Bright MINDS Program
at
Alameda International Junior/Senior High School
1255 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80232
303-982-7952
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The Bright MINDS Program is grounded in EQUITY
It proudly serves as a Tuition-Free Public Education offering, helping students with Dyslexia at the secondary school level with research-based interventions and support.
In addition, a diagnosis of Dyslexia is not required for consideration of admission, thus eliminating potential financial barriers.
Alameda International's Bright MINDS Program featured on Jeffco Transcript
October 14, 2024
Click HERE
Alameda International's Bright MINDS Program featured in Chalkbeat
May 11, 2022
Click below:
November 2020 Parent Information Night
Please click the the icon below and enter the passcode: Zp8E^N?p to view a recording of the parent information meeting held on 11-18-20
Read Across America Day
(March 1, 2024)
Grade 7 and 8 students in Alameda's Bright MINDS Dyslexia Prgram had a wonderful time reading to Patterson International preschool students in celebration of Read Across America Day, celebrated each year on March 2nd.
The preschool students were SO incredibly excited to get a Pirate fidget toy as well as an Alameda Pirate Shirt at the end of the visit!
Bright MINDS students who participated did an absolutely incredible job in representing the best of Alameda International and the Bright MINDS Program. In addition to demonstrating the IB Learner Profile traits of Principled, Caring, and Communicator, they were also admirable academic Risk-Takers by reading out loud to others!
Bright MINDS Program End-of-Year Field Trip (May 2022)
Students in the Bright MINDS Program had a wonderful time visiting the Colorado School of Mines in mid-May!
While there, they enjoyed touring the Mines Museum of Earth Science, eating lunch at Mines Market, asking thoughtful questions of a very accomplished panel of graduate students who themselves have dyslexia, and discussing the college admissions process, as well as learning accommodations, with a school admissions officer.
They ended their day working with school faculty to make ice cream using liquid nitrogen!
We are grateful to the faculty, staff, and students at the School of Mines for their hospitality and for making this such a memorable experience!
Click below to view the presentations that our
Bright MINDS Program students created in honor of
October Dyslexia Awareness Month!
October 2022 Dyslexia Awareness Project
October 2021 Dyslexia Awareness Project
Thanks for watching!
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Alameda International's website
General Information
General Information
The Bright MINDS Program Mission: To Educate & Empower
The Bright MINDS Program Mission: To Educate & Empower
Alameda International’s Enhanced Dyslexia Support Program empowers bright, talented students who are challenged by dyslexia and related language-based learning differences. Explicit, systematic, and intensive reading instruction, along with building-wide systems of support, are used to help students overcome obstacles to learning and thus more fully achieve their potential, resulting in enhanced feelings of academic and personal success. Direct, individualized instruction and support in the areas of writing and executive functioning (e.g., study skills, planning and organization, task initiation/monitoring/completion) are also provided to students, serving to complement and reinforce the benefits of specialized reading instruction.
As part of our mission To Educate & Empower, our Program's Call to Action also includes providing education to all stakeholders (e.g., students, parents, our community) around dyslexia awareness and empowerment via presentations at the local and state level.
Support Systems
Support Systems
Students in the Bright MINDS program receive daily (grades 7 and 8; every other day for grades 9+) instruction in reading and writing as well as targeted interventions in executive functioning and self-advocacy skills. Alameda International aims to recognize the unique gifts of your student and will embrace their differences while utilizing research-based instructional strategies to help them reach their full potential. The student will fully participate with their peers in AI’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework taught by highly qualified content area specialists.
Academic interventions and support are provided to ensure that language skill challenges do not prevent students from reaching their full potential. These include:
Direct instruction in reading (using the Wilson Reading System) and writing
Explicit instruction in executive functioning skills
Social-emotional supports/self-advocacy skills
Individualized accommodations to meet students’ unique needs
Organizational strategies (e.g., a color-coded notebook, folder system)
An International Baccalaureate (IB) World School
Students in grades 7 through 10 participate fully with their peers in Alameda’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework taught by highly qualified content area specialists.
Juniors and seniors have access to the IB Diploma Programme (DP), IB Health Sciences Career Programme (CP), CTE Business Pathway, and CTE Pathways2Teaching.
Program Staff
Program Staff
Andrea Arguello
Program AdministratorEmail: Andrea.Arguello@jeffco.k12.co.usPhone: 303-982-7952 Andrea Arguello
Andrea Arguello is an Assistant Principal who provides administrative guidance and oversight to the Bright MINDS Program. In her 11th year at Alameda International, her background includes teaching as a Learning Specialist and serving as the Special Education Department Chair. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education with an endorsement in Secondary Education from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Denver. Additionally, Andrea is highly qualified in English Language Arts (7-12), Social Studies (7-12), Elementary Education (K-6), Special Ed Generalist (5-21), and Reading. She is excited to provide administrative guidance and oversight to the Bright MINDS Program, as well as continuing to serve as its Instructional Coach, and has helped develop the Bright MINDS program from its inception. Andrea has a passion for teaching students how to read and realize their potential academically. Andrea grew up attending Jeffco schools and has made her home in the community. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, golf and spending time with her family.
Jessica Thurby
Program Learning Specialist/Reading Interventionist Email: Jessica.Thurby@jeffco.k12.co.usPhone: 303-982-8046 Jessica Thurby
Jessica Thurby is a Level I Certified Wilson Reading System instructor and is excited to be a part of the Bright MINDS program. She is a Special Education Learning Specialist at Alameda. She graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2017 majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Special Education concentrating in Childhood Communication. After graduating, she continued her education, doing additional coursework to get her license as a Special education teacher as well as an endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse education. She is passionate about helping students learn and find success. She wants all students to be accepted by their peers and because of that, she strives for opportunities of inclusion. When she is not working, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband, reading books and going camping.
Sarah Richards
Program Reading Interventionist Sarah Richards
sarah.richards@jeffco.k12.co.us
Sarah Richards is a Level I Certified Wilson Reading System instructor in the Bright MINDS Program. She has spent her professional life in all things education! Sarah holds a BS in Education (Spanish/English) as well as a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction (ESL). She began her career as a high school Spanish teacher, spent time in middle school Language Arts and landed at Alameda in 2015 as an ESL teacher. Her passion for making literacy accessible for all students led her to join the team in the initial development of the Bright MINDS Program. She also parents a daughter with dyslexia and understands the trials and tribulations first hand. On a personal level, Sarah enjoys travel with her family which consists of her two amazing daughters and husband. They love to adventure to places near and far- favorite destinations being Australia and Germany (places they’ve lived before!)
Conference Presentations
Conference Presentations
How the Bright MINDS Program has used IDA-RMB's Assistive Technology Grant
Grants Awarded
Grants Awarded
The Bright MINDS Program is a proud recipient of a Fall 2022
Westerra Credit Union School Grant
The Bright MINDS Program was awarded a grant to pilot the use of a C-Pen for students with dyslexia.
The C-Pen human reader alternative allows students with dyslexia (and other reading difficulties) to access written text in a variety of settings.
Thank you for supporting our students, Westerra!
The Bright MINDS Program is a proud recipient of a Spring 2021
Assistive Technology Grant
awarded by the Rocky Mountain Branch of the International Dyslexia Association!
Grant funds were used to purchase iPads and apps to support students with Dyslexia in engaging more interactively with the reading interventions and in more easily accessing academic content.
We are grateful for their support of our Bright MINDS Program students!
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