Academy District 20 Team One,
I hope you had a relaxing Spring Break. It’s hard to believe we have entered the final quarter of the school year, the final leg of the race, as some would say.
As we enter our busiest time of year with testing and celebration ceremonies, I am reminded of how grateful I am to lead Academy District 20. As I visit classrooms across the district, engage in dialogue and receive feedback from different stakeholder groups, and work alongside our world class staff, I am thankful for the multiple ways we work together to inspire students to learn and thrive.
No matter where I look, GREAT is happening here in Academy District 20. From the exceptional professional learning that is offered, like our district-wide book study on Results Now, to our leaders recognized at a state level, and the thousands of dollars fundraised by schools, excellence is truly a habit here in D20.
The next eight weeks will feel like a whirlwind, so amid the hustle and bustle, please know I’m rooting for you and am excited to cross the finish line together.
Sincerely,
Jinger Haberer, Academy District 20 Superintendent
What’s New in D20
Summer School Catalog & Registration
The D20 Summer School catalog is available for preview. Explore options for all grade levels, including AP classes, outdoor education, music offerings, credit recovery, and enrichment opportunities. Summer School registration opens on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Learn more about registration, pricing and classes at ASD20.ORG/Summer-School
School Choice
Our School Choice application is now open for out-of-district students. Starting this week, new D20 Parents will begin using a new School Choice application tool. Through the combined efforts of our Information Technology (IT) and Central Registry departments, the application has been redesigned to streamline the school choice process, offering enhanced accessibility and usability.
Learn more about School Choice at ASD20.ORG.
Special Education Resource Program Review
The Special Education Resource Program recently underwent a review to examine the program’s direction, strengths, and growth opportunities. A committee was formed to include district staff, school administrators, resource teachers, and parents through the Special Education Advisory Committee. Participants focused on the following areas:
D20 State Assessment Data for Students with Disabilities
D20 Local Assessment Data for Students with Disabilities
Individual Education Plan Goal Writing and Progress Monitoring
D20 Academic and Social Behavior Data for Students with Disabilities
The feedback and next steps will be shared later this spring through special education stakeholder meetings to include staff and families.
The D20 Reach
Portrait of a Graduate
D20 has been hard at work developing our very own, “Portrait of Graduate.” It is a tool that will communicate the core academic knowledge, cognitive, personal, and interpersonal skills students should develop upon graduation. These skills are identified as what is needed to be success in college, career, and life.
The Portrait of a Graduate connects and informs the D20 Strategic Plan and in conjunction with the Board Ends. It will provide shared language on goals and outcomes for all students, parents, and educators to share and prioritize.
Stakeholders in Academy District 20 and across Colorado Springs have developed a prototype and visual representations of the competencies and descriptions. The next step is to discuss and receive feedback at the next Board of Education study session on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Relay for Life
For the third year in a row, Relay for Life at Liberty High School (LHS) is back! The event, open to all of Academy District 20, unites communities to raise money for cancer research, patient support, celebrate cancer survivors, and remember loved ones lost to cancer. The community wide walk-a-thon will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Hatchell Field at District 20 Stadium. Learn more about event.
Great Happens in D20
Discovery Canyon Campus High School students become commercial drone pilots
Riley Gibson, a junior at Discovery Canyon Campus High School has become the first commercial drone pilot certified through D20’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. By passing his Part 107 exam, he has made district history. Congrats to Riley and his administrators who support students through our CTE programs.
Timberview Middle School students win WordMasters Challenge
Congratulations to Maya and Sydney, two Timberview Middle School students, for winning first place in the WordMasters Challenge! The WordMasters Challenge is a nationwide competition for students in grades 3-8 that emphasizes the importance of vocabulary and verbal reasoning skills. Every year, over 125,000 students from schools across the United States take part in the WordMasters Challenge.
Special Olympics Gold Medalist
Congratulations to Jackson Reed, a senior at Pine Creek High School, who has become a Special Olympics Gold Medalist! Jackson took home first place in the State Novice Giant Slalom and second place in the state powerlifting event.
D20 CIO wins Leadership Award
Congratulations to D20 Chief Information Officer, Shelley Kooser who has been named the 2024 Dan Maas Technology Leader Award by the Colorado Association of Leaders in Educational Technology (CALET). The award is given to influential and inspiring leaders in the field of education technology and is known among districts across the state.
D20 Wins Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting
Congratulations to the D20 Budget and Finance Team for winning the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The Association of School Business Officials awards school districts who have met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and transparency. By participating in this annual program, school districts demonstrate their commitment to financial transparency.