School News: 27J superintendent named CHARTER SCHOOL authorizer of the year

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.

February 18, 2011

27J superintendent named CHARTER SCHOOL authorizer of the year

Dr. Rodney Blunck to be Honored at Colorado Charter Schools Conference, February 18

School District 27J Superintendent, Dr. Rodney Blunck has been named the 2011 Charter School Authorizer of the Year by the Colorado League of Charter Schools. Dr. Blunck will be honored during the 17th Annual Colorado Charter Schools Conference on Friday, February 18 at the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield.

The Charter School Authorizer Leadership Award recognizes an active or retired school district employee or administrator with a strong commitment to charter school success who demonstrate a commitment to high levels of student achievement and advocacy on behalf of charter schools.

Those who nominated Dr. Blunck echoed his focus on putting students first. An excerpt from Blunck’s nomination follows:

Dr. Blunck is recognized for his role as an authorizer working with four charter schools and his understanding and support of charter schools in the Brighton 27J portfolio of schools. One can sense Dr. Blunck’s understanding of charter schools by a question he posed in a school finance class he was teaching - “How many of you are feeling the budget cuts at your schools, and what does that look like?” Then he promptly added, “And don’t forget our charter school friends who are paying their mortgage out of the same Per Pupil Operating Revenue.” Dr. Blunck is recognized for his widespread support in the district and his focus on improving the educational experience for all kids—through traditional and charter schools.

Other award winners being honored by the Colorado League of Charter Schools include: Charter School Leadership Award – Randy Zimmerman, CIVA Charter High School ( Colorado Springs ), and Charter School Teacher of the Year Award - Danielle D'Ascenzo - Teacher, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy ( Denver ).

The Colorado League of Charter Schools is a non-profit, membership organization that represents the 170 charter school campuses in the state. The League is committed to helping these schools reach high levels of student performance and overall success by providing information and resources, including technical support, advocacy, public relations assistance and more. Currently, nearly 72,000 students attend charter schools in Colorado , representing 8.8% of the state’s total K-12 public school enrollment.