The News-Press 7
March 26, 2015
County has five charter schools in the works Secondary options will expand
a -if approvals are granted d -By Jane Reuter ejreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com s Five new charter schools may be added -to the Douglas County School District by fall 2016, and an existing charter school dplans to expand to a full K-12 school. STEM School and Academy, currently offering classes to sixth- through 12tha graders, plans to expand to a K-12 school n by 2016. . The five proposals include two charter high schools. Currently, STEM and SkyView h academies — both in Highlands Ranch — s are the only charter high school options h available in Douglas County. Two already approved charters will open in August 2014. Construction is underway on Castle Rock’s K-8 World Compass Academy, and groundbreaking is planned on April 1 for Parker’s K-8 Global Village Academy. About 275 students plan to attend Global Village, and its leaders expect a total of about 330 by opening day. Former North
Hurry news Continued from Page 3
of roadway in Castle Rock. That’s equal to a one-lane road from here to the Grand Canyon. Town roadwork typically begins in April each year. To increase efficiency, reduce costs and minimize disruption to neighborhoods, the town council-approved Pavement Maintenance Program concentrates roadwork in one of five defined residential areas each year on a rotating basis. Primary and downtown streets receive repairs as needed. This year, the residential focus is on the central area of town, including Castle
Star Academy principal Holly Hensey will lead the school. Global Village already has campuses in Aurora, Northglenn, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. At least half of each day’s instruction is in the student’s choice of language, which includes Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, French and German. Castle Rock’s World Compass Academy will focus on early foreign language instruction and mastery-based learning — a philosophy that allows students to advance after demonstrating content mastery. It will be led by a former Cherry Creek School District elementary principal Jim McDevitt, who opened Coyote Creek Elementary School. More than 400 students have registered and paid fees to attend World Compass Academy so far. DCSD is reviewing plans for John Adams High School, Parker Performing Arts School and Milestone Academy. The K-8 Parker Performing Arts, which submitted its final application in March, is hosting a community information meeting at 7 p.m. April 9 at the Parker Library. John Adams is looking for a site near the Interstate 25/C-470 corridor.
An organization called Patriot Schools, formed by Highlands Ranch’s Ben Franklin Academy founder Jason Sanders and real estate broker Travis Cottle, is advising supporters of John Adams High School and K-12 Parker Performing Arts School. The proposed K-12 Milestone Academy is seeking a location within five miles of downtown Castle Rock. The school is needed because there is currently no charter high school option for Castle Rock students, according to Milestone Academy’s website. Milestone is proposed by Merlin Holmes,
CEO of Capstone Collegiate Academies. In addition to Milestone, Capstone plans to open five Colorado charter schools in 201617 and expand into other states. It describes its model as “purpose-driven education.” Holmes was the 2013-14 principal at Castle Rock’s Aspen View Academy, and director at SkyView Academy from 2010 to 2013. He also was the first principal of Colorado Springs’ Classical Academy High School. The district currently has 12 charter schools, including Hope Online.
North, Metzler Ranch, Red Hawk and the Woodlands. Roadwork will include slurry seals, curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs, asphalt and concrete patching, and resurfacing. Residents are invited to learn more about the work scheduled for their area during an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. March 26 at the Castle Rock Recreation Center.
Easter Bunny Breakfast April 3
The Outlets at Castle Rock will be holding a pancake breakfast hosted by Chris Cakes at the food court, with a chance to meet the Easter Bunny, on April 3 from 9 to 10 a.m. The event is free and will also have crafts and activities for children. A donation of a canned food item for the Douglas/Elbert Task Force is suggested.
SafeTALK Suicide Awareness Training April 29 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Meeting
NE
!
W
The Douglas County LEPC will meet April 16 at 2:00 p.m., at the Douglas County School District offices, 701 Prairie Hawk Drive, Castle Rock. The LEPC provides a forum for emergency management agencies, responders and the public. For more information on the LEPC please visit www.dcsheriff.net/LEPC/
Winter Home Heating Cost Assistance Available Eligible low-income Douglas County households can apply for energy assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) through April 30. For more information and how to obtain an application visit www. douglas.co.us and search for LEAP.
Douglas County Water Provider Locator The Douglas County Water Provider Locator is an interactive map that enables searches for water providers by address. This online tool can be found by visiting www.douglas.co.us and search for water.
NE
!
W
This 3-hour training will help attendees identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. The training will be held Wed., April 29, 5-8 p.m., at the Douglas County Sheriff Substation in Highlands Ranch. To register for the training please email Phyllis Harvey at pharvey@dcsheriff.net or call 303-814-7033. Limited space is available. For more information on suicide awareness please visit www.dcsheriff.net/yess/ suicide-prevention/
No-Cost Wildfire Mitigation & Prep Workshop May 2
NE
!
W
Citizens are invited to attend a no-cost workshop on Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m - Noon at the Douglas County Events Center. The workshop will provide information regarding wildfire hazard reduction techniques, community wildfire mitigation and preparedness efforts, evacuation plans and insurance needs. Please RSVP by April 24 to jalexand@douglas.co.us May 2 is also National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day to help raise wildfire awareness in neighborhoods and communities. For more information visit www. wildfireprepday.org/
www.douglas.co.us For more information or to register for CodeRED please visit www.DouglasCountyCodeRed.com