Good News Bulletin
December 6, 2024
ESD FACILITIES DIRECTOR MARK OESER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 27 YEARS AT ESD
In 1998, Mark Oeser was hired as a Maintenance Specialist at Elizabeth School District. His plan was to put his skills to work and eventually retire from the school district. After 27 years of hard work and dedicated service, Oeser has achieved that goal and is ready for retirement. December will mark the last month for Oeser as ESD Facilities Director. The following is a Q&A session with Oeser about his time working for Elizabeth School District.
Q. What was your favorite part of working here?
A. The daily challenge. Each day was different and challenging. I liked coming into work not knowing what you are doing that day because of the various jobs we were asked to do.
Q. Was your plan to spend as much time as you did here?
A. I figured I would retire here and 27 years is a good run. I would stay a bit longer, but I feel good and healthy and there’s other things I want to do. So, it’s a good time for me to go into sub-retirement. I will come back in February part-time.
Q. What are some of the most notable projects you’ve been part of?
A. Most of it revolves around HVAC jobs. With an older system comes challenges like boilers needing work. I remember, at the high school, the heating system failed one year and water got onto the gym floor. We had to cut the gym floor out because of the floor heaving. Another time, the Brickyard also flooded because of a heating issue. That was a big deal. We also had issues with the water wells. Some of the biggest challenges in time were water related. Some of those projects include the well at Singing Hills Elementary and the water tower not going as planned in regards to the scheduling of it and irrigation.
Q. What were some of the bright spots of working for Elizabeth School District?
A. All of the experiences were rewarding. I loved working with the guys back in the old days. We were a young crew 15 years ago and I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish, and we did it in the beginning with little money and experience. I loved working with my team and the comradery that we had.
Q. What were some of the biggest snowstorms of your career that you had to deal with?
A. We had a lot of big ones. They all kind of blend together. If it wasn’t the amount of snow that fell down, it was the wind and the huge drifts that it would leave behind. There was one snowstorm where I reset the odometer on my truck and put 80 miles on it without leaving the high school parking lot. There was lots of plowing going on!
Q. What were some of the skills you learned along the way?
A. Pretty much anything I accomplished came from working here and especially from learning the HVAC systems. Before joining the school distirct, I was a carpenter and poured concrete, but everything else I had to learn on site. Back in the day, there were no contractors to call. My team was the last line of defense so we had to figure things out and get the jobs done. We had to, because there was no other choice. It’s not like we could call a plumber or HVAC guy or anyone else. It was just us. I can also say that nobody got hurt along the way which is a great thing.
Q. What will you be doing in retirement?
A. I have many hobbies and all are not cheap. Coming back to the school district to work part-time will help. I like to reload bullets, I tie flies, make lures, ride the ATV, I go hunting, fishing, ride dirt bikes and do pretty much anything outside. My new hobby is fly rod building. I don’t have any specific travel plans. My thought was to get some camping in, add that camper to my truck and head West or South. I will be doing a lot of fishing trips. I will also be getting back into some fine wood working and cabinet making. I like small engine repair. I like fixing things. I have a nice shop for it now at home and I’m looking forward to doing all of that.
ESD SCHOOL BOARD MEETS WITH STAFF AT RUNNING CREEK ELEMENTARY
The ESD Board of Directors has started what will be a series of in person meetings with staff at the individual schools. The first of these meetings happened this past week at Running Creek Elementary. Board members Mary Powell, Heather Booth and Mike Calahan met with the staff and answered questions during the session.
The purpose of the meetings is to build relationships between school staff and the board and to also improve the line of communications. The conversation included discussions about curriculum, board policies and more.
The in person sessions are being organized by the Teacher Advisory Committee (TAC), which is led by Adam Payton.
The next meeting will be held at Singing Hills Elementary on Thursday, December 12th. Following meetings will be scheduled at Elizabeth High School and Elizabeth Middle School. The plan is to hold the sessions each semester.
WHY I LOVE GOING TO ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL
The Elizabeth School District Communications Department is starting a new content series called, "Why I love Elizabeth High School". The series will feature Elizabeth High School students talking about their experience at EHS and what makes it special.
EHS student and Communications Intern Olivia Wagner will be doing photo shoots and interviews with students who are featured in the series.
Our first feature is with EHS Junior Rayven Sanders who loves Forensics at EHS because of the labs and projects. See her full quote above. A special thank you to Olivia Wagner for putting this together!
DEADLINE SET FOR PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON FRONTIER CENTER
Last month, Elizabeth School District held the 'Future Uses of Frontier Center' event at the site of the old Frontier High School and the public had a chance to view four different schemes designed by our partner, Colorado University at Denver Technical Assistance Program (UTAP).
We would love to hear your feedback on the schemes and you have until Friday, December 13th to fill out the feedback survey. You can do that by either scanning the QR code above, or by clicking the link below. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions!
ESD LAUNCHES PILOT PROGRAM FOR DYSLEXIA AT RUNNING CREEK ELEMENTARY
Elizabeth School District is excited to announce a pilot program for dyslexia at Running Creek Elementary. The idea for this originated from a parent who spoke up about dyslexia services at a recent Superintendent Forum.
Elizabeth School District will be partnering with Angela Williams, Founder of 'Away with Words', a local provider of academic language therapy for students Pre-K to adult.
The partnership will allow for ESD to provide intensive "Take Flight" therapy to 10 students (two groups of five) twice a week. The therapy is intended to teach students that have dyslexic type of tendencies. The school district did not diagnose any students with dyslexia, but rather took beginning of the year data and used that data to identify students to participate in the program.
Elizabeth School District Chief Academic Officer Kim Moore says the therapy will take place two days a week for the remainder of the school year and the hope is to extend the program into more grade levels and possibly the middle school by next year.
The therapist will be at the school and will be pulling the two small groups on Thursdays and Fridays.
"We are thrilled to be able to offer this phenomenal program to some of our students within Elizabeth School District," Moore says. "We believe that the 'Take Flight' program is one of the best methods in education to support students with dyslexic type of tendencies. We also look forward to possibly expanding this program and supporting more students in the coming year."
To learn more about 'Take Flight' therapy, see the video below. You can also visit the website below to learn more about 'Away with Words'.
READY FOR THE SHOW! ELIZABETH MIDDLE SCHOOL PREPARES ANNIE JR. PERFORMANCES
Get ready for a great show at Elizabeth Middle School.
You have two opportunities to see the production of Annie Jr. The first showing is Friday, December 6th at 6 p.m. The second showing is Saturday, December 7th at 4 p.m.
Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie Jr. features everyone's favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930's New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
We look forward to seeing you there!
AMERICAN FURNITURE WAREHOUSE RALLY ANNOUNCED TO BENEFIT EEF
It's rally time!
Mark your calendars for Friday, December 6th-Sunday, December 15th for American Furniture Warehouse. This is a fundraising rally that will benefit Elizabeth Education Foundation, so you can better your home while benefiting the schools at the same time!
See the details below for how to participate. Additionally, by taking part in the rally, you will be entered into a drawing for a $500 gift card to AFW.
We appreciate your support for EEF and Elizabeth School District!
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW AND ELIZABETH EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Time to get your tickets for the 119th National Western Stock Show going on January 11th - 26th, 2025.
Attached is the flyer for the Elizabeth School District Stock Show Fundraising Program. It contains an active link where anyone can go in, enter the promo code, and purchase tickets at discount rates during the Stock Show.
These purchases also support the Elizabeth Education Foundation as they will receive $2 per every ticket sold through this link.
Check out the stock show while supporting Elizabeth School District at the same time!
WEBSITE LAUNCHES FOR PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
https://scj.mysocialpinpoint.com/GreaterElizabethPROST
From the website:
"The Town of Elizabeth, Elizabeth Parks and Recreation District, and the Elizabeth School District have initiated this planning effort to look ahead and consider the future of the region. This process will set the groundwork for the long-term health, connectivity, and effectiveness of the area and its communities."
They are asking for your feedback too, so be sure to join the conversation!
Upcoming Events
Dec 6 - EMS Fall Performance 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Dec 7 - EMS Fall Performance 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Dec 9 - EHS/EMS Choir Concert 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Dec 10 - EHS/EMS Holiday Band Concert 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Dec 11 - EMS Orchestra Concert @ EMS 6:00 p.m.
-RCE Hat and Popcorn Day - all day
-RCE Spelling Bee 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Dec 12 - Late start - teacher collaboration
- Legacy Academy Holiday Program @ Legacy (starts at 6 p.m.)
Dec 16 - ESD Board Meeting - Business Session 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Dec 17 - EMS Athletics: 7th Grade Girls Basketball @ EMS (Challenger)
- 8th Grade Girls Basketball Game HOME vs. Challenger - EMS Athletics 5:00-6:30 p.m.
- EHS Boys Wrestling Dual Varsity 6:00-8:00 p.m.
**Reminder to all parents: Be sure to check the websites of your individual schools for more information about upcoming events.
Elizabeth High School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/EHS
Elizabeth Middle School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/EMS
Singing Hills Elementary School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/SHE
Running Creek Elementary School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/RCE
Elizabeth Education Foundation corner
The Elizabeth Education Foundation partners with Elizabeth School District in numerous ways throughout the year to support students and teachers. This volunteer-led, independent fundraising foundation provides scholarships for graduating seniors, classroom grants for teachers, and the STARS Awards for outstanding citizenship among students.
Learn more about the EEF at its website.