For the past six years, Mead High School has raised funds for Make-a-Wish Colorado to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. During this year’s Make-a-Wish Week, held January 15-20, the Mead community came together to support an eight-year-old girl named Zaidee. Having undergone a liver transplant seven years ago due to a rare liver disease, Zaidee dreams of visiting the Aulani Resort at Disney to meet her favorite character, Moana. The school’s goal was to raise $15,000 to help turn Zaidee’s Disney dreams into reality.
Mead’s student council orchestrated a variety of fundraising activities for Make-a-Wish Week, including a game called “Hot Potato,” where participating classes were challenged with filling a donation box with $20. Once filled, they could pass the box, symbolizing a “hot potato,” to an adjacent classroom. Classes that were left with a box at the end of the week were required to have their teacher choose a student to participate in a pie-in-the-face event during Friday’s assembly. Additionally, the school office provided boxes for students to donate money to vote on a teacher to receive a pie in the face at the assembly.
A series of themed spirit days were also held during the week, including Safari Day, Super Fan Day, and Sun or Snow Day, along with multiple restaurant fundraisers. Students and families were also given the opportunity to purchase Make-a-Wish shirts and were encouraged to wear them to school on Friday and to that evening’s home basketball game. Cookies from a local business were also sold at the game to raise money for the cause.
“I am incredibly proud of the Mead community for coming together to support Zaidee and Make-a-Wish Colorado,” said Student Council Advisor Nichole Rue. “It’s heartwarming to witness the dedication and creativity of our students in raising funds to make a child’s dream come true.”
Connor Good, a student council member and Fundraising Committee Director who helped coordinate Make-a-Wish Week, shared, “Seeing our school come together for this great cause has been really inspiring. It’s exciting to see the impact we can make when we work together.”
Niwot’s Charlie DeMarchi loves basketball, whether he’s playing it, cheering for NBA teams or tracking thousands of basketball stats.
At 14, he also has spent too many of his days in doctor’s offices and hospitals, being poked and prodded as he receives treatment for cystic fibrosis, a respiratory disorder.
In a dedicated effort to encourage inclusivity, Altona Middle School has implemented initiatives to create opportunities for all students to actively engage in school-wide activities.
Last year, Altona introduced their student-led store, which is entirely managed by students from the Significant Support Needs (SSN) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) classrooms, as part of a Positive Behavioral Intervention Support System (PBIS).
When students demonstrate different aspects of the Altona Way, such as Pride, Excellence, Teamwork, Innovation, Grit, and Leadership, they earn Pillar tickets from their teachers that can later be used in the student store.
The process begins with students accessing an online form to place their orders, which is directly submitted to the students managing the store. With the assistance of classroom paraeducators, students fulfill the orders and email their peers once items are ready to be picked up. Students can exchange their tickets for products such as stylus pens or Altona swag. The student store opens every afternoon for 15 minutes.
Participating in the management of the student store provides valuable opportunities for all students at Altona, creating a sense of community and inclusivity. Students from various educational backgrounds actively contribute to the store, helping to build a stronger and supportive school community. As students participate in this experience, they learn skills that will help improve their peer-to-peer communication, organization, and social skills.
“Teaching our students how to work at a job, in a school setting, is one way that we can give the students work experience and help to guide and teach them the skills that they will need in the future,” shared Tanya Whitteker, Special Education Teacher at Altona. “I foresee this store continuing at Altona, as it has had such a tremendous, positive impact on student behavior through our incentives.”
As parents at Columbine Elementary School, Annie Larner, Dulce Hernandez, and Perla Jimenez, know the value of being involved in their child’s education, They strongly believe that parent engagement is the key to a child’s success in school. “When parents are actively engaged in their child’s education, it creates a powerful relationship between home and school,” shared Dulce Hernandez.
Recognizing the diverse challenges that many parents face in finding time to volunteer, they have collaborated with Columbine’s Family Liaison, Luis Montes, to spearhead initiatives that encourage and facilitate volunteerism among parents.
“We started forming groups to encourage parents to donate any amount of time they could spare, whether it was five minutes or more,” explained Perla Hernandez. “They can spend a few minutes to help set up for the trunk or treat event or to support teachers by putting folders together. Having flexibility in volunteering has allowed many parents to contribute in a way that works best for their schedule.”
An initiative that has received positive feedback is their parent monthly meetings, known as Cafecitos, which typically have anywhere from 40-45 parents in attendance. These meetings provide families the opportunity to connect with each other. Columbine Elementary Family Liaison, Luis Montes, emphasized the importance of these Cafecitos, stating “they provide parents with the essential resources needed to help better support their students.”
Annie Larner, who has two students at Columbine Elementary, shared that being more involved within her school community has allowed her to see positive outcomes. She has chaperoned school field trips, volunteered in the classroom, and has attended the Cafecitio meetings. “I feel more connected to the school overall. I have an open line of communication with teachers and faculty about my students’ challenges and progress. We help turn in assignments, review academic progress, and above all support their learning at home.”
The parent engagement goes beyond casual gatherings, with proactive measures in place to stay connected with families. “We check in regularly with families through phone calls, home visits, and parent-teacher conferences,” shared Montes. “This ensures continued and personalized communications with all of our families.” Having clear and consistent two-way communication helps create an environment where parents feel heard, valued, and motivated to actively participate in their students’ education.
Using messaging apps such as WhatsApp has served as a vital platform for communication and coordination among parents, with over 60 parents engaged in a group chat. “We put everything in the group chat – from support needed at conferences, to welcoming new parents and getting them involved in school activities,” shared Jimenez. “It’s rewarding to see more parents getting involved and supporting each other for the benefit of all the children.” This communication tool has significantly strengthened the sense of community and support among parents.
“I love hearing stories of parents working with teachers and the school district to address their children’s specific needs,” shared Hernandez. “It’s the love for our children and the interest in their well-being that drives us to be involved in their education.”
Following a rigorous audition process, 81 middle school students from St. Vrain Valley Schools have been selected to participate in the prestigious Colorado All State Middle School Choir (CMASC), making St. Vrain Valley the highest-performing district in the state.
Students from 10 St. Vrain middle schools account for 15% of the 546 total students selected for the choir from across Colorado. Out of the 186 St. Vrain students who auditioned, an impressive 45% were accepted into the All State Choir, surpassing the state average acceptance rate of 35%. This achievement demonstrates the exceptional talent of St. Vrain Valley students and their high level of proficiency in music and performing arts.
The choir, open to seventh and eighth graders, provides students an opportunity to showcase their musical talents alongside top middle school singers in the state in one of three elite ensembles: Triplo, Mescolare, and Cambiato. Students will rehearse at a two-day festival in Denver under the direction of elite clinicians from around the country. The event culminates with a public concert at the 5,000-seat Bellco Theater on Friday, February 9, at 7 p.m.
“I am so excited for such a large number of St. Vrain students to experience singing alongside the best middle school choir students in the state,” said Janay Bird, Fine Arts Coordinator for St. Vrain Valley Schools. “The opportunity to learn from such acclaimed clinicians is a once in a lifetime experience, especially for students in this age group. Their acceptance emphasizes the passion, dedication, and knowledge that our teachers pour into our students daily, and the strong work ethic of these students.”
Three talented students from Longmont High School have been chosen to participate in the Colorado All-State Jazz Band and Colorado All-State Choir.
Longmont senior Simon Von Hatten was the only percussionist in the state selected for the Colorado All-State Jazz Band. This is the first time in more than 25 years that a student from Longmont High has been selected for this elite group, which brings together the top jazz musicians from high schools across the state to form an ensemble. Under the direction of a world-class collegiate jazz educator, the band will perform at the state music conference held at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs in January.
Simon, who has been playing the drums since he was 4 years old, shared, “Being part of the Colorado All-State Jazz Band is truly an amazing honor. It’s an incredible opportunity to perform alongside some of the best jazz musicians in the state.”
Darryl Abrahamson, Longmont Band Director, is thrilled about Simon’s achievement, stating, “I am so proud of Simon for being selected as the sole drummer in the All-State Jazz Band. It’s a well-deserved honor, and I look forward to witnessing his continued musical growth and success.”
Longmont High is also celebrating juniors Madison Hatfield and Brooklynn Rowinski, who have been selected for the Colorado All-State Choir, a three-day festival that includes junior and senior high school students from across Colorado. Madison and Brooklyn demonstrated their exceptional musical ability during a rigorous audition process and were selected to be part of the Treble Choir. They will have the honor of performing at the All-State Choir Festival in February, where they will showcase their vocal talents on stage at the Buell Theater in Denver.
“Madison and Brooklynn have shown outstanding dedication and skill throughout the audition process. I’m incredibly proud of their accomplishments,” said Michael Batson, Longmont High School Choir teacher.
Reflecting on her selection into the choir, Brooklynn Rowinski shared, “Being part of the Colorado All-State Choir is a tremendous honor. I’m excited to perform with other talented vocalists and represent Longmont High School on stage.”
Madison Hatfield, expressing her enthusiasm, said, “I’m excited to have been selected for the Colorado All-State Choir and am grateful for the opportunity to share my love for music with others.”
St. Vrain families with children ages 0-3 are invited to the Infant and Toddler Literacy Night on Wednesday, January 24, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The event, hosted by St. Vrain’s Early Childhood Department, will take place at the Timberline PK-8 Library and features local early language development experts Susan M. Moore and Laurene Phillips.
Parents can expect practical insights into fostering language skills in young children. Childcare services will be available for children ages 1-5.
The literacy night will cover strategies for incorporating language development into everyday routines, the role of interactive activities and play, the importance of early exposure to storybooks in responsive relationships, and navigating languages at home and in school for comprehensive language development.
About the Presenters:
Susan M. Moore Susan Moore is an Infant Toddler Specialist and former CU Boulder faculty member who has dedicated her career to working alongside children, families, and teachers as they explore and build their abilities to nurture early language and construct the foundations for literacy. She is a founding member (1999) and contributing program author to the Expanding Quality in Infant Toddler Care (EQIT) statewide program, now housed in the Colorado Department of Early Childhood Education. Susan holds specialty recognition in child language from the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders (ABCLLD).
Laurene Phillips brings a wealth of experience, as an Infant Toddler Specialist with the EQIT statewide program, through her many years of teaching, facilitating, coaching and supporting providers and families. She and the EQIT team at the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County (ECCBC) have been teaching, coaching and supporting early childhood providers, families, and children for over 24 years.
Both Susan and Laurene are also active certified facilitators of the Touchpoints Approach: The How and Why of Family Engagement programs offered through ECCBC and are certified facilitators of parent family education and support programs through the Brazelton Institute.
Eagle Crest Elementary School is soaring to new heights with an innovative approach to integrating coding into the K-5 curriculum through the Late Start Coding for All program.
Through Late Start Coding for All, the main objective is “to increase creative coding opportunities for all K-5 teachers and students,” explained Katy Schwirtz, STEM Teacher at Eagle Crest Elementary. “We want to build coding capacity in our classrooms, while fostering student engagement in future computer science opportunities.”
Late Start Coding for All began with Eagle Crest’s participation in the Scratch Education Collaborative during the 2022-2024 school years. “As part of this program, schools can receive a grant for up to $15,000 to use towards providing more access to creative coding for underrepresented groups,” stated Schwirtz.
During Wednesday’s late start meetings, teachers spend 20-30 minutes learning and understanding a coding lesson, and in the afternoon they complete the lessons with their students. By the end of the day, all students in grades K-5 have learned coding skills and have created projects with their classroom teachers. The lessons are created by the STEM teacher and include screen-free and on-screen coding.
Students in grades K-2 use apps like Little Miss Inventor Coding, BeeBot, Daisy Dinosaur, and Scratch Jr, and grades 3-5 use Scratch and Code.org. “My favorite thing is to program Scratch cat to jump up and come back down,” shared kindergarten Declyn O’Toole.
In the second semester, students will use Scratch Jr. (grades K-2) and Scratch (grades 3-5), to create coding projects that represent their unique personal identities. Additionally, fourth-grade students will have the opportunity to take their coding skills to the next level by designing code that connects their projects to LED-lighted circuit boards called microbites.
Late Start Coding for All supports the development of many essential skills and knowledge above and beyond learning to code. Learning to code supports math concepts like algorithmic thinking, problem solving, and sequencing. “Our projects and activities around coding promote vocabulary and language acquisition, storytelling, and creativity,” explained Schwirtz.
Late Start Coding for All brings so much excitement and curiosity to both teachers and students. Fourth-grader Kendra Diaz shared her enthusiasm stating, “I love when we get to code during late start days. I have learned that I like coding and learning new things.”
In the landscape of contemporary education, the St. Vrain Valley School District stands out for its ambitious and successful “AP for All” initiative. This program is not just about providing access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses; it’s about redefining educational excellence and creating a culture of high achievement and inclusivity.
The Essence of AP for All
At the heart of the “AP for All” initiative is a commitment to ensure that every student in the district has the opportunity to engage in rigorous, college-level coursework.
Reasons why students take AP courses:
Earn College Credit – Your AP score could earn you college credits before you even set foot on campus.
Save Money and Time – Earning credit or placement can open up time on your schedule or even let you graduate early.
Increase Grade Point Average (GPA) and stand out to colleges – AP courses are weighted heavier and increase students GPA to over a 4.0.
Gain Critical Thinking and Lifelong Skills – AP courses are more than just college credit and a future at a university, it is about challenging students to achieve.
Student Voices: Experiencing the AP Impact
The students of St. Vrain Valley School District eloquently express the transformative impact of AP courses on their academic and personal growth. Rebekah Vaisman’s experience encapsulates this, “It was a good challenge… and so now I’m taking three AP classes this year.” This sentiment is echoed by Cecellia Chiaravalle, who finds the “deep learning in AP classes unmatched,” highlighting the enriching academic environment fostered by the initiative.
Justice Montoya’s advice to peers, “If you’ve been comfortable with a class and you’ve always performed well, I’d say go for it,” reflects the encouraging culture of the district, urging students to embrace challenges for greater growth. Similarly, Jonah Perez notes the practical benefits: “I could potentially have up to 15 credits at the end of high school, which is really good for college.”
Comprehensive Support for Student Success
Understanding the challenges that come with AP courses, St. Vrain Valley Schools offer a robust support system. This includes practice exams and Saturday study sessions, which have proven effective in boosting students’ confidence and performance. The district’s approach emphasizes not just academic success, but also the development of critical life skills such as problem-solving and time management.
AP courses in St. Vrain Valley Schools are not limited to preparing students for college. They are designed to empower students with skills necessary for a successful future, regardless of their post-high school plans. Students develop their academic potential to the highest levels, gaining confidence that will serve them well beyond their school years.
Fostering Educational Excellence Among Educators
The district also places a strong emphasis on professional development for educators. The AP for All Summer Institute held in St. Vrain, in partnership with the Colorado Education Initiative, aims to enhance the skills of AP teachers and create more inclusive classrooms. This commitment to continuous learning and improvement among educators is a crucial component of the program’s success.
Expansive Course Offerings and District-Wide Commitment
St. Vrain Valley Schools offer a wide range of AP courses, ensuring that there is something for every student’s interest and academic goals. The recognition of several high schools in the district on the College Board AP School Honor Roll underscores a district-wide commitment to academic excellence. Chris Gardner, St. Vrain’s Assessment Coordinator adds, “In St. Vrain, we offer 36 AP courses across all of our high schools including New Meridian, St. Vrain Virtual High School, and the LaunchEd Virtual Academy. If a student is at a particular high school that does not offer an AP course that they want to take, they can enroll at another high school just for that course, or through the St. Vrain AGILE program to get access to that course.”
A Model of Inclusive Academic Excellence
The “AP for All” initiative in the St. Vrain Valley School District is a shining example of what can be achieved when a district commits to both high academic standards and inclusivity. By providing broad access to challenging AP courses and ensuring the necessary support for students to succeed, St. Vrain is preparing its students not just for college, but for life. The district’s approach to education, focusing on both academic rigor and holistic development, sets a benchmark for others to follow.
Yesterday, the Colorado Department of Education released the 2023 graduation and dropout rates for all districts in Colorado. St. Vrain Valley Schools has achieved the highest on-time graduation rate in the district’s history, at 93.3%. This is also the highest graduation rate of any district in the Denver Metro area, and the highest of any district in Colorado with more than 300 graduates. St. Vrain’s Hispanic graduation rate, at 88.3%, is also the highest of any district in the Denver Metro Area. St. Vrain has achieved this with the highest graduation requirements in the Denver Metro area, at 24.5 credits. Further, our dropout rate, at 0.6% for all students and 1% for Hispanic students, is the lowest of any district in the Denver Metro area.
“These outstanding results are a testament to the incredible work of our teachers, staff, students, and families, and I want to recognize all that they do to support the advancement of our students,” said Dr. Don Haddad, Superintendent. “Our teachers and staff not only care deeply about the well-being of our students, but they also hold them to high standards and continue to challenge them to reach their highest potential.”
The foundation for this success begins the moment St. Vrain students enter preschool or kindergarten and are built throughout their 12-14 years in the district.
“Everything across our system impacts our graduation rates, which is why this is such an important indicator of the quality of our schools and system,” shared Dr. Haddad. “This includes the quality and care of our school buildings and learning environments, access to nutritious meals and safe transportation, strong school leadership, outstanding classroom teachers and paraprofessional support, caring front office and health staff, robust technology and aligned curricular resources, engaging experiences outside of the classroom, and so much more.”
2023 Graduation and Dropout Data for Denver Metro and Front Range Regions
