Longmont High School is set to launch a new advanced placement business program in the 2023-24 school year, which will offer students the opportunity to earn an associate degree in addition to their high school diploma.
Students will start Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH, in ninth grade, and complete the program in four or five years.
St. Vrain Valley’s special education department collaborated with the Innovation Center to host the district’s first unified robotics event Tuesday.
The school district already offers unified music programs, unified physical education classes and unified sports. Tuesday’s event was an opportunity to make the district’s large robotics program more accessible, organizers said.
Ten years ago, 9NEWS introduced our audience to a 5-year-old boy fighting cancer. Trey Tatham has since grown up and competed in the wrestling state championships.
LONGMONT, Colo. — Mead High School freshman Trey Tatham recently accomplished a lifelong dream of competing at the Colorado state wrestling championships.
A need to protect grandparents and elderly loved ones is the motivation behind a new St. Vrain Valley School District initiative to teach cybersecurity to seniors.
Students at the district’s Innovation Center have partnered with the Longmont Senior Center to offer a series of classes that will empower participants to protect themselves.
Westview Middle Principal Mark Spencer saw new sixth graders go through sessions on how to be successful during a visit to a Colorado Springs school, then adapted it so Westview could use it in the fall with its own sixth graders.
Both Longmont’s Westview and the Colorado Springs school are part of a network of Colorado “Schools to Watch” that share best practices for successful middle schools.
One day, when teacher Chad Lemons was observing a high school band practice, a group of students with disabilities stopped by for a few minutes. He realized that was their only exposure to music class.
The moment inspired Lemons, who now teaches music at Mead Elementary School in northern Colorado and previously worked as the band director at Mead High School, to start an inclusive drum group that brings together high school students with intellectual disabilities and typical students who serve as mentors.
A mindfulness club aims to provide students with the necessary tools and techniques they need to be able to learn how to manage their emotions and thoughts, improve their overall well-being, and set them on the path to success.
At Highlands Elementary School, Ms. Peterson and Ms. Warren’s main focus is to connect with students in a meaningful and intentional way. The idea of creating a Mindfulness Club came to mind as they saw the need to empower students to “build their toolboxes” around emotional regulation, self-awareness, and strategies.
“The purpose of having a mindfulness club at Highlands is to give our students tangible strategies to understand their bodies’ needs,” shared Alexia Peterson, School Counselor at Highlands Elementary. “We want them to learn how to self-regulate, and incorporate mindfulness into their day.”
The mindfulness club is structured by rounds. The first round included students from third through fifth grades who met weekly on Friday mornings for one hour for four weeks. The next round will include students from kindergarten through second grade, with a total of 30 students at the end of both rounds. For third grader Briar Springston, being part of the club has helped her become more aware of her feelings. “It has taught me ways to manage my feelings which helps me focus more in class,” she shared.
Teaching mindfulness to students can help shape three critical skills developed in the early grades, such as paying attention and remembering information, being able to shift between tasks, and learning how to treat each other appropriately. These abilities are essential for students as they learn more advanced skills like planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and positive social relationships. Since creating the club, there has been a positive impact on students – their confidence has increased, they are willing to speak more about themselves to others, and they have learned new strategies that give them the ability to solve problems on their own.
Through the mindfulness club, Ms. Peterson’s and Ms. Warren’s hopes are that students at Highlands can develop valuable life skills that will benefit them in and out of the classroom. “I really enjoyed doing a daily weather report of my feelings,” shared Efiri Boakye, fourth grader. “The weather report allows me to check in with my body and emotions, then decide what I need to do to improve my weather or keep it the same.” By fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere, the mindfulness club continues to provide students with the foundation they need to become successful individuals.
St. Vrain Valley Schools have hosted 17 robotics tournaments this school year and many students are now preparing for the state robotics competitions in early March.
“This season, we’ve had 214 teams throughout St. Vrain — Grades 3 to 12, and about 850 students,” said Alexandra Downing, the district’s robotics program manager. “It’s like a school.”
Members of the Future Medical Professionals Club (FMPC) got a glimpse into the world of healthcare at a health panel hosted by UCHealth at Longs Peak Hospital on February 2. The panel was composed of medical professionals from various departments at the hospital. Panelists shared personal experiences and insights about their respective careers, highlighting the opportunities and challenges that come with working in the medical field.
Following the health panel, students toured the hospital, where they gained an understanding of the different departments and got a glimpse of the cutting-edge medical technologies readily accessible to the community.
Niwot High School juniors Micky Nguyen and Sarada Gundavarapu started the FMPC with the goal of providing a unique platform for students to learn about the various medical fields and gain a better understanding of what a career in healthcare entails. “We wanted people to see that there’s more to healthcare than being a doctor or a nurse,” said Nguyen.
The club gives members a way to explore their professional interests, visit medical facilities, gain hands-on experience, and make connections with professionals in the healthcare industry. “The Future Medical Professionals Club gives you a very big head start if you’re wanting to pursue a career in the medical field,” said Mead High School sophomore, Basia Marrufo. “It helps grow your interest and gets you acquainted with the various areas in the industry.”
The FMPC is sponsored by UCHealth and is open to all St. Vrain Valley high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. Lonnie Cramer, President of Longs Peak Hospital and Broomfield Hospital, is proud of the partnership between UCHealth and St. Vrain Valley Schools. “It means a lot to UCHealth, and it means a lot to our community,” said Cramer. “We’re going to grow the health care leaders of tomorrow, and we’re going to help students identify early on what makes sense for them.”
At the health panel, students learned there are many paths they can take to obtain a position in healthcare, and many don’t require a four-year college degree or a degree in science. According to pediatrician Dr. Mark Shane, “You should really get a college degree in what excites you. They [medical schools] love people who are not science majors. They want people who have diverse backgrounds.”
Panelists shared about their unique journeys that led them to careers in the medical field. Shannon Griffith, Manager of Radiology Services, initially studied art and taught elementary school before finding her passion in radiology. Laura Welsh, Manager of the Emergency Department, went to school to be a teacher, but a life-changing experience led her to switch careers. “Life can lead you down different paths, and once you find what you love, you’ll know it,” said Welsh.
Working in healthcare offers a unique advantage in terms of job mobility because healthcare professionals are in high demand and can work anywhere in the world. The need for healthcare services is also constant, which means individuals typically have stability and security in their careers.
Every person who walks through the doors of a hospital or medical facility is going through something, and medical professionals have the ability to directly influence their lives. “Working in healthcare is really just about helping people,” said Dr. Shane. Communication and listening skills are essential in the medical field. They are critical in creating a positive patient experience, building trust with patients, and their families, and ensuring the correct information and treatment plans are understood. Additionally, strong communication and listening skills can improve patient satisfaction, reduce medical errors, and contribute to better health outcomes.
To learn more about the Future Medical Professionals Club, visit stvra.in/fmp.
Career exploration is an essential part of a student’s high school education as it helps them identify what their career interests are, they discover their strengths, and they receive the opportunity to learn about various career options and the skills they need to become successful.
Since 2018, the Freshman Seminar course at Skyline High School has been designed to help students explore their interests and skills, set goals, and plan for their future. The course is offered to all ninth grade students and is taught by teachers whose passion is to guide students on becoming successful individuals.
One of the key components of the Freshman Seminar Course is the two-day career talks each semester where employers from a variety of industries within the community come and speak to students. “We have volunteers from law enforcement, representatives from the Army and Marines, and we have even had a forensic scientist join us,” shared Marie Kaufman, Librarian and English Language Arts Teacher, Skyline High School. Employers get to share their own personal experiences, answer students’ questions, and provide valuable insights into the skills and education required for their careers.
Through career talks, students gain valuable comprehension into the many options that are available to them, while gauging a better understanding of the connection between their academic pursuits and future employment opportunities. “The Freshman Seminar course helps expand student’s minds about what is possible for them to do once they graduate high school,” shared Kaufman. “There are many ways that students can become successful, and it’s important for them to see all the options that are available.”
The Freshman Seminar course and the career talks have supported students to be better prepared for the next chapter, whether it is college or the workforce.
