Good News Bulletin

A group of teachers and administrators traveled to the Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs on Thursday to learn about the myriad ways the Space Foundation can help support education efforts for Elizabeth students.

From field trips to programs the Space Foundation can bring to schools, teachers from Running Creek, Singing Hills, Elizabeth Middle School and Elizabeth High School learned how the foundation supports education. It offers curriculum, programs and training in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and 21st century skills -- all in alignment with state education standards. Bobby Gagnon, the foundation's education director emphasized that "space is for everyone."

Gagnon noted that Colorado is, per capita, the leading state in the country for aerospace industry jobs, and every year increasing numbers of startups and existing companies come to Colorado to be at the epicenter for the fast-growing sector.

Three particular programs in the foundation's Leadership Academy received specific focus:

• The Pioneer Space & Earth program introduces students in grades PreK-5 to science topics, problem-solving on Earth and transferring what they learn to a space context.
• The Cadet Space Explorer program is for grades 6-8 and engages students in space technology and exploration, focusing on moon missions, satellites and research.
• The Junior Space Entrepreneur program leads high school students through all the complexities of a Mars mission. Participants also develop their own industry business based on what they learn about Mars and space commerce.

The ESD delegation learned about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit as well as career and technical education options that can set up students to enter the aerospace workforce directly after graduation. The foundation also supports community education events, teacher development through weeklong education programs, and a liaison program which provides high-profile access to the space industry.

The Elizabeth group concluded its visit by trying out an educational role-playing lesson toolkit disguised as a game. The game, developed by Space Foundation staff, provides exposure to the wide variety of career options -- including some that most people wouldn't necessarily connect to space. Students pick role cards for themselves and then work together as a team to solve a choose-your-own-adventure style challenge such as figuring out why vegetables aren't growing well inside a moon base.

For wall-to-wall coverage of Elizabeth High School's homecoming events last week, episode 106 of EZTV fittingly features an MTV Cribs theme.

Josie Brush has been named by students as Elizabeth Middle School's Teacher of the Month of the October.

Ms. Brush is the World History teacher for seventh grade.

Technically, this doesn't fit in the Good News Bulletin because losing a valued member of district leadership is never good news, but because of all the good news he brought to the district, here goes:

Safety and Security Director Mike Newton was honored by the Board of Education on Monday and by well-wishing colleagues at a farewell event on Wednesday as he prepares to leave the district. In an email to staff, Newton said "a tremendous job opportunity presented itself, and my family and I could not turn it down."

In two years with the district, Newton led major efforts to upgrade safety technology at ESD schools, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, as well as increasing the number of staff members dedicated to ensuring safety in schools. Earlier this year, he won the national K-12 Campus Safety Director of the Year.

District leadership is working to hire Newton's successor, having received more than 70 applications for the position.

October – National Spanish Heritage Month (through Oct. 14); National School Principal Month

Oct. 16-20 – NO SCHOOL - Fall Break

Oct. 23-27 – Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 23 – Board of Education meeting, 6 p.m.

Oct. 25 – Coffee with the Board, 4 p.m., Independence Clubhouse

Oct. 26 – Trunk or Treat, Singing Hills, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 28 – Elizabeth Harvest Festival, Main Street, 10 a.m.

November – National Native American Heritage Month

Nov. 1 – Superintendent Forum at EMS, 6 p.m.

Nov. 2 – EHS Fall Play, "Sense and Sensibility," 7 p.m.

Nov. 3 – EHS Fall Play, "Sense and Sensibility," 7 p.m.

Nov. 4 – EHS Fall Play, "Sense and Sensibility," 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Nov. 6-10 – National School Psychologist Appreciation Week

Nov. 8 – Superintendent Forum at EHS, 6 p.m.

Nov. 10 – Veterans Day assembly, Running Creek, 8 a.m.

Nov. 10 – Veterans Day assembly, Singing Hills, time TBA

Nov. 11 – EMS Craft Fair, 9 a.m.

Nov. 13 –Board of Education meeting, 6 p.m.

Nov. 16 – EHS Alternative Education Community Thanksgiving Dinner, 5 p.m.

Nov. 20-24 – NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

EMS sports calendar

EHS sports calendar

On Nov. 10 and 17, Running Creek Preschool will host two professional photographers taking photos that families can use for their holiday cards.

The price of $10 per pose in front of holiday backgrounds will raise funds to help the preschool complete its vision of a new-and-improved playground. The images on the accompanying flyer will be used as backgrounds for the photos to be taken by photographers Jeannie Seip and Michelle Schar.

Photos will be taken from 4-7 p.m. on both days in the RCE library. Families may pay at the door with cash or check. Email Melissa Lum with any questions.

The EHS Alternative Education Program will host a Community Thanksgiving Dinner at 5 p.m., Nov. 16, at the EHS cafetorium. The meal event will be open to the community.

The program is currently accepting cash donations for the meal preparation, food items ranging from cans of cranberry sauce to frozen turkeys, as well as gift baskets and/or gifts to be given away as door prizes and with fundraiser drawings.

Contact Lori Horton, alternative education language arts teacher, with questions or offers to donate.

Elizabeth High School is hosting a book fair through Spark Book Fairs starting next week and running through Oct. 22.

Books are discounted as much as 90% off the cover price. For every book sold, 20% goes directly to EHS.

To access the book fair, visit this custom link.