As part of St. Vrain’s celebration of Week of the Young Child, the Early Childhood Education Department is pleased to offer developmental screenings available at no cost for families with children aged 2 to 5 years. During the event, parents will meet with early childhood education staff and children will engage in fun activities while completing a developmental screening tool designed for use by early educators and health care professionals. Developmental screenings play an important role in identifying early intervention needs, ensuring that the necessary support is provided for optimal early growth and development. The Early Childhood Education team will answer questions and connect families with additional resources.
Event Details:
Date: April 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Early Childhood Education Office: 820 Main St, Longmont, CO 80501 (Entrance is off of 9th Ave.)
On March 13, student leaders from across St. Vrain Valley Schools stepped beyond the classroom and into the heart of Colorado’s legislative process.
As members of the district’s Student Advisory Council—a group of high school students representing their schools and helping inform district decisions—these students traveled to the Colorado State Capitol for a firsthand look at how laws are debated, shaped, and passed.
Throughout the day, students observed live legislative sessions, engaged with professionals working behind the scenes, and explored the many pathways that influence public policy. For many, the experience brought their classroom learning to life in a powerful way.
During their visit, students were invited onto the House floor by State Representative Karen McCormick, who represents House District 11, including St. Vrain Valley Schools. She recognized the group during the session and asked them to stand, acknowledging their presence in front of the full chamber—a moment that underscored the significance of their role as student leaders.
“Going to the state capitol was a great learning experience for me,” said Amy Calderon, a junior at Niwot High School. “The most interesting part of the trip was watching the legislative sessions where representatives voted on bills and listening to a legislator, bill drafter, and government relations speak. It was interesting to see how the process actually works in real life, rather than just learning about it in class.”
Amy shared that her involvement in the Student Advisory Council inspired her to take part in the experience, building on her interest in leadership and civic engagement.
“I think it’s important to understand how the government works and how decisions are made that affect our communities,” she said. “Being part of the Student Advisory Council has already helped me see how leadership and discussion can lead to change, so I wanted to expand that perspective by experiencing how the state government works in person.”
For Tucker Beasley, a senior at Silver Creek High School, the opportunity to witness the legislative process in real time stood out as a defining moment.
“The most memorable part of the experience for me was being able to be in the House as they passed real bills through the third reading,” Tucker said. “It was incredibly cool and unique.”
Tucker emphasized the value of hands-on learning experiences, noting that opportunities like this deepen his understanding of complex issues.
“I find that practical experiences are the ones I learn from best,” he said. “From interviewing lobbyists to discussing phone policy, I have a better understanding of current issues because I have been a part of these opportunities.”
Through their time at the Capitol, students also gained insight into the collaborative nature of government, an understanding that extends far beyond elected officials.
“The largest lesson I learned was that senators and house members are the public faces of a much larger political body,” Tucker added. “Their actions are supported by lawyers, bill writers, librarians, lobbyists; it takes a village to get what they want done.”
The experience was organized and led by Brandon Shaffer, Executive Director of Legal and Governmental Affairs for St. Vrain Valley Schools and former President of the Colorado State Senate. He emphasized the importance of connecting students with real-world civic experiences.
“Experiences like this bring learning to life by giving students a firsthand look at how laws are shaped and decisions are made,” Shaffer said. “By engaging directly with legislators, lobbyists, and legal professionals, students gain a deeper understanding of civic processes while also seeing the wide range of roles they can play in them.”
He added that beyond understanding systems, these opportunities help students grow as leaders.
“Just as importantly, these experiences help students build confidence, ask thoughtful questions, and see themselves as active participants in their communities.”
Experiences like this reflect the purpose of the Student Advisory Council, giving students a voice, expanding their understanding of leadership, and connecting learning to the real-world decisions that shape their communities.
St. Vrain Valley Schools invites you to Little Voices, Big Music, a free, interactive musical experience designed for young children and their caregivers, open to all St. Vrain families.
Event Details:
Monday, April 6 from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Innovation Center, 33 Quail Rd. Longmont, CO 80504
Little Voices, Big Music offers children the opportunity to actively explore music through movement, singing, and playful instruction. Guided by experienced music educators and performers, children will engage in hands-on activities that introduce rhythm, melody, and creative expression in an age-appropriate and welcoming environment.
The evening will feature interactive elements that encourage participation, allowing children to experience music as a joyful and collaborative process. Families will leave with ideas for continuing musical exploration at home.
What families can expect:
Interactive music-making experiences for young children
Opportunities for children to sing, move, and respond to music
A supportive, engaging environment that celebrates early learning
Time for families to participate together
This event is presented in partnership with the St. Vrain’s Innovation Center, Week of the Young Child, St. Vrain’s Early Childhood Department, Colorado Children’s Chorale, and St. Vrain’s Office of Fine Arts.
Performers take their place on stage in Vance Brand Civic Auditorium at Skyline High School, with violins, guitar, trumpets, guitarrón, and even the occasional harp or accordion. But it’s not until the singer steps to the center stage and calls out their “grito” that the Colorado State Mariachi Festival kicks off.
This year marked the third annual festival, sponsored by Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) and hosted at Skyline High School. The one-day festival included performances from St. Vrain Valley Schools groups at every level: Indian Peaks Elementary, Sunset Middle, Frederick High, Skyline High, Longmont High, and Niwot High, as well as groups from Denver, Yuma, Salida, and more.
Longmont High School’s Mariachi de Los Troyanos performs at the 2026 CHSAA Mariachi Festival.
“The festival not only provides a state-wide recognition and celebration of mariachi as an important part of school music programs in Colorado, but it also gives a stage for these groups to see one another performing,” says Brian Crim, Orchestra and Mariachi Teacher at Skyline High School and event organizer. Historically, there have not been many opportunities for student mariachi ensembles to perform outside their buildings, and many groups across the state may be the only ones in their immediate area, which is one of the primary reasons this festival was created: to bring groups together to learn from one another.
Niwot High School’s Mariachi Ensemble performs.
Groups performed up to 3 songs each, then received individualized feedback from clinicians, who are professional performers and instructors. Included in the day’s schedule was also a performance from the group Mariachi Las Dahlias, Colorado’s premier all-female mariachi ensemble.
“The top aim of this festival has always been to build the overall community of mariachi in Colorado’s public education,” says Crim.
Statewide, mariachi programming in K-12 education has been growing, as classes, clubs, and after-school groups have steadily increased over the past few years. This growth is reflected in the festival’s participation and in new programs such as a Mariachi degree program introduced at Metropolitan State University last fall. Mariachi’s appeal to students lies in its blend of orchestra, musical skill, performance, tradition, and cultural celebration.
St. Vrain Valley Schools will begin using ParentSquare, a new district communication tool that allows families to receive notifications based on their preferences. St. Vrain’s communications team will pilot ParentSquare for the remainder of the school year with the plan to expand access to schools at the start of the new school year. We’re excited about the opportunities ParentSquare offers to streamline communication and will be working towards consolidating several of the tools families currently use into one convenient platform.
After spring break, parents and guardians will receive an email invitation to activate their ParentSquare account. This will allow families to download the mobile app, set language preferences, and choose how and when they receive notifications.
ParentSquare Tools and Features:
Receive messages via email, app, or text
Choose to receive communications immediately or in a daily digest
Forty-two teams from across Colorado gathered at Erie High School March 6-7 for the 2026 Colorado V5RC High School State Championships to compete for one of ten spots at the World Championships. Of the teams in attendance, four were from Erie High School, four were from Silver Creek High School, and two were from Skyline High School.
The two-day event brought together many students, coaches, and volunteers from across Colorado.
“This tournament represents the culmination of an entire season’s worth of hard work. Many teams have been preparing for this event since May of last year,” said Chris Schmitz, the STEM focus teacher at Erie High. “With 10 spots for the 2026 World Championships at stake, every team is eager to secure a position.”
Schmitz also hopes teams see the State Championships as an opportunity to celebrate the high level of success they have achieved throughout the season.
“Reaching this stage demands considerable dedication, and we are committed to ensuring that every team feels celebrated for their diligent work and accomplishments throughout the entire process,” Schmitz said.
This is the second year Erie High School has hosted the event, highlighting the strong robotics programming and community support at the school, as well as St. Vrain’s commitment to providing opportunities for students to compete on a large stage.
“From my perspective, hosting the State Robotics Championships here at Erie High serves as an affirmation that our community deeply values and supports the efforts of our engineering and robotics students,” Schmitz said. “It also validates our concerted efforts and commitment to elevate the State Championships to the status of the premier robotics event within the entire state of Colorado.”
Two teams from Silver Creek High School and two teams from Erie High School earned spots to compete at the World Championships in Missouri at the end of April.
Over two thousand community members came together on Saturday, March 7, for St. Vrain Valley Schools’ first-ever Future Ready Festival at Silver Creek High School.
Families and community members filled the campus throughout the afternoon, engaging with educators, asking questions, and exploring innovative programs and opportunities available across the district.
The festival featured Advantage Zones with interactive learning experiences and hands-on demonstrations that offered attendees a firsthand look at St. Vrain’s programs and pathways. From student-led showcases in career and technical education and STEM to performances in music and the arts, each zone highlighted the depth and range of experiences that define the St. Vrain Advantage.
“Today was an exciting day for St. Vrain Valley Schools,” shared Superintendent Jackie Kapushion. “All of our schools and programs were represented at the Future-Ready Festival, and we showcased the absolute best that public education has to offer to our community. We are public education proud, and this is the St. Vrain Advantage.”
Erie Middle School Choir Teacher Abigail Martinez has been honored with the 2026 Best Should Teach Award from the University of Colorado Boulder. The award recognizes educators whose teaching, mentorship, and impact on their school communities set a standard of excellence.
Martinez was nominated for her exceptional teaching and dedication to mentoring pre-service and early-career teachers, while creating classrooms where students thrive and feel a sense of belonging.
A 2006 Boettcher Scholar and CU Boulder graduate, Martinez has led nearly 400 students daily in grade-level and extracurricular choirs since 2010. Her ensembles have performed nationally, and she has been named a 2025 GRAMMY Music Educator Quarterfinalist and a 2026 GRAMMY Legacy Award recipient.
Martinez is also a dedicated mentor, welcoming student teachers and practicum students for over a decade, and sharing her expertise in community-centered music education. She believes every child deserves the space to be their authentic self, and that together we can use music to make a positive change in our communities and our world.
The Best Should Teach Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Chancellor’s Hall at CU Boulder. The event is free and open to the public.
St. Vrain Valley Schools will host the 2026 Colorado Education Recruitment Fair (CERF) on Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Frederick High School.
Organized by the Colorado Association of School Personnel Administrators and the Colorado Association of School Executives, CERF is the only statewide consortium recruitment fair in Colorado that connects licensed educator candidates directly with school district hiring officials.
The event provides aspiring and experienced educators with face-to-face opportunities to speak with hiring teams from across the state. More than 57 Colorado school districts are expected to participate.
CERF is open to:
Licensed educator candidates
Special service providers
School leaders and administrators
Educators seeking opportunities in Colorado school districts
St. Vrain Valley Schools high school students and families are invited to attend the Opportunity CLIMB and Boulder Chamber Technology Industry Family Night, an engaging evening designed to connect students with professionals and explore the rapidly evolving world of technology careers.
Hosted in partnership with the Boulder Chamber, this event provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from industry experts about the current climate in technology fields and the expertise and professional skills essential for success in today’s evolving workforce.
Students and families will hear insights on topics including artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, as well as the skills and competencies employers are seeking in today’s tech-driven economy. The event also offers valuable time for networking and personalized conversations – families are encouraged to come with questions and curiosity.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Time: 6:00-8:30 p.m. Location: Kyndryl, 6300 Diagonal Highway, Boulder, CO 80301 Registration: Space is limited. Families can register here.
What to Expect
The evening will feature:
6:00-6:20 p.m. – Networking and opening session
6:20-7:00 p.m. – Panel discussion with technology industry experts
7:00-8:00 p.m. – One-on-one mentor chats with tech professionals
