Wednesday’s school closure and the 20th anniversary of the Columbine tragedy have made for a very challenging week for our community. Anniversaries are always difficult, as is finding a way to sensitively talk about school violence with children. There are resources that can help. “Seeking out mental health counseling is not a sign of weakness,…
A “credible threat” that closed schools in Jeffco and all along the Front Range ended Wednesday morning after the 18-year-old woman in question was found dead near the base of Mount Evans. Jeffco Sheriff Jeff Shrader said that the FBI confirmed that Sol Pais was found deceased of an “apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.” He said…
Jeffco Schools may pilot a two-hour snow delay as an alternative to a snow day as early as this week, if current snow forecasts hold true. A letter explaining how the two-hour weather delay will work was sent to Jeffco families and staff on March 5. Superintendent Jason Glass announced the March weather delay pilot…
Jeffco Schools furthers its investment in innovative ideas with a new round of funded projects through the Jeffco Innovation Acceleration Fund. This round, known as 2.0, grouped ideas by cost. Two “big ideas” won funding, along with three “medium ideas” and 14 ideas receiving minimal funding. Big Idea Winners (> $50K) Chatfield High School hopes…
With voters approving additional funding for Jeffco Schools in the November election, school officials are now starting to make decisions about how those funds will be used. A community survey is currently available for the community to indicate funding priorities for $33 million in 5A mill levy override funding. Here’s what else you need to know….
Staffing all middle and high school entry points with Jeffco security personnel, ensuring there is a School Resource Officer (SRO) at each middle and high school, adding campus supervisors to all middle schools, and increasing the number of qualified behavioral health specialists were top recommendations presented by the Safety Task Force at the Jeffco School…
Keeping students and educators safe requires schools to be ready to prevent, intervene, and respond quickly to any given situation — a job that becomes increasingly complex when it involves 157 schools spread across 750 square miles. John McDonald, executive director of Jeffco Schools Security & Emergency Management, relies on a number of tools to…
Jeffco Schools’ partnerships with multiple community organizations was a central focus of the Jeffco Schools Safety Forum held on March 20 at Lakewood High School. The safety forum, attended by approximately 400 parents, staff, law enforcement officials and community members, was the first step in opening a dialogue between the district and the community, said…
Increased STEM and STEAM programming, more opportunities to learn about careers, expanded access to health services and mental health supports, and improved safety and security are just a few of the innovations Jeffco Schools began implementing this spring thanks to a new $1 million Jeffco Innovation Acceleration Fund. Jeffco Schools employees submitted 104 applications to…
