From left, Dr. Patricia Thorpe, Rangeview's second principal, Joe Burton, Rangeview's first athletic director, Allison Mancui, current Rangeview art teacher, and Barb Curtis, former Rangeview math teacher and member of the original core team share stories over dinner.

Administrators at Rangeview High School recently began a project to uncover the school's history and impact on the city of Aurora. As part of their research, Rangeview hosted a special dinner and invited many of the school's former principals and staff members.

The dinner served as a platform to gather staff who have a history with the school and celebrate the work of those who helped establish Rangeview.  As current Ranngeview Principal Ron Fay states, "we will take the stories that are told along with the names of staff who played an important role in Rangeview’s history and to recreate the school's story in a sequential manner."

Stay tuned for more updates. 

Rangview's first principal, Joe Flierl, and his wife talk with current Rangeview principal Ronald Fay.

Story submitted by Melissa Johnson
Pickens Technical College

Six members of the class of 2014 from Pickens Technical College recently earned the High Schools That Work (HSTW) Award of Educational Achievement. The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) gives this award to high school seniors who have completed a challenging program of study and demonstrated readiness for employment and for college.  

“These students are to be commended for their efforts,” said Teina McConnell, executive director at Pickens. “They have taken challenging courses in high school and scored high on rigorous exams and by doing so, they have increased their likelihood of success in the workplace and further education.”

Students qualify for the award by completing a college preparatory course of study in at least two of three subject areas (English/language arts, mathematics or science); completing a concentration in a career-technical area, mathematics/science or the humanities; and meeting readiness goals in all three subject areas (reading, mathematics and science) of the HSTW Assessment.

The Southern Regional Education Board is a multi-state compact for education, founded in 1948. High Schools That Work, launched in 1987, is the largest high school improvement effort in the United States, with more than 1,100 school sites in 30 states and the District of Columbia.

Founded in 2007, the Technology Centers That Work (TCTW) school improvement model has more than 180 technology centers in 18 states. The TCTW model is based on the HSTW school improvement design, with modifications that target the specific needs of technology centers and their feeder high schools.

Congratulations to the following students:

Rangeview High School recently received national certification for its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) program in Engineering.

Certification as a PLTW school allows high school students who complete select courses to apply for college credit at PLTW-affiliate universities. PLTW has more than 40 affiliate college and university partners, including the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, UCCS.

In order to get certified, a PLTW-trained team conducted a site visit and met with teachers, school administrators, counselors, students, and members of the school’s Partnership Team. The team is made up of teachers, counselors, administrators, post-secondary representatives, business and industry professionals, and other community members.

In the site visit report, educators praised Rangeview for all of the opportunities that it provides students, including internships and even an all-female engineering class.

They said, “Raytheon and Mapquest have been an integral part of their [Rangeview’s] district-wide Pathways partnership team by allowing students unique opportunities to apply their skills in a real workforce environment in internship settings.”

Educators said they spoke to many Rangeview students who “enjoyed the hands-on projects they have completed in the PLTW curriculum.”

According to the report, “each student shared that they were interested in attending a post-secondary institution to continue their education after high school.” Many students voiced interest in pursuing careers in the educational, agricultural or medical fields.

Congratulations to Rangeview High School!

Alfredo Juarez, Jr.

The Aurora Public Schools class of 2014 is just weeks away from graduation, and this year's top graduates are leading the pack. 

Students graduating with the top ten grade point averages celebrated their success with their families, the APS Board of Education and staff members during a ceremony at the Professional Learning and Conference Center. Principals at each of the schools lauded students and thanked them for always being positive role models to their respective student bodies.

Durga Niroula

Aurora Central High School
1. Alfredo Juarez, Jr. - V
2. Dhalia Gomez
3. Michelle Isom
4. Jesus Ortega Barraza
5. Vinh Pham
6. Dillon Elliot
7. Isaac Gwa
8. Areli Herrera Hernandez
9. Daniel Ibarra
10. Isela Villa Vazquez

Jin Joo Baek

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy
1. Durga Niroula - V
2. Isabel Saucedo
3. Cinthya Lopez
4. Andrea Gomez
5. Amber Rivera
6. Jazmin Beltran
7. De’Jah Travis
8. Crystal Armas
9. Chelsea Tiongco-Price
10. D’Angelo Brown

Tania Gonzalez

Gateway High School
1. Jin Joo Baek – V
2. Brandon Kahil Thomas
3. Michelle Aguayo Gutierrez
4. Octavio Rosas Torres, Jr.
5. Matthew Mason
6. Karina Reynoso
7. Sara Cardona
8. Benjamin Muratov
9. Marisa Duran
10. Carolina Sanchez Serrano

Do Hun Park

Hinkley High School
1. Tania Gonzalez – V
2. Salamasina Fifita
3. Brooke Martinez
4. Ryan Vincent
5. Ian Stevenson
6. Erik Kaminen
7. Luke Purcell
8. Victoria Ramirez-Solis
9. Jose Pizana
10. Annie Ngo

Alyssa Allen

Rangeview High School
1. Do Hun Park - V
2. Se Ra Lee
3. Natalie Harcrow
4. Anna LaForge
5. Alexandrea Sunhee Yun
6. Sara Kim
7. Meskerem Amenu Nemomsa
8. Summer Knoshaug
9. Kasandra Marshall
10. Jocelyn Newberry

Brianna Johnston

Vista PEAK Preparatory 9-12
1. Rune Brown – *
2. Brianna Johnston – V
3. Alyssa Allen – V
4. Wyatt Fisher
5. Dana Belcher – *
6. Sierra Voltura
7. Rebekah Tresslar
8. Ayodeji Sanusi
9. Nick Cisneros
10. Mirna Marquez
11. Heather Bach
12. Sierra Duplessis

V – Valedictorian
* – Graduating Junior

Aurora Central High School student Liliana Castro-Lopez receives her scholarship from Executive Internship Program Advisory Board Members Dr. Nelson Joo, left, and Dale Mingilton.

The Executive Internship Program recently honored all in attendance at their Spring 2014 Sponsor Appreciation Ceremony at the Professional Learning & Conference Center.  Students Irving Peralta, of Aurora West College Preparatory Academy, and Denisee Sierra, of Aurora Central High School, hosted the evening's celebration.  Among the guests were APS Board of Education President JulieMarie A. Shepherd, school personnel, advisory board members and community members who sponsored students at their businesses this semester.  Proud family members supported the Executive Internship Program students who spoke to the audience about their internship experiences and what it means for their future. 

Several students earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award at the Bronze and Silver levels for completing community service.  The Bronze Award requires 100-plus hours of service and the Silver Award requires 175-plus hours.  Gold Awards were presented to Gateway High School students Amanda DiMarino, Samuel Feldman and Savannah Lester  as well as Rangeview students Rachel Bates and Jessica Brown for completing 250 hours of community service.

The Executive Internship Program Advisory Committee presented two scholarships to  Aurora Central's Liliana Castro-Lopez and Rangeview's Ye Ji Choi. 

If you interested in sponsoring a high school senior for an unpaid internship at your workplace, please call Kim Wisneski at 303-344-4910, ext. 27745.

Rangeview High School student Ye Ji Choi receives her scholarship.

Executive Internship Program students lined up on stage to honor their sponsors.

Pham

Stay focused in school. Check. Keep your grades up. Check. Make it all the way to your senior year and earn one of the most prestigious college scholarships. Check!

Aurora Central High School's Anit Koirala and Vinh Pham and Rangeview High School's Meskerem Nemomsa are riding on cloud 9 after learning that they earned the Gates Millennium Scholarship. The program selects 1,000 talented students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice.  In addition to covering students' unmet financial needs, the program provides students with personal and professional development through leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college careers. 

This year's APS recipients are grateful for the opportunity to head to college with such a helpful financial backing.

"I grew up where I didn't have much financial support," said Pham, who plans to attend the University of Colorado at Denver to pursue a degree in bio engineering.  "With five other siblings, the weight has always been on my parents. Now, I know now that i will have the support to reach all of my goals. It's life-changing."

Nemomsa

Much of the same rings true for fellow Trojan Koirala, who was born in a refugee camp in Nepal. After growing up in an environment without electricity, Koirala's desire is to one day return to his homeland to provide hydro-electricity. He plans to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder to study computer engineering.

"I hope to become a good engineer one day and come back to my community to help with the progress," Koirala said.

Nemomsa was also pleased about the burden the scholarship had took off of her parents and herself.

"Prior to getting the scholarship, I could tell my parents were stressed about how they would help me pay for my college education," Nemomsa said. "However, after they heard the news ... they were in complete disbelief as well."   

Koirala

This year, Nemomsa will earn her associate of science degree from the Community College of Aurora and plans to continue her studies at the University of Colorado Boulder this fall. Her goal is to become a pediatrician and eventually travel abroad to provide aid.

 Click here to learn more about other 2014 APS scholarship winners.

My emotions upon finding out I was 2014 Gates Millennium Scholar...

"My emotions went haywire when I found out that I won. I didn't know whether to cry or yell. I think I did a little bit of everything." - Vinh Pham

"I cried a lot. The tears of happiness came out of my eyes. I have to thank all the people who helped me get to this point. Without their help, my scholarship application would've just been blank." - Anit Koirala

"It was complete euphoria. I got home from church that night in the most wonderful mood and as soon as I walked in the door, my brother handed me the huge envelope. I opened that letter and I read, "Welcome to the Gates Family." In that moment I lost it and started crying. I didn't even continue reading the letter. I was in complete disbelief." - Meskerem Nemomsa

Antolini

Aurora Public Schools would like to thank all of our 2014 retirees for their dedicated service. This year's retirees have contributed nearly 2,000 total years of service to our students. Here are just a few highlights from this year’s retirees:

Tony Antolini
Athletic Director, Division of Support Services – 34 years

“I feel extremely fortunate for spending my entire thirty-four year career with Aurora Public Schools. In that time, I have worked for and alongside a great number of passionate people, ones who have a heart for kids, their education and overall welfare. The years also provided me an opportunity to teach, mentor and build relationships with thousands of children. My greatest hope is that I’ve had a positive impact on each and every one of them.”

Eckhart

Lyn Eckhardt
Principal’s Secretary, Rangeview High – 28 years

“Rangeview High School has been my home and second family for the last 28 years. I will certainly miss the daily contact with all of my wonderful friends. My grandmother once told me that working with kids kept her young, and I believe it’s true. So, I’m going to be sure to spend lots of time with my children and grandchildren and go to Disneyland as often as possible. I’d also like to substitute and volunteer at the schools. Thank you, Rangeview and APS for allowing me to do work that I love for so long.”

Gilbert

Debra Gilbert
Physical Education Teacher, Sixth Avenue Elementary – 30 years

"The time has come for me to say goodbye to APS. This will be bittersweet because I’ve been with the district for 30 years, and I’ve loved every minute of it! I was one of those rare people that actually enjoyed my job and didn’t mind going to work. One of the things that I will miss the most is all the love that I receive from my students on a daily bases, whether it be from those big toothless smiles or the tight bear hugs. As of now, I have no plans for the future. I am just going to take a year off to relax and do nothing, or maybe do everything that I felt I didn’t have time to do when I was working!”

Thank you to all of our APS retirees for your commitment to educating our students!

• Learn more about other retirees and upcoming retirement and farewell celebrations.

Gateway High School earned the first ever APS Futures football championship. Photo courtesy Debi Ferm

A host of seventh- and eighth-grade students from Aurora Public Schools had a spring they will never forget.

Students participated in the inaugural year of the APS Futures Program, a true middle school football feeder program for APS high schools. Sponsored by a grant from the Denver Broncos, the APS Activities and Athletics Department hopes the program will help give middle school students a head start on their high school football careers and convince them to stay in APS through graduation. 

After six weeks of games, Gateway High School and Vista PEAK Preparatory 9-12 faced off for the championship, with the Olympians cruising to a 52-16 victory.

All players and coaches also attended an end-of-year dinner and awards ceremony at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Congratulations to all participants on a great year!

Congratulations to the nearly 2,900 students who recently graduated from Aurora Public Schools. The graduating class of 2014 earned more than $10 million in scholarships!

Our preschoolers from Kids Tech, the class of 2027, also celebrated their graduation as they prepare to head to kindergarten.

A special congratulations goes out to the graduates of Aurora West College Preparatory Academy and Vista PEAK Preparatory, who represented the schools' inaugural graduating classes.

View the slideshow below for a look at some of this year's graduates.

Rangeview High School student Jordan Dunbar, second from left, earned first place in the ADL essay contest for the Mountain States Region.

Rangeview High School student Jordan Dunbar is an incredible advocate for dismantling hate and standing up for what's right. His passion on the subject is so great that the Anti-Defamation League (Mountain States Region) recently honored him at their annual banquet for earning first place in their essay contest. 

Dunbar couched his piece around courage, specifically that of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager who made headlines in 2013 for her activism for rights to education for women.  His essay recounts the trials and tribulations Yousafzai faced -- including being shot -- as she continued to fight for her beliefs.

In addition to earning the essay contest's top prize, Dunbar rubbed shoulders with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, ADL Board member Andy Gurrentz and Holocaust survivor David Buergenthal at the organization's banquet.

Congratulations, Jordan on this wonderful accomplishment!

Jordan poses with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, left, and ADL Board Member Andy Gurrentz.

Holocaust Survivor David Buergenthal, left, served as the keynote speaker during the ADL banquet.

CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” aired a segment about the Aurora Public Schools and Community College of Aurora concurrent enrollment program. (Please watch the segment below.) Concurrent enrollment gives APS students a jump-start on their college education. 

The story is part of a series entitled Where America Works. It included students from Hinkley and Rangeview high schools, as well as former APS Superintendent John Barry and former CCA President Linda Bowman. 

APS is excited to get national coverage on the concurrent enrollment program that has helped so many of our students! Please look out for a re-run of the segment on CNN.

Expected Coverage:

• Sunday, August 24 at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS

Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Rico Munn recently spent some time with radio legend Dr. Daddio. The two spoke about education and the start of the new school year.

Dr. Daddio has a daughter who graduated from Rangeview High School. His granddaughter is also going to be a Rangeview Raider this year.

Superintendent Munn spoke about his vision for APS. He hopes to help students create plans, build skills and graduate with credentials. His job is to accelerate learning for every APS student, every day.

Audio from Dr. Daddio's interview with Superintendent Munn is in the video below.

Click here to find more of Dr. Daddio's podcasts.

Dr. Daddio hosts his radio show every Saturday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. on 760 AM.

NEWS RELEASE #3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2014

Rangeview High School Embarks On Historical Treasure Hunt

Rangeview High School is embarking on a historical treasure hunt and is asking the Aurora community for help.

As Rangeview celebrates its benchmark 30^th anniversary, principal Ron Fay tasked a committee of staff members to dig into the school’s history. After learning about so many significant local, national and world events that impacted the Aurora community, the committee now hopes to preserve Rangeview’s identity.

Staff members are asking the public to help them collect historic artifacts that date back to 1980. All chosen artifacts will be properly documented with a story, safely preserved, and then placed in a revolving exhibit in the school’s main entrance.

“Our goal is for anybody from the Aurora community, no matter the generation, race, gender, religion or ethnicity, to see our exhibit and feel a connection to the past 30 years,” said Scott Snyder, co-chair of the committee.

Artifacts may include anything related to past/current school traditions, old report cards, yearbooks or letterhead. Outdated pieces of technology, significant newspaper articles, and notable fashion trends would also be appreciated.

Community members can submit items for review through this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1b2idPMfvRiTfh6EcVXHXWoUJxI5nLQhv-TY3RiL8ZTc/viewform?edit_requested=true

###

Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Patti Moon at 303-326-2755 for more information

It’s a phenomenon sweeping the nation and social media by storm – a very icy storm, that is! To shed light on a deadly disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gherig’s disease, people are embracing what has been dubbed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord causing paralysis.

The rules are simple: Players pour a bucket of ice over their heads, post the video online and challenge others to do the same within 24 hours. If the persons challenged choose not to participate, they are encouraged to make a charitable donation to the cause. However, most people participate in the challenge and donate as well.

APS students and staff are taking on the challenge and donating funds to the ALS Association in support of their mission to find a cure and provide high-quality care for those living with the disease.

Check out the photos and videos below!

Rangeview High School Custodian Bobby Bryant

Boston K-8 Principal Jennifer Pock:

Murphy Creek P-8 Principal Lisa Grosz:

Hinkley High School Principal Matthew Willis and Inspire Students:

Vista PEAK Preparatory Director Garret Rosa, office manager Elizabeth Weiland and dean of students Truman Garred:

Godspell

Sept. 25-27 at 7 p.m.

Rangeview High School | 17599 E. Iliff Ave. 80013

Story by Ashley Smith
APS Communication Team Intern

Two students from Aurora Public Schools, Anna Phan and Cecilia Jaquez, participated in the Teen Science Scholars program this summer. Phan is a student at Rangeview High School and Jacquez attends Hinkley High School.

The program is an opportunity for metro-area students to go to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and work directly with museum curators. Each student in the program conducts and presents a college-level research project. This helps them gain real-world experience and credentials to prepare them for a brighter future.

The Teen Science Scholars program is extremely competitive with students from all around Denver vying for a select number of prestigious internships. Due to the program’s competitive nature, the students selected often go on to find careers in the STEM industry.

APS congratulates Jaquez and Phan for their hard work and dedication as interns. Keep up the good work!

If APS high school auditorium walls could talk, they would tell everyone not to miss out on this fall’s incredible drama productions! Come support the arts as young, aspiring actors and actresses leave their hearts on stage in the following plays:

Treasure Island
Sept. 25-27 at 7 p.m.
Gateway High School | 1300 S. Sable Blvd. 80012

Godspell
Sept. 25-27 at 7 p.m.
Rangeview High School | 17599 E. Iliff Ave. 80013

The Outsiders
Oct. 9-10 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.
Vista PEAK Preparatory | 24500 E. 6th Ave. 80018

In the Heights
Nov. 13-15 at 7 p.m.
Hinkley High School | 1250 Chambers Rd. 80011

Metamorphoses
Nov. 13-15 at 7 p.m.
Aurora Central High School | 11700 E. 11th Ave. 80010

The Odd Couple
Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7 p.m.
Aurora West College Preparatory Academy | 10100 E. 13th Ave. 80010

Story by Ashley Smith
APS Communication Team Intern

Rangeview High School recently hosted an arts festival courtesy of High School Nation(HSN), and students were all in. During the festival, students sang, danced, painted, played instruments and much more.

HSN, a national organization that travels across the United States donating money to support high school art programs, organized the school-wide event to introduce students to several forms of art.

 “The purpose of High School Nation is to inspire kids to be involved in the arts,” said one HSN staff member.

Live music helped set the mood. Musicians including Bean, Dakota Bradley and Nikos excited the large crowd, which gathered on Rangeview’s football field. Students, teachers, and HSN staff members alike had fun in the openly creative atmosphere.  Everyone, even those individuals with no preexisting musical talent, enjoyed learning from the free lessons provided by HSN personnel.

HSN also hosted impromptu contests like singing competitions and dance
offs. In addition, most of the musicians stayed to pose for pictures and
participate in question and answer sessions, both of which were rare
treats for the attendees.

Story by Ashley Smith
APS Communication Team Intern

Students often tackle tough essay questions, deadlines, and college entrance exams in the hopes of lightening the financial burden of college. Despite all the tough requirements, many students are able to prove themselves worthy of receiving scholarship awards and grants.

Aurora Public Schools would like to congratulate the following students for the recognition with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, National Achievement Scholarship Program and National Hispanic Recognition Program. Keep up the great work!

About the Scholarships: 

National Merit Scholarship Corporation:

1.5 million Students applied to the National Merit Scholarship by taking the PSAT.  50,000 students were chosen as commended students. 16,000 went on to be semi- finalists.

National Achievement Scholarship Program:

160,000 black American high school seniors applied to this Scholarship by taking the PSAT, writing an essay and proving outstanding academic discipline. 1,600 were chosen as semifinalists.

National Hispanic Recognition Program:

250,000 Hispanic students applied by taking the PSAT. Only 5,000 finalists were chosen.

Student Recognition:

Salina Tesfay (Hinkley)

• National Merit Scholarship Corporation (Commended Student)
• National Achievement Scholarship Program (Semi-finalist)
  

Morgan Zugelder (Hinkley)

• National Hispanic Recognition Program (Scholar)
  

Lauren Arnold (Rangeview)

• National Achievement Scholarship Program (Semi-finalist)
  

Story by Ashley Smith
APS Communication Team Intern

Metal wires and electrical signals  ̶  those make up the future of the world.
The 21st century is defined by fast unrestricted information and technological advancements. Those individuals who understand how to construct, program and use technology will be at the forefront of shaping our future. For this reason, students at Rangeview High school excitedly gathered to learn the basics of computer programming. Their faces beamed with pride for their creations: small, simple lines of computer code that could be used to move a character on the screen or build a digital object. Students learned these and many more foundational skills in only one hour, also known as “Hour of Code. ”

Code.org is a website set up to teach children the basics of programming. This week they had an event called “Hour of Code” where they challenged students to practice computer code for one hour. Rangeview Cyber Patriot leaders, Randy Mills and Analyn Alquitran, got behind the movement and signed their students up to learn coding for an hour, and to be inspired by tech-driven celebrity Ashton Kutcher. Many schools applied but only seven classrooms in the country were chosen to speak with a celebrity.

Kutcher talked with the students about many topics surrounding technology. He said, “I believe that in the future there will be two kinds of jobs; jobs where computers tell you what to do and jobs where you tell computers what to do. And I've never liked getting told what to do.”

He encouraged students to learn programming or computer related skills so that they could get ahead in our tech-driven society.

APS thanks Kutcher for the words of encouragement and Code.Org for the challenge. We also thank Randy Mills and Analyn Alquitran for their effort to engage our students.