Skyline High School Hosts Colorado State Mariachi Festival

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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. 

A group of young musicians performs on stage, featuring a guitarist and a harpist, with colorful lighting behind them.
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. 

A musical performance on stage featuring a group of musicians with instruments, including violins and guitars.
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.  

A group of violinists in black attire performs on stage, with colorful lighting in the background.
Two musicians play trumpets on stage, wearing white shirts with blue accents, while a violinist is partially visible.
View the full album of 2026 Mariachi Festival Photos

ParentSquare: Our New District Communication Tool

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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
  • Access communications in your preferred language
Visit the Communications Webpage to Learn more about ParentSquare

Erie High School Hosts Colorado State High School Robotics Championships

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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.

Three students in orange hoodies interact with a robotics competition setup, focusing on controlling a robot.

“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.

Students observe a robotics competition, with robots on a field and a large screen displaying the event.

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.

St. Vrain Valley Celebrates First-ever Future Ready Festival

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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.

A young woman in a blue shirt explains an activity to a child in a red shirt at a craft table.

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.

A young boy uses a power drill to work on a car tire while an older teen guides him.

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.

A mariachi band performs in a sunlit venue, featuring musicians with guitars and traditional attire.

“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.”

A young girl and an older girl engage with a science activity involving colorful equipment in a school setting.
View the Event Photo Album

Erie Middle School Teacher Named 2026 Best Should Teach Award Recipient

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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.

A woman with long, wavy hair smiles warmly, wearing a black lace top, with a blurred autumn background.

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 to Host Colorado Education Recruitment Fair at Frederick High School, March 7

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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

Additional details and registration information are available on the official CERF webpage.

You’re Invited: Technology Careers Family Night, March 4

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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

St. Vrain Valley Schools to host the SMART Team Colorado Symposium, March 28

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St. Vrain Valley Schools is pleased to host the SMART (Students Modeling A Research Topic) Team Colorado Symposium. This event will bring together high school students, teachers, scientists, and community members from across the nation to celebrate a unique hands-on learning experience.

Through SMART Teams, a program developed by 3D Molecular Designs, students work in small research teams to dive into scientific literature. They read authentic research papers, explore protein structure data, and translate complex molecular information into simplified, accurate 3D-printed models. “Presenting at a symposium allows students to truly shine as scholars and to engage with other young scientists in an authentic research setting,” said Chris Chou, science teacher at Longmont High School. “Many of our former SMART Team students who are now in college share their reflections on how transformative this experience was in shaping their confidence, scientific thinking, and communication skills,” she shares.

The symposium serves as the capstone to their journey. St. Vrain students and teams from other states will present their projects, sharing not only their models but the scientific reasoning and collaboration behind them. Attendees can expect to see students confidently explaining complex biomedical concepts, engaging in thoughtful conversations with scientists, and demonstrating communication skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Event Details: 

  • Date: Saturday, March 28
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Location: Innovation Center, 33 Quail Rd, Longmont, CO 80501

Unified Basketball Program Strengthens School Culture at Centennial Elementary

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Earlier this month, students at Centennial Elementary took part in Unified Basketball, an opportunity designed to bring athletes with special needs and their peers together through sport.

Children in pink vests hold hands and engage in a group activity, with adults and an audience in the background.
A group of students warm up for their Unified Basketball game.

The Unified Sports program at Centennial began during the 2022-23 school year under the leadership of Special Education teacher Amanda Krell, and with the support of a dedicated team of paraprofessionals and student families. The program continues to expand, committed to the school’s focus on inclusive, student-centered opportunities. Throughout the year, local partners such as the Firestone Police Department regularly participate in games with students.

A group of children in a gym, with one boy in green preparing to shoot a basketball while others watch excitedly.
A Centennial Elementary student shoots the ball during Unified Basketball.

“Unified Sports gives our students a space where everyone belongs, and where differences are not just accepted, but celebrated,” said Sarah Coniglio, the Dean of Students at Centennial Elementary. The Unified Basketball teams include student-athletes with a wide range of needs, paired with third- through fifth-grade partners who apply to participate by writing essays about their interest in the program. Teams are formed to balance skills, personalities, and support needs, allowing students to learn cooperation, communication, and sportsmanship in real time. “When students are learning something like a bounce pass, they’re also learning how to take turns, follow sequences, and interact with peers in ways that carry over to the classroom,” said Coniglio.

A youth basketball game in progress with players in colorful jerseys and a cheering crowd in the background.
Students at Centennial Elementary participate in a Unified Basketball game.

The impact of Unified Basketball extends beyond the teams themselves, shaping the culture of the entire school. Teachers and staff rally behind the athletes by wearing Unified gear and building excitement leading up to game days, while classmates and families fill the stands to cheer athletes on. “You see compassion, empathy, and genuine joy from students who are proud to support each other,” Coniglio says.

Innovation Center supports student-led project for blind students in Vietnam

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For Niwot High School senior Dinh Pham, a childhood friendship in Vietnam became the inspiration for innovation. Working at the Innovation Center, he designed and 3D-printed educational tools inspired by his childhood and a close friend who gradually lost his vision to cataracts, which limited their time playing games together. 

“I still wanted to play with him, so I tried to make a tactile version of the board game we used to play,” Pham said.

Using skills developed through the Innovation Center, Pham created tactile board games, custom maps of Vietnam, braille training cells and anatomy models. The tools were distributed to 11 schools for the blind in Vietnam through a nonprofit organization that supports more than 750 students.

That early experience eventually evolved into a more advanced design project supported by the Innovation Center. Pham used the equipment and workspace at the Innovation Center to design, test and refine each model.

Many of the tools were created to improve accessibility and reduce the physical effort required by traditional braille learning methods.

A game board with gray and white pieces arranged on a wooden table, with packaging materials nearby.

Pham also designed accessible versions of traditional Vietnamese board games to encourage collaboration and social interaction. Game pieces feature engraved animal silhouettes and braille labels, allowing students to identify pieces through touch.

Throughout the design process, Pham refined the models based on feedback from the nonprofit organization. Representatives visited the Innovation Center to test the tools and provide recommendations, leading to additional improvements.

Axel Reitzig, Executive Director of Innovation at the Innovation Center, said the project reflects St. Vrain’s approach to student learning.

“We want students to develop skills, gain access to resources and then tap into a passion that’s in service to others,” Reitzig said. “This project is a powerful example of what happens when students are given agency and support.”

A person in a blue shirt works on a 3D printer in a workshop filled with tools and equipment.

He said the Innovation Center is designed to give students both independence and guidance as they pursue real-world projects.

“We want students to have full agency and to be the captains of their ship,” Reitzig said.

Pham credited the Innovation Center’s equipment, workspace and support as essential to completing the project and turning an idea into a finished product.

Through projects like this, St. Vrain continues to support student innovation, creativity and service, empowering learners to apply their skills beyond the classroom and make a meaningful difference in their communities and the world.

St. Vrain Valley Schools