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Week of March 9, 2023
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 134 | ISSUE 33
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SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS In this week’s paper!
City council discusses Jackass Hill site plan BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Jackass Hill, an undeveloped 16acre park in Littleton, might soon take on a more sophisticated — but still natural — look as city and park officials consider a new design for the space.
Mark Taylor, principal at a landscape design firm called The Architerra Group, presented a concept site plan for the park to city council members at a study session on Feb. 28. South Suburban Parks and Recreation hired the firm in 2022 as a consultant for the site design process.
The process began last year, spurred by concerns from neighbors regarding after-hours park usage, noise levels and fireworks. A grass fire at the park in March 2022 brought more neighbor concerns to the city and SSPR’s attention. Through a community survey and discussion process, SSPR and the
design firm received feedback from 681 participants, public works director Keith Reester said. The feedback showed that respondents wanted to preserve the natural character of the space, preserve views and protect native plants, SEE PARK, P2
Littleton High School parents reflect on lockdown Communication, strategy discussed BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
towards public schools. The Colorado Education Association is the largest union of educators in the state and works with local education union groups including the Littleton Education Association. Amanda Crosby, president of the Littleton Education Association, said educators at 13 schools participated in the day of action. They
When Littleton High School ninth grader Osso Siddall heard lockdown alarms begin during his lunch period, he did the safest thing he could think of — he ran. “The lockdown alert sounded, and then everybody was just screaming and confused,” he said. “And then I heard someone, I think it was like a staff member, said something about somebody was in the building… So I got out of there as fast as I could.” Three blocks and a couple hundred rapid heartbeats later, he arrived at his home. His mother, Mary Siddall, knew something was wrong right away when her son opened the door, out of breath.
SEE EDUCATION, P15
SEE LOCKDOWN, P6
Educators at Goddard Middle School during their walk-in on the Colorado Education Association’s Day of Action on March 3. PHOTO BY NINA JOSS
Teachers turn up heat on funding Day of Action is project of Colorado Education Association BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As students piled out of their parents’ cars and walked into Goddard Middle School on a recent Friday
morning, they were met by a sea of red shirts. Dozens of their teachers stood in front of the school, holding signs that said “PROTECT,” “RESPECT” and “#DayOfAction.” This gathering was part of the Colorado Education Association’s Day of Action on March 3, during which educators in Littleton Public Schools joined statewide efforts to raise awareness about education funding and put pressure on the legislature to put more dollars
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 28
T S E B F THE O T S E B
2023
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