Jefferson County Students First

JCSF is a group of community members who see a point in time where all JeffCo students have the opportunity to attend an exceptionally high-performing school. Our mission is to educate & inform others about sensible, pragmatic changes that drive improved achievement in public education: focusing on highly effective teachers; empowered principals; funding that follows the student; & more choice. We promote & encourage creative solutions so that each child has an equal opportunity for success.

Testimonials

Terri Lee Nielsen - Director, Satori Alliance for Strong Schools
I'm so pleased that Sheila Atwell has orchestrated incredibly important resources to benefit the Jefferson County community, and its families…!

Jeffco Students First organization is an outstanding Guiding Light for our wonderful community.

The name says it all. Our children are our most valuable and cherished resource.

Jefferson County Students First has moved mountains within our community, in such a short timeframe.

Although there are goals and achievements in the organization that I'm not aware of, the elements that touch my life to a large degree include the extensive community outreach aimed at 3 + generations, Jeffco Students First presence at key community and statewide functions, monthly community conversation luncheons, "Jeffco Observer" news coverage, and Sheila's "Reader's Digest" style coverage of Jeffco School Board communications, goals, and meetings.

I've been actively involved in public education in Jefferson County since I was 3 years old. My Dad was a 34 year career long Earth Science, Chemistry, & Physics teacher for Jeffco. I became a second generation STEM, social studies & literacy educator for Jeffco Schools, and then a 20 + year private business project manager in Colorado (and several other states… a small amount of international business); my organization was called Satori Management Systems… 1994 - 2013

For 20 + years I've run an Education Advocacy extension, that I've called: Satori Alliance for Strong Schools. I've been interested in supporting our local schools in the Denver metro region, particularly those schools near my extended family and home in Golden / Lakewood / Wheatridge.

Sheila's coverage of important local education news, and School Board goals within her highly organized emails, and within The Jeffco Observer, have been "game changers" for me.

Because my Dad spent his entire career with Jeffco Schools, I've been aware of important education events in this region for 52 years…! That's only a few years after the consolidation of several smaller school districts that created Jeffco Schools, ~ 60 years ago.

There has never been a greater need in our community for highly organized methods for sharing communication than now.

We recently transitioned from having a superintendent who spent her career at higher levels of Jeffco School's administration. Needless to say, the transition was very needed,… and yet very difficult for the community. We are still traveling a rocky road that has been very divisive --- like nothing else we've ever experienced.

I feel confident that we are on a steady trajectory, at this point. Our local school board has worked doggedly to serve the Jeffco community with honor and dignity--- although there must be many days when those honorable School Board members are very fatigued.

Sheila has provided tireless, and incredibly needed, outstandingly articulate communications to our deserving community through it all.

Sheila,…. I don't have any idea where you derive your abundance of professionalism and wisdom. Your coverage of important details is second to none…!

I am so happy that you and your colleagues recognized this important Jefferson County need; and have decided to work through hours of volunteerism and arranging to provide us a dignified voice through out all of these key transitions.

I know that our community owes you big time. I also know that is now what you are thinking about.

Just know how grateful I am---- and I hear from numerous others who say the same.

We are very fortunate that you have elected to serve Jefferson County families and the greater community in these ways…!

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Marlin Jahnke -
If you are interested in the educational system in Jefferson County, you will receive various opinions from the media. teachers, PTA members and others. If you like to form your own options, Jeffco Students First (JSF), is a great resource.

JSF provides information about Jefferson County School Board proceedings that will allow you to understand what is going on. To start, the Jeffco Observer is a quarterly publication which provides articles which give you the background information to make some sense of the various discussions. Also, the JSF provides email updates and information about upcoming events and meetings for the School Board...