The first lesson third-graders at Whittier Elementary School received Monday was in economics, and it was from millionaire businessman and current Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
“If you guys work hard enough, stay in school and graduate from college, you will make $1 million more over your lifetime,” Hickenlooper said. “If your parents can’t afford to put you through college, we’re going to make sure you can go.”
Hickenlooper joined Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet at the Five Points preschool-through-seventh-grade school to celebrate last year’s academic growth, welcome the new academic year and urge kids to continue to college.
“You guys going to work hard?” Hickenlooper asked the students as they walked into the school. “A little less TV and a little more math.”
Denver’s 143 schools opened Monday for 70,000 students, just a few weeks after the district celebrated historic gains on the state’s annual assessment test. Denver Public Schools, though still about 20 points behind the state average on the Colorado Student Assessment Program, had gains that were significantly better than the rest of the state.
One school showing gains was Whittier, where two-thirds of the students qualify for federal meal benefits. Fifth- through seventh-graders showed 20-point gains in reading over the year before.
“This is my fifth year for first days,” Hickenlooper said. “Every year we work harder, and now we’re seeing the results. This is one of the most improved schools in the most improved district in the state.”
Both Hickenlooper and Ritter touted their college funding plans.
The Denver Scholarship Foundation — started by Hickenlooper and oilman Tim Marquez — gives students who graduate from DPS as much as $6,000 a year to attend college.
In November, voters will be asked to pass an initiative pushed by Ritter that would devote money from a tax increase on the oil and gas industry for college scholarships.
The severance-tax increase would bring about $200 million a year to the state, enough to aid about 60 percent of the college-age students in Colorado with their tuition, backers of the plan estimate.
“We are saying we want to remove the barriers,” Ritter said.
A few blocks from Whittier, the former Cole Middle School was celebrating its reopening. Cole, which has had a storied past, was reopened as a preschool-through-eighth grade school. Crews worked for weeks, sometimes around the clock, to get the school open on time.
Cole closed in spring 2005 when it had become one of the state’s worst-performing schools. It reopened a few months later as a charter school — KIPP Cole College Prep.
But that school closed last spring when KIPP — Knowledge Is Power Program — pulled out, with officials saying they could not find a principal to run the program.
The building has been semi-occupied by various programs — housing small charter schools and theater costumes.
Last year, the district closed eight schools that were underperforming and underenrolled, including Mitchell Elementary. Cole was reopened to take in some of those students.
Outside the 83-year-old school on Monday, students dressed in uniforms lined up behind their new teachers. Administrators cheered as kids walked into the new school — now Cole Arts and Science Academy.
Principal Julie Murgel admitted to having butterflies in her stomach on the first day. “It’s fabulous,” she said. “Everyone is here and ready to go.”
Inside, the school smelled like new paint and new carpet and buzzed with excitement.
“Look at this building,” said Bennet, standing outside the historic school. “I’m so glad.”
Every year, Bennet said, the first day of school is an inspiration both as a parent and an administrator.
“It’s great to have the kids back,” he said — a reminder of what the work is all about.
Teacher Zach Rahn started his third-graders off with a chant. “Work Hard. Get Smart. Woo. Woo.” The class of 11 students at first said the phrase quietly. But Rahn, who called each student a “scholar,” would not have it. Louder.
“Work Hard. Get Smart. WOO WOO.”
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
