Advancing Excellence – For students, schools and community

AdvanciNG excellence

FOR STUDENTS, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Superintendent’s Message 03 Growing Enrollment 04

St. Vrain has a strong board, one of the best superintendents in the country and a team of teachers and principals working hard to create learning opportunities for students.

Arne Duncan U.S. Secretary of Education

Early Childhood Education

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Bond Improvements 06 Learning Technology Plan 08 Parent Involvement 10 Financial Reporting 11

Dear Parents and Guardians: I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering support for the success of our students and schools.

This brochure highlights some of St. Vrain Valley Schools’ outstanding achievements that would not be possible without engaged parents, a highly effective board of education and exceptional students, teachers, staff and administrators.

I also want to recognize the generous contributions of our local business community and corporate partners. Their industry expertise, mentorship programs and material resources strongly enhance student learning and success. Together, we are building one of our nation’s most innovative and successful school districts.

Our success impacts everyone. A high performing school district with outstanding teachers, a robust selection of rigorous instructional focus programs, cuttingedge technology, high-quality facilities and a safe environment ensures the viability and success of an entire community.

Please visit our website at svvsd.org to learn more about our programs, services and schools.

Take care, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Don Haddad, Ed.D. 303-682-7205 haddad_don@svvsd.org @SVVSDSupt

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GROWING ENROLLMENT

svvsd.org/about

THE SEVENTH LARGEST DISTRICT IN COLORADO FOCUS PROGRAMS

St. Vrain offers a variety of focus programs for all grade levels, including preschool.

Such programs include:

Since 2005, St. Vrain has grown by over 7,300 students averaging an increase of 820 students per year.

COMMUNITY

St. Vrain is the seventh largest school district in the state, serving over 32,000 students across 411 square miles including Dacono, Erie, Firestone, Hygiene, Longmont, Lyons, Mead, Niwot and parts of eastern Boulder and Broomfield.

Schools: 23 elementary (most with preschool), 1 regional STEM preschool, 1 K-8, 1 PK-8, 8 middle, 1 middle/senior, 7 high, 1 alternative, 6 charter, 1 online high school, 1 career center, 1 innovation center.

• Advanced Placement (AP) • Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) • Medical and BioScience Academy (MBSA) • International Baccalaureate (IB) • Visual and Performing Arts • Core Knowledge • Leadership Academy • MESA • CU Succeed • CSU Online

SCHOOLS AND ADDITIONS

Since 2005, St. Vrain has opened 11 new schools to support enrollment growth.

In 2011, St. Vrain’s academic excellence expanded to offer online education through St. Vrain’s Online Global Academy, and in 2012, St. Vrain brought the APEX Homeschool Enrichment Program to two district locations with a third added in 2014.

PLANNING PROJECTIONS

St. Vrain prepares to put plans into action as enrollment surges.

The projected in-district growth between 2013-2018 is over 1,100 elementary students and nearly 1,500 secondary students with an additional 213 alternative school students and 550 charter school students.

EarlY CHILDHOOD Education

stvra.in/earlychildhood

SETTING THE FOUNDATION FOR K-12 EDUCATION

SMALL TALK, BIG RESULTS

Small Talk is a “birth to 3� reading initiative that builds community awareness which reinforces reading success through vocabulary and language development.

This program encourages parents to talk and read to infants and toddlers, focusing on specific strategies.

PRESCHOOL

District preschool programs emphasize kindergarten preparedness by providing high-quality early childhood experiences in a safe, supporting and stimulating environment. A variety of enrollment options are available, including tuitionbased, Special Education and the Colorado Preschool Program (CPP).

WRAPAROUND PROGRAMS

Wraparound childcare for students ages 3 to 5 is offered at specific school locations.

Programs are open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and provide services to students enrolled in a district preschool or half-day kindergarten program.

REGISTRATION

Preschool programs and full-day kindergarten are offered districtwide.

Learn more at svvsd.org.

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BOND IMPROVEMENTS NEW SCHOOLS, RENOVATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY JUL

DEC

2008

Skyline High School Skyline High School received a new media center, state-ofthe-art STEM classrooms, a new parking lot and updated computer labs.

Niwot High School Niwot High School added three new science labs, five new classrooms and a remodeled administrative area.

Bond and MLO Passed In 2008, the community passed a mill levy override (MLO) and a $189 million bond. Bond funds were used for “brick and mortar” projects.

Red Hawk Elementary Construction on Erie’s newest school was completed, accommodating approximately 600 students in a LEED Gold certified building.

2010 2011

2009

JUL

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the entire St. Vrain Longmont High School

Detailed Design Process

Bond dollars were put to use in several large scale remodeling projects, such as Longmont High School.

St. Vrain worked with many professional architectural firms to develop some of the most innovative and efficient school buildings in the state.

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JUL

Valley Schools community for your tremendous support. These and Upgrades/Maintenance The district began repairing roofs, lighting and various other infrastructures related to aging facilities.

AUG

many other facility renovations and additions would not have been possible without the passage of the 2008 bond.

Don Haddad, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

JUL

AUG

SEP New K-8 and PK-8 Older school buildings were remodeled to create Timberline PK-8 (Longmont) and Thunder Valley K-8 (Frederick).

Wireless Initiative

Erie Middle School

By September 11, 2011, all St. Vrain Valley Schools were outfitted with wireless capability.

Erie’s only middle school increased from a capacity of 530 to 860 during the school’s remodel.

Spark! Discovery Preschool

2013

The building formerly occupied by Frederick Elementary was remodeled to accommodate the district’s first STEM preschool, Spark!

Discovery Preschool.

2012

2014 The Tri-town area’s new high school opened for the 2012-2013 school year.

Frederick High School Mountain View Elementary

Technology Smart tools, such as laptops, document cameras and interactive white boards have equipped students and teachers to compete in today’s digital world.

AUG

Mountain View Elementary’s $6 million remodel gave the school a new library, a new administrative area, upgraded windows and floors and new technology for each classroom.

STEM Discovery STEM Discovery at Mountain View is a 13,000 sq/ft wing added to Mountain View Elementary. It was designed for STEM learning and increased capacity for early childhood services.

(Opening 2015/2016)

svvsd.org/bond

LEARNING TECHNOLOGY PLAN IPADS, COMPUTER LABS, CHROMEBOOKS AND WIRELESS FACILITIES

SUSTAINABILITY

Funded by the 2012 mill levy override, $2.2 million is allocated to educational technology for classrooms, teachers and students. A large portion of this funding provides student and teacher access to iPad minis, upgrading computer labs and supporting classroom technology.

IPAD MINI DISTRIBUTION

• In 2014, over 6,200 iPad minis were provided to middle school students and teachers districtwide • In 2015, the first half of high schools will receive iPad minis for students • In 2016, the second half of high schools will receive iPad minis for students • In 2017, elementary classrooms will receive iPad mini sets

COMPUTER LAB UPGRADES

Elementary school computer labs have been updated with Mac minis. At the secondary level, schools have a mix of Mac and Windows computer labs available.

A sustainable program has been created by phasing the distribution over four years. The same progressive approach will be used when the devices need to be replaced.

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Districtwide, computer labs continue to be updated because a more robust computing environment is optimal for creating multimedia, computer science classes and online state assessments.

svvsd.org/techplan

We see technology as a tool, kids see technology as an environment.

John Couch Apple, VP of Education

CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY

Teachers and students have access to multiple types of technology that can be brought into the classroom to enhance learning, including Chromebooks, iPads and online learning materials.

Classroom technology includes desktop computers, speaker systems, microphones and video projectors.

INFRASTRUCTURE

• In 2009, all schools were connected with high-speed fiber optics (1 gb/sec) • In 2011, all classrooms were equipped with wireless Internet access • In 2014, St. Vrain partnered with the City of Longmont to provide (10x) adequate bandwidth (10 gb/sec) which saves over $100K per year

STUDENT LEARNING

Students demonstrate an understanding of a topic with a variety of tools, including the use of online curricula and assessments.

The use of digital materials provides the most up-to-date information to students in a variety of ways including text, audio and video content. Immediate results from online assessments allow teachers to adjust their lessons for the class based on understanding and skill level.

All students need access to technology to be prepared for a future of learning and job readiness skills. Students can expand their learning beyond the classroom walls and hours of the school day. This access gives students the tools to learn at their own pace.

IMPROVED INSTRUCTION

Students and teachers have the tools they need to investigate, communicate, collaborate, create, model and explore concepts and content in the classroom and at home.

Teachers have access to professional development courses that focus on incorporating technology into the classroom. Through online courses, small group discussions, mentorship opportunities and week long iPad learning camps, teachers are learning best practices for incorporating iPads in their classrooms.

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PARENT INVOLVEMENT

svvsd.org/lsv

PARTNERING WITH PARENTS AND COMMUNITY

LEADERSHIP ST. VRAIN (LSV)

Leadership St. Vrain was launched in the 2009-2010 school year after a group of highly engaged parents ran a successful campaign for a mill levy override and school improvement bond.

Since then, parents have participated in an annual program designed to deepen

their knowledge of district operations and exchange ideas. The program is especially appropriate for parents who want to obtain a foundation in district operations and governance and become more effective participants in school district affairs.

GRASSROOTS ST. VRAIN (GSV)

Grassroots St. Vrain is an independent, non-profit organization made up of parent volunteers committed to informing and activating citizens on education-related issues impacting St. Vrain Valley Schools and public education in general.

With the support of volunteers from every school community, Grassroots St. Vrain was instrumental in supporting the passage of the district’s first-ever mill levy override in 2008 and again in 2012.

Members of the advocacy group regularly meet with elected officials to learn about education-related legislation and school funding initiatives. These parents routinely talk with other stakeholders about the impact of a high-quality education system on students and families, businesses, property values and the community’s ability to cultivate a highly skilled workforce.

grassrootsstvrain.org

The impact of LSV and GSV is parents becoming informed, connected and ultimately engaged in the pursuit of education excellence.

Chico Garcia Leadership St. Vrain Chair

FINANCIAL REPORTING

svvsd.org/finance

RESPONSIBLE SPENDING AND BUDGETING

FINANCIAL ACCOLADES

• S&P bond rating at an all-time high, AA • Enrollment has grown by 4,115 students since October 2009 (excluding preschool) • Two mill levy overrides since 2008 generating $32 million annually • Fortune 500 level corporate sponsors and community partnerships • National award for financial reporting annually for the past 10 years • General fund reserves in excess of $60 million

SVVSD FUNDING SOURCES 49.88%

STATE EQUALIZATION

25.79%

PROPERTY TAXES

13.77%

MILL LEVY OVERRIDE

3.64%

OTHER LOCAL REVENUE

3.57%

OTHER STATE REVENUE

2.76%

SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAX

.59%

FEDERAL SOURCES

78%

DIRECT CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION & SUPPORT

2.73%

CENTRAL SUPPORT & ADMINISTRATION

HOW FUNDS ARE SPENT

19.27%

SCHOOL BUILDING SUPPORT

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St. Vrain Valley Public Schools RE 1J 395 S. Pratt Parkway, Longmont, CO 80501

¿Copia en español? Visite a www.svvsd.org o llame a 303-682-7404.

ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE St. Vrain is consistently recognized for its excellent schools. These recognitions include the John Irwin School of Excellence Award, the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award, the Colorado Centers of Excellence Award and the Colorado “School to Watch” Award.

St. Vrain was awarded a $1.4 million physical activity grant from the Colorado Health Foundation to be used in professional development and supplies for classroom movement.

In 2013, the Colorado Association of School Boards named St. Vrain’s board as the “All State Board of Education”. This achievement was followed up with Superintendent Don Haddad, Ed.D., being selected by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the country’s top education technology leaders. He attended the inaugural “National Connected Superintendents Summit” at the White House.

St. Vrain received a Race to the Top district award for $16.6 million, focusing on STEM education. The grant bolstered STEM education within St. Vrain Valley Schools and allowed the district to develop the Innovation Center, a facility where students can apply their STEM knowledge to real world projects.

Leadership St. Vrain was the recipient of the 2014 International Association of Public Participation Award for parent engagement.

Learn more at: stvra.in/communityreport