Longmont’s Westview and Longs Peak middle schools recently were recognized as 2020 Colorado Trailblazer Schools to Watch by the Colorado Association of Middle Level Education.
The two schools, among six selected across Colorado for the recognition, were named schools to watch for the second time and are expected to be recognized at a national conference in June in Washington, D.C.
Flagstaff Academy, a Longmont charter School, also was recognized as a school to watch last year.
Selection is based on a written application and a site visit that includes observing classrooms; interviewing administrators, teachers and parents; and reviewing achievement data, suspension rates, instructional quality and student work. Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and must repeat the process to be re-designated.
Janette Rivera Gonzalez, a first grade teacher at Longmont’s Northridge Elementary School, uses her experiences as an immigrant to connect with her students and their families.
She moved here from Mexico at 15, attending Lyons Middle/Senior and then graduating from Longmont High. She became a teacher’s aide in St. Vrain Valley, then earned her teaching degree — and later a master’s degree — from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
“There was one teacher who made a difference in my life,” she said. “I want to do the same for my students. I know what it’s like not knowing the language. I tell them, ‘If I can do it, you can do it.’ “
Rivera Gonzalez recently was named the Teacher of the Year by the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley. While the annual in-person Tribute to Teachers event was canceled amid the coronavirus, Rivera Gonzalez and the other finalists from each school were celebrated in a YouTube video.
Eight St. Vrain Valley School District schools ranked among the top 32% on a list of high schools in the United States compiled by U.S. News and World Report released Tuesday.
The rankings are based on a variety of criteria, including graduation rate, math and reading proficiency, college readiness, and how low-income, black and Latino students perform on state assessments, according to a news release.
Twin Peaks Charter Academy, Niwot High School, Silver Creek High School, Lyons Middle/Senior High School, Erie High School, Mead High School, Longmont High School and Skyline High School all made it onto a list of almost 17,792 schools in the nation.
Roman Garcia Martinez , a student at Skyline High School, was inducted into the 100 High School Students America Needs to Know About. ™ He was chosen out of thousands of students.
Roman is a dedicated and driven student. He and his family have faced financial difficulties, discrimination, and hardship. Instead of using these struggles as an excuse to do nothing, Roman used it as a lens through which he looks at the world and sees education as the key to betterment and hope — for himself, his family, and the whole of society. He is committed to attending college, takes AP courses, a member of his school STEM program, and a delegate in his school Model UN program, and works many hours a week outside of school.
Roman is the youngest-ever shift lead at Dutch Bros. Coffee. Roman wanted to pursue a career in medicine. However, after his work in AP Seminar, which focused on the gravest dangers to American democracy, he has decided to double major in political science and sociology. Roman sees the power that education has to put him on a path toward success, and, more impressively, he finds absolute joy in learning.
Over the summer, Roman attended Aquetza, a ten-day leadership program for Latinos from all over the state of Colorado hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder. There he learned powerful tools to fight against injustice, racism, inequality, and to fight for fairness, compassion, empathy, and equity. More than anything, Roman wants to make a difference in his community, and he has taken the leadership skills he’s acquired at Aquetza to the Longmont Youth Center and put them to work. Roman is determined to make his community, our state, and, eventually, the country better for ALL people. Roman is an example of what is right in our country, of what is good, and of what is possible.
To support student learning and access to the internet during school closures due to the coronavirus health crisis, St. Vrain Valley Schools has created community Wifi hotspots. Please remain in your vehicle while using the wifi hotspots and maintain social distancing of at least six feet from other community members. Sites will be monitored by video and school resource officers to ensure the safety of our community.
To connect : Look for either SVVSD or SVVSD-guest wireless on your device. To connect to the SVVSD wireless network, you will be required to enter a district username and password.
WIFI Disclaimer: Coverage areas are approximate. Signal strength can be impacted by many factors such as weather, physical obstructions including trees and large vehicles, or total number of users in a given area.
Learning Services Center
401 S Pratt Pkwy, Longmont, CO 80501 Park on the south side of the lot
Frederick High School
5690 Tipple Pkwy, Frederick, CO 80504 Park on the east side of the main lot, nearest the concession stand
Longmont High School
1040 Sunset St, Longmont, CO 80501 Park near the new main entrance on the south side of the building
Innovation Center
33 Quail Rd, Longmont, CO 80501 Park on the south side of the building
Lyons Middle Senior High School
100 McConnell Dr, Lyons, CO 80540 Park on McConnell Drive along the bus lane
Silver Creek High School
4901 Nelson Rd, Longmont, CO 80503 Park in the lot along the south (rear) of the campus, near the track
Niwot High School
8989 Niwot Rd, Niwot, CO 80503 Park in the rear lot along the north side of the campus
Skyline High School
600 E Mountain View Ave, Longmont, CO 80504 Park in the north staff lot, accessed via the west driveway
Mead High School
12750 Co Rd 7, Longmont, CO 80504 Park along the northeast side of the access drive
Erie High School
3180 Co Rd 5, Erie, CO 80516 Park on the south side of the staff lot along the east side of the campus
As we approach our first week of online learning, I am providing a review of expectations and clarifying a number of questions that we have received over the past week. Our goal is to support student engagement in their learning and maintain established relationships between our teachers, students, and families. Further, we are required by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to demonstrate a good faith effort to meet required instructional hours and days so that our students can stay on track with progression to the next grade-level and graduation requirements.
Access to Online Curriculum
The district has developed online curriculum for the first two weeks of closures. On Monday, March 30, we will share these links with our families so that you can begin to work with your student on their daily lessons. During the first two weeks, online lessons will focus on language arts (K-12), math (K-12), high school science (9-12), and high school social studies (9-12) activities. Examples of the lessons are below so that you can begin to familiarize yourself with the format:
Many of our teachers have already developed additional online instructional resources that they may use as well. Your student’s teacher will communicate directly any changes to their online learning plan for the first two weeks of the school closures.
Beginning April 13, students will be given online lessons in all content areas, including art, music, physical education, etc.
Grading
We understand that these are unprecedented times and will cause some changes to the end-of-school-year grading process. Students will begin with the grade that they earned at the end of the third quarter for middle and high schools (coincidently the day school closures went into effect) or second trimester for elementary schools for their final end-of-year grades, unless one of the following criteria is met:
All end-of-year grades will be based on student engagement. If students engage adequately in their work as determined by their teacher and submit assignments, they will maintain their third quarter or second trimester grades through the end of the year. If students do not engage in the online environment or complete their assignments, teachers may determine that your student’s end-of-year grade should be lowered.
If your student is not satisfied with their third quarter or second trimester grades, they can contact their teacher(s) and request the opportunity to work toward raising their grade by completing the necessary level of work as determined by their teacher.
Please note that during the school closures, teachers will no longer be using Infinite Campus to track assignments. If you want to know if your student has submitted assignments, please ask them to show you their work in Schoology or Seesaw. If you have questions about assignments, please reach out to your teacher or school principal for guidance.
Curriculum Platforms
Online curriculum will be shared with families and students through the following learning platforms.
Students in grades 6-12 will use Schoology.
Students in grades 4-5 will use Schoology unless their teacher is already successfully using Seesaw and plans to continue with that platform.
Students in grades PK-3 will use Seesaw.
Below are information guides and tutorials on how to use and gain access to these learning platforms:
We understand that some students may not have access to an appropriate learning device (computer, laptop, or tablet) at home or internet access. To this end, the district has prepared iPads for families to check-out from one of our two drive-through Community Resource Centers, and we’ve also created wifi hotspots geographically placed throughout the community. We will also have a limited number of printed packets for the first two weeks of lessons at each Community Resource Center. After the first two weeks of lessons, printed packets will no longer be available. Please work with our staff at the Community Resource Centers if you are in need of additional assistance and/or resources to access lessons in our online environment.
iPads will be available for pick-up starting the week of March 30. We have a limited number available and ask that only families who do not already have a computer, laptop, or tablet at home request to check-out a device. If you have a middle or high school student with a district-issued device, we ask that students share that resource with their sibling(s).
The district’s two drive-through Community Resource Centers will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at one of the following locations:
When you arrive at the Community Resource Center, we ask that you follow the recommended social distancing guidelines and remain at least six feet away from other community members as you wait in your car to have questions answered or to pick-up your resources.
Special Education
Special education goals and accommodations to meet the requirements of your student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be included in the online learning plans. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s case manager. If you have an IEP or 504 meeting scheduled during the school closures, a member of the special education team will contact you with information in order to continue with a remote meeting.
Arts, Activities, Athletics, and Events
There are numerous events and activities that have been impacted by the coronavirus health crisis. As a reminder, all events, activities, and athletics, including all practices, at this point are cancelled. If anything in this area changes, we will communicate accordingly. Further, we are keeping a close eye on our end-of-year graduation ceremonies and developing contingency plans in the event we need to make any logistical adjustments. We will keep you updated as we move forward.
Meal Distribution Sites & Community Resource Centers
Meal distribution for breakfast and lunch will resume on Monday, March 30, as weather permits. The daily drive-thru pickup window is 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at one of the following district locations:
The drive-through Community Resource Centers will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with bilingual staff available to answer questions, provide resources, check-out iPads, and/or provide printed packets of instructional materials at the following locations:
As you may be aware, all state assessments for the 2019-2020 school year have been cancelled. We are still waiting to hear from the College Board about plans to accommodate SAT testing for high school students and will share more information when it becomes available.
We have been informed by the College Board that Advanced Placement tests will take place online this year and will focus on content that was covered earlier in the year. Additionally, we have been notified by the International Baccalaureate (IB) World Organization that this year’s IB tests have been cancelled, however, students will still be able to receive credit and earn their IB Diploma based on their body of evidence. We will share additional information regarding AP and IB as it becomes available.
(High School Only) Concurrent Enrollment
Due to contractual obligations with our postsecondary partners, concurrent enrollment classes will not be graded using the district’s new grading process. We are working directly with teachers and students on learning expectations and support for online concurrent enrollment course access and completion.
We are deeply committed to the success of our students and community. Again, thank you for your outstanding partnership in supporting our students, teachers, and staff through this difficult situation.
A medida que nos acercamos a nuestra primera semana de aprendizaje en línea, proporcionó una revisión de las expectativas y aclaró una serie de preguntas que hemos recibido durante la semana pasada. Nuestro objetivo es apoyar la participación de los estudiantes y familias. Además, el Departamento de Educación de Colorado (CDE) nos exige que demostremos un esfuerzo de buena fe para cumplir con las horas y días de instrucción requeridos para que nuestros estudiantes puedan mantenerse al día con el progreso al siguiente nivel de grado y requisitos de graduación.
Acceso al Plan de Estudios en Línea
El distrito ha desarrollado un plan de estudios en línea para las primeras dos semanas del cierre de escuelas. El lunes 30 de marzo, compartiremos estos enlaces con nuestras familias para que puedan comenzar a trabajar con su estudiante en lecciones diarias. Durante las primeras dos semanas, las lecciones en línea se centrarán en las artes del lenguaje (K-12), mathematics (K-12), ciencias de la escuela secundaria (9-12) y actividades de estudios sociales de la escuela secundaria (9-12). A continuación, se muestran ejemplos de las lecciones para que pueda comenzar a familiarizarse con el formato:
Muchos de nuestros maestros ya han desarrollado recursos educativos adicionales en línea que también pueden usar. El maestro de su estudiante comunicará directamente cualquier cambio en su plan de aprendizaje en línea durante las primeras dos semanas del cierre de las escuela.
A partir del 13 de abril, los estudiantes recibiran lecciones en línea en todas las áreas de contenido, incluyendo arte, música, educación física, etc.
Calificación
Entendemos que estos son tiempos sin precedentes y causaran algunos cambios en el proceso de calificación del fin de año escolar. Los estudiantes comenzarán con la calificación que obtuvieron al final del tercer trimestre para las escuelas intermedias y preparatorias (coincidentemente el día en que se cerraron las escuelas) o el segundo trimestre para las escuelas primarias para sus calificaciones finales de fin de año, a menos que se cumpla uno de los siguientes criterios:
Todas las calificaciones de fin de año se basaran en la participación del estudiante. Si los estudiantes participan adecuadamente en su trabajo según lo determinado por su maestro y envían tareas, mantendrán sus calificaciones del tercer trimestre o segundo trimestre hasta el final del año. Si los estudiantes no se involucran en el entorno en línea o completan sus tareas, los maestros pueden determinar que la calificación de fin de año de su estudiante debe reducirse.
Si su estudiante no está satisfecho con sus calificaciones del tercer trimestre o del segundo trimestre, puede comunicarse con su(s) maestro(s) y solicitar la oportunidad de mejorar su calificación completando el nivel de trabajo necesario según lo determine su maestro.
Tenga en cuenta que durante el cierre de las escuelas, los maestros ya no utilizarán Infinite Campus para realizar un seguimiento de las tareas. Si desea saber si su estudiante ha enviado tareas, pídales que le muestren su trabajo en Schoology or Seesaw. Si tiene preguntas sobre la calificación, comuníquese con su maestro o el director de la escuela para obtener orientación.
Plataformas Curriculares
El plan de estudios en línea se compartirá con las familias y los estudiantes a través de las siguientes plataformas de aprendizaje:
Los estudiantes del los grados 6-12 usarán Schoology.
Los estudiantes de los grados 4-5 usaran Schoology a menos que su maestro ya esté usando Seesaw con éxito y planee continuar con esa plataforma.
Los estudiantes en los grados Preescolar-3 usaran Seesaw.
A continuación hay guias de informacion y tutoriales sobre como usar y obtener acceso a estas plataformas de aprendizaje:
Entendemos que algunos estudiantes no tienen acceso a un dispositivo de aprendizaje apropiado (computadora, computadora portátil, tableta) en el hogar o acceso al internet.
Con este fin, el distrito ha preparado iPads para que las familias pueden sacar en uno de nuestros Centros de Recursos Comunitarios de autoservicio, y también hemos creado puntos de acceso WiFi ubicados geográficamente en toda la comunidad. También tendremos un número limitado de paquetes impresos durante las primeras dos semanas de lecciones en cada Centro de Recursos Comunitarios de autoservicio. Después de las dos primeras semanas de clases, los paquetes impresos ya no estarán disponibles. Trabaje con nuestro personal en los Centros de Recursos Comunitarios de autoservicio si necesita asistencia y / o recursos adicionales para acceder a las lecciones en nuestro entorno en línea.
Los iPads están disponibles para su recogida la semana del 30 de marzo. Tenemos un número limitado disponible y solicitamos que solo las familias que aún no tienen una computadora, computadora portátil o tablet en el hogar solicite retirar un dispositivo. Si tiene un estudiante de secundaria o preparatoria con un dispositivo emitido por el distrito, les pedimos que compartan ese recurso con sus hermanos.
Los Centros de Recursos Comunitarios de autoservicio del distrito estarán abiertos de 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m. en una de las siguientes ubicaciones:
Cuando llegue al Centro de Recursos de la Comunidad de autoservicio, le pedimos que siga las pautas de distanciamiento social recomendadas y que se mantenga al menos a seis pies de distancia de otros miembros de la comunidad mientras que se les respondan las preguntas o que recoja sus recursos, por favor espere en su automóvil.
Educación Especial
Metas y adaptaciones de educación especial para cumplir con los requisitos del Plan de Educación Individualizada (IEP) de su hijo se incluirán en los planes de aprendizaje en línea. Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con el administrador de casos de su estudiante. Si tiene una reunión de IEP o 504 programada durante el cierre de la escuela, un miembro del equipo de educación especial se comunicará con usted con información para continuar con una reunión remota.
Artes, Actividades, Atletismo y Eventos
Existen numerosos eventos y actividades que se han visto afectados por la crisis de salud del coronavirus. Como recordatorio, todos los eventos, actividades y deportes, incluidas todas las prácticas, en este momento se cancelan. Si algo en esta área cambia, nos comunicaremos en consecuencia. Además, estamos atentos a nuestras ceremonias de graduación de fin de año y desarrollaremos planes de contingencia en caso de que necesitemos hacer algún ajuste logístico. Lo mantendremos actualizado a medida que avancemos.
Sitios de Distribución de Comidas y Centros de Recursos Comunitarios
La distribución de comidas para el desayuno y el almuerzo se reanudará el lunes 30 de marzo, si el clima lo permite. La ventana de recogida diaria para conducir es de 11:00 a.m. a 12:30 p.m. en una de las siguientes ubicaciones del distrito:
Los Centros de Recursos Comunitarios de autoservicio estarán abiertos de 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m. con personal bilingüe disponible para responder preguntas, proporcionar recursos, retirar iPads y / o proporcionar paquetes impresos de materiales de instrucción en los siguientes lugares:
(Solo escuelas Preparatorias) Exámenes SAT, Exámenes AP e IB
Como ya sabrá, todas las evaluaciones estatales para el año escolar 2019-2020 han sido canceladas. Todavía estamos esperando noticias del College Board sobre los planes para acomodar las pruebas SAT para estudiantes de secundaria y compartiremos más información cuando esté disponible.
El College Board nos ha informado que las pruebas de Colocación Avanzada se realizarán en línea este año y se centraran en el contenido que se cubrió a principios de año. Además, la Organización Mundial del Bachillerato Internacional (IB) nos ha notificado que las pruebas de IB de este año han sido canceladas, sin embargo, los estudiantes aún podrán recibir crédito y obtener su Diploma de IB en función de su evidencia. Compartiremos información adicional sobre AP e IB a medida que esté disponible.
Debido a las obligacione contractuales con nuestros socios postsecundarios, las clases de inscripción simultánea no se calificarán utilizando el nuevo proceso de calificación del distrito. Estamos trabajando directamente con maestros y estudiantes en las expectativas de aprendizaje y el apoyo para el acceso y finalización de cursos de inscripción simultánea en línea.
Estamos profundamente comprometidos en el éxito de nuestros estudiantes y nuestra comunidad. Nuevamente, gracias por su excelente colaboración para apoyar a nuestros estudiantes, maestros y personal en esta situación difícil.
Students at Hygiene Elementary School traveled thousands of miles without leaving campus Thursday during the school’s 10th annual Hawk Air event.
This year’s two-day educational affair has seen the school transformed into Australia, complete with a tunnel representing the Great Barrier Reef, a room outfitted to look like the outback, a gym filled with landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and more. In the past the school has transformed into Brazil, the ocean, Egypt and even the planet Pluto.
Thursday morning, students lined up at the entrance to the school’s cafeteria with paper passports in hand, waiting in line to get them stamped by customs before heading off. The students then filed into a white tent set up inside that served as an imaginary airplane, and once the “flight” was over, they stepped out into the school’s gym that was dressed up to look like Sydney, Australia.
According to Sherry Legrand, the school’s science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — or STEAM — coordinator, the wheels behind this year’s Hawk Air began turning in October. Since then, students have been learning all about Australia.
A global education program, Up With People, visited students at Burlington Elementary School on February 25 to engage students in different multicultural awareness activities. The volunteer group is made up of 80 people from 17 countries, and tours throughout cities across the globe. The group members worked with Burlington students to foster awareness of other countries and cultures through various programming such as a design-a-flag activity, a multicultural trivia game, and a multicultural dance.
Burlington’s attendance clerk Tyra Toepfer’s daughter Aria, age 19, is participating in the Up With People program. The group travels to a different city every week to conduct volunteer service in the community and perform an upbeat musical show. The group is staying in Lafayette for the week and Ms. Toepfer thought it would be an excellent opportunity for the group to visit Burlington. “The students know Aria because she went to Burlington and she works at the school over the summer, so it is really fun for them to learn about what she is doing and where she is traveling.”
Third grade student, Zoey, enjoyed participating in the design-a-flag activity in which each student created their own small flag and pieced them together to create a single larger flag. She said the activity helped her see that everyone is different, but simultaneously part of a larger system. “We are many, we are one,” said Zoey, repeating Up With People’s mantra.When asked why it’s important to learn about other cultures, Zoey said, “I want to be a traveller when I grow up and it’s important to me to learn other languages so I can get along with other people.” Second grade student, Sebastian, was asked which country he wants to visit the most. He proclaimed, “All of them!”
The visit from Up With People is a timely one for Burlington students. “We are working on creating a new focus for our school, STEM, with a focus on global leadership, and Up With People’s programming ties into what we are trying to achieve at Burlington,” said Ms. Toepfer. She continued, “Many of our students have not yet been out of Longmont. For them to see students from other countries, helps them to expand their mindsets and explore new cultures.” Kindergarten student, Jacob, said his favorite activity of the day was the multicultural dance he learned in the gym. “It’s important to keep learning new stuff,” said Jacob.
Second grade student, Lola, also enjoyed learning new dance moves and learning about new cultures. “Traveling is fun. You can adventure to other places and meet new people.”
Ryan Harris, Denver Bronco Super Bowl 50 champion and author of “Mindset for Mastery: An NFL Champion’s Guide to Reaching Your Greatness,” visited Niwot High School upperclassmen on February 13 to discuss financial literacy and goal setting with the students. Since retiring from the NFL, Harris has shifted his career to focus on financial literacy education programming.
St. Vrain Valley Schools weaves financial literacy education into curriculum for all grade levels. In 2016-2017, the St. Vrain Valley Schools Student Advisory Council met with district leadership to advocate for a standalone class to cover topics such as money management, financial planning, credit and debt, taxes, and risk management. Based on student input, the Board of Education voted to add financial literacy to St. Vrain graduation requirements starting with the class of 2021, this year’s current junior class.
While sporting his Super Bowl 50 championship ring, Harris spoke to Niwot High sophomores, juniors, and seniors about financial goal setting. He shared his experiences in the NFL and highlighted how money management, or lack of, has significantly impacted players’ financial situations. The majority of NFL players go bankrupt in retirement because they have not planned for their future; a common mistake among players is making high dollar purchases.
Niwot High School social studies and financial literacy teacher, Lyle Tucker, emphasized the value of students learning from guest speakers. “Students are able to connect and retain more information from stories. Storytelling can be a powerful way to teach and inspire. The speakers bring relevance into the classroom.”
Harris covered themes including the importance of saving for retirement, the difference between the price vs. cost of a purchase, the benefit of delaying purchases, and choosing a positive mentality. Harris spoke about some of his own disappointments in life, including his early release from the Denver Broncos in 2010, but how these failures ultimately set him forward. He shifted his attitude to an “I am a Champion” mentality and went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Houston Texans, and the Kansas City Chiefs, before heading back to the Broncos to win the Super Bowl. “Everyone faces obstacles – what differentiates you and your success is how you handle them,” said Harris.
Harris’s presentation made an impact on the students. NHS Junior, Hannah Piersol, said, “Ryan Harris’s presentation opened my eyes to the idea of one’s money mindset. The way we think about spending and saving will impact our financial stability throughout our lives.”
Sitting along with her team and the robot they built, Quinn Johnson, a fifth-grader from Prairie Ridge Elementary, said she learned some things during the construction process.
“Teamwork and patience,” she said.
Johnson’s team — dubbed Build to the Future — didn’t build the robot just for fun, though. They built it to compete in Saturday’s VEX IQ robotics tournament at Prairie Ridge Elementary School.
During the competition, 32 teams from six different St. Vrain Valley School District schools put their building, programming and remote-controlling skills to the test, with the ultimate goal of getting to the statewide competition in March.
