There are a few things coming up in this school week that Leadville Today readers should take note of.
The first will be this Wednesday, April 25. The Lake County School District (LCSD) in cooperation with multiple law enforcement partners will conduct an evacuation drill at Lake County High School on Wednesday afternoon.
Recent emergency school drills were conducted in neighboring Buena Vista School District allowing students, teachers and staff to be prepared in the event of an actual emergency. This week Lake County School District will run the drill on Wednesday. Photo: BVSD Facebook.
According to LCSD Chief Financial Officer Kate Bartlett, "This type of drill is a best practice and is part of our ongoing work on school safety." Community members should be advised of the drill exercise in case they see an increase in law enforcement activity in the area of the high school. Also, Pre-Kindergarten thru 6th grade students will not be impacted by the drill other than staying inside during the afternoon.
Parents of LCSD students have been notified and readers can learn more details by clicking on the: English – Drill Notification; Spanish – Drill Notification.
Then on Thursday, April 26 Lake County School District Superintendent Wendy Wyman announced that there will be no school for students.
Leadville Today readers can find more details in a copy of Superintendent Wyman's letter from herself and the Lake County Education Association.
And finally a reminder to parents that there is no school on Friday April 27 or Monday April 30, so students are getting a five-day weekend for the last one in April 2018, and will return to classes on Tuesday, May 1.
Lake County School District announced earlier this month that they are a 2018 Healthy School Champion and have won the $5,000 Gold Award for their school health efforts. As one of 47 champions named as a 2018 Healthy School Champion, the LCSD's work will be honored through the annual recognition program which awards schools and school districts for creating and supporting a healthy school environment and successfully implementing effective school health efforts that support student learning.
Salad bars are a popular option for healthy choices in Leadville school cafeterias.
"These schools and districts have successfully demonstrated the critical link between student health and academic achievement and we're excited to present this year's 2018 Healthy School Champions award to Lake County School District,"said CEI Director of School Health Amy Dyett.
Schools and school districts are awarded based on their implementation of best practices in school health, captured through an assessment tool called Smart Source, a narrative outlining their work, and letters of support. The program has given over 315 awards, granting more than $350,000 over the past eight years in the range of $300 to $7,500 per champion.
Kaleigh York, a 5th grader at Lake County Middle School was recently awarded the Academic Achievement and Leadership Ability which includes an invitation to participate in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference held in Washington DC.
According to details from the online fundraising site: The event is held in Washington DC and for 6 days she will be attending focus groups for respect and goal setting and being the voice of change project. She will be able to go through and learn about our nation and be able to experience going to our national memorials. Kaleigh and myself would appreciate any donation that would help go to her tuition fee and airfare. Readers may connect and make a donation: HERE.
In other school news, the annual Spring Art Show is scheduled for Friday, May 4. This district-wide show celebrates artwork from Lake County's preschool through 12th grade students.
Art show coordinators and teachers, Amanda Good and Erin Farrow depend on amazing, generous volunteers to make this event happen, and this year will be no different. This is the art program's only fundraiser, and it is how they raise the majority of the money used for art supplies.
Here's how you can help: Every little bit helps!
Week leading up to May 4 show, after school this week: bringing artwork from the Lake County High School to Lake County Intermediate School.
During the Spring Art Show two shifts: 5 – 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 8 p.m. tp cover a variety of activities. You do not need to be artistic to help!
Attendees will see the return of the silent auction, with lots of generously donated goodies! There will also be a ceramic sale featuring handmade ceramic work by high school students, Lake County's High School art teacher, and some fabulous local artists. For more information, contact Erin Farrow at efarrow@lakecountyschools.net or 719-486-6838.
This colorful ceramic giraffee created by student artist Miah Velasques was a real crowd pleaser at the 2017 Spring Art Show. Photo: Leadville Today/Mary Jelf.