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As we prepare to begin the 2022-2023 school year, we have so much to celebrate across our community. At no other time in our history have we seen such unprecedented levels of achievement across all of our schools, and we plan to carry that momentum and acceleration into the new school year.
Our students are entering a complex, highly-competitive workforce, unlike anything previous generations have experienced. It is essential that we provide them with the knowledge, skill, ingenuity, confidence, and capacity to advance and compete on a global scale. Toward this end, St. Vrain has advanced our education system to one which is characterized by extremely rigorous academics to ensure that our students are engaged in complex problem solving, creative thinking, innovation, teamwork, and other critically important skills.
In just the past year, our students have won national and international recognitions in robotics, world affairs competitions, CyberPatriot competitions, aeronautical design, athletics, performing arts, and so much more. Our graduation rates have continued to increase, alongside student achievement at all levels, including increasing enrollment in rigorous coursework such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.
This summer, every school in our community was full of activity, including advanced learning opportunities, robust co-curricular activities, and construction projects that support growth and enhance the quality and safety of our schools.
Thousands of students continued their learning through Project Launch, providing four additional weeks of full-day instruction in math and language arts. At the Innovation Center, hundreds of students participated in Innovation Academy and other advanced STEM opportunities in robotics, biomedical engineering, aeronautics, and artificial intelligence. Students also traveled to present their research at national conferences, compete at the highest levels in athletics, represent their schools and programs in numerous national competitions, and so much more.
Just as our students were highly engaged in rigorous summer programs, our teachers and staff were focused on professional development designed to bolster their knowledge and skills. Thousands of teachers and staff enrolled in courses offered in St. Vrain over the summer, emphasizing collaboration and accelerating student achievement through high-quality instruction.
This summer, through the generous support of our community in passing the 2016 bond initiative, many construction projects have made significant advancements. This has included projects at Central Elementary, New Meridian High School, the Career Elevation and Technology Center, and upgrades at high school athletics facilities including Skyline, Silver Creek, and Niwot. In addition, all buildings across St. Vrain received maintenance and upgrades to continue ensuring that we provide the highest quality and safe learning environments for our students.
We have so much to celebrate across our schools – none of which would be possible without the unwavering support of our community, including our parents, teachers and staff, business owners, elected officials, and everyone who champions public education. It is through our strong partnerships that we are transforming public education for our children and our community’s future.
Throughout St. Vrain Valley Schools, we are taking public education by St. VrainStorm – our shared passion and commitment to advancing academic excellence and student success. Follow our #StVrainStorm hashtag on Twitter to see the outstanding achievements of our students, teachers, staff, and schools. Additionally, this fall, I will be scheduling our annual open forums in each of our areas to listen to our community’s questions and suggestions, share our many successes, and discuss our bold vision for continuing to advance public education. I hope to see everyone at one of our upcoming community meetings so that I can personally thank you for everything that you do to support our students. Together, we are building a stronger future for our children, our community, and our world.
Sincerely,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Superintendent, St. Vrain Valley Schools
