School News: MONDAY: GOV. RITTER TO LAUNCH COLLEGE DEGREE COMPLETION INITIATIVE

Students at Landmark academy at reunion celebrate first annual latin culture week

Landmark Academy at Reunion , a tuition-free public charter school, recently hosted their First Annual Latin Culture Week, a week focused on educating students on the various aspects of Latin culture, from music and art to sports and celebrities, through unique activities. During the week-long celebration, students were able to step into the lives of the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans with Latin culture lessons through piñata making, cultural crafts, songs, traditional foods and more. Students made maracas and learned a traditional Mexican Hat Dance; created Aztec suns working with metal tooling; and studied different countries in Mexico , Central America and South America . Aztec dancers from the Colorado Folk Arts Council also visited with students and educated them on the spiritual and traditional aspects of Aztec culture through dance. “We reside in a community with strong Latin and Hispanic roots,” said Matt Carlton, principal of Landmark Academy at Reunion . “Our community culture is important to us at Landmark. By providing unique ways for our students to learn the various backgrounds of our diverse community they are able to understand and appreciate different cultures.” For more information about Landmark Academy at Reunion , please visit www.landmarkacademy.org.

November 06, 2010

MONDAY: GOV. RITTER TO LAUNCH COLLEGE DEGREE COMPLETION INITIATIVE

Gov. Bill Ritter, a champion for making college affordable and accessible for all Coloradans, will launch a new month-long campaign to encourage Coloradans to enroll in college and complete their degrees. The Complete College Colorado initiative - created in partnership with businesses, government, foundation and higher education leaders - will build awareness of the programs and services available across the state to help individuals earn higher education degrees or certificates. The campaign will also highlight the role higher education plays in improving the economic success of individuals, communities and the state.

Gov. Ritter will be joined by the CEO of one of Colorado’s largest corporations and a mother of four who is completing a degree she started in 1994. She will receive her degree at the launch event.

U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that having a college degree nearly doubles a person’s annual earnings. A recent economic study showed that, for the Denver area alone, increasing four-year degree attainment by 1% has the potential to add $1.8 billion to the city’s economy. Statewide, that number is estimated to be several billions.

The launch event will take place on Monday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at Denver’s Auraria Campus Science Building, 2nd floor Atrium Bridge. Enter the Science Building through the north doors into the Atrium/Café area, and take the elevator to the 2nd floor. Parking is available in the St. Frances Center parking lot.