LAKEWOOD 12.27.12
Sentinel Lakewood
December 27, 2012 A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlakewoodnews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 89, Issue 20
Schools earn high marks Schools exceed expectations in growth, achievement By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com
Mourners make a procession from Denver First Church of the Nazarene to Jefferson County Fairgrounds in honor of Lakewood police officer James Davies on Nov. 15. Photo by Emily Mehring
Lakewood’s top stories for 2012 By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com Here is a look at the top stories that happened in Lakewood over the past year, in no particular order:
Lakewood loses first officer in the line
Police officer James Davies, 35, was killed on Nov. 9 when a fellow officer mistakenly took him for an armed threat. Davies is the first officer in the department’s 43-year history to be killed in the line of duty. He was memorialized at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene on Nov. 15 by Davies more than 2,000 family members, friends and representatives of state police departments.
Zoning update approved
During the Dec. 10 regular meeting, City Council approved the updating zoning ordinance by a 8-3 vote.
The ordinance is the result of threeand-a-half years of work by a citizens advisory group and planning staff. Among the changes included in the update is allowing residents to own chickens and goats in small and duplex lots, allowing attached and detached accessory dwelling units, and updating the zoning code for future development.
TOP TEN
2090 Wright St.
The fate of the property at 2090 Wright St. is still in limbo after a year of frustration for many. The rezoning for the Rocky Mountain Deaf School (RMDS) was approved by the city’s planning department in May and then by city council on June 25. The 2090 Coalition — an organization dedicated to keeping the land in the city’s hands — received enough signatures on a petition to bring the issue back before council, but a letter from Jefferson County
Superintendent Cindy Stevenson rescinded the request instead of holding a special vote. Jeffco Schools filed a quiet title on the land, and the issue is now in court to determine who the land belongs to.
Elections in Lakewood
Lakewood has some new and familiar faces as part of its legislative delegation. Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood) defeated Ken Summers (R-Lakewood) in the race for the Senate District 22 seat. Incumbent Max Tyler (D-Lakewood) beat Republican Rick Enstrom for the House District 23 seat. Newcomer Brittany Pettersen (D) finished ahead of Amy Attwood (R) in the race for the House District 28 seat. In a very close race, Natalie Menten toppled incumbent Matt Cohen for the RTD District M board seat.
Four Lakewood elementary schools have been recognized by the Colorado Department of Education for their achievements during the year. Stein Elementary received the Center of Excellence Award, Devinny Elementary received the John Irwin Schools of Excellence, Green Gables Elementary received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award and Dennison Elementary received both the John Irwin and Governor’s awards. This recognition goes to the top 8 percent of schools in Colorado. The John Irwin award Devinny won goes to schools that exceed expectations for academic achievements and growth gaps. Stein’s Center of Excellence award recognizes the work done with at-risk student populations. “We’re very proud, and this is the fourth year we’ve received this award,” said Stein Principal Socorro Alarcon. “This award goes to schools that have at least 75 percent of students who are at-risk. We have 93 percent.” The schools who win the Center of Excellence Award have the highest rate of student academic longitudinal growth, as measured by the state’s growth model. Alarcon said that the school exceeded all its growth targets, which she attributes to teachers and staff doing whatever it takes to reach the students. “We have a very committed and skilled staff and a systemic, systematic practices in reading, writing and math,” she said. “We also have a half-an-hour longer school day, that helps enormously.” The teachers at Stein meet several times a week, to have discussions about the student data and curriculum, a trait which is shared by the teachers at Green Gables Elementary. “We have a very professional learning community here, where the teachers sit down and look at the best way to teach,” said Green Gables Principal Kathy Chandler. “It really breaks down the stereotypical notion of teachers being isolated in their teaching.” Green Gables is one of the schools that received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award, which goes to schools that exceed expectations in longitudinal and academic growth. Chandler said that Green Gables has the highest math grow score in Jefferson County, which she attributes in part to the systemic approach the school takes to teaching. “We work really hard to make sure we keep the education students are receiving consistent throughout their time here,” she said. “We don’t want kids to get lost in the shuffle between grades.” Both principals said the recognition their schools received is due to the efforts of the teacher, and signals they are working in the right direction. “This confirms that what we’re doing here is working,” Alarcon said. “We’re so proud of our teachers and students.”
Smoking ordinance passes
On Monday, April 9, council voted 9-2 to pass an ordinance to strengthen smoking Top Ten continues on Page 3
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.