Education

A satisfying cadence infuses the words spelled aloud at a bee — staccato, enunciated, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

The 80-minute Mountain Area Spelling Bee on Jan. 25 at Wilmot Elementary saw 21 third- through seventh-graders using their spelling-bee cadences as they went through round after round.

This year’s contest had its dramatic moments, and after the final two contestants went 10 rounds spelling difficult words correctly, bee officials declared it a draw, and those two students will be sent to the state bee.

With less than a month before contract negotiations begin with the Jefferson County Education Association, the school district is trying to prepare for a worst-case scenario when it comes to next year’s state funding.

In the wake of the failure of ballot initiatives 3A and 3B in the November election, district officials are concerned that the uncertain nature of state funding could complicate efforts to retain current teachers and attract new hires.

Early numbers for the 2016-17 academic year show a slight decrease in enrollment in Jeffco Public Schools, and those numbers are expected to drop further next year.

Some 370 fewer students are enrolled at district schools compared to this time last year. While the decrease is small considering that the district has typically served an average of more 86,000 students since the 2005-06 academic year, the decline in enrollment is expected to continue next year.

Some students at Elk Creek Elementary School recently shared their favorite poems with fellow classmates and family.

Called Poetry Café, the event is an annual tradition at the school. Students in all grades pick a poem to recite to the class, and then the teachers pick three to four students to participate in Poetry Café.