January 6, 2012

January 6, 2012

How fortunate we all are to have had several weeks to spend some time with family and friends, to relax and recharge. Here we are at the beginning of a New Year with five months ahead of us to make a difference in the lives of our students and one another. We have the opportunity to grow and learn from one another. 

We started the year growing our culture and community into a positive, caring and purposeful community of learners. Let's continue to build that momentum and to celebrate each moment. Be reminded to focus on the Big Rocks, live in the moment and appreciate one another. Let's all be committed to being great leaders by infusing quality, character, courage, enthusiasm and integrity into our workplace and into our lives.

Calendar

January 9 - 13th:

(A normal, full week!)

Tuesday

* RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.

Wednesday:

* All School Meeting 9:00 A.M.  *Includes Spelling Bee

* PD:  Team/Individual Planning

****3:30 PM: HR/PK-12 Education Team from district will meet with teachers in the library to ask how things are going.

PK-12 Education will be partnering with Human Resources beginning the first week of January through mid February 2012. They would like the opportunity to speak with staff (certified and classified) at our site. This will allow them to connect with staff while gathering feedback and completing a temperature check with the following four questions: 

1. How is it going?
2. What is working well?
3. What is not working so well?
4. If you were in charge, what would you do differently?

They will travel in groups of two. One person will facilitate the get together and the other one will scribe the feedback onto chart paper.

January 16 - 20th:

Monday, January 16th: 

*No School 

Tuesday

* Potential Discovery Parent Orientation Meeting 9:30 a.m.

Friday:

*Teacher Professional Development day (no students)

              Job Alike Day

Winter Voyages

A new and much needed addition to voyage planning:

Each teacher needs to find a 'voyage buddy' in a different grade level. The purpose of the 'voyage buddy' is to be your back up in the event that you fall ill or have some unexpected complication that prevents you from attending your voyage or completing it. Your 'buddy' can be anyone on staff, but must be a staff member.

The 'buddy' then needs to have comprehensive lesson plans for a substitute here at school should they be called away at the last minute.

THIS IS CRITICAL. We simply do not have flexibility to cover teachers when they are unable to do their voyage. Please inform Julie about who is your 'voyage buddy'.  I recognize that this will take a chunk of time to plan for lesson plans...please think of using your emergency plans and embellishing them so they would cover the duration of the time your would be gone covering another teacher.

THANK YOU!!!

Chaperones:

The ratio for chaperones is one adult volunteer for every 5 students. If you have a situation where you believe you need to increase the ratio, then plan to do so. I would recommend you take yourself out of the count and use yourself only when you cannot secure enough chaperones. 

I want to remind you of the email I sent out a while back about checking with the previous grade teachers and ensuring that we are giving parents equitable opportunities to chaperone. See me if you have questions.

Budget
Nothing to tell you yet  :)
Stay focused on the present moment.


Open Enrollment

The open enrollment closed Thursday at 5:00 p.m. At that time there were only 5 children (!) from Renaissance that had open enrolled to a different school. We were aware of those students and the reasons behind those decisions.

As Lori and I looked over applicants in the lottery it is clear that we have room for very few new students. It is a celebration that our community is solid and appreciative of the education that is offered at Renaissance. We have strong partnerships with our families. And yet, I feel a sadness for all the children and families in the lottery who will be disappointed that they will not be able to join our community. I can't imagine a better school than Renaissance. Together, through our collaboration and  commitment to our mission, we have created a magical place for kids to grow and learn.

As always, while we presently have so very few openings, we will have some families whose lives will change and a few openings will present themselves over the spring and summer.

 How joyous that the learning experience we offer is one that so many families want for their children. This is a testimony to your hard work and dedication to offer the rigorous, relevant and purposeful learning experiences for students at Renaissance.

Love and Logic

We believe that kids are best prepared for the real world when we allow them to do as much thinking as possible. It's good practice for the real world, and it keeps the monkey off of our backs most of the time.

Here's the problem. Do you know kids who like to keep adults doing all of the thinking? Do you know kids who are good at tricking us into doing so?

How do we avoid falling into this trap? One strategy involves using plenty of questions!

The more questions we ask,

the better thinkers our kids will become.

People who understand Love and Logic also understand that the human brain seeks closure. When we use plenty of questions, children's brains are so busy searching for closure that they have less energy left over for power-struggles.

The more questions we ask,

the fewer power-struggles we will have.

Kids grow the healthiest and strongest brains when they're fortunate to spend time around adults who say things like:

• "I don't know. What do you think?"

• "Are you sure that's the best idea?"

• "How do you think that's going to work out for you?"

• "Would you like to hear what some other kids have tried?"

• "Do you think that's going to work out well or ________?"

• "What do you think you are going to do?"

• "Which one of these is the best solution to your problem?"

• "Do you have enough money to pay for any possible damage?"

• "Is that a wise decision?"

Featured Folks

Authored By: Sarah Vasilauskas

I am a Colorado Native and grew up in Cortez, CO.  For those of you who are not familiar with where that is, it’s in the Four Corners area about 20 miles South of Durango, CO.  My educational journey started in Missouri where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.  After graduating, I landed a position in Kansas City where I taught first grade for two years at Blue Hills Elementary.  Even though I enjoyed teaching in Missouri I knew that I wanted to move back to Colorado closer to my family.  I started applying for schools knowing that it might be difficult to find a job at that time so I did not expect anything to happen so fast.  After several phone interviews I had the opportunity to interview with Deborah and Noreene.  I remember having to move my classroom to the other end of the hall in my old building that summer so I could teach summer school.  While moving my classroom, Deborah called me within the next hour and offered me the job.  I had not even seen Renaissance or met anyone, but I knew this was going to be my “new home” and I was going to love it.  That summer I ended up trekking it up the mountain in my rental car all the way up Poudre River to meet some of the staff. I was really in the middle of nowhere up there, so if I didn’t like it, there was no turning back! I immediately knew the rapport of the school was amazing.  We got to make canvases, walking sticks, work on our mission, climb up an enormous wall, and jump off.  We were tied in, but I remember being up there and my feet were shaking because the board I had to stand on was only about 3 inches wide.  If I didn’t jump my partner “Laurie Menard” would not be very fond of me. Ha! Needless to say, I jumped and taking that leap of faith was the best decision I have ever made.  I am home, I am happy, and Renaissance has challenged me to reach outside my comfort zone and strive to be the best teacher I can be.  For that reason and many more I am very grateful.

Currently, I am on my 7^th year of teaching. My husband Nic and I just recently celebrated our first wedding anniversary in June of 2011 in Seattle, Washington, Victoria, BC, and Vancouver, Canada. We bought our first house in January of last year and live in Highlands Ranch, CO. I met Nic out on the town at Elisha’s bachelorette party.  If you want to know the crazy story, you will have to come find me.  Thanks to Hanni Gilbert and her lipstick I now can call Nic my husband, and he is quite a good catch! In my spare time I enjoy traveling, playing tennis, running, cooking, attending sports events, going to concerts, hiking, climbing 14ers, reading, and spending time with my family. Even though I do not have children of my own yet, my twin nephews Trey and Ryder who turn 4 in January, and my nephew Cole who is in 1^st grade keep me entertained. They are the three lights of my life and I enjoy being their aunt. Nic and I also have a Flat Coated Retriever puppy named Layla. We just adore her!

Nic and my nephew Cole in Estes

Nic and I on our wedding day with our nephews

Me at the top of my first 14ner I climbed this summer!

Our puppy Layla

Nic and I in Victoria, BC for our first wedding anniversary. We were outside the Empress where we had our first  High Tea.

My nephew Cole playing soccer

Trey & Ryder (my twin nephews)

Some things you might not know about me are:

·      I have traveled outside of the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, Paris, Wales, and London. Nic and I love to travel and our next stop is New York City and Napa this summer before we start a family.

·      I was #1 singles on my high school tennis team and played against a girl who was trained by Martina Hingis. 

·      I am terrified of the dark.

·      I enjoy playing every sport you could think of and am highly competitive while doing it. 

·      My dream is to one day be on the Amazing Race.  Who will join me?

·      I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I was in 2^nd grade.

·      I was a huge Tomboy growing up. I would even spit on the street like the boys while playing tag football because I thought it was “cool.”

·      I like to sing, even though I’m not good at it, I make up my own songs as I go and they don’t have any rhythm or rime.  They just are well….actually….. pretty obnoxious.

·      I cannot park a car to save my life! Don’t ever look at my parking job, because I am always way over on one side of the line, or completely over in another parking space.

·      I do not like the water, due to almost drowning when I was little. Once again, I thought I could swim, took my floaties off and sunk to the bottom. My Dad had to jump into the hotel pool and save me. He tried to use the big stick with a net on the end that you clean the pool with…..Yeah it didn’t work so well and I was still underwater. After he finally got me out I was coughing up water for hours.  It was quite traumatic.

·      My last name is not only long, but also Lithuanian. Our poor children! 

I leave you with some of my favorite quotes about teaching:

“To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?” -Katharine Graham

"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it!"-Author Unknown

“The work will teach you how.” Noreene-Thibault-Chen 

Happy New Year to my Renaissance Family!

Love,

Sarah Vasilauskas

"In a way, winter is the real spring,
the time when the inner things happen,
the resurgence of nature."
- Edna O'Brien, Irish novelist

Happy Weekend!
Deborah

December 16, 2011

December 16, 2011

Indulge in Music

Elisha's 'Featured Folks' piece made me smile when she shared that she likes to sing into a microphone when she is home alone. I'll bet we all smiled at Elisha, and at ourselves!  I reflected back to when Jill shared that she has recently started listening to music again and how that has been a lift to her spirits. While dining with students on Wednesday, they shared what they are passionate about. More than one replied,"Justin Beber!"  All School Meeting treated us all with a band and orchestra concert. Noreene increased my Christmas music library with Opie Gone Christmas and every building I walk into has music playing to increase the holiday spirit.

 That got me to thinking about something I had read years ago in the book, Mutant Message From Forever, a novel of aboriginal wisdom. I remembered that the book had 10 messages it referred to as 'thou shalt' rules. One of them was - indulge in music.

Excerpt:

"If a human being was born alone on an island and had no other human contact, she would develop two very specific characteristics, something we are born with as certainly as the bird is born knowing how to build a nest. Do you know what they would be?"

Minendie shook her head no.

"Music and humor. A lone person would learn to hum, to sing, and perhaps even find a way to make musical notes. The lone person would also discover the feeling of her own voice laughing. Yes, both music and laughter are medicine for the body and for the soul."

Everyone is musical and is influenced by it. Music is your soul speaking.

After such a hectic week and the crazy pace of the week to come, treat yourself to the music that lifts your spirits or calms your soul. 

Indulge!

This is such a beautiful Christmas song by Hilary Weeks. Enjoy!

(You won't be able to see the Youtube videos if you look at Friday Flash from school...you'll have to look at home!)

On the lighter side...the theme song from 'Christmas Vacation' 

 (another all time favorite movie of mine)

Calendar

December 17 - January 2nd:

Holiday Break!

January 3rd - 6th:

Tuesday, January 3rd

* No Students - teachers only (see details below)

Plans for Tuesday, January 3rd:

8:30 -9:30 a.m. 

Meet and Greet/ Reconnect in library

9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Classroom time

11:30 - 12:30

Lunch provided in library

Opportunity for us to have some time together with no agenda

12:30 - 3:00  p.m.

Professional Development:

* School wide goal on improving writing through genre studies

* Progress towards that goal

* Backwards Planning

* Genre Units

* Sharing

3:00 p.m.

Appreciation Circle for Mary Sue

* Disclosure: Plans could change some :)

Love and Logic

Teacher-isms

Wise Words for Teachers

Love and Logic teachers have been known

to ask, "Should I put up with that behavior

just because I like you?

Thanks for stopping."

Celebrations!

Round of applause for Doug....

Doug wrote a grant  from the National Archery in Schools Program.  He had to attend a Basic Archery Instructor class, and then write a narrative on how he will use the program in our school, the goals for the program, and what he expects students to gain from participating in archery. 

Doug was awarded the grant! Bravo!! 

He received $1,800 to purchase equipment and set up the range in the gym.  He would like to get the equipment ordered in the next week so students can be shooting by February or March.  

In spite of budget woes we move forward and continue to do great things!

Yeah Doug!

Round of applause for Eric....

I'm sure you've noticed that our building wasn't getting the love and attention from the evening cleaning crew.

Eric has been on top of that challenge and some how managed to work with the company that does the evening cleaning and convince them to bring Pedro back!!!

Yeah!

Thanks Eric!!

Round of applause for Pam...

Pam's Crayola Grant makes the news!

See link below for article in the Hub

Yeah Pam!

http://yourhub.denverpost.com/castlerock/renaissance-school-awarded-2-500-grant-from-crayola/scpUfgAEyB4TTgPK2GjRpN-story

Featured Folks

Sadly, folks have been just too busy to write a feature article.

I know we all love this feature of Friday Flash.

Should you have some time over the break to write one, it would be great to continue with this when we return. (Hint....)

Peek Into the Life of our School:

Read Alouds are a hit at all levels!
Lisa uses a Read Aloud as an opportunity to authentically increase vocabulary development.

Isn't it great how we make important accomodations for students?

All School Meeting
Band/Orchestra concert as Special Event

Orchestra students...so poised and confident.

Lauren't Crew leads All School Meeting...
or is that Lauren and her elves???

Field work...

He was demonstrating authentic Native American ceremonial dancing and dress.
He talked with the students about cultural changes that occurred as whites encroached on Indian lands, about differences between tribes, about how inter-tribal dancing was developed, about reasons whites misunderstand native culture, about symbolism of their dress, about the connection between dancing and native religion, etc. He has competed in the area of  "fancy dancing." This form of native dancing developed during the era when the last tribes were being forced onto reservations.  In addition to doing two solo dances, he sang songs in the Lakota language, demonstrated drumming, and led the students in a "snake dance."    

This links to our current expedition because we look at the interaction between European/colonial cultures and those of Native Americans.

VIP Lunch

Isaac, a Reading Recovery student, reads a book about how to be a principal to me.

So as we come to the closure of 2011 and leave to spend the holidays with friends and loved ones, I leave you with the lyrics from the song, These Are the Special Times,  that says what I think is so important:

In these moments, moments of our lives

All the world is ours
And this world is so right
You and I sharing this time together
Sharing the same dream
As the time goes by we will find

These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you

With each moment, moment passing by
We'll make memories that will last all our lives
As you and I travel through time together
Living this sweet dream
And every day we can say

These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you

Have a very wonderful holiday!

Looking forward to the special times ahead. 

See you in 2012!

December 9, 2011

December 9, 2011

Busy Time

At this very busy time of the year, both personally and professionally, I thought a reflection on the never-ending challenge with time would be relevant.

I know we all share the feelings and frustrations that there is never enough time. We feel stretched for time. We have to leave loose ends at the end of every day. We all wonder how we will ever get it all done!

I have come to the realization that time constraints will always be present and that I will never get it all done. I know that we all strive to be the best people that we can be. In order to be our best, it is necessary to take care of ourselves. So what can we do to manage all of our life activities, both professionally and personally?

I have come, once again to find comfort in the wisdom and words of others. From Richard Carlson's book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - And It's All Small Stuff, his strategy is as follows:

Learn to Live in the Present Moment

To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment. Without question, I have mastered the neurotic art of spending way too much time worrying about a variety of things all at once. I catch myself allowing past problems and future concerns to dominate my present moment! 

John Lennon once said, "Life is what's happening when we are busy making other plans."

Now is the only time we have, and it is the only time over which we have any control.

Ever catch yourself wishing for a time to be over? I did that once and realized I almost wasted an entire year! When our attention is on the present moment, we push fear from our minds. Fear is worrying about events in the future. The best strategy for dealing with fear is to learn to bring your attention to the present.

Mark Twain said, "I have been through some terrible times in my life, some of which actually happened."

I've shared with some of you the words my Grandmother Opal always shared with me:

"Do what you can and let the loose ends drag!"

Join me in practicing keeping your attention on the here and now. Your efforts will pay off in great dividends.

A personal favorite:
I love the Grinch
Included it just because it makes me smile...

Calendar
Can you believe we are just a week away from break???

December 12- 16th:

Monday, 12th:

*Vision and Hearing testing

Tuesday, 13th:

* RTI meeting 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday, 14th:

*New Parent Orientation

*All School Meeting

*No PD

*Band & Orchestra Performance 6 p.m. 

Thursday, 15th:

*EPR's due (sigh of relief)

Friday, 16th:

*1st grade field work to Chinese Cultural School

*Crew Holiday parties?

* Staff Holiday Party at Mary Sue's home :)

***** Reminder to communicate to parents that students WILL come to school on Friday, Dec.16th. They will NOT come to school on Tuesday, January 3rd. First day back for students will be Wednesday, January 4th.

Love and Logic Teacher-isms:


When a child says, "It's too hard -
I can't do it," the wise teacher smiles 
and whispers,
 "Arent' you glad I don't believe that?"

Walk-through Focus:

For the next two weeks as I make visits to your classrooms I will be providing you with feedback about your teaching language and the dialogue between teacher and students and student to student.

Featured Folks:
authored by Elisha Giger

Elisha and husband, Tom

I have lived in Strasburg, CO most of my life.  Strasburg is a very small farming town where everyone knows everyone and it literally takes less than a minute to drive from one end of town to the other.  I actually grew up just outside of town on a little farm where my dad raised cows, pigs, horses, and dogs.  He has recently added two donkeys, just because he felt the urge to one day.   

My family is really important to me.  I have four brothers and two sisters.  All live nearby, so I get to see them often.  I have been married to my husband Tom (or Joe, as Deborah calls him) for three years.  He is originally from Nebraska, which is why you will occasionally catch me wearing a Husker shirt.  He spends much of his time coaching high school football, so I don’t get to see much of him from July to November.  As you all know, we added a precious baby boy to our family in August.  Brayden is growing too fast and is beginning to roll over already.  He has completely changed our lives and makes us laugh everyday.  I’ve included a lot of pictures because he is just so darn cute!

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.  One year, my grandpa made me this really cool playhouse furnished with a living room and complete kitchen.  That very same day I got it I threw out the kitchen, moved in a desk, and made it my schoolhouse.  I then forced my little brother and sister to be my students and I would spend hours out there playing school.  From there, I went to the University of Northern Colorado and got my teaching degree then back to Strasburg for my very first teaching job.  In Strasburg I taught sixth grade for two years and third grade for one.  I then came to Renaissance where I have taught third grade and now teach Reading Recovery.  Teaching is my passion and I can’t imagine doing it anywhere other than here!

Here are some things people may or may not know about me:

·      I have always wanted to skydive, but have yet to make the jump.

·      I am terrified to ski.

·      I will wear open-toes shoes even in the winter.

·      I helped my dad build his house (and it’s still standing!)

·      I once played catch with John Elway.

·      Last year, Tom and I went to the airport with no plans and hopped on the first available flight.  We ended up in San Diego.

·      I can’t believe I am going to admit this, but when no one else is around I like to blast my favorite songs from the stereo and sing into the microphone.  I would be terrified if anyone ever heard me!

·      I was a church youth group leader for three years.

Braden

Peek Into the Life of our School:

The 'look' of guided group instruction with 21st Century Learners!

Rebecca leaves for her surgery on Friday.
We'll miss you and wishing you a speedy recovery!

Who can this be?

Look who is back and lookin' good!
Our Ms. Lori!!
Wow it was great to have her back...
even if it was just for a day!

Jennifer facilitating Bully Proof skills to first graders in Jill's Crew

A 'large' celebration for a reluctant writer!

Author Visit...thanks Diana!

Pam facilitates Raku pottery firing as an integrated study with
Sixth grade Learning Expedition.

Dress Rehearsal for Band & Orchestra Performance

Manipulatives that are relevant...Money!

(Maybe they are counting Jill's raise? LOL)

Enjoy the song by Ms. Kathy's Crew

It will inspire you to 

Leave No Trace!

The Seasons of a Christmas Tree

Sometimes the most urgent & vital thing you can possibly do

 is take a complete rest.  

-- Ashleigh Brilliant --






Have a peaceful week and enjoy every moment!
Deborah

December 2, 2011

December 2, 2011

"When the mind is thinking, it is talking to itself."  Plato

The holiday season is upon us and most of us are compiling lists of gifts to give. Have you thought about the gift you are about to give your students and their families?

According to the research of Jean Kerr Stenmark, one of the greatest gifts students can receive is the capability and willingness to assess their own progress and learning.  You are involving your students in their ability to analyze their thinking processes as you prepared them for student-led conferences.  

Allowing your students to lead their own conferences promotes the following:

* Students take a lead role.

* Work samples or demonstrations are used to show proof of learning.

* Students invite an audience to participate in the process.

*  Audiences take an active role and give specific feedback to the learner.

*  Ultimately, your students become assessors and thinkers about their own work. 

Over the next two weeks you'll be giving your students a gift - the ability to take the lead in assessing their work by leading their own student-led conference. 

Calendar

December 5 - 9th:

(Student-led Conference week option)

Tuesday 6th:

*RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.

*SAC meeting 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 7th:

*No PD

Thursday 8th:

* Kindie Share Evening 6 p.m.

Friday, 9th:

*Lock down drill 3 p.m.

(see me if you have questions in regard to this drill)

December 12- 16th:

Monday, 12th:

*Vision and Hearing testing

Tuesday, 13th:

* RTI meeting 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday, 14th:

*New Parent Orientation

*All School Meeting

*No PD

Thursday, 15th:

*EPR's due

Friday, 16th:

*1st grade field work to Chinese Cultural School

*Crew Holiday parties?

***** Reminder to communicate to parents that students WILL come to school on Friday, Dec.16th. They will NOT come to school on Tuesday, January 3rd. First day back for students will be Wednesday, January 4th.

Love and Logic

9 Essential Skills: Skill Number Nine

Guiding Students To Own and Solve Their Own Problems

Love and Logic Step One:    

Empathy

                                                    "How sad."

                                                    "I bet that hurts."

Love and Logic Step Two:     

Send the "Power Message."

                                                     "What do you think you're going to do?"

Love and Logic Step Three:  

Offer Choices

                                                     "Would you like to hear what other kids have tried?"

                  

*At this point, offer a variety of choices that range from bad to good. It's usually best to start out with the poor choices.

Each time a choice is offered, go to step four, forcing the youngster to state the consequences in his/her own words. This means that you will be going back and forth between Love and Logic steps three and four.

Love and Logic Step Four:    

Have the child state the consequences.

                                                     "And how will that work?"

Love and Logic Step Five:    

Give permission for the child to either solve the problem or not solve the problem.

                                                    "Good luck. I hope it works out."

Have no fear. If the child is fortunate enough to make a poor choice, he/she may have a double learning lesson.

A good problem to have...

There is a growing frustration with the lack of access to the lap-top carts. We need to have a brainstorming session as a teaching crew to figure this out. We will do that on the Tuesday that we return from Winter Break. In the meantime, to get by until we can all have a voice in that brainstorm,we are adding one more cart to the checkout rotation  and working to put together an Ipad cart for rotation. 

Walk-through Focus:

For the next two weeks as I make visits to your classrooms I will be providing you with feedback about your teaching language and the dialogue between teacher and students and student to student.

Please remember that I'm only there for a very short time and I only observe a snippet of what goes on. If my email to you offers data, things I notice, wonders or suggestions - they are for you to ponder and do with with them what you will. I know that the thought you have put into your plans, your rational and decisions for what you have designed are not always evident in a quick observation. Please provide me with suggestions for the feedback that would be the most meaningful and useful to you as we move forward.

Observations:

                                              

Please find a minute to visit with me to schedule the observation cycle if we have not completed your first formal observation. The google observation calendar is closed.

Featured Folks:

Authored by Valerie Weyand

First off, I want to say "Thank you!" to the Renaissance staff for your warm welcome and friendliness as I joined the staff this school year!  All of the smiling faces and kind comments reflect a very supportive and collaborative community! 

I'm a Denver native, having lived all but my four years as an undergrad in metro Denver.  I grew up in the Wheat Ridge area, and nearby, my parents owned a recording studio and made radio and television commercials, which made for some unique opportunities and experiences for our family.  I frequently sang on commercials that aired in the Denver area and in many other markets across the country, and did a lot of performing and singing in a group with some other teenagers and through my high school's music program.  After high school, I got my undergraduate degree in Speech/Language Pathology from Texas Christian University, then attended the University of Denver for graduate school.  I started working at a private clinic in the Tech Center and then had a private practice and taught part-time at Metropolitan State College. 

Through some unusual circumstances I became interested in learning American Sign Language.  Learning about the unique experiences and culture of deaf people, along with ASL, became a passion  for me and I became involved with a group of deaf people who wanted to establish a charter school for deaf children that used ASL as the language of instruction.  I was a volunteer with that group for over five years, during which the Rocky Mountain Deaf School, a charter school in Jefferson County, was established.  Almost 15 years later, the school continues to thrive, offering great opportunities for deaf  children, tailored to their unique learning needs.  

My interest in ASL and deaf culture, along with ministries I was involved with at my church, were more compelling to me than the business side of a private practive, prompting me to leave private practice to seek a position where I didn't have to be concerned with generating clients and watching the books!  A position was open in Douglas County 23 years ago, and I've been here ever since.  I worked at South Elementary for 9 years and then at Pioneer Elementary until school year 2010-2011 when I was assigned to North Star Academy, along with Pioneer, and then to Renaissance and Pioneer this year. Working in an elementary school setting allows me to do the clinical work that I enjoy so much, and I never have to do anything to generate business -- there are always plenty of children who have needs!

Outside of the school day, I still work with a few private clients, and I am very involved in ministry at my church.  I continue to interpret as a part of the deaf ministry at my church and for friends from time to time.  I love hanging out with friends, doing creative projects around my house and gardening.  I've never been married or had children, but I've been blessed by knowing so many amazing and wonderful people!  I am so grateful for deep and long-held friendships, and for family, especially wonderful nieces and nephews who remain close, even though they are now all grown up. 

  

Peek Into the Life of our School:

Student's of all ages leading drum circles.

Valerie with several of her Speech/Language students

Students assessing themselves using the tennis rubric prior to starting the unit. 
Formative Assessment

Doug supporting students as they identify their skills on the rubric.

Noreene getting 3rd grade up and running with their email accounts.
Please be sure to send home the Google Apps FAQ document to parents so they are aware of their role and responsibility in supporting students using digital tools.
(FAQ doc sent to your from Noreene)

Quote I stole from the tag line on Pam's email:

I loved this quote because it reminded me to stay focused on what is within our control and to see the bounty of opportunity in all times and things.

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There's a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in.

Have a great weekend!