Weekly Superintendent Update, Feb. 11
With great sincerity, I want to thank the staff, students, alumni, and community members who have shown great kindness and support to me as well as Dr. Brian Hill and Mr. Tracy Gallegos this week. I was humbled to receive dozens of emails of gratitude and encouragement. Our community is amazing and I am proud to be a part of it. I am comforted to know that I will be able to finish the school year before my retirement in June and that Dr. Hill will be my successor as planned.
Preschool Enrollment
Our Early Childhood Education Department is accepting applications now for 2022-23 preschool slots. If you have a child who will be 3 or 4 years of age on or before Aug. 31 this year, they may be eligible for D51 preschool. Children who are two years away from starting kindergarten must meet three state eligibility requirements for preschool, and children who are one year away from starting kindergarten must meet at least one state eligibility requirement in order to enroll in preschool (eligibility criteria can be found here). Applications and ASQ screening documents can be picked up at the Hawthorne Building, 410 Hill Ave., between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also request an application here.
Chromebook Grant
Guaranteeing access to technology and modern learning tools is key to offering a 21st century education. I’m happy to announce that D51 was recently awarded a $3.5 million grant from E-Rate that will reimburse us for 9,000 new Chromebooks and 1,500 more jet packs, which offer wireless internet anywhere. The 9,000 new Chromebooks will replace aging Chromebooks currently in use in our elementary schools. I would like to give a big shout out to our executive director of technology, Dan Burke, for his work in getting this grant!
Spelling Bee
Eighty students from 11 middle schools recently participated in the D51 Spelling Bee at West Middle School. The top four students, who are invited to participate in the Colorado State Spelling Bee, are Henry Kamstra from Redlands Middle School (first place), Carter Reynolds from East Middle School (second place), Erik TerLouw from East Middle School (third place), and Kadynce Wells from Redlands Middle School (fourth place). Congratulations to the winners and all participants!