March 10, 2016
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CAUCUS COMPLETE
Learning the languages
Jeffco voters joined the rest of the state in caucusing last week. Read about it on PAGE 7
Jeffco students putting dual-language education to work By Crystal Anderson canderson@colorado communitymedia.com Ask Foster Elementary School’s second-grade students about their charity projects, and the response can be surprising. “Do you want us to answer in English or Spanish?” said Madi Hiester. Her three classmates, Mateo Acosta, America Gonzales and Arody Rodriguez, seconded the question. Six weeks ago, Hiester and her 54 dual-language classmates split into groups of native Spanish and English speakers to research area nonprofits, learning how economic factors — scarcity, opportunity costs, and goods versus Language continues on Page 5
Talks start on north Washington Avenue work “See, you know English really well,” Annie Bryson, second-grade dual language teacher told, from left, Cristobal Nara-Rios, Damian Ontiveros Gutierrez and Christian Rodriguez. The Foster Elementary students were learning about the use of the silent ‘e’ in English grammar while playing checkers. Photo by Crystal Anderson
Adding a little art to the mix Wheat Ridge High School launches STEAM program
FIRST WHEAT RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL STEM/ STEAM GALA
By Clarke Reader creader@colorado communitymedia.com The success of Wheat Ridge High School’s STEM program last year led to a big question — how could the program continue to grow? The answer came in the school’s art teacher, Andy Yutzy. Together Yutzy and STEM instructor Chuck Sprague developed the STEAM (the “A” is for arts) class, which pairs the artistic world with that of science, engineering and math. “Community members came forward and wanted to add art to what we had at the school already,” Yutzy said. “I’ve been able to handpick the students to work on a sculpture project throughout the year.” Yutzy chose 17 students for the inaugural class, and the students got to work on their major project. The class de-
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Wheat Ridge High School’s STEAM instructor Adam Yutzy, center, works through the details of his class’ sculpture with some of his students. Photo by Clarke Reader cided to honor Wheat Ridge football player Freddie Steinmark and came with several options before settling on a design from sophomore Breanna Blucher. “I’m infatuated with nature, so that’s where I went for ideas over the summer,” Blucher said. “The Tree of Life means a lot of different things in different cultures, but I thought it would be a good match to honor Steinmark.”
The design for the statue went through several iterations before arriving at the final one, which is a single hand with a tree sprouting up through it. One of the biggest feathers in the cap of the STEAM class is the home for the sculpture when it’s finished — Lutheran Medical Center. “One of our first presentations as a group was to the board at Lutheran,” said junior
Amy Leasure. “We thought since the inspiration behind the sculpture is holding onto hope, it would be great at the hospital.” The hospital became the project’s main sponsor. But sudents also gave similar presentations to other business to help get all the necessary supplies. In class, students have worked in small groups that focus on specific areas of the project — everything from
Project will improve safety and accessibility of busy road By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Design work for the North Washington Avenue project — which will make the northern part of Golden’s main street safer and more accessible for all modes of transportation from walking to biking to driving — is not expected to begin until this fall with construction scheduled for 2017. That’s the news that came out of a Feb. 29 Golden community meeting hosted by the city to introduce residents to the project, which encompasses Washington Avenue from 10th Street north to state Highway 93. The $3 million project will be primarily funded by a federal transportation grant issued through the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and which will be partially matched by the city. The city will be working with the Colorado Department of Transportation on the project. Planning is still in preliminary stages, said Dan Hartman, the city’s public works director. More community meetings will be held as the project progresses. Street continues on Page 17
ISLAM IN FOCUS
STEAM continues on Page 17
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Local mosques serve community and education roles as well PAGE 12