New St. Vrain Valley superintendent welcomes teachers

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New St. Vrain Valley Superintendent Jackie Kapushion welcomed the school district’s 2,000 teachers to the school year with a speech Wednesday at Longmont’s Skyline High School that focused on the power of firsts, including the first day of school.

She described the new school year as a fresh start with a unique energy.

“For our students, it’s a chance to be seen anew,” she said. “They walk into our classrooms full of potential hopes, nerves and dreams. For some, it’s the most consistent safe space they’ll have, and for others it’s the spark that will ignite a love of learning or a discovery about themselves they never expected. “

St. Vrain’s 32,300 students return to class next week. The first day for first through fifth grades, sixth grade and ninth grade is Aug. 13, while the rest of the middle and high school grades go back on Aug. 14. Kindergartners start Aug. 15, and preschoolers start Aug. 18.

Read the Full Story in the Times-Call

Erie Elementary, Lyons Elementary and Niwot Elementary Earn National i-Ready Award for Exceptional Growth

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Three St. Vrain Valley elementary schools earned prestigious national i-Ready Super Stretch School awards for exceptional growth in reading and mathematics. Erie Elementary, Lyons Elementary and Niwot Elementary join a select group of schools recognized for outstanding academic progress.

i-Ready is an innovative educational technology program that supports personalized learning for students in grades K–12, focusing on English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. The Growth Model used by i-Ready includes two key measures: Typical Growth and Stretch Growth. Typical Growth represents the annual progress expected of an average student, while Stretch Growth outlines the accelerated progress needed for a student to reach grade-level proficiency. This model promotes transparency and sets higher expectations, motivating students to reach their full potential.

To be eligible for the i-Ready Super Stretch Schools award, a school must have a student population of more than 200, and at least 55% of its students must achieve Stretch Growth in a subject area. This milestone is crucial for learners who initially scored below grade level on their i-Ready diagnostic assessment, as it sets them on the path to proficiency. For those already at or above grade level, it helps them maintain advanced proficiency.

This year’s honorees include:

  • Erie Elementary – Reading (55%)
  • Lyons Elementary – Reading (60%) and Math (59%), marking the school’s first-ever math award
  • Niwot Elementary – Reading (56%)

Nationally, only 112 schools earned the award in ELA, with 11 in Colorado and three in St. Vrain. In mathematics, 85 schools nationwide were recognized, with just five in Colorado and one in St. Vrain.

St. Vrain Valley gives ninth graders a summer jump on high school

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Many of the state’s high schools now give rising ninth graders a day to get to know their new schools before the rest of the students start back after summer break.

But along with the typical ninth grade transition day, the St. Vrain Valley School District goes a step farther by offering an optional, two-week summer JumpStart program for its new freshmen. Close to 600 students enrolled in JumpStart at the district’s eight comprehensive high schools. The $263,000 program, which wrapped up this week, is provided at no cost to families and combines algebra and language arts readiness with opportunities to connect with teachers and classmates. Successful completion earns students an elective credit.

Read the full story in the Times-call

Longmont High Students Shine at National Future Business Leaders of America Competition

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Eleven students from Longmont High School’s (LHS) Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter attended the Future Business Leaders of America’s National Leadership Conference and National Awards Program from June 29 to July 2 in Anaheim, California. 11,000 students from across the country also participated in the national competition.

At the competition, three LHS students placed in the top ten at finals: graduated senior Colton Kominski placed seventh in Impromptu Speaking, freshman Chloe Krueger placed seventh in Agribusiness (and became the first freshman in LHS history to place), and graduated senior Ella McGregor placed 10th in HR Management.

“This was my third time at FBLA nationals, and each time I had gotten so close to the finals round but just wasn’t able to pass that bar,” Kominski said. “So as a graduated senior going into my last FBLA competition, I wanted to go out with a bang. When I found out I made it to finals, the energy was electric… that feeling was unmatched. Even if I didn’t win, I had finally learned and grew into a business leader, and that is exactly what FBLA is about.”

FBLA is a career and technical student organization that helps students prepare for careers in business and business education. It has over 230,000 members in middle school, high school, and college. LHS’s FBLA program has been around for about 12 years, according to LHS Principal Jeff McMurry.

The National Awards Program at the conference “recognized and rewarded excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas.” The goal of the conference, according to FBLA, is to provide students with education, competition, and networking opportunities centered on business.

LHS’s FBLA chapter is part of the school’s High School of Business (HSB), a national program tailored to help students learn skills in business so that they can “excel in college business administration programs or start their own business after graduation.” Students must apply to Longmont’s High School of Business when they enter high school, and only around 60 students are admitted each year. The program is facilitated by Jim Giveans and Alex Sommers.

“Being in FBLA and HSB at Longmont High School has bestowed me with a newfound confidence to tackle the dynamic and competitive world that we are living in,” Kominski said. “I think being able to learn these skills early on in not only one’s educational journey, but also their occupational journey, really prepares one for a future in whatever they put their mind to.”

At the national conference, students also had the opportunity to engage in over 120 learning workshops and meet with representatives from more than 260 colleges, universities, and employers. Students also heard from keynote speaker and FBLA alumna Karissa Bodnar, Founder and CEO of Thrive Causemetics and Bigger Than Beauty Skincare.

According to McMurry, LHS’s FBLA program is the largest in the Mountain Plains Region, with over 340 participating students involved in the program last school year. This year’s group was the largest that LHS has ever sent to FBLA’s national competition.

“I feel absolute pride in these students,” he said. “I just know that it takes a lot of dedication and that these students are not only improving the culture in our school community, but they have a clear vision for their high school and post-secondary experience, which is the ultimate goal. It’s not just about a diploma, it’s about preparation for post-secondary life.”

Kominski and McGregor will both attend CU Boulder in the fall.

“I have met some of the most amazing people from my time in FBLA, not only in my area, but even international students who have truly shaped how I view the world,” Kominski said. “That’s probably the most important thing I have learned through FBLA, the power of genuine connection. The connections I have established through FBLA have shaped who I am. Especially those on my amazing team at Longmont, they have pushed me, challenged me, and taught me to be the best version of myself.”

Read the Full Story in the Longmont Leader

SVVSD staff member wins Heartland Emmy for video about Longmont basketball coach Jeff Kloster

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Colin Rickman, St. Vrain Valley communications and engagement director, recently won a Heartland Emmy award for a video he produced highlighting longtime Longmont High School basketball coach Jeff Kloster.

During a ceremony Saturday, Rickman received the award in the “Sports – One-Time Special” category for his video “Beyond Compare: They Call Him Coach.”

Read the Full Story in the Times-Call

St. Vrain students learn about robots, cybersecurity, coding

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A team of St. Vrain Valley high schoolers who use underwater robots to help Longmont monitor water quality are getting extra help this summer from middle school students attending a “Creative Technology for Good” camp.

The Innovation Center student designers, who are helping the city look for unwanted weeds in water reservoirs using underwater robots, designed the camp curriculum to outsource some of their projects, including a water level monitor, a 15-minute timer for a pressure seal test and a warning system in case boat or robot bumps into something.

Read the full story in the Times-call

Shaping Future Educators Through P-TEACH Summer Apprenticeships

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The moment is powerful: A high school student steps into the classroom for the first time as a future educator.

In St. Vrain Valley Schools, the Pathways to Teaching (P-TEACH) program gives high school learners a strong competitive advantage toward a teaching career. Participants begin their journey while still in high school, gaining real-world classroom experience, earning college credit, and supporting educators across the district.

With more than 3,000 students enrolled in summer learning this year, opportunities for aspiring teachers are making an impact across the community. P-TEACH students and graduates are taking their first steps toward a career by working directly with learners and educators. From serving as teacher assistants and paraprofessionals to leading classrooms as apprentices, they are building the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the profession.

P-TEACH is a nationally recognized program that introduces St. Vrain high school students and classified staff to careers in education. It blends rigorous academic coursework with meaningful field experiences in local classrooms. Participants can earn up to 49 college credits through the University of Colorado Denver while still in high school and take part in paid internships during the school year and summer. To meet high-demand needs, P-TEACH offers four career pathways: early childhood and elementary education, special education, culturally and linguistically diverse/bilingual education, and secondary STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). By combining academic preparation with hands-on learning, the program builds a strong foundation for the next generation of educators.

Two people are in a room, one is fitting a virtual reality headset on another, while a third person observes.
Anna Longenecker helps a Project Launch student fit a VR headset.

One of those future educators is Anna Longenecker, a recent Silver Creek High School graduate. This summer, she worked as a paraprofessional, helping teach students in a virtual reality (VR) learning environment. She entered the role with curiosity and a desire to grow.

“Teaching in VR involves a lot of critical thinking and problem-solving because we can’t always see everything the students are doing,” she said. “We have to think creatively about how to present information in a way that’s clear and accessible.”

As she supported learners, Anna quickly found joy in the work. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was excited to see what simulations the students would enjoy. It was cool to see their reactions and hear their thoughts.” She hopes to become a secondary teacher and sees her summer as a meaningful first step. “VR has been a great way to explore different areas of education. I’m excited to grow and keep learning how I can make a difference.”

For those continuing in classrooms after high school, the P-TEACH Apprentice Program offers paid, year-round teaching experience while participants work toward a bachelor’s degree in education. Apprentices serve in schools across the district and during summer programs like Project Launch, taking on greater responsibility as they progress toward licensure.

Manny Burgos Soto, a Skyline High School graduate and current college student, is one of those apprentices. After working as a tutor and co-teacher, Manny led his own classroom this summer during Project Launch.

“It’s been really cool to observe other classrooms and see how different teachers manage their space,” he said. “I’ve learned how important it is to keep students engaged and to build strong relationships so they enjoy learning from you.”

Manny is working toward becoming a licensed math teacher and is passionate about giving back to the community he grew up in. “I want to be a great teacher. I want to keep learning from others and use that to improve—not just for myself, but for the district and the community,” he said. “I see myself in the students I work with. And I hope they see themselves in me too.”

A person in a hoodie leans over a table to assist another student in a classroom setting.
Manny Burgos Soto works with a Project Launch student on a math assignment.

P-TEACH is helping create a pipeline of educators who are not only academically prepared, but also deeply connected to the communities they serve. Through coursework, hands-on practice, and authentic mentorship, participants are gaining the tools and mindset to make a lasting difference in education—from their first day in the classroom to a lifelong career.

Learn more about P-TEACH

St. Vrain Valley’s summer school gives future teacher classroom experience

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The St. Vrain Valley School District is using its K-8 summer school program, Project Launch, as a training opportunity for future teachers.

High school students in the district’s P-TEACH program, along with recent graduates, can work as para-educators and tutors in the summer program, giving them extra classroom experience — plus a summer paycheck.

Read the full story in the Times-call

St. Vrain Valley Schools Hosts National AP Summer Institute at Erie High

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St. Vrain Valley Schools recently hosted the College Board-certified Advanced Placement for All Summer Institute (APSI) at Erie High School, held July 7–10. The multi-day institute welcomed over 300 educators from across the country for in-depth professional learning focused on increasing student success in Advanced Placement courses.

New to this year’s event was the inaugural Colorado AP Teacher Award Reception, a celebration honoring the outstanding achievements of AP teachers across the state. Held in conjunction with the APSI, the reception also served as a platform for sharing best practices and fostering collaboration among AP educators.

A group of teachers stand on stage at an event honoring AP Teachers of Distinction, with a presentation behind them.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in more than 20 AP subject sessions led by experienced College Board consultants, gaining insight into course materials, scoring rubrics, and instructional strategies designed to support all learners.

A group of people attending a workshop, focusing on notes and writing in a classroom setting.

By hosting this national event, St. Vrain continues to demonstrate its leadership in providing high-quality professional development and expanding opportunities for rigorous academic experiences.

St. Vrain’s Drone Performance Team to Present Fourth of July Show in Longmont

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St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Drone Performance Team, the world’s first high school student-led outdoor drone show team, returns to Longmont this Fourth of July with a special performance for the community. Featuring 300 drones flying in sync, the show will highlight iconic Independence Day imagery designed and produced entirely by St. Vrain Valley high school students.

From the first planning meeting to the final flight, students lead every part of the process — designing aerial animations, composing original music, and coordinating logistics. Along the way, they gain hands-on experience in engineering, creative design, project management, and music production.

Drone Show Details:

  • Audio for the show will stream live. Listen to the livestream.
  • Show begins at approximately 9:15 p.m.
  • The drones will perform in the sky above Dickens Farm Nature Area (area closed to public).

Great Places to Watch Include:

  • The Street Party area in downtown Longmont (on Emery St. between 1st and 3rd Aves).
  • Green space south of Left Hand Creek and north of the Longmont Museum and Recreation Center.

St. Vrain Valley is proud to showcase the incredible talent and innovation of our students as they bring this one-of-a-kind celebration to the skies above Longmont.

St. Vrain Valley Schools