: Naviance.com This is where I would start. Through Naviance, you can add filters to include what you are looking for and what you are not interested in about a college. You can also include information about yourself such as GPA to narrow down your search and see how competitive of an applicant you are.

Niche.com Rate my Professor My Colorado Journey

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PRINCIPAL

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VACCINE UPDATE JULIE RAMSAY JRAMDSAY@ECARVADA.ORG

To Do: Community-based organizations can apply for funding to provide community clinic space or navigation to vaccine opportunities. Interested partners should complete this google form. Email questions to COVIDvaccine@tchd.org.

Find out where to sign up for vaccine if you are 65 years and older at the TriCounty Health Department website.

Call the Tri-County Health Department Vaccine Call Center at 303-220-9200 if you need help finding a vaccine appointment.

To Know: Educators and those 65 years and older are eligible for vaccine as of Feb. 8, 2021.

TCHD clinics are open for healthcare workers, first responders, and licensed childcare workers and pre-K-12 educators. Our open scheduling appointments are primarily for licensed childcare workers since they have not had the same opportunity as school district employees to be matched with a COVID-19 vaccine provider .We ask that all school district employees go with their district plans and vaccine partners to obtain an appointment. Most districts are now matched with vaccine providers.

Walmart and Kroger pharmacies are now vaccinating Coloradans as part of a program at the federal level for national pharmacy chains. Please see TCHD’s website for an up to date list of COVID-19 vaccine providers: www.tchd.org/COVIDVaccine So far, 158,253 Tri-County Health Department residents have been vaccinated.

This information continues to be updated daily on our COVID-19 Data page.

There has been a minor update to the public health order. For more information or questions contact the TCHD’s Business Re-opening Task Force and covidbusinessrecovery@tchd.org Please remember the TCHD website for all things COVID-19: www.tchd.org/818/Coronavirus-COVID-19

Rick Heroff Middle School Dean of Students/C.E & Career Coordinator (720) 473-4400 EXT 320

Concurrent Enrollment Off Campus Instructors: If you have any off campus instructors be sure to check the academic calendar for UCD and Frontrange to check for conflicts. If there are, follow up with your instructors to make arrangements if necessary. Communication is key, sometimes you may need to attend your college class when the rest of ECA has a day off.

Grades: Remember to get college credit you must have a C or better. If you feel overwhelmed by your college load contact Ms. Marquez and Mr. Heroff as soon as possible. You cannot do anything about a failing college course past a certain time in the semester. Communication is essential.

Early College of Arvada | 12

Graduation

Reminders Guadalupe Marquez

Highschool Dean of Students 720-473-4408

Graduation requirements This year we have different graduation requirements. In addition to the credit requirements, students have to demonstrate career and college readiness in the areas of English and Math. Please make sure to contact Ms. Marquez for more information and or any questions. She is checking every student’s credits and other data points to ensure our students are set for graduation.

Assessment We are well on our way of completing ACCESS testing. We are 100% done with middle school and are working to get high school done as well. We appreciate you sending your student to school to get this done.

Other information Spring break is right around the corner and the weather is getting a lot better, please remind your student to continue to follow the COVID restrictions currently in place. We would hate to see our students go back to remote learning due to lack of precautions.

Early College of Arvada | 13

GOAL SETTING AND RESOLUTIONS

Personal goals, specific goals, and a growth mindset are all crucial for effective student

Alejandro Reynoso

goal setting. You'll want

EARSS Advisor

specific ways to know if you've

Office: 720-473-4406

achieved your plan, and a

Cell: 720-980-1129

setting where you can be successful. Student goal setting

Welcome Back Griffins, I hope

is all about connecting your

everyone enjoyed their winter break and got the chance to get some rest. As we start a new

educational goals with the rest of your resolutions for the school year. It's never too late

year, it's always good to have

to start or change when it

goals and new resolutions for

comes to student goal setting,

the year. Goal setting and

whether you want to set short

resolutions are all about

or long-term goals. As you stay

measuring your forward progress, and for students that often include academic

positive, work on strategies to alter behavior and motivation, you'll see a great end result.

progress. But many students don't realize that their personal goals often go hand-in-hand with effective academic progress.

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Extra Curricular Highlights

T IMBE R GRIFFIN Kelly Graham Kgraham@ecarvada.org

Prodigy is almost here! Watch our movie musical streaming March 17-21 via booktix live. Get your household link at ecarvada.booktix.org! This is an incredibly powerful story about a young woman learning whom she is, grappling with her past, and discovering the importance of mental health as a musician. This story is written by a local woman, Jenni Stafford, who has been wonderful in working with us to translate the stage musical to a movie musical format. This has been a labor of love bringing together community members, alumni, guest artists, and students to create a beautiful piece we can't wait to share with you! The show is uplifting overall but does contain some triggering material. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness or suicidal thoughts call 844-493-TALK (8255) or text Talk to 38255. Ask for help, because you matter.

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Extra Curricular Highlights

INT ER NATIONAL T RAVE L Dennis Olson dolson@ecarvada.org

The Panama Trip has been postponed due to COVID-19. The new trip dates are July 28- August 5. Please keep an eye out for any other communication regarding our international trips.

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RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION Updates for the parents of Beechtown High School

Sydney Herrera-Briones

Elizabeth (Betsy) Mazza

Dear ECA family and friends, My name is Sydney Vanesa Herrera Briones and I am a First Generation (DACA recipient), Latina graduate from Colorado State University. I received my bachelor's degree in International Studies, as well as, in Literature Languages, and Cultures in 2019. My responsibilities at ECA is to bring students and members of the surrounding communities together to offer partnerships and pathways for success. I look forward to a wonderful academic year full of opportunities for our Students

Hello ECA families,My name is is Betsy Mazza, I have already met many of you, but I wanted to reintroduce myself. I moved to Colorado from Pennsylvania a year ago to serve at ECA as an Americorps VISTA. Since then I have been hired as a full-time administrator. I’ll be overseeing, retention, recruitment, marketing, and other projects to help our students have as much fun as possible while they are here. I have a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and also studied Biology and Sustainability. In my free time, I like to hike, climb, read and go running. I’m excited about what the rest of this year and next school year has in store for all of us!

EARLY COLLEGE OF ARVADA

PTCO NEWS

MEETING SCHEDULE Meetings will be postponed until the

Lots of exciting activities here at ECA and we could use your help to make them a success!

Hope to see you in the spring at the ECA PTO at 4PM! ptco@ecarvada.org

spring sememster

Muchas actividades emocionantes aquí en ECA Y podríamos usar su ayuda para hacerlos un ¡éxito!

Espero verte aquí la próxima primavera ptco@ecarvada.org

Early College of Arvada | 18

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