LPS welcomes teachers new to LPS and returning to LPS!
Eighty-eight teachers joined the LPS ranks this fall. According to Human Resources, 38 teachers are in their first year of teaching (21 elementary, nine middle, and eight high school). Nine teachers have returned to LPS after having been gone for at least one year. Ten of the 88 teachers attended school in LPS, and eight graduated from an LPS high school (five from Arapahoe and three from Littleton High). Two of the 10 are now teaching at the school they once attended (Arapahoe). Best wishes for a wonderful school year! 

New licensed evaluation pilot underway
Senate Bill 191 mandates implementation of the state’s Educator Effectiveness evaluation system. A process was put in place during the 2011–2012 school year to prepare LPS for this transition. Since that time, a needs assessment has been completed and an advisory council made up of teachers, principals, central office staff, parents, and community members was formed: The Littleton Council for Educator Effectiveness (LCEE). The LCEE recommended that LPS pilot the new evaluation system during the 2012–2013 school year, and the pilot is underway. The pilot includes 82 volunteer teachers, assistant principals, and principals from across the district. Learn more about the work of the Littleton Council for Educator Effectiveness and this year’s pilot.
 

LPS celebrates Classified Employees Week October 7–12, 2012
Several members of the Classified Employees Advisory Council (CEAC) attended the October 11, 2012, Board of Education meeting to join the Board in celebration of Classified Employees Week. There are 841 classified employees in LPS, which represents nearly 45 percent of all employees. Human Resources Director Ken Moritz addressed the Board during the celebration. “Whatever the task – working in offices, the warehouse, clinics, cafeterias, kitchens, classrooms, on playgrounds, transporting our students, or keeping our facilities and grounds clean and in good repair – classified employees play a key role in the success of our district,” said Moritz. As part of the celebration, members of CEAC are again offering nearly $2,500 in mini-grants to schools. The funds come directly from the budget set aside by the district to purchase mementos of thanks for classified employees. CEAC decided several years ago to instead grant those funds back to the schools they serve. CEAC is proud to announce this year’s mini-grant recipients:

Highland Elementary, photography center and equipment for classroom listening center

Sandburg Elementary, two-way radios for playground

Adult ESL Program at Bemis Library, program materials

Euclid Middle, fitness center

Pictured: Megan Jensen, Denise Lee, Sandy Sullivan, Sandi Erickson, Cathy Trammel, Margaret Lopez-Nelson, Diane Renaldo, Karla Elliott, Ken Moritz, Sue Otto, and Christina Warren.

LPS also celebrates Safe Schools Month
The Board of Education also proclaimed October as Safe Schools Month at its October 11, 2012, Board meeting with the message that together, we keep our schools safe. LPS works hard to keep our schools positive, safe and caring places for all. We ask the entire community to support our efforts during Colorado Safe Schools Week October 21–27, 2012. Thank you, City of Littleton and the Greater Littleton Youth Initiative (GLYI), for sponsoring activities in our schools in observance.
 

Board hears good news in recent demographic study update: decline in resident student numbers slows, out-of-district enrollment continues to increase
The Littleton Public Schools Board of Education was presented with an updated demographic study on October 11, 2012. Overall, the news is very encouraging. Resident enrollment continues to decline, but at a slower rate than in the past; out-of-district enrollment helps offset resident losses and continues to increase, particularly at the high school level; the LPS student body is more diverse; and elementary schools are using generally between 75–100 percent of available space, an increase from the previous study. Full story.

 
LPS schools receive Safe Routes to School Grant
LPS was awarded a $47,000 National Safe Routes to School Grant that supported the Bicycle Colorado bicycle and pedestrian safety programs at Sandburg, Highland, Centennial Academy, Runyon, and Peabody. The students met during their P.E. classes for two weeks and culminated in a “walk’n and wheel’n week” which invited everyone to bike and walk to school. The grant was made possible through the collaboration of District Wellness Coordinator Robyn Zagoren, Bicycle Colorado, South Suburban Parks and Recreation, the City of Littleton, and the City of Centennial.

Pictured:  4th graders at Sandburg Elementary learn "the rules of the road" as part of the Bicycle Colorado program. 

LPS employees give generously to local charities
LPS held its annual charities campaign September 17–21. LPS employees once again demonstrated their generosity by donating more than $29,000 to four designed charities: the LPS Foundation, Inter-Faith Community Services, United Way and Partnership for Colorado. Thank you to everyone who contributed and to the following employees who served as building and department representatives: 

Hilary Anthamatten
Julie Bagnall
Laura Bevins
Kristi Blackwood
Cheryl Fleming
Carrie Goldsmith
Susan Gray
Shelly Hall
Marilyn Hoffman
Allie Holley
Annie Howerton
Rebecca Kocur
Sandy LaBonville
Vicki Lalone 
Jennifer Leyden
Sally Masek
Eric Metherd
Nicole Moyer
Donna Murphy
Tina Oteka
Sue Otto
Denise Rice
Liz Roesch
Deb Sabato
Al Schaeffer
Gail Schillinger
Carol Siegel
Kathy Smith
Melinda Travis