Students from Longmont High School’s Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), traded textbooks for real-world experience on a field trip to three locally-owned businesses. TrojanTECH at Longmont High, enables students to earn their high school diploma but also pursue a no-cost associate degree in Business from Front Range Community College. Students enroll as freshmen and complete the program in 4-5 years.
The tours offered students an understanding of various business models, preparing them for their upcoming college courses. Anne Atherton, TrojanTECH Administrator, explained the purpose behind the field trip, stating, “The TrojanTECH freshmen are taking their first college course next semester through Front Range School of Business, and the purpose of the field trip is to look at different business models that local companies use.”
The tours started at a local restaurant where Matt Grimes, Executive Director at The Roost, shared valuable insights into the foodservice industry. He emphasized the importance of passion and pursuing what you love, stating, “Choose a career you’re passionate about; it makes the job easier because anything you’re passionate about, you’re good at.” Grimes also discussed the role of core values and culture in shaping a company’s identity and attracting strong employees, highlighting punctuality as a crucial professional virtue. “The biggest thing I look for when hiring is being on time,” said Grimes.
Students also visited a paint-your-own pottery studio, where they learned about different aspects of the business, including customer service, marketing, social media engagement, community involvement, the nuances of paid advertising, and the traits sought in potential hires. While touring a local bank, they gained insights into banking operations, customer service, financial products, marketing, and career opportunities.
Following the tour, freshman Alifonse Perez reflected on what she learned, stating, “What resonated most with me is the kindness, patience, and love for the community exhibited by the business owners. They stressed the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and expressed their preference for employees who desire to make a positive impact.”
Students in the Skyline High School Visual and Performing Arts Academy hosted an open house at the Longmont Library on Thursday. The exhibit was an unveiling of works that reflect the personal explorations and distinct artistic voices of each student.
While there are roughly 60 students enrolled in the program, only the program’s Capstone seniors showed their work in the library’s exhibit, said Carolyn Root, one of four teachers who works in the visual arts portion of the program.
Longmont High School’s Drama Club stole the show over the weekend with three engaging performances of the timeless murder mystery play, “Clue,” inspired by the iconic 1985 Paramount movie and the Hasbro board game.
The story begins with six mysterious guests gathering for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail take center stage. As their host, Mr. Boddy, meets an unfortunate end, each guest becomes a suspect. Guided by Wadsworth the butler, the ensemble – featuring Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard – races against the clock to uncover the killer, with the body count steadily rising. Longmont’s rendition of Clue delivered not only suspense and intrigue but also humor, leaving the audience in stitches as they attempted to unravel the mystery.
Dac Cederberg, play director and drama teacher, said Clue was chosen for this semester’s production because, “It has great name recognition, good roles for students, and I felt we would be successful at it. However, the number one reason was because of the hilarious script. The minute I read that script, I fell in love and wanted to produce the show.”
Cederberg, who selected the production in May, conducted auditions in August. Rehearsals were held most days after school. “Between cast, crew, lighting, sound, set, costumes, and props, we had over 30 students working on this show. Clue has a lot of sets, plus the sound cues, lots of dialogue, and lots of props; it was a lot of work. It’s safe to say hundreds of hours of work went into this production. It was well worth it.”
Junior Brooklyn Rowinski, portraying Miss Scarlet, shared a memorable moment from the show, “The entire cast was getting tired since we were halfway through the show. We had a scene in the billiard room, and when we got to the room, the door fell off. There was a slight panic, and everyone was trying not to laugh as my castmate, who plays Colonel Mustard, was holding up one side of the door, and I was holding up the other. Improvising, I said, ‘This really is an old house!’ The funniness of something going wrong brought up the energy backstage and made that moment one of my favorites.”
All students at Longmont have a place in the Drama Club whether it’s in tech or acting. “This group made me so proud,” shared Cederberg. “Despite the long hours we worked, I never heard one complaint from a cast member. They were all the best of friends and they told me they’ve had a blast working on this show. I was especially proud when most cast members were off-book (meaning not using scripts) well before the deadline. That almost never happens! This group was super dedicated and talented. I think they knew what a special show they had on their hands.”
Eight high schools within St. Vrain Valley Schools have been honored with the distinguished College Board AP School Honor Roll designation, acknowledging outstanding student performance on college-level Advanced Placement exams.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
“This recognition emphasizes our district-wide commitment to the ‘AP for All’ initiative,” said Chris Gardner, AP Coordinator for St. Vrain Valley Schools. “In St. Vrain, we firmly believe that every student benefits from the rigor and opportunities offered by the Advanced Placement curriculum.”
St. Vrain Valley Schools offers students a robust and comprehensive selection of 36 Advanced Placement courses across its high schools, including at New Meridian High School, St. Vrain Virtual High School and LaunchEd Virtual Academy. In 2023, the district saw 2,808 students take 4,784 AP exams. Additionally, 704 students earned the AP Scholar recognition and 63 students earned the prestigious AP Capstone diploma.
Students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of educational offerings including coding, robotics, videography, design, aeronautics, cybersecurity, and much more. All activities are hands-on and planned and led by Innovation Center student designers and staff.
Skyline High School’s Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Academy will host their annual VPA Exhibition Open House on Thursday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Longmont Public Library. The exhibit will run through December 18, 2023. This event gives an exclusive look into the diverse world of visual and performing arts, showcasing the talents of students within the VPA Academy.
The Skyline High School VPA Academy focuses on the comprehensive education in visual and performing arts, giving students the opportunity to explore their artistic talents. Students can choose from a variety of courses, such as 2D and 3D art, drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and jewelry.
Distinguished by a personalized approach to artistic expression, the VPA Academy allows each student to choose a specific pathway that is aligned with their interests. This guides them through progressively advanced levels of expertise during their four years in the program. Students can also participate in extracurricular opportunities such as field trips, guest artist lectures, artist-in-residence programs, portfolio reviews, and participation in various exhibitions and contests.
This upcoming VPA Exhibit at the Longmont Public Library will present a collection of these students’ artistic endeavors. The displayed works reflect the personal explorations and distinct artistic voices of each student offering a window into the creativity and innovation fostered by the VPA Academy.
This exhibition is free and open to the public. The event provides an opportunity for art enthusiasts, families, and community members to celebrate and support the vibrant arts community of Skyline High School.
For 25 years, students from the St. Vrain Valley School District have exclusively played a unique and cherished role in the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) state volleyball tournament. Beyond the pivotal task of being ball shaggers, these students get a chance to immerse themselves in the tournament’s vibrant atmosphere, including personal interactions with the players.
The program, which was initially brought to life by Diane Ruby, a former teacher and coach at Longmont High School, is currently spearheaded by Josh Law, a Physical Education teacher at Mountain View Elementary. With about 17 years of involvement and nearly a decade of organizing and leading the program, Law continues to foster a spirit of participation and learning among the students.
Each year, around 200 students from 12 schools participate, including Westview, Longs Peak, Trail Ridge, and others. These students are not just part of the logistical flow of the game; they are immersed in the event’s ambiance. One of the highlights for many students is the opportunity to meet the volleyball players. These interactions often culminate in students getting their shirts signed by the athletes, a memorable experience that adds a personal touch to their involvement.
Students from St. Vrain meet volleyball players after their match and get player autographs on their shirt.
Teams of 7-10 students from each school are trained by their PE teachers or volleyball coaches. They learn the nuances of the 3-4 ball rotation system, a strategy designed to maintain the game’s pace. This practical experience is complemented by practice matches, sometimes with their feeder high schools, preparing them for the high-energy environment of the state tournament.
The St. Vrain Valley students’ involvement in the CHSAA state volleyball tournament offers them a multifaceted experience. It’s a chance to be part of a team, to learn about responsibility and quick decision-making, and to soak in the excitement of high-stakes high school sports. The added perk of interacting with the players and collecting autographs only enriches this experience, bridging the gap between the students and the athletes.
A St. Vrain student shags a ball and returns it to player ready to serve.
As the program completes its 25th year, it embodies more than a tradition of assistance in a sports event. It represents a legacy of community involvement, educational opportunities, and a celebration of high school sports’ spirit. The St. Vrain Valley School District’s unique role in the CHSAA state volleyball tournament highlights the importance of youth engagement in sports and the lasting impact of positive role models and memorable experiences.
Erie High Student Makes History Congratulations to Blake Barnett, a senior at Erie High School, for breaking Colorado’s 11-man high school football career touchdown record on October 20. Click here to read more >>
Letter from the Superintendent
Dear St. Vrain Valley Community,
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we advance excellence across our system to support the ongoing success and well-being of our students. It has been an outstanding semester in St. Vrain, with so much to celebrate throughout our system.
Recently, we announced that St. Vrain Valley Schools was selected as one of only four school districts to be part of the groundbreaking Elevate Quantum Hub in Colorado. This initiative, funneling an estimated $50-75 million investment into our local economy, represents a significant leap forward in advancing quantum computing and developing a future-ready technology workforce. Additionally, we continue to win large, competitive grants that serve to bolster and strengthen many initiatives across the district, including the prestigious Innovative School Systems Grant from the Center on Reinventing Public Education, which will invest $136,000 into our AGILE (Advanced Global Interactive Learning Environments) program which enables students to take courses at any high school online, taught synchronously by highly effective St. Vrain teachers. This brings our total grant dollars to approximately $64 million over the past several years that has been invested in programs, services, and opportunities that are giving our students a strong competitive advantage and best preparing them for future success.
We also continue to see significant academic achievement across our schools, including eight high schools receiving the prestigious College Board AP Honor Roll School designation for excellent student performance on college-level Advanced Placement exams. Additionally, as our seniors are preparing for college and their postsecondary plans, we have been celebrating our national merit semifinalists, student-athletes participating in signing day, news of prestigious university admissions, and so much more. St. Vrain also had the only two schools in Colorado – Longmont Estates Elementary and the Innovation Center – to receive an Apple Distinguished Schools recognition this year.
Over the past several months, we have also seen incredible performances across the district in music, performing arts, and athletics, including marching band performances at this weekend’s Veterans Day parade, our all-district Elementary Honor Choir, high school and middle school theater performances, and our student-athletes dominating at state and national tournaments, including the Niwot Cross Country team winning both the boys and girls state championships, the Erie High football headed to the state quarterfinals, and the Lyons High 8-man football team headed to the semifinals this weekend. Additionally, last weekend, we celebrated our district tournament for our Unified Bowling teams, and earlier this semester, CHSAA’s first Unified Gymnastics athlete competed for Niwot High School.
Community engagement remains a cornerstone of our success, and we continue to see high levels of engagement from our families, business community, elected officials, and so many others, including Leadership St. Vrain, our fall town hall meetings, Parent University, and many other school and community events, including the many school open houses as our families prepare for open enrollment. Last week, we also welcomed three new members of our Board of Education, Geno Lechuga, Jackie Weiss, and Jocelyn Gilligan, and recognized three outgoing members of our board, Joie Siegrist, Dr. Richard Martyr, and Chico Garcia. In addition to the strong commitment from our community, our Board of Education members are pivotal to the advancement of our district, and I want to thank all of them for their service and deep commitment to the success of our students, teachers, staff, and schools.
As we approach the season of gratitude, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you – parents, teachers, staff, and community members. Your commitment to excellence, as evidenced by the many news headlines and celebrations highlighted below, continues to ensure that St. Vrain students have the opportunity to receive the best educational experiences that will elevate their futures. As we look ahead to a strong finish to the semester, I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.
With gratitude, Don Haddad, Ed.D. Superintendent, St. Vrain Valley Schools @SVVSDSupt
Featured Stories
Advancing the future
St. Vrain Valley Schools Part of Colorado’s Quantum Tech Hub in Federal Grant Initiative
St. Vrain Valley Schools is part of Colorado’s Quantum Tech Hub, a federal grant initiative, and one of the 31 designated Tech Hubs nationally by the United States government. Click here to read more.
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Connecting the future
St. Vrain is Awarded Innovative School Systems Grant by the Center on Reinventing Public Education
St. Vrain Valley Schools has been selected as one of only eleven school systems nationwide to participate in the The Innovative School Systems Grant (ISSG) program, a new initiative by the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) to support public school systems that are proposing bold ideas to transform student learning. Click here to read more.
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Accelerating the future
St. Vrain Valley Schools Empowers Educators with Exploration AI Program
St. Vrain has launched ‘Exploration AI,’ a year-long professional development program designed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology into their teaching practices and curricula. Click here to read more.
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Your school, Your choice
Secondary School Options
Choosing a school for your student is an important personal step in charting their future path. Toward this end, St. Vrain offers a diverse and extensive selection of rigorous academic and co-curricular programs that provide you and your student choice in selecting a school that best aligns with their interests and educational goals.
Get ready and get engaged with many upcoming opportunities in St. Vrain.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
We’re Hiring! Join the #StVrainStorm
Join a highly supportive and effective team of professionals who are having a significant impact on the lives of students and families in our community. Click here to browse our open positions.
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Family Engagement
St. Vrain Parent University
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. Click here to read more.
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Important Reminder
2024-2025 Fall Preschool Pre-Registration Begins December 1
To better serve our families and to support a more timely student placement, St. Vrain Valley Schools is offering families the opportunity to complete the district’s online pre-registration process prior to the state’s Universal Preschool (UPK) Application, which is currently expected to be available in February, 2024. Click here to learn more.
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Educator Highlight: P-TEACH
Inspiring the Future Generation of Teachers This year, St. Vrain Valley Schools welcomed back its first P-TEACH graduates as classroom teachers. P-TEACH, or Pathways to Teaching, introduces St.Vrain high school students and classified staff to a career as an educator by offering a variety of concurrent enrollment courses. Students can earn up to 31 college credits through the University of Colorado Denver. Click here to read more.
As part of their Capstone projects, art students from Skyline High School have launched special projects benefiting both students and the senior residents from Atria, a local senior living community. This unique activity serves a dual purpose: fostering community outreach and offering students a glimpse into the life of a working artist.
Art Teacher Carolyn Root explained, “This activity encourages our students to share their artistic talents with older people who might face challenges in decorating their living spaces and experiencing the world outside.” Many of the seniors living at Atria have limited mobility and spend the majority of their time within the Atria community.
Students begin by interviewing one of the senior residents, then create a custom work of art based on their interests and wishes. “The most meaningful aspect of participating in this project was having the chance to hear the life stories of these residents, and give them something that brings them comfort,” shared Lucas Alexander, senior, Skyline High.
The creative options are vast, ranging from landscapes and portraits to mugs or even theme-based artworks. The process starts with each student having a lunch meeting with a senior resident. “The connection between generations is something truly special,” shared Root. “Our students have so much creativity to share, and this project allows them to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.”
After their initial meeting with the residents, students return to school, where they spend several weeks researching, designing, and crafting their unique artwork for their senior clients. “The dedication and creativity they pour into their projects is truly remarkable,” stated Root.
Students returned to Atria this week for the presentation of their handcrafted gifts. Upon receiving the final creations, every resident’s face lit up with a radiant sense of pride. “I can’t help but feel emotional,” expressed Loraine, a resident at Atria. Their comments resonated with sentiment, conveying a sense of awe at the meticulous perfection with which every detail had been captured. Each artwork held a piece of their story, a burst of their personality, and a touch of comfort, creating a tangible connection between generations.
“As an artist you want to make unique and memorable pieces,” shared Skyline High senior Minh Miller. “Sometimes it may feel like we’re very different from each other, but we have many shared experiences. I believe everyone has wisdom and stories to tell the younger generation – I will remember this experience for the rest of my life and I hope they remember as well.”
Students at Longmont Estates Elementary School are making a difference by enhancing social interaction, and promoting communication skills through their Peer Mentorship program. This unique initiative brings students together from the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and General Education programs, creating opportunities for learning and growth.
Counselor Erin Wise explains, “We believe fostering empathy and compassion among the peer mentors is crucial. By engaging with and understanding their peers with autism, our students can contribute to a more inclusive and positive school culture. This not only benefits the children directly involved but has a ripple effect on the entire school community.”
Peer mentors participate in weekly lessons with their counselor where they incorporate lessons from Ellen Sabin’s book, “The Autism Acceptance Book.” This leads to their small group discussions and provides learning opportunities for all students, allowing them to understand and support their peers better. For example, in September and October, student mentors created glitter mindfulness jars and ninja stress balls for the mentees. “I learned a lot about autism,” shared fourth grader Jeremiah Allen. “I have had a great time being a mentor.” Currently, 16 students are serving as Peer Mentors, and another 16 will join later in the year – this way, more students get to experience the program.
Being part of the Peer Mentorship Program helps students learn new skills, understand each other better, and it encourages students to care about different perspectives and experiences by learning how to communicate effectively and adjust to different styles of communication. For fifth grader Grian Lee, the program has helped her “Understand and support my peers with autism by showing me that they can learn and do things just like everyone else – sometimes even better! The program is really fun and can help inspire other students to be leaders.”
The program has already shown positive results with communication and friendships growing stronger among all students. Wise adds, “We aspire to develop life skills in both the mentors and mentees.” Peer mentors have the opportunity to cultivate leadership and a sense of responsibility. As for the mentees, the program enhances their social and communication skills in a supportive and structured setting.
Through crafting activities and collaborative efforts, students are not only learning together but also forming meaningful connections that go beyond their differences. “This program has shown me that not everyone is the same,” shared fifth grader Taytum Bushlack. “Our mentees like to work together, they like to do activities, and most importantly, they like to have fun together.”
