Chronicle Parker
Parker 5/9/13
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May 10, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourparkernews.com
Parker Marine killed Cpl. David Sonka dies serving in Afghanistan By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com
Mike Mulligan, president of the Parker Area Historical Society, talks about the history of Ruth Memorial Chapel, which opened in 1913. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
One-room chapel hits 100-year mark Public invited to celebrate anniversary of landmark By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com The charming white chapel that lends historical ambience to the downtown district has hit the century mark. Ruth Memorial Chapel, which stands proudly on the south side of Mainstreet near Victorian Drive, is a landmark unlike any other in the Town of Parker. It’s among the few structures that have survived the modernization of the downtown area. Town officials and longtime residents are preparing to mark its 100th anniversary with a celebration from 10 a.m. to noon May 18. Carriage rides and live music from the early 20th century will help participants “travel back in time to 1913,� according to the public invitation. Walking into the one-room chapel, visitors are met with a sense of nostalgia. Those who take a tour of the chapel during the May 18 event will note finely crafted windows, sturdy church pews and the echoes of their own footfalls. The Parker Area Historical Society, which helps represent and protect historic structures, partnered with the town for the 100-year celebration. Mike Mulligan, president of the historical society, says Ruth Memorial Chapel was the first church built in town. All previous services were held in residents’ homes.
Friends and family members are mourning the loss of a U.S. Marine from Parker who was killed in Afghanistan. Cpl. David M. Sonka, a dog handler with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, died May 4 while conducting combat operations in Farah province in Afghanistan. The 23-year-old was based out of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Maj. Jeff Landis, a public affairs officer for the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, said a dignified transfer of Sonka’s remains took place May 7. Sonka’s friends tentatively scheduled a candlelight vigil called “Tribute for a Hero� at Chaparral High School May 12. Plans are still being finalized. On a Facebook page dedicated to the event, Sonka’s wife, Torey, expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community, saying she is “devastated� by the loss but “incredibly thankful� for messages from well-wishers. She said her husband “deserves the highest honor.� The circumstances of Sonka’s death are still under investigation. The Department of Defense will issue a statement once more details are confirmed, Landis said. He was unable to comment on reports that Sonka was one of the casualties of an insider attack allegedly perpetrated by an Afghan soldier. Also killed in the attack were his dog, Flex, and Staff Sgt. Eric D. Christian, 39, of Warwick, N.Y. Christian’s brother, Philip, told New York media outlets that his brother and another Marine were training Afghan soldiers when one of them turned on the Americans and shot them during a patrol. The statement could not be independently verified. Sara Webber, who knew Sonka since kindergarten and is helping to organize the “Tribute for a Hero� event, said he was an Marine continues on Page 12
Ruth Memorial Chapel is one of the historic landmarks of Mainstreet. The town-owned chapel hosts weddings and 4VOEBZ DIVSDI TFSWJDFT " ZFBS BOOJWFSTBSZ DFMFCSBUJPO JT TDIFEVMFE GPS .BZ Dedicated in May 1913 as Ruth Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, the facility still hosts weddings and regular church services, with seating for 70. It has undergone a few renovations over
the years — most recently in 2004, when new exterior paint was applied and the hardwood floors were finished — but has Chapel continues on Page 12
Survey finds teachers satisfied with schools Union official says results don’t extend to district By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com A state-directed teacher survey shows Douglas County educators feel supported by their communities, happy in their workplaces and empowered as instructional leaders. That, district officials say, is cause for celebration. But others say the results reflect only conditions at the school level, and that satisfaction with the Douglas County School District overall is poor. The state education department’s Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning
(TELL) survey is an anonymous statewide survey of educators, conducted every two years and designed to assess teaching conditions at the school, district and state level. More than 70 percent of DCSD’s teachers participated in the 2013 survey, giving high marks to support for schools from their communities, clarity of policies and expectations, the work environment, professional standards and the curriculum. In total, 84.7 percent agreed their school is a good place to work and learn. “We were really pleased,� DCSD spokeswoman Cinamon Watson said. “We had lots of teacher participation, and we improved in two-thirds of the data points over 2011. Some of those important ones I’d say (are that) teachers are empowered as instructional leaders in their classrooms. Teachers
feel there’s a real sense of collaboration and trust. Our teachers feel very supported by the community.� On most questions, DCSD teachers’ satisfaction exceeded the state average. “The TELL survey was very positive about teacher satisfaction in Douglas County,� Watson said. “That’s great news for our schools and our community.� Douglas County teachers’ union vice president Courtney Smith said she isn’t surprised by the results, but said they don’t paint a complete picture of conditions within the district. “The TELL survey is designed to gather information at the school level,� she said. “Teachers are happy at the school level beSurvey continues on Page 12
Cpl. David Sonka was killed May 4 while serving as a dog handler with the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command in Afghanistan. Courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps
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