Volunteers have a heart for service

Gilpin honors the “backbone” of school operations by Patty Unruh Gilpin County School held a reception on Tuesday, May 24, to express appreciation to the many volunteers who helped the school function and who provided extra services for the students and staff over the past year. About 40 of these valuable helpers attended. “We’re here to celebrate volunteerism at Gilpin,” said Superintendent David MacKenzie, acknowledging that those who served did so simply for the desire to be of help, without thought of reward. MacKenzie, who has been superintendent for the past three years, said that one of the things that impressed him when he was considering coming to Gilpin was the school website’s information on the many parent volunteer groups. But he didn’t have the full picture until he actually came and saw everyone in action. Leaders from the various organizations summarized their group’s activities, introduced their members, and invited others to join. All volunteers are listed at the end of this article. Board of Education Board President Craig Holmes reported, “I’ve been fortunate to work with a great group of volunteers on the Board. They believe in putting the kids first.” He also praised the assembled group of helpers by noting, “You are the backbone of what makes the school tick.” The volunteers’ importance prompted Holmes to fill them in on upcoming plans. First, he recalled that seven years ago the school district began receiving revenues generated from a dedicated 1.5% Black Hawk sales tax, called the Educational Enhancement Tax. At the time, the district was in the bottom ten percent of Colorado schools in funding. Now, Holmes said, “we are in the top ten percent.” To highlight planned site improvements, he and MacKenzie showed several conceptual display boards prepared by architect Randy Look. Projects include doing some blasting at the football field area, adding a track around the field, paving all the parking lots, enlarging the elementary playground, adding another ingress-egress as part of the school’s safety plan, constructing a new stairway going from the atrium to the upper parking lot, building an addition to the old gym, and adding a shed roof to the side of the bus barn, among other work. The school board and administration hope to get the blasting done this summer and anticipate that the various projects will take 14 months to complete. Holmes made the welcome assertion, “We have the funds – we don’t need to go to the taxpayers.” He cited recent academic accomplishments, as well. In the past three years, since the Board hired MacKenzie as superintendent, high school students have scored above the state average on ACT tests, and nearly 90 percent of elementary students are at or above grade level. Holmes is also president of the Gilpin County Education Foundation (GCEF) and was pleased to announce a vocational opportunity for students through a GCEF project. The new Eagles Mart store is to open within the next couple of weeks in Black Hawk. The store is owned by GCEF, the City of Black Hawk has donated the space, and Gilpin school employees will supervise the students as they gain real-life experience and class credit by working at the store. Holmes predicts that the store will generate $50,000-$60,000 per year for scholarships and funds for classrooms. Booster Club Gigetta Nadeau, Gilpin Booster Club president, related that the club had worked at the school every night for the previous two weeks, preparing and serving banquets for various awards programs. She thanked members Jack and Lisa Kennedy for the hard work they did on the concessions. Brook Ramsey was thanked for coordinating a large group of parents to put on the after prom party. The many other services provided by the Boosters included middle school dances, homecoming, and scholarships for graduating seniors. “I never have to beg for help,” Nadeau declared. “These folks are all here at the drop of a hat.” District Accountability Committee The District Accountability Committee (DAC) was headed up by Dick Vickery. District accountability committees are mandated by the Colorado legislature and comprised of school administrators, teachers, parents, and community members. Gilpin’s DAC holds open meetings monthly during September through May and is responsible for overseeing the district’s accreditation plan and budget and making recommendations to the school board. The DAC also consults on such matters as teacher evaluation, the gifted and talented program, and nutrition and wellness. Art Program Curt Halsted heads the art department. He updated the audience on the many artistic endeavors at the school, including the Artsonia online gallery, the art timeline wall, and the after school Art Factory club. “Without our volunteers, these couldn’t happen,” he said. Halsted is also the co-director of the theater department, along with Hannah Raynes. He spoke of the goals to integrate theater more in the elementary school and to align theater curriculum to art and technology. Theater Department Director Hannah Raynes related, “Our goal is to make this a phenomenal department. Without the volunteers, it’s not possible. They spend so many hours doing marketing, t-shirt sales and ticket sales, making costumes, coordinating props. It’s like building a small city over three months.” 59 elementary students and 37 middle/high students were involved in this year’s production, which required lots of parental help. After Prom After prom is the Booster Club’s biggest project. “It’s so big that it’s almost a separate entity,” stated Nancy Larson, who presented the after prom thanks. “The purpose is to give the kids a safe, fun activity to go to after prom is over. This year was our single most successful after prom. There were no incidents, and everybody came.” She especially thanked School Resource Officer Lee Ramsey, who did all the clean-up when the party ended at 4:00 a.m. When the clean-up crew arrived, it was a welcome surprise to find that the work had already been done. Plants District secretary Michelle Welch gave a tribute to community member Billie Bishop, who cares for the flowers and plants that folks see when they come into the building. “Last year she was not able to drive, so she hitched rides or walked in order to do this, and she even comes in the summer,” said Welch. Montessori, PTA, and More MacKenzie acknowledged those who helped with Montessori fundraisers; with the PTA’s Trick or Treat Street book fairs, holiday shop, and meals during testing; as classroom volunteers; as chaperones for activities; with the outdoor education program; in the elementary library; with the computer club; and with athletics. He also mentioned Lee Ramsey for doing landscaping. He thanked secretaries Gretchen Sechler, who coordinated the evening’s reception, and Michelle Welch for all she does. “You are our best communicators,” he concluded. “Go out and communicate what a great school we have and what great support we have. We always need people. There are many more opportunities!” The Volunteers Board of Education: President Craig Holmes, Vice President Brook Ramsey, Secretary/Treasurer Charlotte Taylor, Members at Large Kersten Armstrong and Steve Boulter. Booster Club: Gigetta Nadeau, Jack and Lisa Kennedy, Brook Ramsey, Mary Lorenz, Sandy Oliver, Carrie Lindberg, Lisa Boulter, Nicki Johnson, Sonja Prewitt, Steph Wenholz, Laura Hobson, Kat Kroll, Ken Nadeau, and Chris Wilhelm. DAC: Dick Vickery, Mary Sonsino, Dee Adams, Julie Hansen, Mary Lorenz, Kris Icenogle, Alexis Donaldson, Sharon Lutes, Sam Wardell, Mary Jakupcak, Mary Beth Sherrod, and David MacKenzie (advisor). Art program: Julie Hanssen, Angela Webb, Erin Trumble, Tom Gagnon, Tammy Gagnon, and Caitlin Davidson. Theater department: Nicki Johnson, Kat Kroll, Sonja Prewitt, Kate Schlosser, Angela Webb and the Art Factory, Beth Worley, Kayce Harmsen, Terri Cronin, and Jennifer Gillette. After prom: Brook Ramsey, Lee Ramsey, Nancy Larson, Jim Larson, Lisa Boulter, Jenny Lepro, Kathy Davis, Petula Gohdes, Suzanne Diekman, Jenny Webb, Jeff Webb, Tiasha Webb, Margie Nordstrum, Andromeda Sales, Lisa Kennedy, Mary Lorenz, Nicki Johnson, Joni Schmidt, and Kellie Bayne. Montessori volunteers: Joan Wood, Mary Beth Sharrod, Erin Trumble, Ladonia Tanner, Paul Osteboe, Tiana Cope, Michael Cope, Gary Kragenbrink, Venette Kragenbrink, Jacquelyn O’Brien Archer O’Brien, Timothy Clark, Rebecca Clark, Patti Shank, Wally Shank, Bryan Wood, Kristine Sacco, Tom Gagnon, Tammy Gagnon, John and Julie Black, Kris Icenogle, Crystal Zeilbeck, and Sarah Swanson. Traditional classrooms: Carrie Lindberg, Linda Godwin, Terrye Lovett, Lisa Lopez, Mary Sonsino, Beckie DiMauro, Chris Perez, Tiana Cope, Joanne McKinon, Carey Rumor, Chris Vincent, Tony Russeau, Anne Walby, and Arlene Garcia. PTA: Mary Perkins, Angela Webb, Lindy Perkins, Tiana Cope, Jennifer Ferrante, Kristin Turner, Wendy Giuliano and Julie Hanssen. Other: Janet Vaughn (library), Carey Sonsino (computer lab), and Jenny Lepro (athletics).

Volunteers have a heart for service

Patrick Henry Sweeney

Related Posts

Keep the High Country Clean: Your Complete Guide to Waste Management with Timberline Disposal

When the Lights Go Out: Why Power Outages Are Becoming Part of Daily Life

Craig Station’s Final Chapter: Can Federal Intervention Save Moffat County’s Economic Lifeline?

Central City Has Never Been Afraid of Big Moments. Until Now.

Colorado’s Quiet Watch: How Real ID, License-Plate Cameras, and Ring Doorbells Are Building a Shadow Surveillance State—and What Citizens Can Still Do to Opt Out

About Us

Quick Links

News Categories

Weekly Newsletter

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

Volunteers have a heart for service

Support authors and subscribe to content

Subscribe

Related Posts

About Us

Quick Links

News Categories

Weekly Newsletter

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password