What's Up at Washington Square

What’s the best way for our staff to kick off the school year? By meeting over 500 of our amazing students and their families at the Washington Square Orientation! This event was an incredible opportunity for our teachers to connect with students, answer questions, and share in the excitement of a new year of Career and Technical Education (CTE). We’re thrilled to start the year strong and can’t wait to see what our students accomplish!

At Washington Square, our goal is to provide every student with authentic learning experiences —classrooms full of hands-on lessons and real-world applications that prepare students for meaningful and lasting careers. Whether your class this year is solving crimes, constructing new materials, learning to save lives, or anything in between, we’re excited to see you grow in confidence, skills, and success. So put on that hard hat, wrap those ankles, or grab those black light pens—let’s get to learning!

Logann Grasteit is excited to join the FutureForward team as the new Work-Based Learning Coordinator. Logann is passionate about connecting individuals to opportunities. She started her career in education and has worked in both public education and higher education helping students achieve their goals. Most recently, Logann worked in Workforce Development with partners and employers to provide program oversight, gather industry insight, and advocate for the local workforce system. In her spare time, Logann enjoys time outdoors spent with friends and family.

As the Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Logann will be supporting both FutureForward campuses and will be at Washington Square on Tuesdays, Thursday, and Friday afternoons. Are you interested in hosting an intern? Contact Logann today at Logann.H.Grasteit@adams12.org for more information

Born and raised in Rhode Island, Tara made her way to Colorado in 2003 — but her journey didn’t stop there. What later began as a two-month trip to South America turned into an incredible seven-year adventure across five continents, 25 countries, and nine languages — even earning her official residency in Ecuador. Tara returned to Colorado in 2018, and she and her dog, Kushia, now call Thornton home.

Tara has worked in law enforcement since 1996, serving both in the field and as a School Resource Officer (SRO). She also runs a trauma recovery and resilience business and collaborates with the Colorado Legislature.

Tara’s favorite thing to do is something she’s never done before, and her favorite place to go is somewhere she’s never been. That spirit of exploration and curiosity is exactly what excites her about teaching at FutureForward at Washington Square — a brand new journey she’s eager to begin.

September 29 - NO SCHOOL - Staff Work Day

October 2 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (4-7 p.m.)

October 8 - Career and College Day (*See below for more information*)

October 10 - End of 1st Quarter

October 13-17 - NO SCHOOL - Fall Break

November 3 - NO SCHOOL- Staff Work Day

November 24-28 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

Washington Square proudly continues its tradition of honoring the events of September 11, 2001, and recognizing the courage and sacrifice of all first responders.

This year, students in our Public Services programs — including EMT, Firefighting, and Law Enforcement — participated in a powerful ceremony commemorating the lives lost on 9/11. As part of the tribute, each student was issued a T-shirt and a badge bearing the name and photo of a fallen FDNY firefighter, creating a personal connection to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We are proud of our students for showing such respect and dedication as they prepare to serve and protect their own communities.

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, October 8, FutureForward at Washington Square will host our annual Career and College Day for all Washington Square students. This exciting event will bring together over 80 companies and colleges, offering students the opportunity to explore post-high school pathways such as internships, apprenticeships, military service, college, and career opportunities.

Schedule Impacts:

• Most students will attend during their regularly scheduled Washington Square class time.

• Exceptions:

• Students in the following programs will not have their regular class sessions, and instead must attend during the 6/7 block (12:45 PM – 2:21 PM).

• Welding and Diesel 9/10 Block Classes

• 8th & 9th Hour Construction Classes

• Transportation Reminder:
• Due to limited parking, students are strongly encouraged to ride the bus to and from their home high school.
• Please refer to Wednesday’s bus schedule for specific pick-up and drop-off times.

What's happening in each program

Our district’s career and technical education (CTE) programs are some of the best in the state. But we aren’t able to hire enough teachers to keep up with student demand.

This November, voters will have the opportunity to pass a mill levy override (MLO) that would secure the funding necessary to increase access to CTE programming. Learn more.

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If you or your family are facing challenges this school year, Adams 12 is here to help. We offer a variety of resources, including health services, academic support, mental health services, and access to community programs.

For more information on available resources or how we can assist, please visit our district resource web page. We're here to support you!

Families who qualify for free or reduced benefits must reapply every year. Submitting this application may also waive some of your student’s required fees. Submit your application online at Adams 12 Five Star Schools.

Don’t miss out and apply now for Free and Reduced Benefits for the 2025-26 school year. Apply today on the SchoolCafe Family Hub.