- Westminster Public Schools
- April 3_How Did You Spend Your Spring Break?
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
- Calendar
- 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
- D50 TV Schedule
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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
- Calendar
- 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
- D50 TV Schedule
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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
- Calendar
- 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
- D50 TV Schedule
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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
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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
- D50 TV Schedule
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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
- D50 TV Schedule
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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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How Did You Spend Your Spring Break?
Before we left for Spring Break, The Insider asked District 50 Employees to tell us about their special plans for their week away from the District. Many of you responded with stories ranging from weddings to exotic trips, to humanitarian projects and more.
Everyone had a different story to share.
Great spring weather called for wedding season as Hodgkins and Westminster Elementary’s office assistant April Lugo married her longtime boyfriend over the break. The wedding took place in Tulum, Mexico to a gorgeous view. The couple had been dating for 15 years and were high school sweet hearts.
With spring being a time of renewal, it’s expected that new life be brought into the world. Westminster High School art teacher Michelle Music gave birth to baby Amelia Ruby Music. She was born March 27th at 8:59 p.m. Amelia weighed 6lbs 3oz and was 19 inches long and is beautiful. Although healthy, Amelia came 4 weeks earlier than expected. “She was so determined to get started on life, she got here a little early” said Jennifer Williams, a colleague and friend of Michelle’s. This is Michelle’s first child.
Chris Williams, a business and computer science teacher at Westminster High School spent his spring break with his wife Kara in Roatán, Honduras. There they went scuba diving and saw lobsters, sea turtles, eels, barracudas, various fish, coral reef, seahorses, a nurse shark and “the largest puffer fish I’ve ever seen,” said Williams. On a boat tour, Chris was able to enjoy exotic local snacks and even pilot the ship himself (with a little help from the captain).
Spring is also a great time to get out and get healthy, which is exactly what the Westminster High School girls’ soccer team did. The team spent a day at Red Rocks Amphitheatre running, climbing and hopping in what coach Teri Hutchinson called “a great team day”.
The soccer team wasn’t the only sport that had fun over break. Sunset Ridge Tennis Club students were able to see the Denver Nuggets game on March 23. Invited by Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari, the students attended the game and were able to chat with Danilo before the game as he introduced the students to his Nuggets teammates. Gallinari also told the students about his challenges in becoming an NBA player. The star arranged transportation, food and game tickets for the fourteen students and two adult chaperones from Sunset. As icing on the cake, the Denver Nuggets beat the Washington Wizards 105 to 102 in what Principal Roger Vadeen put as “a very exciting game”.
While Spring break was a time of rest for many students, others used the time to accomplish goals outside of the classroom. Members of Westminster High School’s Latin American Student Association (LASA) attended the Peace Jam conference to present their Call to Action service project called “Education, Not Deportation”. The project proposed ways to assist undocumented graduates of Colorado with in-state tuition costs. The students presented their project to Nobel Peace Prize winner and Argentinian human rights activist Adolfo Pérez Esquivel. Esquivel picked two of the students for a VIP lunch to discuss their work with him as well as ask questions.
Students also got to work with Colorado State Senator Linda Newell to create a mural raising awareness of child abuse and neglect. This mural will be presented to the Colorado Senate. “The entire conference was incredible and the LASA group represented our school well,” said Westminster High School teacher and LASA co-sponsor, Jessica Rapp.
One District 50 teacher made her spring break as special for others as she did for herself. Flynn Elementary Special Education Instructor Patricia Cabrera had the privilege of traveling to the mountain town of Cera alto, Guatemala over spring break to lend a hand to the local community. She helped build a home for a large family as well as help feed many hungry students. In the next Insider issue we will tell you more about Patricia’s adventure and the feats that she and her team accomplished.
For pictures of these stories, take a look below.
Summer break is coming quickly, and if you are planning something special with your time please let us know and we will share your story.
Posted April 3, 2014