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WPS News Now - Issue 13 - Summer 2021

2021 GRADUATES FINISH IN STYLE

In the end, they were able to do it together. In spite of a pandemic and unexpected challenges, the Westminster and Hidden Lake High School classes of 2021 celebrated their big days with in-person ceremonies that stressed togetherness and the strength that comes with overcoming adversity. Westminster High School’s (WHS) graduation ceremony was on May 22 at Memorial Stadium. Hidden Lake High School students graduated on May 29 at Ranum Middle School Auditorium. Because of the pandemic, guests were limited at both events. The district “live-streamed” both events so family and friends who couldn’t attend were still able to see students walk across the stage. See pictures, highlights, and the full graduation ceremonies here: mywps.org/graduation

12 EXTRA DAYS OF LEARNING MADE MEANINGFUL AND SPECIAL Westminster Public Schools (WPS) offered an additional 12 days of classroom instruction to enable students to make up for missed learning opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. About half of WPS students participated, and teachers and principals went all out to make sure the days were meaningful and special. At WHS, for example, CTE Visual Arts Core students created a mural on Westy grounds that celebrates the district’s CTE Program and learned about the function, cultural context, and importance Public Art has had in our society. WHS Biomed students learned about DNA extraction from a doctor who came to the classroom, and WHS Mechanics students examined the science and math behind how an engine works by tearing down an engine, labeling the parts and functions, and then putting it all back together.

NEXT SCHOOL YEAR TO BEGIN

August 17, 2021 DOWNLOAD the 2021-2022 calendars here:

mywps.org/calendar

360-DEGREE SCHOOL TOURS AVAILABLE We have created 360° virtual tours of many of our schools and invite you to take a look, check out the Q&As, and hear from teachers. No matter what school district you live in, your child has a place in WPS! Go to: WPStours.org

WPS PURCHASES PERL MACK COMMUNITY CENTER

ORCHARD PARK ACADEMY Opening August 2021 on Budget and on Schedule

On June 3, 2021, WPS and the Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District finalized the mutually beneficial sale of the Perl Mack Community Center building at 7125 Mariposa St. to WPS. The purchase price and appraisal were approved by the Board of Education in April with the board unanimously supporting a resolution calling the agreement “in the best interests of the District, its students, staff and families.” The sale will allow WPS to expand educational programs and activities for students and families in the Twin Lakes neighborhood. The center has long provided space for community events and gatherings and will remain an important resource for neighbors. In 2017, through a cooperative agreement with Hyland Hills, WPS opened an Early Learning Center in the building to provide infant, toddler, and preschool care for the community and WPS employees.

‘POWER OF HOPE’ TEAM RECOGNIZED

The brand-new school will expand from a traditional PK-5 to now include sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students. The WPS Board of Education got an insider’s look at the ongoing construction at Orchard Park Academy as well as a chance to see the exciting renovations at Colorado Sports Leadership Academy and the Metropolitan Arts Academy. They liked what they saw! Mark your calendars for a community open house and tour of our new Orchard Park Academy on August 16.

SHOUT OUTS WHS senior Jazmin Ponce Escoto has been awarded the Colorado Garden Foundation full-ride scholarship to Colorado State University. Jazmin will major in Environmental Horticulture to focus on helping communities create sustainable sources of food for those with limited access to fresh produce.

The National Postsecondary Strategy Institute (NPSI) awarded WPS with its “Power of Hope Award” for the work its school counselors do to help students focus on careers and college readiness. The award is given to just a handful of districts that work with a large number of students enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch program. The award is based on the belief that US economic growth depends on increases in the numbers of low-income and minority students that complete postsecondary pathways. “Dream, Plan, Do” is the award-winning model Westminster High School Future Center is built upon.

Marisol Rodriguez Guzman, an alumna of F.M. Day Elementary, Scott Carpenter Middle School, and WHS, is the recipient of a prestigious Boettcher Scholarship and will attend the University of Denver next fall, with plans to someday give back to her community. Marisol is one of just 42 Colorado scholars to receive the scholarship, which will fully cover the costs of her education.

WPS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS TOP $250,000 The Westminster Public Schools Foundation awarded 30 scholarships to deserving students who plan to continue their education after high school and then find ways to support their home community. View the list of winners and their biographies: fundwps.org/scholarships/scholars.html

WHS STUDENTS DESIGN AND PLANT TENNYSON KNOLLS SENSORY GARDEN WHS horticulture students designed and planted a sensory garden in front of Tennyson Knolls Preparatory School. It will now be a place of learning, enjoyment, and beauty. The project also serves as an example for Tennyson Knolls students of things they can do and achieve in high school – particularly as one of the WHS students, Jazmin Ponce Escoto, attended elementary school at Tennyson Knolls and just received a full-ride scholarship to Colorado State University! Watch the video to see project-based learning at its finest: mywps.org/tkgarden

Outstanding Support Staff of the Year

Congratulations to the five Education Support Professionals who were honored as Outstanding Support Staff for the 2020-21 school year. Delma Sisneros, General Ed Assistant - Skyline Vista K-8 Lora Davidek, Administrative Assistant - Creative Arts Pipeline Gerrick Nelson, Custodian - Metropolitan Arts Academy Megan Freiberg, Secretary to Principal - Tennyson Knolls Preparatory School Rongene Falasco-Wilcox, Executive Assistant - Human Resources The annual award was especially meaningful given the anxiety and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more: mywps.org/support

CHEF CHRIS HILL NAMED PROSTART TEACHER OF THE YEAR The Colorado Restaurant Association has named WHS chef Chris Hill as its ProStart Teacher of the Year for his commitment to students and the creation of the Wolf Bites Food Truck. The truck provides great-tasting food to customers while giving students real-life, on-the-job experience. The ProStart program teaches culinary skills to students interested in careers in the food and hospitality industry.

WESTMINSTER ELKS ‘TEACHERS OF THE YEAR’ HONORED Three educators have been named Westminster Elks Teachers of the Year for their amazing work on behalf of the students of WPS. Congratulations to: Robert “Robbie” Ferguson, CTE Computer Science and Engineering/Aerospace Teacher, WHS Kate Albynm, Special Education Specialist, WHS Beatris “Betty” Aragon, Special Education Teacher, Mesa Elementary. In addition to the recognition, a donation was made on their behalf to a charity of their choice. Learn more: Mywps.org/teachers

BACK TO SCHOOL BBQ AND BACKPACK GIVEAWAY SET FOR AUGUST 14

In collaboration with A Precious Child and other community partners, the WPS Back to School BBQ and Backpack Giveaway will return this summer at Memorial Stadium. Planning is underway and details will be shared with the community in the weeks ahead. It will be great opportunity to get together and share information about the coming year and our return to normal operations.

FREE MEALS FOR CHILDREN 18 AND UNDER THIS SUMMER Students have access to healthy, tasty meals during the summer break thanks to the WPS Nutrition Services Department and its partnership with state and federal food providers.

Drive-up meals are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays through August 6 at: John E. Flynn A Marzano Academy Colorado Sports Leadership Academy Ranum Middle School Westminster High School Westminster Academy for International Studies Hidden Lake High School Westminster Center Park (4801 W 92nd Ave, 80031)

We hope you enjoy this well-deserved break and the joys of summer. In this past school year we faced an unprecedented challenge and rose to the occasion, making it clear that “Where Education is Personal” is more than a slogan … it’s a philosophy that we bring to our daily work and our children and community are better because of it. Kindest Regards, Superintendent Pam Swanson, Your Board of Education, & the WPS Team

STAY CONNECTED

Meals are available to pick up indoors on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at: Westminster Rec Center (104th & Sheridan) Countryside Pool (10470 Oak Street, 80021)

Download our app: WestminsterPublicSchools.org/wpsapp

All sites will be closed on July 5th.

Meals are available for all children 18 and under; children do not need to be present for parent pick up.

We welcome your feedback! For questions or feedback about this publication please contact: communications@mywps.org