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November 13, 2014 VOLU M E 1 3 | I SS UE 43
LoneTreeVoice.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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SANTA ARRIVES AT PARK MEADOWS
Students opt out of tests Seniors statewide balk at taking lengthy new assessment By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com
Santa, who pulled up in a South Metro fire truck, extends his hand to Conner Kane, 3, of Highlands Ranch, immediately after his Nov. 8 arrival at Park Meadows mall. Payton Keeney, 6, of Parker writes a letter to Santa while waiting for him to arrive at Park Meadows mall Nov. 8.
Santa arrived at Park Meadows mall in a South Metro fire truck Nov. 8, officially kicking off the shopping center’s holiday season. Children gathered in the dining hall to wait for his arrival, doing Christmas crafts, writing letters to the jolly old elf and meeting cheerful characters including a gingerbread man, and huggable bear mascots from Build-A-Bear and LL Bean. Santa will be available to hear children’s Christmas wishes and for photos in his Alpine Village at Park Meadows through Dec. 24.
PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER
High school seniors throughout Colorado refused to participate Nov. 5 and 6 in a statemandated test. Many school leaders, parents and students hope the expected low participation rate sends a clear message about what they believe is excessive standardized testing. “People don’t always listen to educators, but they do listen to parents and students,” Cherry Creek School District spokeswoman Tustin Amole said. “This may be very helpful in letting policy makers know how parents and students feel.” A state education official said the student response likely will result in significant discussion. The first week in November was the beginning of three weeks of state-issued social studies and science tests for high school seniors called the Colorado Measures of Academic Success. Colorado students in fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth grades underwent CMAS testing in spring 2014. The online test is a partial replacement for both the original Colorado Student Assessment Program, administered until 2011, and the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program, issued in 2012 and 2013. Those exams were designed to test third- through 10th-grade students’ math, science, reading and writing skills. A separate CMAS test, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College & Career, will test third- through 11th-grade students in reading writing and math beginning in spring 2015. Tests continues on Page 17
CU South Denver plans for future Second phase of university’s renovation set for next year By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com The introduction of classes this fall at the University of Colorado’s South Denver facility at The Wildlife Experience is merely a starting point for what’s to come. Just six months ago, poisonous snakes occupied a 7,000 square-foot space that now serves as three separate classrooms. What were once basement storage rooms for taxidermy animals and wildlife exhibits are now high-tech simulation labs that host incredibly life-like training scenarios for the school’s 36 nursing students. In total, the University of Colorado has renovated 11,000 square-feet of underutilized space into classrooms, and a second phase of construction next year will further transform the facility into a full-fledged, institution of higher learning. A commons area will be enhanced. Dedicated desk space for faculty will be added. The existing Discovery Den downstairs near the entrance will be put to better use. And, of course, the number of students will increase. CU officials are in the process of determining the scope of the next phase of improve-
ments, and what fields of study to add. It’s the responsibility of Jonathan Lurie, assistant vice chancellor for program operations, to help “evaluate what new programs might be appropriate” and how they could fit into the existing curriculum taught at CU campuses in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs, he said. The university is also exploring business partnerships, museum operations and continuing K-12 outreach. “We want to make sure we’re connecting with folks who are interested in classes, events and collaborative partnerships,” Lurie said. The school is currently operating under a lease agreement with The Wildlife Experience, a wildlife art museum with interactive educational exhibits that opened in 2003. The museum’s founders, Dave and Gail Liniger, donated the museum building to the university in September. CU will officially take over the Liniger Building at CU South Denver Jan. 1. “The Wildlife Experience will still exist, but it becomes the owner of an art collection that we will have here and that will be really its only function,” said Lisa Douglas, vice chancellor of the south Denver facility. But that doesn’t mean the popular annual functions will go away. For the foreseeable future, the university will maintain the regular schedule of museum events, including “Movie CU continues on Page 17
Lisa Douglas, vice chancellor of CU South Denver in Douglas County, talks about the “distance learning” technology that enables professors to teach from afar. Photo by Chris Michlewicz