Over the past few decades in America, participation in youth sports and activities have had a steady decline. This begs the question, why are so many young people choosing gaming (playing video games) over physical activities? For those who choose to participate in physical activities, what’s their drive and motivation? There are many key factors
With the constant progression and advancement of technology in the modern world, it is difficult to predict what life will look like in the near future. Just ten years ago, the limited capabilities of Siri and Alexa were considered revolutionary, Roomba vacuum robots were new and exciting, and self-driving cars were viewed as futuristic. Fast
Cursive writing is often referred to as a form of art and is considered more elegant and efficient than basic handwriting. While many believe this to be true, it seems as though this form of “art” is fading into the past. As a senior in high school, I can confidently say that cursive has no
With only a few months until the school year is over, students are bubbling with excitement and the possibility of summer. Summer plans reflect social trends, as well as personal interests and goals. Summer is more than two months long, which offers much time for personal growth. Some things to keep in mind are how
Early in my career as a school psychologist, I worked in a very large school district in another state. The school psychologists there practiced in a “test and place” model, meaning a good chunk of my time was spent conducting psychoeducational evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services. Part of my role involved participating
Montessori education is focused on independence, hands-on-learning and collaboration. Developed by Maria Montessori, this approach emphasizes self-directed learning, mixed-age classrooms, and practical life experience. Unlike traditional schools, where students follow a rigid schedule and standardized curriculum, Montessori education allows students to progress at their own pace, exploring subjects through experiential learning. Compass Montessori is a
Dear Wheat Ridge area staff and families, Tonight, our neighbors to the east in the Jefferson articulation area began a series of meetings that will continue through April to explore the future of programming for secondary students (grades 6-12) in the community. A district wide boundary study published in Spring 2024 raised concerns about the
Living at home as a teenager in today’s economy comes with its own set of challenges, and it’s something I think about when I imagine my future. I plan to move out east for college and hopefully start a career out there, but honestly, I’m worried about how the current economy will impact my studies,
The Wheat Ridge Coalition for Education is hosting a Miracle Shop this holiday season. The shop will be offered to families of Wheat Ridge students who are not able to take advantage of other local assistance. They are now accepting gift donations, and unwrapped items can be dropped off at Jeffco Public Schools, 1829 Denver
It’s that time of year again…school choice. This is the time of year when some families are busy attending school information nights and looking at the Jeffco School Insights website to decide which schools might be a good fit for their student. We are lucky that Wheat Ridge has great school options including traditional neighborhood
The Stober Elementary School staff, led by principal Anne DiCola, was recognized at the JeffCo Public Schools October board meeting for its outstanding academic growth, as measured by the most recent statewide CMAS testing. Stober was one of only five schools in the district to achieve high growth, at the 70th percentile or above, on
In December of 2021 the Jeffco School Board voted to partner up with the City of Arvada and APEX Recreation (funded 50% by property taxes) and build a 35 million dollar swimming facility for the residents of Arvada. This was to replace the aging Meyers Pool. Much was written about the issue. Who was footing
Hope is the continued belief in the ability to achieve goals and dreams, even when one is faced with challenges. I’ve experienced this first hand. I love trying new things – it’s one of my values in life. And sometimes, it can be a little scary to try them. But I’ve learned that if I
As the dog days of summer slowly recede underneath the beauty of fall leaves, we welcome back our students, teachers, and parents to another school year. While Edgewater is small, we are unique in that we have four school campuses in a city less than 0.8 square miles in size. Our schools are unique in
Another school year approaches, and juniors and seniors are strategizing about their post-high school lives. Many are pursuing scholarships and apprenticeships that make the next steps of the journey possible. They often want to meet everyone’s expectations of their potential. This can be accompanied by stress, fear of failure, and a drive for perfection in
The public comment period at the April 11 Jefferson County School Board meeting saw parents and community members rally in support of the board and district for its policies surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, in opposition to the accusations of speakers who seek to dismantle the district’s current policy, JB-R, the anti-discrimination Equal Education Opportunities for
Despite the harsh weather, scores of parents and community members reached out to the Jeffco School Board during public comment to express their hope and trust in the district to stand by LGBTQ+ students by upholding the district’s JB-R policy, in addition to supporting Colorado House Bills 1039 and 1323. The March 14 meeting was
The first Jefferson County School Board meeting of the new year and the second meeting of the newly-elected board on Jan. 18 devoted most of the evening to awards and recognitions, before summarily approving 24 items as part of the consent agenda without discussion. Items in the consent agenda included approval of 18 acres of
On the evening of Dec. 6, I pulled onto Independence Street, heading to Peak Expeditionary School’s Festivus Celebration. Midway up the road, cars were lining the sidewalks, and as I turned into the school’s driveway, the parking lot was completely full. Having gone to Pennington Elementary (now Peak) myself and having kiddos there since 2015,
The Jeffco Schools consolidation process has been, simply put, tough. The merged school populations are working hard to make the best of a challenging situation but the loss of culture and community is draining for students, families and staff. The school district branded the closure process “Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools” but I have talked
It’s been years since our kids attended school, and yet we are so happy when we run into parents we met at pick up and drop off, PTA activities and more, all those years ago. Recently Brenda Reitz had organized a meet up for parents whose children attended Prospect Valley. It was great to reunite
Each phase of my education has provided several building blocks to the foundation of the person that I am today. As a college student, I often reflect and refer to these building blocks to better assess academic and personal matters. While I learned many useful lessons that I will continue to carry with me, I
Healing our inner child is a concept that most of us are familiar with, unique to each person’s perspective. For me, this looked like running to Prospect Valley Elementary School, followed by sitting under the big cottonwood tree that overlooked the playground and field. I caught myself several times engulfed with nostalgia, recovering lost memories
Back in the 1960s, the British Prime Minister was asked what the greatest challenge is for a statesman. His famous reply has been repeated many times: “Events, dear boy, events.” In my remarks to this year’s graduates, I’ve said that In August 2019, they started high school with the same hopes, dreams and fears as
