WEEK OF MARCH 13, 2025
VOLUME 105 | ISSUE 3
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Englewood middle schools will merge Board unanimously votes for change BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Englewood Schools students, from left to right Freimer Flores Sandoval, Enrique Sanchez, Paul Arteaga Petit and Annika Kueht receive special recognition from the Englewood Board of Education and Superintendent Joanna Polzin during the board’s March 4 meeting. The students who received recognition but aren‚Äôt pictured include Sisco Leijahigh and Diem Chong. PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY
Six students honored by Englewood board School leaders salute young people nominated by staff BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Six Englewood Schools students were recognized March 4 for their dedication, leadership, community involvement, integrity and more. Students are often recognized during monthly Englewood Board of Education meetings. Faculty and staff at each school submit students’ names to be recognized by the board. Sisco Leijahigh
Leijahigh is in third grade and attends Bishop Elementary School, and was recognized for
meeting the district’s core value of high expectations. Leijahigh’s recognition was submitted by Bishop Principal Sheri Spenhoff and Erin Huffield who describe him as thoughtful and attentive. “Sisco is working well with his classmates and is a strong advocate for all students, no matter the age or grade,” Spenhoff said. “He has an amazing sense of justice, as well as an incredible sense of humor. He always knows how to crack the best jokes to ease the situation.” Leijahigh is a junior coach and likes to help other students and make sure they are safe. Paul Arteaga Petit
Arteaga Petit is in second grade and attends Clayton Elementary School. He was recognized for meeting the district’s core value of high expectations.
VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 11
Arteaga Petit said it felt good to be nominated and his favorite aspect about Clayton are his friends. Clayton faculty and staff, including the second grade team were the ones to submit Arteaga Petit’s recognition. “Paul comes to school every day ready to learn – not just what we are learning in the classroom but also another language,” those who nominated him said. “He stands out as a leader among his peers, demonstrating how to listen and engage with others.” Enrique Sanchez
Sanchez attends Englewood Early Childhood Education at Maddox and he was recognized for meeting the district’s core value of high expectations. Sanchez’s mother, Esmeralda Sanchez, said she is so excited
to see Sanchez’s progress be recognized. “Honestly, it’s crazy,” Esmeralda Sanchez said. “Once his teacher told me that he was nominated, I was like, ‘Oh my God…I’m super excited. I know he’s grown a lot being in this school – learning how to talk, he knows a lot more words and he knows the whole ABCs. (And) numbers, he can do all by himself. The school has taught him a lot.” Maddox ECE teacher Taylor Parker is the one who submitted Sanchez’s recognition. “Enrique is being recognized for his incredible growth and achievements this school year,” Parker said. “From the start, Enrique has shown determination, enthusiasm and a genuine love for learning.” SEE HONORED, P16
The Englewood Board of Education unanimously approved the merging of Englewood Middle School and Englewood Leadership Academy during its regular meeting March 4. Superintendent Joanna Polzin said in a letter to parents on March 5 that beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the middle schools will transition to a single middle school known as Englewood Middle School. “We sincerely appreciate the community’s engagement throughout this process,” Polzin said. “Thank you for sharing your input through surveys, town hall discussions, public comments, formal recommendations and emails to the board of education. Your voices were invaluable and gave the board of education insight into what the community truly wanted for a middle school experience in Englewood.” Polzin said the district is “committed to making this transition an opportunity to enhance academic programming and expand opportunities for all students.” The decision comes after concerns from parents, the creation and discussion of animpact studyof each option and a town hall hosted by the district in January. SEE MERGE, P16
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