Page 86 – St. Vrain Valley Schools

SVVSD wins recognition at 2019 Learning Counsel National Survey Awards

Posted on November 18, 2019October 12, 2020

This year, St. Vrain was recognized as WINNER – EduJedi Knight. This award states, “For leading with EdTech past good to great, always innovating, the nation’s front-runner district.” This stellar district continues to up its game by responding to its highest-pressure points: social and cultural expectations for consumer-level personalized digital experiences, ever-changing academic and technical standards and increasing technology complexity. Instead of running from those challenges, St. Vrain runs towards them, helping lead the entire nation in the real change needed for schools. St. Vrain Valley School District is the only district the Learning Counsel has found that is deeply involved in workflow aimed at personalized learning. The district also has 100 percent digital coverage for core curriculum, 90 percent for electives, 80 percent for special needs and 100 percent coverage for professional development.

According to Assistant Superintendent Kahle Charles, “If every child is to know their future is possible,then every educator must feel they have the tools, knowledge, and capacity to put those futures within reach. SVVSD realized long ago that we can purchase all the technology in the world, and it will come to nothing if educators throughout our district are not given continuous multi-faceted support to develop the self-efficacy to play, test, reflect, and collaborate on how these tools can be leveraged to illuminate all futures for all students. We realize and build structures to support our understanding that all students cannot be empowered digital citizens and knowledge constructors if all educators do not see themselves as learners, leaders, citizens, and collaborators.”

Over 400 schools and districts responded to this year’snational survey, including many first-time responders.

This year’s national survey provided exclusive information on education’s use of technology and exposed a wide-ranging level of both expertise in and response to the market pressures driving the
digital transition in education. Key takeaways from the 2019 national survey include:

• The U.S. K-12 Market is experiencing the results of unsustainable growth in total spending
without commensurate results – forcing more sophisticated approaches to technology use.

• Hardware and major systems software spending has leveled, while digital curriculum spending
continues a steep ascent, driving change in school and district operations.

• The social-emotional needs of students are now cited by respondents as the number one
pressure point, adding an important new focus in school operations.

• Schools and districts are progressing towards new personalized learning models at varying levels
but are still heavily entrenched in whole-group teaching.

According to LeiLani Cauthen, CEO of the Learning Counsel, “For insiders who know the education sector, the reason these awards are a big deal is because the Learning Counsel takes a very sophisticated view about what constitutes good work. The survey is written to contextualize education from a multi-industry tech progression reality, not just internal comparatives. Hundreds of administrators tell the

Learning Counsel the great effect of this research survey telling them what it really means to transition digitally, what the definitions of things really are, and how to look at new software capacities and digital curriculum for their utility and efficiency. The change in viewpoint is deeply respected.”

“Past award winners tell us that the Learning Counsel Survey Awards are very impactful,” said Daric Aquinaga, Director of School Relations at the Learning Counsel. “Thousands of other school administrators are going to look you up. You’ll have the opportunity to help other schools. This is a very high honor we’re bestowing on any one of these winners. This is real and earned.”

About the Learning Counsel

The Learning Counsel is a research institute and news media hub, focused on providing context for the shift in education to digital curriculum. The membership is comprised of 215,000 Superintendents, tech and instructional administrators, curriculum specialists, thousands of publishers, and interested enthusiasts anywhere in the teaching and learning field.

Today the Learning Counsel produces thirty Digital Curriculum Discussions each year across the U.S. and one Gathering and National Awards event to recognize leading schools and districts and share their annual research report findings on the education space.

About the EduJedi Leadership Program

An EduJedi school or district is committed to transformative relevance by co-opting the best of digitallearning technologies, organizing people and resources for a student-centric and highly personalized experience, and to leverage human empathy to the best advantage for learners. The Learning Counsel is currently developing an additional level of its EduJedi program to assist schools of education, school districts, charter organizations and independent schools with more personalized training and professional development.

SVVSD wins recognition at 2019 Learning Counsel National Survey Awards

Posted on November 18, 2019October 14, 2020

November 18, 2019, 12:00am | St Vrain Valley School District

Sacramento, CA (November 18, 2019) The Learning Counsel, a leading education research institute and news media hub, announced this year’s National Survey Award winners at its 2019 National Gathering held in Dallas, TX. Four different categories of proficiency were celebrated in the National SurveyAwards. This year, St. Vrain was recognized as WINNER – EduJedi Knight. This award states, “For leading with EdTech past good to great, always innovating, the nation’s front-runner district.” This stellar district continues to up its game by responding to its highest-pressure points: social and cultural expectations for consumer-level personalized digital experiences, ever-changing academic and technical standards and increasing technology complexity. Instead of running from those challenges, St. Vrain runs towards them, helping lead the entire nation in the real change needed for schools. St. Vrain Valley School District is the only district the Learning Counsel has found that is deeply involved in workflow aimed at personalized learning. The district also has 100 percent digital coverage for core curriculum, 90 percent for electives, 80 percent for special needs and 100 percent coverage for professional development. According to Assistant Superintendent Kahle Charles, “If every child is to know their future is possible, then every educator must feel they have the tools, knowledge, and capacity to put those futures within reach. SVVSD realized long ago that we can purchase all the technology in the world, and it will come to nothing if educators throughout our district are not given continuous multi-faceted support to develop the self-efficacy to play, test, reflect, and collaborate on how these tools can be leveraged to illuminate all futures for all students. We realize and build structures to support our understanding that all students cannot be empowered digital citizens and knowledge constructors if all educators do not see themselves as learners, leaders, citizens, and collaborators.” Over 400 schools and districts responded to this year’s national survey, including many first-time responders. This year’s national survey provided exclusive information on education’s use of technology and exposed a wide-ranging level of both expertise in and response to the market pressures driving the digital transition in education. Key takeaways from the 2019 national survey include: • The U.S. K-12 Market is experiencing the results of unsustainable growth in total spending without commensurate results – forcing more sophisticated approaches to technology use. • Hardware and major systems software spending has leveled, while digital curriculum spending continues a steep ascent, driving change in school and district operations. • The social-emotional needs of students are now cited by respondents as the number one pressure point, adding an important new focus in school operations. • Schools and districts are progressing towards new personalized learning models at varying levels but are still heavily entrenched in whole-group teaching. According to LeiLani Cauthen, CEO of the Learning Counsel, “For insiders who know the education sector, the reason these awards are a big deal is because the Learning Counsel takes a very sophisticated view about what constitutes good work. The survey is written to contextualize education from a multi-industry tech progression reality, not just internal comparatives. Hundreds of administrators tell the Learning Counsel the great effect of this research survey telling them what it really means to transition digitally, what the definitions of things really are, and how to look at new software capacities and digital curriculum for their utility and efficiency. The change in viewpoint is deeply respected.” “Past award winners tell us that the Learning Counsel Survey Awards are very impactful,” said Daric Aquinaga, Director of School Relations at the Learning Counsel. “Thousands of other school administrators are going to look you up. You’ll have the opportunity to help other schools. This is a very high honor we’re bestowing on any one of these winners. This is real and earned.” About the Learning Counsel The Learning Counsel is a research institute and news media hub, focused on providing context for the shift in education to digital curriculum. The membership is comprised of 215,000 Superintendents, tech and instructional administrators, curriculum specialists, thousands of publishers, and interested enthusiasts anywhere in the teaching and learning field. Today the Learning Counsel produces thirty Digital Curriculum Discussions each year across the U.S. and one Gathering and National Awards event to recognize leading schools and districts and share their annual research report findings on the education space. About the EduJedi Leadership Program An EduJedi school or district is committed to transformative relevance by co-opting the best of digital learning technologies, organizing people and resources for a student-centric and highly personalized experience, and to leverage human empathy to the best advantage for learners. The Learning Counsel is currently developing an additional level of its EduJedi program to assist schools of education, school districts, charter organizations and independent schools with more personalized training and professional development.

First gentleman visits Longmont school to learn about sustainability efforts

Posted on November 15, 2019October 13, 2020

By John Marinelli, Times-Call

“At the state level we’re working on bettering our practices, too,” said Reis after taking a tour of the school and learning what it’s done to reduce waste. “We’re in the middle of the learning process, so I want to let you guys know that I learn the most from kids.

“It’s wonderful, because your enthusiasm spreads to grown-ups much easier than it does from other grown-ups.”

The school, which has been part of Ecocycle’s Green Star program since 2009, composts in addition to recycling, and currently diverts two-thirds of its waste away from landfills. There are 54 schools in the Boulder Valley area that are part of the program, with 15 of them in St. Vrain Valley School District, according to Kim Orr, Eco-Cycle’s Green Star Schools program manager.

Read the full story in the times-call

First gentleman visits Longmont school to learn about sustainability efforts

Posted on November 15, 2019October 14, 2020

November 15, 2019, 12:00am | St Vrain Valley School District
By John Marinelli, Times-Call

On the same day that Gov. Jared Polis issued a proclamation establishing Colorado Recycles Week, his husband and first gentleman Marlon Reis visited Eagle Crest Elementary in Longmont to see what a more sustainable and environmentally friendly school looks like.

“At the state level we’re working on bettering our practices, too,” said Reis after taking a tour of the school and learning what it’s done to reduce waste. “We’re in the middle of the learning process, so I want to let you guys know that I learn the most from kids.

“It’s wonderful, because your enthusiasm spreads to grown-ups much easier than it does from other grown-ups.”

Read The Full Story in the Times-Call

Mead Middle Students Host Annual Veterans Day Breakfast

Posted on November 11, 2019November 23, 2020

The eighth grade choir performed “America the Beautiful” and “Simple Gifts” for their guests of honor. “While we were performing, I could see some veterans singing along and others were smiling,” said eighth grade choir student, Haili Weldon. “This event was made to honor our veterans and you could tell that it was special for them.”

Students decorating building for veterans

Haili continued, “It was great to see the vets come in and share their stories with the students. I was really impressed with how the students were able to collaborate to put on the event.” Teacher Megan Lawless led the choir and remarked that witnessing the community building is her favorite part of the annual breakfast. “To see so many parts of the school come together is very meaningful. It means a lot to the students to get involved and give back to the community and we as teachers love it just as much,” said Lawless. After the performances, students were able to visit with the veterans in small groups and have a conversation about service. Veterans shared pictures and mementos from their experiences overseas or here at home.

Eight grade student, Ike Campbell, who delivered the welcoming remarks to the veterans, emphasized that it’s important to honor veterans and recognize them for their service. He was happy with how many people participated in the event. “So many people helped to put it together and so many people came to share their stories,” said Ike. He continued, “My favorite part of the event was meeting new people and learning the different ways our veterans have served.”

Mead Middle Students Host Annual Veterans Day Breakfast

Posted on November 11, 2019October 14, 2020

November 11, 2019, 5:45pm
By St. Vrain Valley School District

On Friday, the Mead Middle School cafeteria was filled with buzz as students, teachers, and staff continued their tradition of hosting an annual breakfast to honor local veterans. Seventh and eighth grade students plated hot meals and refilled coffee cups to community members who served in the armed services as far back as World War II. Each year, veterans are invited through local chapters, and guests often include veterans who are family members of Mead Middle students. The eighth grade choir performed “America the Beautiful” and “Simple Gifts” for their guests of honor. “While we were performing, I could see some veterans singing along and others were smiling,” said eighth grade choir student, Haili Weldon. “This event was made to honor our veterans and you could tell that it was special for them.”

Students decorating for event, hanging flowers up on a light post.

AP for all

Posted on November 11, 2019February 17, 2026

St. Vrain Valley Schools is on a mission to ensure that all students graduate with a rigorous academic experience, and the skills they need to be successful.

Advanced Placement® (AP) classes provide outstanding opportunities for students to engage in rigorous, college-level coursework preparing them for postsecondary education, while simultaneously earning college credit when they score a 3 or higher on an AP exam. AP coursework enables students to save on tuition and graduate college in less than four years.

St. Vrain is always seeking innovative ways to provide support for students so they can be successful now and in the future. Recently, St. Vrain Valley Schools was one of four Colorado school districts to make the College Board’s Annual AP District Honor Roll. The AP Honor Roll recognizes school districts committed to increasing access to AP courses for all students while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students who earn a score of 3 or higher on their AP Exams.

Overall enrollment in AP classes has increased by 50 percent since 2004, while minority enrollment has increased by approximately 80 percent. This year alone, Skyline High School has seen a significant increase in student participation in AP courses. “We have 797 student enrollments in AP classes (some students take more than one AP class), which is the highest we have ever had and a 55 percent increase from 2014,” shared Heidi Ringer, principal of Skyline High School. “For AP exams, we’ve also had an increase in exams taken and the pass rate has also increased. The school offers many resources to support students including practice exam opportunities and Saturday study sessions.”

During the 2018-2019 school year, Erie High School and Skyline High School collaborated to give students across the district an opportunity to participate in AP Saturday study sessions. Students learned new perspectives from their peers and teachers, and dove deeper into lessons they had already experienced. “The success from these sessions prove that as a district, we are committed to demonstrating that we believe our strength rests in everyone’s success as well as our own,” shared Kim Wiggins, assessment coordinator for St. Vrain.

Rigorous AP classes are offered at every high school and each school has an AP coordinator available to recruit students. The goal is for every student to have an AP course experience before they graduate.

Skyline High School recruits students in October for the following year and their AP coordinator visits all classes to talk about the course offerings. “Teachers discuss AP with all students and encourage them to challenge themselves to take at least one AP class,” shared Ringer. “There are no prerequisites for AP classes, so any student that wants to take an AP class can do so.”

In addition to the Saturday study sessions, both Erie and Skyline offer practice exam opportunities in an effort to continue providing the support and encouragement students need to feel confident and be successful. “When students take AP classes, they develop their academic potential and confidence to the highest levels by engaging in challenging, college-level curriculum while in high school,” shared Matt Buchler, principal at Erie High School. “This confidence and success will serve them well during high school and after graduation. AP classes also provide the added benefit of acquiring credits at a fraction of the cost of what a college or university charges students.”

Carolyn Root, AP Studio Art Drawing teacher at Skyline High School, knows the importance of student engagement in AP courses. “Students who take the AP drawing course become much more aware that as an artist they have a voice and a platform for their message. They begin to create with a purpose and think about how the choices they make in each artwork support that message or idea,” shared Root. “This realization often gives them confidence to share their thoughts in other ways, such as in writing or open discussion groups. It also prepares them for the rigors and challenges of college classes, as well as helping them develop skills in time management with projects and personal scheduling.”

When students take AP courses and exams, they demonstrate to colleges that they have sought out educational experiences that are rigorous and will prepare them for success not only in college, but beyond. “By taking AP classes, I’ve had the opportunity to challenge myself and broaden my worldview,” shared Cassie Mahakian, senior at Erie High School. “I’ve loved interacting with my classmates and teachers at a higher level, and by having these classes as an option, I have been able to expand both my skills and knowledge of the world.”

Investment in AP classes is part of St. Vrain’s overall strategy to provide students with multiple pathways that lead to career and college success. “We constantly speak about rigor and challenge in our classrooms,” shared Wiggins. “If students don’t experience mastery of challenges there, then AP sounds herculean. Our message is clear: the primary difference between AP and non-AP should only be that AP teaches standards beyond high school.”

Superintendent’s Update – The Future is in Our Classrooms

Posted on November 9, 2019October 12, 2020

Dear St. Vrain Valley Community,

Thank you for your outstanding support in championing the growth and development of St. Vrain Valley Schools into a nationally recognized center of excellence for student engagement and 21st-century learning. Your unwavering dedication to the well-being and success of our students, teachers, staff, and schools is a testament to the outstanding community in which we live.

It has been a tremendous month in our community with numerous celebrations of student and school success. Our student-athletes at Erie High, Niwot High, and Lyons High have already brought five team state championships back to St. Vrain for the 2019-2020 academic year. Approximately 200 young musicians performed last night with the district-wide elementary honors choir. Altona Middle School, Skyline High School, and the Innovation Center were spotlighted at this year’s Succeeds Prize for excellence in education. The recognitions that have been earned by our students, teachers, and staff are too numerous to list, and we could not be more proud of the work taking place in classrooms across St. Vrain.

Public education provides the foundation for everything that makes our communities – and our nation – vibrant and strong. It is an honor to serve alongside the families, teachers and staff, business owners, elected officials, and other community leaders who continue to champion the advancement of our students and our schools. Together, we have thrived and strengthened our position as an accelerator of innovation and discovery.

Again, thank you for your continued partnership – together, we will keep the #StVrainStorm of success moving through St. Vrain Valley Schools.

Sincerely,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Twitter: @SVVSDSupt

Superintendent’s Update – The Future is in Our Classrooms

Posted on November 9, 2019October 14, 2020

November 9, 2019, 4:23pm | St Vrain Valley School District

Dear St. Vrain Valley Community,

Thank you for your outstanding support in championing the growth and development of St. Vrain Valley Schools into a nationally recognized center of excellence for student engagement and 21st-century learning. Your unwavering dedication to the well-being and success of our students, teachers, staff, and schools is a testament to the outstanding community in which we live.

It has been a tremendous month in our community with numerous celebrations of student and school success. Our student-athletes at Erie High, Niwot High, and Lyons High have already brought five team state championships back to St. Vrain for the 2019-2020 academic year. Approximately 200 young musicians performed last night with the district-wide elementary honors choir. Altona Middle School, Skyline High School, and the Innovation Center were spotlighted at this year’s Succeeds Prize for excellence in education. The recognitions that have been earned by our students, teachers, and staff are too numerous to list, and we could not be more proud of the work taking place in classrooms across St. Vrain.

Public education provides the foundation for everything that makes our communities – and our nation – vibrant and strong. It is an honor to serve alongside the families, teachers and staff, business owners, elected officials, and other community leaders who continue to champion the advancement of our students and our schools. Together, we have thrived and strengthened our position as an accelerator of innovation and discovery.

Again, thank you for your continued partnership – together, we will keep the #StVrainStorm of success moving through St. Vrain Valley Schools.

Sincerely,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Twitter: @SVVSDSupt

Western Digital Partnership a Decade in the Making

Posted on November 6, 2019March 2, 2021

November 6, 2019, 11:02am | St Vrain Valley School District

In 2008, Skyline Principal Patty Quinones was faced with a monumental task – transforming the high school experience for her Skyline Falcons. “It was a time of incredible change and innovation. We knew that the world was changing quickly and we had to keep up. As we looked at the industries in our community, we realized that STEM offered our students that strong competitive advantage.” Together with a team of dedicated teachers and staff, Quinones set about creating the district’s first high school focus program, STEM Academy. Built in partnership with CU Boulder, the program focused on STEM and engineering skills, offering students a path to STEM careers. To complement the new explicit focus on STEM, the school also added a Visual and Performing Arts Academy to provide even more opportunities for students.

“We really did start small. We needed help from industry on a whole host of issues, but technology was at the center.” As the team began implementing the school’s first computer science coursework, they lacked something key: laptops. Western Digital had recently opened an office in Longmont and was dedicated to supporting its new community. “Western Digital stepped in and donated a laptop cart and set of laptops. In those days, 1:1 initiatives like we have now didn’t exist, so with that investment, we could suddenly provide a huge increase in computer science programming to our students.” With those laptops, Skyline was able to add its first course, Advanced Placement Computer Science. The STEM Academy blossomed, ultimately helping to earn the district a $16.6M Race to the Top District grant. In 2016, based on the success of the STEM Academy, Skyline added the district’s first Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH).

Built on early successes at Skyline and across the district, St. Vrain has since implemented a nationally recognized learning technology plan, focus programs at every high school, a second P-TECH program, and an Innovation Center. A decade after its first investment, the Western Digital Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 grant to St. Vrainnovation, the district’s future-ready mobile innovation lab. With the mobile lab, St. Vrain will not only be able to provide innovative, technology-driven programs to students, but also demonstrate to educators across the country how technology-enabled and personalized learning changes students’ lives.

Western Digital’s support is a story of how one investment can have far-reaching effects. “In those days, we were testing small projects to see what worked. Today, our teachers are leading the nation in their practices and taking the show on the road,” says Quinones. “We’re very grateful for longtime supporters like Western Digital, who are willing to invest in big ideas and a vision. It has been an amazing experience to see that vision come to life for students.”