November 5, 2015
ENTER TO WIN
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Program sparks energy Kaiser grant encourages kids to take charge of learning, health By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Five days a week, about 30 North Arvada Middle School students excitedly trek to school an hour early, anxious to start their day. Three years ago, the former North Arvada principal, Dana Ellis, laid the groundwork for the school’s SPARK Initiative, a zero-hour class that encourages students to be active, collaborate and take charge of their health and education. “It helps me warm up my brain,” said Mark Teneza, a seventh-grader who’s new to the class. “Every time I move around it helps me warm up my brain so I can be more efficient in my classes.” The class, offered at 7:30 a.m. every school day throughout the year, has students come together to play a game of basketball or team handball. Before class starts, Teneza and the others rush down the stairs into the gym, grab a pedometer, warm up and get ready to play. “This creates a sense of belonging for them,” said Rusty Owston, physical education teacher. “They’re definitely sweating, they’re playing and they’re having fun. But, really, they’re here at school and that’s the main thing.” At the start of every year, students learn how to effectively split into teams and play in friendly competition. Then, they play their game of choice, working together to monitor activity level, help one another learn the sport and ensure they’re remaining active throughout the class. “I wanted to take this class because I like to be active and it’s really fun,” said Nohl Johnson, an eighth-grade student. “In it, I learn how to work with teammates and how to have good sportsmanship.” On average, the students log about 3,400 to 4,000 steps per half-hour class, far surpassing their goals of 3,000. “It gives them an opportunity to increase their leadership skills and take ownership of this class,” said North Arvada Principal Sohne Van Selus. ”Physical activity limits stress and is good for the brain, which is just an added benefit. I watch those kids come up the stairs and their eyes are bright, they’re awake
18-year-old Arvada driver did not leave scene, ticketed with several violations By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Each morning, students gather for a friendly game of basketball or handball, playing not to win the game, but to enhance their attentiveness, health and education. Photo by Crystal Anderson and they’re activated and they’re really ready to apply themselves to the rest of their day.” Started through Kaiser Permanente’s Thriving Schools grant, the SPARK Initiative provides students an opportunity to not only be active, but also to be part of a group that will support and encourage one another in their efforts to be healthy. “It’s fun, warms your brain and it’s good for you,” Teneza said. “You get to
play sports, and these people are really nice.” North Arvada is one of several Jeffco schools that received the grant. Owston and Van Selus said even when the funding runs out, they hope to see the SPARK community and program grow and extend to the entire school. “This is working,” Owston said. “These kids are as close as you can get to feeling like they’re a part of something.”
Stories connect with people. They provide humanity and empathy in situations that would normally be easier for many to ignore. That’s why, during the Lakewood stop on One Colorado’s new statewide tour, executive director Dave Montez opened the evening with his story of coming out to his grandmother and the challenges he encountered along the way. “I come from a town in south Colorado that is very Catholic, very Latino and very conservative,” he said. “It was a very isolating, lonely experience living as a young, gay man. When I came out to my grandmother, I thought I’d lost my best friend.”
A 9-year-old boy seriously injured when he was hit by a car last week in a crosswalk as he was walking to school is in stable condition in the hospital following surgeries on his arm, leg and jaw, according to his family’s GoFundMe page for medical expenses. The 18-year-old Arvada driver, Dalton MacManus, who police say ran a red light while driving a F350 utility truck, was ticketed with the red-light violation, careless driving with serious injury, defective vehicle and six commercial vehicle safety violations. MacManus was pulling a trailer carrying a Bobcat. MacManus, who did not leave the scene, cooperated with the investigation. Drugs and alcohol were not factors, police said. The student, Gage Gabaldon, was walking to school at Arvada K-8 at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 28 when the accident occurred at 58th Avenue and Balsam Street. Gabaldon’s family has asked for privacy during his recovery, but released a statement to police last week. “Gage is currently in critical but stable condition and is recovering from surgery,” it read. “He has a long road ahead of him and we want to focus our energy on being there for him at this time.” Arvada police notified Jefferson County Schools and grief counselors were available at Arvada K-8 for students and teachers. Police advise residents to be careful when driving in school zone areas and keep an eye out for young children. His GoFundMe page can be found
Boy continues on Page 7
LGBT group visits Lakewood during tour By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Arvada boy recovering in hospital after being hit by car
Eventually, Montez’s grandmother came to accept him and, now, working with One Colorado, he hopes to share that message. “Beyond policy changes, we want to create a state where an LGBT person has that full-circle experience,” Montez said. “If they were rejected by people they love, we want that reconciliation. We’d like people to never be rejected in the first place.” Collecting the stories of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is just part of the purpose behind One Colorado’s “Freedom in Every Corner Tour,” which is traveling the state to celebrate victories for equal rights and advocate for the work yet to be completed. The tour stopped at the Edge Theater
in Lakewood on Oct. 27 to provide an update on LGBT issues on legislative and personal levels. “We need to pause a moment to celebrate the marriage victories — we went from Amendment 2 20 years ago to marriage equality,” Montez said to an audience of about a dozen people. “That’s outlaws to in-laws in two decades.” Chris Kennedy, the Democratic candidate for state House District 23, helped connect One Colorado with Bill Marino, of 40 West Arts, and the Edge Theater for the event, because of his lifelong support for equal rights. “It’s remarkable how quickly things have changed,” Kennedy said, “but it’s still so important that we protect the LGBT continues on Page 7
ONLINE Go to the Arvada Press website, www.arvadapress. com, for election results from the night of Nov. 3.
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