Betty Heath, a long-time volunteer in St. Vrain Valley Schools, currently at Legacy Elementary School, has been providing mentorship to a group of five fourth-grade students once a week. These students, who call themselves the “Aspiring Writers,”expressed interest in learning how to write articles for their school newspaper. Drawing on her journalism experience, Heath provided students with the ins and outs of article writing.

Recognizing the importance of establishing a strong grammar foundation, Heath acquired dictionaries from the local Rotary Club to assist students in their learning process. Additionally, she compiled a list of common writing terms to support students and utilized the dictionaries to look up words, enhancing their writing skills as they worked on drafting their articles.

The Aspiring Writers’ first assignment with Heath was to practice writing letters. “The students learned how to write sentences and create paragraphs,” explains Heath. “We then reviewed how to address envelopes and affix stamps so they could mail the letters.”

As they progressed to learning how to write newspaper articles, Heath enlisted community member Angie Bustillos as an interviewee for the students. “Angie’s impressive academic background as a St. Vrain Alumni and Boettcher Scholar, her pursuit of a master’s degree in economics, and her recent work with a global bank in Vienna made her an ideal choice for this collaboration,” explained Heath.

During the interviews, students asked Bustillos one prepared question initially, but as the interview progressed, they naturally thought of more questions to ask, leading to an engaging and in-depth discussion.

Throughout the interview process, students embraced the opportunity to work with Bustillos and showcase the writing skills they learned through the project. “Talking to Angie was really exciting,” shared fourth-grader Leila Carrazco. “She was so nice, and it was interesting to ask her questions to get to know her.” Colton Lewis, another fourth-grade student, exclaimed, “Working on this newspaper project was fun! We got to learn a lot about writing and interviewing.”

Bustillos enjoyed working with the Aspiring Writers, “Engaging with these students during the interviews was an energizing experience. Their boundless enthusiasm and brilliance were infectious. It’s been rewarding to witness their growth in the short time I’ve known them.”

The partnership between Spark! Discovery Preschool and Anima Arts is an example of the power of community connections. Anima Arts’ mission is to offer community-based art programs promoting public health education for children and their families, emphasizing the importance of healthy movement and artistic expression in overall well-being.

Reflecting on the partnership’s origins, Mimi Ferrie Lee, Founder of Anima Arts, recalls, “My initial collaboration with Spark! began with a post on a Facebook education group. A member of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) sought a theater and performing arts instructor for a spring 2022 visit, and I was fortunate to be selected.” Since then, Anima Arts has become an integral part of Spark’s programming, offering a diverse range of art opportunities tailored specifically to students’ interests and developmental needs.

Through close collaboration with Spark’s faculty, Ferrie Lee ensures the program aligns with educational objectives, particularly in supporting student’s social-emotional skills. “We spend a lot of class time connecting emotions to experiences so we can learn about life, our actions, values, ourselves, and others,” she explains. “The arts give children opportunities for self-expression to be seen and to build a connection with others.”

Anima Arts’ educational activities are integrated with real-world learning, creativity, and community building. “We love combining imagery from other Spark! units and STEM topics into the lessons,” Ferrie Lee notes. “For example, in the dance unit, we discuss anatomy and physiology and reinforce topics from their transportation unit as we ‘travel’ to learn dances across the globe. In theater, we discuss engineering and electronics as we learn about the set and lighting design for a stage performance. We reinforce mathematics skills as we determine the number of performers entering or exiting for each scene.”

Community engagement is essential for the success of these initiatives. Anima Arts and Spark! Discovery Preschool collaborate to create a sense of belonging among parents and families, from sharing classroom experiences to facilitating sign-ups for after-school programs.

Paige Gordon, Principal at Spark! Discovery Preschool, emphasized the significance of the partnership with Anima Arts, stating, “Through this collaboration, we not only impart knowledge but also instill a love for learning, a sense of belonging, and a passion for artistic expression.”

St. Vrain Valley Schools is committed to providing our students with diverse learning opportunities to pursue their career interests and broaden their learning experiences through advanced technology courses, industry certifications, career and technical education training, and more.

We are pleased to invite you to the third annual St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Career and Job Fair, where high school students can explore a range of career fields and post-secondary options. The event will include visits from representatives of colleges, industry partners, and the military. Students will gain insight into post-secondary pathways and entry-level positions, and will have the opportunity to interview for internships and job openings during the fair. Additionally, students will receive support in their job search by obtaining valuable feedback on their resumes and complimentary professional portraits.

Event details: 

• Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
• Two sessions: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Locations: Sessions will be held at both the Career Elevation and Technology Center at 1200 S. Sunset St. in Longmont and the Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools at 33 Quail Rd. in Longmont.
• The event is free and open to all high school families in St. Vrain Valley Schools. 

Please register here to assist with planning purposes.

Alpine Elementary School prides itself on its high-quality preschool program, where learning begins with exploration and play. Supported by the passion and dedication of two educators, Mrs. Debi Boruff and Mrs. Kathy Willyard, the program continuously prepares students academically by creating a sense of curiosity, empathy, and joy in learning. Reflecting on their journey into early childhood education, Willyard recalls, “We both wanted to be teachers from a young age based on our positive experiences with our teachers.”

Willyard and Boruff, who both have dedicated over a decade to Alpine Elementary, share a profound commitment to shaping young minds. Willyard’s educational background boasts a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from Regis University, while Boruff earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley before adding her early childhood certification.

Alpine’s reputation within the community captured their interest. “What we value most about being part of this school community is the level of collaboration and support that exists among staff, parents, and students,” explains Boruff. “While the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework was a new endeavor for both of us, we have found joy in developing engaging units of inquiry tailored to preschoolers, ensuring a meaningful and enriching educational experience for all.”

Being a high-quality preschool program means prioritizing a rich learning environment that supports the development of every child, with the focus on creating engaging experiences that cater to the diverse needs of all.

The philosophy of play-based learning plays a crucial role in a student’s academic development. Both Boruff and Willyard firmly believe that preschoolers excel in an environment where they can engage in exploration, experimentation, and hands-on discovery. “Our choice time is set up in a way where students choose areas of interests that incorporate art, math, literacy, pretend, social emotional, fine and gross motor, and science,” explains Boruff. “Students learn through play even without recognizing they are learning.”

Alpine’s preschool program is dedicated to preparing preschoolers for kindergarten both academically and socially. “We use programs like Paths and Second Step that help students develop social-emotional skills, recognize and manage their feelings, and build positive relationships,” shares Willyard. By incorporating fundamental subjects such as literacy and math into daily activities, students are better prepared for the transition to kindergarten. “Through tools like Teaching Strategies Gold, we track student progress, allowing us to tailor our approach to meet each child’s needs effectively,” she explains.

Engaging parents in their child’s educational journey is a key focus for Boruff and Willyard. “We value the partnership we have with parents and offer various opportunities for them to engage in our program,” shares Boruff. “We offer home and school connection activities that parents can do with their children, as well as engagement through SeeSaw. We also invite families to share pictures with us in the classroom.”

Through their teaching experiences, Boruff and Willyard have gained a deep appreciation for flexibility and empathy in the classroom. “My time in teaching has taught me the importance of being adaptable and seeing things from different perspectives,” reflects Willyard. “Understanding that what works for one child may not work for another is key.”

Rocky Mountain Elementary School held their Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Day during April’s late start. “The idea of the SEL day stemmed from a discussion about giving students test-taking tips for the CMAS,” shared Jennifer Parmeter, counselor at Rocky Mountain. “We wanted to build excitement for the upcoming testing season and to ensure students were equipped with the tools and the motivation to do their very best.” 

Aligning with Rocky Mountain’s core values and mission of creating a positive and nurturing environment, SEL Day exemplified the school’s commitment to student well-being. “Our goal is to ensure our students’ social, emotional, and academic success,” stated Parmeter. “This event perfectly embodies our mission, in creating a caring, collaborative, and academically focused environment.”

SEL Day was designed to offer students a variety of activities tailored to enhance their social and emotional skills while developing connections within the school community. Parmeter elaborated, “We firmly believe that nurturing the social and emotional well-being of our students is fundamental to their overall development and success. This event provided unique opportunities for students to engage in self-expression, relaxation, and bonding.” Activities ranged from outdoor mindfulness walks, painting, bracelet making, yoga, drum circles, board games, and more. Additionally, students in grades three through five had dedicated time to prepare for their CMAS exams with the guidance and support of teachers and staff.

Furthermore, SEL Day at Rocky Mountain carries a deeper significance beyond its immediate activities. Parmeter explained, “The CMAS test relies on students effectively utilizing their working memory. Everything we require of students in school is linked to their memory, encompassing the physiological aspect as they continuously acquire and apply new information. By promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) on occasions like these, students not only enhance their academic performance but also cultivate essential life skills such as self-awareness and relationship building.”

Throughout the day’s events, students expressed positivity about their experiences. Fifth-grader Aylin Nunez, who participated in a painting session with friends, shared, “I like that we can be creative and paint whatever we want.” For Parmeter, “the day SEL was about equipping our students with the tools necessary to succeed in their relationships and feel valued as part of a caring community.”

In the world of young inventors, dreams often serve as a driving force behind innovation. For 13-year-old Wolf Danzer, a seventh-grader in the APEX Homeschool Program, this sentiment rings true. Inspired by his family’s love for games and a memorable blanket fort, Wolf designed a game called Blanket Kingdom, earning him the Most Authentic Award in the 2023 Young Inventor Challenge (YIC).

Blanket Kingdom begins with the game’s tiles lying face-down and scattered randomly across the board. Players take turns rolling the dice, and if they roll a specific number, they flip over a tile, which adds a “room” to their blanket fort. However, they must navigate the presence of the cleanup tile, inspired by Wolf’s mom, which adds a strategic element to the game.

“I thought of the idea for my board game on my 13th birthday when my dad and I made a crazy blanket fort that took up the entire first floor of our house,” shared Wolf. “When my mom finally had us take it down, the idea popped into my head to make a game with blanket forts that you never have to take down.”

To develop his first prototype, Wolf utilized Canva, a web-based tool for designing a wide range of visual content, to make the cards and tiles. “I used Canva’s AI-image generator to create the early images,” he shared. “I got the idea that since my board game was about blanket forts, I should make the board a blanket, which also meant that the game would be very portable. I put all the cards on hexagon-shaped pieces of fabric so that it’s easy to transport.”

The YIC is an annual national competition where students between the ages of six and 18 have the opportunity to create an original play product and pitch it to professional toy and game inventors for a chance to win large prizes. Past winners have seen their entries licensed, manufactured, and sold in both specialty toy stores and major retailers, including Target and Amazon. The goal of the competition is to inspire the next generation to utilize creativity, critical thinking, and STEAM skills in the invention and innovation process.

This is Wolf’s second year participating in the competition, which was held both in Chicago and virtually. “The most exciting part of the Young Inventors Challenge for me was getting into the car after my Ultimate tournament and seeing my name at the top of the standings because I did not expect to win the challenge, and it came as a real surprise,” shared Wolf. “It was an experience I’ll never forget. I feel like it was a really great moment.” APEX Principal Kim Lancaster expressed her pride in Wolf, stating, “Wolf’s win at the YIC speaks volumes about his exceptional talent and hard work. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to witnessing his continued success as he pursues his dreams.”

For Wolf, the YIC experience was a stepping stone to realizing his lifelong dream of owning a game company. “My dad and I recently started our own game company (Alpha Amazing, LLC), and we hope that Blanket Kingdom will be on shelves sometime soon.” Kate Tillery-Danzer, Wolf’s mom, shared, “It has been a truly amazing experience. Blanket Kingdom is currently being evaluated by a game company. He’s on his second round of edits to his game based on their feedback. There’s no guarantee that they’ll take it, but they have shown some solid interest.”

In addition to the excitement of winning an award, Wolf recently had the opportunity to appear on a live broadcast of Fox 31’s Great Day Colorado. During the segment, he explained what inspired him to create Blanket Kingdom, demonstrated how to play the game, and shared his experience participating in the YIC.

Tillery-Danzer attributes Wolf’s success in the competition to the invaluable skills he developed using Canva under the guidance of his teacher, Mrs. LaFevre. “I appreciate that Ms. LaFevre has worked so hard this year to ensure that Wolf and all of her students are learning applications that are truly useful in the real world,” said Tillery-Danzer. “The judges specifically commented on the high quality of his game cards and expressed surprise that a kid his age already had such great design skills. If you watched his TV interview and noticed his poise, you can thank his amazing musical theater teacher, Ms. Cox-Robie. She has turned Wolf into a lifelong theater kid.”

Niwot Elementary School fifth-grader Cooper Edwards recently won the Boulder Valley School District Regional Spelling Bee and is one of two students from Colorado who will be competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, in May. 

After experiencing an early exit at Niwot’s spelling bee in 2023, Cooper returned this year with a renewed determination to succeed. His hard work and perseverance paid off, as he won first place at the regional competition by correctly spelling the word “crocus,” a delicate flowering plant. For Cooper, the most enjoyable part of the regional bee was the thrill of the competition as it neared its conclusion. “Toward the end, it was getting more fun for me. I wanted to keep going and spelling more words.” 

To prepare for the national spelling bee, Cooper plans to utilize a variety of strategies. “I will probably repeat a bunch of the quizzes on the Scripps app, Word Club, remember the same words from the regional bee, and practice the list of words that Scripps is coming out with soon.”

Cooper is looking forward to his trip to Washington, DC, and is proud to represent Niwot in the competition. “Not everybody gets to do this. I’m really excited, and I just want to go and have fun.”

Audrey Lenger, Niwot Gifted and Talented Teacher, praised Cooper for his sportsmanship, supportive nature towards classmates, and achievements. “We’re not only proud of Cooper’s academic accomplishments, but we’re also proud of his humanity. He’s just a good human being, and he’s hardworking and responsible,” shared Lenger. “It’s unusual for a fifth-grader to progress from the regional to the national competition. You have to be poised, confident, and possess the ability to calm yourself and not let distractions get to you.”

Cooper is the first elementary student from Niwot to qualify for a national spelling bee. According to Lenger, “We’ve had two former students who went to nationals as middle school students at Sunset, but Cooper is the first elementary student to go.” Additionally, Cooper’s older sister, Paige, a seventh-grader at Sunset Middle School and a former Niwot student, won Sunset’s spelling bee this year and represented the school at the regional level alongside Cooper.