Excellent Teachers Make the Difference!

When asked what this bright, young Edwards Elementary School educator loves most about teaching, the lengthy list includes being involved in the Dual Language program, turning challenges into opportunities in the classroom every single day, seeing the light bulb go on when a child successfully grasps a concept, and maintaining a mutual respect between teacher and student.

Born and raised in Lowell, MA, Beth Cooney attended the Academy of Notre Dame Catholic schools kindergarten through twelfth grade. Post-secondary adventures lead Beth to Providence College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education and a minor in Business Administration. Although a part of her will forever consider the east coast home, something about the west always appealed to this outdoor enthusiast. In 1993, Colorado called and she eagerly responded.

Hardly unusual for most non-Colorado natives, when Beth moved to Vail she took to provisional work in the midst of finding a permanent job, including teaching ski school, driving golf carts at the Beaver Creek course, playing the role of counselor at day camps and nannying for families here and there. By the year 1999, Beth was ready for a more rewarding career move and has been teaching at Edwards Elementary School ever since.

Wanting to further advance her career in education, Beth went back to school and received her Masters of Arts in Curriculum, Instruction and Planning at Adams State College. After a short stint of teaching 2nd grade at EES her first year, Beth realized that educating fourth graders was her true calling and has remained in that mind set for seven consecutive years. Impressively, she has also carried the title of Mentor Teacher for the past 4 years. "Fourth grade is such a pivotal time in a child's academic career, specifically relating to the Dual Language program in place here at EES," states Cooney. "The 50/50 model is introduced in fourth grade, where students receive instruction on the exact same material in both English and Spanish. Although this methodology is challenging for many students, the instruction and learning process proves extremely rewarding when everything comes together and material begins to 'click'." Every 6 weeks, literacy education is intertwined with a unit study to provide simultaneous learning in both languages. Students build a vocabulary and subject foundation, and then are gradually released to the next level of learning.

Edwards Elementary School Principal Heidi Hanssen couldn't be more proud of this teacher's endless commitment to upholding ECS' mission of educating every student for success. "Beth is a wonderful teacher. She spends countless hours reflecting and refining her instruction so that all students succeed," states Hanssen. "She is always looking for a way to conquer obstacles more efficiently by seeking out alternative opportunities. Beth leads our Student Council, Homework Club and takes our students on the 4th grade field trip for a week-long camping adventure each year. As a Mentor Teacher, Beth also helps her colleagues grow positively and reflect professionally."

Anne Heckman, Edwards Elementary School Master Teacher who will assume the position of Principal at Brush Creek Elementary School in the fall, also thinks very highly of this outstanding educator. "Beth is an extremely dedicated 4th grade Teacher and Mentor Teacher," states Heckman. "Her excellence in teaching is directly related to the fact that she sets high academic and behavioral expectations for all of her students. Beth creates an environment where learning is taken seriously, but fun. Her firm boundaries for students make them feel safe and willing to take risks in their learning. It is evident that students are motivated to achieve in her classroom."

Beth holds high standards for herself, as well as her students. Everyday, this educator provides her children with the general knowledge they need to succeed in her classroom and beyond, in addition to a bilingual education. Eagle County Schools has truly benefited from Beth's leadership and commitment to excellence.

Building Great Schools, East to West: Construction, Buildings and Grounds Update

Eagle County Schools would again like to take the opportunity to thank Eagle County community members who were in full support of the $128 million bond that was passed in the fall for improvements in our schools, which will ensure 'Great Schools, East to West.' In light of this success, we believe it is important to keep you informed of the progress of various projects and initiatives, and this month's focus is on the construction, buildings and grounds update.

At the April 25 Board of Education meeting, ECS Construction Manager Ray Scott, H+L Architect Chad Novak and FCI Constructors' Shane Haus presented an update to the Board on the progress of the construction of June Creek Elementary, Red Canyon High, and Battle Mountain High, and the remodel of Eagle Valley High. Various ideas have been exchanged and conversations have taken place between ECS, H+L, FCI, the Design Advisory Groups (DAG), and the Singletree and Miller Ranch Homeowner's Associations.

June Creek Elementary (JCES), which will closely resemble Red Hill Elementary and Brush Creek Elementary, will be built at the existing Red Canyon High site in Edwards. It is anticipated that site contractors will begin pouring concrete in July. Due to an extraordinary construction cost escalation, additional funds have been requested for the construction of JCES. Additional site and irrigation ditch work are driven by site constraints and require additional funding to comply with regulatory requests. Two classrooms have been added to the prototype design as well.

The DAG at BMHS, comprised of 28 people, has met several times and contributed great ideas and suggestions. Rough blueprint sketches and designs have been approved. Site preparation is anticipated to begin in August with a December time frame for concrete pouring.

Red Canyon High is currently in the design stage and on target for breaking ground in September. For the first part of the fall semester, classes will be held at the CMC building in Edwards, with an anticipated move-in date for the new location in January.

The DAG at EVHS, comprised of 14 people, has also met several times and contributed great ideas and suggestions. For the remodeling of EVHS, H+L and FCI presented three viable options to explore. The Board approved a design option that would move EVHS toward compliance with the new high school education specifications. This design is intended to ensure general equality across the schools.

According to Shane Haus of FCI Constructors, preliminary budget numbers associated with construction costs and the design progress of each building will be more apparent in the June and July presentations. In the interim, contractors will continue to interface with community groups and scopes of work for building improvements will continue to be developed.

In addition to the construction of new buildings and improvements to existing facilities, upgrades to the HVAC control systems and replacing current boilers with ultra-high efficiency boilers in the schools will take place over the next 18 months.

14th Annual Evening of Stars

This year's 14th Annual Evening of Stars was a huge success! Evening of Stars is very unique in that it gives us the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of our Outstanding Educators. A special thanks to all who attended and to the Public Education Foundation for putting on yet another spectacular event for Eagle County Schools' Educators!

2007 Outstanding Educator Honorees

Avon Elementary - Mark Blickenstaff
Battle Mountain High - Sarah Klieforth & Rob Parish
Berry Creek Middle - Todd Huck
Brush Creek Elementary - Tracy Barber
Eagle County Charter Academy - Elizabeth Dekanich
Eagle Valley Elementary - Kristi Atkinson
Eagle Valley High - Ron Beard & Chad Sloniker
Eagle Valley Middle - Susie Sample
Edwards Elementary - Gen Sansone
Edwards Preschool Center - Sharon Thompson
Gypsum Creek Middle - Carol Gonter
Gypsum Elementary - Kathleen Mandeville
Meadow Mountain Elementary - Cheri Wright-Williams
Minturn Middle - Monique Beck
Red Canyon High - Linda Dudley
Red Hill Elementary - Renee Westenfelder
Red Sandstone Elementary - Allison Hansen

Rookie of the Year - Ines Barcenas, AES
Substitute Teacher of the Year - McKinley Grimmer, EVES
Friend of Education - The 3B Team, Dana Braun & Louise Funk
Retiring Stars - Ann Hansen, Carolyn Neff & Dave Scott

Evening of Stars was made possible by our generous sponsors: Vail Valley Foundation, Vail Resorts, Inc., Beaver Creek Resort Company, East West Partners, Wells Fargo Bank, Alpine Bank, First Bank of Vail & Avon, American National Bank, R.A. Nelson, U.S. Bank, Bernard, Lyons, Gaddis & Kahn, Slifer, Smith & Frampton Real Estate, Colorado Business Bank, George K. Baum & Co., Adolfson & Peterson Construction, TAB Associates, Inc., and The Vilar Center for the Arts.

Celebrating Success

Eagle Valley High Students Dazzle the Screen

A number of EVHS students recently submitted their original artwork behind the camera to The Rocky Mountain Student Filmfest, and six films were selected to participate in the 8th annual competition last month. Under the direction of Ron Beard, EVHS students Henry Brandes, Nicole Eisenmann, Joslyn Funez, Paige Genelin, Brian Hostetter, Bryan Matthews, Bridget O'Neill, Lauren Schmidt, and Molly Walker submitted their unique PSAs, short films and music videos. Brian Hostetter placed first in the 'Drama' category for his short film titled "Waking Moment." As a first in EVHS history, congratulations to all of these talented students!

Battle Mountain High ProStart Perfection

In March, the BMHS ProStart Culinary Team took first place in the Colorado Restaurant Association Education Fund's state culinary competition. On April 19, Colby Lefebvre, Cam Lewis, Ian King and Ryan Walker, attended the National Competition in Charlotte, NC, and took first place! Under the direction of Sharon Wible, this dynamic team competed against thirty other state teams and not only secured the national title, but also received scholarship money for some of the top culinary schools in America. The ProStart team would like to thank their mentors, Paul Ferzacca, Tom Walker, and Todd Rymer, who have spent countless hours coaching the team. Congratulations, ProStart Team!

Eagle Valley High Science Wiz

John Huffman of EVHS recently competed in the Colorado State Science Fair for his project on the environmental effects of magnesium chloride. In addition to receiving the first place 'technical writing award,' he won third place in the environmental science division. John will be attending DU in the fall. Best of luck to you, John!

Berry Creek Middle Students Maintain 4.0 GPAs

Congratulations to Ashley Petrash, Christoph Niederhauser and Sydney Idzikowski, who have maintained a 4.0 grade point average for their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years at BCMS! These academically-inclined students have also been very involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities, including Ski Academy, volleyball, Vail Performing Arts, basketball, Vail Valley Soccer Club, band, and Beavo Ski Club, while maintaining this strong scholastic performance. Way to go, you three!

Battle Mountain High Speech and Debate Student Makes History

For the first time in BMHS and ECS history, we have a National Qualifying Speaker for Speech and Debate. BMHS Junior Sean Pack dominated Drama Interpretation at the National Qualifying competition in April and placed first. He will advance to the National Competition, which will be held in Wichita, KS, this June. Congratulations, Sean, and best of luck to you at Nationals!

ELLLI Selects 4 Eagle County Schools

The ELLLI (English Language Learner Leadership Institute) is an 18-month professional development opportunity hosted by CDE's English Language Acquisition Unit and McREL, Mid-Continental Research for Education and Learning. A number of schools in Colorado recently applied for this opportunity, which helps schools work together as a team to build English language acquisition for second language learners, specifically through instructional strategies and leadership training. Twenty-three schools in the state will be receiving funding from this grant, four of which are Eagle County Schools: MMES, AES, BMHS and EVHS.

83% of English-Speaking Students Score Proficient or Advanced on 2007 3rd Grade CSAP

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) released the results of 2007 3rd grade CSAP reading results and ECS' English-speaking students scored 83 percent Proficient or Advanced. This group of students includes native English speakers of all ethnic groups, as well as native Spanish speakers who have attained Fluent English Proficiency. Impressively, each and every one of Eagle County Schools' English-speaking third graders took the CSAP test this year. "We are very proud of the CSAP results from our English-speaking students, which exceeds the Board of Education goal of 80 percent Proficient or Advanced," comments John Brendza, Superintendent.

Overall, ECS averaged 63 percent Proficient or Advanced, which closely reflects the language profile of the District. 70 percent of Eagle County Schools' students are English speakers, while 30 percent are Non-English Proficient (NEP) or Limited English Proficient (LEP). Eagle County has a higher number of NEP and LEP students than the state, which had an average of 10 percent NEP or LEP students in 2006. Seventy-one percent of all state 3rd graders scored Proficient or Advanced on 2007 Reading CSAP. "We clearly have a lot of work to do in order to bring our Non-English and Limited English students to the level of our English speakers," states John Brendza. "These scores are further evidence of how the language gap in our schools leads to an achievement gap."

Individual school results also mirror the language makeup of each school. At Avon Elementary, 75 percent of 3rd graders are Non-English or Limited English Proficient, the highest of any of our schools. It is not surprising that only 21 percent of their students scored Proficient or Advanced on CSAP. "It is pretty difficult to score well on an English test when you don't speak, read or write in that language," says Carolyn Neff, Director of Elementary Curriculum. Melisa Rewold-Thuon, Principal of Avon Elementary, says, "The scores reinforce our goal of moving second language students to English proficiency as quickly as possible while maintaining their progress in core subjects. Over time, the Dual Language program model for Kindergarteners at Avon will be instrumental in helping us accomplish this."

The CDE allows Spanish-speaking students to take the test in Spanish when they are in 3rd and 4th grade; however when they reach 5th grade the test must be taken in English. Because the ultimate measure of success is in English, the majority of our schools had all children, regardless of language proficiency, take the test in English.

Three of our schools showed significant increases. Brush Creek Elementary had the highest scores in the District at 92 percent Proficient/Advanced and boasts a 16 percentage point increase over last year. Red Sandstone Elementary increased the percentage of Proficient/Advanced students from 67 to 74 percent and Red Hill Elementary increased the percentage of Proficient/Advanced students from 63 to 69 percent. Eagle County Charter Academy remained constant, with 84 percent of students scoring Proficient/Advanced.

EVHS' Jennifer Wright Named the Channel 9 News 'Teacher Who Cares' for the month of May

9Teachers Who Care is a monthly award honoring teachers who exemplify excellence in education. CollegeInvest, Metro State College and 9NEWS look for individuals who go beyond the classroom to inspire students to want to learn and to be successful members of the community, and EVHS' Jennifer Wright received top honors for the month of May. A selection committee consisting of CollegeInvest, Metro State College and 9NEWS Management and Board Members, as well as greater Denver-area community leaders, reviews nomination packets submitted by students, staff and community members and determines the award recipient based upon the following criteria:

• Specific examples of how this teacher cares.

• How this teacher provides a positive, stimulating classroom environment.

• How this teacher makes connections with his/her students.

• What this teacher does that is above and beyond a normal day.

• How this teacher helps develop successful members of the community.

What do Miss Wright's students think of her dedication to the students in and out of the classroom? "It's not like she's doing it because she feels she has to," says student Sage Smith. "She's doing it because she wants to, and that sincerity, it makes you feel good to know you have a teacher who cares that much." Jennifer says she feels the same way. "The intrinsic rewards that I get from teaching are what make me get up every morning and say, I have the greatest job in the world and I get to teach the greatest kids in the world." ECS gives props to this outstanding educator!

Congratulations, 2007 graduates!

Red Canyon High School Seniors gathered at the beautiful 4-Eagle Ranch on Friday, June 1, to celebrate the culmination of their high school careers. On Saturday, June 2, Battle Mountain High School Seniors tossed their hats up in the air at Ford Amphitheater, while further down valley, Eagle Valley High School Seniors reflected on the past four years at Hot Stuff Stadium. Eagle County Schools wishes the Class of 2007 the best of luck in the future, wherever the road leads you!

The Parents Handbook

Check out up-to-the minute, family calendar of events at: www.theparentshandbook.com. Look for the 2007 Summer/Fall issue available everywhere in early June!