Within the pages of the Register-Call, November 3rd issue was an article by “renowned educator” Resa Steindel Brown titled Do Schools Really Teach Our Children To Think? As an educator myself in an adult field [aviation] and as a former credentialed teacher in another states’ public school system, I would like to comment on some of her points.

  Right off the bat in answer to the question posed by her title, the answer is “No.  Schools do not teach children to think.” Teachers are hampered and ‘schools’ are hindered from this endeavor by just what is mentioned in the article: “…focus(ing) on concrete facts and (memorization) skills that involve more recall than thinking…because we can objectively quantify…and grade them.” Responsible and personal education in public schools has been removed from classrooms under the tutelage of an educator and camouflaged as ‘universal education,’ learning has been standardized by tests which can only be graded by the use of an answer key. Anyone out there recall, in school, the dreaded essay question? It was exactly these questions that enabled us to develop thought patterns and how to put them down on paper. These no-longer-used questions taught us to think.

  The ‘knowledge’ presented in standardized tests is “…easy to test because the answers do not involve opinion…analyzing, synthesizing, and prioritizing information is subjective and much more difficult, if not impossible, to test…or grade.” The reason for this is that teachers then have to utilize their own opinion, their own evaluation and their own judgment as to how well the student presented their own opinions, facts or data. By only teaching to standardized knowledge – and testing – they are only given experience in multiple-guess tests but expected to conceive, author and defend a Master’s or Doctoral thesis. Our children are not, in public schooling, being given or taught the skills for critical thinking. They are being taught at the lowest possible level of learning.

  There are four levels of learning: Rote, Understanding, Application, and Correlation. Rote is pure memorization, monkey see – monkey do. Understanding is evidenced when a subject can be explained in different terms or from different angles than that originally presented. Application occurs when understanding a subject matter, topic or idea can be utilized in a given direction, while Correlation demands the individual can come up with a satisfactory plan of action to a challenge they’ve never seen, experienced or faced before. Correlation is, to use the phrase de rigeur, “Thinking Outside the Box.” [See the exercise at the end of this article]

  Children indeed must learn to “…process information from multiple sources.” And as Ms. Brown further states, “As parents, grandparents, tutors and friends, we can partner with them.” What this means is we who are involved in a loved one’s growth must actively participate in their schooling. We cannot merely look up and ask “What did you learn in school today?” and expect an intelligent answer, or any answer at all beyond “Nuthin’”   The brain records everything the person experiences; sights, sounds, smells, emotions, and more. Most of the time things happen at such a pace that immediate recall is unavailable; the individual has experienced ‘informational overload.’ But after the fact events, words, information, thoughts and feelings can be replayed at a much slower speed, recalled and analyzed at a more deliberate pace where singular items within the experience can be addressed and thought about or discussed in detail. That’s when the real learning takes place.  After the experience is over, the emotions cooled and a more cerebral analysis can occur. This tactic will reinforce and more fully develop the lower two levels of learning; Rote and Understanding.

  Now, how do we as educators, parents, grandparents, et al assist our young Master or Miss to enhance the upper two levels of learning? Application is an activity, a participatory endeavor and not a spectator sport. The learner must use and practice the knowledge gained from their experience at the first two levels of learning. That means exercise and drill; that means doing one’s homework and doing all the problems at sections’ end, not just what the teacher assigned. What it means is the parent, grandparent, and others must actively concern themselves with what the learner is doing and participate along with them. [I came through public schools both in the US and in a number of foreign countries. No matter where we were, after dinner one of my parents would do their bookwork or paperwork at the kitchen table while I did my homework there as well. If I had questions, they were right there to help. We both did our work, but it was also “quality time” – another modern conceptual phrase du jour that few know how to implement].

  Whereas Application requires active participation by all concerned, the last question arising from this diatribe is: How does one develop Correlative skills? How does one teach – and learn – how to ‘think outside the box’?  The simple answer is: Scenarios. Present to the learner a scenario, a possible situation, ethical dilemma, an unclear behavioral challenge and help them reason it out. Why do many young people get in trouble with the law? First of all, it hasn’t been explained to them. Second of all, the ramifications of violating the law haven’t been detailed. Thirdly, the penalties of such transgressions haven’t been laid out. So many people go out into the world with a woefully unclear idea of what is legally expected from a citizen. And they are bewildered by the heavy hand of the law when a transgression occurs.

  One can begin using scenarios with grade-school age children: What would you do if you found a wallet with money in it? [Now you can discuss ethics and morals] What would you do if you found a handgun lying along the side of the road? [Discuss safety issues and danger possibilities]

  Work your way up as they grow older: What would you do if you knew a friend was cheating on a test? [Again, discuss ethics, morals, duties and responsibilities of friendship – and whether it really exists, group or ‘herd mentality’, etc.] What are your options if you saw a younger neighbor being bullied by some older kids?  [Risk vs. Reward, personal honor, citizenship, etc.]

  Now they’re driving: Can you explain some of the dangers of responding to a text while you’re driving? You’re driving some friends to the football game and one pulls out some beer: What are you going to do? Are you willing to risk being the ‘bad guy’ and ‘party-pooper’ while you’re responsible for everyone’s safety?

  Correlative skills are not developed by using “Who, what, when or where?” questions; those reinforce Rote and Understanding. For Application and Correlation levels of learning one can use words that begin a discussion: Why?  Describe…  Explain… Present your thoughts on… Anything that begins an oral essay can be used. Try that.

  This can go on and on, but I’m sure the point is clear. Involve yourself with everything they do. Allow them freedoms and privileges as they earn it, but – recalling Ronald Reagan’s view of the Soviets – “Trust, but verify.” Learning is an activity, not a passive endeavor. Be active with the children; schools and teachers [May God bless them!] can only do so much, and they so often must do a herculean task with at least one hand figuratively tied behind their backs. But the parents, grandparents, tutors and friends can be that other, free hand to show the learner what really lies ahead. There is a wonderful universe of learning no matter which direction one goes or which discipline calls. Of course the learner must supply the effort to proceed down the course(s) of study, but our job, as instructors, teachers-outside-the-classroom and facilitators is to lead them on with an encouraging wave and a “Hey…come on…look what’s down this-a-way!”

About the Writer

  Drew Chitiea lives in Black Hawk, Colorado and is a charter member of SAFE, the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators. He is a flight instructor for single- and multi-engine airplanes, teaching the skills required for mountain flying, aerobatics, air combat and currently is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) for all airplane certificates and ratings. He has been awarded the designation of “Aviation Master Instructor” seven consecutive times.

Black Hawk Mayor David Spellman, City Manager Jack Lewis and City Attorney Corey Hoffmann paid a visit to the Board of Education at Gilpin County RE-1 Schools at the regular School Board meeting of December 5, 2011. The three Black Hawk officials said they wanted school officials to be aware of a potential threat to the revenue stream the school currently receives from Black Hawk. In January 2009, Black Hawk began disbursing the proceeds from their “Educational Enhancement Tax, a 1.5% dedicated sales tax, directly to the school. To date, the school district has received $1,624,258. In the ordinance establishing the tax, Black Hawk officials stipulated that the funding must be used to directly benefit the students in the classrooms of Gilpin RE-1, and is not to be used for administration. The school has used the money appropriately; the threat to the school’s revenue stream is from the two other Colorado gaming towns, Central City and Cripple Creek.

In November, 2011, officials of Central City contacted officials of Cripple Creek inquiring if that municipality would be interested in changing the way the state distributes historic preservation funds. (Black Hawk officials were not contacted.)  Historic preservation funds are derived from gaming tax revenues and distributed annually. Colorado keeps 50% of the revenues for the state’s general fund. The state distributes 12% of the revenues to the gaming counties, Gilpin and Teller. 10% of the revenues is distributed to the three gaming towns. The Colorado Historical Society receives 28% of the revenues, the “historic preservation funding.” The state historical society retains 80% of that 28% portion and the remaining 20% must be disbursed to the gaming towns for local historic preservation projects. Per Colorado’s constitution and as with gaming tax revenues, each gaming city’s portion of historic preservation funding is to be allocated in proportion to the percentage of gaming revenue generated in the respective cities. Black Hawk casinos have historically generated the bulk of the gaming tax revenue each year (76% in fiscal year 2010-11). Central City casinos generated approximately 11% of gaming tax revenue for the same period and Cripple Creek, about 13%.  Consequently, Black Hawk is the municipality receiving the bulk of the historic reservation funding.  For the 2010-11 fiscal year, Black Hawk’s share of the historic preservation funding was $3,557,150. Should Black Hawk lose that funding, “It would be a heavy financial hit,” Spellman said.

Central City Mayor Ron Engels has said his city would like to receive a greater amount of “some portions” of that (historic preservation) funding.  Engels said that gaming is different after 20 years, referencing the Amendment 50 changes made to allow 24 hour gaming, expanded games and higher limits. The way in which historic preservation funding is allocated is another aspect that should change, he said; the core value of using the funding for historic preservation remains, but “A change in distribution would allow the historic preservation money to flow more easily to where the need is greatest.”  Changing from the current “revenue-proportionate” formula of distribution would require a constitutional amendment.  Engels stressed that at this stage everything is “very premature”- there are only ideas and conversations. Word of those conversations has reached state legislators.

Senator Jeanne Nicholson said she was aware of a proposal to distribute the historic preservation funds for the municipalities in a different way than is currently done, but that she had not talked to any of the municipal representatives directly. Representative Claire Levy said Central City officials had contacted her this fall to talk about the feasibility of changing the formula and that amending the constitution requires a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate, so the effort would need bi-partisan support to succeed. If that happens, the distribution question could be put to voters, statewide, on the November 2012 ballot. Levy said she is willing to sponsor the resolution for the legislature, if there’s a way to allocate the funds so they can be used where the need is greatest. “I believe any change would have to retain the funds in the three gaming communities, and continue to designate those funds for historic restoration and preservation,” she stated via email.  At least three alternative “formulas” have been suggested to date: a competitive grant program; population-based award formula; and a formula based on the inventory of each city’s buildings. Alan Lanning, Central City Manager, explained Central City’s reason for seeking more funding: “There is a lot of work left in Central City and Cripple Creek and funds awarded could be based on need.” He said he was asked to come up with a formula, adding that the competitive grant alternative would be his choice.

It was in May, 2009 that Black Hawk and Gilpin School officials met for a historical ceremony-the presentation of the first check, payable to the school district, for $54,916 representing the revenue generated by the Education Enhancement tax for the first two months of that year. The amount now averages more than $400,000 annually.  Representative Claire Levy was also at the ceremony, commending the community leaders for coming together. Prophetically, Mayor Spellman warned Levy that if the state attempted to change the gaming fund allocation “You’ll have ample opportunity to stand up for this educational enhancement effort.”  At Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, Spellman emphasized that “everyone knew the rules going in,” that written right into the ballot question which approved the education enhancement tax was the condition that the tax would terminate if “A constitutional amendment or other mechanism applicable to the city is adopted that amends the constitutional allocation of gaming funds to the city received pursuant to Article XVIII Section 9 (5) (B), and results in a decrease in the funds allocated to the city as a result of limited gaming.” He told the Board members that it would not be a matter of coming to the Black Hawk Council and asking for the funding to be continued, that the revenue stream was approved by voters based on Black Hawk being financially healthy and that termination would be automatic, per the voters of his city. If Central City and Cripple Creek attempt to change the allocation, “It’s not going to be enough for Representative Levy to just not support it. She and Senator (Jeanne) Nicholson will have to actively oppose it.”

Mayor Engels said Central City had not discussed replacing the school’s lost revenue if the distribution formula is changed and Central began receiving more historical preservation funding. That funding can be used only for historical preservation projects. Central could do a sales tax, similar to Black Hawk’s, he said, but it wouldn’t generate as much funding for the school. Gilpin County could do something similar as well, or the school could ask voters for a tax increase to make up the loss. However, Engels said the easy thing to do would be for Black Hawk to change their legislation, “It would be a very easy thing to do, if Black Hawk had as their base interest the children of Gilpin County.” Black Hawk officials believe they are supporting the local children. When issuing that first check to the school, Black Hawk’s mayor had pointed out that the education enhancement tax was “one of the ways that Black Hawk continues to demonstrate support for students of the Gilpin School District.” Black Hawk had purchased computers, band instruments, books and classroom supplies. They had funded $70,000 in educational field trips, music competition trips, and even some individual trips for students participating in certain programs. From 1994 to 2008, when Black Hawk began its scholarship program, Black Hawk had helped fund college or vocational school tuition for 81 Gilpin graduates, a total of $400,000. Beginning in 2008, the scholarship amount was increased from $1,000 to $1,500 per student, per year and that program continues today.

Mayor Spellman and Black Hawk officials have taken numerous legislators on tours of their city to point out how they have used their historic preservation funding and also the work they have done to issue bonds and fund millions of dollars of infrastructure needed to accommodate casinos; the deliberately set lower device fees and other incentives they offered  and continue to offer to entice casinos to locate in their town and retain those they have. With more casinos than either Central City or Cripple Creek, all generating ¾ of the state’s gaming revenue, there’s no argument that Black Hawk has succeeded.  Mayor Engels complimented Black Hawk on their success, but when asked as Black Hawk has done the work, made the investment in their city and produced the revenue results, why should the other two gaming cities, who have not made the same efforts, reap Black Hawk’s historic preservation funding rewards – he maintained that a competitive grant formula would put the use of historic preservation funding “to the best and highest purpose where the need is greatest.”  Central City would like more funding for needs in their city, the oldest court house in Colorado, Washington Hall, has a crumbling foundation, he said.

If Central City and Cripple Creek are successful in getting a referendum before the legislators, it will take the entire legislation to move it forward and get it on the ballot next fall, Mayor Spellman told the School Board members. Will they do that just to distribute more historic preservation funding to two Colorado gaming cities? Spellman said he found it hard to believe they would, but he recalled the 2008 ceremony when he’d told district officials that, should an attempt be made, they would have to “Roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty and do some heavy lifting-if you want to keep this revenue stream.” Now is that time, he told the School Board members. Board of Education President Craig Holmes expressed appreciation for Black Hawk’s support and said his board would have to digest the revelation and discuss a plan of action.

Since the school’s funding stream is tied to the success of Black Hawk, it could become even more lucrative Spellman foretold, “This stream will only increase as Black Hawk reveals future new developments.”  The Black Hawk-Central City Sanitation District recently sold the site of their old plant, south of the Riviera Casino. A few years from now, a new casino hotel tower is expected to rival Ameristar’s. However, as it stands now, a successful attempt to change the funding distribution, although a gain for Central City and Cripple Creek, could result in a total loss of current and future Black Hawk funding for the school.

Founder of Artists Training Program

Central City Opera’s (CCO) General/Artistic Director, Pelham (Pat) G. Pearce, announces that following more than 30 years of service, John Moriarty is retiring as the administrator of the company’s nationally recognized Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program. The organization is also pleased to announce that it has named Marc Astafan to succeed Mr. Moriarty as the new administrator of the Program.

“The past 33 summers I have spent in Central City have been among the most productive and satisfying for me. From the time of my arrival in 1978, I felt very much at home in the town and as part of the Opera Festival. Now, after having gradually shed administrative and conducting duties, I feel it is time to bring an end to what has been a most gratifying association,” says John Moriarty. “Although it is with great sadness that I close this chapter, I can do so knowing that the Association and the Festival are in good hands. I shall always cherish the memories of my years with Central City Opera, as well as the many friendships I have made in Colorado.”

John Moriarty – 30 Years of Inspiration

In 1978, John Moriarty founded the company’s Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program, a rigorous 10-week program that has become a national model for the professional development of young singers. It integrates daily training in diction and movement, individual coaching, and sessions in career management with rehearsals and performance opportunities in the summer’s main stage and surrounding productions. Approximately 30 participants are selected from more than 1,000 applicants each year. Some of America’s most notable opera professionals, including Denyce Graves, Cynthia Lawrence, Mary Mills, Emily Pulley, Samuel Ramey, Celena Shaffer, Matthew Polenzani and Gregory Turay are former students of the program.

Mr. Moriarty served as Central City Opera’s artistic director from 1982-1998 before becoming artistic director emeritus. Says Moriarty, “In 1982, when then Chairman of the Association At Gilman then Vice-President Jeannie Fuller asked me to assume the post of artistic director, I felt honored to be asked to take a leadership position with such a historic and storied organization. At that time, the Opera Festival was in shaky condition. But with superb cooperation and backing from the Board of Directors, it was possible to restore the Festival to its prominent place in Colorado and in the opera world.”

In 2008, Moriarty celebrated 30 years with Central City Opera. The 2008 Festival included Opera Pops- A Tribute to John Moriarty, commemorating the artistic director emeritus’ 30^th anniversary with the company, as well as that of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program. The evening was headlined by Artists Training Program alumna, Denyce Graves. At the closing ceremonies for the Central City Opera Festival, it was proclaimed by then Mayor Buddy Schmalz that “in honor of the distinguished career of Artistic Director Emeritus John Moriarty and his accomplishments and contributions to the City of Central through his dedicated and loyal service to the Central City Opera, ‘A’ Street will now be known as ‘Moriarty Lane.’” Mr. Moriarty had the great honor of replacing the street sign for “A” Street with one for “Moriarty Lane” following the ceremonies. Ten years prior, on June 17, 1998, then Colorado Governor Roy Romer declared June 17, 1998 as John Moriarty Day “for his uncompromising dedication to artistic excellence.”

A lauded conductor of many Central City Opera productions during his tenure, Mr. Moriarty led the world premiere of Henry Mollicone’s Gabriel’s Daughter in 2003, as well as the CCO digital recording of Douglas Moore’s The Ballad of Baby Doe in 1996 and the 50^th anniversary production of the opera in 2006. The John Moriarty Award is named in his honor and annually presented to an exemplary Apprentice Artist at the final performance of the festival.

“In addition to his many contributions to the opera world, John Moriarty has enriched Central City Opera with his development of a young artists training program that has become one of the most respected in the country, along with love and knowledge of the art form, history, and the company’s properties,” says Central City Opera President/Chairman of the Board Nancy Parker. “Central City Opera’s 30 plus years with John have been years of rebuilding, progress, education and joy to the opera fans of Colorado. We thank him for the experience and dedication.”

Marc Astafan -Veteran Stage Director Takes on New Role at CCO

As the new Administrator of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program, Astafan will continue with the format established by John Moriarty, with an added acting class and stage technique class taught by Astafan. He will also be adding one-on-one acting, monologue coachings and role study. The Apprentice Artists will have opera scene study with the CCO directing staff in preparation for the Short Works scenes offerings that will be overseen by Astafan. They will continue to perform featured roles in the main stage productions, as well as covering roles that will be performed by CCO’s guest artists. CCO will also carry forward its mission for the program to make sure that the Apprentice Artists receive information and coaching in regards to the business aspects of the art form and its ever-evolving trends.

“I’m thrilled to return to Central City Opera in this new position, and to play such a vital role in the training of young and exceptionally talented opera artists. This is not only a new beginning but a continuation of the legacy that my mentor, champion and friend, John Moriarty, began. He is responsible for my early career as an opera educator and stage director and to him I’ll always be grateful,” says Astafan.

The two first met in late 1992 when John interviewed Marc to assistant direct at CCO. John didn’t hire Astafan and Marc took a position with The Santa Fe Opera that summer. Soon after, John’s then assistant at New England Conservatory in Boston (NEC), James Robinson, hired Marc as a stage manager for The Barber of Seville, a production that was directed and conducted by John. This marked the first time the two worked together. The following year, John called Marc and offered him an assistant directing position at CCO for the company’s season opener, Manon, directed by Adelaide Bishop. Says Astafan, “At this point, John had never seen my work as a director, but he went with his gut feeling about me. His feelings about young talent were usually right.” A few weeks later, Moriarty asked Astafan to join him on the faculty at NEC. Astafan continued to assistant direct at CCO in the summers until Moriarty offered Astafan the opportunity to direct Tosca in 1998. The two continued to work together at NEC until 2000 when Astafan left to join the directing staff at The Met.

Marc Astafan is a respected director, educator, mentor and coach who has dedicated most of his career to the development of young opera singers in the United States. Marc’s career took off in 1994 at the NEC, where he eventually became the Resident Stage Director and Director of Productions, and continued teaching classes in acting, stage technique, directing and scene study until 2008. He made his official directing debut with The Magic Flute at the Eugene Opera in Oregon in 1996. Many engagements followed, most notably productions at Central City Opera, Virginia Opera, Nevada Opera, Opera Delaware, Anchorage Opera, and Syracuse Opera. He has also been guest director and teacher at The Juilliard School, Temple University, Florida State University and The University of Southern California, as well as directing and teaching at Central City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Music Academy of the West, Bay View Music Festival, Atlantic Coast Opera Festival and The Tanglewood Music Center. Marc’s New York debut came in 1999 when he directed and choreographed The Magic Flute on the site of the Egyptian Temple of Dendur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art with the Opera Orchestra of New York.

From 2000 to 2002, he directed The Met’s revivals of Tosca and Le Nozze di Figaro. Since then, Astafan has continued to direct critically acclaimed productions across the country. Astafan attended Schenectady County Community College, The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York and The Boston Conservatory.

Astafan’s full Central City Opera credits include: Assistant Stage Director for Manon in 1994, The Queen of Spades in 1995, Rigoletto in 1996, Madama Butterfly in 1997 and 2005; Stage Director for Tosca in 1998, Don Giovanni in 2006, Cendrillon in 2007, Rinaldo in 2009, and Orpheus in the Underworld in 2010; Collaborations with CCO and the CSO for A Night at the Opera in 1997, The Jerome Kern Songbook in 2002, HMS Pinafore in 2004, The Pirates of Penzance in 2005, and The Mikado in 2006. Astafan also assisted with Education and Community Programs from 1994-1996, as well as The Face on the Barroom Floor from 1996-1998, an opera that was commissioned by CCO in 1978.

2012 Festival

Running June 30 to Aug. 12, Central City Opera’s 2012 Festival will feature three new dynamic productions: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s original collaboration and Broadway classic, Oklahoma!;Puccini’s famous and most popular opera, La Bohème; and a new production of Benjamin Britten’s chamber opera based on the Henry James ghost story, The Turn of The Screw, as part of the world-wide celebration of the centenary of Britten’s birth. In addition to its slate of operas for 2012, CCO will continue to present innovative initiatives that will engage a broader audience. Attendees will again find many exciting enhancements to their Central City experience. Subscriptions for the 2012 Festival are on sale now starting at just $28. For more information, visit www.centralcityopera.org or call 303-292-6700.

Celebrating its 79th year, Central City Opera is the nation’s fifth-oldest opera company, located just 35 miles west of Denver in one of Colorado’s official National Landmark Historic Districts. The company continues to present artistically excellent professional opera in its annual summer festival; to offer career-entry training to young singers; to produce education and community service programs; and to preserve and maintain the Opera House and 30 other Victorian-era properties.

Volleyball and Football games, spirit, and a parade

  Take a step back in the decades as the Gilpin County students celebrate Homecoming. The theme for this year’s homecoming was the decades – celebrating the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Each high school class chose a decade to represent. The freshman celebrated the 50s, sophomores the 60s, juniors the 80s and seniors the 70s. All the middle school students choose to represent the future. Each class also chose a color theme to use for decorating the hallways, and their parade floats. Freshmen were Green and Black, sophomores were pink and black, juniors were purple and sliver and the seniors were blue and neon green. The entire school was involved with dress-up days this year. The elementary participated in both Crazy Day and Black and Gold Day. The other dress-up days were hat day, always a favorite for students and decade day, where student dressed up to show their decade. The staff even got involved this year and dressed up. During lunch the students participated in various competitions and earned points to help them win the spirit stick. They also received points for the number of students who dressed up each day. This year the senior class won the spirit stick. They were very enthusiastic and showed outstanding school spirit almost all students dressing up for spirit days and tying with the junior class for the hallway competitions.

  Another very important part of homecoming is the Royalty. This year the King and Queen of the senior class were Molly Quaranto and Kevin Robertson. Prince and Princess of the junior class were Teresa Seitz and Trevor Dziedzic. The Duke and Duchess of the sophomore class were Ashlen Cortez and Andrew Immordino. The Count and Countess of the freshman class were Sierra Planck and Dalton Dziedzic. They were announced during the pep rally, presented by the Gilpin High School Cheer Squad. During the pep rally the students participated in fun activities and the cheerleaders preformed many cheers and a dance for the student body. The 1^st grade class did a cheer with Mrs. Henry in Spanish to show their spirit. The school spirit and student pride was obvious.

  On Thursday the secondary school ran a modified schedule to allow the afternoon for a barbeque where all middle and high school students were served lunch by the teachers outside on the football field, and then they had time to finish any last touches need on their parade floats. Then they attended the pep rally. It was a fun day to end the school time celebration.

  As for athletics, on Monday the Volleyball teams competed against Belleview – both JV and Varsity came away with a win. The middle school volleyball team worked hard, but weren’t able to gain the “W.” They all played hard. On Tuesday the middle school football team competed against Daysprings Christian and worked very hard, but weren’t able to come away with the win. On Friday the volleyball teams played against Community Christian and despite their hard work and the loud cheering fans, they were not able to gain another win. After the games ended there was a bonfire for all the students to enjoy and celebrate.

  On Saturday the Homecoming Parade started at 10 a.m. at the Teller House in Central City and ended down the hill at Bullwhackers Casino in Black Hawk. All the floats were ready and decorated wonderfully. The community members were plentiful as the parade went through town. The High School football team competed in their game at 1:00 against Vail Christian and played hard and kept and strong throughout the game, but weren’t able to get the win.

  After the game, students ran home to get dressed and freshen up for the Homecoming Dance, which started at 8 p.m. at the Teller House. It was a beautiful historic setting, and complete with great decorations. The students enjoyed themselves and danced the night away.

  Overall this year’s homecoming was one of the best. The students’ pride and spirit is obvious at Gilpin County Schools!

  With the school year under way and everyone getting settled back into the new school year – Gilpin Schools is excited to welcome three new teachers to their staff this year. 

  Erin Venters is starting her third year working at Gilpin Elementary, but is now moving into a classroom teacher position; she will be the second Kindergarten teacher. With large numbers in the incoming kindergarten class a second half day kindergarten classroom was added. Erin is excited about having her own classroom. In the last two years she has been an RtI Interventionist for the elementary school, working to assist teachers in the classroom and working with small student groups and individuals throughout all grade levels. She will also continue her RtI work in the afternoon. Erin earned her BA from Metro State in Special Needs and Early Childhood Administration. Before working at Gilpin she spent two years working in Early Learning Centers – one at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center in Washington D.C. She then went back to school earning her Masters from Seton Hall University before moving back to Gilpin County. Erin is very proud to be joining the staff of the school where she graduated.

  Katie Yocom “Ms. Katie” is returning to Gilpin as the new Preschool – Kindergarten Montessori Teacher. She previously worked at Gilpin as a Teacher’s assistant and is excited to be returning to the staff. Katie earned her BA in Education from Rockhurst University. Education is an important part of her family as Katie and her husband are now both working in the field of education. She has two daughters who both attend Gilpin and are in the Montessori Program. Katie is “delighted” to be starting this position this year and excited to be a part of the Montessori Program.

  Aaron Moran is Gilpin’s newest addition; he will be the Preschool – 12^th grade P.E. teacher. With seven years of P.E. teaching experience he brings a lot of knowledge and ideas to the program. He earned his BS in Communications and Exercise Science from Southern Connecticut State University. He also received his teaching license while attending SCSU. He also will be joining the coaching staff; coaching one of the Middle School Basketball teams. He has many years of coaching experience in basketball and also baseball. Aaron is married and has three children. He is very excited about being a part of a small school where he has the opportunity to teach all levels of children.

With bumble bees, awards and prizes!

  Saturday, August 12, 2011 the GCPL held its annual summer reading program along with an Ice Cream Social.  This concluded the 2011 summer reading program with 148 children registered – confirmed by Children’s Librarian Robert Avrett, who also served as this year’s Master of Ceremonies.

  Betsy Beaver, the President of the Library Board of Trustees was also in attendance handing out as much ice cream as the kids wanted. Ms. Beaver stated, “Larry is Proud Papa” as she happily handed out more Meadow Gold Ice Cream, purchased by Friends of the Library at a discounted price this year.

  GCPL Director Larry Grieco stated, “This is a major social event of the season for these children, the most fun we have in the library is this event.”

  The theme this summer was all about bumble bees, so every participating child had a bumble bee with their name on it posted in the main part of the library on a huge board. This year each registered reader, whether reading 1 or 100 books, after completion could chose one prize per week from a huge glass prize cabinet filled with all sorts of things kids love, donated by Friends of the Library. Grand Prizes of the day were also donated by The Friends, including two small stuffed animals, two large stuffed animals, and for the older children there were three IPOD shuffles. The kids were stoked to say the least!

  The children’s librarian registered the children as they arrived for the prizes, and Gilpin County Commissioner Forrest Whitman was there to pull out the prize winner’s name. The older kids were especially excited – after all this means they each have a chance to win an IPOD. When Commissioner Whitman started pulling names out of the fish tank, anticipation filled the air. All the winners were very happy and thankful, especially those lucky IPOD winners. These kids will be back for sure, not just for the cool prizes but, because it’s fun! 

  Also, let’s not forget to say thank you parents and grandparents for taking the time to bring your children and grandchildren to the library to participate in this program. We encourage you to come back next summer and bring some friends.  Let’s face it folks, kids are sponges, so let them absorb some knowledge year round!

  Thanks to you all and we look forward to another successful 2012 Summer Reading Program.

I was present at the public hearing on Monday, July 18, in reference to the James Peak Wilderness Area Expansion, which includes the closure of Elk Park. First, I would like to thank Gilpin County and our commissioners for giving the community an opportunity to speak about this proposal and for placing the proposal on the Gilpin County Website. I was surprised that not all of the property owners that would be affected were present. When Ms. Carlson was asked if they had all been notified, she stated, “No, I haven’t had the time.” I find it difficult to believe that Ms. Carlson or the Forest Service didn’t find it important enough to notify all of the property owners that will be affected by this proposal.

Jill Ozarski from Senator Udall’s office took lead in this meeting and introduced the writer of the proposal Cathy Carlson. Ms. Carlson stated she currently owns approximately 100 acres in the Elk Park area. What she failed to mention is that her husband, L. Thomas Galloway, and his law firm, Thomas Galloway and Associates owns additional property in this area, as well. I have some concern that Ms. Ozarski, presented herself as an unbiased representative of Udall’s office. Research on Udall’s website shows that Ms. Carlson has donated $92,300 to Mr. Udall. Her husband, under the name of Thomas Galloway has donated $67,600, under his given name of Lloyd has donated $79,450, and under the name of Tom has donated an additional $9,600. These donations are all listed with his law firm’s name attached. It seems fair to state that it may be difficult for Senator Udall’s office to be unbiased having received $248, 950 from this couple over the past few years.

I would like to state some of the concerns I have in reading the proposal. Ms. Carlson has placed several pictures in her proposal that are of the Mammoth Lake Area in California, portraying them as pictures from Mammoth Gulch, Colorado. You too can find these pictures by googling Mammoth Lake. In her proposal, she talks about the wildlife habitat in the area, which when asked she did not have any wildlife data for the area; she said the information came from the forest service. The proposal references the
habit of the Canadian Lynx. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife Website (DOW), the reintroduction of the Canadian Lynx started in 1997 in the mountains of Southern Colorado; in 2010, Colorado had met their goal and their biologists state “the lynx is sustainable for the next 20 years in Colorado.”

The proposal also talks about the Boreal Toad. The latest report DOW report from 2006-2007 shows absolutely no breeding sites in Gilpin County. The breeding sites are shown on the Western Slope of Colorado and South of Gilpin County in Clear Creek. The proposal discusses the Wolverine. The last confirmed sighting of a Wolverine in Colorado was in 1919. There was one wolverine tracked by GPS in Northern Colorado from the Yellowstone Project in June 2010, but there has been no other tracking in Colorado of this same animal or any other wolverine since June 2010.

Mr. Galloway, Carlson’s husband, paid to have fencing put up in Elk Park in 2007, blocking access to public land. The US Forest Service posted it that same year as a closure for revegitation, ending 12/31/2009. In 2009, the signs at Elk Park were removed, but the fencing and gates have never been removed or opened for public access. The type of fencing they used is called “jack-leg fencing.” It is pole fence, set at an angle. The DOW recommends the following for jack-leg fencing to best protect wildlife; “The
bottom rail be no lower than 16 inches, the top rail no higher than 42 inches; and to allow elk and deer to cross safely, the top rail of fencing should be removed at regular intervals, or openings should be left at regular intervals for the animals to cross.” The fencing in Elk Park, when measured on 07/22/2011, varies from 10 to 13 inches clearance on the bottom rail, and 43 to 45 inches on the top rail. As previously noted, there are no open areas or drop rails to allow access or egress. A study in Utah showed that 70% of all wildlife mortality (specifically elk, deer and moose) was caused by fencing higher than 40 inches. All of this information can be found on the Colorado DOW website.

Ms. Carlson repeatedly stated that her goal was to donate her land to the US Forest Service and protect the area. However, she has not donated any property to the Forest Service to date and as described above, the fencing that her husband paid for can actually increase the mortality rate in our deer, elk, and moose population. If Ms. Carlson truly wants to protect the area and our public lands, I call on her to donate all of her and her husband’s land in Gilpin County to insure access to the public for years to come. To protect our wildlife, the fencing should either be fixed or removed completely.

One final thought on this subject. This is a question for the Clear Creek Forest Service District Representative; why did you refuse to answer the DOW representative’s question in reference to the legality of the fencing placed by Galloway, which blocks access to Forest Service Roads?

All of the information I used is readily available to anyone on the internet. You can go to Senator Udall’s website and find his donation list, and the DOW website lists information about fencing and all wildlife across the state.

I hope that all Gilpin County Residents take the time to review this current proposal, give it thought, and complete some research on the original James Peak Wilderness creation. The original proposal included fixing and opening current impassable access to the area, including Moffat Tunnel and the Needle’s Eye, which has never been completed. I would suggest that each one of us decides if this expansion is valid protection of our lands, or is just another attempt from someone who resides outside of our county to close public lands and limit it to their own personal use?

For those that are not aware, the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition’s mission is to represent, assist, educate, and empower OHV recreationists in the protection and promotion of off-highway motorized recreation throughout Colorado. COHVCO has been working toward this mission statement since the late 1980s.

Similar to many of the recreational users of the areas adjacent to the James Peak Wilderness area, COHVCO was surprised to learn of Monday night’s Town Meeting at the Community Center in Gilpin County regarding a proposal for the expansion of the James Peak Wilderness area and creation of a Special Protection Area in the vicinity of Elk Park. We understand the notice was only published on Friday and most people did not learn of the meeting until over the weekend. This was very concerning to COHVCO and really limited the amount of analysis that could be performed on the proposal document, as the text of the proposal was not released to the public until a few hours before the meeting. We were thrilled at the turnout of local citizens and club representatives to voice their passionate opposition and concerns regarding the proposal at the meeting.

COHVCO had a lot of basic questions on the proposal going into the town meeting last night, and the meeting really did little to answer any these questions. To be honest the meeting probably created more questions for us than it answered. After the meeting, our association believes that a lot more work must be done to the proposal before it could ever be the basis of any further discussion of possible legislation to expand the James Peak Wilderness area. The standard answer to most questions from the public on the proposal was the information in the proposal was wrong or they had simply not thought about the issue. This included responses to the number of mining claims impacted, what the special protection area would address, why we allegedly need a special protection zone, the numbers of animals in the area, the actual protection of animals that could be obtained from the proposal etc. We believe the level of workmanship in the proposal falls well short of anything close to sufficient basis for further discussions to create Wilderness and directly reduce opportunities to so many users of the Forest. In addition, we believe that the public should be provided accurate information on any proposal, and failure to provide this information means the proposal fails.

The proposal starts with the fact the Wilderness Land Trust owns approximately 330 acres on the boundary of the James Peak Wilderness area that they would like to sell to the Forest Service. At this point, funding for the purchase has not been obtained and given the current state of the federal budget, we have to wonder even if the money could be found (which we doubt), questions whether purchasing land to expand Wilderness is the best usage of that money. There are simply far more significant concerns for the country at this point. After the meeting we have to wonder what the Wilderness Land Trusts position is on the proposal, as their representatives where less than whole-hearted in their support.

As a result of this potential 330 acre sale, the proposal seeks to expand the designated James Peak Wilderness area by over 7,000 acres and create a special protection zone of over 12.5 square miles in the Elk Park area. While the proposal does not provide any restrictions in the special protection zone, COHVCO can tell you that expanding the Wilderness area will close motorized recreation and disperse camping opportunities in the Mammoth Gulch area. We also believe that the hunting opportunities in these areas will be reduced as access to the area will be significantly limited under the proposal. This seems to be protecting the lands “from the people” rather than “for the people,” which we believe is facially wrong.

Our organization also believes that the Rollins Pass Road, which has remained closed since the most recent expansion of the James Peak Wilderness, must be reopened first as was promised in that state legislation before any additional expansions of the ilderness are even discussed. Failure to reopen the Rollins Pass road will directly impact any ability to meaningfully rely on promises made in this proposal, as promises made in the last expansion have not yet been honored to this point.

COHVCO is currently preparing our opposition to the proposal, and we hope to have a summary comment letter published on the issue in the near future. We encourage everyone to voice their concerns regarding the proposal to Representative Polis’ Office, Senator Udall’s Office, and the Gilpin County Commissioners. Your voice matters! Scott Jones is a member of the COHVCO Board of Directors and attended the Monday night meeting to represent all of us who pay taxes and support the national forest and parks
programs, with accessibility to all. Please check out www.cohvco.org for more information and how you can be a good steward and help in keeping your access open to your forests and parks.

  The Gilpin County Public Library is one of 65 libraries in America to be selected for a special program: Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War, by the American Library Association Public Programs Office and the National Endowment for the Humanities. This is a scholar-led reading and discussion series, designed for libraries seeking to present programming that probes meanings of the Civil War that are “hidden in plain sight” behind the key questions and main characters so familiar to us. Program participants may be surprised to encounter in the readings such a large cast of characters, so broad a range of perspectives, and so dense a web of circumstances. After considering the vast sweep and profound breadth of Civil War experience, readers will understand that the American Civil War was not a single thing, or a simple thing. And yet they will also see emancipation – the end of the most powerful system of slavery in the modern world – take its place as the central story of the war.

  Participating libraries will plan a five-part series of reading and discussion programs, which will take place every two to four weeks, depending on local library preferences. At each session, the conversation will focus on a different facet of the Civil War experience, using one or more common texts as a foundation and touchstone. 

  The texts include works of historical fiction and interpretation, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biographies, and short stories. Readings also include an introductory essay, which provides context for the entire Making Sense of the American Civil War series and for each of the five sessions. The essay was written by the national project scholar who devised this project: Edward L. Ayers, President of the University of Richmond, historian of the American South, and digital history pioneer. Professor Ayers also selected the reading materials and topics of conversation for the program.

  The Library will receive a grant of $3,000 to be used to support program costs and scholar honoraria. It will also receive program materials, including introductory literature and essays on the program’s theme, selections for additional reading, and template promotional materials. The grant includes training for the library project director and the scholar at a national training workshop in Chicago. 

  Dr. Nancy Ciccone, the program’s local scholar, is chair of the English Department at the University of Colorado, Denver. She brings with her a broad range of teaching experience. Having earned a Ph.D in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, she has taught classical through post-modern literature. She has also taught in a variety of settings: an urban campus in downtown Denver that includes traditional and non-traditional students, graduates and undergraduates; a public grade school (Dry Creek Elementary), and a college (St. Mary’s) where she taught great books courses; and classical literature at UC Berkeley. She has received teaching excellence awards from UC Berkeley and UC Denver. 

  Larry Grieco, director of the Gilpin County Library, is the grant’s Project Director. A year as a VISTA volunteer in 1970 (on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation) spawned a career in library work that has lasted nearly 40 years. Grieco graduated with a BA in English and a Master’s in Library Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has much experience in providing educational and cultural programs for adults, including a previous Let’s Talk About It program in 2009 here at the Gilpin Library. 

  “This was a highly competitive grant application process,” said Grieco, “with more than 175 proposals submitted from libraries all over America.” He wishes to express thanks to Aaron Storms, publisher of The Weekly Register-Call, who partnered with the library in this project, and to the Friends of the Library, “lifelong library partners.” Patron Sondra Fields also contributed a moving letter of support for the cause. “We plan to offer this reading and discussion series in the spring of 2012,” said Grieco, “and believe it will attract Civil War buffs as well as others who simply love getting together over great themes of literature.”

Scholarship recipients at Gilpin and Nederland

  The weather couldn’t have been more different for the two senior awards nights. On May 18th, the evening produced a foot of snow, just in time for the Nederland High School Senior Recognition Night. On May 31st, the weather was sunny and calm for the Gilpin County High School Senior Dinner and Awards Celebration. Both nights were full of excitement and honors. 

The Nederland scholarship recipients were as follows:

• Central City Elks Lodge Students of the Year (Marie Sanazaro and Michael Cox – $50 each)

• Boulder Masons (Shelby Glammeyer and Carrie Davis – $500 each)

• United Power (Michael Cox – $500)

• Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design (Kelsi Silva)

• Boulder Elks Lodge (Kelsey Morrison)

• Hispanic Scholarship Fund (Angie Gerhardus)

• Ben Slinger Memorial Scholarship (Elizabeth Turnburke)

• Peak to Peak Rotary (Kelsi Silva – Visual Arts, Ryan Farris – Instrumental Music, Willow Robillard – Vocal + Music – $1,000 each)

• Timberline Fire Protection District (James Cook – $150)

• Louise Coe Spire Endowed Scholarship and McClelland Music Scholarship (Angie Gerhardus – $20,000)

• Boulder Community Hospital Auxiliary (Carrie Davis)

• Dr. Jan LeMaster Scholarship (Crista Kocher)

• David Baumhover Scholarship Award (Will Bundy)

• Lions Club Scholarships (Carrie Davis – $1,000 and Will Bundy – $2,000)

  After the awards were handed out, all of the seniors that were present gathered in front of the stage to tell everyone where they would be heading for college and what they planned to study. Cake was served following the awards ceremony, which was sponsored by the Lions Club.

  Moving on to Gilpin County, the evening began with a nice dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread sticks and cake.

The Gilpin scholarship recipients were as follows:

• Central City Elks Lodge CEA Scholarships (Megan Ball and Stephanie Pilcher – $1,000 each)

• Central City Elks Lodge Ralph Calabrese Scholarship (Amanda Barngrover – $500)

• Cary Ihme Scholarship (Amanda Barngrover – $250)

• Central City Lady Elks Scholarship (Amanda Barngrover – $500)

• Rotary Scholarships/Awards (Excellence in Visual Arts – Haley Johnson, Excellence in Instrumental Music – Tyler Kragenbrink, Excellence in Arts/Music – Loren Quinn, Stephanie Pilcher – $1,000)

• Masonic Lodge Scholarships (Black Hawk Lodge – Amanda Barngrover – $1,500, Nevada Lodge – Megan Ball – $1,000, Central Lodge – Erin Brownson – $1,250)

• PTA Scholarships (Amanda Barngrover and Cord Casias – $500 each)

• Booster Club Scholarships (Reese Romine – Athletic, Cord Casias – Fine Arts and Megan Ball – Academic, $500 each)

• Alan Green Scholarships (Megan Ball, Stephanie Pilcher and Kirsten Welch – $1,000 each)

• Black Hawk Scholarships (All college bound seniors will receive $1,500 each for four years)

• Central City Scholarships (Maddie Clark – eligible for $14,000 over four years, Tyler Kragenbrink – eligible for $20,000 over four years.)

  Congratulations to the entire class of 2011! Your community is proud of who you are and who you will become. Lead us proudly into the future.