In 2021 a group of school board members were elected in Woodland Park, Colorado claiming to be conservatives. These folks don’t act like conservatives or people who care about our students and parents. They are actually following a national agenda and working rapidly to undermine our schools. Each week on this podcast we’ll look at the issues, examine the facts and give you the information you need as Woodland Park community members to make up your own minds about what is going on.
Episode 1
This episode examines the issues facing Woodland Park Schools which has been taken over by an extremist school board. Today’s episode examines claims about student achievement in Woodland Park and the role of teachers in improving student learning.
Families, educators, school leaders, and public education advocates across the country are joining together in celebrating public schools, Feb. 27–Mar. 3; a week designated to highlight and show support for our local public schools.
Public Schools Week 2023 (#PSW23) is part of a larger campaign—#HerefortheKids—one that brings together families, educators, and community members to shine a light on local public schools and share the stories of the positive things happening in classrooms and school buildings nationwide. The teaching and learning in our local K-12 public schools positively impacts students and families, the neighborhoods, and communities they live in, and our nation as a whole. With commitment, creativity, and critical thinking, educators and school leaders continue to provide welcoming and engaging learning opportunities for our children.
“Public Schools Week 2023 provides a much-needed opportunity to showcase success stories and public-school champions—those who have gone above and beyond to meet students’ social, emotional, and academic needs—particularly in these extraordinary times and circumstances,” said Richard Long, executive director of the Learning First Alliance.
The weeklong #PSW23 celebration includes two live webinars and a twitter chat.
Live Webinar: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2-3 pm ET “Advancing Teaching and Learning Post-Pandemic”
This webinar features national education leaders in a discussion about how districts, schools and education professionals are creating conditions to advance teaching and learning.
Twitter Chat:Wed., Mar. 1, 7-7:30 pm ET “Engaging Your Community”
In this best practice exchange of ideas, join parents, educators, school and education professionals in an online conversation about promising approaches to strengthen family, school, and community engagement.
Live Webinar:Thurs., Mar. 2, 2-3 pm ET “Why Storytelling Matters”
In this webinar, education and communications experts share insights and tools to enhance your storytelling skills.
#PSW23 is supported by members of the Learning First Alliance; leading education groups, representing more than 10 million members, including American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; AASA: The School Superintendents Association; American Federation of Teachers; American School Counselor Association; Consortium for School Networking; Learning Forward; National Association of Elementary School Principals; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Education Association; National PTA; National School Boards Association, and National School Public Relations Association.
Joining the #PSW23 celebrations are Discovery Education, Association of School Business Officials International, and the Council of Administrators of Special Education. Visit this webpage for the complete list of supporters.
About Public Schools Week, Feb. 27-Mar. 3
Visit www.publicschoolproud.org for more information about Public Schools Week and social media messages and graphics that you can use to show your support for your local public schools.
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About the Learning First Alliance
The Learning First Alliance is a partnership of leading education organizations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America’s public schools. Alliance members include American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; AASA: The School Superintendents Association; American Federation of Teachers; American School Counselor Association; Consortium for School Networking; Learning Forward; National Association of Elementary School Principals; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Education Association; National PTA; National School Boards Association, National School Public Relations Association, and PDK International.
Twenty-five middle school teachers and staff in the Woodland Park school district northwest of Colorado Springs called out sick Wednesday to protest sudden changes in district schools. It’s the latest turmoil in the small district since a controversial new interim superintendent was selected in December.
— Read on www.cpr.org/2023/03/01/woodland-park-teachers-sick-out-protest/
The teachers need our support! Yesterday, Witt announced the sixth grade will be moved out of the Middle School and back to the elementary schools. This was done with zero collaboration with teachers or parents in the district…it was a surprise to all.
The majority of Middle School staff called in sick today (we’re told 29+).
Witt met with staff at Summit Elementary this morning. It did NOT go well. He’ll be meeting with staff at Gateway this afternoon.
Tomorrow morning (3/2), Witt will be meeting with staff at the Middle School at 7:30AM. We need to show the teachers we support them; we need as many people as possible lining the sidewalk outside the middle school. Bring signs if you can; we’ll have some extras. Do not block the roads; do not block pedestrians using the sidewalks. Please arrive early, by 7:00 if possible.
This afternoon, the Witt administration and our school board announced that sixth grade would be moved out of the Middle School building, back down to the elementary school buildings. This is being done to provide more space to Merit Academy. The feasibility study a year ago showed the capacity for Merit’s side of the building to be 471 students, so it’s not clear how this move is actually necessary. Especially considering the costs incurred with partitioning the school last year. This is probably just a preemptive move in anticipation of losing this fall’s school board elections and facing a board more friendly towards traditional public schools.
Merit’s 2022-23 enrollment is 331 students; if they add a grade next year that’s an increase of 30-50 students. So, still well under the 471 capacity number. In the 2022-23 school year, the middle school had 136 sixth graders (391 total students). So, a 17% increase in students in the three elementary buildings. (spreadsheet link with data)
The superintendent also announced that the district will continue to use the Summit Learning Platform for 7th-10th grades.
There was no public meeting. No public announcement.
Parents have not been notified of this change yet.
We’re hearing more and more about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in our schools across the country. It’s become a rallying cry for extremist groups such as Moms For Liberty (M4L). Unfortunately, groups such as M4L are spreading misinformation about SEL, so please take the time to educate yourself properly on this issue.
With the district being on winter break of most of this past week, things were pretty quiet. However, the one piece of news that broke was significant…Tina Cassens is leaving the district after being here 28 years. This is shortly after Del Garrick made a similar announcement a couple weeks ago. The loss of these two well loved and experienced educators is a huge blow to this school district and undoubtedly a sign of more to come.
The next scheduled board meeting is next week, March 8th. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to schedule a work session for this week to further some policy change plans, so be on the lookout for that.
