Adams City High School is excited to welcome Gionni

Thompson as its new principal! Thompson, who served as principal at Lester Arnold High School for the last two years, will now assume the role of principal at both schools. His goal, with the support of the administrative teams at Lester Arnold and ACHS, is to provide a continuum of services for all high school students in Adams 14. Executive Director of School Turnaround Anthony Smith filled in as principal at ACHS while the district looked for someone to become principal fulltime. Smith will move to the Adams 14 administration building where he will focus on aligning education for students in grades 6-12. Thompson and Smith have worked together closely in the past and will continue to do so to provide the best educational opportunities for students in

Adams 14. We had a chance to sit down with Mr. Thompson to talk about his previous roles, his goals for the spring semester at ACHS, and a few of the things he likes to do for fun.

Q: What are you most excited about with your new role at ACHS? Gionni Thompson (GT): The kids. It doesn’t matter what the job is, it’s the kids that draw me to where my next area of service is. There are so many different dynamic ways that they draw you in.

Q: Is there anything you are nervous about?GT: I think anytime you walk into a building, the challenge is how are the kids going to accept you. Sometimes you have to prove yourself and that could take up to one school year before the kids believe in you. The difference here at Adams

City High School is that, because of my relationships in the community already, the kids know me. But that’s still my biggest fear – how are the kids going to accept me?

Q: What are your top three goals for the spring semester?GT: First, to get the testing aligned; the testing schedule and the alignment of district and state assessments. The second goal would be to bring cohesiveness, a collaboration of staff and leadership to the forefront to make decisions for the building. Third would be to start planning for next year.

Q; Can you tell us a little about working with Mr. Smith in the past?GT: I was Mr. Smith’s assistant principal. I learned a lot of

things under him. We’re the same in having high expectations for staff and students, and in the way we look at organization and collaboration. I knew we made a great team. We still make a great team and I’d work for Mr. Smith any day.

Q: Do you have a story or funny memory from working with

Mr. Smith in the past that you want to share?GT: We were turning a school around and a lot of the kids would ditch in the park. We would actually drive a car through the park and tell kids to get back to school. I remember getting chased down in the park by the police; they were thinking “Who are these guys driving this car through the park?” and it was us! The police were very grateful that we were doing it.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?GT: Snowboard. And I do projects around the house. I used to have a TV show on the DIY Network called “Finish in 48;” one of my hobbies is remodeling. [Note: you can watch the TV show here - http://youtu.be/uyozD_dZ4SE]. And I like spending time with my family. My wife and I have been married for 20 years. I have a

Adams City High SchoolNewsletter

January 2015 7220 Quebec Parkway, Commerce City, CO 80022 303-289-3111

Welcome Mr. Thompson!

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2015 is here! This means that your senior is entering their

last semester of high School. If your student has not applied to college then make sure they come and see a counselor today. It will also be time to fill out the FAFSA (Free application of Federal Student Aid). It is important that you file your taxes as soon as possible so your student can fill out the FAFSA.

The counseling department will be having FAFSA Workshops in February.

Please bring the following:

1. Your Social Security card and driver’s license, and/or alien registration card if you are not a US citizen.

2. Your income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1099 forms for the previous year. If you’re married, you’ll also need your spouse’s documents.

3. Your parents’ income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms for the previous year (if you are a dependent student).

4. Records and documentation of other untaxed income received such as welfare benefits, Social Security income, veteran’s benefits, military

or clergy allowances (if applicable).5. Current bank and brokerage account

statements, including records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments (if applicable).

6. Business or farm records (if applicable).

7. Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances, such as anything that changed from last year or anything that distinguishes the family from the typical family. Examples include high unreimbursed medical and dental expenses, unusually high dependent care costs (e.g., for a special needs child or an

elderly parent), death, divorce, salary reductions, job loss and private K-12 tuition (These aren’t required, but they could influence the amount of aid received).

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All electronics (including cell phones) should not be visible in class or in the hallways. These items must be left at home.

Any inappropriate item brought to school will be confiscated by the staff and will be returned to the student at the end of the school day (1st offense)

The second time an item is taken will result in the item being returned to the parent or guardian of the student.

The third offense will result in the item being taken from the student and held until the end of the school year.

Students who bring cell phones or electronic devices to school do so at their own risk.

If a phone or electronic device is borrowed, stolen, lost, or otherwise misplaced the administration and teachers WILL NOT take school time to investigate the issue. You are welcome to contact the police if you feel that a theft has occurred, but school officials will not take school time to work on issues regarding cell phones or electronic devices that students have chosen to bring to school.

Neither Adams City High School, nor its staff members are responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items, regardless if the item was lost, stolen, confiscated or placed in a locker.

-Ms. Perez, Mr. Bustos & Mr. Dunson

FAFSA Workshop Dates:• February 16th-20th and

23rd-27th, from 1:30-4:00 p.m. in the Counseling Center

• February 12th 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the Media Center

• February 19th 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the Media Center

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electRonic Devices Policy

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SWinter can bring on new challenges

when it comes to maintaining a safe home and driving environment. Roads become slick and occasionally people resort to dangerous measures to keep their homes livable when it gets cold out. Here are some tips for keeping yourself safe and well this season. Simple maintenance on your vehicle can keep it in safe running conditions for winter weather. Make sure you check the tire tread at a minimum of once every couple months. The beginning of winter is a great time to do this. Tire tread should be a minimum of 1/16” Always make sure your windshield washer fluid is full. This is an easy step to take in ensuring you can always have a clear view of the road and your surroundings. While it can be a freezing job, be sure to scrape and clean off windows and mirrors of all snow and ice before driving. This also ensures an unobstructed view. When planning your timeline to get somewhere in winter conditions, be sure to allow extra time to get there. It is often tempting to warm up your vehicle while it is on the street so that you can get into a nice toasty vehicle. This is not only against city ordinance but also puts your vehicle at risk of being stolen, even if the vehicle is locked. While four-wheel-drive trucks and other vehicles may go better in the snow, it always takes just as long or longer to stop. So, when the traffic light turns yellow, begin braking so that you can come to a safe stop. This is

also important when following another vehicle. Allowing extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you can prevent a rear-end crash, should the vehicle in front of you unexpectedly slow down or stop or should your vehicle slide when braking. Being prepared for an emergency, should one occur, is always a great idea. An emergency kit can be a simple solution to this. There are plenty premade ones on the market that aren’t very expensive. Alternatively, you can make your own. Be sure to include items such as non-perishable food (with distant expiration dates), water, a blanket, bandages, and a source of light (a wind-up flashlight is perfect for this). Keep your cell phone charged at all times to assure it is available should you need it in an emergency situation. Finally, be a good neighbor and keep yourself safe in your own home as well. Shovel walkways and your

porch. Salt them if necessary to keep them from being icy and slick. Your postal carrier and other delivery persons will appreciate you. Inside your home, be sure you are using heat sources designed to heat your home. This means use caution when using space heaters and do not turn on ovens or electric/gas cooking stovetops to heat your home. Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are functioning properly. Candles are an all season decoration but are particularly popular in the winter. Make sure you extinguish all candles and other fires before going to bed or leaving your home. Your school resource officers wish you a safe and warm winter season. We invite you to contact us with any questions you may have regarding these tips or any other concerns you may have.

WinteR safety tiPs with Officer castillO & Officer Blevens

In our continued effort to ensure the safety of every student and staff member, Adams City High School’s safety and security team is now requiring every adult who visits the high school to have a government-issued form of identification.

Acceptable forms of identification can include a driver’s license, military ID, or a passport. We thank the community for your understanding and cooperation with this new process.

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Adams City High School requires every student who parks on school

property to possess a school-issued parking permit. Parking Permits require the following documentation:

• Students must fill out a parking permit application

• Students must have a valid United States driver’s license

• Must have their vehicle’s registration

• Must have proof of insurance• Must pay $25 per semester

The following will explain the process students must go through in order to obtain a parking permit:1. A parking permit application must

be obtained from the security office2. The parking permit application

must be fully completed3. A copy of the student’s driver’s

license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance must be attached to the application

4. A $25 fee must be paid for every

semester a student parks on school property.

5. The fee must be paid to the Principal Secretary, Denise Sandoval, in the Main Office

6. A receipt will be given once the payment is received by Denise

7. Students must bring the receipt to the security office to be issued a parking permit

8. Once the permit is received, students must place the parking permit to be clearly visible on the interior of their vehicle’s windshield

Reminders for policies students must adhere to:• Students must park only in the

student parking lot, located in the southeast corner of the school campus.

• Students are not allowed to park in the visitor’s or staff parking lots.

• All student vehicles parked on school campus must have a parking permit visible

Students who do not have a parking permit, or do not follow our policies will face the following penalties:• First Offense ---- written warning• Second Offense ---- $10.00 fine

assessed• Third Offense ---- $25.00 fine and

student will meet with their dean• Fourth Offense and Additional

Offenses ---- $50.00 fine, dean notified, loss of parking permit, and possible tow of vehicle

Policy enforcement will begin January 12, 2015. All students who park on school property after January 12, 2015 must have an Adams City High School parking permit.

All parents and visitors to the school must park in the visitor’s parking lot, located in the front of the school, on the west side of the building.

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23-year-old son, an 18-year-old son and a 13-year-old son, and we are an active, snowboarding family. We spend a lot of time in the mountains. We like to camp and travel.

Q: What is your favorite thing about education?GT: There are no limitations. You can do whatever you want to do. Knowledge is power. If you can obtain the knowledge, you can obtain any goal or any career you want.

Q: Can you describe a situation when you saw a kid had experience a “light bulb” moment? GT: Kids, in terms of learning something, they have those moments every day. I think the biggest thing you get out of

students is when they realize you’re human too; that you’re not one without flaws, and that you care about them and you want what’s best for them. I think that’s the pivotal moment. Every kid entered school with a dream and an aspiration to be somebody, to do something. Somewhere along the road that kind of fell behind and that’s not because their dreams left them. It’s because we didn’t keep them on that road. Our job as adults is to make sure they stay on that path to success and into their dreams.

Q: What do you want ACHS parents and the Commerce City community to know about you?GT: That I’m here to serve them. I truly believe that this is a service position. I work for them and their students.

Scan Here to Like uS on Facebook & FoLLow uS on twitter

https://twitter.com/AdamsCityHighhttps://www.facebook.com/ACHSEagles

Interested in Volunteering at ACHS? Have something to share? Email ajones@adams14.org.

On November 7, 2014, Adams City Marine Corps JROTC celebrated the 239th birthday of the Marine Corps with its very own Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Double Tree Hotel in Stapleton. This year’s guest of honor was Mrs. Reba Drotar.

Welcome Mr. Thompson!continued from page 1