- Westminster Public Schools
- August 22_District 50 Shows Steady Growth
D50 Insider 2013 - 14 Archives
- D50 Insider Archives Home
- May 22nd Edition
- D50’s Proud Graduates Receive Diplomas
- ESP Employees of Year Named
- Principals for WHS and Fairview Elementary Named
- HLHS Teacher Selected to Shape National Curriculum on Holocaust
- WHS Receives Project Lead the Way Certification
- Congressman Impressed with Colorado STEM Academy
- A Night of Honors for WHS Seniors
- WHS Students Meet with BOE
- Metz Elementary Playground to Receive Upgrade
- Retirees Honored for their Years of Service
- D50 TV Schedule
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- May 8th Edition
- Academic Gains Continue in District 50
- WHS Principal Finalists Meet Public
- Meet Neal Wolcott, Westminster Elks Teacher of the Year
- Legislature Finalizes Education Budget, Cuts in D50 Still Projected
- STEM Students in Spotlight
- Our Voice Takes on Health
- Bus Road-E-O Highlights Best Drivers
- Beginning Band Students Play the Big Stage at Westminster High School
- Retirement Tea is Monday
- D50 Ed Foundation Golf Tourney is June 4th
- April 24th Edition
- Ken Ciancio Selected to Serve on Board of Education
- Jessica Messmer, Elks Teacher of the Year
- Westy Honored in Adams County Youth Challenge
- Four Schools Participating in ‘Sports Matters’ Tennis Fundraising Program
- Student’s Artistic Talents Showcased
- STEM Fair is May 3 at Westminster High School
- TCAP Success Sends Students to Coors Field
- Elementary Honor Choir Takes to Stage
- Metz Elementary Inspired by Celebrity Visit
- Tennyson Knolls Principal Finds Unique Way to Raise Money
- Westminster High School’s Annual Plant Sale
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- April 3rd Edition
- Landgraf Resigning from BOE, Moving out of District
- Meet Teacher of the Year Teresa Martinez
- Board Faces Tough Budget Choices
- ‘Safety Contract’ is Available for Prom and Graduation Season
- ‘Thriving Schools Initiative’ Aimed at Keeping Students Healthy
- Skyline Vista Supports Pediatric Cancer Research
- How Did You Spend Your Spring Break?
- Frank DeAngelis: “I’ll always be a Ranum Raider”
- Date Set for Retirement Tea
- D50 TV Schedule
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- March 13th Edition
- Teachers of the Year Named
- State Board Impressed by District 50’s Progress
- Marijuana Awareness and Use a Timely Issue
- Students Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
- District 50 Education Foundation Supports Creativity Grants
- High School Musical on Stage at WHS
- District 50 Community Brings Good Luck to Denver Nuggets
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- February 27th Edition
- Inspiring Message Kicks Off TCAP Testing in District 50
- District Undergoes Safety Training
- Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis to Speak at Ed Foundation Breakfast
- Enrollment Underway for Colorado STEM Academy
- ‘Incredible Years’ Promotes Life Skills
- ‘High School Musical’ Coming to WHS Stage
- Orchestra Festival Held at Westminster High School
- Art on Display at Westminster High School
- D50 TV Schedule
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- February 13th Edition
- January 30th Edition
- District 50 Moving Forward, Addressing Challenges
- District 50 Graduation Rate Up, Dropout Rate Down
- Video Examines D50’s Competency Based System
- District Contending for National Education Grant
- Hodgkins Student, Family Profiled on ‘Feel Good Friday’
- Colorado STEM Academy Information Night Planned
- Students to ‘Celebrate Academic Excellence’ February 8th
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair is February 8th
- Adams County Honor Music Festival Plays at Westminster High School
- Hodgkins Elementary Cheers on the Broncos
- Broncos Super Bowl Trivia Contest
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- January 16th Edition
- District Takes Proactive Approach to Teen Pot Issue
- State of District Report to be Delivered January 28
- Wolves Basketball at Pepsi Center
- Man with No Arms Motivates, Inspires WHS Students
- “Have a Heart” Recognized for Holiday Giving
- Financial Services Department Receives Major Award
- Students, Staff Support the Broncos
- Broncos Trivia Contest
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- December 19th Edition
- District 50 Video Christmas Card
- District 50 Students Take Part in ‘Hour of Code’
- High School STEM Students Create, Give Innovative Gifts
- District 50 Recognized as Public Health ‘Hero of the Year’
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair Coming to WHS
- Ranum Students Step up to Help Food Drive
- ‘Have a Heart’ Gearing up for Holidays
- D50 TV Schedule
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- December 5th Edition
- New Board of Education Shares Laughs, Commits to Hard Work
- Schools on Display in Annual Gallery Walk
- Hidden Lake Counselor Helping Typhoon Victims in the Philippines
- Holiday Season at ‘Have a Heart’
- Students ‘Celebrate Academic Excellence’
- ‘Our Voice’ Explores the Creative Talents of two WHS Students
- D50 Nuggets Night is March 5
- STEM Students Learn from Former Nuggets Players
- D50 TV Schedule
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- November 14 Edition
- Loss of Mill Levy Override Means Tough Decisions for District 50
- McCoy, Davidek Elected to Board of Education
- Students Plant Trees to Remember Scott Carpenter
- Flynn Elementary Celebrates Veterans Day
- Nuggets Star Shares a Positive Message at Sunset Ridge
- A Special ‘Nuggets Night’ for Skyline Vista
- Vote for the 2014 ‘One Book 4 Colorado’ Book
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund Available to Seniors
- Highlights of WHS Play Available
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 31st Edition
- ‘PMI’ is Changing the Way Math is Taught
- District Accountability Advisory Committee Helps with Key Decisions
- WHS Prepares Students for Successful Future
- Scott Carpenter Funeral This Weekend in Boulder
- ‘Hy Five Luncheon’ Supports Local Kids
- WHS Football Team in State Playoffs
- Boys’ Soccer Team Make Playoffs
- Eurydice at Westminster High School November 7th, 8th and 9th
- ‘Fall Showcase’ Highlights Talents of Students, Teachers
- Cupcake Bake Off
- Halloween Costumes on Display at ECC
- Substitute Teacher Opportunities Available
- Ed Foundation Silent Auction Next Friday
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- October 17th Edition
- Prize Patrol Hands Out 23 Creativity Grants
- Scott Carpenter Middle School Honors the Memory of a Real-Life Hero
- Flu Shots Available
- Rapids Help Students with Soccer, Reading Skills
- ‘Eurydice’ Coming to WHS Stage
- ‘Have a Heart’ Gearing up for Holiday Season
- Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31
- Fall Choirs Bring the Crowd
- Westminster High School Band Students Learn From the Pro
- Westminster Runs with the Wolves
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- October 3rd Edition
- Sherrelwood in Academic Spotlight
- October is Family and School Partnership in Education Month
- ‘A Day Made Better’ at Hodgkins Elementary
- Westminster City Council Endorses Mill Levy Override
- Alumni Golf Tournament Raises Money, Unites Community
- Homecoming Parade Marches to ‘Masquerade’ Theme
- ‘Alive at 25’ Reminds Students to Drive With Care
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- September 19th Edition
- STEM Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Technology
- 'Reading the Game' with the Colorado Rapids
- A.C. Brings Cool Air to T.K.
- Unique Act Headlines Mesa Fundraiser Friday Night
- Sun Shines for Putts for a Purpose
- Air Force JROTC Presents Colors at Rockies Game
- Homecoming Parade, Powder Puff and Alumni Football Next Saturday
- Run With the Wolves Rescheduled
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- September 5th Edition
- Two Candidates Likely Headed to Board of Education
- Hyland Hills Endorses Mill Levy Override
- Voters to Decide on Statewide Education Tax
- ‘Stuff for Students’ Puts School Supplies in Student’s Hands
- Getting Up to Par
- Alumni Golf Tournament Sparking Good Natured Rivalry
- Mesa Fundraiser Features one of Area’s Best Bands
- STEM Ribbon Cutting on Monday
- Season Opener Brings out Bronco Colors in D50
- Register Now to ‘Run with the Wolves’
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- August 22nd Edition
- D50 Students Head Back to Class
- District 50 Shows Steady Growth
- D50 Board Approves Mill Levy Override Ballot Proposal
- New Principals Join the Team
- District 50 Adds 52 New Teachers
- Summer Renovations Bring Better Buildings
- Welcome Back Rally Focuses on the Future
- WHS Freshman Class Ready to Go
- Alumni Golf Tournament Planned for September
- Register Now to ‘Run with the Wolves’
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
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District 50 Shows Steady Growth The latest round of TCAP results show continuing academic improvement in District 50, which was the only metro district to show increases in student proficiency in math, reading and writing for three consecutive years.
During the same three year period, the number of students testing at the unsatisfactory level dropped in all three subject matters.
The Colorado Department of Education won’t formally release individual school and District ratings until December, but early data indicates that Westminster High School, Shaw Heights Middle School, Hodgkins Elementary and Metz Elementary will move from “Priority Improvement” to “Improvement” categories.
In addition, Tennyson Knolls Elementary will apparently move from “Improvement” to “Performance.”
“The numbers and trend lines are encouraging and a reflection of our focus on rigor and accountability, but we still have a lot of work in front of us,” said Superintendent Dr. Pamela Swanson.
In results released Wednesday, August 14, the District showed improvement on 19 of the 27 testing categories for students across all grade levels. In addition, the scores, which also measure student growth over time, showed that for the first time “at risk” students showed a higher growth rate than the student population as a whole.
“That is significant,” Chief Education Officer, Dr. Oliver Grenham. “It shows that we are making real progress with our most challenging students and our commitment to competency for all students is paying dividends.”
District 50’s Competency Based System does away with social promotion, by moving students within learning levels only when they can show mastery of a topic. Children progress at an individualized pace that is determined by what they know instead of their age.
The steady progress was evident last year when District 50 moved from a “Turnaround District” to a “Priority Improvement District”. Superintendent Swanson told staff that the next short-term goal is for District 50 to move into the “Improvement” category, but added the long-term goal is to reach “Performance” status for the District and all of its schools as quickly as possible.
To see individual school results and comparisons you can click here.August 22, 2013