Dear JA & Summit families,

What an exciting start to the 2024-25 school year! As we head into October, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on some of the events, challenges and new programs we have already, or will be experiencing, this year. 

This school year started with our second all organization Kick Off meeting for staff and board members of our support organizations. With over 300 people in attendance we learned how JA started 30 years ago, celebrated our staff and focused on the topic of “Words Matter”. With our words we can build each other up or tear each other apart. Heading into an election year it is going to be imperative that we all focus on helping students learn how to handle discussions when different perspectives are presented. This aligns with 2 of our Core Values:  

“We value learning through growth.” 

“We promote a supportive environment for the safety and well-being of our community.”

As our founding fathers outlined in JA’s Vision Statement, we are “...a community…working together to create a learning environment that engenders growth in character…resulting in responsible, productive citizens.” We have an opportunity to live this out every day!

As I’m sure you are aware, this year also started with an unexpected challenge regarding student data in InfiniteCampus. Last year, the Colorado Department of Education asked JA and Jeffco to move JA 7-8th grade students over to the JA Secondary school code as they are all in one building. This allowed Summit Academy students to be separated from JA 7-8th grade students, which in turn will help with state tracking and testing data. This project started last December and was to be completed this summer. The district has a very complex provisioning system as they use a wide variety of enterprise software packages. When the roll over happened, student data and staff access did not align causing the internal web to disassociate multiple layers of data. Jeffco responded by putting 2 different teams of programers (one for students and one for staff) on the project to reconnect the data. Though we are still working through a few of these challenges, for the most part, the problems have been resolved.

Some exciting news is that we successfully launched the JA Coal Creek Canyon school this year. Ms. Mott, our former JA 6th grade math teacher, has been fantastic at serving as the new JACCC principal, designing the JACCC program and bringing the Coal Creek Canyon community into the JA organization. In cooperation with the elementary school and Summit Academy Westminster, Coal Creek Canyon teachers were able to learn about and implement the Core Knowledge Curriculum by the start of school. The new Super Monday program also got off to a great start, bringing together both traditional and homeschooled students for a full day of enrichment. Striving for continued growth of enrollment at JA Coal Creek Canyon, we look forward to supporting this unique school which was scheduled for closure. 

I want to thank each of our parents and staff members for being engaged and supportive of the students that attend any of our campuses. Student learning takes place through a wide variety of avenues. It is exciting to see the JA & Summit campuses provide families with excellent choices in education designed to meet the varied needs of students. We are off to a fantastic start and I look forward to watching students grow and develop through experiences they will engage in. 

We have a strong connection between our staff and the community!

Did you know that seven employees on our team were once students here? Their firsthand experience brings valuable insights and a deep understanding of our school culture. Additionally, we have 27 employees who are related in some capacity, whether through marriage, family ties, or other connections. This close-knit network enhances our community spirit and fosters a supportive environment for both staff and students. We're proud to have such committed individuals who care deeply about our school!

Speaking of our staff, we take pride in our retention rates. Our teacher turnover rate is 9%, significantly lower than the district's turnover rate of 14% and the national average of 24%. This demonstrates our commitment to fostering a positive work environment and retaining dedicated educators who care deeply about our students and their success!

"School Safety"

In light of the recent “Secure” at our Secondary campus, we thought a quick look behind the scenes might be helpful. Jeffco’s Department of School Safety partners with charter schools in the same way they do all Jeffco schools as it relates to emergency situations. To support this partnership, JA and Summit use the “Standard Response Protocol, the same protocol used at all Jeffco School sites. The consistent use of this protocol, allows local law enforcement and Jeffco Safety Officers to know what to expect when they visit any of our campuses.  

For more information about the different types of responses, please refer to this:

Standard Response Protocol document for parents

In the case of an emergency, every campus has a safety radio that communicates directly to Jeffco’s dispatch without the need to call 911. This radio also allows school administration to communicate directly with all first responders if necessary. Every campus also has a bank of radios that are used to communicate internally during the regular school day and during emergencies when phones and speaker systems may not be available.

In our most recent events at both the secondary and elementary campus, a “Secure” was issued. This means that students inside the building were attending class as normal, while no one was allowed to enter or leave the building. At the secondary this was eventually changed to a “Secure - Monitored Entry” where, under the supervision of school staff and safety officers, students were allowed to enter the building. At the elementary the “Secure” was fully released allowing students to return to the regular dismissal process.

Every year JA and Summit campuses practice a Lockdown drill in the fall, another safety drill in the spring and monthly fire drills. Before each Lockdown drill, students are shown an age appropriate video that explains what to expect and how students should respond to the drill. Jeffco’s Department of School Safety Emergency Response Team and local law enforcement administer our annual Lockdown drill at each campus.

JA Elementary officially launched its new Pre-K program, which promises to be an incredible addition to the school. The program is designed to provide a positive, safe, and stimulating environment that caters to the unique needs of each child. Through a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum, children are encouraged to explore their creativity, imagination, and social skills, all while building a strong foundation for school readiness and academic achievement.

JA Pre-K operates Monday through Friday, offering a morning session from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and an afternoon session from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The program follows the JA school calendar, including holidays and non-contact days. Enrollment is limited to Colorado Universal Preschool-qualified children who will be four years old, and fully potty trained, by October 1, 2024. Universal Pre-K (UPK) pays for free ½ day programming, making this program free to our families! Kindergarten-eligible students and those who are not fully potty-trained are not eligible for this program. Special thanks go to Kevin Mesch and the JA Elementary administration for their tremendous effort in bringing this program to life. JA Elementary (and the organization) look forward to helping our youngest learners thrive in this wonderful new environment!

On October 7th, from 1:50 PM to 4:30 PM, JA Secondary will host the next Biz Kids Business Fair in the Secondary Commons. Biz Kids is a dynamic program where students learn how to start and run a business from scratch. Throughout the program, these young entrepreneurs develop business plans, set budgets, create advertising strategies, and more. The culminating event is the Business Fair, where students showcase their businesses. Students, staff, and community members are invited to visit booths, learn about the businesses, and even make purchases. Judges, including prominent community leaders, will select two winning businesses to advance to the Taste of Westminster on November 7th. The students will also participate in the Young Americans Financial Bank Marketplace on December 7th, furthering their entrepreneurial experience.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the following community members for volunteering their time to judge the Biz Kids Business Fair:

• Anna Leer, Senior Vice President of Programs with Young America Financial Bank

• Jeannine Glista, Executive Producer/Co-Founder of Biz Kids

• Jamie Chavez, CEO/President of Westminster Chamber of Commerce

• Parker Brown, Partner with Carrabba's and Westminster Chamber of Commerce Board President

• Amy Sherman, VP of Public Affairs for Junior Achievement/Economic Literacy Colorado

• Steve Ferrero, Chief Community Engagement Officer with Canvas Credit Union

• Gary Ozello, Director of University Relations with Canvas Credit Union

This event is open to families and the public, so we encourage you to come, support, and engage with our young entrepreneurs! For more details, please contact Mark Sharpley. Don’t miss this chance to witness the innovation and creativity of our future business leaders!

On September 4th, our newest campus, JA Coal Creek Canyon (JA CCC), celebrated its official ribbon-cutting ceremony with a wonderful turnout!

The Westminster Chamber of Commerce brought their iconic big scissors to mark the opening, making the occasion even more special. Representatives from the Colorado League of Charter Schools and a few members of the JA Board of Directors were also in attendance to show their support. The highlight for many was a visit from the Coal Creek Canyon fire truck, which thrilled the kids, while the JA CCC PTO hosted a fantastic community BBQ that brought everyone together. Fox 31 stopped by to film a short segment about the school's opening, which aired that evening and again the next morning (we are working on getting a shareable link). We are so pleased with how the event turned out and couldn’t be happier with the start of the school year. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this exciting milestone for JA Coal Creek Canyon!

In case you haven’t heard, Summit Westminster’s homeschool team is partnering with JA CCC to lead the Super Monday Homeschool Enrichment program.

With over 20 years of experience in unique programming options, Summit Westminster brings valuable expertise to ensure a successful program for JA CCC's Super Mondays. The program runs on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., matching regular school day hours. It is offered at no cost to the vast majority of students. On Super Mondays, JA CCC full-time students join together with homeschool students for engaging elective courses such as engineering, outdoor education, math games, brain games, STEM, and more. Families have shared that Mondays have quickly become their students' favorite school day. JA CCC is excited to see this program continue to grow and flourish, offering enriching experiences for all students. The program is still open for enrollment, so if you know a homeschooling family that might be interested in exploring this amazing enrichment program, encourage them to enroll now!

Summit South officially launched the new Aerolabs program, designed to provide hands-on aerospace education for part-time students across various age groups.

The Young Falcons program, for ages 9-11, meets on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It offers an engaging introduction to STEM and aeronautics through activities like LEGO robotics, TinkerCAD, and 3D printing, along with monthly field trips to local industries to spark curiosity and exploration.

For students aged 12 and older, the 1A program, also held on Tuesdays at the same time, serves as the ultimate "sampler platter." Participants will build, fly, and repair RC planes and drones, and have the chance to experience glider, helicopter, and airplane flights. The program includes insightful visits from industry experts and exciting field trips to enhance the learning experience.

Older students can take their skills further with the Introductory Flight Training (IFT) Drones course, designed for ages 14 and up, which runs on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This advanced training prepares students for the FAA part 107 exam, allowing them to pursue professional drone certification by age 16. Participants will receive drone equipment and engage in flight simulations while focusing on safety and responsibility.

The IFT Powered course, also for ages 14 and up, offers a blend of virtual and in-person instruction. Students will participate in FAA ground school and take flight lessons with certified instructors, preparing them for the FAA Private Pilot written exam. This program also includes weekly "Over the Horizon" classes, where industry experts share their knowledge and experiences.

With the Aerolabs program, Summit South provides students with fantastic opportunities to delve into the exciting worlds of aeronautics and STEM while developing essential hands-on skills. To learn more about the Summit South partnership with AeroLabs, visit: www.thesummitacademysouth.org/o/tsas/page/falcon-aerolab-partnership

Have you taken a moment to complete the JA/Summit

Family Volunteer, Skills, & Needs Survey?

This is a great opportunity to share your skills, talents, and interests with our school community! The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and helps us identify how you can contribute in meaningful ways. Even if you are already involved in some capacity, please consider filling out the survey, as it provides us with valuable insights into your unique abilities and interests. Whether you're looking to share your expertise occasionally or regularly, we want to hear from you! Additionally, the survey allows you to highlight your business (if you choose) and share any needs you may have during challenging times. It truly is a survey for everyone. Remember, the survey closes on October 18th, so be sure to submit your responses before then. We’ll reach out soon based on your responses. Thank you for helping us strengthen our community! Thanks to those that have already completed the survey. If you haven’t yet, find the survey here. 

The Community Cares Holiday Care Package program has seen remarkable success and growth over the past few years, and we know many of you are looking forward to it this year!

If your family is facing hardship and could benefit from some assistance during the holiday season, the needs request form will be open for submissions from November 1st to November 15th. Following this two week window, the confidential list of needs will be released to the community for donation collection from November 18th to December 9th.

Families benefiting from the Community Cares program will be contacted in advance directly, to schedule your receipt of the packages on or around December 13th.

NEW this year: An additional opportunity to make financial contributions to families experiencing hardship has been made available through the Community Cares Zeffy Page within The Foundation for JA. We hope this supplementary option will make supporting families easier for those who may not have the capability to shop for and drop off specific items requested through the Community Cares Holiday Care Package program.

As always, look out for communication from the Community Engagement Specialist, Tiffany Blakley, or visit our website for updates. Thank you for being part of this wonderful community initiative!

Are you interested in being a part of the JA or Summit team? We are in search of teachers, administrators, and support staff who can help us further our mission: to help students attain their highest academic and character potential through an academically rigorous, content-rich educational program.

Take a moment to search our current openings, and send job applications and questions to: jobs@jajags.com.

Did you attend Jefferson Academy for at least one full school year?

Please take a moment to complete our JA Alumni Survey so that we can add you to our database and update your communication preferences!

Visit the Alumni page on our website for any updates that may be posted, and be sure to share the link with other alumni!

Your business can show support for Jefferson Academy by purchasing ads on our scoreboards or banners on our fences, sponsoring events, hosting an intern, or providing in-kind donations. We love the chance to partner with the community!

Discover all of the opportunities for partnership with JA at:

www.jajags.com/page/support-ja

Fall sport are in full swing! Get updates and highlights on our Athletics website.

There are always tons of activities and clubs at JA Secondary! Check out the Secondary Activities calendar here.

JA Elementary recently launched their extracurricular activities. Find out more about their offerings here.

There’s always SO MUCH going on at JA!