Longmont Estates Elementary School and Silver Creek High School are partnering to host an event featuring Erik Weihenmayer, an internationally recognized adventurer and motivational speaker. Weihenmayer, who made history in 2001 as the first blind individual to summit Mount Everest, will share his message of living a ‘No Barriers Life’ with the community during a special presentation. The event is open to the public.

Event Details:

• Date: November 2
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• Location: Silver Creek High School, 4901 Nelson Rd., Longmont, CO

Weihenmayer, in addition to his athletic achievements, is an accomplished author with several best-selling memoirs. His latest book, ‘No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon,’ delves into the theme of pursuing personal growth and purpose in the face of obstacles.

Thunder Valley K-8 has achieved the status of Performance School, the highest category outlined in Colorado’s School Performance Framework. This accomplishment reflects the dedication and hard work of the Thunder Valley community, including students, teachers, staff, and parents.

Thunder Valley has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement across various metrics outlined in the School Performance Framework. This framework assesses a school’s performance based on factors such as academic growth, proficiency, and post-secondary readiness.

“This achievement is a reflection of the collaborative efforts of our Thunder Valley community,” said Principal Catrina Estrada. It showcases our commitment to continue to provide an exceptional education and prepare our students for a successful future.”

The journey to becoming a Performance School was marked by strategic planning, innovative teaching methods, and a focus on individualized student support. Teachers at Thunder Valley K-8 implemented tailored approaches to address the diverse needs of students, ensuring that each child had the opportunity to thrive academically.

One of the key factors contributing to Thunder Valley’s success was robust community involvement. “The strong partnership between our school and our parents has been essential to Thunder Valley’s success,” stated Estrada. “Their active involvement in school events, conferences, and volunteer work has truly made a positive impact on our students’ education.”

The Performance School designation recognizes Thunder Valley K-8’s academic achievements and signifies its continued commitment to deliver an exceptional education. 

At Timberline PK-8, both students and staff share a common commitment to making a positive impact on their environment. This school year, they have taken the initiative to become a Green Star School, with the goal of preparing students to lead the world toward a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future. 

Last spring, students, in collaboration with EcoCycle, decided to assess the landfill-bound waste for potential recycling or composting opportunities. Students discovered that over 50% of the waste could be diverted away from the landfill and wanted to take action steps to achieve this with the support of the school community.

The transition to becoming a green school has already begun to reshape the way students perceive their environment. Everyone at Timberline – students and staff – participated in EcoCycle presentations, which explained the Green Star initiative and how everyone can play a part in bettering their environment. “The EcoCycle partnership was a very important moment for us,” shared Amy Erdman, STEM Coordinator/Instructional Coach at Timberline PK-8. “It showed our students the impact that individuals could have on reducing waste and also inspired a sense of responsibility towards the environment.”

Representatives from EcoCycle have joined students during several of their lunch periods to guide them in recycling, composting, and landfill practices. Timberline is recycling and composting in both of their cafeterias, which gives students a better understanding where their trash goes, and students are also more mindful about sorting their waste during lunch. 

“The transition to a Green Star School has been a collective effort,” shared Erdman. “Our students, parents, and staff have all embraced the change with enthusiasm. It’s great to see everyone working together towards a common goal of sustainability.”

Staff at Timberline have also taken the initiative to reduce the amount of flyers that are being sent home to families. Parents are  encouraged to sign up to receive communications through the Infinite Campus (IC) system, as well as SeeSaw so they can receive all information electronically, which will help reduce the amount of paper being consumed and sent home. 

“Looking forward, we’re excited about the potential for further growth in our green initiatives,” shared Erdman. “We continue to explore innovative ways to integrate sustainability into our curriculum and find new opportunities for students to take the lead in shaping a greener future for Timberline.”