A New School Year – A New Journey
In only a few weeks we will embark on a new school year, and what a journey it has been over the past year. While it seems like we were in a holding pattern, great things are now happening at GVA Aurora. Our outstanding leadership team led by Sandra Bea, Elementary School Principal & Executive Director of Immersion and Chris Denmark, Executive Principal & Middle School Principal, proves to bring a much needed and refreshing change to GVA. Last week the Board of Directors held their annual elections, and we are excited to announce the 2019-20 Board of Director members:
- Cindy Nesseth, Treasurer and GVA Founding Parent
- Melinda Heiner, Vice President and GVA Parent
- Carol Rieger, President and GVA Parent
We are strong in our commitment to our school, students, parents, teachers and staff—our School Community—and the mission of GVA:
Global Village Academy students will become fluent and literate in English and a second world language, excel academically in core content subjects, and develop 21st century skills, including cross-cultural understanding.
Keep in mind that it is our vision to expand the Board from five to seven members by amending our bylaws over the next few months as we settle into the new school year.
Applications Being Accepted for Board Positions
As a Board, we are responsible for recruiting competent and committed members to ensure that the Board has the necessary skills and capacity to assure the academic and operational success of GVA. As a cornerstone of this success, it is imperative that the Board operates with integrity and reflects the diversity within our school.
Currently, we are looking to fill two positions on the Board, with the immediate need for a new member having a finance, accounting, and/or bookkeeping background who will work with Cindy Nesseth and eventually transition into the role of Treasurer during the school year.
We strongly encourage our parents and members of the community to apply. Qualified candidates for membership should be personable, well-organized, ethical, and have the best interests in mind for the GVA School Community. Please click here for information on the application process. Completed application materials should be submitted to Chris Denmark at [email protected]
Changes Coming This School Year
There is much to share, but here are some of the positive changes being made as we begin the journey together over the next year:
- Reinvigoration of our foreign language immersion model to provide for 80%-20% split for immersion language and English in Kindergarten and a 70%-30% model for 1st graders. Whole days will be devoted to each language allowing students to be immersed in language and culture. Students in 2nd through 5th grades will continue in the 50%-50% immersion model.
- Development of a custom curriculum for our students in 3rd through 8th grades in English and immersion languages that will provide a vertical alignment across all subjects and taught to the Colorado Department of Education standards. This approach is unique to GVA-Aurora and we are excited.
- Solid support of teachers and staff, those returning and those new to GVA. In a cooperative effort between school administration and the Board, we are happy to be operating under a new pay scale assuring staff will be paid in a manner commensurate with their education and experience.
Upcoming Meetings with the Board
Monthly Board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month starting at 5:45 p.m. Meeting locations will alternate between the East and West campuses, with our next meeting to be held on Tuesday, August 20 at the West campus.
Keep an eye out for information on a future Town Hall meeting in September. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to me at auroraboardpresident@GVAschools.org if you have any questions or feedback.
Plan to see Board members at the school on a regular basis, visiting with students, staff, and parents, and please feel free to say “hello” knowing that the Board is here to serve all of you-our School Community.
Cheers!
Carol Rieger