Aurora Public Schools is excited to host the 2015 Festival of the Arts on April 13-26 at the Town Center at Aurora. During mall hours, come enjoy hundreds of artistic masterpieces created by APS students. Every APS school will be represented.

In addition to visual arts, enjoy the performing arts as students showcase their music, dance and theatre talents on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the lower level near JCPenney and Dillard’s.

Student artwork will be recognized at an awards ceremony on May 9 at the APS Professional and Learning Conference Center, located at 15771 E. 1st Avenue, Aurora 80011.

The Rangeview Performing Arts Department has been working hard all semester on their spring musical. They will be preforming the classic Broadway hit Grease on April 23rd & 24th at 7pm and 25th at 1pm & 7pm.

Tickets:
Adults $8
Senior Citizens/Students $7
Students with Activity Card $6

Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as greasers, the musical is set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School and follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of peer pressure, politics, personal core values, and love.

Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Rico Munn addresses freshmen boys from Rangeview High School at the "Man Up" event.

Don't cry. Emotions are for girls. Be a man! 

These three phrases are all too common among males, no matter the age. However, staff members at Rangeview High School are doing all they can to help male students not feed into the typical stereotypes that often plague men throughout their lives. Recently, more than 300 of Rangeview's freshman boys viewed the film "The Mask You Live In," a documentary that follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity.

The purpose of the event is to engage the young men in honest and critical discussions about what it means to be a man to better understand what kind of man they want to be. The film challenged students to reflect about which aspects of their masculinity are and are not conducive to supporting the achievement of their academic, career, and social/emotional goals.

As an added bonus, Superintendent Rico Munn gave opening remarks, challenging students to run toward their weaknesses – not away from them – to help them become better individuals. 

"It's all about identifying who you want to be," Munn said.

APS 2020: Shaping the Future Strategic Plan Core Belief:
-Every student has unique abilities that we must recognize and engage. 

The Rangeview High School Space Raiders recently won the StellarXplorers Space Competition sponsored by the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

The team included the following Rangeview students: Si Hien K Son, Gage T. Niles, Herman Solis and Dave Nuttall. Mr. Brown, one of four STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teachers at Rangeview High School, coached the team. Mr. Kassube and 2^nd Lieutenant Christopher L. Dong of the United States Air Force also mentored the team.

To read more about this great accomplishment and the competition, click here.

Congratulations to the Rangeview High School Space Raiders!

Aurora Public Schools parents, staff and community members recently gathered at the Professional Learning and Conference Center to honor and salute the class of 2015's top ten graduates. Students graduating with the top ten grade point averages celebrated their success with their families, the APS Board of Education and a host staff members from the various schools. Principals praised students and wished them well as they prepare to start the next phase of their lives as young adults.

Congratulations, top ten students! APS couldn't be more proud.

 Aurora Central High School
1. Brenda Sanchez - V
2. Eunice Callejas Solano - S
3. Diego Delgado Camacho
4. Patresia Aguilar Dowdell
5. Shirley Tun-Verde
6. Tonny Sosa Juarez
7. Brianna Purnell
8. Diana Morales Munoz
9. Carlos Torres Serrano
10. Yamel Ramirez Morales

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy
1. Sherlock Crockett - V
2. Sarah Daniels - S
3. Katherine Monroy
4. Maricarmen Nares
5. Marta Velasquez
6. Daisey Rivas Garcia
7. Jennifer Mar
8. Maria de Lourdes Recendes
9. Ana Mezquita Velasquez
10. Samuel Alvarado Gonzalez

Gateway High School
1. Mattilyn Egli - V
2. Megan Graf - S        
3. Chau Tran
4. Alyssa Kelly
5. Friedrich Amouzou
6. Alecia Harris
7. Lauren Stecklein
8. Elshaddai Mulugeta
9. Marquize Fells         
10. Malorie Williamson 

Hinkley High School
1. Morgan Zugelder - V
2. Salina Tesfay - S
3. Jelena Durdic
4. Adriana Montiel Lara
5. Odalys Fernandez
6. Lianne Gill
7. Jubilee Hernandez
8. Katherine Khuu
9. Victoria Aquino
10. Magdalena Landa Posas

Rangeview High School
1. Luke Robinson - V
2. Lauren Arnold - S
3. Jeffrey “Dave” Nuttall
4. Annie Batsaikhan
5.  Cody Carlson
6. Maren Mendoza
7. Andrew Card
8. Anna Phan
9. Brighid Bardsley
10. Alexander Abrams-Flohr

Vista PEAK Preparatory
1. Paxtynn Risk - V
2. Savannah Cloud - S
3. Melissa Richardson
4. Iomar Rodriguez 
5. Summer Graham 
6. Ana Seini Fifita 
7. Bruno Tapia Garcia
8. Abbygail Malle
9. Malia Kennedy
T-10. Francesca Rossi Rivas
T-10. Christopher Santos

 V - Valedictorian
S - Salutatorian 

APS 2020: Shaping the Future Strategic Plan- Core Belief:
 -Students take an active and ongoing responsibility for their learning. 

Photo courtesy The Aurora Sentinel

Submitted by Rondah Frierson
Rangeview High School

The Colorado Athletic Director's Association recently named Rangeview High School’s Vic Strouse the 2015 5A Athletics Administrator of the Year.  Strouse has been the athletic director at Rangeview since 2005, helping to improve the school's athletic programs and functions. As a member of the Colorado Athletics Director's Association, Strouse has helped to fulfill the organization's mission to support educationally-based athletic programs through his dedication and hard work.

Congratulations, Vic! Thank you for your service to APS students and families.

NEWS RELEASE #44
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2015

WHAT: Career and Technical Education Pathway Student Showcase
WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 4:45-5:45 p.m.
WHERE: APS Professional Learning & Conference Center (PLCC)
                 15771 E. 1st Avenue (Mt. Massive Room), Aurora, CO  80011

Aurora Public Schools Students Showcase Interactive Career and Technical Education Projects

Aurora Public Schools is proud to celebrate our Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. A large group of students will be showing off their top work and projects during an interactive showcase. This event will be hosted in the Mt. Massive Room at the APS Professional Learning & Conference Center.

Student work will include: Aerospace, Digital and Software Engineering/Design, Visual & Design Arts Capstone projects, Web Design, Tax Help Colorado services and Biomedical Health Science Capstone projects. Students are representing CTE Pathways from Aurora Central, Gateway, Hinkley, Rangeview and Vista PEAK Preparatory high schools.

Members of the CTE Pathway Advisory Committee will be asking students questions and offering them feedback about their work. The time and efforts of PAC members have positively impacted CTE student achievement and outcomes. 

A requirement of state-recognized CTE programs is to have an active Advisory Committee comprised of 51% business/industry members who provide feedback regarding class curriculum, technology and work place skills, learning opportunities and business and industry trends. CTE Pathways prepare students to graduate from high school prepared for entry-level employment and/or participation in post-secondary programs. 

###

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

Congratulations to Aurora Public Schools Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapters for their hard work and success at the Colorado State Leadership Conference. Out of the 24 Rangeview High School students who qualified to compete at the state level, nine students placed first in their events and six students placed fourth. 11 APS students are national qualifiers and are invited to compete this summer at the National Leadership Conference in Chicago.

Congratulations to the following students: 

First place winners:

• Elvis Ahn, Mikias Negussie, Raymond Simanjuntak placed first in the Marketing competition (Rangeview)
• Heaven Irwin, Sierra Miller, and Maria Flores placed first in the Business Ethics competition (Rangeview)
• Abel Negussie, Brayan Melendez, and Jorion Marshall placed first in the Social Media Campaign competition (Rangeview)
• Cassy Miller placed First in the Spreadsheet Applications competition (Vista PEAK Preparatory)

Fourth place winners:

• Esther Nguyen, Miriam Nsubuga, Tzigane Martin, Cassie Kochman, and Cynthia Corral placed fourth in Parliamentary Procedure
• Andres Marquez placed fourth in Intro to Parliamentary Procedure

Also, Congratulations to Alex Tizon who ran and was elected as the Colorado FBLA Vice President representing District 10!

APS 2020: Shaping the Future Strategic Plan- Core Beliefs: 
-Students take an active and ongoing responsibility for their learning.
-Every student has unique abilities that we must recognize and engage.

Congratulations to Rangeview High School valedictorian Luke Robinson on his appointment to the United States Air Force Academy! This honor recognizes Robinson’s excellence in academics, athletics and leadership.

Robinson shined as one of the best and brightest throughout a fiercely-competitive process. Roughly 1,000 cadets were admitted out of more than 12,000 applicants. As a cadet, Robinson will complete the world-class university’s four-year program, which encompasses rigorous military training, exciting academic curriculum and challenging athletics. This will help him develop the knowledge, character and discipline essential for military service to our nation.

APS commends Robinson for his eagerness to become a defender of freedom. We wish him an abundance of success as he joins a legacy of achievement.

Aurora Public Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) students recently showed off their top work to business and industry leaders. Students from Aurora Central, Gateway, Hinkley, Rangeview and Vista PEAK Preparatory high schools participated in the showcase.

Student work included: Aerospace, Digital and Software Engineering/Design, Visual & Design Arts Capstone projects, Web Design, Tax Help Colorado services and Biomedical Health Science Capstone projects. 

Members of the CTE Pathway Advisory Committee asked students about their projects and offered them feedback. The time and efforts of PAC members have positively impacted CTE student achievement and outcomes. 

A requirement of state-recognized CTE programs is to have an active Advisory Committee comprised of 51% business/industry members who provide feedback regarding class curriculum, technology and work place skills, learning opportunities and business and industry trends. CTE Pathways prepare students to graduate from high school prepared for entry-level employment and/or participation in post-secondary programs. 

APS 2020: Shaping the Future Strategic Plan- Core Belief:
 -Students take an active and ongoing responsibility for their learning. 
-Community partnerships provide vital resources and opportunities for students and families.

APS students who strongly contribute to the life and community of their schools were recently honored as Aurora Scholars by the City of Aurora. The program was established in 2009 to bring city officials, district staff and families together to celebrate the achievements of Aurora’s future leaders.

One teacher-nominated student from each grade level (first through 12th) at every school in Aurora is recognized as an Aurora Scholar. The students obtain a certificate and gifts donated by community members.

Bravo to the 2015 APS Aurora Scholars listed below for their hard work and dedication!

Altura Elementary
Giselle Hernandez, 1st grade
Daniel Conde, 2nd grade
Jaxon L. Davis, 3rd grade
Dominick S. Ocampo, 4th grade
Manuel A. Betancourt, 5th grade

Arkansas Elementary
Addison Rarick, 1st grade
Emma Warren, 2nd grade
Jazlynn Rolison, 3rd grade
Kayleigh Leek, 4th grade
Wahida Sehar, 5th grade

Aurora Academy
Joshua Mautz, 1st grade
Zoie Pietriyk, 2nd grade
Sebastian Nguyen-Le, 3rd grade
Dagem Tadesse, 4th grade
Lawrence Gonzales, 5th grade
Natalie Perez, 6th grade
Lydia Willer, 7th grade
Kimball Easton, 8th grade

Aurora Central High School
Aline Thongvanh, 9th grade
Brandie Radilla Galicia, 10th grade
Jesus Montano Gomez, 11th grade
Tonny Sosa Juarez, 12th grade

Aurora Frontier K-8
Romanat Kahssai, 1st grade
Austin Baca, 2nd grade
Thomas Hutrya, 3rd grade
Hannah Sandoval, 4th grade
Jacob Johnson, 5th grade
Elizabeth "Ellie" Newman, 6th grade
Kimora Jackson, 7th grade
Dillon Hutchison, 8th grade

Aurora Hills Middle School
Rayya Hobbs, 6th grade
Noah Dorsey, 7th grade
Breauna Espinal, 8th grade

Aurora Quest K-8
Carson Crockett, 1st grade
Erin Johnson, 2nd grade
Danica Green, 3td grade
Alejandro Salazar, 4th grade
Ashlynn Stewart, 5th grade
Iyanla Ayite, 6th grade
Kathy Pham, 7th grade
Mia LaMontagne, 8th

Aurora West Preparatory Academy
Thulukshika Suresh, 6th grade
Yasmine Al-Nur, 7th grade
Erick Chaulagain, 8th grade
Alexis Cisneros Flores, 9th grade
Madeline Alainz Sanchez, 10th grade
Aaron Landa, 11th grade
Paola Lopez Tena, 12th grade

AXL Learning Academy
Ella Nichelson, 1st grade
Alex Hernandez Lopez, 2nd grade
Abigail Arthur, 3rd grade
Allyson (Ally) Whelan, 4th grade
Angel Mason-Warren, 5th grade
Angela Rojas Silva, 6th grade
Jairo Barragan, 7th grade
Brian Roberts, 8th grade

Boston K-8
Anie Tamla, 1st grade
Kewin Bonilla Saravia, 2nd grade
Ber Ker, 3rd grade
Alondra Esparza Rodriguez, 4th grade
Erik Salas Aguilar, Jr., 5th grade
Poe Reh, 6th grade
Azucena Hernandez, 7th grade
July Htoo, 8th grade

Century Elementary
Pablo Garcia, 1st grade
Rehani Champion, 2nd grade
Gabriel Flores, 3rd grade
Isaiah Doumbia, 4th grade
Amiah Romero, 5th grade

Clyde Miller P-8
Kingston Switzer, 1st grade
Stephanie Perez, 2nd grade
Itzel Martinez, 3rd grade
Joshua Herrera, 4th grade
Leilah Weathersby, 5th grade
Aaron Zarco, 6th grade
Alyssa Ortiz, 7th grade
Judith Martinez, 8th grade

Columbia Middle School
Devin L. Philio, 6th grade
Aliza C. Davis, 7th grade
China S. Noeun, 8th grade

Crawford Elementary
Steven Diaz Rosales, 1st grade
Gennesis Renteria Giron, 2nd grade
JiLisa Daniels, 3rd grade
Alexander Lopez, 4th grade
Miguel Garcia Hernandez, 5th grade

Dalton Elementary
James Eben Moore, 1st grade
Darian Puentes, 2nd grade
Adrian Pinedo Gutierrez, 3rd grade
Julian Anderson, 4th grade
Anthony Conforti, 5th grade

Dartmouth Elementary
Sapphira Doherty-Cedeno, 1st grade
Leandro Jimenez, 2nd grade
Mario Mendoza, 3rd grade
Kendale Lewis, 4th grade
Tinbit Yoseph, 5th grade

East Middle School
Katie Torres, 6th grade
Gabriel Dominguez, 7th grade
Maria Lopez, 8th grade

Elkhart Elementary
Carmen Davis, 1st grade
Aaron Sarmiento, 2nd grade
Fernanda Hernandez Zubiate, 3rd grade
Luis Reyes-Castellanos, 4th grade
Adama Ndiaye, 5th grade

Fletcher Community School
Georgina Gutierrez-Bautista, 1st grade
Cesar Hernandez-Chuc, 2nd grade
Alexa Ramos-Santos, 3rd grade
Melissa Cabrales-Galindo, 4th grade
Camila Lua, 5th grade

Fulton Academy of Excellence
James Ray, 1st grade
Edith Barrientos, 2nd grade
Daniella Salcedo Pasillas, 3rd grade
Ashley Facio, 4th grade
Elena Cruz, 5th grade

Gateway High School
Khalil Flowers, 9th grade
Bibi Madina Arman, 10th grade
Christina Menchaca, 11th grade
Vanessa Rosas, 12th grade

Global Village Academy
Rylie Sain, 1st grade
Anna Latifa Bane, 2nd grade
Asha Munn, 3rd grade
Madeline Joslin, 4th grade
Paige Black, 5th grade
Mackenzie Kupfer, 6th grade
Ricardo Zapata, 7th grade
Nathan Rabuck, 8th grade

Hinkley High School
Calvin Pope, Jr., 9th grade
Lizabeth Luna Estrada, 10th grade
Esmeralda Cabrera, 11th grade
Usbaldo Vela-Tapia, 12th grade

Iowa Elementary
Hunter Kirby, 1st grade
Fatoumata Daou, 2nd grade
Litzy Gonzalez, 3rd grade
Ryan Reyna, 4th grade
Larina Appleton, 5th grade

Jewell Elementary
Colt Tweedale-Wenzel, 1st grade
Raphael Tambunan, 2nd grade
Lily Wall, 3rd grade
Judith Hernandez Correa, 4th grade
Kristin Grigler, 5th grade

Kenton Elementary
Kimmy Alvarez, 1st grade
Keni McGary, 2nd grade
Eric Marquez, 3rd grade
Yuwainy Selvachandran, 4th grade
Alex Camacho Vicario, 5th grade

Lansing Elementary
Amira Quazrane, 1st grade
Vanessa Morales Velasquez, 2nd grade
Bryan Ramos, 3rd grade
Jonathan Guillen, 4th grade
Sara Kiros, 5th grade

Laredo Elementary
Krystal Hernandez, 1st grade
Wendy-Germaine Fu Tamajong, 2nd grade
Anthony Cordova Sanchez, 3rd grade
Walter Giovanni Escobar Ajin, 4th grade
Thomas Miller, 5th grade

Lotus School for Excellence
Chris Lopez Rodriguez, 1st grade
Carlos Young, 2nd grade
Dominic Gonzalez, 3rd grade
Kimberely Torres Marroquin, 4th grade
Joselyn Arriaga, 5th grade
Saba Gebru, 6th grade
Liya Seleshi, 7th grade
Adam Mohmand, 8th grade
Valeria Lopez-Tiznado, 9th grade
Munira Sultan, 10th grade
Jonte Roberts, 11th grade
David McChesney, 12th grade

Lyn Knoll Elementary
Ayse Kalem, 1st grade
Raul Mejia, 2nd grade
Guadalupe Chavez, 3rd grade
Helen Alday, 4th grade
Kaylin Garcia, 5th grade

Montview Elementary
Eliana Klingensmith, 1st grade
Silver Velasquez-Delao, 2nd grade
Genesis Ramirez, 3rd grade
Gabriel Parra, 4th grade
Elizabeth Chavez, 5th grade

Mrachek Middle School
Steven Linares, 6th grade
Crystal Duran, 7th grade
Eryn Noli, 8th grade

Murphy Creek P-8
Zaya Elliott, 1st grade
Sydney Kueber, 2nd grade
Jackson Mitchell, 3rd grade
Zachary Kueber, 4th grade
Cikeng Lee, 5th grade
Katherine Higgins, 6th grade
Mikayla Lee, 7th grade
Nicole Minikus, 8th grade

North Middle School Health Sciences & Technology Campus
Katy Milla, 6th grade
Thomas Taylor, 7th grade
Jenny Hoang, 8th grade

Paris Elementary
Angie Gomez, 1st grade
Amir Nix, 2nd grade
Dayumi Espinoza, 3rd grade
Jorge Argumedo, 4th grade
Hnin Cherry, 5th grade

Park Lane Elementary
Tatiana Holquin, 1st grade
Zarahi Albarran Sanchez, 2nd grade
Crystal Rodelas Castruita, 3rd grade
German Villalobos, 4th grade
Orlando Montelongo, 5th grade

Peoria Elementary
Melany Araujo, 1st grade
Juliana Marquez, 2nd grade
Laila Rojas, 3rd grade
Melanie Sosa, 4th grade
Maria "Lupita" Davila, 5th grade

Rangeview High School
Langston Kelly, 9th grade
Miriam Escanuela-Mata, 10th grade
Kendra Cameron, 11th grade
Michael Lozoya, 12th grade

Sable Elementary
David Calderon, 1st grade
Daniela Alvarez Diaz, 2nd grade
Carolina Herrera Marquez, 3rd grade
Sunflower Tekle, 4th grade
Karen Valenzuela Viorato, 5th grade

Side Creek Elementary
Kyra Wiles, 1st grade
Amelia Reposa, 2nd grade
Eden Hailu, 3rd grade
Katie Ker, 4th grade
Aliya Jones, 5th grade

Sixth Avenue Elementary
Ashlyn Yamira Sims, 1st grade
Juan Antonio Chavez Cardoza, 2nd grade
Leonard Bradley Scott, 3rd grade
MacKenzie Marie Casbarian, 4th grade
Prince Korang, 5th grade

South Middle School
Kevin Torres Hernandez, 6th grade
Dayanna Massu Sanchez, 7th grade
Luis Torres, 8th grade

Tollgate Elementary
DeQuan Williams, 1st grade
Arse Gamada, 2nd grade
Alicia Aguila, 3rd grade
Laih'La Hatch, 4th grade
Kamora Jonell Morehead, 5th grade

Vassar Elementary
Chase Hammond, 1st grade
Leona Shaw, 2nd grade
James Le, 3rd grade
Samantha Vargas, 4th grade
Svyatoslav (Slav) Voznyak, 5th grade

Vaughn Elementary
Angelin Estrada Lozano, 1st grade
Joselyn Martinez, 2nd grade
Austin Delmonico, 3rd grade
Isaac Osei, 4th grade
Asjourri King, 5th grade

Virginia Court Elementary
Chloe McCrea, 1st grade
Jaira Mayo Guatemala, 2nd grade
Jack Tyron, 3rd grade
Mirella Isabel Franco, 4th grade
Makenna Staack, 5th grade

Vista PEAK Exploratory P-8
Carlee Jackson, 1st grade
Vincent Darling, 2nd grade
Brenna Middleton, 3rd grade
Sofia Ochoa, 4th grade
Kayla Karwacki, 5th grade
Adriana Green, 6th grade
Lainey Morris, 7th grade
Alexis Zarate, 8th grade

Vista PEAK Preparatory 9-12
Nolin Boyd, 9th grade
EryKah Williams, 10th grade
Kevin To, 11th grade
Bruno Tapia, 12th grade

Wheeling Elementary
Apichun (Izac) Panichakul, 1st grade
Aailiyah Lambeth, 2nd grade
Melgen Burciaga Buhaya, 3rd grade
Trinity Schermerhorn, 4th grade
Janaina Barboza, 5th grade

William Smith High School
Laissa Torres, 9th grade
Daegan Macias, 10th grade
Diana Gonzalez, 11th grade
Akosua Antobre, 12th grade

Yale Elementary
Abel Torres Mireles, 1st grade
Christie Espinal, 2nd grade
Haiden Ortega, 3rd grade
Angel Castro Castro, 4th grade
Giovanni Flores, 5th grade

APS 2020: Shaping the Future Strategic Plan- Core Belief:
Every student has unique abilities that we must recognize and engage.

Congratulations to the more than 2,900 students who recently graduated from Aurora Public Schools. Students earned diplomas from the following schools:

• Aurora Central High School
• Aurora West College Preparatory Academy
• APS Online High School
• Gateway High School
• Hinkley High School
• Pickens Technical College
• Rangeview High School
• Rebound (North and South)
• Vista PEAK Preparatory 
• William Smith High School

The graduating class of 2015 has earned more than $9 million in scholarships!

Our preschoolers from Kids Tech, the class of 2028, also celebrated their graduation as they prepare to enter kindergarten in the 2015-16 school year.

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

APS 2020: Shaping the Future Strategic Plan- Core Belief:
 -Students take an active and ongoing responsibility for their learning. 

Congratulations to the 21 students who recently completed the Crossroads Transition Center program! The program helps students with disabilities gain the independence and job skills they need to enter the adult world. Despite the challenges these students may face, their spirit of perseverance continues to shine bright.

APS is proud of the following Crossroads students who have a promising future ahead:

Aurora Central High School
• Joshua Armor
• Jennifer Chiriboga
• Cheikh Abdul Diouf
• Jose Rivas Garcia
• Erika Rocha
• Miguel Vazquez Morales

Gateway High School
• Norvell Burnett
• Paul Clark
• Kyana Ingram
• Daisza Jones
• Mark Mack
• Burton Mason

Hinkley High School
• Jessica Cruz
• Henry Montoya
• Isaac Provencio
• Marshall Thomas

Rangeview High School
• Keyanu Cannon
• Jazmine Jones O'Bannon
• Pamela Minerly
• Andrew Moore
• Marissa Powers

APS 2020: Shaping the Future Strategic Plan- Core Belief:
 All students must have equitable access to learning opportunities, technology and environments that support them in reaching their full potential. 

Students from Aurora and Cherry Creek public schools recently gathered at Rangeview High School to participate in unique hands-on learning opportunities at the 2015 STEM CyberSecurity Camp, presented by Northrop Grumman and Colorado State University. Experts in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) garnered students’ interest in pursuing STEM careers.

During the week-long camp, the middle and high school students enjoyed activities focused on cyber security, computer programming, biomedical engineering and clean energy technologies.

Students also had the pleasure of attending inspiring presentations by Northrop Grumman engineers and interns and other high-profile STEM professionals, such as NASA Astronaut in Training Alyssa Carson who is on a quest to be the first person on Mars.

On the last day, students had a battle of the brains against one another in the CyberSecurity Grand Challenge Competition. Many students involved in the CyberPatriot Program look forward to showcasing their skills in the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition this fall. We wish them the best of luck!

If you're a high school student looking for an affordable homecoming dress, shoes and/or accessories, The Friends of Aurora Central High School Alumni Association is here to help! 

The group is hosting its second installment of #ThePromDressProject on Aug. 19, 20 and Sept. 3 from 5-8 p.m. Students who are interested in finding that perfect, affordable dress can stop by the APS Professional Learning and Conference Center. It is located at 15771 E. 1st Avenue in Aurora.

There will be hundreds of dresses available for sale, most of them within the $10- $15 price range. In addition to offering low-cost dresses, the association will loan dresses on a case-by-case basis. Shoes and accessories will also be available.

All proceeds will benefit The Friends of Aurora Central High School Alumni Association in their efforts to support the next generation of ACHS Trojans.

WHAT: The Prom Dress Project
WHEN: Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 19^th and 20^th, 5-8 p.m. 
               Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 5-8 p.m.
WHERE: APS Professional Learning and Conference Center 
                15771 E. 1st Avenue
                Aurora, CO 80011

The Hinkley Green Echoes earned the top award for high schools in the spring 2014 energy challenge.

Ten APS schools earned more than $29,000 in cash awards for reducing energy use in the district’s spring 2015 Compete to Reduce Energy Challenge.

The top-performing schools and clubs in the high school, middle school and elementary school categories are:

• Hinkley High School Green Echoes - $10,575 (Pictured right)
• Aurora West College Preparatory Academy Choices Club - $8,550
• Fulton Academy of Excellence ELD Green Team - $3,568

The following school participants and environmental clubs also received awards for reducing energy:

• Aurora Quest K-8 Green Team - $465
• Dartmouth Elementary Student Council - $309
• Elkhart Elementary Green Leaf Club - $1,736
• Fletcher Community School Energy & Environment Club - $374
• Vassar Elementary Student Council - $417
• Virginia Court Elementary Student Council - $1,319
• Rangeview High School Awesome Recycling Raiders - $1,730

Congratulations to all of our outstanding students and sponsors for leading energy conservation in APS!

APS students discuss potential debate topics at the 2014 DUDL Fall Kickoff Workshop.

Students have spoken loud and clear: speech and debate is a must have in Aurora Public Schools!

Last fall, the Denver Urban Debate League and Aurora Public Schools began a partnership to help introduce students to speech and debate, and the DUDL recently released a report showing just how popular the program was. The partnership birthed urban debate teams at five APS schools, including Aurora Central, Gateway, Hinkley and Rangeview high schools and Vista PEAK Preparatory. Nearly 60 students participated and earned a bevy of awards.

Highlights

Aurora Central High School (16 students)

• Students Marcos Aguilar and Lorenzo Arellano participated in the public debate event at the University of Denver, where they represented the DUDL alongside college debaters.
• Shanshan Zheng earned the Maximo Corrada Award, one of DUDL’s highest honors.
• Aurora Central hosted the first DUDL tournament at an APS site in January.

Gateway High School (8 students)

• Gateway ended the year winning the DUDL’s Speech Sweepstakes Award.
• Students will help lead DUDL’s student advisory board in the 2015-16 school year.

Hinkley High School (12 students)

• Adriana Montel and Cecilia Ramos won the second tournament in Policy Debate in the Novice Division.
• 9News featured Hinkley students in a report celebrating the benefits of urban debate for English language learners.
• Hinkley will host a DUDL tournament during the 2015-16 season.

Rangeview High School (9 students)

• Rangeview students earned several end of year honors, including Melanee Montgomery as Speaker of the Year and Nadya Nfaoui as Rising Star of the Year.
• Rangeview will host a DUDL tournament during the 2015-16 season.

Vista PEAK Preparatory (12 students)

• Caleb Songer delivered a powerful speech at the DUDL’s end of the year awards banquet.
• Spanish Language debate will be added to future DUDL offerings, an effort Vista PEAK plans to take advantage of moving forward.

Aurora Central students Danny Nguyen, left, and Tyeler Fields perform their Humor/Drama routine during the CenturyLink Classic.

Through the Aurora Public Schools Green Stars Program, students and staff are collaborating to reduce their environmental footprint and their hard work is paying off two fold. In addition to the reward of a thriving planet, schools enjoy monetary awards to foster energy-saving initiatives.

Green Stars engages students and staff in fun, creative and memorable energy conservation efforts. From school environmental clubs to food waste reduction programs and student-rated teacher report cards that reflect the implementation of conservation best practices, the program is a hit.

Congratulations to the following spring 2015 Green Star Energy Challenge winners who collectively earned $29,043 in cash awards presented by the APS Energy Conservation Department:
• Aurora West Preparatory Academy
• Aurora Quest K-8
• Dartmouth Elementary School
• Elkhart Elementary School
• Fletcher Community School
• Fulton Academy of Excellence
• Hinkley High School
• Rangeview High School
• Vassar Elementary School
• Virginia Court Elementary School

The winners exemplify excellence in engaging students, positively impacting the environment and effectively educating others.

APS is thrilled to witness students and staff working together toward a better tomorrow. Their efforts in reducing schools’ natural resource consumption levels are noteworthy.

Aurora Public Schools high school thespians are eager to showcase their acting skills to the community in upcoming musicals and plays. The students have been working diligently to remember their lines, create spectacular stage props, nail down their wardrobe and much more.

So grab your tickets, gather your family and friends and come out to enjoy the abundant talent our students have to offer!

High School Musical
Sept. 24-26 at 7 p.m.
Rangeview High School | 17599 E. Iliff Ave., Aurora 80013

Cinderella
Nov. 12-13 at 7 p.m.
Aurora Central High School | 11700 E. 11th Ave., Aurora 80013

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Nov. 12-14 at 7 p.m.
Gateway High School | 1300 S. Sable Blvd., Aurora 80012

Les Miserables
Nov. 12-14 at 7 p.m.
Hinkley High School | 1250 Chambers Rd., Aurora 80011

The Matchmaker
Nov. 12-14 at 7 p.m.
Vista PEAK Preparatory | 24500 E 6th Ave., Aurora 80018

Story Submitted by Rondah Frierson
Rangeview High School

Students at Rangeview High School were honored by the Carson J Spencer Foundation recently at the 11th annual Shine Lights of Hope Gala.  The Rangeview DECA class was the winner of the Social Enterprise of the Year award. The students in Linda Count’s E-Commerce class spent the 2014-15 school year creating and managing Life Rocks, a social enterprise that directly connected students struggling with stress and depression to professional help and school-based resources.

With the challenge of developing entrepreneurial strategies to help students combat the forces that lead to teen suicide, the company of students sold Worry Stone necklaces that provided students and the community with a sense of hope through jewelry. At the end of the year the students submitted all of their work to the Carson J Spencer FIRE Within Program and were judged and scored highest of schools throughout Colorado.

Congratulations DECA RAIDERS!