THE SEASON TO THINK ABOUT OTHERS

A holiday tradition at many of our elementary schools are in-school “gift shops,” which provide scholars with the opportunity to obtain items at low – or in some cases no cost – in order to make Christmas brighter for those on their gift lists. Without fail, each and every little one who made his or her way through the gift shops did so with others on their mind. From parents to siblings to classmates to pets, funds were exclusively earmarked for those close to the little shoppers’ hearts.

OPERATION BLUE SANTA IS UNDERWAY

For the third year, Operation Blue Santa will see every elementary school student in the District receive an age-appropriate gift. An application for the cache of toys, submitted by Freddie Gallegos – the longtime director of the Pueblo Toys for Tots – was met with approval, enabling this heart-warming collaboration to once again enrich the lives of thousands of hard-working youngsters throughout the District.

NAACP PUEBLO CHAPTER BUILDS UP THE DISTRICT’S FOUNDATION

Roxanna Mack, president of the chapter, and Helen Wylie, vice president, spent most of Thursday dropping off boxes of Kindergarten-age supplies to Columbian, Minnequa, Bessemer Academy, Beulah Heights, Bradford and Park View.

MEET YOUR PRINCIPAL: MICHELLE MACIAS PADILLA READY TO LEAD THE BRADFORD FAMILY

As Bradford’s leader, Principal Macias Padilla said it’s her goal “to build on what’s already been established so far. We are all about providing for our students intellectually and social-emotionally, with a sense of stability. We take a look at the whole individual child and doing what’s best for them.

A Love of Children has Defined Sandy Alvarez's Careers

Whether her own or those in the classroom, children have been Sandy Alvarez’s life. And after a 30-year career in education, the last 15 as Principal of Bradford Elementary School, Mrs. Alvarez is moving on to the next phase of that life: one that will, not surprisingly, reflect her love of instructing.

A Birthday is a Great Day, and a Great Way, to Say, 'Hey! Books are A-OK'

Across the district, Read Across America Week, which annually coincides with the birthday of Theodor “Dr. Suess” Geisel, saw D60 students revel in the wealth of activities and specially themed days designed to add a fun component to the pro-literacy campaign. As is tradition, a number of district and community notables, from Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso to Sheriff Kirk Taylor to Mayor Nick Gradisar, donned the famous “Cat in the Hat” headware and read their favorite Dr. Seuss book.

Bradford Book Fair a Highlight for Read Across America Celebration

Since 2017, the Scripps Howard Foundation has distributed more than 352,000 new books to children in need as part of its annual “If You Give a Child a Book …” campaign. This week, through a partnership that encompasses the foundation, KOAA 5, and Scholastic, more than 320 pre-K through fifth-grade Bradford Eagles benefitted from that philanthropy in the form of brand-new age-appropriate books.

D60 Preschool Application Process is Now Underway

In addition to preparing children for Kindergarten, and easing that adjustment, preschool can help children advance academically and develop social-emotional skills, such as sharing and being respectful, showing empathy, and dealing with emotions.

Enrollment Now Open for Kindergarten

Kindergarten offers a wealth of benefits for youngsters, including the development of a strong sense of identity and independence and opportunities to explore their feelings and become more aware of the reasons for them.

Anticipation and Joy Mark a Return to In-Person Instruction

The joyful sounds of little ones frolicking on a playground that had been silent for the better part of two months was the first sign, and an uplifting one at that, that Bradford Elementary School was “back in business.”

Police, Marines Team up to make Christmas Merry for Elementary Students

With students learning from home for the remainder of the month, the way in which the gifts will be distributed has been modified. This year, the district’s four high schools will serve as mobile distribution sites.

D60 enrolling for FREE Pre-K for qualified 3- and 4-year-olds this fall