August 19, 2021
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 39
2 new schools open in Centennial Newton Middle School, Ford Elementary welcome students BY SHANNA MAXCY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Two new school buildings welcomed students Aug. 12 in Littleton Public Schools — the first in 40 years. A new Newton Middle School building and a brand new school, Dr. Justina Ford Elementary School, both located in the west Centennial part of the district, were projects that stemmed from the bond passed by taxpayers in 2018. “It’s always fun on the first day of school, but it’s crazy when no one has been to the school before on their first day of school,” said Teresa Burden, principal at Ford. “We had people lined up at 7:30 and doors didn’t open until 7:45. When we went out, it was like they were waiting for Disneyland.” Ford started its school year over capacity with 660 students. It pulled enrollment from four schools: Franklin, Highland, PeaSEE SCHOOLS, P19
Changing from recommending masks, district cites new guidance from Tri-County Health BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
There are several factors contributing to the current market conditions, but mostly, it is the “California problem,” Eisenberg said. “For a long time, the California problem stayed in California,” Eisenberg said. “But now it is coming to Colorado as people in California are saying ‘hell with it.’ The housing prices are too high, taxes are too high, the
After initially saying it would “strongly encourage” — but not require — masks in school, the Cherry Creek School District has announced it will require masks for all students in pre-K through sixth grade and the staff who work with them. “During a conversation with Dr. (John) Douglas this morning, he stated to me that the conditions in schools are presently not safe for unvaccinated children, particularly those younger than 12 years old, without masks,” wrote Christopher Smith, Cherry Creek superintendent, in an Aug. 13 letter to the community. The school district will require masks inside school buildings for students in those grades. More than 90% of students in sixth grade are in the relevant age group, Smith wrote in explaining why the district will require masks for sixth-graders until further notice. The policy change comes on the heels of Tri-County Health Department announcing on Aug. 12 that it may consider issuing a mask requirement for at least some students
SEE HOUSING, P18
SEE MASKS, P5
The media center at the new Dr. Justina Ford Elementary School includes cubbies PHOTO BY SHANNA FORTIER MAXCY where students can curl up to read.
Families being priced out of local housing market ‘California problem’ is impacting inventory and prices BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It is no surprise that local families are feeling frustrated and burned out in the current hous-
Cherry Creek to require masks for all students pre-K to 6th grade
ing market, as national economist Elliot Eisenberg says Colorado is going through a “California problem.” In January, Eisenberg, of econ70. com, compared the Colorado housing market to a car cruising down the interstate. Before the pandemic in 2019, all signs were stable and cruise control was set at 65 mph. In 2020, it slowed down to about 25 mph. In 2021, the market spun out of control, hitting 95 mph.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 24
FINDING NEW OLD PLACES
Lesser-known historical sites abound across area
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