Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019

** Action Item

This Week in The Scoop

Accountability & Improvement

Public comment open for Aurora Central High School & HOPE Online Learning Academy Elementary School

As part of the accountability clock process, the State Board of Education is seeking public comment on Aurora Central High School and HOPE Online Learning Academy Elementary School.

Aurora Central High School has scheduled hearing with the state board on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and HOPE Online Learning Academy Elementary will have a hearing in January.

Public comment is part of the information the board will consider as it determine if:

• The school should keep implementing the existing directed action
• The board should direct a modification or addition to the previously directed action
• The board should direct new action from the statutory list of options

This year, people can also send feedback through an online form. 

Public comment will be accepted for Aurora Central High School through noon Monday, Nov. 11, and for HOPE Online through noon on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Visit the state board's homepage for more information.

For More Information, Contact:
Julie Woods
School and District Transformation
Phone: 720-281-7323
Email: woods_julie@cde.state.co.us

Awards & Recognitions

Adams 12 teacher announced as 2020 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Hilary Wimmer, a business teacher from Mountain Range High School in Adams 12 School District, was announced as the 2020 Colorado Teacher of the Year during a surprise ceremony at her school.

As Teacher of the Year, Wimmer will represent the entire profession in Colorado and be the face of all Colorado teachers. She will be entered as Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program competition and will get many professional development opportunities. She will also become a member of the Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet.

Read the full news release.

For More Information, Contact:
Jeremy Meyer
Communications Division
Phone: 303-866-2334
Email: meyer_jeremy@cde.state.co.us

Health, Wellness & Nutrition

Stay informed of tobacco-free schools enforcement strategies

Use of all tobacco products, including vaping devices on school property, is prohibited under Colorado’s Tobacco Free Schools law. Adopting a building-level policy can help ensure adequate communication and consistent and timely enforcement.

Frequent communication—including prominently placed signage, letters to parents, announcements made during school events and athletic activities—is the key to successful tobacco-free school district policy compliance.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has created resources that identify effective enforcement strategies for the Tobacco Free Schools law. Download the document (PDF).

For More Information, Contact:
Jamie Hurley
Health and Wellness
Phone: 303-910-3901
Email: hurley_j@cde.state.co.us

New funding available for comprehensive quality physical education instruction

The application process for the Comprehensive Quality Physical Education Instruction Pilot Program Grant is open. The intent of funding is to address the barriers of implementing quality comprehensive physical education instruction programs for all students.

Those interested in applying can submit an optional letter of intent by Friday, Oct. 25. The application is due Sunday, Dec. 1.

Access the grant applications and materials on the grant webpage.

For More Information, Contact:
Shanoon Milliken
Health and Wellness
Phone: 303-866-6458
Email: milliken_s@cde.state.co.us

News & Notes

Nominations open for inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award 

The U.S. Department of Education created the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award to recognize dedicated educators who are critical to strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity workforce.

Beginning in the spring of 2020, the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award will be presented each year to two educators, one elementary and one secondary, who instill in their students the skills, knowledge and passion for cybersecurity and related subjects.

Anyone may nominate an educator for this honor; self-nominations are permitted as well.  The nomination period will close Friday, Jan. 31.

View the specifics on how to apply via the U.S. Department of Education's website (PDF).

Read the executive order on the White House website.

For More Information, Contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Email: CyberAwards@ed.gov

Standards & Assessments

Apply for the Computer Science Teacher Professional Development Grant

The application process is open for the Colorado Computer Science Teacher Education Grant Program, which provides school districts, BOCES and charter schools with funds for K-12 computer science teacher professional development. 

Funding will be distributed in two parts: Part 1 of the grant allocates $440,000 for elementary teachers professional development, and Part 2 of the grant include $440,000 to focus on K-12 teachers.

Part 1 has two options: a district determined professional development and a CDE-sponsored regional training in which districts apply for individual teachers slots.

For more information, visit the Computer Science Grants for Teachers webpage.

For More Information, Contact:
Chris Summers
Standards & Instructional Support
Phone: 720-648-3909
Email: summers_c@cde.state.co.us