Issue 92

In what school officials are hoping will be a jump start to the turnaround of a Northeast Denver School, all K-5 Ashley Elementary students received iPads. The iPads were part of a grant from the Walton Family Foundation. The iPads will help educators pinpoint learning challenges for students and provide them each with the best tools to overcome the challenges. “It’s really an exciting program,” said Ashley parent Jill O’Malley. “It can help the kids with their learning as well as teach them responsibility. It’s great to see that Ashley and the school district are taking an initiative to make this school great.” Not to be outdone, the Stapleton public elementary schools including Isabella Bird, Westerly Creek, Bill Roberts, and Swigert, decided to provide each student at the respective elementary schools with fully loaded Microsoft Surface Pro 3s. “Someone heard the rumor that Ashley would be doing this, so the PTAs all got together to see what could be done,” said Westerly Creek PTA President Jennifer Christin. “We decided to work together and find a solution to the technology gap we were up against with Ashley. So, we found one of the best laptops on the market, the Surface Pro 3, and just ordered them up.” The laptops do not come cheap, however. Compared to an estimated $250 cost of an iPad, the Surface Pro 3 retails at about $1300, over five times more expensive than the iPad the students at Ashley received. “We kind of figured Stapleton kids are at least five times more important than other kids,” said Swigert PTA President Rose Mason. “Why not get them the best? Besides, money is really not that big of a factor with what we are raking in each year.” The Stapleton schools have no set plan as to how they will capitalize on the newly added technology. “It’s great that the kids have this access,” said Swigert Elementary Principal Chris Llewellyn. “But the struggle is that we make our lesson plans based on what we believe we will have coming into the year, and these were not in the plan. Now, in a sense, the PTA and parents have essentially created a whole new process for us. And we have to use them or parents will go nuts. I mean nuts.” Stapleton’s High Tech Elementary was not included in the Surface Pro purchases as those students already had their own laptops as well as several other yet to be released technology items which are still in beta. “We have a deal with our laptop company,” says High Tech Principal Jim Morningstar. “We trade them in every four months, as they become outdated as to what we are looking for. It’s cute that these other Stapleton elementary schools jumped on the technology train, but we are on a technology rocket ship, leaving everyone behind.” The other Stapleton elementary schools hope to have a strong plan of use for the Surface Pros by winter break. “We should have a good strategy by the second half of the school year,” said Principal Llewellyn. “It will take a lot of extra hours from the teachers and our staff, but the students are worth it.” Yes, five times worth it. ]]>

For those who have lived in Stapleton for six or more months, the rampant Stapleton crime shouldn’t be news to you. No matter what reliable source you use, whether it is block captain emails, Facebook, Big Tent, Next Door, or random people at the Berkshire, you are aware of the crime pitfall of Stapleton. “It seems like every other day you hear about someone’s garage getting broken into,” said Stapleton resident Mike Stone. “And of course, you have the random sightings of potential troublemakers.” [Read more…] about Sign at Central Park Blvd. and 29th Warns Drivers of Stapleton Risks

According to data from Movoto, Westword recently reported that the 80238 ZIP in Denver is the most desirable. Factors used in the study included median household income, average commute time, median house worth, and families below the poverty line, among other data points. Of course, this data isn’t new information to Stapleton residents or real estate agents. “Aside from just living here and knowing how great it is, houses don’t stay on the market very long,” says resident Nicole Lance. “And usually the people moving, simply move to another Stapleton house.” [Read more…] about 80238 Denver’s Most Desirable ZIP Code—But We Already Knew That

Recently, the subject of “catcalls” has been in the news. A catcall is defined as when one makes a whistle, shout, or comment of a sexual nature to a woman passing by. Recently, a video released by Hollaback showed the challenges a woman may face when walking around in an urban environment. The woman received tens of comments within 10 hours. Stapleton feminists have voiced their disapproval of those feeling they should make a comment to a pretty woman every time they walk by. “Of course, it has happened to me,” says resident Kristi Gable. “It is very uncomfortable, and it is a pretty helpless feeling.” Other feminists agree. “Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t matter how attractive the person doing it is,” says resident Julie Nuss. “It’s sad, pathetic, and horribly unoriginal. I’m aware that if you go to a bar you may get hit on, but a woman should be able to walk from one place to another without being subject to come ons.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Mom Troubled by Lack of Catcalls in Town Center

ISIL has not only made its way to the United States, but are now considered an active terrorist cell operating within Stapleton. As the Front Porch recently reported, a white van exploded while being parked next to the Botanic Apartments. Eyewitness Greg Riekse says there was a very loud explosion, and then the van started on fire. “There were flames shooting out of the van, and it was very hot,” says Rieske. “It was pretty scary, but luckily the fire department was right across the street at Starbucks and they got here in two minutes and made sure there wasn’t any more damage.” [Read more…] about ISIL Threat Hits Home for Botanic Apartment Residents

The Stapleton Mom’s Big Tent Group is in hot water after several non-moms have been either refused entry into the group, or faced several obstacles to get in. “I simply wanted to know what was going on in the community,” said Stapleton dad Thomas Lockie. “But when I applied with my info, it said I had to come down to an office with four forms of ID, plus an electric bill, and a recent copy of Good Housekeeping with my address on it. It was ridiculous.” [Read more…] about Moms Big Tent Group Faces Class Action Suit Regarding Suppression Allegations

If you live in Stapleton, there is a good chance that you were “Booed” during this Halloween season. For most, it’s a chance to get festive and do some fun things with your kids, and anonymously deliver candy to neighborhood kids. However, some people are not fans of the new tradition. “I think it is silly,” said resident Tom Rudel. “Why do I want to give someone else a chore? Not to mention, something so unproductive. You’re just putting candy in a bag and giving it to children. They are going to be getting so much candy at Halloween. Why not challenge them to do 20 push-ups a night until Halloween?” Other residents agree. “Do we really need one more thing to stress about during Halloween?,” asks Michelle Stagemeyer. “We seem to be one of the last people to get this every year, so it takes us hours to find two houses who haven’t been booed. It’s quite annoying.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Family Refuses to Participate in Being “Booed”