GMHS Family Update
October 2, 2020
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10/1/20 Principal Report & Announcements
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Dear GMHS Students and Families,
Welcome to October! We made it!
Slight Hybrid Schedule Change
- As have been building content for the virtual Ram Time sessions on Tuesday and Thursdays. In order to accommodate the various topics and opportunities for students we are increasing Ram Tiime from 40 to 60 minutes.
- Students will still utilize Ram Time to check in with teachers, and log in to their Grade Level Google Classroom for asynchronous resources. We will be adding small group discussion forums, guest speakers, and other content as we move through the semester.
- Please update the Bell Schedule you have been using for GMHS. It is available in the link above or on GMHSRams.org.
Attendance
- We are discovering multiple issues around attendance that include:
- Some students using the All School Remote Bell (used only the first three weeks of the school year) and not the Hybrid Bell Schedule. Students should be using the Hybrid Bell Schedule.
- Some students are having issues logging into classes on remote days, are completing the online attendance form but not logging in to synchronous sessions with classes, or are logging in for less than a few minutes to classes and then exiting before the teacher teaches the lesson.
- Please talk with your student about attending all classes in person and online following the bell schedule.
- We will continue to identify any other issues students and teachers are experiencing and adapt where needed.
Thank you for your continued support!
Go Rams!
Colleen Owens
Principal
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1st 6-week grades
- The end of the 1st 6-week grading period is Friday, October 2nd
- 1st 6-week grades will be posted to Campus and the Parent Portal the evening of Friday, October 9th.
- Grades count!! Make sure you are doing your best!!
Week of October 12-16 - Adjusted Schedule
- Monday, October 12 - Odd synchronous Hybrid Bell Schedule- all students remote
- Tuesday, October 13 - Even synchronous Hybrid Bell Schedule- all students remote
- Wednesday, October 14 - Future Day - No classes as teachers will be proctoring the following assessments.
- Seniors taking SAT in person - more information below
- Only for students that requested to take.
- A typical Student will be at GMHS from 7:45 AM until 12:00 PM.
- Juniors taking PSAT/NMSQT in person - more information below
- Only for students that requested to take.
- A typical student will be at GMHS from 7:45 AM until 11:30 AM.
- Sophomores and Freshmen - more information below
- Remote opportunity for all Freshmen and Sophomores.
- A typical student will be taking this test from 8 AM until 11:30 AM.
- Thursday, October 15 - District-wide Teacher Professional Development Day
- Friday, October 16 - District-wide Fall Break
- Friday, October 23 - Senior Photos Due
Tentative - November - Virtual Student/Parent/Guardian/ Teacher Conferences. More details coming soon.
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Happy October GMHS families! We have made it through the first weeks of school, navigating many challenges. I am happy to say we are doing really well! A big THANK YOU to all our families, students, and teachers for your cooperation with the new COVID-19 requirements keeping us safe at school. Most everyone is complying with the safety protocols and it shows! Please keep up the due diligence, so we do not compromise the health of others, which ultimately takes our students out of the classroom!
Parents, thank you for the communication with attendance about what your student is experiencing. The more we know, the easier it is to determine if follow up with you is necessary. Please give your students a pat on the back, we know these changes are not easy for everyone. We appreciate their respecting the protocols and respecting the health of those around them. We have some health compromised students and staff, so their masks and social distancing really helps protect others! Thank you for having me as part of the team, I can tell "RamNation" is a true community of caring people. If, you have any questions or concerns please reach out.
Nicole Collins RN, BSN
Jeffco Public District Registered Nurse
Cell #: (720)618-8490
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Counseling & Future Center
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Emotional and Mental Health
A Message to Parent/Guardians:
As the COVID-19 virus continues to rage in all our lives, our kids are also feeling the impact. Children feed off the stress in their families. If parents are stressed, they will inadvertently pass this stress onto their children. No one wants to do this, yet this is a situation that is unavoidable.
I am giving parents some homework.
- Give yourself a half an hour every day to take time for yourself to breathe, go on a walk, call a friend, watch stand-up comedy, eat your favorite food, or drink a cup of your favorite coffee.
- The goal of this homework is to help you de-stress. The more you can manage your own stress the more your children will benefit.
- It may be challenging to make time for this, but your children will reap the rewards.
- If your life is too hectic to spare a half an hour of self-care, no need to worry, an alternative way to meet this assignment is to call another family and meet for a potluck in a park one night for dinner.
- The wonderful weather for this is coming to a close so don't waste October. Having dinner in the park will lower your stress.
- Walking will lower your stress as long as you walk without your phone. Walking while still being connected to the global madness will not be relaxing.
- Your self care will roll directly to your student. It is strange how this happens, yet it always happens this way.
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Need some ideas? Go to the following link! 40 Ways to Relax in Less than 5 minutes.
A Message to Students:
Robbies Hope is a local agency working to cut teen suicide statistics by 50% by 2028. They have started support groups for kids to talk about ANYTHING. The closest one is in Golden. Robbie's Hope Teen Group. Check out their RESOURCES Page.
Julie Federico is our new Mental Health School Counselor working full time with GMHS students and families. Contact her through this link to schedule an appointment: Simply Book Appt. or via email at jfederic@jeffco.k12.co.us
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Colorado Free Application Day
October 13, 2020
Check out the information on how to apply, and what colleges are participating at this link:
Students can submit their applications to colleges in Colorado to receive application fee waivers only on October 13, 2020. Out of state colleges are not included in this Colorado Free Application Day. Get your materials ready now!
The applications must include all required essays, and other information completed by the students on that date. Student transcripts, teacher and community letters of recommendation, and all high school required documentation are not required to be submitted on October 13, 2020, but must be submitted by the published deadlines of each individual institution. Be sure to let Mrs. Griffin know when you've applied and to make sure you have requested transcripts and letters of recommendation on Naviance.
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College Fairs
There are numerous virtual college fairs coming up! These are open to all students, but particularly Juniors. Please keep your eye on GM social media for more info and/or the Counseling and Future Center pages on the GM website. Feel free to contact your student's counselor for more details as well.
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Virtual Future Center Appointments
Services provided through the Future Center include:
*Official Transcripts submitted to colleges or for scholarships
*Unofficial transcripts for student personal use
*Letters of recommendation request forms
Information/postings regarding: ACT or SAT testing;
- college financial aid; scholarship opportunities;
- college summer study opportunities;
- student leadership or volunteer opportunities;
- local employment opportunities
And More..."
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Highly Recommended Opportunity for Parent/Guardians!
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It’s never too late to register for the workshop series, Parenting with a Coaching Mindset! Each workshop session stands on its own, so you can pop in and out of the series, and still get a lot of value. Session 2 is next Tuesday, October 6, at 12pm, via Zoom. This workshop series is sponsored by Green Mountain High School, and it's free to parents in Jefferson County Schools. The same session 2 will also be held on Wednesday, October 14, from 7-8pm, via Zoom. If you can't make them, you can attend the FB Live session on Thursday, October 15, from 8 to 8:30am. You are free to attend all 3 of these sessions, if you like. To register for this workshop series, first, email me your first and last name. Then, send me a Friend Request via FB, and I will invite you to the group, Coaching Your Kids, where the FB Live sessions happen. The FB Live video of Session 1 is saved on this page, and I highly recommend that you watch it, and do the homework. This page contains other content that is supportive to parents. You are free to post your challenges with parenting, get support, coaching tips, etc.. It's a totally safe space!
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SAT (12th) and PSAT/NMSQT (11th)
On Wednesday, October 14th students in the 11th and 12th grade that signed up via the survey or email will be in person at GMHS taking the official SAT and PSAT/NMSQT tests. You and your student will receive a confirmation email today, October 2nd, if they are signed up to take one of these assessments. If you and/or your student does not receive a confirmation email then they are not signed up for the test and should not show up to school on October 14th. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Tommy Craig at 303-982-9528 or Tommy.Craig@jeffcoschools.us.
Please review the following letter for more information about these assessments and the required data entry fields for testing as well as the optional portions of the student questionnaire.
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Practice PSAT Opportunity for Freshmen and Sophomores
On Wednesday, October 14th students in the 11th and 12th grade will be in person at GMHS taking the official SAT and PSAT/NMSQT tests. On this day all students in the 9th and 10th grade will have the opportunity to take a practice PSAT remotely. There is no in person or remote learning on October 14th, so I hope that every student in the 9th and 10th grade take advantage of this practice PSAT to help them perform better when they take the official PSAT in the spring and eventually the SAT their junior year.
Please refer to the flyer and read the test instructions that will be emailed from College Drive the day before testing. If your student does not have access to a printer at home, they may pick up a hard copy of the PSAT Answer Sheet at the front security desk between October 5th and 8th. Otherwise click on the link for the PSAT Answer Sheet to print your own.
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- We know that there have been a lot of questions around Homecoming and why there hasn't been any info posted about it. The current restriction for all Jeffco High Schools is that there are not to be any homecoming in person events because of the large gatherings that they produce.
- We are allowed to do Virtual events:
- GMHS Virtual Homecoming Week is October 26-30
- Spirit Days - The Event Planning Committee (EPC) students are working on the details.
- Powder Puff - Jersey's have been ordered and will be here the week of Oct. 19th.
- EPC will have virtual competition details soon.
- More details coming next week. Thank you for your flexibility and support in trying to maintain as much of this tradition as we can this year.
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- The link to the video presentation will be sent to all seniors and their contacts in Jeffco Connect by 5pm on October 12th. There are too many people for us to have a "live" virtual meeting with virtual conferencing restrictions.
- Please watch the video to learn about how to order your cap & gown (they are changing this year), graduation announcements and/or senior gear if you wish.
- We will also go over the senior year expectations and graduation day logistics and expectations.
- Senior Pictures are due to gmhsramsyearbook@gmail.com by October 23.
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Senior Handprint Wall Update
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We will be doing the Senior Handprint Wall on Friday October 9, 2020 from 11am-1pm. This will be the only time seniors can get their handprint on the wall as part of the senior tradition.
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Student Support & Technology Update
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Tech for Ed Chromebooks (9th & 10th grade):
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ADP Warranty: here is the link for more information,
- Please note that 10th grade manufacture warranty expires within the week!
- Manufacturer warranties do not cover damage, like broken screens. So, we encourage you to purchase ADP.
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Cases: please remember that Chromebooks must be kept in the cases that were issued to you at all times. This helps protect the device from damages.
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No exchanges: if you have a device that is not working, it will be repaired; no exchanges.
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We will issue you a loaner device while the on issued to you is in repair.
- There may be costs associated, so we encourage you to purchase Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) warranty
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TECH TROUBLESHOOTING: If your student is having tech issues, please try a couple of common troubleshooting tricks before calling the district's family/student IT department (303) 982-3438.
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Logins:
- Use a Chrome browser and make sure you re logged-in with your School Google account (not a personal account)
- Use the log-in "Sign in with Google" button whenever it is presented
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For other district applications (like www.Jeffco.Schoology.com), use your school ID only (not full email) and school password
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Restart: Shutdown your computer; wait 10 seconds before restarting
- Please restart Chromebooks and computers at least two or more times a week,
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Update: make sure your Chrome browser is updated
- Update the Operating System on a Chromebook
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History: Clear your cache/history to "All time"
- Clear Browsing Data & Chrome Cache
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Extensions: Clear out your extensions
- There are a lot of extensions and games students add that mess with features on your device. So, we need you to clear out anything that isn't school-used.
- Clearing Cache, Extensions and Apps on a Chrome Device
After doing that, if you are still experiencing wonky issues, then call the district's family/student IT line at (303) 982-3438. If it is determined that you need to send it in for repair (district/school devices only, not personal), then we will issue you a loaner device at GMHS. Let me Ms. Vezzetti know how it goes!
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Thousands of eBooks now available!
GMHS is now connected with the eBooks and audiobooks from Jefferson County Public Libraries (JCPL). These titles are blended into our GMHS online library catalog, Destiny Discover. Please see the attached slide-videos to learn how to login, search, and use reading tools all online from your Chromebooks!
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Yes, you can still checkout hard-copy physical books
If students like reading hard-copy physical books, they can still check them out through placing "holds". We'll pull them off the shelves and have them available for students to pick up at the circulation desk.
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Welcome and thank you to all who attended our first virtual PTA meeting earlier this month. (Meeting Minutes)
A great big BIG THANK you to our PTA for sponsoring the teacher/staff back-to-school breakfast on September 17th!
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I encourage parents to stay up to date by checking your email on Friday for our Principal's report, checking our homepage https://greenmountainhs.jeffcopublicschools.org/ where you can watch the GMTV announcements or check out the Green Mountain High School Facebook (open to the public even if you are not on Facebook you can view). On the Facebook page you will find daily updates from the school, reminders, exciting news about clubs/activities/athletics, and fundraisers for different groups at GMHS. (It's always nice to go out to dinner and know a portion of your purchase is helping a GM group)! https://www.facebook.com/GreenMountainHighSchool/
- Please be on the lookout for emails from me that I will be sending regarding ongoing GMHS fundraisers as well as other ways we can support our amazing community.
Thank you all for your support of RAMNATION!
Lisa Lord
PTA President
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The GMHS PTA is accepting membership enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year!
PTA's role is vital now more than ever in connecting parents, teachers, and administrators, and supporting critical school needs. We want as many families to join PTA as possible, because we can do more together than apart!
Click here GMHS PTA to sign up for the 2020/2021 school year. Once you hit SUBMIT, you will be taken to a page with a "BUY NOW" button where you can pay your $20 membership dues.
Next Virtual Meeting: Monday, October 12 @ 6:20 p.m.
Reach out to Lisa Lord, PTA President to receive the meeting link. (jonlord@comcast.net).
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Updating Contact Information & Notifications
Below is information on some of the many ways we can communicate with students and families. It can be overwhelming and we are hoping this information is helpful in understanding the purpose of the various platforms. If you would like assistance in managing your families' notifications, please complete this form so we can contact you for assistance.
Jeffco Connect: Jeffco's primary platform for housing student and family contact information, communication preferences of how you would like us to communicate with you, and who to contact in an emergency. This platform is the engine that runs Infinite Campus information.
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Refer to this instructional document to check or change your contact information and select the modes that we communicate with you (text, phone, email).
Jeffco School Messenger: Jeffco's primary platform for sending automated messages to students and families. Used for student attendance notification and D&F auto dialer.
- GMHS uses School Messenger to send mass phone calls to families for attendance, D&F communication, and to remind families to check email for our newsletters or other updates.
- Jeffco School District uses School Messenger to send messages via phone or email directly from the District (i.e. snow closures or delayed start)..
- Some challenges we have found with Jeffco Connect and School Messenger for receiving our communications:
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If at any time in your history in Jeffco, you unsubscribed from any Jeffco email sent via School Messenger, your email address is blocked from receiving any messages sent on this platform. Families who wish to reinstate an email address to receive messages are asked to complete this Form so we can assist you in unblocking the messages.
- In Jeffco Connect under "Contacts," "Notification Preferences," if an email address or phone number does not have the appropriate boxes checked or the email listed is not correct, notifications will not be sent to the specific email address or phone number.
Constant Contact: GMHS primary communication platform to create and send newsletters to staff, students and community via email. We pull email addresses from Jeffco Connect and update our distribution list nightly. If you are receiving this newsletter, we have your contact email. GMHS uses Jeffco School Messenger to send phone or text messages to families such as reminders to check your email. We will use Constant Contact to send messages via email to students, staff and families.
Infinite Campus/Parent Portal: Jeffco's official attendance and gradebook platform. Grades entered into Infinite Campus go on a student's official transcript. Grades entered into a teacher Learning Management System (LMS) (Google Classroom/Schoology) are feedback grades and when they are official they are manually entered by teachers to Infinite Campus for official grades.
- Notifications from Infinite Campus can be set up by students and families.
- Infinite Campus may be accessed from a desktop or cell phone via the Infinite Campus App.
- Desktop Notifications
- There is a notification symbol (bell) in the top left corner of Infinite Campus. Clicking on this bell will show you when teachers enter or change grades including missing assignments.
- Infinite Campus App Notifications
- See link above on how to download the Parent or Student App
- Using the Apps allows for students or families to receive notifications to your cell phone when grades are updated in real time including missing assignments.
- Infinite Campus Assignment Flags Explanation
- Here is the document that explains what the different flags mean in Infinite Classroom's Grade Book (M=Missing, L=Late, etc). Please take a moment to look over it so you know what the flags mean on your student's grades.
LMS Weekly Summaries:
Google Classroom: A learning management system that houses online course content, provides a communication platform for class announcements or online assignments, and collects online assignments. There is some gradebook capability for assignments linked in the Google Classroom (these grades are feedback grades. Official grades are in Infinite Campus only).
- We sent an invite through the student's grade level Google Classroom (Class of 2021, Class of 2022, Class of 2023, Class of 2024) the week of August 17th.) If you cannot find your invite, please complete the form above for assistance.
- Once they send you a invite, you can accept and you will receive the summaries for each class about:
- Missing work—Work not turned in when the summary was sent.
- Upcoming work—Work that’s due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or that’s due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails).
- Class activities—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers.
- Parent's Guide to Google Classroom
- Google Classroom Summaries for Guardians
Schoology: A learning management system similar to Google Classroom.
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Grab n' Go Breakfast and Lunch is being served at GMHS.
Remote Learners
- Breakfast and lunch are available for remotes students as follows:
- Tuesdays 12:50-1:15 - Students will be provided two breakfast and lunch meals.
- Thursdays 12:50-1:15 - Students will be provided three breakfast and lunch meals.
- These meals are to be prepped at home and instructions are included.
Hybrid Learners
- Breakfast and lunch are provided while students are in person AND
- Group A: Tuesdays students may pick up three meals (breakfast and lunch) that are to be prepped at home.
- Group B: Thursdays students may pick up three meals (breakfast and lunch) that are to be prepped at home.
All school breakfast and lunches are FREE through December (or as long as the federal funding lasts).
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Supplemental Food, Clothes and hygiene products available to the Green Mountain Area Families is located at Foothills Elementary School Campus. For more information follow this link: Foothill Foodies
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ATHLETICS
GOOD LUCK TO OLIVER GIBBONS & JACK POLICARO!
Ollie & Jack will be participating in State Golf on Monday-Tuesday at the Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs!
CONGRATULATIONS TO GRAHM TUOHY-GAYDOS - 4A LEAGUE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPION!
Stadium Capacity/Football Game Attendance
During this time of COVID-19, we are restricted to a certain capacity at our venues. Our District Athletic Director has been working closely with Jefferson County Public Health on variances to expand the current allowance of 175 total people at a venue. The numbers discussed have not been officially approved yet from JCPH, but when they are, we will get that information out. That being said, we will be issuing coupons to enter stadiums to the players to distribute. The coupons will provide the ability to purchase a ticket. Anyone showing up without a coupon will not be able to attend.
Those of you unable to attend the varsity games in person will have the opportunity to watch it through the NFHS Network, which is a live stream. YOU CAN HOST A WATCH PARTY! You can purchase a monthly pass for $10.99 or a yearly pass for $69.99. Please visit the site for more information.
Lower Level Football Games
Lower level games are limited to one parent per player. Others will not be admitted. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to stream these games.
*Please understand that if we do not follow these guidelines, Jefferson County Public Health can shut us down at any moment, leaving our kids unable to play the game they love.
- ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY
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Athletic Eligibility will be run by pulling the “in progress” grades every Wednesday by noon for all in season athletes. Those reports are sent to coaches so they can communicate with their athletes if they are listed as ineligible. It will be the athlete’s responsibility to email their teachers if they believe there is an error with the grade listed. They should request that the teacher email both Ms. Sereno and Mrs. Koontz by 3 pm on Friday in order for them to regain their eligibility for the following week. When emailing, teachers will state the name of the class and what the correct grade is, and cc the student so they know the email was sent. Students are responsible for taking care of this by the deadline.
- Come out and support, but make sure you wear a mask!
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Find schedules, seasons, and other info here: https://greenmountainhs.rschoolteams.com/
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Communication with GMHS
- Main Office: 303-982-9500
Technology Questions:
- Wendee Vezzetti, Digital Teacher Librarian
- wwalter@jeffcoschools.us
Counselor Contact Information
- Laura Oliver - 9th grade for 20-21
- loliver@jeffcoschools.us
- Alicia Kuehn - 10th grade for 20-21
- akuehn@jeffcoschools.us
- Erin Slaughter - 11th grade for 20-21
- eslaught@jeffcoschools.us
- Kim Angcay - 12th grade for 20-21
- kaangcay@jeffcoschools.us
- Dr. Lisa Langerman - School Psychologist
- lschrade@jeffcoschools.us
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