Celebrate the Construction of a New ECE-8 Campus in Stapleton

You are cordially invited to attend a ceremony and reception to celebrate the start of construction on the new school, opening August, 2011. Join your neighbors, community members, DPS leaders and generous supporters for this momentous occasion.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

9:30 – 10:30am

3480 North Syracuse, Denver, CO 80207

(one block east of 35th and Quebec)

Please RSVP by June 4^th to rsvp@dpsk12.org.

The construction of this school is funded in part by the 2008 Bond Program.

Dear Readers,

Today is the last day to vote for our little-blog-that-could for 5280′s Top of the Town recognition as TOP BLOG.  If you have already voted for us we can’t thank you enough.  If you haven’t, please click on the link on our Website (or go to 5280.com/tot), click on the “People” category, and enter “scooptoo.com” for the “Blog/Blogger” category.

We are so grateful for your support. Thank You!

The Scoop Two ~ Jenn & Kerri

School: Polaris at Ebert Elementary

Website: http://polarisprogram.dpsk12.org/

Type: Public Magnet – DPS

Tours: Tours run weekly, usually on Mondays at 9:00 and 10:00. Call to schedule an appointment.

Main Phone: (303) 292-4629

Principal: Karin Johnson

Location: 410 Park Avenue West, Denver, CO  80205 (Curtis Park Neighborhood)

Hours: 8:45 AM-3:30 PM

Grades: Kindergarten – 5^th Grade

Average Class Size: There are up to 345 students at Polaris in grades K-5 (26 students per class).  There is ONE Kindergarten class of 25 students, two 1^st grade classes, two 2^nd grade, two 3^rd grade, three 4^th grade and three 5^th grade classes.

Before/After Care: Polaris offers aftercare (Kaleidoscope Corner) as well as a few after school enrichment programs that vary throughout the year.

Facilities/Playground: In 2004, Polaris moved from its original location at Crofton Elementary to the former Ebert Elementary school location in NE Denver. The reason for this move was to have more space as the school grew from 98 students in 2000 to almost 200 in 4 years.  There are two connecting portions of the building, one was the original Ebert Elementary school and then the newer portion built in 2006.  The new construction also included a Learning Landscape playground design with new climbing structures and a turf playing field.

The older portion of the school, where the upper grades have classes, is very dark and somewhat depressing. On the lower floors, the windows are covered in wire mesh (presumably to ward off vandals) and there are exposed pipes on the ceilings. There is a lot more light due to the large windows on the upper floors but it doesn’t hide the fact it’s a very old building.  My husband (who was with me on the first tour) felt it gave the building “character” and it reminded him of the school he went to as a kid.

The gymnasium is also very small but for a K-5 school with 340+ students, I suppose a large gym is not necessary.  The hallways were cluttered with musical instruments art projects, coats, backpacks and various other items that made me wonder what happens during fire drills.

The library is expansive and was designed with highly gifted children in mind.  It contains books that go beyond a typical public school library to support the advanced curriculum.

Special & Core Programs: The Polaris at Ebert program was developed by a woman named Diana Howard in 2000 who was passionate about nurturing the needs of highly gifted children.  She has her Ph.D. from the University of Denver in the field of Gifted Education and for eight years she led the school to be a thriving and coveted educational environment for students (parents) in Denver.

Polaris is built around an accelerated and arts infused education that is intended to be more expansive and go beyond the standard DPS curriculum.  I am told they go “harder, faster, and deeper” into subjects on a global perspective.

There are specials classes that include art, music, drama, dance, PE, tech lab and library time.  On a rotating basis, each student participates in these specials.  Additionally, every Friday, there is a very popular electives program.  Students have the opportunity to choose two different one-hour elective each quarter.

Impressions: It’s a good thing I visited this school on two occasions.  The first time was a year ago, given by an enthusiastic parent, when I was seriously considering their Kindergarten program for my son.  He misses the October 1st DPS cutoff date for Kindergarten by a couple of weeks so we had to get him assessed for Advanced K and Early Entrance.  Beyond all of these various tests and factors, we still would have had to choice in to the program given we are out of their enrollment boundary line.  Needless to say, we chose not to apply given the combination of these factors and the unlikelihood that we would have gotten in.  I also did not feel it was the right kind of environment for my son.

If you have a child with sensory issues or a child that likes a sense of order and structure, I don’t think this would be a positive environment.  Though the Kindergarten classroom is in the newer section of the building, it is heavily cluttered and the environment was tipping the scales toward being raucous. Perhaps this is different than how others have experienced the room on their tours, but mine was quite alarming.  Not only was the classroom jam packed with learning materials it also housed several animal cages – I’m not even sure what type.  I think I saw a bird and a couple of guinea pigs, maybe even a rabbit.  To top it off (and again, maybe I was there on an off day) there were fly strips, yes FLY STRIPS, dangling from the ceiling and flies buzzing around my head.  The entire tour group was swatting them away from our faces for quite some time.  The kids didn’t seem to notice because they were probably used to them, but can you imagine trying to work on a handwriting assignment or read a book and having birds chirping and flies buzzing around your head!

The first and second grade classrooms were much more peaceful and cheery.  They were also quite active though not as disarming as the Kindergarten room.  The lunchroom was also over in this section and sadly, there were tables in the hallway because the room could not accommodate all of the children.

The dichotomy of the lower grades side of the building with the upper grades side of the building is quite stark.  For me, it went from an energy driven buzz (literally) for the younger grades to a more gloomy and cerebral state-of-mind on the older side.  Though it shouldn’t matter much to me as a parent, I do feel that it’s important to know if this type of environment will have a negative impact on your child.  There are some children who might be more sensitive to their surroundings than others.

Getting to the point of Polaris @ Ebert being a school dedicated to serve the unique needs of highly gifted learners, if you sense your child is in this range, you should definitely check this school out.  The approach that Polaris takes is a highly integrated one that nurtures each child in his or her own way.  The talented and highly trained staff explores alongside the children to approach learning in ways that most typical public school children do not.  The teachers have strong partnerships with their students and collaborate with other teachers, staff, parents and community members for their extensive art and science integrated curriculum.

On my second visit to Polaris last week, I did not take the tour but did speak with the Librarian, Gail Axt, to learn her perspective on the school and its students. She was quite impassioned about Polaris and I could tell she had a deep love for the children. I asked about the social and emotional need of children who are highly gifted and how they deal with these issues.  It was made clear to me that the teachers and staff understand the unique needs of children in this range and have experience supporting them.  She led us through what each grade studies and how they strive to integrate art, music and science through their curriculum.  She said “in order to be citizens of the world, children need to be exposed to all parts of the world whether it be history, music, or culture”.

Ms. Axt also spoke very highly of the electives program which happens each Friday in the last two hours of the school day.  Members from the community along with teachers and parents run these electives and they vary each quarter and from year to year.  They might include pottery, craft making, ballet, knitting, yo-yo-ing, bread making, etc.  There is an incredible variety and the options are ever-changing.

I left Polaris @ Ebert much more positive than the first time around. I saw a side of the school that led me to believe that they were not elitist or educational separatists, but a home where children with unique talents and learning abilities can question the world and thrive.

I’d like to offer a point of advice if you really feel strongly about this school and getting your child into the program: If you don’t get in for the Kindergarten year, apply for your child when they are entering 1^st Grade.  There is only one Kindergarten classroom and there are hundreds of applicants for these spots. There are two 1^st Grade classrooms which means that there is an additional 25 spots that open up. Most people have secured a spot elsewhere at this point, and if you can muster keeping your child where they are for one more year, you have a good chance of getting in.  Of course, if you don’t, you will certainly need a back up plan.

Dear Friends and Readers of ScoopToo:

We are hoping for your vote for TOP BLOG for 5280 Magazine’s Top of the Town issue coming soon.  Voting begins on February 1st and ends March 19th. This will be our first year entering the competition so please help us get the word out!

If you think our blog is useful, that it’s an informative resource and more people should know about us, and should be considered a TOP BLOG for Denver residents, please vote for ScoopToo by clicking on the link below.

Be sure to tell your friends to vote. Thanks again for your continued support. We REALLY appreciate it!

THANK YOU

Jenn & Kerri – The Scoop Two

School: ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL of EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING (a.k.a. RMSEL “rem-zul”)

Website: http://www.rmsel.org/

Type: RMSEL-Public School of Choice (BOCES-Board of Cooperative Educational Services)

Open Houses/Tours: Tours are on the first Thursday of every month (except April) September through May at 8:30 AM.

Admission Process: Please visit the enrollment page of the RMSEL Website for full details.

Main Phone: 303-759-2076

Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Executive Director: Kerry Lord

Operations Director (and Enrollment): Leann Asgari

Location: 1700 South Holly Street, Denver, CO 80222 (Hampden / Virginia Vale Neighborhood)

Ages/Grades: K-12

Average Class Size: 24 – never to exceed 25

Before/After Care: Afterschool programs are run by the YMCA as well as various enrichment programs run by parents, staff and community members.

Facilities and Playground: RMSEL is located in the former Ash Grove Elementary school in southeast Denver. The building is old and certainly nothing special to look at.  The playground, though I didn’t get much of a tour of the outside, looks aged and in need of a serious upgrade too.  This is one of those cases where you simply can’t judge a book by its cover.  There is a lot more to RMSEL than meets the eye. 

Special & Core Programs: The RMSEL philosophy is based on the principles of Outward Bound and organizes its curriculum around multidisciplinary learning expeditions. They place a high value on interdisciplinary learning, collaborative learning, active engagement in real issues, content and skills, development and demonstrations of deep knowledge, higher-order thinking skills and effective communication, service and character.  The have the usual PE, art and technology specials and once students reach the high school grades they have Spanish.  Due to budgetary issues, the music and Spanish programs have been limited.

Impressions: If there is any indication of how great a school is by how crowded the open houses are, then the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary learning must be something very special.  It was a snowy and freezing morning yet there must have been 80-100 brave and interested souls crowding the auditorium.  I was greeted by just about the cutest and friendliest students (one 5^th grader and one 6^th grader). At the door they directed me into the room and over to a table where the Director of Operations, Leann Asgari, stood answering questions and explaining the nuances of the student portfolios on display.  The wall was painted with the school motto: “We Are Crew Not Passengers.” Now how about that!  A school that encourages students to be leaders and not followers that requires being involved and not going along for the ride, and one that develops and nourishes each student’s talents by allowing the study of personal interests.  Education at RMSEL is about taking a journey; not simply a ride through mandatory subject matter.

RMSEL has been accredited as a “School of Distinction” which includes high graduation rates (last year it was 100%), student satisfaction and rigorous academic standards. What makes this particularly interesting is just as the students are continually learning, so too are the staff.  The teachers at RMSEL spend at least two hours a week (after or before school hours) on continuing education – they are expected to do so or they will not last long at the school.

As I sat there and listened to the Executive Director, Kerry Lord, and the Administrative Director, Keri Melmed, speak passionately about their school, I felt inspired by their enthusiasm and dedication to a community of thinkers and doers.  What I keep trying to remember is that as we look at schools, we cannot forget that it is our children that will be spending their days in this environment.  Is it the right place for them – not us?  Do we like or dislike this school because of our own mores and values or do our little ones need a school like this to help them blossom into the person they are already beginning to be?

Of all of the school tours and open houses I’ve been to, I felt the most informative and helpful to be those that included the students in the mix.  There really is no excuse for leaving out the exact people that your children will be exposed to as peers.  At RMSEL, those that greeted me were 5^th graders and 6^th graders.  Every DPS, private, faith-based, charter, etc. goes up to at least 5^th grade.  There couldn’t be a better way to teach leadership, social skills and self-confidence than having them greet or speak to adults.  At RMSEL, a panel full of students, 5^th through 12^th grade spoke about their experiences at the school.  They were articulate and exuded confidence and pride in their school.  Their little hearts may have been beating with fear– but we never would have known it.  How many of you can get up in front of a crowd of 100 people and speak without notes or serious medication?!

While visiting the classrooms, once again, they were nothing special too look at but what was within those walls did seem special.  The students were engaged, friendly and by the sheer number of wool hats being worn, sure didn’t mind that it was freezing cold in the building!  I witnessed two way communications between students and teachers.  Groups of students in a classroom are called a “crew” – which is their motto. The kids encourage fellow classmates in their crew.

It may be too early to tell, but if your child is showing signs of interest in exploration or design or oceanography or physical fitness – perhaps botany or paleontology or photography or sustainability, this might be the school for them.  Though the students are encouraged to explore any subject which is of great interest to them, more often than not, it seemed to be something in the area of the sciences.  No matter what the interest, it was clear that each student, throughout their years, is strongly encouraged by crewmates and staff and become heavily invested in succeeding.   

As promised, here is the registration Website link: http://www.dpsk12.org/scoop/

Registration is not mandatory, however we would like to get a sense on who’s coming.  Spread the word!

Click on images below to enlarge the information!

Spread the word!  DPS and ScoopToo are co-hosting two Early Education Scoop events on December 10th and January 7th.  The events are designed to help parents navigate the ECE process through DPS.  These educational sessions will cover topics such as tuition, Choice Process, transportation, special needs programming, Advanced Kindergarten, English Language Acquisition, dual-language programming, Montessori programs and before and after school care.  Enrollment experts will be on hand to answer specific questions during the Q&A session following the presentation.

If you or anyone you know is seeking to learn more about this process, please attend this informative event.  Tell your friends, neighbors and playgroup-mates!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Marissa Ferrari, Communications Office, Denver Public Schools, (720) 423-3681 or marissa_ferrari@dpsk12.org

Denver, CO – For the first time, Denver Public Schools and scooptoo.com, a Denver school-focused blog, will host two information sessions designed to make the process of enrolling in preschool and kindergarten easier for parents. The events, billed as the “Early Education Scoop,” are set for Thursday, December 10 at the new Center for Early Education and Thursday, January 7 at Valdez ECE-7 School. Both events will take place from 6:30 – 8:30pm.

The Center for Early Education is located at 3245 E. Exposition Ave., at the corner of Exposition and Steele. Valdez is located at 2525 W. 29^th Ave., directly behind North High School. Attendance and parking at both locations is free.

The Early Education Scoop events will feature Enrollment Experts who can answer parents’ specific questions related to preschool and kindergarten topics of interest, including tuition, transportation, the School of Choice process, special-needs programming, Advanced Kindergarten, English Language Acquisition and dual-language programming, Montessori programs, and before- and after-school care. After a brief overview by the DPS Director of Early Education, each family in attendance will have an opportunity to present their specific questions to an Enrollment Expert as well as tour the host school.

The event agenda is as follows:

6:30 – 6:45pm: Welcome and Registration

6:45 – 7:15pm: Enrollment Overview

7:15 – 8:30pm: Individual Q&A Sessions with Enrollment Experts and School Tours

The Early Education Scoop events are co-hosted by Denver Public Schools and ScoopToo.  Attendance and parking are free. All handouts will be provided in English and Spanish, and Spanish-language interpreters will be present. Learn more at scooptoo.com or by calling (720) 423-3560.

School: MONTESSORI SCHOOL of DENVER

Website: http://www.montessoridenver.org/

Main Phone: 303-756-9441

Type: Private Montessori – Accredited member of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)

Tuition & Fees: Tuition for 2009/2010 school year is $10,975 ($6,220 for half-day until 11:30 AM) for Primary/Kindergarten and $11,655 for Elementary per student.  The after school program is an additional $4,810 per year. Additional fees include an $850 per family facilities fee and $250 per family work bond fee (this deposit can be worked off throughout the year by volunteering time). Financial assistance is available for Kindergarten and Elementary students.

Tours: Parent tours begin in October. Tours are for adults only and include an overview of MSD, an introduction to Montessori education, a classroom observation, campus tour, and a question and answer session. All tours require an appointment and reservations are limited. Toddler Program tours are held on Wednesday mornings from 9:45 am – 10:45 am. Primary Program tours take place on Tuesday mornings from 9:15 am – 10:45 am. Elementary Program tours are by appointment only. Please contact the school office at 303-756-9441 or info@msd-co.org to reserve your space for an upcoming tour.

Head of School: Stephanie Flanigan

Director of Admission: Tara Gehrke

Location: 1460 South Holly Street, Denver, CO 80222

Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Ages/Grades: Toddler through 6^th Grade (ages 2-12).  There are full day and half day programs for both Toddlers and Primary students.  Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary have full day programs.

Class Size: Depending on grade-level, a class can be anywhere from 25 students to 30 students. The ratios for the classes range from between 1:7 and 1:12 also depending on grade-level.  Classes are mixed age groups. The Toddler program is for 2 and 3 year olds and the Primary program is for 3 through 6 year olds. Lower Elementary is age 6 through 9 and Upper Elementary is age 9 through 12.

Before/After Care: There is no before care program at MSD.  There is an after school program from 3:00 – 6:00 PM.  There is also a “drop-in” after care program where parents can pay for specific days of the week if necessary.  Additionally, there is an After School Enrichment Program (ASEP) that consists of quite a few very unique offerings including Lego building, super scientists, Broadway choir and princess party.

Facilities and Playground:

The MSD campus consists of several buildings that house multiple classroom groupings, offices, a community room and an absolutely stunning library that was commissioned and built about 6 years ago. The landscaping is well maintained and there are future plans to upgrade the playground which is already in good condition.  In the wintertime, it is probably chilly for kids to transition from one building to another but they don’t seem to mind.

Special & Core Programs:

MSD is committed to an overall Montessori philosophy that includes mixed-age classrooms, large blocks of interrupted work time, and an emphasis on self-directed, independent learners who take responsibility.  This philosophy is also reflected in their core school-wide curriculum including service learning, experiential learning, real-world concepts and global education.  Teachers are expected to enroll in continuing education and often participate in global educational expeditions.  The school community (students and staff) has traditionally made “doing good” an integral part of the school culture by committing to and participating in numerous civic and charitable projects.

Beyond regular classroom lessons, students take Spanish, PE, Art, Music and Drama (starting in Lower Elementary) 1-2 times per week.

Using technology to support the curriculum is also very important to MSD. This would include SMART Boards, a library equipped with WiFi, a publishing center, and laptops to be used for class/student projects.  The brand new Website was re-launched as of October 2009 and is filled with valuable information. Parents also receive monthly newsletters and weekly reminders sent out by administration and lead teachers.

Additionally, daily lunches are offered to MSD students through Organics Delivered.  Parents can sign up for the service, look at menus and order lunch service any day of the week.

Impressions:

I have visited the Montessori School of Denver on multiple occasions.  The first time, I was invited as a guest to their annual Fall Harvest Festival in 2008.  It was a gorgeous sunny weekend and the campus was packed with families and buzzing with activity.  They had the usual pumpkin sale (though these were very expensive organic pumpkins), tasteful carnival games, a train ride, chili contest and even a reptile menagerie.  There were children riding on top of a giant tortoise and snakes slithering through the shrubs!  It was a delightful scene.

The next time I visited MSD was that November for a tour with their Director of Admission, Tara Gehrke.  A group of parents gathered in the gorgeous library by a warm fire.  Tara spoke about the 45 year history of the school and answered questions we had before we braved the cold.

The buildings surround a lovely landscaped courtyard and playing field where students were engaged in an organized game of kickball with MSD’s full time Physical Education teacher. Not only to the students have recess twice a day, they also have PE 1-2 days a week as well. I loved hearing that these kids get plenty of physical activity to burn off energy! We wear lead over to the Toddler room for observation of their morning activities.  There is only one class for two and three year old toddlers. It felt cumbersome with so many children and five teachers in one room though the activities were very organized. Adults may feel cramped, but the children seemed at ease with their environment and could freely go about their work be it inside or out. The space probably feels absolutely normal to them. In typical Montessori methodology, teachers would gently encourage each child to complete one task before they moved on to the next in an effort to keep order.  This is true for meal time as well.  It’s always so adorable to watch children eat at a table with placemats, napkins and glasses for milk.  It’s a toddler sized fine-dining experience!

Next we visited one of the Primary classrooms.  This was one of the older rooms of the school and a very interesting set up.  Up a few steps and through the door to the room, you walk in and see a series of rooms and a central fireplace in which they have created a cozy reading nook complete with pillows.  This room also seemed crowded though it was organized and run like a tight ship.  The teacher in this classroom invited us in to observe the children in their morning work cycle and tour the series of rooms.  It felt very cozy and active.  We even observed conflict resolution between two children that went so smoothly it almost seemed like a setup!

The Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms located on the newer side of the campus were much more spacious but I must say that I liked the warm and homey feel of the older rooms.  Once again, the kids were engaged in their work and it was almost as if a group of 10 adults were not even there hovering over their lessons.

After this, we made our way to the Community Room which is used for gatherings and PE on cold or very hot days.   The Art facility was located below the Community room.  Some Upper Elementary students were engaged in some very interesting art projects.  The art teacher then brought us into another classroom filled with a complex web of string depicting an historical timeline of world events.  All of this was created by the students and led by the teacher.  Apparently it was so popular and successful with the students that they turned the concept into an after school enrichment program.  My husband, who was on the tour with me, was so enamored by this creativity and unique learning process, he was giddy.

The tenure of teachers at MSD is outstanding; some have been at the school upwards of 13 years and several who’ve retired after 25 years of being with the school.  The campus average is about 9  years.  They believe wholeheartedly in promoting from within or “growing their own” and supporting each individual teacher through continuing education and flexibility.

Tara took us back to the library building and seated us in the language lab where she introduced us to a current MSD parent and opened the floor up to any additional questions we might have.  There were several questions about fundraising and work bond hours as well as how Montessori educated children transition into a more traditional school as they progress in age.

One thing we came to realize is that if you have no interest in participating in the well being of the school and volunteering your time, it’s probably not the place for you.  There are more than your average handful of community events, fundraisers, annual giving and volunteer opportunities that are presented at the beginning of the year. Families are expected to “work” (volunteer) for at least 25 hours in trade for work bond credit. This can be hard for families with dual working parents, so there is an option to pay off your work bond for a fee of $250 per year.   What’s positive about these efforts is that the school is financially healthy and it creates an incredible sense of community.  Parents have a lot of interaction with each other, as well as school administrators and staff, unlike some other private schools.  Personally, I think it’s nice to know the parents of the children with whom my children spend the majority of their day.

All in all, my impression is that this is an extraordinary school and one that I would feel confident in sending my children to for years to come.  You should not leave this school off your list  if you are considering private options.

We welcome your comments and impressions on your experience with the Montessori School of Denver.

Check out Kerri getting interviewed by 9 News regarding their joint venture Website: coloradoschoolchoice.org.  Sorry Kerri, but you are no longer an incognito blogger!

The coloradoschoochoice.org is a useful data-driven site if you’re looking for certain statistics on schools.  The specific data included are: maps, CSAP scores, percentage of free & reduced lunches, enrollment/diversity and choice-in numbers.  The site does not include any other significant content at this time.

School: Carson Elementary

Website: http://carson.dpsk12.org

Type: Public – DPS

Tours: Tours are scheduled beginning October and are usually listed on the front page of the school Website.  Call the main office to schedule.

Main Phone: (303) 355-7316

Principal: Tamara Acevedo

Location: 5420 E. 1^st Avenue, Denver, CO, 80220 – Crestmoor neighborhood

Hours: 8:55 AM-3:45 PM

Grades: ECE-5^th Grade

Average Class Size: There are approximately 400 students at Carson Elementary including 71 Highly Gifted/High Achieving students and 39 Deaf/Hard of Hearing students.  In the two Kindergarten classrooms, student capacity is set at 25 students for the full-day program.  The average in the rest of the classrooms is 26 students.

Before/After Care: Carson does offer aftercare (Kaleidoscope Corner) as well as some after school enrichment programs that vary throughout the year.

Facilities/Playground: The 1950’s style building reflects many of the ranch-style homes in the area.  The inside of building is impeccably clean and orderly.  The traditional classrooms are average in size with a few smaller classrooms assigned to the deaf and hard of hearing students.  The Kindergarten classrooms are in an entirely separate wing of the building and a separate playground directly outside the rooms.  The outside area/playground is enormous and includes a giant grass playing field, large blacktop and several fairly modern play structures (the colorful plastic and metal kind).

Special & Core Programs: Carson is extremely proud of their special programs and facilities for deaf and hard of hearing students.  There are currently 39 students in this category.  Some hard of hearing students are fully integrated into the classrooms while others (deaf students) have their own teaching staff and classrooms.  Teachers wear personal microphones in each of the classes so those with hearing issues can follow along just as any other student would do.

Carson is also one of eight DPS elementary schools that host the Highly Gifted and Talented Magnet program.  There are currently 71 students in this program with specialized instruction for high achievers/highly gifted. These students come from across the district.

The Character Trait program is also very strong at Carson.  The entire community is educated on using Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Tolerance, Perseverance, Integrity and Courage as key elements of learning.  This isn’t just a program that is posted and forgotten. They truly educate these traits.

Impressions: I was greeted with a very warm welcome from the tour guide who has two children at Carson and lives in the neighborhood. She directed me into the main office where I signed in and received a nicely put together folder of information on Carson, including an evaluation form for the open house/tour.  It seems that they really want to know the impressions of those taking the tour!  After our group gathered and was ready for the tour, the Principal, Tamara Acevedo, shared her feelings about the school.  She told us that Carson chose her as much as she chose the school.  The “fit” was right for her, just as the “fit” must be right for our families, she explained.  It is her first year at Carson as principal and she was very clear that education is her passion.  Principal Acevedo feels that Carson Elementary is a “very unique” place and a “school unlike any other”.  You could see it in her eyes that she meant it.  She invited us to contact her with further questions and then went on her way.

Our tour guide then introduced us to two other Carson parents also part of the tour.  I didn’t notice them at first but they were standing among us with nametags on.  One of the parents had three children who went through the school and one that was about to start ECE next year.  The other had two children in the school, both in the HGT program.  I thought it was a great idea to have multiple parents give the tours and offer different perspectives on the programs as well as tag-team any questions that were asked.  All three parent tour guides were very knowledgeable and passionate about the school.  We were asked to introduce ourselves as well and I came to find that there were a mix of parents from the Crestmoor, Hilltop, Stapleton, Palmer and Teller neighborhoods.

One thing I thought was interesting was that the very active PTA plans their annual fundraiser in the fall instead of the spring.  This is very clever given almost every other school solicits auction items and donations in the spring and wear out businesses in these efforts.  Also, the funds raised by the PTA fundraisers go to school-wide improvement as opposed to specific classrooms, staff or single programs.  I really liked this concept.

As we walked down the long hallway toward the Kindergarten wing, I couldn’t help but notice the impeccable cleanliness of the halls.  It’s almost as if they knew we were coming and had a school wide cleanup session!  The floors were spotless and while there were endless rows of hooks for student’s jackets and lunchboxes, not one thing lay on the floor.  The walls were adorned with student artwork, poster boards to vote for class officers, and a variety of unique student projects.  I noticed projects on symmetry as well as positive and negative battery power.  I thought this was surprisingly different that the typical elementary school projects I’ve seen on walls.  Some classrooms were being led down the hall quietly by their teachers and were expected to use their “quiet voices” and keep their hands to themselves.  This was very reminiscent of my experience with Montessori environments where children were encouraged to be peaceful and respectful during their transitions.

The Kindergarteners have their own separate wing with two classrooms, a common room, a bathroom and an outside play-area all to themselves.  The classrooms were quite large and filled with all the things you’d expect to see in a Kindergarten classroom.  The playground is large but offers very little shade.  I imagine this can be quite hot during summer months and is cause for limited outside playtime.

The playground for the rest of the students was absolutely enormous.  There were several play structures, a gigantic blacktop as well as a grassy area as large as a football field.  Some of the students were being led outside for gym class with the full time Gym Teacher.  The inside gym room is tiny so this must be a welcome respite for the twice a week gym class when the weather is nice.

The library is also small but equally as pristine as the rest of the school.  Each class has the opportunity to use the mobile technology lab with laptops right in their classroom and some rooms have been outfitted with Promethean Boards (electronic interactive white boards) in the rooms.  With incoming technology grant funding from the Federal Government to DPS, the school expects to install these Boards in each of the rooms in the near future.

When the tour was over, the three parent guides expressed their very heartfelt feelings on the new Principal when asked how she compares to the beloved former Principal.  They said that Ms. Acevedo was warm, responsive and approachable to both kids and parents.  In her first year she is observing a school that has had a successful past.  She will wait to make any changes in following years only if necessary.  This seems to be a very intelligent move for a first time Principal.  I walked out of this tour thinking “that is a great school” and wishing it were my neighborhood.  Bravo Carson!

We welcome your comments and impressions on your experience with Carson Elementary.