Spartans Unleash Their Inner Warrior at Fall Crawl

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The field at Sunset Middle School was transformed into a sea of green last Friday as hundreds of students converged for the annual Fall Crawl, a day filled with fun, challenges, and school spirit. Amidst the excitement, students lined up to tackle the challenging ninja warrior course, their voices filled with enthusiasm as they cheered each other on with phrases like, “Don’t give up” and “You’ve got this!”  

Fall Crawl has been a tradition at Sunset Middle School that started as a jog-a-thon. Over the years, it has evolved into an exciting ninja course that gives students the chance to put their physical prowess and determination to the test. Each grade is assigned a time to navigate the course, which includes a variety of obstacles, such as a rolling balance beam, swinging monkey bars, a warped wall, and more. 

According to Sunset principal Anthony Barela, “Fall Craw is a day where our students come together to take on exciting challenges, support each other, and create lasting memories. It’s great to see them have fun and build connections.”

Male middle school student smiling and wearing a Sunset Spartans t-shirt and glasses. He has short curly hair and is standing in front of swinging rings waiting for his turn. A group of students is standing in the background behind him.

Each year, Sunset extends an invitation to 5th graders from its feeder schools to participate in the Fall Crawl. “It’s an exciting opportunity for our 5th-grade students to immerse themselves in the middle school environment,” stated Nancy Pitz, Principal of Niwot Elementary. “The highlight of their visit is getting to test their skills on the ninja course, but this unique tradition also provides a small preview of what awaits them in middle school.”

Fall Crawl would not be possible without the hard work of staff, parents, and the PTO, which generously raised funds to pay for the ninja course. “We are grateful to all of the teachers, staff, and parent volunteers who made this event possible,” said Barela. “Their dedication and support are the driving forces behind the success of Fall Crawl year after year.” 

Niwot Elementary’s ‘All-School Movement’ Blends Music, Fitness, and School Spirit

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Three elementary schools boys and one girl in a line facing a school marching band in the distance. Their arms are at different levels in the air while they dance to the music.

Every Friday morning, students, staff, and parents assemble on the upper field at Niwot Elementary for All-School Movement. The program consists of 15 minutes of physical activity and is an opportunity for the school community to come together, get active, and celebrate the end of the week. 

All-School Movement is a popular tradition that has become an important part of the school’s culture and a program that Principal Nancy Pitz is incredibly proud of. “Incorporating movement in school benefits students by improving academic performance, enhancing cognitive function, increasing focus, reducing stress, promoting healthy habits, improving social skills, and enhancing mood,” shared Pitz. 

PE teacher Catherine Balog is the coordinator of the program; however, staff and student groups, including classrooms and the student council, often lead the physical activities. “All-School Movement brings a sense of excitement throughout our school community,” shared Balog. “When all students, staff, and parents are on the field moving and dancing together, it’s a fun way to release morning energy and celebrate the end of a great school week.”

Photo from afar of the Niwot High School band standing in a large circle with their backs to the camera. They are facing the elementary students at in front of them who are dancing to their music on the grass field outside of the school.

A unique element of the program is the annual “Super Spirit Day,” where elementary students dress in green Niwot High School gear and the Niwot High band plays live music as the entire school engages in All-School Movement. “Having the band there is what makes it a ‘Super’ spirit day,” shared Pitz. “The idea came about as a way to get our feeder high school involved in a fun and different way. It also exposes our students to the band and performing arts. The students and families love it.”

The school community looks forward to the movement activities each week. The enthusiasm and genuine enjoyment among participants illustrates the popularity and success of the program. In the words of one excited student, “Woo hoo! This is awesome!”

Mead students move to the music

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On Friday, students at Mead Elementary School lined up outside the school’s front doors for a special treat. The school’s music teacher, Chad Lemons, invited a special guest, Guerrilla Fanfare, to perform for the students.

At the beginning of every school day, elementary students and their teachers take 15 minutes to move. During this time, classroom teachers choose activities for their students and can be seen all around the campus engaging in a variety of exercise activities. Once a month, the school comes together for an all-school movement event, Lemons said.

Read the full story in the Longmont Leader

Lyons Earns Top Spot in State Rankings

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High school female in a classroom, wearing goggles while doing a science experiment. She's holding a thermometer in a beaker filled with boiling water.

In an impressive achievement, Lyons Middle Senior High School has been ranked No. 1 out of 115 middle/high schools in Colorado, according to the latest School Performance Framework (SPF) rankings released by the Colorado Department of Education.

The SPF is a comprehensive evaluation system that assesses schools based on various criteria, including academic achievement, growth, and post-secondary readiness. Lyons’ exceptional performance across these metrics places it at the pinnacle of educational excellence in Colorado and emphasizes its commitment to providing students with an exceptional education.

“Our No. 1 ranking reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire school community – from our committed educators to our motivated students and supportive parents,” said Lyons Middle Senior Principal Chris Frank. “Lyons has always strived for excellence, and this recognition is a testament to our collective efforts in providing a top-tier educational experience.”

In addition, Lyons High School has also been ranked in the top 10 percent of high schools in the nation among the 2023-2024 Best High Schools by U.S. News & World & World Report. The rankings evaluate more than 17,600 schools at the national, state and local level. The methodology focuses on six indicators of school quality: college readiness; breadth of curriculum; scores on state proficiency tests; performance in reading, math, and science; underserved student performance; and graduation rates.

Lyons Middle Senior has long been known for its academic excellence, offering an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally. The school’s commitment to building relationships with students, setting a high bar for student achievement, and building interventions to support struggling students has played a pivotal role in achieving this prestigious milestone.

This recognition is a source of pride for the school and the community. Lyons is committed to continuing its tradition of excellence, further enhancing its educational programs, and preparing students for a bright future.

New Assistant Director of Special Education Strives To Be a Positive Influence for Students

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St. Vrain Valley School’s Special Education Department is pleased to welcome Eric Neessen as one of the new Assistant Director’s of Special Education. He’ll be working with the following schools and programs to help oversee the special education process: Altona Middle School, Blue Mountain Elementary, Columbine Elementary, Fall River Elementary, Rocky Mountain Elementary, Launch ED, Long-term Homebound, and LSACE.

Picture of Erin Neessen, new assistant director of special education

Read Eric’s staff bio below:

Let me first say how grateful I am to be a part of the St. Vrain Valley School District! What a great district this is and what a privilege it is to be a part of this family. Everyone here has been very kind and helpful to me. Thank you!

I was born and raised in Iowa (Cedar Falls and Bettendorf). After graduating from Cornell College (Mt. Vernon, IA), I moved to Colorado where my educational career began. I attended UCD where I earned my M.A. in special education and an endorsement in school psychology. I completed my practicum with Denver Public Schools and then moved back to Iowa to take a school psychology position for an Area Education Agency (AEA). After three years, I was hired by the Iowa Department of Education to be a school psychology consultant. I was involved in many initiatives and activities in the 10 years working at the state level. In 2012, I was hired by Green Hills AEA as a regional administrator for special education in the southern part of Iowa. Then in 2014, I began working at Norwalk Community School District as the Director of Student Services, where I was responsible for the special education, at-risk, and ELL programs.

My wife, Kim, and I moved back to Westminster this July to be close to her mother. We have three adult sons who live in Boston, Denver, and Des Moines. 

What I like most about working in education is the positive interaction and impact I can have with students – especially those who are challenged with a disability. Additionally, I love working with educators and support staff. Those in education are some of the most caring and sacrificial people around. I value that. What other career allows a person to help influence and improve future generations on a daily basis? It is certainly a very high calling. 

If I have not met you yet, please feel free to reach out anytime. I look forward to meeting you and hearing your story in the coming weeks.

Eric Neessen
Assistant Director of Special Education
[email protected]

Experienced Educator Join St. Vrain Valley’s Special Education Department as the New Assistant Director of Special Education

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Photo of Stephanie Zechmann

St. Vrain Valley School’s Special Education Department welcomes Stephanie Zechmann. She has over 20 years experience as an Affective Needs Teacher and plans to bring her decades of experience working with students to her new role as the Assistant Director of Special Education. Zechmann will support the following schools: Alpine Elementary, Eagle Crest Elementary, Legacy Elementary, Lyons Elementary, Lyons MS/HS, Soaring Heights PK-8 and Timberline PK-8.

Her educational background consists of earning her Bachelor of Arts in special education and elementary education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She earned her Master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Colorado Denver. 

Zechmann enjoys working in education because of the students and staff. “I really enjoy the kids. They fill my bucket. I also enjoy the people I have worked with over the years,” Zechmann said. 

Some of the skills Zechmann hopes to bring to her new position include listening and problem solving. Zechman said, “I am a good listener. I am pretty good at identifying the nature of the problem and figuring out how to solve it.” 

One of her greatest accomplishments is watching students graduate. “One of my favorite things each year is attending graduation. As a lifelong educator, I feel a sense of accomplishment when kids reach their goal of graduation,” Zechmann said. 

In her freetime, Zechmann enjoys taking her three children to activities and watching their sporting events.

Main Street School Students are Learning to Connect Through the Healing Power of Horses

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Main St. School student smiles at horse, while at Medicine Horse Ranch

Equine Facilitated Therapy is doing wonders for 10 Middle and High School students at Main Street School who are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend sessions at Medicine Horse in Longmont. 

During the six-week “Giddy Up” program, students not only learn to care for horses, they’ll also work with a licensed therapist to learn about themselves by utilizing mindfulness practices, skill development and relationship building. 

Attending Medicine Horse is not just about forming a connection with horses or taking care of animals, it’s also about learning how to connect with others on a regular basis. Horses can help students build confidence, trust, communication and social skills, which in return helps them learn to control impulses, regulate emotions and set boundaries within everyday life. 

Gina Trujillo, principal at Main Street School, is seeing first-hand the benefits from students attending sessions at Medicine Horse. Trujillo says the skills students are learning are invaluable. “Students are coming alive and reengaging with the world around them by being around horses. They’re also getting excited about farm animals. If it weren’t for this program, these kids would never have had access to farm life otherwise.” 

On the days that students go to Medicine Horse, students are the happiest and calmest they are all week. Trujillo wants them to tap into the joy and the skills they’re learning at Medicine Horse and carry it over to the school environment. “Medicine Horse gives our students something to look forward to and teaches them to work together as a team. They also learn how to use nature to ground themselves when they’re upset,” Trujillo said.

Trujillo has already noticed improvement in students’ overall behavior and she can’t wait to share Medicine Ranch with more students in the future. She doesn’t want to halt the progress students are making, so she already has two groups planned for the spring; a beginner and an advanced group. She is also hoping to set up a field trip for her elementary students.

Medicine Horse’s mission is to use the empathic power of horses to transform lives and promote healing. Click here to learn more about their mission, or to donate to their cause.  

New Unified Theater Class Brings Students of All Abilities Together on Stage

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Students act out a scene in FHS new Unified Theater clas

St. Vrain Valley School District continues to expand opportunities for students in special education by offering Unified Theater classes at Niwot High School and Frederick High School.

Amanda Foust, dramatic arts teacher at Niwot High School, couldn’t wait to bring her vision of having a Unified Theater program to life. Foust student-taught at a different district in Colorado that had a Unified Theater program at every school and she knew she wanted to bring that same opportunity to students in St. Vrain.

When Foust was in High School she didn’t even know about special education students because everything was separated, but she sees the amount of excitement and inclusivity of it all and can’t wait to incorporate it at Niwot High School. Foust said, “I want my class to be a positive place where students can express themselves and be who they want to be. I feel it’s important and amazing to collaborate with students from all walks of life and I want everyone to feel like they belong.” 

While her class doesn’t start until the spring semester, there are currently 21 students enrolled. She has a big production of “Descendants the Musical” planned for May 3. Students will work the entire semester towards the production by learning lines, choreography and music. They’ll also work on stage lighting, costume design and set production.

Foust is hoping students will gain the necessary skills from the class to feel confident enough to audition for the school’s mainstage theater productions. 

Foust’s excitement about the class inspired fellow Dramatics Arts Teacher, Kendle Butterworth, to create a similar class at Frederick High School. While Butterworth is structuring the class slightly differently, the same opportunities for inclusion exist. 

The Unified Theater Class at FHS currently has 15 students enrolled and students will learn to express themselves and be creative. Butterworth wants to set a great foundation for students to learn the basics of performing arts. “Theater involves movement and vocal expression. I’m starting off my unit of performance by having students lip sync to a song or dance to get used to performing,” Butterworth said. 

Butterworth is utilizing the Hunter Heartbeat Method, which utilizes rhythm, eye contact, facial expression, awareness and observation of others. This technique was created by Kelly Hunter in England 10 years ago and is especially beneficial for students who are on the autism spectrum. This method uses a series of sensory drama games produced from Shakespeare’s text to improve spatial awareness, develop facial expressions, and increase motor skills in children on the spectrum.

Butterworth said she is most excited about discovering the different strengths of each student. Currently, students are working on a play they wrote called “Full Moon Over Route 66.” It’s about a diverse group of characters who all meet in a roadside diner and discover they are stuck in a time loop. There will be a public performance at Frederick High School Auditorium on Tuesday, November 7 starting at 6:30pm. Admission is free and donations are welcome. 

Register Now for Your AP Exams

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Dear Parents and Guardians of AP students,

Thank you for registering for Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and giving your student a head start on postsecondary readiness and career preparation. Last year, St. Vrain students took 4,784 Advanced Placement exams, potentially saving families up to $6,000,000 in future college tuition costs.

The AP exam payment window will be open from Monday, October 2nd until Wednesday, November 8. Families can pay online using RevTrak or make cash or check payments directly to your high school. Please note, College Board imposes a $40 late fee on any exams ordered after the fall registration window. The AP exam registration process is outlined in this presentation.

Throughout the year, we will continue to share more information about AP resources and support to ensure that your student gets the most out of their AP experience. If you have any questions or need assistance with exam registration, please contact your high school’s AP Coordinator. 

Sincerely,

St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Assessment Team

St. Vrain Valley Schools