PSD Schools, Staff Achieve Success

PSD Schools and Staff Achieve Success!

Eleven PSD schools were ranked in the top 161 schools statewide for demonstrating the highest sustained student academic growth rates over three consecutive years in Colorado. Congratulations to staff at the following schools for being identified by the Colorado Department of Education for high academic growth: 

• Bacon Elementary
• Dunn IB World School Elementary
• Harris Bilingual Elementary
• Werner Elementary
• Timnath Elementary
• Livermore Elementary
• McGraw IB World School Elementary
• Shepardson Elementary
• Zach Core Knowledge Elementary
• Liberty Common School
• Ridgeview Classical School

Preston Middle School teacher Kathleen Willard’s poetry was published in two anthologies and one literary journal. This year "Dachau" was published in Matter, a literary journal, "Notes Towards a Libretto" was published in Against Agamemnon: An Anthology of War Poetry, and "On the Road to the Ghost City of Fatepri  Sikri" was published in the anthology Landscape and Place. Over the years, while teaching in PSD, Ms. Willard has had 25 poems published in various literary magazines.

The PSD Purchasing Department earned the Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for 2009.  PSD is one of only 14 school districts in the US and the only government agency in Colorado to receive the award. The award is achieved by those organizations that demonstrate excellence in procurement by obtaining a high score on a rating of standardized criteria.  The program is designed to measure innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership attributes of the procurement function. 

Terri Gallegos, kindergarten teacher at Putnam Elementary School of Science, earned a master’s degree in Literacy: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment from Lesley University.

Kim Bontempo, Johnson Elementary teacher, earned a master’s in Reading from the University of Northern Colorado this summer. Ms. Bontempo also had a story accepted for publication to Chicken Soup for the Soul -  All in the Family edition  to be released in late October 2009. 

Chris Boyle, social studies teacher at Polaris School for Expeditionary Learning, completed a master’s degree in Sport Administration from University of Northern Colorado this summer.

Jill Cripe, Beattie Elementary teacher, earned a master’s of arts in teaching and learning- specialization in Curriculum and Instruction, from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Kimberlee Wilcox, Beattie Elementary teacher, earned a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. 

Lisa Stapp, Beattie Elementary teacher, earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Jerel Nielsen, Purchasing Department, achieved the Certified Professional Public Officer designation from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council.  Due to the significant eligibility requirements and rigors of the written examinations, the CPPO certification is held by a limited number of public managers and leaders in the governmental purchasing profession.

Skeet McCracken, Purchasing Department, achieved his Certified Professional Public Buyer designation from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council. This designation reflects his commitment to his profession and to the value of professional certification in governmental purchasing.

Fabiola Canale, Poudre High School Spanish teacher, had two books published by Teacher’s Discovery under the titles "Las aventuras de Miguelito" and "Fritz' Abenteuer in Amerika." The books, which follow the adventure of a mouse that comes to live in the USA as an exchange student, were written to provide students with early reading opportunities while studying a foreign language.

Conrad Crist, Fort Collins High School teacher, completed a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Educational Leadership.

The following music teachers earned Kodály certificates from Colorado State University’s summer Kodály institute: Level 1 graduate Kim Schlesinger (Olander and Riffenburg Elementary teacher), Level 2 graduate Nicole Hallenbeck (Bennett IB World School Elementary teacher), and Level 3 graduates who completed the program and received highest honors are Susie McCollum (Moore Core Knowledge Elementary teacher) and Robin Neal (Traut Core Knowledge Elementary School teacher).

Tara Oswald, Fossil Ridge High School teacher, completed her second master’s degree (Masters in Educational Leadership) as well as her principal license.