Dear community and industry partners,

As we close out the 2023-24 school year, I reflect back on another year with incredible industry and community support, thanks to you all!

This year especially, with the planning for a CCIC 2.0 in the works, we’ve leaned heavily on our industry partners to guide us in the planning process for specific ways to expand our courses and pathways here at the CCIC. The expansion, planned for August of 2026 and reliant on the passage of a bond measure this November, will double the square footage of the CCIC. Since we are already at full enrollment as of this coming fall, the need for our expansion is key to meet growing student interest, community growth, and industry employment needs.

In conjunction with our partners at DLR Group Architects, we are excited to have a strong plan for expansion in several new areas:

• Aerospace Engineering, specifically Mechatronics
• Advanced Electronics, including Avionics
• Baking and Pastries
• EMT
• Film
• Motion Design
• HVAC
• Veterinary Technician Assistant
• Welding

Finally, and equally exciting, we are planning to add a CCIC Event Center in the new build with the following features:

• Seating at rounds for as many as 450-500 with a stage
• Pre-function/registration space
• Two break-out rooms for as many as 30-40
• Catering kitchen

While we will not host private events, we very much look forward to hosting school district, industry, chamber of commerce, and corporate events.

None of this would be possible without the investment, guidance, and planning help from all of you, our industry and community partners. In fact, if you are interested in being a part of the Industry Advisory Councils for these new pathways, please do not hesitate to reach out to us and let us know.

We cannot thank you enough for your continued support of the CCIC, the school district, and our students!

All the best for a fantastic summer.

Steve Day, Principal

The Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) is excited to highlight its groundbreaking partnership with HealthONE and Centennial Hospital along with the inaugural launch of the HealthONE Centennial Hospital Job Shadow. This innovative partnership and job shadow allowed for over 50 students from the Health and Wellness Pathway at CCIC to delve into the real-world intricacies of healthcare through a series of comprehensive observations at the hospital.

Thanks to the persistent efforts of Derick Holmes, Director of Nursing, and Kayla Hughes, Clinical Educator at Centennial Hospital, this collaboration overcame significant barriers, including the challenge of facilitating under-18 year old students in the hospital environment. Holmes' dedication ensured that these aspiring medical professionals could gain invaluable insights into various healthcare departments, including the Emergency Room, Post Surgery, Radiology, and Physical Therapy.

The job shadow at Centennial Hospital spanned two days, giving students a unique, practical learning experience that transformed their theoretical knowledge into real-world application. Makenzie McCain, CCIC's Physical and Occupational Therapy Instructor, noted that this was the first hospital experience for many students, sparking their interest in the medical field through firsthand stories and interactions.

Kayla Hughes emphasized the importance of early career exposure, explaining that the job shadow allows students interested in healthcare to explore various career paths within a hospital environment. It also enables students to interact with medical professionals who can offer guidance for their future careers. Hughes further highlighted that this partnership benefits both students and the industry: students gain valuable career experience while the industry builds connections with potential future employees, creating opportunities for future employment

The Cherry Creek Innovation Campus and its Health and Wellness pathway are immensely grateful for Derick Holmes, Kayla Hughes, and the partnership with HealthONE and Centennial Hospital. We look forward to expanding this collaboration, continuing to provide students with opportunities to explore and grow in their chosen career paths within the healthcare industry.

The Cherry Creek School District extends its heartfelt gratitude to Terry Taggart, Charlie Dittrick, Eric Sanchez, and the entire team over at Tag Team Machining for their generous donation of the Sawyer Collaborative Robot, a transformative tool in the realm of Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics education.

The Sawyer Collaborative Robot stands as a pinnacle of modern engineering. Designed to execute machine tending and other precise tasks, it adapts to real-world variability with the agility needed to change applications swiftly. This is not a robot that merely mimics human actions; it enhances them, offering a new dimension of learning and capability for our Cherry Creek students.

Through this donation, the students of the Cherry Creek School District will engage directly with an industry-grade robot. This exposure is invaluable as they elevate their manufacturing skills, learning to incorporate robotic automation in ways that mirror professional environments. As they master these skills, our students are set apart, entering the job market with a distinct advantage and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between human creativity, robotic efficiency, and the manufacturing process.

As we integrate the Sawyer Collaborative Robot into our curriculum, we look forward to witnessing the growth and achievements of our students. Their success will be a testament to the power of partnership between education and industry, and to the lasting impact of this generous donation.

Thank you, Tag Team Machining, for investing in the future of our students and community!

The Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) is thrilled to announce the generous donation of two Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) from Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to its Aviation Maintenance Pathway. These APUs, previously utilized in the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft, mark a significant enhancement in the educational resources available to students aspiring to a career in aviation maintenance. With two APUs on-site, CCIC students who are enrolled in the Aviation Maintenance Power Plant Pathway, will now be able to obtain hands-on training which is a key component in obtaining their FAA Powerplant Certificate.

The McDonnell Douglas DC-9, renowned for its role in shaping the aviation industry with its single-aisle, five-abreast configuration, has retired its APUs, but their legacy continues through educational empowerment at CCIC. The incorporation of these high-quality APUs into the curriculum is a game-changer, especially for the Powerplant Training segment, filling a vital gap that previously existed in the Aviation Maintenance training program at the CCIC.

This impactful donation was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Tim Kenna, Production Aviation Training Manager, and Matthew Blankenship, Operations Manager at SNC, who worked diligently to support this initiative. According to Kenna, “we did this in an effort to help shape the CCIC curricula such that their graduates possess skillsets and certifications currently needed and projected to be needed by SNC and other aviation related employers. This is a huge win-win-win for the individual student, CCIC, and SNC. Imagine graduating High School with FAA Certifications, and then almost immediately being employed in an aviation maintenance related trade. This is a fantastic opportunity for the students and will positively impact them, and our nation.”

Dave Williamson, the head Aviation Maintenance Instructor at CCIC, highlighted the transformative impact of this donation. "We're super excited about receiving two aircraft APUs as a donation! This is going to take our powerplant curriculum to a whole new level. These assets will give our students real hands-on experience and enrich their learning. It's not just about education, it's about preparing the future aviation pros!”

The APUs will enable students to engage in hands-on learning with real-world aviation components, enhancing their understanding and skills in a way that textbooks alone cannot provide. This addition to the Aviation Maintenance Pathway is expected to attract more students to the field, preparing them for successful careers in the ever-evolving aviation industry.

The Cherry Creek Innovation Campus along with the whole Cherry Creek School District community express our deep gratitude to the Sierra Nevada Corporation for their continued support and partnership in advancing aviation education. This donation not only enriches the learning experience but also solidifies the pathway for future aviation professionals.

Ashlin and Lawson testified for Rep. Eliza Hamrick for bill SB24-104 to expand Youth Apprenticeship staffing at the state level.

Watch Rep Hamrick message below

Email: rseely@cherrycreekschools.org
Website: https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/ccic
Location: 8000 South Chambers Road, Centennial, CO, USA
Phone: 720-554-2600