Incoming seniors in Frederick High School’s P-TECH program spent seven weeks this summer as interns at Agilent Technologies, learning about the company’s work.
P-TECH, or Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools, is an early college program where students can earn an associate’s degree along with their high school diploma. Four St. Vrain Valley high schools offer the program, each with a different focus supported by different industry partners.
Uma Champe, a senior at Longmont High School, placed sixth in the nation in the Job Interview competition at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference in Orlando June 27 – July 2. This is the second consecutive year the school has had a top-ten finisher in this category.
Uma joined FBLA in February 2024 and began competing by participating in the Job Interview event at the Regional competition. “I immediately enjoyed the improvisation and quick thinking required and went on to compete at State and eventually Nationals,” she shared. “My event, Job Interview, is designed to simulate the conditions of an actual interview, nerves and all. You enter a small booth and face two to three judges who are typically highly successful business people. From there, you are asked typical interview questions such as, ‘So, tell me a little about yourself?’ and ‘What skills make you a good fit for this job?’”
What excited Uma about the Job Interview event at Nationals was the opportunity to apply and complete a mock interview for an internship position at the fictitious Merit Corporation. “Your interview is scored on a rubric, and I studied these guidelines as my primary preparation for the competition,” shared Uma. “After completing my first interview, I learned the next day that I had advanced to finals and competed in my second and final round, both of which lasted around 10 minutes. On the third and final day of the conference, I received notice of my sixth place finish which was very exciting for me.”
For Uma, attending FBLA Nationals was a wonderful experience. “I met students from all over the United States and the world, attended financial planning and business seminars, and did some uniquely Florida things like looking for gators and going to Universal Studios,” she shared. “The Job Interview event greatly improved my communication and professionalism skills. In the competition, I applied for an internship in the field that I hope to work in, public policy, and I believe that these simulated interviews have prepared me for real-life job applications. My favorite thing from the trip, however, was trading pins representing each state with other students, which I soon learned is an FBLA tradition.”
James Giveans, FBLA Advisor and Business Teacher, shared his excitement about Uma’s achievement. “It was her first year participating in FBLA and she did well. She’s a very polished student and it doesn’t surprise me that she was able to place so high.”
Ten students from Longmont earned the opportunity to participate in this year’s conference, the largest group the school has ever sent to Nationals. More than 13,000 students from across the world competed at the event in more than 100 business-related categories. “I’m so proud of all the students and how hard they worked,” said Giveans. “It was such a great group and they all did really well.”
Longmont’s FBLA chapter, the largest in Colorado, has served as a launching pad for aspiring young leaders by connecting them with resources, mentorship, and opportunities to excel in business. “Senior Tony Bermudez, who also competed at Nationals, is the State Representative for FBLA District 2 which is a big deal,” said Giveans. “We’ve never had a Longmont High student do that before.” The Colorado FBLA High School State Officers are a team of students dedicated to the planning and execution of the state program of work, Colorado FBLA High School Fall Leadership Conference, and Colorado FBLA High School State Leadership Conference.
Incoming Lyons Middle School seventh grader Avery Gibson is spending the week meeting “really cool” socially assistive robots and learning to code one.
Working with a classmate, her mission was to give a small robot a fun personality and code it to lead people through games that include charades and truth or dare.
St. Vrain Valley Schools is proud to announce that two of its elementary schools have been awarded the prestigious national i-Ready Stretch Growth award for their outstanding growth in reading. Lyons Elementary and Niwot Elementary have achieved this honor, joining an elite group of only 11 schools in Colorado and 147 schools across the nation.
i-Ready is an innovative educational technology program that supports personalized learning for students in grades K-12, focusing on English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. The Growth Model used by i-Ready includes two key measures: Typical Growth and Stretch Growth. Typical Growth represents the annual progress expected of an average student, while Stretch Growth outlines the accelerated progress needed for a student to reach grade-level proficiency. This model promotes transparency and sets higher expectations, motivating students to reach their full potential.
To be eligible for the i-Ready Super Stretch Schools award, a school must have a student population of more than 200, and at least 55% of its students must achieve Stretch Growth in reading. This milestone is crucial for students who initially scored below grade level on their i-Ready diagnostic assessment, as it sets them on the path to proficiency. For students already at or above grade level, it helps them maintain advanced proficiency.
“The i-Ready Super Stretch award is a true testament to how hard our teachers and staff work to meet the needs of every student, every day,” said Nancy Pitz, Principal of Niwot Elementary. “I couldn’t be more proud of our students, staff, and families for their hard work and dedication to achieve this incredible growth.”
About 50 middle and high school students spent the week learning ways that technology and music intersect at St. Vrain Valley’s Innovation Center.
“We’re using design thinking to look at how we can use music to add or change value,” said instructor Kyle Liss, who is Frederick High School’s orchestra director and a professional musician. “I love just watching and supporting the kids. From where they started to where they are now, it’s just incredible.”
Elevate Quantum announced that it has received a Tech Hub Phase 2 Implementation award from the Department of Commerce, unlocking more than $127 million in new federal and state funding. The award is expected to drive more than $2 billion in additional private capital and cement the Mountain West as a global leader for quantum innovation.
St. Vrain Valley Schools is the leading K-12 public education institution participating in Colorado’s Quantum Tech Hub. In collaboration with Cherry Creek School District, East Grand School District, and Clear Creek School District, St. Vrain’s involvement includes integrating quantum computing into the STEM curriculum, supporting strategic planning with Elevate Quantum Labs, and developing quantum learning materials for grades 6-12, which will be available nationwide. Additionally, St. Vrain Valley Schools will host an annual Elevate Quantum event at the district’s Innovation Center to foster collaboration among stakeholders and develop quantum curriculum.
Through St. Vrain’s participation in the initiative, students and staff will have direct access to multimillion-dollar quantum labs and experts, enhancing the district’s curriculum and workforce development programs. St. Vrain will also play a crucial role in workforce development through internships, apprenticeships, project teamwork, mentorships, classroom speakers, and site visits to leading quantum companies.
“St. Vrain Valley Schools’ role in this initiative demonstrates the district’s commitment to providing advanced educational opportunities and preparing students for the future, particularly in emerging fields like quantum information technology,” said Joe McBreen, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation for St. Vrain Valley Schools. “This positions students to be at the forefront of an evolving landscape, shaping the industries of tomorrow.”
McBreen added, “Like investing in ‘bricks and mortar’ for school buildings, this commitment to the Elevate Quantum effort represents a long-term, foundational investment in our workforce and economic development, securing a prosperous future for Colorado and our nation.”
St. Vrain Valley Schools is positioned to lead Colorado in creating a robust talent pipeline, ensuring the state becomes a key engine of economic growth. This initiative will help develop skilled, passionate local talent, benefiting students and the broader community for decades.
St. Vrain Valley’s Longmont Innovation Center is buzzing this week, between a dozen district high schoolers and more than 300 drones.
“I was like, this is cool,” Longmont High School sophomore Reese Wieder said. “I really want to be a part of this.”
Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, high schoolers are putting their heads together to create a dazzling drone show for the city of Longmont.
Juliana Cruth was intrigued by the cool projects she saw in the welding shop while taking a veterinary science class at St. Vrain Valley’s Career Elevation and Technology Center.
Deciding that being a veterinarian wasn’t for her, she signed up for a welding class and, by the end of her first week, had a new career path.
The Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools’ groundbreaking AI and Creativity Camp is transforming how students engage with technology. Through camp activities, students combine technology and creativity by exploring a range of Artificial Intelligence including AI software, art projects, 3D models, and more.
One of the standout participants in this camp is Isaac Crane, a fifth-grader at Mead Elementary who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1. This genetic condition means his body cannot turn protein into muscle and he depends on various machines and technology. Isaac has used an eye-gaze enabled communication device, his “talker,” since he was 18 months old. This device functions as a PC and is integral to all his schoolwork. Despite his challenges, Isaac loves singing, playing video games with his sister, watching cartoons, reading, and being a part of Cub Scouts Pack 159. He’s also a big Marvel fan, especially of Spider-Man.
Isaac’s mother, Jenna Crane, signed him up for the camp to meet new friends and to do something active over the summer, unsure of how well it would work. “After the first day, it was clear that he would be able to fully participate and complete all of the activities on his talker,” she excitedly shares. Isaac worked on projects using programs they had never tried or known about, with his para, Sarah Merritt, immediately recognizing ways he could use these programs in school.
Sarah emphasizes how the camp has expanded Isaac’s creative tools. “What he is producing with AI is going to be a game changer for him.” The AI tools introduced at the camp have enhanced Isaac’s ability to express his creativity and engage in activities alongside his classmates.
According to Mai Vu, AI program manager at the Innovation Center, the camp’s primary goal is to explore the potential of co-creating with AI. “Can humans co-create with AI? That’s what this camp is trying to explore,” she says. The camp aims to provide students with access to what AI can and cannot do, fostering an environment of creativity and innovation.
During the camp, students are learning how to use AI to generate images based on their descriptions and ideas. These AI-generated images are then used to create various artifacts, such as comic books, coloring books, and personalized T-shirts. This process not only introduces students to advanced technology but also allows them to see their creative visions come to life. Isaac, for example, was thrilled to design his own T-shirt, a project that showcased his creativity and technical skills.
For Isaac, the camp represents an opportunity to explore his interests and skills in new ways. “It’s wonderful to help him in his journey,” Mai expresses, highlighting the empowering nature of the camp.
The implications of this camp extend beyond just technical skills. Sarah recounts her excitement about the potential for this technology to enhance Isaac’s academic experience. “This will make it so that he can do presentations for his class where he can do his own illustrations,” she explains. The ability to contribute visually to his projects and presentations means Isaac can now fully engage in the creative aspects of his education.
Jenna Crane shared that their family’s hopes for Isaac have evolved significantly over the years. “When we enrolled him in preschool, we were almost in shock that he’d survived long enough to get to go to preschool. We approach every day as a gift, and every passing year we are so impressed with how bright, determined, and funny Isaac is.” She adds, “Now we are hopeful that he’ll get to demonstrate his knowledge and interests even more as he gets older. Technology is literally his lifeline, so seeing a glimpse of all that the Innovation Center has to offer that he could access with his eyes is just so cool.”
Isaac expressed his enthusiasm for the camp, stating, “It was awesome! I got to learn new computer things, work with kids from other schools, and do something fun.” His favorite part? “Making the T-shirt!”
The AI and Creativity Camp at St. Vrain Valley Schools is a great example of how the power of public education is constantly advancing, illustrating how technology can enable students to reach their full potential. For students like Isaac, this camp is not just about learning AI; it’s about unleashing their full potential and showing the world what they are truly capable of.
Timberline PK-8 teacher Ambera DeLash helped incoming second graders solve word problems last week during her Project Launch summer class, reviewing the math strategies they learned during the school year.
With the problem projected on the white board, the 15 students started by reading the problem out loud together and circling key information. Then DeLash asked them to write an equation, followed by drawing pictures, bubbles, a number line or tally marks to solve it. Finally, students volunteered to write their strategies on the board.
“Use whatever you need, whatever strategy works for you,” DeLash said.
St. Vrain Valley School District’s Project Launch is operating at 16 elementary school sites this month, extending the school year by four weeks for about 2,400 elementary students. Another 1,000 incoming middle school students are attending the secondary version of the program to get extra support before entering the next grade.
Classes are taught by about 350 teachers, who are helped by para-educators and high school and college students in the district’s P-TEACH teacher preparation program. Class sizes are small, generally between 15 and 20 students.
