Pumpkin Runs are a perennial fall favorite for me — & I loved pinning on race numbers, pacing the back of the pack, & opening water bottles for these kindergarten runners at McElwain Elem today. Thanks Mrs, Gaudreault for this fun PE tradition! @adams12

43 teams participated in the JV Cross Country Championship at Adams County Fairgrounds on Wednesday and @adams12 athletes represented well! I ❤️d seeing Legacy HS coach Steve Urban. Steve was my teacher at Thornton High in 84-85 & has been a CC coach for decades in retirement!

Our Lights On After School showcase made me want to me a kid again …. I’m so happy that students in our Title I schools have robotics, soccer, cooking, & engaging math/literacy/science enrichment opportunities after school! #FiveStarProud

Thank you to all of the business leaders, faculty & students gathered this evening to talk about our success in career & technical education — & opportunities to grow in the future! #FiveStarProud

Smiles abounded at Mountain View Elem today as ⁦Representative Shannon Bird⁩ & state officials visited several preschool classrooms, including one that specializes in serving deaf/hearing impaired students. The bright & beautiful artwork throughout the bldg was an added bonus!

The ⁦Mountain Range HS⁩ assembly to celebrate its 5A state championship in gymnastics was a blast — & included vault demonstrations & a banner hoisting! #FiveStarProud

This is what state champion caliber vaulting looks like. WOW!! ⁦Mountain Range HS⁩ #FiveStarProud

Congrats to my colleagues — ⁦Five Star Schools⁩ Deputy Supt Priscilla Straughn & ⁦Mapleton Public Schools⁩ Supt Charlotte Ciancio — for their recognition by the Thornton Area Chamber of Commerce today! Charlotte and Priscilla have been difference makers in education for 75+ years!

So many inspirational stories at the ScoutingColorado breakfast today — including the power of mentors w/in a community in encouraging our young people to overcome life’s challenges.

We’re grateful to North Metro Fire Authority for allowing our students to use their training facility & fight a live basement fire. I learned so much about the science of firefighting, as well as the economics of operating a fire district & supporting the health of firefighters.

Thank you to our leaders of Westminster, Thornton, & Northglenn for attending tonight’s Adams County Mayors & Commissioners Youth Awards Ceremony! We appreciate your support for our young people & the public schools who serve them!

Through Blueprint, every school in the district will receive facility repairs or updates, and investments in staffing and programming. #FiveStarProud #ELEVATESuccess See how every school in the district benefits on our virtual map. Vist: adams12.org/funding-propos…

What better way to start the 24-25 school year than with the Five Star Staff Kick-Off! The energy was high as we gathered together to align our district goals, cheered for the bands & spirit squads, & heard from some amazing guest student speakers. #FiveStarProud #ElevateSuccess

I ❤️ the positive energy, optimism, & excitement from our students & staff on these first 2 days of school in Five Star Schools! I learned about a tasty new beverage — butterfly juice — & fielded several inquiries about whether Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc. is a relative! 😂

“It feels calm. It feels like usual.” That’s how a Skyview 3rd grader described the 1sr week of school — & I agree! Students are settled into routines & actively engaging in their learning. We’re off to a great start in ⁦Five Star Schools⁩! #FiveStarProud!

⁦Our Northglenn & Thornton girls flag football teams made Colorado athletic history this morning by playing the first game of the first season of CHSAA sanctioned flag football! ⁦Northglenn Athletics⁩ ⁦ThorntonHigh⁩ ⁦CHSAA⁩

Arapahoe Ridge Elem consistently produces strong student growth — & engaging specials classes, bright hallways w/ encouraging messages, & students biking & playing together all contribute to a positive school culture! #FiveStarProud

❤️’d my visit to Hunters Glen Elem today! Happy to see white milk closing the popularity gap w/ chocolate milk; kindergartners producing lots of text in these early days of the year; & 4th graders developing their “preamble” re norms & goals!

I ❤️’d watching a special needs student blowing kisses to her mom on the bus & mom sending “I love you” gestures back; most heartwarming moment in 15+ years of bus ride ridealongs. Thank you ⁦Five Star Schools⁩ drivers & paras for the safe transport & care you give our students!

Young people have aspired to be pro athletes -- & Hall of Famers-- for generations. I hope they add the profession of teaching -- & induction to the National Teacher Hall of Fame -- to their lists of aspirations. They can join Five Star Schools teacher Michelle Pearson there! Congrats!!