February 5, 2015 VOLU M E 1 0 | I S SUE 36
ArvadaPress.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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With five mobile classrooms located to the west of the school, classes of 35-36 sixth-graders fit snugly, four to a table, inside each temporary building. Photo by Crystal Anderson.
Over-capacity concerns
Parents wonder about future after new developments lead to increase in enrollment By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com With enrollment numbers on the rise, members of the northwest Arvada com-
munity are wondering where their kids are going to go to school next year. “We are starting to feel this influx that’s affecting our classes in different ways,” said Darcie Bolton Weiser, a parent of two children at Meiklejohn Elementary School. “I feel very lucky my kids’ class sizes are small right now, but who knows what’s going to happen with the numbers of kids we’re projected to get in.” Due to new housing developments cropping up across the district, several schools are seeing a rapid influx in enrollment. The increase in students is causing schools such as northwest Arvada’s West
Woods and Meiklejohn Elementary, to be over capacity. “I think the difference in Jefferson County is the district is so large, but you see these pockets of growth, and others where you see are at 60-70 percent capacity — but they’re nowhere where we need them to be,” said Jeffco Board of Education member, Jill Fellman. “If we can pick them up and move them we would, but we can’t.” The hardest hit area, which includes the Candelas, Five Parks, West Woods, Leyden Rock housing developments, extends north along Indiana Street from 70th Avenue to about 90th Street and serves approximately 1500 (see projection chart)
students, a number that both schools are having to work, creatively, to manage. For West Woods, with 670 students currently enrolled, finding space in an already crowded building is a tricky task. According to Facilities Manager, Jason Walling, the school is seeing an influx of first, fifth and sixth graders, with more than 100 students per grade level. Divided into three classrooms of 28-36 students, this increase leaves a lack of space for instruments, backpacks and coats, small groups inside
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Remembering locals Third-generation resident authors Arvada historical book By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com For Tanya Long, history doesn’t just lie in the pages of a book, it’s all around us. “I grew up listening to the stories of my grandmother and my great grandmother living here, so I knew a lot of the people who lived here, or the ‘old timers’ as you’d call them,” Long said. In her new book, “Legendary Locals of Arvada” long explores the city of Arvada by looking over the past 160 years. From murder mysteries to agricultural accomplishments, Long highlights the pioneers, business men and women, political movers and shakers and everyday local heroes who were influential in creating and aiding vibrancy and culture of the city today. “I came across little nuggets of information that people didn’t know about and people should know this,” she said. “It’s a pride thing in the town that you live in and where you’re from.” A third-generation Arvada resident and member of the Arvada Historical Society, Long said she took on the project following a desire to learn more about the city and to share the stories of Arvada’s legends with the community. “I hope to educate people so they can learn more about the town founders and the people who really made a difference that maybe nobody knew about,” she said. “Legendary Locals of Arvada” is available at Barnes and Nobles, Arvada Wal-
“Legendary Locals of Arvada.” Courtesy photos greens and on Amazon.com. For more information, visit http://bit. ly/1CzoZOe. Benjamin Wadsworth — Cofounder of the city, Benjamin Wadsworth was instrumental in building the framework of the city. A renaissance man, Wadsworth was a farmer, Arvada’s first postmaster, sold real estate, funded the building of the Old School House 5650 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., and the Arvada Methodist Church. Lloyd Gorrell — Editor and publisher of the Arvada Enterprise, Gorrell also played a key role on the board of directors for the Arvada Volunteer Fire Department, was
Tanya Long, a third-generation Arvada resident, wrote a book, “Legendary Locals of Arvada.” The book examines the people who made the city’s history. named Man of the Year in 1956 and 1970 and was inducted into the Jefferson County Hall of Fame. Helen Lawrence — A cherished educator, Lawrence taught generations of Arvada children at the Arvada Grade School during her 35-year teaching career. Following her lengthy career, Lawrence retired. In 1954,
the school was renamed the Helen Lawrence Elementary School in her honor. Ann Jackson — Elected into the mayoral office in 1963, Jackson, Arvada’s first female mayor, faced personal attacks and a recall election. Prevailing against both, Jackson led the city for a year before resigning. She was also named Woman of the Year in 1960.