Silver Creek High School to Host 15th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration

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Silver Creek High School in partnership with the Asian-Pacific Association of Longmont (A-PAL) invites the community to its 15th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Silver Creek High School (4901 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO). This free and public event runs from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m.

The Lunar New Year is a significant cultural celebration across many Asian communities. This year, the event will honor the Year of the Snake with an afternoon of performances, cultural activities, and educational experiences designed to bring the Longmont community together.

A Celebration of Culture and Tradition

The event will feature a dynamic lineup of traditional and contemporary performances, including:

  • Lion Dance – A vibrant and symbolic tradition marking the start of the festivities.
  • Martial Arts Demonstrations – Showcasing discipline and skill from various Asian traditions.
  • K-Pop and Bollywood Dance – A fusion of modern and cultural influences.
  • Taiko Drumming – A powerful performance of traditional Japanese percussion.
  • Cultural Music and Dance – Featuring performances from diverse Asian communities.
  • Interactive Cultural Booths – Hands-on activities, games, and educational exhibits.
  • Asian Food Sampling – Offering flavors from across Asia.

In addition to the performances in the main gym, cultural music and dance performances will be held in the auditorium at 3:30 p.m., and cultural games will take place in the small gym following the main performances.

A Community Effort Rooted in Education and Leadership

Beyond celebrating culture, the Lunar New Year event serves as a mentorship and leadership opportunity for students throughout St. Vrain Valley School District. Each year, 125 to 150 students participate as event organizers and volunteers, gaining valuable experience in event planning, leadership, and public relations.

The event also serves as a Capstone Project from the Silver Creek Leadership Academy, allowing students to take on leadership roles and contribute to the success of a large-scale public event. Students from the following schools will be involved:

  • Silver Creek High School
  • Niwot High School
  • Altona Middle School
  • Westview Middle School
  • Flagstaff Academy Charter School
  • Skyline High School
  • Longmont High School

Event Details and Attendance Information

  • Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
  • Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. (Doors open at 1:30 p.m.)
  • Location: Silver Creek High School, 4901 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO
  • Admission: Free and open to the public

About A-PAL

Founded in 2010, the Asian-Pacific Association of Longmont (A-PAL) works to build bridges between Longmont’s Asian-American and immigrant communities and the broader community. Through events like the Lunar New Year Celebration, A-PAL fosters cross-cultural understanding and engagement while empowering local youth through hands-on leadership opportunities.

For more information, visit APALCONNECT.ORG.

Kindergarten Family Literacy Night, Feb. 19

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Kindergarten families are invited to join St. Vrain Valley Schools for an engaging evening focused on supporting early literacy.

Event Details:

Hosted by members of St. Vrain’s Priority Programs and kindergarten teachers, this event is designed to empower families with valuable insights and strategies for literacy development. Families will learn about the Colorado READ Act, including key literacy terms and available supports in St. Vrain. Kindergarten Family Literacy Night will also provide practical approaches to strengthening early reading skills through everyday conversations at home and will explore available digital tools that enhance literacy growth.

The Longmont Library team will also share community resources to support young readers.

St. Vrain Valley Schools looks forward to a collaborative evening focused on building strong, confident readers.

This content will also be presented in Spanish on February 25 during PIE’s (Parents Involved in Education) event at Timberline PK-8. Please visit their website for additional information.

SVVSD Innovation Center students present VR project at NASA conference

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Erie High senior Kayla Evans and Niwot High junior Katelin VonFeldt are looking to help NASA address isolation challenges for astronauts by combining virtual reality and sensory-based memory triggers with exercise.

They’re creating the project for NASA HUNCH, a program that engages high school and college students in real-world research and development for space missions.

Read the full story in the Times-call

Parent University Session, February 20

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St. Vrain’s Parent University program provides training, information, and resources to parents and caregivers in order to support the well-being and success of their children.

All spring sessions are from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and will be held virtually. Spanish translation services will be available.

Join us on Zoom, Feb. 20 from 5-6:30 p.m.
Adolescent RISE with Nicholas Thompson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Adolescent RISE is a presentation that takes a fun and informative look at the developmental period of adolescence (ages 10-25). It includes debunking myths about adolescence, understanding the four qualities of adolescence (risk taking, identity formation, social reorientation, and emotional intensity), and learning about the tweenage brain. With this foundation established, ways to better support our kids will be discussed. 

Please register online to assist with planning purposes.

Register for an upcoming event

We’re Hiring – Communications Specialist: Operations and Information

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Join Our Award-Winning Team at St. Vrain Valley Schools

Click Here to Apply

Drive Excellence in Educational Communications

St. Vrain Valley Schools seeks a detail-oriented Communications Specialist: Operations and Information to maintain operational excellence in our communications systems and internal and external communication distribution. This role combines technical expertise with strategic thinking to ensure clear, timely, and effective communication across our district.

Impact That Matters

As a Communications Specialist: Operations and Information at St. Vrain Valley Schools, you’ll:

  • Champion accessibility and consistency in district communications
  • Support staff through training and professional development
  • Ensure quality and accuracy in all distributed communications
  • Contribute to the success of one of Colorado’s largest school districts
  • Make a difference in public education through effective communication

The Ideal Candidate Will Bring

  • Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
  • Experience with web accessibility standards and best practices
  • Strong project coordination capabilities
  • Excellence in process documentation and training development
  • Proficiency in content management systems and experience with Adobe Creative Suite
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently

Essential Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain training materials for communications tools and systems
  • Conduct regular training sessions and professional development workshops
  • Perform web and newsletter audits for compliance and consistency
  • Manage and distribute critical school communications
  • Coordinate vendor relationships and project logistics
  • Maintain communications style guides and standards
  • Support emergency communications as needed

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field
  • Minimum of 2 years experience in communications operations or project management
  • Demonstrated experience with content management systems
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
  • Valid driver’s license

What Sets This Opportunity Apart

  • Professional Growth: Work with an award-winning communications team
  • Meaningful Impact: Support education initiatives that shape our community’s future
  • Unique Schedule: Enjoy a 220-day calendar with generous leave, including:
    • Three weeks in July
    • One week at Thanksgiving
    • Two weeks for winter break
    • One week for spring break
  • Competitive Compensation: $70,761-$97,717 (hiring salary typically starts in the lower range, commensurate with experience)

About St. Vrain Valley Schools

As Colorado’s seventh-largest school district, we serve over 33,000 students across 13 vibrant communities including Erie, Firestone, Frederick, Longmont, Lyons, Mead, and Niwot. We’re nationally recognized for our emphasis on technology, innovation, STEM, and robotics programs.

How to Apply

Submit your application through our online system.
Please include:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Three writing samples
  • Three professional references
Click Here to Apply

Join us in maintaining excellence in educational communications through systematic and strategic operations.

Niwot High organizes Wish Week for 7-year-old

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Vinny Cagnoni, a 7-year-old from Brighton, spent a year-and-a-half in the hospital after a respiratory infection he contracted in 2020 caused his antibodies to go into overdrive, leading him to become paralyzed from the neck down.

When he left, he could only say four words and needed a ventilator. Since then, he’s worked hard through physical, occupational and respiratory therapy to regain his speech and strength, with the ventilator removed in October. But because his respiratory system was affected, he still ends up in the hospital multiple times a year with colds and other respiratory infections.

Read the full story in the Times-call

Winter guard spotlights SVVSD color guard students

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Niwot High’s new color guard director, Anthony Pierro, was so impressed with the talent of Niwot’s students, along with those at other schools featured during St. Vrain Valley’s band night, that he decided to start a competitive winter guard program.

“The kids inspired me to build them the program I wish I had in high school,” he said. “The kids are great. They are so willing to try everything.”

Read the full story in the Times-call

Extend Your Child’s Preschool Experience with Pre-K Childcare

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St. Vrain Valley Schools offers licensed Wraparound Pre-K Care for children ages 3 to 5 at six locations, providing a nurturing and enriching environment to complement preschool or serve as a childcare option for younger learners.

With engaging activities in STEAM, literacy, creative play, and social development, our highly qualified staff work alongside preschool teachers to support a full day of learning and growth. Parents can feel confident knowing their children are in a safe, engaging space that fosters a lifelong love of learning.
Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opens February 6. Space is available at select locations for the current year.

Visit Community Schools online to learn more and register

Innovation Center Hosts Second Annual Accessibility Night

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Empowering Students to Build a More Accessible Community

St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) students are leading the charge for inclusivity and accessibility with the district’s second annual Accessibility Night, scheduled for February 21, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Innovation Center (33 Quail Road, Longmont). The event is free and open to the public.

This inspiring evening, spearheaded by high school leaders Anya Wieder, Claire Schultz, Sofia Burks, and Whitney Zanini, and supported by mentors Liz Wieder and Mia McCloy, aims to bridge gaps and create a stronger, more connected community within SVVSD.

Students Anya Wieder, Claire Schultz, Sofia Burks, and Whitney Zanini lead the Accessibility team at the Innovation Center

“Working with the Accessibility Team has been so much fun and brought many rewarding experiences,” said Sofia Burks, one of the student organizers. “I’m glad I’ve been able to work toward my passion for inclusivity by connecting with our community to make it a more accessible place.”

The event promises a variety of interactive and engaging experiences for all ages and abilities, including:

  • Assistive Technology Demonstrations: Apple representatives will showcase cutting-edge tools designed to enhance accessibility.
  • Live Performances: Enjoy the Mead Unified Percussion Ensemble and Niwot Unified Theater.
  • Hands-On Exploration: Dive into the world of making and tinkering with the SVVSD Mobile Lab.
  • Hands-on Activities: Participate in stations designed by specialists to foster connection and understanding.
  • Student-led Drone Performance: End the night with an inspiring performance as the Drone Performance Team puts on a light show for guests.

To ensure accessibility for all attendees, Spanish interpretation will be provided by the district.

Last year’s inaugural event brought together people of all ages and abilities, creating meaningful connections and inspiring a deeper commitment to inclusivity. This year, the event promises to build on that success, with an even broader range of activities and performances.

Elementary Math, High School Science & Social Studies Adoption Public Review

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St. Vrain Valley Schools is currently piloting new instructional resources for elementary mathematics, high school science, and high school social studies. The resources will be available for introduction and review in-person at the Learning Services Center, 401 S. Pratt Pkwy., in Longmont. Teachers, administrators, families, and community members are all welcome to evaluate the materials and provide feedback.

  • Elementary Math: Wednesday, February 5 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • High School Science: Wednesday, February 5 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • High School Social Studies: Wednesday, February 5 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Elementary Mathematics
Greg George
K-12 Mathematics Coordinator
(303) 682-7247
[email protected]

High School Science
Michael O’Toole
K-12 Science Coordinator
(303) 682-7232
[email protected]

High School Social Studies
Jenny Pettit, Ed.D.
K-12 Social Studies Coordinator
(303) 702-7547
[email protected]

St. Vrain Valley Schools