For the first time in program history, the Mead High School girls basketball team has made it to the Final Four in the class 4A tournament.
Head coach JR Sagner explained that at the beginning of the season, the team outlined their goals on a whiteboard. Making it to the final four and the Denver Coliseum — where those games are hosted — was one of those goals.
Inclusion is Elemental was the phrase written on teacher, staff and student shirts on Wednesday at Trail Ridge Middle School as the school celebrated a Day of Inclusion with two very special guests.
“ Around the world, exclusion and discrimination continue to divide people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are changing that with grassroots action for inclusion,” stated the Special Olympics website.
More and more special education students across the St. Vrain Valley School district are now able to use sensory rooms to regulate their learning.
“Sensory rooms use sensory equipment to create a controlled sensory-focused environment. These environments allow sensory experiences to be individually tailored to meet the specific needs of an individual,” according to the National Autism Resources website. “Good sensory rooms are well structured so that the amount and intensity of a sensory experience can be easily controlled and monitored.”
Taryn McDermid did not think at 15 she would be working to save an endangered fish species, but on Thursday she stood in front of a room of wildland biologists explaining her work doing exactly that.
The Niwot High School sophomore and the other four members of the northern redbelly dace data science project team delivered a formal presentation to the members of Boulder County Parks and Open Space about their work to save the endangered species.
At Niwot Elementary, Mwebaza Day is more than just a long-standing annual tradition. It is an opportunity for students at Niwot Elementary to meet, interact with, and learn from their counterparts at Mwebaza School in Uganda.
The lessons learned from Niwot Elementary’s partnership with Mwebaza School go well beyond elementary schooling. “It means so much. It is a longstanding tradition that teaches about culture and diversity. It’s a unique way to build friendship across the sea,” says Niwot Elementary Principal Nancy Pitz.
Mwebaza day shrinks the world for students and exposes them to a culture that is different from their own. “It helps kids see that despite differences there’s great value in everyone, and that differences should be celebrated,” says first grade teacher Dale Peterson. Peterson has forged a mutually beneficial relationship between Niwot Elementary and Mwebaza school that has lasted for more than 15 years.
The students get a chance to perform for each other, ask questions, and meet their pen pals for the first time. Niwot Elementary’s choir sang “Jeremiah and the Bullfrog” and the Mwebaza Club sang and danced to “This Land is Your Land”, while their friends at Mwebaza School performed a variety of different dances and songs.
Niwot Elementary students enjoyed hearing how their Mwebaza counterparts celebrate holidays and birthdays, and were eager to share their own holiday traditions as well. They also enjoyed learning about Ugandan culture and what the average day looks like for a Mwebaza student. Fifth grader Reese Macchia said she enjoyed “getting to see our pen pals because we’ve never seen them before and getting to see what they do.” The chance to finally celebrate their friendship is what Mwebaza Day is all about for Niwot Elementary. The celebration ended with a schoolwide toast of passion fruit juice to their friends across the sea. Mwebaza Day and Niwot Elementary’s partnership with Mwebaza School is a perfect example of how St. Vrain Valley Schools applies a global learning perspective in the classroom and shrinks the world for students.
Dear St. Vrain Valley Schools Community,
Thank you for your partnership and support as we continue to update our health and safety protocols in alignment with our local, state, and national public health guidelines. Earlier this month, I shared that masks are optional in our buildings, however, masks would still be required on district transportation pursuant to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 264, and 42 C.F.R. 70.2, 71.31(b).
On Friday, the CDC updated their masking orders on public transportation to no longer require masks on buses or vans operated by public school systems. Accordingly, effective immediately, we are updating our protocols. Masks are now optional for students riding district transportation, however students, teachers, and staff are always welcome to wear a mask if they choose to do so. This change includes all uses of district transportation, including school field trips, transportation to athletic and performing arts events, and before-school and after-school transportation.
Again, thank you for your continued support and we look forward to a strong finish to the 2021-2022 academic year. If you have any questions about this change, please contact our Transportation Department at 303-702-7530.
Sincerely,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Superintendent
On a snowy day, the Aquatic Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools was finally able to open its doors to the public.
Students, school administrators, coaches, teachers, parents and more warmed up after braving the snowy conditions inside the new aquatic center.
St. Vrain Valley Schools is currently piloting new instructional resources for middle school mathematics and secondary world languages. The resources will be available for online review and introduction. Teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members are all welcome to evaluate the digital materials and provide feedback during our virtual meetings.
Please click the following links during the stated meeting time to join the meeting via WebEx.
Middle School Mathematics
Tuesday, March 1 from 5 – 7 p.m. and Thursday, March 3 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Secondary World Languages
Tuesday, March 1 from 5 – 7 p.m. and Thursday, March 3 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Questions can be directed to:
Middle School Mathematics
Greg George
K-12 Mathematics Coordinator
(303) 682-7247
[email protected]
Secondary World Languages
Kahle Charles
Assistant Superintendent of Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction
(303) 702-7591
[email protected]
Dear St. Vrain Valley Schools Teachers, Staff, and Families,
Thank you for your continued partnership in advancing the well-being and success of our students. Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to work closely with our county and state health agencies regarding COVID-19 safety protocols. Last night, the Boulder County Board of Health voted to end their indoor mask requirement for public spaces and schools (Public Health Orders 2021-08 and 2021-07) effective at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18. Accordingly, we are updating our protocols. Masks will become optional in our schools and buildings for all teachers, staff, and students after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18.
In addition to lifting the mask mandate for our schools and buildings, masks will no longer be required for athletics and activities, however students, teachers, staff, and visitors are always welcome to wear a mask if they choose to do so. Masks will continue to be required on district transportation, pursuant to the CDC’s Order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 264, and 42 C.F.R. 70.2, 71.31(b). Additionally, accommodations for any students on an IEP or 504 plan will be made in alignment with state and federal laws, and individual IEPS and 504 plans.
If you are a charter school family, please check with your school directly regarding their masking protocols and policies.
St. Vrain Valley Schools will continue to implement our comprehensive and layered mitigation strategies to support our schools being as safe as possible, including social distancing whenever possible, heightened cleaning protocols, and high-quality HVAC systems with increased ventilation. Please click here to learn more about our health and safety measures.
Again, thank you for your continued support and we look forward to a strong finish to the 2021-2022 academic year. If you have any questions about this change, please contact your school building principal or our Health Services Department at 303-772-7700.
Sincerely,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Innovation and building partnerships are key to the St. Vrain School district bringing in around $24 million in grants over the last four years.
SVVSD looks for ways to provide “current and future generations a strong competitive advantage so that all students can achieve success in a globalized world,” according to its website.
