Written by: Jeff London, D'Evelyn Steering Committee Member
A friend recently asked me, “Why did you decide to send your daughter to D’Evelyn?” I told him that for me, D’Evelyn embodies the goal of raising ALL students up to a higher standard. While some schools focus on accelerated or IB students, D’Evelyn’s curriculum challenges all students to exceed educational expectations. Public education at D’Evelyn lives up to the promise of delivering a traditional liberal arts curriculum with enthusiasm and fidelity. My friend also asked, “Why on earth did you agree to serve on the D’Evelyn Steering Committee?” After I finished laughing, I had to think for a moment, because there were multiple reasons for my decision. As a parent, I wanted to learn more about my daughter’s school. As a member of the community, I wanted to express my gratitude by volunteering to help. As a Coloradan, I wanted to serve an amazing educational machine that benefits countless families and children. As an introvert, I wanted an excuse to meet the people (teachers, staff, administrators, and students) who have made D’Evelyn Colorado’s number-one publicly funded high school. As an academic, I wanted to learn how this unique educational machine functions so that I could contribute to its continued pursuit of excellence. Before deciding whether to pursue a position on the Steering Committee, I figured I should first know the committee’s essential purpose. My research quickly informed me that the principal function of the Steering Committee is to interpret D’Evelyn’s Founding Document and to uphold the academic “gold standard” articulated within the pages of that document. The school administration is then tasked with carrying out the policies and procedures that the Steering Committee sanctions and approves. Too often, even successful institutions succumb to mission drift and goal displacement. The Founding Document provides both a vision and a road map to equip D’Evelyn’s leaders to stay on course over time. Many people assert that D’Evelyn’s long-term success is largely due to students, teachers, staff, administrators, and parents all adhering to the commitment to academic rigor and high moral standards that are articulated in the Founding Document. If the past is the best indicator of the future, let us embrace the past and let us continue our tried-and-true course of educational excellence. There are no shortcuts to success. Having said as much, let us enjoy the journey as we work shoulder to shoulder to achieve our goals. D’Evelyn has taught me that the journey is about what we become, not just where we go. And what we become, is simply what we learn along the way. If you are interested in running for D’Evelyn’s Steering Committee, please attend the November 10th SC candidate training event at 6:45 PM. Virtual Steering Committee Meetings How to join/listen in and where to find the agenda? Due to COVID 19, the Steering Committee meetings will be virtual until further notice. Please visit the Steering Committee calendar for a list of all meetings and to find all meeting agendas and log in information. The link to connect will be available on the meeting agendas, available at least one day prior to the meeting. PLEASE NOTE: if you do not have a Jeffco email account, you will only be able to join by phone. The calendar is also where you will find all minutes once they have been approved (usually at the subsequent meeting). Written by: Melinda Bochner, Steering Committee Dear D’Evelyn parents, Welcome to the new and unusual 2020-2021 school year! We hope our letter finds you healthy and happy, despite current restrictions on social activities. We thank you for continuing your involvement and support of D’Evelyn through this trying time. Please know that Mr. Griffin, the school administration, and the fine teaching staff are working tirelessly to stay abreast of the changes surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic and to implement the plan for a successful new school year. Today, we are asking for grace and understanding. This school year will be different; nevertheless, the administration and faculty remain committed to the principles and legacy of D’Evelyn. Your students’ teachers will continue to provide a deep, rich, and rigorous education in the liberal arts. While D’Evelyn’s time-tested methods of whole-group, teacher-led, textbook-based instruction will require temporary modification in order to comply with state law and district regulations, please know that D’Evelyn remains thoroughly dedicated to the principles outlined in the Founding Document, and we will return to practicing those principles as soon as possible. Most importantly, D’Evelyn is firmly committed to ensuring the health and safety of students and their families. One D’Evelyn principle that remains unaltered is the importance and dependence upon parental involvement. Please consider volunteering your time to serve on the school’s Accountability Committee or Steering Committee. (We will send you detailed information about the application process in the early fall.) The Steering Committee serves as the governing body of the school, and all meetings are open to the public. We welcome your attendance and your public commentary. Feel free to reach out to us regarding D’Evelyn Steering Committee matters. We wish the best to you and your students this new school year. We are confident that together we will continue to provide our students with an exceptional education. With warm regards, The members of the D’Evelyn Steering Committee: Melinda Bochner 319.338.4414 Parent [email protected] Gina Coco 916.214.3866 Parent [email protected] Josh Griffin 303.982.2600 Principal [email protected] Jodi Haller 303.982.2618 Teacher [email protected] Lynne Hobbs 303.982.2634 Teacher [email protected] .us Greg Holland 303.519.4891 Parent [email protected] Jeff London 720-822-6883 Parent [email protected] Dana Miller 303.918.3920 Parent [email protected] |
The Steering Committee is the governing board of the school and establishes policies designed to maintain and enhance its liberal arts philosophy. The Steering Committee appoints Directors to the Board of the D'Evelyn Education Foundation. Archives
March 2023
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