Two Kent Denver students are making their voices heard across Colorado as published writers in the Denver Post.  Eleventh-grader Jennifer Luo was named  one of the Post’s “Colorado Voices”  for 2007.  Through a highly competitive process involving more than 370 applicants, Jennifer was one of 18 writers selected to write five op-ed pieces for the paper this year. Click here to read Jennifer’s first column (published in August) or click here to read her September 4 column.

Eighth grader Ashley Achee has been a featured writer in the Denver Post’s Colorado Kids section. To see Ashley’s recent article about Mesa Verde, please click here.

Breakthrough Kent Denver (formerly Summerbridge) is seeking families or businesses to provide a quality, nutritious lunch for our Saturday School program this year.  The program conducts 13 Saturday School sessions at Kent Denver from September through May.  Approximately 30 students and 15 high school age teachers attend each week to help the students improve their math, reading, and writing skills. 

If you have questions or would like to donate a lunch for one of the days, please contact Michael Turner, Executive Director, at mturner@kentdenver.org or 303-770-7660 x223.

As its 25th season of operation approaches, it is once again time for the Kent Credit Union (KCU) to brace itself for a number of new and exciting changes. Since closing its doors for the summer months, Kent’s branch of Gateway Credit Union, which will be officially a member of Westerra Credit Union after completing its merge on October 1st, has undergone a complete facelift. Welcoming a variety of exciting new elements, including signs exhibiting the Westerra Credit Union logo and a new coat of paint, KCU also looks forward to adding flat screen computers and laser printers as a part of the 2007-2008 school year. Further benefits of Gateway Credit Union’s merge with Westerra Credit Union, apart from its new physical features, include a new computer system for increased banking efficiency as well as a wider sense of accessibility and availability of credit union services to KCU members. After the official merge on October 1st, all 10 Westerra Credit Union branches up and down the front range will be available for use by existing Gateway Credit Union and Westerra Credit Union members. This increase in accessibility to banking will allow members to continue their banking much more easily during the summer months and when outside of Kent Denver School.

Along with its merger with Westerra Credit Union and the variety of new features and services offered, the Kent Denver Branch will also be greeting new staff with open arms while sadly saying goodbye to others. After starting KCU twenty five years ago and nurturing it into the largest student run credit union in the world as of present day, founder Donna Duvall-Serrano will be making plans for her final retirement so that she may enjoy the much-deserved opportunity to spend more time with her friends and family. KCU’s success is due to Mrs. Serrano’s years of commitment and dedication that could not be seconded.  As she moves on, the staff of the credit union would urge each and everyone of the Kent Denver community to take a moment to thank her for enriching all of our lives and for making such a successful business and learning environment for so many students.

In Mrs. Serrano’s place, Mrs. Tracy Wittmer (wife of well-known sixth grade advisor, Martin Wittmer) will take over as manager of KCU. Beginning immediately after the start of the 2007-2008 school year. Mrs. Wittmer will be present in the credit union daily, learning its ins and outs under the guidance of Mrs. Serrano until her full-time takeover come September of 2008. In addition KCU also welcomes 12 new junior and senior tellers, as well as a well-developed staff for its loan and PR committees.

Last year, the school launched the Kent Denver Infant and Toddler Center, a daycare center for faculty children under the age of three.  The Center, which is located in Blackmer Hall across from Humphreys’ Dining Hall, added a third classroom this year to help meet demand. Click here to see photos of some Kent Denver’s youngest “students.”

Many parents have asked how they can support this important faculty resource. Amy Goodmanson, director of the Kent Denver Infant and Toddler Center, has put together a wish list of furniture and other items that would make a positive impact on the children and teachers at the Center this year.  To download a copy of the Wish List, please click here.  The Center is also seeking donations of new or used board books and art supplies.  To see a list of suggested book titles, please click here.

Adventurous faculty members Jenny Fisher, Chrissy Frederick, Ben Simmons and Katie Thomas took a group 34 current ninth graders on a twelve day trip to Europe this past June. Highlights of the tour included stops in Paris and the Loire Valley in France and Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Seville, and Malaga in Spain. Despite lost bags (the entire group was without luggage for 3 days) and a cancelled flight from Chicago back to Denver, Ms. Thomas says "the group had a true European adventure and an experience they will never forget."

Watch future issues of Connection for information on student/faculty trips planned for spring and summer of 2008.