Sanskar Pradhan and three other middle school students in the St. Vrain Valley School District designed a complicated robot that competed in a state championship in Denver on Saturday.
Their team, Mechanical Chaos, is among 16 that will be representing the school district at the VEX Robotics World Championship 2023 in Dallas in late April and early May.
Rocky Mountain Elementary is among a dozen Colorado schools that have received the Governor’s Math Bright Spot Award, the state announced Tuesday.
The award is given to schools that have demonstrated “exceptional growth in math achievement” since 2019, a press release from Gov. Jared Polis’ office read.
The St. Vrain Valley Schools Board of Education approved Wednesday the adoption and purchase of a language arts curriculum for elementary schools.
The purchase of ReadyGEN, by Savvas Learning, won’t exceed more than $2.23 million, based on student enrollment for the 2023-24 school year, the district said in a memo. Around $100,000 has been budgeted for initial staff training.
Highlands Elementary PTO and Soaring Heights PTO are organizing the third annual Hope and Gratitude Project from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday on Briggs Street in downtown Erie.
The event features luminaries made by students and staff members from most of the elementary and middle schools in Erie. The project is an opportunity for them to share their hopes and areas of gratitude by decorating luminaries.
Parent engagement in school has many benefits for both students and the community as a whole. When parents become actively involved in their student’s education, it creates a partnership between home and school, which leads to improved communication and a better understanding of each other’s roles in supporting student academic and personal growth.
At Skyline High School, families are a critical component to ensuring school-wide academic success. “Our families are our Falcon Family, and they are part of this community; we couldn’t do it without our parents,” shared Assistant Principal, Susana Wittrock. “We strongly believe that it is critical to build a strong connection with every parent; that’s why we call it #FalconFamiliesTogether, because we are all united as a team in advancing student achievement.”
During monthly Cafecito meetings, parents can learn more about post-secondary opportunities for their students, whether they plan ongoing to a two-year or four-year university, or joining the workforce. There is also an opportunity for parents to learn more about mental health support and resources for students, and ways that they can better support them.
Studies show that parent engagement is strongly associated with increased student motivation, attendance, and academic performance, because parents are there to provide the additional support their child needs, such as helping with homework, attending school events, and becoming a school volunteer. Parents also have the opportunity to increase their understanding of the curriculum and the school’s expectations.
For Skyline High School’s Family Liaison, Nayeli Cervantes, being a point of contact for parents helps her create and maintain relationships with them. “We want to give parents that voice, and let them know that we are available for them when they come in – it’s important for me that all parents feel heard.”
Skyline offers “after hours” opportunities outside their regularly scheduled office hours, so that parents can come in during a time that works best for them, ask questions, speak with an administrator, or simply get support in accessing communication resources such as Infinite Campus.
“It’s the notion of a team and community that will provide students with the support that they need to become successful,” shared Wittrock. As parents become more involved in their child’s education, they will help in promoting a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students and build a better community by advancing student achievement.
Dear St. Vrain Valley Schools Community,
Thank you for your continued partnership as we advance the academic success and comprehensive well-being of our students, teachers, and staff. We have had much to celebrate the last several weeks including St. Vrain students recently winning both the middle school and high school VEX State Robotics Championships with numerous schools qualifying for the World Championships, the district hosting its first Unified Robotics Night, students winning state championships in wrestling and competing at very high levels in state basketball tournaments, the launch of Parent University, and so much more.
In addition to recognizing the incredible achievements of our students, teachers, and staff, I have also been closely following the regional, state, and national trends we are seeing related to school safety, including swatting incidents around Colorado where false calls are made to emergency services regarding active school threats, and student protests in Denver regarding school safety. The safety and well-being of our students and community is paramount, and I want to take a moment to emphasize our ongoing commitment to providing the highest levels of safety and security in our schools. Over the past 15 years, we have invested approximately $48 million in school security upgrades, including double-vestibule entrances, security cameras, and other building upgrades. We have also invested heavily in increasing the number of School Resource Officers, and earlier this year, we added a Campus Supervisor to all of our district elementary schools, in addition to having them at all of our secondary schools.
We have also continued to prioritize and invest in programs that advance mental health and student well-being. Over the last several years, we’ve allocated an additional counselor to each high school, as well as increased counseling support at all elementary schools across St. Vrain. This is in addition to strong social-emotional support programming at all grade levels, PK-14, and a priority focus on ensuring that all students have the opportunity to engage in athletics, visual and performing arts, and other co-curricular activities beyond the school day. This has not only had a positive impact on academic growth and achievement, but also on student health and well-being. Over the past several years, we have seen significant positive growth in healthy behaviors, resulting in a reduction in substance use, as well as a reduction in bullying and increases in student engagement.
While we have experienced many positive outcomes from our increased investments in student safety and well-being, strong partnerships with our families and students continue to be a significant priority. Last week, we had an incident at a middle school involving a student bringing an airsoft gun to school. While some people consider these to be facsimile guns, they can look very real and are easily mistaken for a real weapon. Airsoft guns or any other object resembling a weapon is not allowed on district property, and we will not tolerate any behaviors both on or off district property that impact the safety and sanctity of our schools and community. We take all reports of school safety concerns very seriously and continue to emphasize the importance of everyone’s role in reporting concerns and sharing information with the district and our law enforcement partners. In addition to contacting your school or local law enforcement, students and families are also strongly encouraged to use Safe2Tell to share anonymous or confidential information.
Again, I am very grateful for the continued partnership and support of our entire community in advancing the safety, well-being, and success of our students. I look forward to the coming months and the many celebrations that will take place, including our District Art Show, Teacher Appreciation Week, and our 2023 graduation ceremonies.
If you have any questions or feedback for the district, please feel free to contact me directly or your student’s school principal.
Sincerely,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Superintendent
@SVVSDSupt
St. Vrainnovation Magazine
In St. Vrain, we have created a system that leverages the best of our resources, knowledge, innovation, and human capital to ensure a stronger tomorrow for our community, state, and nation, in order to advance the promise of future generations.
Click here to read more.
St. Vrainnovation Magazine
In a globalized society, knowing a second language provides an advantage, and allows us to communicate across boundaries and cultures. As St. Vrain prepares students for success, there are many opportunities for students to engage in learning a new language. Click here to read more.
St. Vrainnovation Magazine
Students across St. Vrain arrive at school early to strengthen their music skills, stay after the last bell is rung to practice for upcoming concerts, and rehearse marching band drills outside on dark, cool mornings to ensure their sets are just right ahead of the big home game. Click here to read more.
Get ready and get engaged with many upcoming opportunities in St. Vrain.
Student Opportunities
St. Vrain Valley Schools offers robust summer programming options to keep students engaged in their academic learning.
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Family Engagement
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.
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ComMunity Connection
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.
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St. Vrain Valley is applying to the state to allow its K-12 LaunchED Virtual Academy to enroll students who live outside the school district’s boundaries.
The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on St. Vrain’s application to become a multi-district online school at its Wednesday meeting. District officials said the main reason they’re applying is because the school has had to turn away current district families who want an online program, but live outside district boundaries.
The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded St. Vrain Valley Schools the Pathway to the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2022–2023 budget year, in recognition of excellence in budget presentation.
“We are proud to have earned this award, which is in recognition of the hard work of our budget team and other District leaders,” shared Tony Whiteley, Executive Director of Budget and Finance for St. Vrain. “Their thoughtful collaboration in preparing a comprehensive, clear, and student-centered budget ensures that the allocation of District resources continues to be in alignment with St. Vrain’s mission and strategic priorities.”
ASBO International’s MBA and Pathway to the MBA promote and recognize best budget presentation practices in school districts. Participants submit their applications and budget documents to a panel of school financial professionals who review the materials for compliance with the MBA Criteria Checklist and other requirements and provide expert feedback that districts can use to improve their budget documents.
“This award reinforces our commitment to transparency and accountability to our community as well as our adherence to the high standards outlined by the award criteria,” added Whiteley.
Districts that successfully demonstrate they have met the necessary program requirements may earn either the MBA or Pathway to the MBA, an introductory program that allows districts to ease into full MBA compliance.
“Districts that apply to the MBA or Pathway to the MBA programs recognize the importance of presenting a quality, easy-to-understand budget internally and to the community,” ASBO International COO/Interim Executive Director Siobhan McMahon explains. “Participating in the MBA and Pathway programs provides districts with important tools and resources they need to communicate the district’s goals and objectives clearly and illustrates their commitment to adhering to nationally recognized budget presentation standards.”
Students at St. Vrain Valley Schools are designing mini-mobile labs that can be built into two school buses, said Colin Rickman, director of communications and engagement for the district.
The Innovation Center’s AI Cyber Bus Team plans to build the mobile labs to teach students about cutting-edge STEM fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, Rickman explained.
Students at St. Vrain Valley Schools are traveling to southern Colorado this week to teach young people about STEM opportunities.
When Owen Willis welcomes fellow students into St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Mobile Innovation Lab, one of the first things he notices is their curiosity.
“They’re really just surprised with everything they’re presented with, and excited to engage with the activities that we have,” Willis said. “The kids always seem to love it, and they’re super engaged with what we’re doing.”
