APS HomeCommunityPartnershipsAnswering the Challenge!
Aurora Public Schools
spacerPicking up the PACE!  
spacer

Resources

Contact Us

Answering the Challenge!
Superintendent John L. Barry has shared a series of challenges with the community. In response, students, staff and community members, business leaders, elected officials and board members are stepping up to the plate.
top left   top right
  “Our goal is to make APS the lead school district in the state. We can’t do it alone. We need the help of the entire community”
- John L. Barry
Superintendent		  
bottom left   bottom right
Students and Staff Take Up Reading Challenge
Superintendent Barry challenged students to read 25 books this year. The first 100 classes in which every student meets the challenge will also receive “high-five” prizes.
Century Elementary School teachers are encouraging their students to accept the challenge. Teachers passed out plastic eyeballs for the school’s “We have our eyes on you” campaign during back-to-school night to encourage students to read 25 books this year.
Century Principal Debbie Ellis with students, showing off the school's "We have our eyes on you" display.
Century Principal Debbie Ellis with students, showing off the school's "We have our eyes on you" display.
top left   top right
  “Every time I don’t get homework, I read my Goosebumps book. I like to read because it’s fun to get interested in the book.”
- Ryan
Century Elementary second grader		  
bottom left   bottom right

Other challenges that Barry issued include:

  • Barry and the APS Board of Education developing a solid strategic plan for APS
  • 100 teachers earning their Linguistically Different Education certificate
  • Raising the percentage of proficient students in all CSAP categories by 3 percent
  • Parents being “teachers for a day”
  • Business leaders providing leadership training for APS staff
  • Elected officials being “leaders who are readers”
  • Aurora Education Association challenging teachers to make home visits
Community Members Step Up to the Plate
Community member Louise Glover (left) and retired APS bus driver Sandra Peeples pass out school supplies to a Lansing fifth grader.
Community member Louise Glover (left) and retired APS bus driver Sandra Peeples pass out school supplies to a Lansing fifth grader.
Retired bus driver Sandra Peeples and other members of the Lowry Community Church donated more than $500 in school supplies to Lansing Elementary students. “We want to help children in our neighborhood school,” said Peeples.
Student talks with board members.
Carabba's proprietor Bret BaumgartnerUnder the leadership of proprietor Bret Baumgartner, Carrabba’s Restaurant has also accepted the superintendent’s challenge to local businesses to contribute to APS schools by donating food items for school open houses and employee recognition activities.
top left   top right
  “Part of Carrabba’s mission is to support our community. For me, helping local schools is extra special. My mom was a teacher for more than 25 years and I know how hard she worked. Anything I can do to say thank you to teachers and school staff for the difference they make in students’ lives is especially gratifying.”
- Bret Baumgartner
Proprietor, Carrabba's Italian Grill 		 
bottom left   bottom right
Classified Staff Members Take on Challenge to Advocate for Students
The APS Classified Employees Council has also issued a challenge to all classified staff members throughout the district.
top left   top right
  "We accept the challenge to be constant advocates for children, for each other, and for the district by saying something positive to a child, a coworker or a community member. In addition, we are stepping up to the challenge of volunteering annually at a school, district, or community event."
- Cheryl Dalton
APS Classified Employee Council president 		 
bottom left   bottom right

For regular updates on Superintendent Barry, VISTA and the complete list of challenges, visit www.aps.k12.co.us/staff/barry_challenge.htm.
 
spacer
Aurora Public Schools Home