News in Brief
3-D Technology Meets Science At Blessed Sacrament
Middle school students at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School are now using 3D technology in the classroom – and it’s not movies or video games.
The new ViziTech USA 3D Rover allows students to see their science lessons in 3D rather than through flat pictures. ViziTech offers unique 3D training technologies for education, as well as other industries. Currently the school has 1,500 lessons loaded on the machine.
Science classes are taught to participating students two days a week for 90-minute blocks. Classes have included science experiments and dissections, in addition to regular book learning. With the use of the new mobile science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lab, students will now be able to see things on the screen as they would appear in real life. All they need is 3D glasses and they are set to learn.
“The 3D Rover enhances our STEM focus by providing our students with 21st century skills in creativity and innovation, evaluation, problem-solving, analytical thinking, communications, and collaboration,” said Blessed Sacrament Principal Carla Capstick. “We were able to add the 3D Rover to the Middle School science and mathematics programs in order to enhance the science and mathematics curriculum, thanks to a generous donor. We are happy to be the first school in Denver to offer such technology.”
The inventor of the ViziTech 3D Rover says his invention raised test scores by 30 percent. Small class sizes at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School allow science teacher Katy Glennon and other teachers to utilize the new equipment almost daily.
“The use of the 3D Rover fits perfectly into lesson plans and benefits all types of learners,” said Glennon. “I can’t wait to see what it does to test scores for these students who already do so well.”
Established in 1922, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (BSCS) has been educating students in the Greater Park Hill neighborhood, focusing its mission on faith, education and service. BSCS has an enrollment of 390 Preschool – 8th grade students. Students begin doing science experiments at the preschool level and all middle school students are required to submit a formal science project annually. For more about the school, check out www.School.BlessedSacrament.net
Time To Be Well & Get in Your ZONE
The ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel was packed with close to 450 people as former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers took the stage on Jan. 28 to celebrate the health of the community.
Rivers was the master of ceremonies for the Stapleton Foundation’s 6th Annual be well Healthy Living Heroes Awards and Community Celebration at the Park Hill hotel, at 38th and Quebec. The event has grown to be an important occasion to honor local individuals and celebrate the health of their communities.
Dr. Leonard Jack, Jr., Director of the Division of Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was the evening’s keynote speaker.
In addition to the awards ceremony, attendees were treated to a free dinner, a fashion show featuring the latest athletic apparel and participated in numerous fun dances designed to get the crowd moving.
The Stapleton Foundation also officially launched the “Get in Your ZONE” campaign, which encourages residents to achieve their peak state of mind – where they are focused, in a positive frame of mind, and performing at their best. The campaign advocates for citizens to become actively involved in what they refer to as the “zone” where they live, in order to create safe, healthy communities where everyone has access to the tools they need to reach full potential.
“We know that ‘being well’ requires a healthy state of body and mind. We also know that healthy people require healthy places! At be well we want to work with community members to create the social, economic and physical characteristics needed for healthy people and healthy communities in all neighborhoods,” said Alisha Brown, Vice President of the Stapleton Foundation and Director of the be well Health and Wellness Initiative.
The annual awards are designed to recognize individuals, businesses and organizations who “Get in the ZONE” of healthy living in the communities of Greater Park Hill, Montbello, Stapleton, East Montclair and Northwest Aurora by promoting healthier, more active lives.
This year’s honorees included Charles Doss, Jr. (adult) and Genesis Ortega (youth) for Physical Activity Leadership; Loretta Erickson (adult) and Gabrielle Day (youth) for Community Advocate of the Year; Glen Jackson (adult) and Chloe Brown (youth) for Preventative Care Leadership; Frances Owens (adult) and Alexia Nevarez (youth) for Community Service; Jo Ann Pegues (adult) and North Middle School Garden Club (youth) for Nutrition Leadership; and the late Francisco Subiadur, who received the Legacy Award.
An initiative of the Stapleton Foundation, be well is a groundbreaking movement of neighborhoods coming together to take charge of their health and wellness in the be well ZONES. To learn more, visit www.bewellconnect.net.
Dahlia Campus Open To All
A mental health center that grows fresh vegetables and raises fish to offer a neighborhood better access to healthy food?
A mental health center where neighbors drop in to take a yoga class or connect with community members at a reading group?
A mental health center that offers children’s dentistry to address tooth decay, the top reason kids miss school?
Yes, yes and yes.
Years in the planning, the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being officially opened its doors to the public on Feb. 25.
As detailed in the December issue of Greater Park Hill News, in addition to mental health services, the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being is also designed to be a place for community members to connect with their neighbors, learn new skills and find supports they need to improve their health.
The Dahlia Campus is at 3404 Eudora St., the site of the former Dahlia Square, the nation’s first African-American owned shopping mall. The phone number is 303-300-6333.
Services and programs will include cooking and nutrition classes, family education classes and support groups, farm and gardens, greenhouse, yoga classes for seniors, family therapy. The goal is to offer a welcoming place to children, families and adults where everyone can engage in activities that will help them feel good and live well.
Landri Taylor Resigns From DPS Board of Education
In mid-February, Denver school board member Landri Taylor announced his resignation, citing his wife’s ill health and his plans to move to Aurora.
The northeast district that Taylor represented includes much of Greater Park Hill, from roughly Montview Boulevard north and stretching to Montbello, Green Valley Ranch, and including parts of Stapleton.
Taylor, described by some as a reliable supporter of the school reforms being promoted by DPS administrators, was first appointed to the seat in 2013.
He was elected to the office the following year, and his term was set to expire in 2017.
“It has been a great honor to serve with you as we have worked together to make significant gains on behalf of the students and families of Denver Public Schools,” Taylor wrote in his Feb. 16 resignation letter to colleagues. “While we all share a sense of urgency and an understanding of how much more we have to do, our work together has been among the most meaningful of my life’s commitment to pubic service.”
Under state law, school board vacancies are filled by the remaining board members. If the board is unable to agree on a candidate in 60 days, the board president can appoint a new board member.
To qualify, applicants must be registered voters and must have lived in District 4 for at least 12 consecutive months. Applications are due March 4, kicking off a series of community forums, meetings and updates, with a final vote expected April 12. An application form can be downloaded at http://board.dpsk12.org
As detailed by DPS, key dates in the process include:
• March 4 – Applications and resumes are due by 5 p.m.
• March 8 – The Board will hold a community forum at 5:30 p.m. at the Evie Dennis Campus, 4800 Telluride St. Applicants for the vacancy will be notified of the number of minutes they have to introduce themselves and explain why they are interested in the seat. This is dependent upon on how many applications are received.
• March 14 – The Board will have a special meeting beginning at 6 p.m. to narrow the applicants to finalists.
• March 17 – The Board will provide an update of the process to fill the vacancy at the regular Board meeting.
• March 21 – The Board will hold a community forum at 5:30 p.m. at Manual High School to introduce finalists and provide for community feedback.
• April 7 – The Board will hold a special meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m. to interview the finalists for the vacancy.
• April 12 – The Board will hold a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. to take a final vote on the finalists and announce the new Board member.