Approved

Notarfrancesco: TRAILS goes beyond SEL—it’s activism wrapped in therapy language

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, Local, Top Stories / / , , , , , , ,

Should teachers in Colorado K-12 classrooms be performing daily assessments on the thoughts and feelings of your children?

At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, Pueblo D70 School District controversially implemented a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum which Superintendent Ronda Rein described in an email from September 24, 2024 as a “daily assessment of thoughts and feelings.”

SEL is promoted to parents and school administrators as the panacea for kids’ mental health concerns, and SEL advocates believe the concepts benefit students by providing important emotional training which leads to academic success, healthy relationships, and proper civic engagement.

Notarfrancesco: TRAILS goes beyond SEL—it’s activism wrapped in therapy language Read More »

The COvid Chronicles May 1–7, 2020: Seven days that set the stage for open rebellion

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, State, Top Stories / / , , , , , ,

May began just like April ended – edicts from above, fear from the press and politicians telling Coloradans to stay home, shut up and stay six feet apart. But by the first week of the month, cracks were showing. 

From Castle Rock to Colorado Springs, citizens, sheriffs and small-business owners weren’t waiting for permission. They had bills to pay, kids to raise and a Constitution they weren’t willing to quarantine.

The COvid Chronicles May 1–7, 2020: Seven days that set the stage for open rebellion Read More »

Sencenbaugh: DEI and CRT may sound noble, but they’re driving academic mediocrity in schools

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, Top Stories / / , , , , , ,

If you are on the left or the right, Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the average classroom does not look like one tends to believe. Both are far more subtle. Thus, any debate on these issues devolves into both sides yelling at one another with neither actually listening.

During a House Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) declared, “We can stop with the nonsense because K-12 was not teaching critical race theory…in our country K-12 is not learning critical race theory. Just for those who are unfamiliar.” 

Having taught in both Texas and Colorado, I can tell you that she is not being completely honest. While she is correct that “CRT” is not directly taught in any K-12 school or part of any state standards, it would be dishonest to believe that the ideas behind CRT are not taught in our schools. I have observed classrooms and read over lessons that assume CRT to be accurate.

Sencenbaugh: DEI and CRT may sound noble, but they’re driving academic mediocrity in schools Read More »

One dead, two injured in Aurora shopping center parking lot shooting

DENVER7, Approved, Local / / , , ,

AURORA, Colo. — One person was killed and two others were seriously injured in a shooting in the parking lot of an Aurora shopping center Wednesday evening.

The Aurora Police Department said its officers responded to reports of a shooting in the parking lot of 1155 South Havana Street around 8:36 p.m. Nearby businesses include a King Soopers, a liquor store and a Baskin-Robbins.

One dead, two injured in Aurora shopping center parking lot shooting Read More »

Homeless camp tapping I-25 power cleared by Colorado Springs deputies—site continues to reappear

kdvr.com, Approved, Local / / , , , , ,

COLORADO SPRINGS (KXRM) — On Tuesday, May 13, multiple law enforcement agencies cleared out a homeless encampment beneath Intestate 25 near Woodmen Road, where televisions, lighting and stereo equipment were found to be powered by illegally tapping into I-25’s light poles.

According to a press release sent by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, its agency teamed up with the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Colorado Department of Transportation to help initiate a restoration project beneath I-25 just north of the Woodmen Road exit.

EPSO said this location, where Pine Creek flows under the interstate, has been a frequent site for homeless encampments.

Homeless camp tapping I-25 power cleared by Colorado Springs deputies—site continues to reappear Read More »