City Testimonials: "I hope that you have received 500 calls saying THANK YOU for the new playground at Bonforte Park! It is a terrific neighborhood park and we so appreciate the improvements. I walk by every day and see so many children and parents enjoying themselves." -Citizen Comment "The crew from Engine 15A were professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and extremely helpful, not only did this group of professionals represent the Fire Department in a positive light, they also speak to a city government that is responsive and courteous to the public."- Citizen Comment "We've found with projects we're doing, the City seems to be as proactive as they possibly can be." -Real Estate CEO "Grateful for the progress made by CSPD to curb shoplifting." -Business Loss Prevention Manager "Not only was my concern addressed in a professional and timely manner, but Finance Planning & Analysis Manager Leslie Hickey took the time to let me know that changes were on the way. This is the direct opposite of some folks' perception of local government." -Citizen Comment "Thank you very much for fixing the potholes on the round about for Squirrel Tail and Brainard as well as the divot by the water outlet on Squirrel Tail towards Musgrave. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -Citizen Comment "Accounts Payable Supervisor Patti McFarland was true to her word, she called me back within days to give a status report. Then she called again to update me. Then, she called today to let me know she had been able to contact the unreachable tow company, received an invoice, and would be reimbursing the portion the business manager agreed to pay! I know that it was a sustained effort because I tried for several months and got nowhere. I can't express my overwhelming gratitude to Patti and your office for their work in this matter. We run a service-based business and try to learn from other organizations whenever we can. I will bring up this instance at our weekly meeting as an example of good service to be commended and followed.Thanks to you and Patti for the surprisingly positive experience I had with your office." -Local Small Business Owner "Thanks to Traffic Technician Pete Doyle, his community attitude to work with the residents is commendable. Thank you once again." -Citizen Comment "Streets Operations Manager Bard Lower has provided me superb customer service, above and beyond what could reasonably be expected. I know that this has been a priority for your administration, and I felt it important to let you know that it is working. Mr. Lower and his associates deserve kudos for their proactive, thorough handling of this five-year-old snow plowing issue and I am grateful to you as well for making the City more responsive to citizen requests." -Citizen Comment "As a new resident of Colorado Springs, it’s apparent that the City really does excel in taking care of its residents and treats its citizens more like neighbors and friends than just customers on a long “to-do” list. Thank you for all your exceptional service." -Citizen Comment

Spirit of the Springs Presented to Charter Friends

April 18, 2012 By

Colorado Springs charter school leaders swept the 2012 Charter School Awards, announced recently by the Colorado League of Charter Schools.  The winners were honored during the 18th Annual Colorado Charter Schools Conference Feb. 24 in Broomfield.

Three of the five “Charter Friend” Award winners work at Colorado Springs charter schools. Mayor Steve Bach presented each local award winner with a Spirit of the Springs “Celebration” Award.

  • Colin T. Mullaney, executive director of Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and The Vanguard School, was named Charter School Leader of the Year.
  • Charter School Teacher of Year Award went to Teresa Brown, 3rd and 4th grade teacher at the Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning in Colorado Springs School District 11.
  • Eileen Johnston with James Irwin Charter Schools was given the Charter School Award for Operational Excellence.
Charter Friend Award Winners Receive Spirit of the Springs "Celebration" Award

Charter Friend Award Winners Receive Spirit of the Springs "Celebration" Award. (L to R) Colin T. Mullaney, Mayor Steve Bach, Eileen Johnston, Donna Nelson from the City of Colorado Springs, Councilman Tim Leigh, and Teresa Brown.

The Charter School Policy Award, given annually to a charter friendly elected official, was renamed the Keith King Award for Public Policy in honor of charter school advocate, supporter and leader Colorado Springs Senator Keith King.

Charter Schools are public schools that do not accept tuition and are contracted by school districts (“chartered”) to use alternative and innovative methods to provide excellent education.  They are free from most restrictions made by school districts or curriculum, methodology, or administration, yet are required to demonstrate academic excellence through State outcome measurements.  Currently there are 19 charter schools in the City of Colorado Springs, and 170 charter schools throughout the State of Colorado.

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Colorado Springs Educator Puts Fun Factor in FireFactor

April 4, 2012 By

Colorado Springs Fire Department Community Services Educator, Brianna Goodwin, knows the best way to get kids to engage and remember is to use creative teaching techniques. Her efforts recently made it all the way to the front page of the New York Times in an article on “clickers” .

Brianna teaches about the consequences of arson through a program called FireFactor, a prevention program that uses mediums kids connect with like clips from current TV commercials, movies and music videos. Using remote control hand-held devices is part of the fun-factor in FireFactor.

Since 2010, the FireFactor program has reached nearly 5,300 Colorado Springs middle school students. Approximately 77 FireFactor presentations were made to 6th and 7th graders, 70 teachers and more than 30 guests from 2011-2012.

“Juvenile fire setting is common between the ages of 10-14,” said Brianna. “We wanted to create a program that spoke to youth in their own language because they are so immersed in the media. There are images of fire and explosions in media every three minutes. We show them examples of fire in media and contrast it against the reality through stories of Colorado Springs fires.”

Brianna uses the clicker system to engage them and get instantaneous feedback. “They are so excited and want to know immediately when they’ll get to use it. It’s fun to watch them get really excited about it before we even start the class.”

She wants parents and teachers to know, “You can talk to kids about fire. Many adults struggle with communicating with teens and tweens. It’s a tough and a serious issue, but it shouldn’t scare anyone away from bringing it up with kids.”

Mayor Bach is a big believer in communication and education when it comes to public safety. “The more we can do to save lives and avoid injury the better,” said Mayor Steve Bach. “It’s efforts like this that make such a difference in raising public safety awareness.”

There are three components to the FireFactor Program: Intervention, Education and Parenting. For more info, email FireFactor@springsgov.com.

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Mayor Bach’s Call to Action for Adopt a School Program

March 30, 2012 By

Since 1997, Colorado Springs Schools have welcomed Fort Carson soldiers into the classroom to volunteer their time in support of students and teachers. Fort Carson’s “Adopt-a-School” Program has given soldiers the opportunity to provide a valuable service for students, teachers, parents and the community as a whole.

Soldiers have helped out in every Colorado Springs school district and the program has been so popular eight schools are now on the waiting list. With that much demand, Mayor Bach launched a “Call to Action” to get the word out and encourage volunteers to participate.

Volunteers can participate as much as their time allows and have the flexibility to create their own schedule. Some schools do require back ground checks and those who are interested are asked to contact Donna Nelson, the City’s Economic Vitality and Innovation Specialist at dznelson@springsgov.com.

Wendy Godwin, Principal of Wildflower Elementary, attributes soldier support through the Adopt-a-School Program as one of the major reasons why Wildflower Elementary received the 2011 National Blue Ribbon School Award – the only school in Colorado Springs to receive the 2011 Award.

 

 

 

 Donna Nelson, Economic Vitality and Innovation Specialist and CSM Kilpatrick present some of the features of the Adopt-a-School Program. Mayor and wife, Suzi Bach, along with CSPD Chief Carey, CSFD Chief Brown and other City sworn officers were among the enthusiastic supporters.

Others who would like to see the program expanded include Donna Nelson, Chief Dubay and Carmelita Holien, a School Liason Officer.

Mayor Bach said, “The Adopt-a-School Program helps students prepare to become our next generation of leaders. I want to thank all those who have dedicated their time to this program and I encourage more citizens to step forward.”

 

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Kyrgystan Sister City Teachers Met Mayor Bach

March 12, 2012 By

English teachers from Colorado Springs’ Sister City Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, met with Mayor Bach as part of their trip to study and observe Colorado Springs schools, from elementary to the university level.

 These young educators would like to establish a virtual classroom experience between schools in Kyrgyzstan and Colorado Springs, in addition to being “pen pals” via SKYPE.

 

“We’re proud to be a Sister City with you,” the Mayor said. Then he asked more about their schools, districts and relationships with nearby cities. They have four school districts in their capitol city of 800,000 people.

 

 

Colorado Springs and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan have been Sister Cities since 1994. This visit was funded by the Open World Leadership Center in Washington D.C. and the teachers stayed with Colorado Springs host families to experience our culture and daily life firsthand.

Mayor Bach offered gifts of pens for each with the words “America the Beautiful” and “Pikes Peak” inscribed. He received a gift from their country in return. Their goal is “to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and countries of Eurasia by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America’s democratic, accountable government and its free-market system.”

When ask if they’d been shopping, the teachers grinned and said, “Most definitely!”

Sister Cities are formed to develop friendly and meaningful exchanges involving citizens and organizations in both communities engaging in projects of mutual interest.  Colorado Springs has six Sister Cities: Bankstown, Australia; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Fujiyoshida, Japan; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico; Smolensk, Ukraine.

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Sister City Bishkek Kyrgyzstan Teachers Meet Mayor Bach

March 9, 2012 By

  FOR MORE INFORMATION

John Leavitt

(719) 385-5242

MEDIA ADVISORY

March 9, 2012                                                                                                                

      Mayor Bach to meet with visiting teachers from Sister City Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Mayor Bach will meet with visiting English teachers from Colorado Springs’ Sister City Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and present them with a small gift from the City of Colorado Springs.  The meet and greet will take place on Monday, March 12 at 10 a.m. the Mayor’s Office in Suite 601 of the City Administration Building (30 S. Nevada Ave.).

            The primary purpose of the trip is for young, educational leaders from Kyrgyzstan to visit our country to observe and study our educational system, including K-12 curriculum, distant learning methods and the use of online programs to enhance education, and to establish a virtual classroom experience between schools in Kyrgyzstan and Colorado Springs such as being “pen pals” via SKYPE.  To that end, the visiting teachers will be meeting with many Colorado Springs schools from elementary to university level.  The visitors will also be enjoying “homestays” with Colorado Springs host families so that they can experience our culture and daily life.

            Colorado Springs and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan have been Sister Cities since 1994. This visit is funded by the Open World Leadership Center in Washington D.C., which seeks “to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America’s democratic, accountable government and its free-market system.”

            Bishkek, capitol of Kyrgyzstan, is one of the most beautiful and progressive cities in Central Asia. It is the nation’s capital and is located along the ancient Silk Road. This city of 800,000 people at the base of the Tien Shan mountain range has a climate similar to that of Colorado Springs. Bishkek is a film industry hub and has vast capacities for industry and mining, as well as tourism and recreation.

            Sister Cities are formed to develop friendly and meaningful exchanges involving citizens and organizations in both communities engaging in projects of mutual interest.  Colorado Springs has six Sister Cities: Bankstown, Australia; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Fujiyoshida, Japan; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico; Smolensk, Ukraine.

TWO ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Monday, March 12, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Discovery Canyon Campus
  • Tuesday, March 13, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at The Classical Academy
  • Please contact Don Richardson, Colorado Springs Sister Cities International, at 719-243-1601 for questions.

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