Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Jan. 13 – Continued discussion of board Priority 2, Academic Excellence, report from Monument Academy

• Priority 2 from the district Strategic Plan: Academic Excellence
• Monument Academy report on Priority 2 progress
• Palmer Lake Elementary presentation
• Committee updates

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) continued its discussion of improving academic excellence at its Jan. 13 meeting. A presentation about Palmer Lake Elementary School and one from Monument Academy were included in the meeting.

Priority 2 from the district Strategic Plan: Academic Excellence

The committee has been focusing on this aspect of the district strategic plan for the past two meetings, first concentrating on the impact of participation in testing and now on improving scores in English Language Arts and mathematics.

Alicia Welch, executive director of Education Services, and Dr. Michael Brom, director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, shared a presentation regarding the district’s work in this area.

The district is adopting strategies from The New Classroom Instruction that Works and has implemented new training from 7 Steps to a Language-rich Interactive Classroom, which focuses on student engagement. Other sources were also mentioned.

To view the presentation, please go to the district website, lewispalmer.org, family resources, community, district committees, and see meeting content. The presentations from Palmer Lake Elementary and Monument Academy are also available there.

Goals are to attain 85th percentile achievement in English Language Arts with a 50th percentile record of growth, and to achieve the same level in mathematics. Please see the presentation for detailed information on programs in use to achieve these goals.

A committee member asked whether achieving these goals would contribute to the district being accredited with distinction. Brom said that several principals and teachers had shared their experiences and found that they were making a difference. They said they are moving to a facilitator of learning rather than a rote instruction model.

Director of Innovative Programs Amy Sienkowski reported that the newly opened Career and Innovation Center (CIC) will increase the number of pathways available to students to elevate the district’s scores in the area of post-secondary readiness. D38 is the first in the state to offer Electrical Engineering, and the homebuilding project offers the opportunity to learn all phases of homebuilding. They are working with Habitat for Humanity.

Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace are other pathways currently available

The goal of CIC is to offer the opportunity to earn industry certifications through training. Last year, students earned 360 certifications. This year, the district has filled 3,300 seats in courses between the two high schools and the middle school. 280 students are in a work-based study or internship. Phase 2 of the CIC will include Healthcare (Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medical Assistant), Pharmacy Technician, and Computer Science pathways. District representatives meet quarterly with industry partners who help ensure it is meeting industry standards and workforce needs in the community.

Monument Academy report on Priority 2 progress

Executive Director Collin Vinchattle of Monument Academy (MA) and Monument Academy East Campus Principal Angela Duca presented information on MA’s efforts to improve academic performance. To view the presentation, please see the district website.

MA has increased its focus on data analysis with a weekly meeting involving data review and instructional planning. Writing is emphasized across all subjects and includes daily grammar instruction. Lynx Time offers 30 minutes for students to work on something they may be struggling with or personalized studies.

Duca reported that at the secondary level, there is a Sixth Grade Executive Functioning Club, and students have opportunities for individual help with After School Study Tables.

Duca said that MA high school students are also offered leadership training through required classes at the freshman and sophomore levels and participate in internship programs as juniors. High school students create an Individual Career and Academic Plan to guide them toward their post-secondary goals.

Palmer Lake Elementary presentation

Palmer Lake Elementary Principal Kim Briding offered a presentation on her school, which was originally built in 1934 and has been added to three times since then.

The student population is 290 from kindergarten through sixth grade, with 23 students in pre-school. 25 students are identified as gifted and talented, 23 are multi-lingual, and 37.9% are on free and reduced lunch. The school receives title funding.

Briding said that 11 teachers at the school have over 20 years of experience, and five have taught for 11-19 years.

She also spoke of activities such as High Trails, where fifth-graders spend three days and two nights in New Florissant, and local activities such as riding in a fire truck and a glow kickball game with teachers.To view the presentation, please see the website.

Committee updates

A member of the Financial Transparency Committee (FTC) commented that the Board of Education should have asked for an assessment and feedback before approving a loan with Eastern Colorado Bank.

Board liaison Dr. Patti Shank said that only a line of credit is open, and more information will be provided.

FTC member Kristin Henry-Dallager reported on the December FTC meeting and said that the budget can be amended through Jan. 31. She said that the board pursued a line of credit with Eastern Colorado Bank to pursue capital projects such as the building for the Home School Enrichment Academy and a permanent location for the Transitions program.

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Teacher Advisory Committee meets six times a year. Locations vary. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Lewis-Palmer High School, 1300 Higby Road in Monument. For a tour of the school, arrive at 5:30. For further information, contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harrietrhalbig@ocn.me.

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Teacher Advisory Committee articles

• Lewis-Palmer D 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Nov. 18 – Accreditation discussion; post-election report (12/4/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 14 – Board goals feedback; work toward maintaining academic excellence (10/30/2025)
• Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 9 – Committee discusses plans for relationship with Board of Education in upcoming school year (10/2/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, May 13 – Budget priorities, 2025-26 committee goals discussed (6/7/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 8 – Discussion of Priority 2 academic excellence, superintendent search (5/3/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Feb. 11 – Selection of new superintendent, treatment of Grace Best Elementary School, budget process discussed (3/1/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Nov. 12 – Reports on school year calendar, safety and security, and social and emotional wellness (12/5/2024)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 8 – Grace Best Elementary School, Career-Innovation Center plans discussed (11/2/2024)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 10 – Committee discusses strategic plan, assessment results, bylaws change (10/5/2024)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 9 – Reports on human resources, fiscal stewardship, superintendent search, and possible new charter school (5/4/2024)