As a timely way to keep you informed, we offer the Jeffco Good News. Our goal is to provide you with a snapshot of the many accomplishments that occur every week in your schools. Please feel free to share the good news and as always, thank you for your support!
JEFFCO HIGH SCHOOLS ARE TOPS
U.S. News & World Report reviewed more than 30,000 public high schools across the country and ranked 88 Colorado schools in the 2014 Best High Schools list. Three Jeffco high schools, D’Evelyn (2), Evergreen (9) and Conifer (10) high schools were ranked on Colorado’s top-10 list. Four other Jeffco high schools including Lakewood (17), Ralston Valley (21), Wheat Ridge (29) and Jefferson Charter Academy (45) high schools placed on the state’s top-50 best high school list. View the full list of Colorado schools.
ARVADA WEST HIGH EARNS HONORS
Arvada West High School’s The Claw yearbook staff recently visited Colorado State University for the Colorado High School Press Association's Journalism Day Convention. The event allows students to take workshop classes from journalism professionals and includes a best of show competition. The AWest yearbook staff submitted three photos and captions to appear in the school’s 2015 yearbook to be judged by professional photographers. Junior Andrew Mares and freshman Nick Drake's photos, along with juniors Whitney Larson and Delaney Nelson's captions, earned the student newspaper second place in the competition. The Claw staff also walked away with the All Colorado Honors, the top award, for the fourth straight year.
ALAMEDA HIGH STUDENT DRIVE CHARITY
The Alameda International High School National Honor Society and IB Diploma Program sponsored their 7th Annual Food Drive to support the Action Center. More than 65 students and staff participated by going into their neighborhood and making requests for donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries. They collected over 1,500 items in less than two hours.
PROSPECT VALLEY IS WALKIN’ AND WHEELIN’
As part of Prospect Valley Elementary School's 2014 Walk or Bike to School Day, students and families took to the sidewalks. "I like walking to school because it gives you exercise and you don't waste gas from cars," said a student. Parent Laura Novotny said the event encourages a sense of community in the school. "We have a lot of people that live close and yet, still tend to drive so it's just helping to encourage them to leave that car at home even try one or two days a week to get out and walk with their kids and start the day off right," she said. Parent David Schroeder said the day helps to care for the environment, but is also a chance to be role models for kids. "We live in such a great state in Colorado. We have great weather and an opportunity to get outside a lot of the year and this is a good opportunity to set that example," he said. Watch the full video story on JPS-TV, Jeffco's official YouTube channel.
PINWHEELS PLANTED FOR PEACE
Patterson International Schoolstudents planted symbols of peace right in their front yard. The school hosted a Pinwheels for Peaceevent and every student had the chance to create a colorful pinwheel. The school invited students and staff to plant their pinwheels as a part of International Day of Peace.Watch Patterson's Animoto video.
STUDENT HONORED FOR HER HEART AND COURAGE
Last May, Arvada West High School student Mikayla Brown was a first responder to a head-on car accident. She was only 17 at the time, but instinctively grabbed her practice EMT bag and covered the man’s body to keep him warm while she performed CPR before paramedics arrived. Mikayla has said she wishes she could have saved the victim's life, but she's grateful that she was there to comfort him and keep him warm when his family and loved ones could not. The Wheat Ridge City Council has recognized Mikayla with The Citizen Award for her heroic efforts.
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