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Every student at Thunder Valley K-8 knows Mr. Ron. He’s a fixture at every sporting event and every school function. He visits their classrooms each morning to collect their breakfasts, encouraging them to empty their own trays in exchange for a dance-off or funny face. Last year, every kindergartener in the school joined together to sing him “Happy Birthday.”
If you ask Ron Derr, he will say that his role as Head Custodian is to “keep the place clean, and make sure the kids are safe,” but if you spend even a few minutes in his company, it’s clear his impact goes far beyond that.
Ron is one of over 1,400 classified staff members across St. Vrain Valley Schools who work around the clock to support students and champion their success and well-being. In addition to providing clean and healthy buildings, safe routes to and from school, nutritious meals, and ensuring smooth school operations, St. Vrain’s classified staff are an integral part of each school’s community, acting as role models and trusted adults for students.
Ron goes out of his way to support students in the special education program at Thunder Valley. He assists with their lockers, and has unique elbow-bump handshakes with several students. A couple of years ago, a kindergartener with special needs was having a difficult morning as Ron was near the classroom. “I said, ‘come on let’s go take a walk.’” The student was able to self-soothe as he and the student’s paraeducator joined Ron on his rounds. “Every time I saw him from then on out, I’d be pushing the trash can with one hand and holding his hand with the other,” Ron says with a chuckle.
“It’s all about making that connection with students and parents, and really being a resource for them,” says Anna Lopez, Building Secretary at Thunder Valley. She makes a point of interacting with students and families in the office and throughout the school. She assists families with accessing records and information, in addition to stepping in to help wherever needed, whether that is at lunch or recess duty, connecting with students in the hallways, or assisting with a child who isn’t feeling well. Anna used to work alone as a real estate agent, and shares that being a part of a large school community and working with students to help them grow each day is one of the most rewarding aspects of her career change.
“Anna is the first person our students and families come into contact with when you walk into our school,” adds Principal Catrina Estrada. “She goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is cared for and has what they need to have a successful day; she’s someone that students can trust.”
As one of more than 100 bus drivers in the district, Laurie Towndrow bookends her students’ days. She is one of the first people they see in the morning and the last in the afternoon. She’s been driving in St. Vrain for 22 years and gets to be a part of her students’ childhoods, seeing her same riders year after year. Recently, when driving a special route to Soaring Heights PK-8, Laurie was greeted with a familiar face. However, she was no longer a bouncing fifth-grader with her backpack slung over her shoulders, but now a first grade teacher. “It was just amazing to recognize her as an adult and to hear about her life now. We got to reminiscing about her time on my bus,” shares Laurie. “These are lasting connections, not just fleeting moments.”
Her bus is not only an extension of the school day, but a place where students can build self-esteem. Laurie sees that where some might interpret students as being disruptive, “it’s really just they’re looking for support to bolster their self-esteem.” She invites these students up front to sit by her and bonds with them by listening and championing their growth and development.
Back inside the school building, nutritious meals play a critical role in powering students through their days so they can focus on learning. Jennifer Buffington, Kitchen Manager at Westview Middle School, goes out of her way to know every student’s dietary needs and preferences, and ensure they have options they’ll enjoy. If she sees any student not eating, she makes sure they get something healthy to fuel them.
“I really am an ear for these students,” says Jennifer. “My whole kitchen staff makes sure these kids are comfortable so they can always come and talk to us.” They decorate the kitchen and cafeteria, making it a fun and welcoming place for students, dressing up for every school spirit day and decorating for holidays.
Our schools are full of champions like Ron, Anna, Laurie, and Jennifer. They are a critical part of our schools, our district, and the lives of our students. They go above and beyond any job title, with their unique contributions adding up to an impact far greater than the sum of its parts. It is what makes advancing students’ well-being and academic achievement across the district possible.
