The Student Spotlight segment of each Board meeting celebrates a student or a group of students who are living out the Portrait of an LPS Graduate, which highlights the life skills each LPS graduate should have. Tomorrow’s workers will succeed by constantly adapting to the changing world around them, and today’s students must begin by learning and developing life skills - where every student should be well-adjusted, thriving, and balanced.

Additionally, students will develop skills in:

• Communication
• Global/Cultural Awareness
• Character & Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving and Adaptability
• Creativity and Risk Taking
• Resiliency and Collaboration
• Self Advocacy
• All surrounding Rigorous and Relevant Academic Skills

LPS strives to implement opportunities to grow these skills at every level of education and recognize students of all ages. At their regularly scheduled meeting on September 26, 2024, the Board recognized students from Gaskill Elementary School and Options Program during the Student Spotlight.

Gaskill Elementary School

Isaiah Bautista has approached all the new challenges that come with being a fifth grader at Gaskill with such positivity. He has shown RESILIENCE as he faces new endeavors that may take longer than expected. Isaiah also demonstrates great CHARACTER. He comes to school every day with a positive attitude, and he’s always willing to help others around him to persevere. He treats his peers with kindness and respect, and he acts as a role model in the classroom and in small groups. Isaiah also takes the time to show his appreciation to his teachers with a thank you or a spontaneous hug. We are so glad we get to see Isaiah’s positive presence every day, and we look forward to seeing him grow for the rest of his fifth grade year at Gaskill!

Kaison Niles, who goes by Kai, is a fourth grader at Gaskill and has demonstrated CHARACTER, ADAPTABILITY, and especially growth in COMMUNICATION. He has blossomed into a confident communicator who shares his thoughts and ideas in class and in small groups. He was the first student to volunteer to share his All About Me project, which entailed giving a five-minute presentation. Kai has an uncommon level of maturity for a fourth grader, setting goals for himself around how he wants to be as a student, and he pushes through when things are challenging. He leads others around him to do the right thing, and he is not afraid to be the one standing in front and shining as a role model. Kai is the personification of a student willing to work in COLLABORATION, and he is a student in command of his future.

Options High School

Joaquin Medina, who goes by Jay, exemplifies many traits of the Portrait of a Graduate. He started at Options in seventh grade, and here we are, five years later, celebrating him in his senior year. At the beginning of last year, teacher Anna Spillen presented Jay with a very specific challenge that would not only help him meet graduation competencies in both English and Math but would also provide him the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials in Adobe Photoshop. Jay employed RISK-TAKING to push out of his comfort zone, learn, and study very difficult content to pass a high-stakes test. Not only did he practice and study diligently, he also went above and beyond to create study guides to help other students study and learn the content. Jay exhibited RESILIENCE through his ability to persevere and PROBLEM SOLVE through all the setbacks and successes throughout the entire process. Jay did all this while also maintaining excellent grades, and meeting high standards in the cosmetology program–all the while working at Target. Principal Ashley Broer said, “Jay, we could not be more proud of your perseverance and success!”

Bryan De La Cruz Juarez came to Options as a seventh grader from Euclid Middle School, and tonight, we are recognizing his RESILIENCE and SELF-ADVOCACY. Bryan’s primary language is not English, and he has made truly amazing growth on his English language proficiency assessments. Bryan grew by 64 percentage points as measured through this assessment. Typical percentage growth for ninth grade is 16 percent. Bryan’s accomplishment is four times more than what is typical for his counterparts, and this is truly outstanding. This does not happen by coincidence. It happens by practicing resiliency and being tenacious, advocating for the type of support he needs to be his very best. These skills will serve Bryan well in life! In addition to being a student at Options, Bryan plays football for Littleton High School and has aspirations of being a mechanic after high school. Congratulations, Bryan, on your outstanding accomplishments!

Amber Calderon Martinez is also being recognized for her RESILIENCE and SELF-ADVOCACY. She came to Options in 2023 from Littleton High School and has had a positive impact on the Options community. Amber also made amazing growth on the same assessment as Bryan, and English is also not Amber’s primary language. Amber grew by 79 percentage points, while the typical growth for a 12th grader is two percent. Amber’s growth was 77 percentage points more than what is typical. This is truly amazing! Amber was determined to do her very best, showing up for herself in a way that enabled her accomplishment. Her ability to go after a goal like this will continue to serve her well in the future. Amber has aspirations for a career in education. Principal Ashley Broer said, “I have been clear with Amber that I look forward to the day when we are colleagues in Littleton Public Schools, working together to support the students in our community.” Amber, we can’t wait to see and be amazed by all of your accomplishments this year and beyond.