New Building Representative for Paraprofessionals

Lucy Aguilera Lopez (security) isthe new building representative for Paraprofessionals.

Propping Open Locked Doors

Please speak to your students about propping open locked doors. When students go outside on break, they have been using the welcome mat or other objects to prop open the locked doors so they can get back into the building. Please ask your students not to do this as the doors are being locked as a security precaution and propping open the doors defeats the purpose of locking the doors. It is a little more inconvenient to have to walk around to the unlocked doors, but that is what they need to do. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Graduation June 6

*Graduation will be Friday, June 6, 2008 at the Colorado Convention Center in the Four Seasons Ballroom, 10:00 a.m. with mandatory rehearsal at 8:00 a.m.

*Announcements will be available on March 31, 2008 in Room 204 for high school students and at the Registration Desk for vocational students - 5 per student.

*Tryouts for speakers and singers will held on Wednesday, April 30 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 238. Please notify students you think would be interested or have talents they would like to share.

West High School - April 2

Faculty and Staff

Please make arrangements to attend the very important event at West HS on April 2 from 8-11 a.m. We need to have the programs listed below represented by a staff member. You may also bring students with you if it’s appropriate. If you are unable to make arrangements, please see me to discuss alternatives.Please contact Marla Rodriguez in our PR department to confirm who will attend and what special needs if any you have (such as electricity). As in the past, please plan to have an interactive display or activity.Thank you for your participation in this important school event.

Les Lindauer

CosmetologyGIS/Computer TechnologyBarberingCulinaryProfessional SewingHVACAuto MechanicsDentalHealth (Nursing)Business Medical ProgramsEarly ChildhoodAircraft

Denver Teachers’ Club Raffle

We supporters of the Denver Teachers’ Club are truly grateful for your purchase of raffle tickets and donations. With these funds, medical equipment is purchased. Last year 2,045 pieces were loaned to DPS employees. This figure represents 910 families that have been assisted through your generosity.

Chris, a generous welding student, has offered to take me to dinner if he wins! Thanks again, and have a peaceful spring vacation.

Aroxie Feldman

CUSTOMIZED EDUCATION SERVICES

We will be partnering with the Community College of Denver’s Corporate Training Division on two training contracts:

James Mc Donough from CCD has brought the Arapahoe/Douglas Hospitality grant to us again this year. It will consist of approximately 50 youth that will come to our culinary program for a learning experience taught by Chef Tim and Chef Kristi for two days in June. This year they have asked our school to host the luncheon for all participants and staff as well. Included in this training will be Michael Kessler with some flower arranging tips.

In July, CCD has partnered with us on another grant to host 30 students, ages 18-early 20’s, with life challenges such as autism, etc. on “Food Survival 101” to be taught by Chef Tim. This training will be for approx two weeks.

Denver Health will begin their Certified Nursing Assistant Training April 1st with Terry Mc Daniel as instructor.

The Clayton Foundation will begin their GED training April 1st with Connie Tripp as instructor.

The Denver Sheriff Department City & County of Denver has finally (after more than two years) come to us requesting training for their inmates.
The proposed classes will be the following:

Custodial: Phil Rummel instructor
Customer Service: Barbara Crawford instructor
Admin.Asst.: Mary Murphy instructor
Cake Decorating: Chef Kristi Martin instructor

Hopefully, this contract will be yearly with the jail and more classes will be added as needed. If you are interested in training at the jail, please let me know.

CUSTOMIZED TRAINING SERVICES

What wonderful instructors we have at EGOS!!! Margo Hartman is teaching GED for the Project Re-Entry Program at the Bo Matthews Center. Her hiking club took up a collection to raise enough money for two of the participants to complete their GED test at EGOS. Thank you Margo so much!!

Job Placement – Medical Assisting Students

Five of Marilyn LaRocca’s Medical Assisting students finished their externship on February 27. Marilyn is happy and most proud to say that they are all employed, including one student that moved to Texas.

Kudos to Marilyn and her students.

Leadership Academy Workshops 2008

March 19th from 1-3pm, in room 238, the Practical Nursing Faculty will present to clinical instructors a summary of what they learned at The Boot Camp for Nurse Educator Conference they attended in February. Clinical instructors for the program are encouraged to attend this presentation which will include topics such as Transitioning from Teaching to Student-centered Learning, Active learning and critical thinking, Mind-mapped care planning, and Clinical Pre and Post-conference learning tools.


Leadership Academy Workshops to be offered in

Classroom Management

Have you ever felt like your classroom was out of control? Have you ever experienced a ‘problem’ student? Are you tired of constantly looking for new ways to motivate students? If so, this workshop is for you. Based upon Tools for Teaching by Fred Jones, the workshop will assist you to integrate the management of discipline, instruction, and motivation into a system that will allow you to reduce the stress of teaching by preventing most management headaches.

For over 30 years Dr. Jones has studied highly successful teachers - the "naturals" - to see how they make success look easy. During that time he has conducted extensive research and constant experimentation in classrooms. His objective has been to perfect methods of classroom management that are both powerful and affordable for the teacher. Successful teaching is neither "magic" nor is it a collection of handy hints - the proverbial "bag of tricks." Rather, successful teaching is built around a handful of core competencies that are expressed in everything the teacher does. Once mastered, they bring rapid relief from teacher exhaustion for one simple reason: Responsible students who have learned to manage themselves require much less management from the teacher.
This is an eight-hour workshop, so please plan to attend all sessions. Dr. Jones’s Tools for Teaching will be included for all workshop participants. Credential renewal credit is available.
Dates:
March 20, 2008
April 3, 2008
April 10, 2008
April 17, 2008
Time: 3 -5 pm
Location: To be determined
Presenters: Leslie Vickers and Stephanie Cavallero

Classroom Assessment
Classroom assessment is a simple method faculty can use to collect feedback, early and often, on how well their students are learning what they are being taught. The purpose of classroom assessment is to provide faculty and students with information and insights needed to improve teaching effectiveness and learning quality.
This eight-hour workshop has been tentatively scheduled for May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2008 from 3 -5 pm. It will also be presented by Leslie Vickers and Stephanie Cavallero and credential renewal credit is available.
Unit Planning
The third informative workshop entitled, Unit Planning, will be offered next fall. It will include lesson planning and innovative teaching techniques.

Please let Jan Raymond know if you are interested in attending any of the workshops.
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

The Instructional Leadership Academy need your IDEAS!

What types of workshops and/or courses would you like to see offered through the Academy during the spring? Your suggestions and ideas will be greatly appreciated. If you have a particular talent that you would like to share with your colleagues, please let us know. If there are areas of training that would be of interest to you, please let us know. If you know of a person who would be a good presenter, please let us know. We want to make this Academy a GREAT OPPORTUNITY for learning and professional development.

Please submit your ideas and suggestions to Jan Raymond.

Diversity Day Planning Meeting

As you already know from reading the EGOS Staff Update, Diversity Day 2008 is scheduled for May 15 (SOON!). We would like your help and input in making this a day to remember. Our first meeting is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, March 19 in room 446 at 1:30 pm. If you are not able to come to the meeting but would like to help with the planning, please email me and let me know what time during the day works best for you to meet. If you feel that you do not have time to help but you still have some wonderful ideas to share, please email them to me. Thanks so much for sincerely considering taking part in the celebration, inviting your friends and family, and helping to promote our wonderful school. Contact Slavica Park at 34751 for more info.

Help! We’re lost and need to find our way home!

Do you have trays, pitchers, tongs, bowls, or carts that need to come home to the deli? Please call or email Chef Kristi and let her know. Bon Appetite!

Lost Cart – Library Media Center

On Friday, March 14, 2008 a three-level beige wheeled card was left outside Essie’s office. It is now missing. If found please let Joe Green in the IRC know. (extension 34824).

SURVEYS - Complete by March 12

This is just a reminder that today is the deadline to complete the on-line survey. If you have not completed the survey, please do so and get it sent in today. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

It is imperative that we have school-wide participation in this important part of our NCA Evaluation. Click on the link below to access the appropriate survey.

Please complete your survey by Wednesday, March 12, 2008.

Thank you,

Karen and JoAn

Staff Survey

Administrator Survey

Instructor Survey

Community Survey

Union Meetings

There will be Union Meetings on the following dates& times:

Thursday, March 13th at 12 noon
Tuesday March 18th at 2 pm
All members are encouraged to attend either one
Non -members are welcome

Gold Crockpot to EGOS - Again

EGOS WINS AGAIN

Jose Gonzales, of the EGOS Culinary Arts Program, won the coveted Gold Crockpot Friday night at The 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off hosted by the Denver Press Club.
The event benefited The Women’s Bean Project one of Emily Griffith’s customized training sites. There were over 150 guests and 50 entrants with every type of chili imaginable. Jose’s entry, Emily’s Chili, received rave reviews and won the People’s Choice Award. Jose is a second semester student and is doing his internship at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. Both Chef Tim and Jose were on hand to serve chili and shmooze with the press corps personalities.
The Denver Post and Rocky MTN News in the “Food Section” has a short article about Jose and his chili.

Pay Slip Reminder

Turn in your pay slips by Friday, March 14, 2008 to be paid on your March check.

Diversity Day - May 15

Get ready to celebrate the diversity of Emily Griffith’s students and staff on May 15 for our annual Diversity Day celebration! Here is a link to the ‘Save the Date’ card to distribute to your personal and professional contacts.

Join us to celebrate the differences which make us interesting to one another and the similarities which allow us to build a bridge to understanding.

Vocational Teacher’s Council

The Vocational Teacher’s Council will meet on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:30 am in Room 401.

Foundation Update

Friday, March 7, the foundation was interviewed live on Channel 9 from 10-11 a.m. along with some other nonprofits. We sent them several pictures of foundation and school activities to accompany the interview. This opportunity came about because they saw our name in the paper as a recipient of a Post-News Literacy grant. We have received literacy grants from Post-News Charities for 10 years now, the most recent one being awarded in February. These grants partially fund the basic skills classes and tutoring services. One good thing leads to another!

Monday, March 10, our annual book fair will be hosted by Books Are Fun in the Library Media Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They have great prices on new books and gifts. Part of the proceeds benefit the student scholarship fund.

Fabric Sale March 15

The Professional Sewing Program is holding a Fabric Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, March 15 from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm in the basement Room 15 of the Glenarm Building.

Evening to Outerwear from $0.50 per yard.

Contact Vicky at 720.423.4849 for additional information

Customized Education Services

Thanks to a referral from John Cleary, we will be doing welding training for 13 Champion Dry Wall employees at our school for one week beginning March 10. Ryan Thomas, our new welding instructor, will be teaching these classes.

We have finalized the computer training to be held at Anthem for their nurses and Mary Murphy will be the instructor. Training will begin March 20.

Two more GED sites have been added for our school through Eileen Ashford’s grant. These sites will be the Clayton Foundation and Mi Casa. Eileen will use her staff for these sites.

Remember if anyone sends a referral to our department and it turns into a bona fide contract, they will receive a $50.00 gift certificate. Congratulations to John Cleary for his referral!!!!

Security Entrance Restrictions

Interdepartmental Memorandum
Denver Public Schools
Emily Griffith Opportunity School


To: EGOS Staff and Students
From: Les Lindauer
Date: March 6, 2008
Re: School Safety at EGOS


During the last few years, we have all developed an increased awareness of school violence. As a result, schools have implemented numerous security measures to enhance the safety of their environments including I.D. badges, sign-in desks, sophisticated surveillance systems, metal detectors, visitor’s badges, and limited access to buildings. Unfortunately, most of the commonly used measures are not a viable option for our school.

Emily Griffith Opportunity School was designed and built in an era when school safety was not a concern. Thirty-one exterior doors on our two buildings provide an example of our vulnerability should we have a safety issue. At the same time, we want to ensure that we provide top-notch customer service to our existing and potential students. Therefore, our challenge is to achieve a compromise between providing a safe environment for our staff and students and providing 5-star customer service.

With that in mind, I have decided to limit the access to our two buildings. Beginning Monday, March 10, the only three entry doors to the main building will be:

the stairwell double doors, closest to the security desk. (From the exterior, this is the second set of double doors from the corner of 13th and Welton.)
the ramp double doors, on the northeast side of the building and
the alley double doors, between GED and the mailroom.

The only entry doors to the Glenarm building will be:

the two corner entrances along 13th Street
the alley entrances and
the entry doors to the Auto Collision and Welding classrooms.

I am asking everyone’s assistance in helping us ensure the exterior doors stay closed.

I apologize in advance for any personal inconvenience this may cause, but I also feel comfortable in knowing that this strategy will provide increased safety for our students and staff. I think no one would argue that this is also good customer service for them. You should also know, it is very likely security measures will increase in late August during the Democratic National Convention.

Teachers, please share this information with your students.

Only complete ONE, please

NCA UPDATE

Yesterday, you received an NCA UPDATE with the links for faculty, staff, administrators, and the community to respond to appropriate survey instruments. We really want to have school-wide participation with this important part of our NCA evaluation.

Please ONLY respond to one survey. If people respond to more that one survey, it will compromise the validity of the results. We are taking this very seriously and want the views of every employee, so we can take steps toward positive change. Please complete the surveys online by March 12, 2008.

Passing of Phil Rummel's Wife

UPDATE: The service will be at Ft. Logan National Cemetery on Friday, March 21, 2007 in Section B. Those of us who wish to attend should arrive 20 minutes prior to the service to assemble. A memorial fund has been set up in the Treasurer’s Office for those of us who wish to contribute. If you wish to participate in providing food for the reception to follow the service, please contact Sharron Carosella or Brad Vickers. Details about the reception will be forth coming.

It is with sadness that we inform you that Phil Rummel's wife passed away yesterday, March 5, 2008. Mrs. Rummel had been suffering from the long-term effects of diabetes and other health issues over the past year. Our full support will be with Phil and his family. Donations for Phil can be given to Diana Marriott. As we learn how we can further support Phil and his family, we will inform staff through the Staff Update.

Collection for Betty Marsh

As you may or may not know, Betty Marsh, our Switchboard Operator, recently had her big toe amputated. She does not have any sick time and has been out of work over two weeks. Needless to say, her funds are rather low. Anything you would like to give would be very much appreciated. See Diana in the Treasurer's office.

Debriefing of the Lockdown Drill

As a whole, we noticed some improvement in today’s lockdown drill over the one we had last fall. Mark Chaffin from DPS Safety and Security was here to observe our drill and recorded that we were locked down within four minutes, which he said is impressive for the type and size of building that we have. We know that hearing the PA announcement is an issue in some areas. We will try to resolve that problem.

There were however a few infractions, so please remember the following very important procedures:

No one should be visible in the hallways or from a window or door.
Once you lock doors, test them to make sure they are completely closed and locked.
If you are in a hallway, restroom, or other open area when a lockdown is called, go to the nearest room.
Leave the lights on during a lockdown.
Do not talk during a lockdown.

In Mark’s own words, “Down, Quiet, and Out-of sight.”

As safety issues are addressed, drill procedures will continue to be modified. Therefore, it is important to review procedures each time they are published.

Women’s Bean Project Celebrity Cook Off

The Women’s Bean Project is having a Celebrity Cook Off and the Emily Griffith Opportunity School Culinary Department will have a representative vying for the coveted Gold Crock Pot. This is a really fun event which my husband and I attended last year. There is great food, great people and of course an opportunity for EGOS to win a prize! Come show your support to both the Bean Project and EGOS.

Join us for the
3rd Annual
Celebrity
Chili Cook-off

Hosted by
Denver Press Club
1330 Glenarm Pl

Friday, March 7th
6:00-8:00 pm

You don't want to miss this great event! Here's just a taste of the chili cooks vying for the coveted golden crock pot winning prize.

*Denise Plante and Mark McIntosh*
Colorado & Company
*Tina Griego and Dave Milstead*
Rocky Mountian News
*Mike McPhee and Kris Browning-Blas*
Denver Post
*Vickie Bane*
People Magazine

Plus other cooks from Westword, 5280, LaVoz, Denver Business Journal and Univision.

And former Nuggets Mark Randall, Walter Davis and Ervin Johnson as celebrity bartenders!

Admission is $20 at the door or purchase tickets via the Bean Project website.

King Soopers Coupons

Back by Popular Demand

The Treasurer’s office will be selling King Soopers coupons to help earn scholarship money. These gift cards come in increments of $25, $50, or $100. The school gets 5% on each dollar which goes to scholarships. The only difference is that, unlike the King Soopers coupons we used to have, you can not get cash back on these cards. This is a very easy way to help the school make money. You give us $50 and you get back $50. The discount is given to us by King Soopers directly. If you shop at King Soopers, please consider using these gift cards.

Denver Teachers’ Club Raffle Tickets

Thank you for your continued support in purchasing Denver Teachers’ Club raffle tickets. Tickets are still available. Buy your lucky ticket this week. Special thanks to the barbering faculty and students for their generosity. Aroxie can be reached at 34874 and in room 455.

NCA Update

North Central Association
Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
(NCA CASI)

On a brisk November day in 2002, the NCA CASI steering committee members gathered in room 238 to listen to the ‘exit interview’ given by the chair of the NCA CASI external review team. They were nervous. They were anxious. They were relieved that the site visit was over. The room grew quiet. The room grew cold. It began.

One half hour later, the applause and cheering could be heard throughout the building. The commendations were many; the citations were none. The only recommendation was to ‘carry on’. Miss Emily was proud!

Emily Griffith Opportunity School has, indeed, carried on. The school continued to work on the six items in which growth was needed as determined by the self-study of 2002. From 2004 through 2006, goal committees worked on four school-wide goals. In 2006-07, two additional goals were the main focus: recruitment, completion, placement and communication.

Now it is time to begin preparing for our next NCA CASI self-study and site visit in March 2009. A steering committee has been convened. The following individuals have agreed to serve on this important committee:

Katie Collins, Katina Cordova, John Gibbons, Scott Hedblom, Tim Inzano, Tallie Jones, Marilyn LaRocca, Bob Marshall, Chris McGuire, Brenda Stevens, Sharron Carosella, Donna House, JoAn Keeler and Karen Fletcher.

JoAn Keeler and Karen Fletcher are serving as co-chairs of the committee and Donna House has volunteered to act as the external chair.

A major part of the self study involves developing a set of goals focused on areas for improvement. In order to do that, the steering committee has developed surveys for all individuals affiliated with EGOS – students, staff, instructors, administrators and the community. We will begin distributing them this week. We plan to have links to the staff, instructor and administrator surveys in the Staff Update tomorrow. The community surveys are also electronic and will be distributed by the department deans. Student surveys are paper and will be completed in all day, evening and Saturday classes.

Your participation is important so please complete your survey this week. The results will be compiled by March 19, the next steering committee meeting. From that will come the student achievement related goals for the self-study.

During the next year, you will be asked to participate on many levels. Watch for future information in the NCA Update on our webpage. Thank you.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Karen Fletcher and JoAn Keeler

Lock Down Update

Please review the procedures for a lock down drill.

The following information may answer some of the questions that arose from the previous drill.

Review your emergency procedures manual!

Bottom line is use common sense, remain calm, and do what is in your students and personal safest interest and do not do anything that would put you or students at risk!

Full Lockdown:
There is a threat or immediate danger inside the school
· Retain all students in your classroom.
· Anyone or student(s) who are outside your classroom ask them to come into your room if they are not already moving to a nearby room.
· Close and lock your classroom door
· Turn off the lights
· Leave shades open (police/emergency personnel may see in your room)
· If you have a student or person in your room who is not a member of your class call (34721) to report this person
· If you are missing a student(s) call (34721) and report who is missing
· If you need to report any life threatening emergency information call 911
· By calling 34721 the admin in charge will coordinate missing student info

Possible Questions –
Threat in your room and cannot get to your class phone? Use your cell phone or a students, and do the best that you can.
Should books and backpacks be hidden? If possible yes! Make the room look unoccupied.
Should we cover windows and doors with paper? No – we want police to see in.
Should we barricade the door? Yes if it is necessary to protect yourselves.
What if someone panics? Try to calm them.
What if they leave the room? Let them go, do not put you or other students at further risk.

Administration Team