Dear Arapahoe High School Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff,

I am writing this letter to address several issues impacting our school community. I am
aware there are concerns about substance abuse, suicide, employee misconduct and school
culture at Arapahoe High School. An anonymous group has created and distributed a
survey raising questions about how we are dealing with many of the challenges our
families and students face in today’s world. Others have reached out to our superintendent,
Brian Ewert, members of the LPS Board of Education, and to my direct supervisor, Clay
Abla.

I want to be very clear that I too share these serious concerns. I am personally and
professionally devastated and angry about the recent unlawful behavior of two Arapahoe
employees that put students at risk, despite a thorough district and state level (Colorado
Bureau of Investigation) process vetting each candidate prior to hire.

Being a parent of a teenager in today’s world is difficult, and I know this as a parent
myself. I worry the use of vape pens, drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances is
increasing among teens. I am deeply troubled by the dramatic increase in the number of
teen lives that have been lost to suicide, especially those here at Arapahoe and in
neighboring schools in our community.

While I know these issues are not specific to Arapahoe and are endemic in schools across
the country, what matters most to me is how these issues affect Arapahoe and how we are
going to continue to address them. We have had these conversations over the past few
years and put in place several great programs such as our TRIBE advisory groups and
Sources of Strength. These two programs specifically connect students with caring adults
in our school.

Following the shooting in 2013, we called on national experts to help improve our district
threat assessment process. Every concern regarding threatening behavior is investigated
thoroughly, and appropriate measures are taken to ensure the safety of students. In
cooperation with our Arapahoe County School Resource Officers, we have hosted several
events to address and educate parents about substance abuse as well as suicide prevention
and awareness. I will continue to provide these opportunities to our community in the new
school year. If you have not had the opportunity to attend one of these events, I encourage
you to do so. These experts have provided great resources and insightful advice to parents.
While these measures have been steps in the right direction, we need to do more, together.
With this, I need your help.

Moving forward, I will be doing more to tackle these tough issues to strengthen our
community. A task force that includes students, parents, faculty, staff members, and
community members will be established to dive more deeply into issues of mental health,
suicide, social media, substance abuse, and school culture. We will work closely with Dr.
Anna Mueller, sociologist and professor from the University of Chicago. Dr. Mueller, at the
invitation of LPS, is currently conducting research in the broader LPS community related to
social worlds and youth well-being. Future communications will invite you to be a part of
this work.

At the beginning of this school year, my administrative team and I asked every Arapahoe
teacher to define their “why?” for becoming a teacher. Not only did they define it, they
shared it with many of you at back to school night last fall, and you will see it posted
outside their doors to the classrooms. When I look back on my formal schooling, I
remember those who made a positive impact on my life and who helped shape me into the
person I am. I became a teacher, a coach, a sponsor, and ultimately an administrator to
make a positive difference in the lives of students, and with the teachers who work with
them every day. It is an honor to give back to this sacred profession. The very best part of
my day is talking to students in the halls, in the cafeteria, and wherever they gather. I love
hearing what’s on their minds, what they are looking forward to, and what they worry
about. I love our students very much, and I care deeply about their well being and their
futures. I feel grateful every day to come to work at Arapahoe High School.

Arapahoe is a truly unique high school with a tradition and spirit that transcends a very
long and proud history. On the first page of the 1964 Calumet (our first yearbook), you will
read the words from our very first Warriors, “Our spirit is proud, and we are ready to
accept any challenge in order to make the history of Arapahoe High School a glorious
one.” It is our collective obligation to perpetuate the proud tradition of this beautiful high
school.

I invite parents to visit the school, take a tour with me, and share your thoughts. Your voice
matters to me. I am making these one-on-one conversations a top priority in the weeks to
come. Please contact my assistant, Amanda Clark, at 303-347-6023 to schedule time with
me.

It is truly an honor to serve as your principal, and I look forward to connecting with you
soon.

Sincerely,

Natalie Pramenko
Principal
Arapahoe High School