August 25, 2016 VOLUME 150 | ISSUE 38 | 50¢
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J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Group mentors refugee families Building friendships among most important responsibilities By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Kindergarten teacher Sara Meyer addresses her class on the first day of school on Aug. 18 at Welchester Elementary in Lakewood/Golden. When Meyer finished talking to the students about the basics of the first day — and school in general — each student’s name was called, and one-by-one they received a name tag so everybody could get to know each other. Photos by Christy Steadman
Year starts on happy note Lakewood, Golden students return as school resumes By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com The first day of school at Welchester Elementary went smoothly. “So far, so good,” said Principal Bethany Robinson shortly after 8 a.m. when students were accounted for and in their appropriate classrooms. About 275 children from Lakewood and Golden showed up to Welchester for their first day of school on Aug. 18. “This is the day we’ve been working toward,” Robinson said. “This is why we’re here.” While teachers were working with their students on get-to-know each other exercises — passing out nametags or discussing what everybody did during summer break — a group of parents were meeting in the school’s library. The parent group is called Second Cup of Coffee and they will get together once a month throughout the school year to talk about parent involvement, according to Robinson. Discussions include different ways the school can support the parents of students. And as for the students, the first two weeks will be spent teaching expectations. The expectations are to help each
One day, a group of Goldenites visited the Golden Optimists — a local bicycle recycle program — to get a couple of bikes for a teenaged girl and boy new to the country. They took the bikes to the teens’ temporary household in Aurora where they were staying with their parents and newborn baby brother. The look on the teens’ faces was wonderful, group member Kathy Smith said. The boy “hopped on that bike and took off,” she said. “And when he came back, he was glowing.” Helping bring joy to immigrants and refugees is a principal role for the Golden Relief Group, an organization of community members — including Smith — dedicated to making a difference in their daily lives. Earlier this year, the Golden Relief Group partnered with Lutheran Family Services — a nonprofit that helps resettle refugees among its many services — to become cultural mentors or, simply, friends to the new arrivals. Responsibilities include helping adults Mentors continues on Page 10
FAMILY BONDS Young and old learn lessons together on the track. PAGE 14 By the time the children reach the fourth grade, they know what to expect on the first day of school. “They’re ready to go,” said teacher Natalie Applegate on Aug. 18 in her classroom at Welchester Elementary School. “They know what they’re doing.” Pictured is Applegate working with Keira Snell on filling out a sticky note. Each of the students jotted down what they did during the summer for a discussion exercise. student be successful, Robinson said, and include appropriate behavior in the cafeteria, for example. Back-to-school is always a good time for all, Robinson said. After the summer break, teachers and faculty enjoy reconnecting with students and
their families. And the students like to see their friends and teachers again, she said. It’s “energizing to see the kids walk through the door” on the first day, Robinson said. “Everybody’s happy to come back to school.”
UNSUNG HEROES Long snappers for area football teams take their role seriously. Check out this story and others as we continue our fall sports previews on PAGE 24.
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