August Peak Inside Newsletter

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Peak Inside August 2018

In this issue ...

-News from Leadership -VoW Annual Survey Coming Soon

-Celebrating Teachers of the Year -Upcoming Events

Special Sightings Across District 49

Top left, then clockwise: Kemper Truex, kindergartner, works on a project with his dad, Nathan Truex, assistant principal at Falcon High School, on the first day of class at MRES Aug. 1. Audra Lane, campus director, welcomes the class of 2022 to Sand Creek High School during freshmen orientation Aug. 1. New District 49 and Odyssey Elementary School kindergarten teacher Deanne Thoden, greets her students on their first day in class, Aug. 3. The ALLIES family celebrates their new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony July 25.

Important Updates News from Leadership Enhancing School Security—Earning Community Confidence

Pedro Almeida

Peter Hilts

Brett Ridgway

Since 2014 when District 49 first sought community investment to enhance school security, we have been dedicated to upgrading physical safety and operational security at our schools and sites. In the last five years, we have added new video systems, secure dual-layer entries at all schools, buzz-in systems at all schools, and more than tripled the size of our district-level armed security force.

This week, 40 members of the ESCAT began researching options for five different aspects of school security: people, equipment, training, collaboration and communication. Examining our security team, and comparing to other districts and organizations will help ensure our security team has the right size and expertise. Learning about the equipment category will help us stay on top of tools and technologies that could help us detect and deter threats.

In addition, we are amplifying our efforts to meet our community’s expectations for school security.

The school board and chief officers are monitoring growing concern about threats to students and schools. During chief officer rounding sessions last spring, the theme of security training and preparation was one of the most intense conversation topics.

The final three categories—training, collaboration and communication—address how we work and share information within the district and with first responders. Our first priority is providing parents with timely information during a critical event, while still maintaining security and providing accurate information to local media.

In response to concerns from our staff and community, our school board and chief officers launched the Enhanced Security Initiative to explore and implement proposals for security upgrades. Led by Pedro Almeida, our chief operations officer, the ESI will depend heavily on input from the workforce, parents and students. Mr. Almeida has recruited parents, students, staff and community members to form the Enhanced Security Community Advisory Team, or ESCAT. The purpose of ESCAT is be our in-house experts about new concerns and developments in school security. With the prominence of school violence and continued debates about arming staff, the time is right to put our mission into practice.

School violence is a growing concern, so our priority is to adopt strategies that meet community expectations. Parents and students look to us for leadership on keeping schools safe, so we are doing our best to validate their trust, and demonstrate the care and protection students deserve. As a team of chief officers, we have many priorities and responsibilities, but none more important than keeping our schools secure. Please join us in supporting the work of ESCAT and reassuring students and parents that nothing is more important than school security.

Beginning of the School Year Fun - Falcon Zone leaders were rockin’ when they went back to school. To see their back-to-school moves, check out the video they made to show their excitement.

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In service to District 49, Your Chief Officer Team View Falcon Zone

Kickoff Video

Around the District Health & Wellness Corner Mark your calendars for this popular repeat event.

The event fee is only $10 for D49 staff and students; $15 for friends and family. New this year is a FREE 49-yard dash for kids. All participants receive a schwag bag, post-race snacks, long-sleeve t-shirt, finishers medal and raffle ticket for prizes.

Last year’s event sold out, so register today!

Saturday, Sept. 29 | 9:00 a.m. | Falcon H.S.

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

Sept. 8 Google Apps for Littles - Free workshop for K-3 teachers. See Aha! Network for details and to sign up.

Aug. 31 Peakview: A-Frame Event - Welcome Back All D49 Staff Event at Sand Creek High School. Come for free Chick-fil-A, prizes, district updates and camaraderie.

Sept. 8 Teaching Math with Google Apps - Free workshop for grades 4-12 math teachers. See Aha! Network for details and to sign up.

What’s New with VoW Surveys The VoW (Voice of the Workforce) Annual Survey is just around the corner! The survey will be open Aug. 31 - Sept. 14.

The VoW Annual Survey is one way the district can learn by listening to D49 team members. It’s your opportunity to share insight anonymously that helps shape strategic initiatives.

A total of 79% of the workforce participated in the survey last year. This year, it’s our goal to hear from 90% of the workforce.

Thanks to your feedback from past VoW Annual Surveys, the teacher compensation task force was

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created which impacted a new, higher base pay for teachers. In addition, to address feedback regarding training for paraprofessionals, a Movement Method training session was offered last spring.

Your feedback does matter, and it helps make meaningful changes in District 49.

To show appreciation for buildings/departments with the highest participation rates, Peak Treat Rewards will be back! Your school or department could be enjoying pizza, Chick-fil-A, chair massages and more.

Spotlight on Team Members Employee Accolades Congratulations to the following staff members who were honored before the Aug. 9 BOE meeting. Each was recognized as their school’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

Laura Anderson Jennifer Aubain Susan Beiner Layne Cerrone Teresa Hinote Carolyn Jones Sheila Kelly Karen Leonhardt Tami Lupton Lori McCoy Lura Moore,

MRES SSAE SRES EIES ALLIES FESOT OES HMS WHES RES SMS

Nathan Pearsall VRHS David Ritz SES Adrianne Ryland PPEC Tim Scheck FMS Katie Stafford RVES Nathan Wood SCHS

Do you work with a fantastic colleague? Consider nominating a D49 team member for Fantastic 49 recognition. Visit D49.org/peakinside to complete a nomination form.

Central Office Introductions Congratulations to Jean Rice on her new role as director of special education.

Prior to this position, Rice began her teaching career as an English/History teacher in Trinidad, Colorado. She also taught special education in D11 and Manitou Springs, and worked in Douglas County as director of special education.

In D49, Rice will work to assure quality IEPs paint a picture of a student, so others have a roadmap of student needs. She will also be responsible for compliance of legal issues, and training and support of staff.

In her free time, Rice loves to read, walk her dogs and travel. She is also a Denver Broncos fan. Her family includes two daughters, Allicia and Sarah, along with a son-in-law, David, and granddaughter, Anna.

Rice is located at central office. She can be reached at jlrice@d49.org or 719-494-1116.

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