What's Up at Washington Square
September 1, 2023
Introducing Mrs. Mason & the Vet Program
The 23-24 school year has brought a new program and new teacher to our building
Sarah Mason is the new veterinary assistant teacher here at Washington Square! Prior to this, she had been working a variety of positions within the veterinary field for the past 8 years. Her most recent job was as a veterinary technician at Berthoud Animal Hospital, where they see dogs, cats, exotics, and even the occasional goat. She has also spent some time working in wildlife rehabilitation, volunteering for a non-profit spay and neuter clinic, and shadowing an equine veterinarian.
Mrs. Mason is a proud CSU alumni. She graduated in May of 2021 with a bachelor's degree in zoology, and just finished up a master's in toxicology in December 2022.
Mrs. Mason got into teaching to provide students with the opportunity to take a class she wished she could have had as a student in the Adams 12 District. She plans to give students an introduction into the veterinary field to provide opportunities to explore potential career options before heading to college. That way, students will know if they really want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
When she is not in the classroom, Mrs. Mason enjoys reading, crafting, baking, hiking, and skiing. Her husband is an avid fisherman, so she also spends plenty of time on the boat or relaxing on her paddle board. She also loves spending time with her chocolate lab, Benji, as well as with family and friends.
A New Face in Diesel
Ms. Gutierrez is another welcome addition to our highly-trained staff
Ellen Gutierrez grew up in Broomfield, Colorado and is a product of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Ms. Gutierrez graduated from Legacy High school in 2014. While there, she studied Automotive Technology levels 1 and 2 at FutureForward at Bollman, so CTE is close to her heart.
While at Bollman, Ms. Gutierrez found her passion in vehicle repair. Upon graduation, she went to WyoTech, where she studied applied service management and diesel technology. She graduated with honors, as well as a 4.0 grade-point average, perfect attendance, and was named the outstanding student for the entire diesel program. Ms. Gutierrez then went to work as a heavy equipment mechanic for a paving company.
Ms. Gutierrez spent the past 8 years in the diesel industry. In this time, she acquired a vast portfolio of knowledge and experience, and grew into a well-rounded technician who understands the needs of the industry as well as the challenges technicians face. She is excited to help students grow their workplace skills and confidence, and help them discover the love for diesel repair that she shares.
September 4
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 5
NO SCHOOL - Staff Workday
September 11
Red Rocks - Stair climb EMT / FIRE / LAW
September 14
Building Healthy Communities - "Screenagers Under the Influence" - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. @ the ESC
October 5
Parent-Teacher Conferences - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Great start to our student internships
As we embark on a new school year, our goal is to prepare students for the workforce. We expect our students to be well-educated in their program, and give them the tools they need for success in the future. Two of our welding students are making that transition this year by going through the welding internship program at H & H Metals Welding.
The president of the company had this to say about our Washington Square interns: “[These] kids grab onto this technology so fast … They are both doing well, super-reliable, and eager to learn."
As we look toward to the future, we hope to build our trades programs and internships. This is a great start, and we are so proud of all of our students who now work in the industry!
Program Look Ahead
What's Happening in September in each program
Building Healthy Communities
Have you had a chance to attend a Building Healthy Communities event? This year’s first event is on September 14th from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Educational Support Center (1500 E. 128th Ave). Join us for a showing of "Screenagers Under the Influence", a documentary that examines how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use. This film explores strategies to encourage healthy decision-making and support teen mental health. Learn more about our teens’ current reality of being flooded by images on social media, movies, and TV shows about vaping, drugs, and alcohol. The main focus of the evening will be identifying practical solutions for keeping our teens safe in a changing world.
You can learn more about the event and register here.