Staff at Northridge Elementary Are Engaging Students With Their Sensory Bulletin Boards

Posted on
The De-Stress Corner Bulletin Board

Northridge Elementary Special Education Teacher, Danielle Mignon, is tuning into her students needs by creating a sensory bulletin board. 

Instead of getting frustrated that bulletin boards were getting destroyed, Mignon and her team decided to turn a negative behavior into a positive outlet for students. “Our students were showing us that they needed additional regulation strategies and the board has worked to support that. We have not had a single bulletin board destroyed since these went up,” Mignon said. 

“The De-Stress Corner” sensory bulletin board allows students to engage with the board by choosing a sensory activity. For example, students can “Color It” by directly coloring on one of the designated art pages on the board. They can also “Rip It” and tear paper or “Scratch It” and feel different textures. Additionally, they can Squeeze It, Push It, Slide It, Rub It, and Pop It.

Teachers have directly taught the “why” for the boards and how to use them if needed.

Each classroom is planning to do a design challenge where the students will choose and create a sensory board for their classrooms (using a trifold) to be kept in their break spaces.

The Colorado BioScience Institute and St. Vrain Valley Schools Receive $435,200 grant to advance workforce pathways

Posted on

The Colorado BioScience Institute and St. Vrain Valley Schools have been awarded a $435,200 Workforce Innovation Grant from the Weld County Workforce Development Board in support of the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program in biochemistry at Frederick High School.

P-TECH is a new type of school that brings together the best elements of high school, college and the professional world. The P-TECH program at Frederick High, known as WarriorTECH, provides students with an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, as well as an Associate of General Studies with a focus on Biochemistry from Aims Community College, at no cost to the student. The program also includes significant industry mentorship and internship opportunities with local industry partners Tolmar, Agilent Technologies, KBI Biopharma, and AGC Biologics, giving students a head start on their careers after completing the program. 

“We are very appreciative of the generous grant from the Weld County Workforce Development Board, and are excited to leverage this generous gift into a sustained impact for our students, and by extension, our Carbon Valley community,” shared Russell Fox, Principal at Frederick High. “Our strong partnership with the Colorado BioScience Institute, AIMS Community College, and our corporate partners is giving our students a strong competitive advantage for future success, while also directly building a robust workforce pipeline to the fast growing bioscience sector industry.”  

The grant will support the continued expansion of the WarriorTECH program as it adds new student cohorts, and provides funding for staffing, postsecondary tuition, industry certifications, and more. Currently 90 students are enrolled, with plans to continue expanding as a new cohort begins next school year.

“The Colorado BioScience Institute thanks the Weld County Workforce Development Board for their generous support of life sciences workforce development. The funds will grow our partnership with St. Vrain Valley Schools, and in particular Frederick High School, to enhance student learning and prepare future life sciences talent,” said Meg John, Vice President of the Colorado BioScience Institute. “We are thrilled to continue our work, along with our industry partners Tolmar, Agilent Technologies, KBI Biopharma, and AGC Biologics, with additional resources to support our P-TECH students.”

CeCe Majchrowski, Workforce Deputy Director at Employment Services of Weld County, credits Colorado House Bill 21-1264 for allocating state money for workforce development activities. “Improving outcomes for learners and preparing Coloradoans for well-paying, quality jobs are at the forefront of Employment Services’ mind. We are excited to partner with St. Vrain and the Colorado BioScience Institute as they grow the future leaders of Weld County.”

Columbine Elementary Teacher’s Path Serves as Inspiration

Posted on

“A teacher once told me, ‘it’s not luck, it is the work you have done that is opening the doors for you,’” shared Noelia Silva. When Ms. Silva arrived in the U.S., one of her goals was to go back to school and learn English so she could be one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a teacher. She recalls the opportunity she had as a volunteer at her children’s school. “Being a parent volunteer allowed me to gain confidence and to learn the language,” shared Silva. “Once I learned enough English, I applied for a position here at Columbine – I became an office assistant as well as a Nutrition Services assistant,” says Silva. That opened the door for Ms. Silva in becoming a Preschool Para for the next ten years. 

In 2014, Ms. Silva enrolled in the BUENO Program, allowing her to get a head start in earning her teaching degree. Ms. Silva enrolled in the University of Northern Colorado, “I was in my mid-thirties when I went to college – it was harder to learn how to study again, but I knew I had to work hard if I wanted to be in front of kids, I knew I could do it,” shared Silva. Her main motivation was “to help my community, people like me that came here without knowing the language and the system – I wanted to show them that there are many opportunities out there.”   

Many of Ms. Silva’s colleagues can tell you how lucky they are to have her at Columbine and how wonderful she is. “Ms. Silva spends extra time with each student to make sure that they feel loved, connected, and to celebrate their strengths,” shared Sherie Dike-Wilhelm, Interventionist and Title I Literacy Teacher, Columbine Elementary School. “It’s such a joy to watch someone who loves working with children and helping them be learners capable of managing any challenge.”

It is important for Ms. Silva, who now teaches Kindergarten, to build connections with her students and instill in them the idea that they can do anything they want, as long as they work for it. “She not only creates an environment of safety, love, and caring, but also models for students to become the best learners they can be,” shared Suzy Evans, Instructional Coach/STEM Coordinator, Columbine Elementary School. “She strives every day to infuse STEM principles into her teaching – I’ve never seen a group of students as engaged in their learning. Students look forward to being in school each day with Ms. Silva.”

Ms. Silva recognizes the importance of highlighting each individual student’s skills, and sees their strengths. “I let them know that if they work hard, they can be that doctor they’ve always dreamt of being, or a singer, or an architect,” says Silva. “I fought hard to be a teacher, and it wasn’t easy, but I believe that we are all born to be someone in this world, and I was born to be a teacher.”

Westview Middle School Band Director Receives Prestigious Award

Posted on

Carrie Proctor, band director at Westview Middle School, has received the Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA). The award honors educators who are in their first five years of teaching, have shown significant proficiency in the classroom and have garnered respect in their school community. The award recognizes notable commitment to the art of teaching as well as a demonstrated ability to achieve excellence.

Proctor, who is in her third year at Westview, inspires students to take part in music and fosters an enthusiastic classroom. “Carrie has the ability to create really strong relationships with students and families,” says Westview Middle School Principal, Mark Spencer. “She has been able to create a band classroom where kids are having fun and love to be there, and she’s creating musical excellence.” 

After student teaching for a semester, Proctor was selected to be Westview’s band director ahead of a long list of qualified candidates. A University of Colorado Boulder graduate, Proctor received her Bachelor of Music Education in 2019 and performed with the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, CU Athletic Bands, and the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. She is also a member of the National Association of Music Educators, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, and performs as a member of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project. During a joint performance with Lyons Middle Senior High School’s band at Planet Bluegrass in December, it was announced that Proctor had been selected for the award and she received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Proctor will be recognized at the CMEA opening session on January 27 at 8:15 a.m.

Support for families impacted by wildfires

Posted on

Dear St. Vrain Valley Schools Families,

Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted by the catastrophic and unprecedented wildfires that tore through Boulder County yesterday. Many are experiencing unimaginable loss and we are here to support you.

Towards this end, we have been in contact with Boulder County to see if there is anything we can do to assist. We have provided school buses for transporting families to shelter locations, and we will continue to communicate with various groups to offer assistance.

If you have been impacted by yesterday’s tragic events, please feel free to reach out to me directly. You may also reach out to Kerri McDermid in our Communications Office to be connected with resources and support ([email protected] or call 303-702-7511).

If you have not been directly impacted but would like to volunteer or donate, please visit the Boulder Office of Emergency Management website at boulderoem.com/emergency-status.

I know that this is a very difficult time for many and we will work to support you in any way possible. Take care, and my thoughts and best wishes are with all of you.

Sincerely,
Don Haddad,Ed.D.
Superintendent

Public Education, Our Greatest Investment

Posted on

Public education is America’s most significant investment and – second only to parenting – is the greatest contributor to the future of our world. The quality of our schools impacts and strengthens our economy, public health and safety, national security, the quality of our service industry, residential and business property values, public health, our democracy, and so much more.

Read the Full Story on the Magazine Website

“Education is Life Itself”

Posted on

In March 2020, days before we were required to close our schools to in-person learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Vrain Valley Schools hosted a series of focus groups to engage our families, students, teachers, staff, and other community members in the question, ‘What is the purpose of public education?’ Through these conversations, many clear priorities and values for our system came forward.

Read the Full Story on the Magazine Website
St. Vrain Valley Schools