Spark!
Mapleton's Air Force JROTC Cadets present "What's Right in Mapleton"
More than 70 students from all Mapleton high schools participate in Mapleton's Air Force JROTC program each year. The program combines aerospace education, leadership training, and physical fitness with a deep commitment to service and personal growth.
Sebastian walked the Board through the planning behind their Patriot Day Observance, which involves coordinating with the Thornton Mayor’s office and local first responders, drafting scripts, and holding daily practices to ensure a flawless presentation. He also highlighted the Raider Squadron's activities so far this year. During bootcamp week, cadets worked with local recruiters to train for the PT test. On a visit to WyoTech, a premier automotive and fabrication school, 11 cadets got hands-on training in metal fabrication, welding, metal design, and engraving. To date, cadets have supported 34 events, launched a fundraiser, completed 456 combined hours of community service, and taken part in 28 leadership development events.
Over the years, the program has made a lasting difference in the lives of many Mapleton students.
"It's helped me get a clear goal of what I want in life," said Sebastian about his involvement as part of the Raider Squadron. Sebastian wants to be a pilot.
"It's helped me with motivation, taught me what dedication looks like, and being in a supportive community has helped me set the goal of wanting to become a fireman," said Ezekiel.
Angel has participated in the program since his freshman year, and said the program helped him get his grade point average up. "From here on and after I graduate, I have set plans and things I want to do, actual goals, things I can accomplish now because of this program."
The program is directed by SMSgt Danny Alltop and Lt. Col. William Arrington.
Mapleton featured in case study from UVA Partnership for Leaders in Education
Project LIFT (Leveraging Instruction for Transformation), launched in 2020, is Mapleton's collaboration with UVA-PLE. This work has strengthened Mapleton’s practices in four key areas across our district: leadership, support and accountability, talent management, and instructional infrastructure.
For our students and staff, that means:
- Meaningful instructional resources and strong support structures.
- Simple, effective improvement strategies tailored to each student’s needs.
- A culture of high expectations for everyone.
- A balanced assessment system that helps teachers use data to guide instruction.
This year, we’re celebrating the results of this work. For the first time, Mapleton Public Schools earned a preliminary rating of Accredited (green) on the Colorado Department of Education's District Performance Framework.
Our work with the UVA Partnership for Leaders in Education has helped connect our practices to our purpose, and our talented teachers make it come to life in our classrooms.
Check out the report!
Bringing farm to school, one crunch at a time!
Students at Meadow Community School joined the Mountain Plains Crunch Off to celebrate National Farm to School Month.
Students crunched fresh green bell peppers grown by Hoffman Farms near Greeley, Colorado, connecting them with local food and the farmers who bring it to their tables.
The Mountain Plains Crunch Off encourages communities across the region to celebrate local produce and support local farmers. Our participation also ties into Colorado Proud School Meal Day, celebrated throughout October, which highlights Colorado-grown foods in school meals.
Mapleton’s Nutrition Services team features Colorado-grown and produced items on school lunch menus as often as they can. This is made possible by grants from the Local School Foods Purchasing Program, which provides eligible programs with funding to buy Colorado-grown, raised, processed, and value-added products. Its goal is to encourage schools to source locally while fostering nutrition education, strengthening Farm to School activities across the state, and supporting Colorado producers, ranchers, and farmers.
Mapleton seniors participate in Colorado Free Application Days
For Mapleton seniors, planning for life after high school looks different for everyone. Some students are preparing to attend a four-year university, others are considering community college, and some are exploring vocational programs, apprenticeships, and careers in the trades. During Colorado Free Application Days, Oct. 20-22, teachers helped seniors explore their options and take steps toward their individual goals.
Through the district's Office of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness, schools received additional funding to support seniors during this important time. The goal is to give all students the guidance, resources, and time they need to pursue the opportunities that best fit their plans after graduation.
At Mapleton Early Career Prep (MEC), seniors worked on college applications with support from Postsecondary Options Counselor Xiomara Ortiz and their senior advisory teachers, who circulated throughout the room to answer questions and offer guidance. Students arrived prepared with college lists they had developed two weeks earlier, along with resumes and personal statements they had completed with their English teachers.
Students who finished their applications were also invited to return and get a head start on the FAFSA or CASFA, which help students explore financial aid options. MEC also held a second day of support for students interested in vocational and trade school applications.
At Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts (MESA), seniors filled the Student Project Center to work on applications with Postsecondary Options Counselor Michelle Barrott-Jackson and several teachers. A prize wheel, photo area, and submission buzzer added a celebratory touch to the process. Students could also celebrate their progress at the photo booth, posing with signs such as “Application Sent” and “I'm College and Career Ready.”
At York International School, students took a multi-day approach to the application process. With support from Postsecondary Options Counselor Jennifer Luscombe and volunteers, seniors checked in on their capstone assignments, refined personal statements, and worked on applications to make sure they were ready to submit. The preparation gave students time to ask questions, strengthen their materials, and work through the application process before submission day.
Participating in Colorado Free Application Days helped students move forward with a plan that reflects their interests and goals. Whether that means applying to a university, exploring a vocational program, or pursuing an apprenticeship, students received support as they considered the opportunities available to them after high school.
Mapleton Reads
Mapleton's community reading program is back with three new titles!
Mapleton Reads brings students, parents, and neighbors across Mapleton together to read and talk about the same books. Copies of each book will soon be available at all schools, Mapleton's Administration Building, and the Enrollment Center on the Skyview Campus. Stop by and pick up your copy today!
The Magical Yet, by Angela DiTerlizza (K-4)
The Magical Yet is a heartwarming picture book about perseverance, reminding readers that just because they can’t do something yet doesn’t mean they never will. This book will also be available in Spanish.
The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander (5-8)
The Crossover is an inspirational and accessible poetry novel about family, sports, friendship, and growing up.
The Martian (Classroom Edition), by Andy Weir (9-12)
The Martian is the story of an astronaut stranded alone on Mars who must use his ingenuity, determination, and scientific knowledge to survive while NASA works to bring him home.
Read along with us!
