School News You Can Use in Leadville Today
There are a few things coming up in this school week that Leadville Today readers should take note of.
The first will be this Wednesday, April 25. The Lake County School District (LCSD) in cooperation with multiple law enforcement partners will conduct an evacuation drill at Lake County High School on Wednesday afternoon.
Recent emergency school drills were conducted in neighboring Buena Vista School District allowing students, teachers and staff to be prepared in the event of an actual emergency. This week Lake County School District will run the drill on Wednesday. Photo: BVSD Facebook.
According to LCSD Chief Financial Officer Kate Bartlett, “This type of drill is a best practice and is part of our ongoing work on school safety.” Community members should be advised of the drill exercise in case they see an increase in law enforcement activity in the area of the high school. Also, Pre-Kindergarten thru 6th grade students will not be impacted by the drill other than staying inside during the afternoon.
Parents of LCSD students have been notified and readers can learn more details by clicking on the: English – Drill Notification; Spanish – Drill Notification.
Then on Thursday, April 26 Lake County School District Superintendent Wendy Wyman announced that there will be no school for students.
“Many teachers, staff and administrators and their families from Lake County will join educators from across the state to march at the Capitol in Denver. Because so many of our teachers staff and administrators want to join the march, we will not be able to run school on Thursday, April 26. And all Lake County District Schools will be closed for students.”
Leadville Today readers can find more details in a copy of Superintendent Wyman’s letter from herself and the Lake County Education Association.
And finally a reminder to parents that there is no school on Friday April 27 or Monday April 30, so students are getting a five-day weekend for the last one in April 2018, and will return to classes on Tuesday, May 1.
Coast-to-Coast, teachers are protesting for better wages and improved working conditions. On Thursday it’s Colorado turn to march at the State Capitol and Leadville teachers will join them, prompting school closures for students on Thursday, April 27. Pictured here is Cody Jump a teacher at Lake County High School. Read FULL STORY. Photo: Erica Meltzer/Chalkbeat
District Receives Award for Healthy Schools
Lake County School District announced earlier this month that they are a 2018 Healthy School Champion and have won the $5,000 Gold Award for their school health efforts. As one of 47 champions named as a 2018 Healthy School Champion, the LCSD’s work will be honored through the annual recognition program which awards schools and school districts for creating and supporting a healthy school environment and successfully implementing effective school health efforts that support student learning.
Salad bars are a popular option for healthy choices in Leadville school cafeterias.
“Schools and staff across the district have been working really hard to ensure that students’ primary needs, whether that be food access, healthy relationship skills, or mental health supports, are met so they can focus on their studies. We are truly proud of what we’ve been able to achieve over the last few years, and are committed to supporting this important part of our mission as educators.” said Kerri Quinlan, Healthy Schools Director.
Healthy School Champions Recognition is presented by Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) and Colorado’s Healthy Schools Successful Students, and sponsored by The Colorado Health Foundation.
“These schools and districts have successfully demonstrated the critical link between student health and academic achievement and we’re excited to present this year’s 2018 Healthy School Champions award to Lake County School District,”said CEI Director of School Health Amy Dyett.
Schools and school districts are awarded based on their implementation of best practices in school health, captured through an assessment tool called Smart Source, a narrative outlining their work, and letters of support. The program has given over 315 awards, granting more than $350,000 over the past eight years in the range of $300 to $7,500 per champion.
Middle-Schooler To Attend D.C. Leadership Conference
Kaleigh York, a 5th grader at Lake County Middle School was recently awarded the Academic Achievement and Leadership Ability which includes an invitation to participate in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference held in Washington DC.
Kaleigh York goes to Washington – with your help this Leadville 5th grader will see the sights and represent America’s highest city in the nation’s capitol. Click to connect for details
“Kaleigh is very smart and outgoing and has leadership skills that will carry her throughout her life,” her proud mother reported on the Go Fund Me Page set up to help defray her travel costs for the conference. “She has been very determined to excel in everything she does, and as a mom I could not be more proud of the young lady she has become.”
According to details from the online fundraising site: The event is held in Washington DC and for 6 days she will be attending focus groups for respect and goal setting and being the voice of change project. She will be able to go through and learn about our nation and be able to experience going to our national memorials. Kaleigh and myself would appreciate any donation that would help go to her tuition fee and airfare. Readers may connect and make a donation: HERE.
Spring Art Show on the Horizon
In other school news, the annual Spring Art Show is scheduled for Friday, May 4. This district-wide show celebrates artwork from Lake County’s preschool through 12th grade students.
Art show coordinators and teachers, Amanda Good and Erin Farrow depend on amazing, generous volunteers to make this event happen, and this year will be no different. This is the art program’s only fundraiser, and it is how they raise the majority of the money used for art supplies.
Here’s how you can help: Every little bit helps!
- Week leading up to May 4 show, after school this week: bringing artwork from the Lake County High School to Lake County Intermediate School.
- Day of Show, Friday, May 4
- Set Up from 8:15 a.m. until 2 or 3 p.m.
- Clean Up after the show 8 – 9 p.m.
- During the Spring Art Show two shifts: 5 – 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 8 p.m. tp cover a variety of activities. You do not need to be artistic to help!
Attendees will see the return of the silent auction, with lots of generously donated goodies! There will also be a ceramic sale featuring handmade ceramic work by high school students, Lake County’s High School art teacher, and some fabulous local artists. For more information, contact Erin Farrow at efarrow@lakecountyschools.net or 719-486-6838.
This colorful ceramic giraffee created by student artist Miah Velasques was a real crowd pleaser at the 2017 Spring Art Show. Photo: Leadville Today/Mary Jelf.
