Discovery Canyon Campus students medical learning experience

 

Trauma:

Local 5th graders learn the systems and medical practices

Photo information:
1. Fifth-graders, working alongside professionals, try to stem the tide of fake blood.
2.  Dr. Tiffany Willard, trauma surgeon at Memorial Hospital.
3. Trauma patient needing help breathing and maintaining a pulse.
4. "Now let's try to sew up the incision." 
5.  "Stick your fingers in there and see if you can determine what is causing the continued bleeding."
6. All systems working together.

Photos and story By Rob Carrigan, robcarrigan@yourpeaknews.com

You could cut the excitement in the room with a scalpel.

Six weeks of learning the various systems of the body. Specialization in one of those systems. A renowned local trauma surgeon with instructions for you, at your fingertips. All the trappings of the Trauma room.

The couple of dozen, or so, 5th graders could barely contain themselves.

In what could become a bedrock foundation — or at least a good start in their medical career — the fifth-grade medical students at Discovery Canyon Campus (DCC) Elementary answered question after question (correctly) on systems of the body.  Dr. Tiffany Willard, a trauma surgeon at Memorial Hospital, guided their new-found expertise toward understanding how it all works together at Discovery Canyon's makeshift operating room last week, on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22.

About 42 minutes into that discourse, one young 'doctor' spoke of that excitement and anticipation.

"I really just want to get started," she said.

Willard, guiding the 5th graders in the same manner as the medical student residents and trauma professionals accompanying her from Memorial Hospital, finished her real-world example.  

She was careful to make sure the experience was as genuine, and hands-on as possible as she related real life and death situations from the trauma room. Her first-hand experience suggests that drugs and alcohol account for a large percentage of trauma cases she sees everyday.

“Now is the time to at least start talking about making good choices and being safe. Taking care of your bodies,” Willard said.

But plenty of trauma treatment experience was part of the drill. Shoulder-to-shoulder with medical residents, wielding real "sharps," as they cut into, poked around in, and stitched up  wounds to try to stop bleeding. They administered chest compression, ventilated, and tried to stabilize their patients.

The fake blood flowed. And appeared on gloves, and masks, and a shoe or boot — here and there.

"It's made of water, and little cornstarch and food coloring," Willard explained when asked by her students.

Still, the sight of such copious amounts can make you a little 'green,' faint, or dizzy.

What is hardest thing she has to do? Yet the most important.

No, it is not the gore.

"I love blood and guts. It's what I do for a living. I like being able to help." she said.

"Talking with the parents or loved ones when something bad has happened," is most important, however, says Willard, and the proper way to do that was even part of the lesson.

"Introduce yourself, shake hands, strong grip, single pump, eye contact. Direct, but with empathy. No judgement," were some of the instructions and practice.

Koi is known for its strength, individuality, character, and perseverance

An ancient tale tells of a huge school of golden koi swimming upstream in the Yellow River in China. Gaining strength by fighting against the current, the school glimmered as they swam together through the river. When they reached a waterfall at the end of the river, many of the koi turned back, letting the flow of the river carry them away. The remaining koi refused to give up. Leaping from the depths of the river, they attempted to reach the top of the waterfall to no avail. Their efforts caught the attention of local demons, who mocked their efforts and heightened the waterfall out of malice. After a hundred years of jumping, one koi finally reached the top of the waterfall. The gods recognized the koi for its perseverance and determination and turned it into a golden dragon, the image of power and strength.  Koi fish are associated with positive imagery. Because of the dragon legend, they are known as symbols of strength and perseverance, as seen in their determinative struggle upstream. And because of the lone koi that made it to the top of the waterfall, they are also known as symbols of a destiny fulfilled. Resulting from its bravery in swimming upstream.  The koi is known for its strength, individuality, character, and perseverance. 

Koi Fish symbolizes resilient nature of campus coming together

 By Rob Carrigan, robcarrigan@yourpeaknews.com

The size and scope of the Discovery Canyon Campus Koi Fish Art installation is the amazing thing.  It meanders upstream in the blue paper, from the elementary school, up stairs and through hallways of the middle school, always swimming, ever upward, over the doorways, around and through the halls and common areas of the 84-acre campus, finally reaching the highest points in high school.
“We are about 290 employees strong here and there will be an installation up throughout our entire campus running through Nov. 26. The artwork is being made by all staff members and our students. The artwork is Koi fish swimming up 31 degrees in elevation from the bottom of our campus to the top. The fish swim together and collaboratively. The fish are symbolic of working together, being together and swimming together. The Fish swim upstream against the flow of water. The fish swim up and forward always moving together as one school of fish,” says middle school art teacher Shell Acker, who began working the project in July.
"The students all have different papers and colors and textures for their fish to represent all of us are different. We all want to share our gifts like the book 'Rainbow Fish,'” she said.
By the numbers, more than 4,500 fish swim the stream. At least $160 worth of blue paper makes up that continuous stream. As many as 2,400 students and 290 staff members have worked on it.  Then there is the parents and volunteers.
"We have had parent and community groups in here 12 at time," says Acker.
At its longest point, it is probably close to 800 meters long.
In fact it is going for a world record, with Guinness World Records. Two seventh-grade DCC boys made that suggestion and then followed up. Ryan Swint and Kirby Gillman began the research on that in September and Guinness is expected reviewed at end of the month."The Koi was chosen because of its strength and resiliency. We are strong and koi are stronger and more beautiful each day. The environment we create as teachers help our students/fish become all that they can be and more valuable as well. The legend of the koi fish is read to each student so they can see why we chose this fish to create as a staff/school/student body. Students and Staff will create a moving fish.”
 “We are doing a campus-wide art installation of koi fish. The installation is a reminder that we are all a community – we swim together, and everyone is an important member of the DCC community. We all bring different colors and styles – our own uniqueness and gifts to the campus, and that makes DCC strong and whole. In addition to representing the unity of the campus, we want the Koi to serve as a visual reminder of some really important character traits.”
The middle level created fish together in Bridges time frame…parents invited to come and make a fish with your student... And the high schoolers created fish with their Thunder time classes/teachers. Elementary students were creating in the art classroom and elementary art teacher Pam Quarles is having a contest for the teachers. "If teachers create the most creative/ the best fish… they win a Starbucks gift card," Quarles said.
"I think it is really creative," said third-grader Issaac Housley. "Everyone knows where their fish is at."

Teachers and staff are all involved with the project. Even security guards have made fish. At High School level, art teachers Aubry Daman, Marilee Mason, Diane Anderson are key. From Middle School, Shell Acker and Jen Filbert, and elementary, Pam Quarles.

 "A story… a positive one about how our staff is working together each and every day with the kids our parents entrust to us each day. I am not naïve to know that this simple metaphorical art installation will save all our kids contemplating taking their own lives… but if it saves just one… it is worth it," said Acker.
"Our kids (students) don’t have enough tricks in their handbags to know that tomorrow will be a better day. The installation will show them to keep swimming and that we are swimming right along with them. The arts do help us heal and the arts are scientifically good for our body, mind and soul," she said.
"Visual Arts is one more way to let the kids know we are swimming behind them and in front of them… but we are swimming with them."
And create a campus wide art installation that visually represents the resilient nature of our campus and to create a community feeling of togetherness and comradery.

'Longest chain (length)' records for Guinness Book of Records

Please make sure you follow ALL these rules:

•    The record may be attempted by an individual or a team of unlimited size.
•    The record is measured in metres and centimetres, with the equivalent imperial measurement also given in feet and inches.
•    The event must take place in a public place or in a venue open to public inspection.
•    There must be no gaps in the chain and each item must be connected with the next.
•    No other instrument or technique to connect them may be used.
•    Although the record is based on the length of the chain must, the total number of items making up the chain must also be counted.
•    The chain must be continuous but does not have to be straight.
•    The event must be overseen by two independent witnesses.
•    The length of the chain must be measured by a qualified surveyor using an accurate measuring tool in the presence of two independent witnesses.

EVIDENCE FOR VERIFICATION

In order to approve this record Guinness World Records requires that the following documentation is submitted as evidence. Please read the Guide to Your Evidence for specific information on specific pieces of evidence.

•    One cover letter explaining the context of the record attempt. Please indicate date, time and location of the record attempt. Also please provide full details of the person(s)/organisation attempting the record including details on the preparation for the attempt. You can use the template in the Guide to Your Evidence or prepare a different Cover Letter.
•    One surveyor’s report must be provided confirming the exact length of the chain and details of the tool used to make the measurement. Proof of the surveyor’s qualification must also be provided.
•    Two independent witness statements must be provided confirming that the rules above have been adhered to and must explicitly state the total number of items used to create the chain as well as the length of the chain and any other relevant information. You can use the templates in the Guide to Your Evidence or prepare different Witness Statements as long as they follow GWR directives.
•    Photographic evidence is compulsory evidence for all record attempts. Please provide photographs showing evidence of the preparation and compilation of the chain as well as the measurement. High quality pictures will be considered for publication online and in the Guinness World Records book or related products.
•    Video evidence The attempt must be captured on video, in particular the measuring process.
•    Media articles is not a compulsory evidence requirement. If you have media coverage (newspaper, online, TV or radio) GWR please submit them as part of the evidence requirements.
•    Schedule 2 should be signed by you when you are sending in evidence which you either own or have permission to allow Guinness World Records to use.
•    If you include any photographs or video in your evidence which you do not own or have permission to allow Guinness World Records to use, then you must include Schedule 3.
•    Media articles (newspaper, online, TV or radio) should be submitted as part of the evidence requirements. This is not compulsory evidence.

Please read the Guide to Your Evidence document, where you will find further information about the evidence requirements and evidence templates. It is paramount this document is read before you submit your evidence.

Photo information:

koi 1
Pam Quarles and Issaac Housley point out his primary fish.

koi 2
Shell Acker, and Aubry Daman,  along the upstream flow.

koi 3
Volunteer Bill Beeson is responsible for much of blue stream.

koi 4
Even pregnant fish swim along, helping koi and swimming together.

koi 5
Science teacher Cindy Beggs all to "Keep swimming."

koi 6
Even Braille material might be used to make one of the more than 4,500 plus fish.

koi 10
Each fish reflects individual character.

koi 11
A librarian fish accompanies the swimming koi.
 

No time like present for evaluating past and future

Last week was homecoming for the Discovery Canyon Campus (DCC) Thunder. Also, District 20 was hosting one of a series of meetings about the upcoming November bond issue at DCC's Auditorium. This weekend, a top-ranked Thunder football team vied with Lewis-Palmer High School for bragging rights in the state standings.
I couldn't help myself from humming the chorus from an early hit from Willie Nelson:
"It's been so long now but it seems now it was only yesterday. Gee, ain't it funny how time slips away."
One only has to drive down North Gate Blvd., in the few miles between I-25 and Colorado State Highway 83, to see what kind of impact building a school can have. I personally remember how much you had to slow down to navigate the bend in Old Northgate Road, just beyond the horse pasture at the big cottonwood.
In calling for the $230 million bond amount for this election, the D-20 board cited growth in the district since the last measure in 2001. The rolls have increased by 7,000 students since 2001 and the district is projecting 5,000 additional students by 2026.
Despite that, D20 leadership says state funding for K-12 continues to decrease. Academy District 20 has experienced approximately $150 million in state funding reductions since 2009. Academy District 20 says the $230 million bond issue is needed to build three schools, including two elementary schools and a middle school. The proposed bond will be used to build two new elementary schools, one middle school and an innovation and learning center.
In addition, property owners will not see a property tax rate increase.
“Because the district has refinanced existing debt, thereby reducing repayment costs; paid down principal debt; and is realizing expansion of the tax base; the district can issue $230 million in bonds over a five year period and meet debt service requirements within the existing tax levy,”says Allison Cortez, communications for D-20.
The last time the district asked taxpayers for money 15 years ago, a lot of it went into building DCC.
In 2001 Academy District 20 asked and received authorization from voters to issue $163 million in tax exempt bonds. The district used those bonds to:
• Build one high school, Discovery Canyon Campus
• Build one middle school, Discovery Canyon Campus
• Build five Elementary Schools (Discovery Canyon Campus, Ranch Creek, The da Vinci Academy, Mountain View and Chinook Trail)
• Rebuild 90% of Edith Wolford
• Create an addition to Rampart High School
• And provide technology and facility improvements at all schools
True, $163 million went a lot farther 15 years ago than it does today.
But from current measures bond proceeds, DCC will receive an addition to the building of at least 10 classrooms (enrollment growth), expanded parking, additional tennis courts to provide a total of six, technology infrastructure improvements, solutions to drainage issues, $1.1 million to spend on capital needs defined by the school community, and from other capital funds the High School gym will be enlarged to at least the size of other district high schools. The campus was constructed with $70 million of proceeds from the last bond authorization (2001), says Cortez.
Edith Wolford will receive connection to fiber optics and other technology infrastructure improvements, and $155k to spend on capital needs defined by the school community. 90% of the school was rebuilt using proceeds from the last bond authorization (2001).
Antelope Trails will receive a remodel to the main entry (safety/security), increased electrical capacity, roof repair/replacement, improved access to the playfield, and $230k to spend on capital needs defined by the school community. The Classical Academy plans to construct a gymnasium, an auditorium, a cafeteria, remodel the existing cafeteria into a library, construct additional parking at the north campus, Cortez said.
Ballots began mailing at the first of the month, I am told. Halloween is the last day to submit a voter registration and receive a mail ballot. Voting has to take place by Nov. 8, either by mail, or by surrendering your mail ballot at the polls, and voting in person.
In evaluating time (ironically an idea lifted from last week's Time magazine), we need to look at the link with our past, ourselves and our future. In different ways, each makes a fascinating argument that the most important time is the present.

___Rob Carrigan