Good News Bulletin

What had been the Unified Basketball Game in previous years became Games -- plural -- on Friday night at Elizabeth Middle School with the addition of elementary and high school students.

Lead organizer Mike Hamner and dozens of Special Services staff members plus colleagues from every school helped make the night a truly special extravaganza for the young athletes on the court.

The first game featured students from Running Creek and Singing Hills Elementary Schools, and the second game feature EMS and Elizabeth High School students. They were cheered on by the EHS poms/spirit team, and provided with enthusiastic musical support by EMS and EHS band members. Dozens of student mentors helped the team members on and off the court, making the games a truly student-supported event at all levels.

The players were introduced individually by arena announcer and EMS teacher Curtis Kaumeyer, and they entered the court through a tunnel created by the poms team.

EMS player Gizzy Cordova sang the National Anthem with the help of EMS teachers David Goldscheid, Curtis and Melanie Kaumeyer, and Robin Neelley.

Sponsors of the event included Vicki Wimberly, Chase Hammer, The Wranglers, Colorado Kids First, ARC and Denver Athletic.

The coaches for the green-and-white elementary game were PE teachers TJ Schmitt and Madison Wages, and for the second game, EMS PE teachers Rachel Rucker and Aaron Stone coached the red and white teams. EMS teachers Josie Brush and Lincoln Jones refereed both contests.

At halftime of each game, fans got to step down from the stands and try their luck at three-point and half-court shot contests that served as fundraisers for the Unified Program. Sixth grader Parker Kerchner won a $50 gift card for draining a half-court shot (and his friend Shamus O'Brian helped by putting up the entry fee).

Below is the initial sampling of the 3,000 plus photos taken by district staff(!), so look for more in next week's Good News Bulletin.

Elizabeth High School students volunteered for several days at the National Western Stock Show in January to earn internship credits while exploring career possibilities and building their people skills in anticipation of life after high school. Nine of them, along with student journalist Sam Johnson, stopped by the ESD boardroom to talk about their experiences and share what they learned.

The Elizabeth Middle School theatre troupe is preparing its spring production, "The Wizard of Oz and Toto Too!" for shows at 6 p.m., March 8, and 4 p.m., March 9 at the EMS auditorium.

Tickets are $6.50 and can be purchased at our.show/ozandtoto.

Here's the synopsis of the stage show:

It’s bedtime for Toto’s puppies, but not before they get a story. And of course, Toto has his own spin on what happened when that twister took them far away from their Kansas farm. Join Toto and the pups as he tells of his heroic adventures with Dorothy in the wonderful land of Oz. Along the way, they meet Chew Toy, a talkative Scarecrow, Shiny Guy, an overly dramatic Tin Woodman, and Big Cat, a cowardly Lion. Aided by the hockey-loving Glinda the Good Witch of the North, they must find a way to defeat the one-eyed Wicked Witch of the West and her minions, the flying monkeys.

Elizabeth High School hosted Eighth Grade Parent Night on Wednesday with a welcome by the counseling team followed by an open-house session featuring the wide variety of sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities available to students. Each table in the gym was staffed by coaches, sponsors and student participants so next year's freshman class could ask questions and sign up to indicate their interest in participating.

Junior Samantha Mowbray and freshman Brooke Burris, accompanied by Gifted Education Coordinator Jenn Bruns and District Mentor and Instructional Coach Laurie Burkhardt, represented Elizabeth at the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented Legislative Day 2024 at the Capitol on Thursday.

The event marked the 25th year of providing a unique opportunity for students and adults to experience firsthand how state government works.

Samantha and Brooke, along with students from across the state, engaged in three major components of the day:

• Shadowing a legislator.
  
• Q&A with various legislators from both sides of the aisle.
  
• Hearing from keynote speaker Mark Hillman, a past state legislator and state treasurer under Gov. Bill Owens.

This program is designed for 9th through 12th graders who are passionate about our state's legislative processes, current state or national issues, and who are ready to have an individualized experience with other students and adults.

Thanks to Jenn Bruns for the info and photos.

Becoming a successful volleyball player for Elizabeth High School starts with a commitment to do everything possible to be a well-rounded, healthy student athlete. Head Coach Tracy Wait makes sure the members of his team see the big picture as much as they sweat the small stuff. And it works: Last season, the Cardinals finished second in their league with a 19-6 mark overall and 8-2 in the league.

In the latest edition of “Demanding Excellence” you’ll hear Coach Wait explain his approach to guiding success on the court while teaching lessons that will keep his players mentally and physically strong long after their last side-out.

This is the third in our audio series, hosted by Elizabeth School District Public Information Officer Jason Hackett, featuring conversations with EHS coaches in various sports to find out how they Demand Excellence.

To subscribe to the podcast visit this page or just search "Elizabeth School District" in your favorite podcast app and hit the Follow button. You'll get the interview series as well as all school board meeting audio.

The Elizabeth High School baseball team will host a spring camp from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday March 9 and the EHS ballfield. Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m., and the EHS gym will serve as the backup location in case of inclement weather.

The camp is open to any child in Pre-K through eighth grade.

The EHS baseball coaching staff and players will teach offensive and defensive skills and lead drills, including pitching and catching skills and drills. Ballplayers who plan on doing catching work should bring gear or a glove.

The cost for the camp is $50, which includes a t-shirt. Pre-registration runs until March 7. Walk-ups will be accepted on the day of camp will be accepted, but a t-shirt of the correct size cannot be promised. To register, download, complete and return this form. Payment can be made by check or Venmo.

Campers should bring a sack lunch or snack as there will be a break during camp.

Contact Coach Ryan Robinson via email rrobinson@esdk12.org with any questions.

Feb. 26 – Board of Education meeting, 6 p.m.

Feb. 28 – EMS Band Concert, 6 p.m.

Feb. 29-March 2 – EHS Winter Musical "Mean Girls," 7 p.m. nightly; 2 p.m. on March 2

March – National Women's History Month

March 4-8 – National Classified School Employees Week AND National School Social Workers Week

March 5 – EMS Orchestra Concert, 6 p.m.

March 5 – EHS Choir Concert, 7 p.m.

March 6 – EMS Choir Concert, 6 p.m.

March 7 – EHS Band and Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m.

March 8 – EMS Spring Play "The Wizard of Oz and Toto Too!" 6 p.m.

March 9 – Elizabeth School District Job Fair, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., EHS

March 9 – EHS Baseball Camp, 10 a.m.

March 9 – EMS Spring Play "The Wizard of Oz and Toto Too!" 4 p.m.

March 9 – FBLA "Boot, Scoot and Boogie" Dance, 6 p.m, Frontier Center

March 11 – Board of Education meeting, 6 p.m.

March 11-13 – Parent-Teacher Conferences (check school for schedule)

March 14-22 – NO SCHOOL, Spring Break

EMS sports calendar

EHS sports calendar