January 7, 2016
Voluntary Contribution
VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 50
PROGRAM
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Suspect in school threat charged as adult The other 16-year-old student must complete a psychiatric evaluation before charges can be filed By Alex DeWind adewind@colorado communitymedia.com One of two 16-year-old female students accused of making a violent threat against Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch has been charged as an adult with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder with
extreme indifference and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder after deliberation. The bond for Sienna Johnson, who appeared in Douglas County court Jan. 5 in a green jumpsuit with handcuffs around her wrists, has been set at $1 million. Flanked by her public defender, she alternately scanned the room and stared at the floor without expression. Colorado Community Media is identifying her because of the adult charges. The other suspect, who will be identified if charged as an adult, also appeared in court at an earlier hear-
ing Jan. 5 and was ordered to complete a psychiatric evaluation before charges can be filed. Prosecutors said Johnson admitted to faking progress while being held at Children’s Hospital for a psychiatric review and told detectives she was determined to carry out the threat if released. They said Johnson was a threat to herself and the community, in part, because of a detailed map she created in her journal with the letters “NBK,” which prosecutors said Threat continues on Page 5
District Attorney George Brauchler speaks at a court hearing on Jan. 5 for one of the 16-year-old female students accused of a threat against Mountain Vista High School. “This is not a case that we want to guess wrong on, either for the juvenile or for the community,” he said. Photo by Alex DeWind
Progress reports confusing to some Reports incorporate new measurement tools, use new online portal By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
A group of seniors works out together at the Lone Tree Recreation Center. Committing to fitness with a group of friends helps members stay accountable, several fitness instructors say. Photos by Mike DiFerdinando
Overcoming workout woes Pitfalls of New Year’s fitness goals can be intimidating for some By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com For many, a new year means a new you. Some 44 percent of Americans make a New Year’s resolution, according to a 2013 study by Pew Research Center. Of that group, 12 percent say they want to exercise more and 11 percent want to lose weight. If you are trying to get back in shape in 2016, or just starting to work out for the first time, the road to better health can be fraught with potential pitfalls. From gym intimidation, to staying on track or finding the right routine, heading into the gym can be easier said then done. “I know some people get a little frustrated — the regulars who come year-round — that we get a big influx of people coming at the start of the new year,” said Kelsey Whisler, fitness supervisor at Goodson Recreation Center in Centennial. “I just hope those people will be welcoming and remember the first time they started coming to the gym and how intimidating it can be.” Whisler suggests group classes as a way of easing back into fitness. “If you have a friend who has been Workout continues on Page 4
People do cardio workouts at the Goodson Recreation Center in Centennial.
Parent Amy DeValk, who has a student at Arrowwood Elementary in Highlands Ranch, is frustrated: The new electronic report card leaves her more confused than clear about how her daughter is doing in school. “The descriptions of outcomes and content are vague and somewhat meaningless,” she said. “For example, under math, one of the outcomes is ‘use appropriate tools strategically.’ What tools? As they apply to what? Fractions, geometry, algebra? And what does strategically mean as it applies to math tools? Can she pick the right operation? There isn’t enough information provided. I should not need a cross-reference to understand how my child is doing in school or to interpret her progress report.” DeValk is among some parents and teachers concerned about the Douglas County School District’s new Elementary Progress Report, a revised electronic report card system for elementary students. The parents say it is difficult to understand and use. The teachers say the district gave little guidance for developing rubrics to evaluate student performance. But some principals and district administrators, while acknowledging the system needs refinement, say the new assessment tool — which has been in development for 2 1/2 years — needed to be updated. Unlike the previous report system, the new one measures students against the most recent standards and desired goals and provides a more accurate picture of what and how students are learning. Each school also has flexibility in adapting the report to its own values and principles. “We wanted to be able to report out on our Guaranteed Viable Curriculum — so, not only Colorado state standards but also 21st Century Skills and various World Class Outcomes that we have,” said Ted Knight, assistant superintendent for Reports continues on Page 5