back to school

2 Longmont Times-Call Publication August 7, 2011

SVVSD: Productive summer, great year aheadSt. Vrain Valley Schools will enthusiasti-

cally launch the new academic year onThurs., Aug. 18. I anticipate another out-standing year of academicachievement and personal suc-cess for approximately 27,000students and 4,000 employees.In spite of these challengingeconomic times – and anotherround of state budget reductions– the St. Vrain Valley SchoolDistrict remains highly commit-ted to making great strides forour students and our entirecommunity.Let me begin by recognizing

the many thousands of students and theirteachers who worked hard throughout thesummer and remained in school for nearlyseven additional weeks of extended-yearlearning. This enabled students to dramati-cally increase their achievement levels andposition them for a stronger performance inthe new school year and beyond.I also want to recognize the summer pro-

gram called Camp Innovation, a one-of-a-kind program for students in grades onethrough three held at IBM’s Gunbarrel Cam-pus. These students worked with a team ofIBM engineers and St. Vrain teachers to in-vestigate and solve real world problems in-volving water, transportation, food, energy

and cities. I encourage you to learn moreabout this incredible collaboration on theSVVSD website.

Throughout the summer,we’ve been busy with a variety ofadditional important projects.Here are some highlights:The Department of Technolo-

gy Services or DTS is about tocomplete our wireless schoolsinitiative, providing every schoolwith high-speed wireless Internetaccess. This feature enables stu-dents and teachers to have in-stant access to valuable onlinetools and learning resources that

enhance our 21st century curricula.DTS has also been installing numerous

technology tools such as laptop computers,document cameras and new multimedia sys-tems in classrooms throughout the district.Additionally, hundreds of St. Vrain teachershave enrolled in advanced technology train-ing to more effectively integrate these state-of-the-art tools into classroom learning.Our Auxiliary Services Department has

overseen numerous school improvementprojects designed to enhance safety and se-curity, learning environments, technologyinfrastructure and outdoor facilities. Addi-tionally, we’ve made outstanding progresson the construction of our two newest

neighborhood schools, Red Hawk Elemen-tary and the new Frederick High School.Red Hawk Elementary in Erie – St. Vrain’s

first Leadership in Energy and Environmen-tal Design (LEED) Certified school – opensthis fall and offers two primary academicprograms, Core Knowledge and St. Vrain’srigorous elementary curriculum. Red Hawkwill accommodate up to 600 students andwill provide our growing community anoth-er outstanding neighborhood school choice.Construction on the new Frederick High

School – also a LEED Certified building – ison schedule to open in the fall of 2012.When completed, this high school will havea core capacity of 1,800 students and be oneof the most technologically advanced andenvironmentally sustainable high schools inColorado. These facility advances would notbe possible without the community’s sup-port of the 2008 mill levy override andbond.The Department of Human Resources re-

cruited an exceptionally strong field of newteacher and staff candidates. Over the sum-mer, St. Vrain hired 105 new teachers and48 new staff members to accommodate en-rollment growth and attrition. Our new pa-perless application system enabled the Hu-man Resources staff to efficiently screenmore than 8,000 job applicants.On Sat., June 18, numerous

entrepreneurs, corporate executives, electedofficials, teachers, administrators and par-ents from across the district participated inSt. Vrain 2020. This day-long retreat wasdeigned to discuss St. Vrain’s future and as-sess its strengths, weaknesses, opportunitiesand threats. I encourage you to review thematerial which has been posted on our web-site and contribute your suggestions and in-sights.During the 2011-2012 school year, I will

continue to engage parents and other stake-holders in the ongoing discussion about ourexciting future at my Community Updatemeetings; dates and times are posted onwww.svvsd.org.Throughout the year, the district will

strengthen efforts to communicate with ourcommunity, keeping you informed of ouraccomplishments and challenges.Finally, please join me in welcoming back

our students and wishing them great successduring the 2011-2012 school year. Takecare, and as always, I truly appreciate yourwonderful support for our entire District.

Sincerely,Don Haddad, Ed.D.

Superintendent of SchoolsSt. Vrain Valley School District

[email protected]/SVVSDsupt

Haddad

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August 7, 2011 Longmont Times-Call Publication 3

Welcome back letterEmpowering, motivating students through rewardsLaptops offer students mobilityKeep busy with after school activitiesProgram aims to make local schools healthyEnsure eye health before school beginsStir a little variety into lunchPrepare kids for the first day of kindergarten

School district overviewPrivate schools overviewHelp your child become a better readerMust have gadgetsKnow when to discuss collegeTips to save on school suppliesUnderstanding special needs in schoolMake a smooth school transition

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Summer StairSpecialty Publications Editor

[email protected], 720-494-5429

Jade CodySpecialty Publications Associate Editor

[email protected], 303-684-5275

Contributing WritersDominique Del Grosso, Alyssia Payan,

Aliese Willard

Cover DesignTravis Claussen

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By Dominique Del GrossoLongmont Times-call

Every parent wants their child to be ex-cited about school. A child’s attitude aboutschool can shift gears regularly based onwhich school subjects are being studied, in-structors’ enthusiasm or daily schoolyardinteractions.However, parents can help shape their

child’s attitude and hunger for learning byinvesting in a supportive, involved attitude.Knowing how to help positively motivate achild’s academic attitude and when to re-ward their hard work can make all the dif-ference.

Motivating FactorsKristen Cheesman, the associate

director at Krupnick Counseling Associatesin Longmont, says motivation isinspiration.“Learning is about being inspired to

know and understand. Encouragement andmotivation not only promote curiosity andenthusiasm, but also set the stage for achild’s sense of their competence related tolearning,” she says. “They develop confi-dence and a desire to learn when they areencouraged to learn and feel successful atlearning.”Helping to motivate a child is a matter of

encouraging them to discover the joy inlearning. This joy comes from both enjoy-ing the end result of hard work and stick-ing-to-it when an academic subject is diffi-cult.Michelle Kaye, a licensed professional

counselor and owner of her own privatepractice, Michelle Kaye Counseling andConsulting Services in Longmont, sayshelping children overcome academic diffi-culties will assist them in establishing con-fidence in their skills.“They (kids) are not going to like every

class or every teacher, but they need to fo-cus on the one nugget that they do find in-teresting,” she says.Parents can help to motivate their chil-

dren in a number of ways.• Help with homework. Get involved in

the process of learning. Be careful to not

take over or complete the homework forthem.• Help them keep track of their school

schedule and offer reminders about specificdeadlines.• Have conversations that address their

feelings about school, relating to specificacademic subjects, teachers or friends.• Work through school frustrations to-

gether. “There is almost always a social,emotional or academic reason for why they

don’t like school and getting to the bottomof it as soon as possible is crucial,” Kayesays.• Use positive reinforcement for all ages.

Charts and lists are good for young chil-dren. Requesting progress reports or reportcards are good for older children.• Actions have consequences, so let kids

feel the consequences of their choices. “Ifparents are always rescuing their child, theywill never learn skills to problem solve the

SchoolTalkTips to empoweryoung studentsthrough motivationand rewards

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situation,” Kaye says.• Negotiate rewards for

reaching academic bench-marks.

Reasonable RewardsWhen a child achieves a

specific academic goal, some-times using external rewardsis beneficial. However, it’s im-portant to remember thatthere should be a balance be-tween external and internalrewards, which can be easilyconfused.“Over time, pride, self-re-

spect, confidence, competenceand accomplishment shouldbe their own reward if a childis internalizing these charac-teristics,” Cheesman says.The type and cost of the

reward will vary depending ona family’s financial situation,but it’s important to openlycommunicate about it, negoti-ate the terms, come to anagreement and stick to theterms of the agreement nomatter the outcome. The bestadvice to follow is: Rewardsshould be given at bench-marks, Kaye says.Benchmark rewards can be

given at the end of the schoolyear, between middle schooland high school or after otherimportant academic mile-stones.“The goal of rewards or

gifts should be to support andencourage internal motivationin a child around learning,”

Cheesman says.

Lead by ExampleShowing children how to

act and feel about school is assimple as leading by example.Leading by example is a pow-erful tool in shaping a child’sperspective.“Children follow the

examples and values set bytheir parents. Parents whoare positive about school andvalue what school offersproject this attitude in a waythat supports their children invaluing learning,” Cheesmansays.To successfully lead by ex-

ample, parents must be confi-dent in their learning abilities.They can show this capacityin asking questions about ar-eas of study, conducting re-search or when working onprojects.Leading by example will

positively affect a child’sview of their own self-confi-dence when it comes to aca-demics because children arelikely to model what they see,which will most likely makethe difference that mattersmost.

“If parents are alwaysrescuing their child,

they will never learn skills toproblem solvethe situation.”

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Learning on the GoLaptops offer studentsportability, mobilityBy Summer StairLongmont Times-Call

For students today it’s not about if they need a computer forschool, but when they will get one. With more college classes beingoffered online and smart high schools being the norm, having acomputer, preferably one that is portable, is almost a requirement.

“The portability and mobility of a laptop is a big thing,” saysDwayne Van Valen, divisional merchandise manager of technologyat OfficeMax. “You can take it to class; have your music and any

games on it when on the go. It becomes an extension of the stu-dent.”So when looking to buy a laptop for your student, it is important

to know what kinds of requirements are needed. Van Valen sayssince portability is often the main concern for students, parentsshould first consider the weight of the machine. Second is screensize, which should be 13.3 to 14 inches. Last, they need to makesure the processor they choose is “zippy.” According to Van Valen,the processor directly effects the Accelerated Processing Units orAUD, often known as battery life. Van Valen recommends lookingfor an AMD processor that is an A4 or A6 or an Intel Core I-5 orCore I-7.While a laptop makes the most sense for students, Van Valen rec-

ognizes that there is still a place for a desktop computer. Accordingto Van Valen, the nice thing about a desktop is the customer nolonger has to be concerned about the weight requirement or bat-tery life offered. Instead, it is more important to focus on having aprocessor that is powerful enough for what the student will be us-ing the computer for. Another important thing to keep in mindwhen buying a desktop is to make sure it has wireless capabilitiesso that it does not have to be near a cable connection, Van Valensays.Once the important pieces have been considered, always keep in

mind programs that your student might need, such as MicrosoftHome and Student, and not to get caught up in the pieces thatdon’t matter. Val Valen says customers often are concerned aboutthe amount of memory they are getting, but that should not be thefocus because if you get the right processor the memory will comewith it. If this is still a concern, such things as external hard drivescan be purchased, he says.So don’t get too frazzled when looking at the technical terms in

front of you. Find a knowledgeable associate and have them ex-plain it to you. “I think in relation to the student, the main thing isbattery life and getting fit with the right processor,” Van Valen says.“Associates have a lot of training and can help through the process.Just remember a lot can be done on the sales floor to line a personup with the right computer.”

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AftertheBell RingsFind fun after-schoolactivities for childrenBy Aliese WillardLongmont Times-Call

School’s out for the day. Now what? Ifyou’re searching for pastimes your elemen-tary to middle school-aged kids will enjoy,take heart: Longmont has you covered.Through a variety of activities around thecity, you can immerse your children in hob-bies that will entertain and engage them.“It’s a really fun way to expand learning,”

says Susan Zimmerman, CommunitySchools coordinator for the St. Vrain ValleySchool District. “The (children) can try newthings, and see if it’s something they like ordon’t like. They can find that they have thatpassion.”

Community Schools ProgramsAnd the school district is a great place to

start. Check out Community Schools, the

organization in charge of after-school pro-grams at St. Vrain Valley Schools. Zimmer-man says 22 schools will offer enrichmentopportunities this fall, including 19 licensedafter-school programs. The activities arelow cost, and cover a wide variety of inter-ests.There are classic athletics like basketball,

and more unusual offerings like Zumba, hiphop and Tae Kwon Do. Arts and crafts class-es, gardening for the green thumbs and Legobuilding for your little architect are also inthe line-up. And if you’re looking for classesto broaden kids’ horizons, Zimmerman saysCommunity Schools will offer Spanish andChinese language and culture classes.

Longmont Recreation CenterSimilar to Community Schools, the rec

center offers numerous after school classesfor children at low prices, and will be ex-panding to offer middle school-aged pro-grams this fall. Brydon Cooke, the youthprograms director, says the classes exposechildren to new experiences beyond whatthey encounter at home. “It keeps them ac-tive and out of trouble,” Cooke says.“They’re at an age where they can learn newthings, and where their hobbies can comeinto play.”Programs at the rec center also foster cre-

ativity. Cooke says he has enjoyed seeing theimaginative results children produce in anacting class, as well as music videos made bychildren in another.But Cooke’s go-to activities are outside of

the rec center walls. “We’re in Colorado, sowe try to expose (kids) to the outdoors asmuch as possible,” Cooke says.

The Great OutdoorsBeing outside in Colorado is a world of

discovery on its own. For a gratis way to getkids active, start by checking out local parksin Longmont – there are more than 30. En-courage children to take friends and pets onnature walks, or simply play in the expanse.If your kids are into animals, local farms

are a great place for kids to burn energy andlearn in the process. Several establishmentsoffer tours and activities for children, afterschool and on weekends.

For the treasure hunting fanatics, trygeo-caching. Participants use a GPS tohunt for hidden containers of goodies,found using coordinates from geo-cachingtrails online. Check out www.geocachingcolo.com to find trails (and treasures) nearLongmont.

If you’re an experienced outdoorsman,taking kids hiking and fishing is a win-winsituation. If your kids are ready for a chal-lenge, climb a mild fourteener mountainwith them. Mt. Bierstadt or Gray’s Peak are

both close to Denver and considered amongthe easiest of Colorado’s fourteeners.

Serve a PurposeComedian Bob Hope once said, “If you

don't have any charity in your heart, youhave the worst kind of heart trouble.” Edu-cate children about the importance of serv-ing others by getting involved and volun-teering with various charity and nonprofitorganizations in town. They’ll be surprisedat what they can learn by giving the gift oftheir time.

“If you don't have any charity in your heart,you have the

worst kind of heart trouble.”— Bob Hope

Students answer questions about sea turtles during a summer program at Sanborn Elementary schoolthrough Community Schools. (Aliese Willard)

Calab Wittenburg, 8, mixes ingredients to make araspberry popsicle at a Community Schoolssummer program for children. (Aliese Willard)


Program aims to make Longmont schools healthyBy Colleen McMilinSpecial to the Times-Call

Every parent, student and teacher acrossColorado is looking at the calendar and say-ing, “Wow, school is starting again already?”As another school year is upon us, educa-tors, health experts and parents all agreethat the best way to start the year is with acommitment to healthy eating and activeliving.Within our own community, LiveWell

Longmont is hard at work to help makeLongmont the healthiest city in Colorado,already noted for having the lowest adultobesity rates in the country. LiveWell Long-mont is dedicated to ensuring that healthylifestyle choices are always available andconvenient for all who work, live, play andlearn in our community. To achieve thisgoal, LiveWell Longmont has partneredwith the St. Vrain Valley School District tohelp every student inour district to havea strong start for astrong schoolyear. LiveWellLongmont andSVVSD have thefollowing sugges-tions to help busyparents and stu-dents make thebest possiblehealthy eating andactive livingchoices for the2011-2012 schoolyear.

Better Breakfasts Make for Better SchoolDaysWant to guarantee that your day is off to

the best start possible? Eating a well-bal-anced breakfast goes a long way towardschool performance, energy and good be-havior. According to J. Michael Murphy,Ed.D, Massachusetts General Hospital andHarvard Medical School, “significant new

evidence has documented the link betweeneating breakfast and learning. Recent studiesshow that skipping breakfast is relativelycommon among children in the U.S...and isassociated with quantifiable negative conse-quences for academic, cognitive, health andmental health functioning.” As well, eating ahealthy breakfast everyday leads to a health-ier lifestyle and better nutrition, which isgood for children all day and life long.

Empty that Lunchbox – EverydayEven the youngest students can partici-

pate in helping to create a healthy and tasty,lunch. For the younger set, create a colorfulchart with photos to help them make nutri-tional, energy-providing choices. For olderstudents, a check-off list might do the trick.Or better yet, take a cue from the FederalGovernment’s new “My Plate” chart, whichmakes packing a healthy lunch a breeze.

Farm to School CafeteriaFor those studentswho eat lunch pre-pared by the cafeteria,Longmont is fortu-nate to have one ofthe best lunch ser-vices department inthe state. Did youknow that yourschool cafeteria is in-cluding fresh producefrom local farms? Yes,it’s true. “For the2011-2012 year, StVrain will continue topartner with local

farmers in providing localin-season produce to students,” says ShellyAllen, Director of Nutrition &WarehouseServices for St. Vrain Valley School District.“In 2010, the district purchased $42,000from local farmers and we are projected topurchase $70,000 this year. Parents will seeapples, peaches and pears from the WesternSlope and tomatoes, cucumbers, peppersand squashes from Grant Farms and Full

Circle Farms in the Longmont area.” Aswell, beyond the farm, tortillas served inschool cafeterias come from Colorado Tor-tilla Company in Brighton, and the milkserved, including the flavored choices,comes from a local dairy that does not con-tain any high fructose corn syrup.

More exciting news from SVVSD’s foodservice is that during the months of Septem-ber and October, a rotating farmers’ marketwill be occurring throughout the district,and will spend six weeks rotating through-out the district selling fresh produce afterschool.

As important as what kids eat, it’s just asimportant to consider what they’re bringingtheir lunches in. Among the many greatlunch box choices are Laptop Lunch Boxes,American-style bento boxes designed tohelp pack nutritious, environment-friendly,healthy lunches for school, work and travel.The Laptop Lunch box, reusable, recyclableand dishwasher safe, comes with a book ofhealthy lunch ideas and recipes and does

not contain phthalates, bisphenol A, alsoknown as BPA or lead.For more information on packing a

healthy lunch, visit: http://www.healthychild.com/healthy-school-lunches/healthy-school-lunch-ideas-for-kids/.

The Family that Eats Together, Stays HealthyTogetherHealthy eating doesn’t stop when the

school bell rings. Make sure to take time outof your busy day to eat dinner as a family,which can be an important time to shareand re-connect. It doesn’t need to be any-thing fancy, just spending time eating ahome cooked meal with your family is im-portant. Again, dinner time is another won-derful opportunity to engage kids in cook-ing, from prep work, to choosing the menu.Beyond learning how to make nutritiousmeals, children who spend time helping tomake the meals they eat learn lifelong cook-ing skills.

Courtesy LiveWell Longmont

Continued on 9


Healthy Lifestyle Starts at HomeHealth has a direct relationship to learning. Accord-

ing to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “ActiveLiving” Research Study in 2009, increased physical ac-tivity has shown improvements in test scores, focus,classroom behavior and attendance, something educa-tors, and parents, have known instinctively for years.If your kids are not involved in after school sports

activities, set off for a walk or jog, a bike ride, tennisgame or any aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes,which is a quick cure for either high or low afterschool energy levels. Daily physical exercise will helprelease endorphins, which can increase sustained fo-cus, and will help get homework done a bit easier, aswell as encourage better performance during theschool day.If you don’t have time for exercise right after school,

take time after dinner for a 20 minute walk around theneighborhood as a family, play a quick game outside orgo for a bike ride. The fresh air and physical activitywill help the entire family wind down after a long dayand will help children get their much needed rest.In addition, as important as it is for families to stay

active together, it is also crucial for busy parents totake some time out for themselves. Attending an exer-cise class, doing a yoga DVD or just turning off the TVor computer and reading will keep you rejuvenated forall that life, and the school year, throws at you.

Colleen McMilin is the St. Vrain Valley School District LiveWellLongmont Coordinator. For more information on LiveWell Long-mont, visit: http://about.livewellcolorado.org/livewell-longmont,as well as on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/livewellLongmont.

Ensure eye health before school beginsStatePoint

Did you know that 80 percent ofwhat we learn is acquired visually?From reading to visual mnemonics(think stop signs and multiplicationtables), vision plays a critical role inyour child’s academic success.That’s why it’s important to put a

visit to the eye doctor on your back-to-school to-do list.Surprisingly, approximately 76 per-

cent of children under the age of 5have never had a comprehensive eyeexam, according to a recent nation-wide survey of nearly 4,000 Ameri-cans by VSP Vision Care, the largestnot-for-profit vision benefits and ser-vices company in the Unites States.And since vision problems often

manifest as behavioral problems orpoor academic achievement, they’realso often misdiagnosed. For example,a child who fidgets in his seat anddoes poor work because he can’t readthe board work may be diagnosedwith attention deficit disorder. Whilea good doctor would rule out visionproblems before making a diagnosis,the child may not say anything be-

cause he is unaware there is a prob-lem.Children’s eyes also change from

year to year, as they grow. Betweenshopping for school clothes, updatingimmunizations and stocking up onsupplies,parents can forget the all-importantannual eye exam that children need.Moreover, parents may assume thatthe screenings provided by pediatri-cians and school nurses are enough,but they’re not.“General vision screenings are lim-

ited and overlook many potential vi-sion problems,” says Dr. StephanieKirschbaum, a VSP provider based inGrass Valley, Calif. “Children need tobe examined annually by an op-tometrist for signs of astigmatism,

nearsightedness and farsightedness.Their eye doctor will also examine thestructure of the eye for tell-tale signsof serious diseases affecting moreAmerican kids each year, including di-abetes, hypertension and high choles-terol.”Children should have their first eye

assessment at 6 months of age, a com-prehensive eye exam starting at age 3before entering school and then an an-nual exam throughout their lives.See your eye doctor if your child:• Loses his or her place while read-

ing• Avoids close work• Tends to rub his or her eyes• Has headaches• Turns or tilts his or her head• Squints while reading or watching

television• Has behavioral problems• Holds reading material closer

than normalRegular eye care is essential to

classroom success. By correcting anyvision problems now, you can makethe classroom a positive and produc-tive experience for your child.

Continued from 8

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Drizzle, dice, spread or stir variety into lunchBy Alyssia PayanLongmont Times-Call

Freshly sharpened pencils, pens, note-books and a new backpack to put them inmeans only one thing – it’s back to school.Kids are setting their alarms extra early to

plan their outfits and make it to their firstday on time, while parents mull over whatthey are going to buy for school lunches thisyear.A turkey sandwich, chips, a juice box and

maybe some carrots that won’t be eaten,makes for a boring yet typical school lunch.“Boring and unhealthy” don’t need to be onthe menu this year.“Parents can focus on making it (lunch)

colorful and fun with real fruits and veggiesfrom the local farmers market,” says KirstenTobey, co-founder of Revolution Foods,which serves schools nationally.Eating a healthy lunch impacts not only

health, but academic performance as well.Diets high in sugar can cause problemsdown the road, but sugars eaten now maycause children to become tired in the after-noons, making it hard to focus in class.Tobey says kids should be eating healthy

fresh foods instead of artificial foods thatdon’t even look like real food.Parents can make sure their student gets

the most out of school by packing a bal-anced meal. A balanced meal includes wholegrains, lean protein, fruit, vegetables andsome dairy. The fruit and protein portionsare the smallest with vegetables being thelargest.“We find that kids love fruits and veggies

because they are visually appealing and in-teractive.”Teaching children the importance of nu-

trition can sometimes go in one ear and outthe other. One way to get through to them isby letting them taste foods rather thantelling them which ones are healthy. Letthem decide which fruits and vegetablesthey love.“Developing their palates is really impor-

tant. We try to teach children what realfoods taste like and that they come from realplants and animals.”Children do love hot meals because they

provide more variety. If your school doesn’thave a healthy hot-lunch meal program, youcan still use fruits and veggies to mix thingsup.Shelly Allen, director of Nutrition and

Warehouse Services for the St. Vrain ValleySchool District, says wraps are the way to gowhen trying alternative lunches.“Anything can be put into a wrap such as

fruit spreads, nut spreads, sliced meats,vegetables, hummus, cheese, etc,” Allensays.Wraps are healthy, easy to make and more

importantly are fun to take apart. Allen rec-ommends adding hummus because it is agreat source of protein and goes well as a dipwith fresh vegetables and pita bread.With hundreds of choices in grocery

stores, it can be hard to choose what to buyfor your kids’ school lunches. If you don’t

have time to make elaborate school lunches,you can always check out the organic lunch-box products by Revolution Foods.So for this school year, go ahead and driz-

zle, dice, spread or stir a little variety intoyour child’s lunchbox. Add more than apinch of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.Leave out the optional sugar snack. Throwin some lean protein, and mix them alltogether for some delicious, back to schoolalternative lunches.

Courtesy Revolution Foods

The Tiny Tim Center provides a child/family centered environment that focuses on kindergartenreadiness for all children through the Story Book Journey curriculum, play and friendship building.

The Tiny Tim Center is Enrolling Now!Don't Get Le Behind!

611 Korte ParkwayLongmont, CO 80501

• Offering 9 and 12 month options and half and full day programs• Services to children 2 1/2 to 5 years of age• Low adult-to-child ratios• Occupational, physical and speech therapy in naturalor center-based settings• Scholarships available. CCAP and CPP welcomed• Extended day enrichment programsPlease visit www.tinytimcenter.orgor call 303-776-7417 for more information

Looking for CHILD CARE?Want to Provide Child Care?

CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES CAN HELPWe are Boulder County’s most

complete FREE information sourceon childcare and other services for

children and families.

Call us or visit our website atCall us or visit our website atwww.bouldercolorado.gov and click on Childcarewww.bouldercolorado.gov and click on Childcare

303-441-3544


On the road to kindergartenGetting kids readyfor the big dayMetro Creative Graphics

Kindergarten will be many children’s firstforay into school. Their experiences inkindergarten can set the scene for a lifetimeof learning. To start laying the foundationfor your child’s entrance into formal educa-tion, consider the following tips.• Identify the school your child will at-

tend. You can call your county school boardor simply ask other parents in the area.Some communities assign schools, whileothers allow parents to choose their child’sschool. When determining which case ap-plies to your community, inquire about busservice as well.• Some schools have full-day kinder-

garten programs, while others offer half-day.This may be district-specified or the choiceof the parent.• Visit the school to find out about regis-

tration requirements. You’ll likely have to fillout forms and provide proof of residence.• A routine physical exam and a copy of

immunization records will most likely be re-quired. Visit your child’s pediatrician to en-

sure that he or she is up-to-date with shotsand receives a health check-up.• Visit the school with your child ahead

of time. Attend a kindergarten open houseor school tour. This way kids can become fa-miliar with the premises and won’t becaught off guard the first day of school. Atour will provide an example of the school’slayout and overall atmosphere.• Make friends with parents whose chil-

dren attend the school. Set up a play date soyour child will see some familiar faces onthe first day of school.• Talk about attending school and make

it seem like a positive experience. Let kidsknow school is something to look forwardto. Some children get excited aboutkindergarten just because they get to ridethe bus.• Shop for a backpack and a lunch box

early on so that your child will be excitedfor school.• Find out which types of lessons your

child will be learning and begin to practicesome of them at home, including the alpha-bet, preliminary math and writing.• Always use positive reinforcement and

talk about school in an upbeat way.• Discuss fears and concerns about

kindergarten with your child.

Make thisyour child’sbest schoolyear ever!If you think your child should do better in school than lastyear, don’t wait for report cards to find out. Call Huntingtontoday.

Through our in-depth academic skills evaluation, ourcertified teachers can find out what’s holding your childback. Using those insights, we then create an individualizedprogram of instruction uniquely designed to fix the problem- before any more time passes.

Smart Call.Smart Call.303303 -- 651651 -- 08000800

Distr ict Community School Off ice (303)682-7384

Before/After School Child CareBefore/After School Child Careand Enrichment Programsand Enrichment Programs

Alpine Elementary 720-652-8146Black Rock Elementary 720-890-3995Blue Mountain Elementary 720-652-8230Burlington Elementary 303-776-8861Centennial Elementary 720-652-8240Central Elementary 303-772-3236Eagle Crest Elementary 303-485-7274Erie Elementary 720-652-7887Fall River Elementary 720-494-9878

Indian Peaks Elementary 303-772-7240Legacy Elementary 720-652-8169Longmont Estates Elementary 720-652-8106Lyons Elementary 720-652-8018Mead Elementary 720-652-8046Niwot Elementary 303-652-2452Prairie Ridge Elementary 720-494-3645Rocky Mountain Elementary 303-772-6750Sanborn Elementary 720-652-8126

Community School Programs provide a balanced menu of before and after school educational,enrichment and recreational programs and activities.

Open to grades K-5, our licensed programs offer students a multitude of enrichment classes, funbefore and after school options, and exciting choices on late start days. Call your school for moreinformation.

Community School Program Locations:

St. Vrain Valley School District

Community Schools

12 Longmont Times-Call Publication August 7, 2011 August 7, 2011 Longmont Times-Call Publication 13

St. Vrain ValleySchool District

St. Vrain Valley is Colorado’s ninth largestschool district encompassing more than 411square miles including portions of Boulder,Weld, Larimer and Broomfield counties. TheDistrict serves 13 communities: Boulder,Broomfield, Dacono, Erie, Firestone, Freder-ick, Hygiene, Longmont, Lyons, Mead, Ni-wot, Peaceful Valley and Raymond.

General information303-776-6200www.svvsd.orgNewsline, for updates and school closures,303-682-7387

Statistical informationSource: Department of Education 2010 OctoberCountTotal enrollment: 27,379Number of schools: 52Elementary Schools: 26Middle Schools: 9Middle/Senior: 1High Schools: 8Adult Education: 1Charter Schools: 6Alternative School: 1

Student ethnic compositionSource: Department of Education 2009 OctoberCountAmerican Indian: 175Asian: 970Black: 319Hispanic: 7,624Caucasian: 18,043

2010-11 BudgetThe St. Vrain Valley School District general

fund budget is $405,404,249, which includes$131,045,214 in reserves.

Food servicesThe quality food service program provides

meals at a reasonable cost.School meal costs for 2011-12 are:• Breakfast: elementary, $1.25; secondary,

$1.50; adults, $1.75• Lunch: elementary, $2.50; secondary,

$2.75; adults, $3• Milk, $0.50For students whose families qualify, a free

and reduced cost program is available formeals. Weekly lunch menus are posted atschools, announced in school newsletters,published in local newspapers, televised onComcast Cable Education & Local AccessChannels and posted atwww.stvrain.k12.co.us.

Support SuccessThe challenges that face students and staff

in St. Vrain Valley schools cannot be metwithout the support of parents andguardians, volunteers, and community lead-ers and businesses.More than 5,000 volunteers partner with

our schools. Volunteers form partnershipswith teachers, principals, school staff, and

Burlington Elementary1051 S. Pratt ParkwayLongmont, CO 80501303-776-8861http://bes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Janis HughesOctober 2010 enrollment: 472

Blue Mountain Elementary1260 Mountain DriveLongmont, CO 80503720-652-8220http://bmes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Kristie VenrickOctober 2010 enrollment: 487

Black Rock Elementary2000 Mountain View Blvd.Erie, CO 80516720-890-3995http://bres.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Cathy O’DonnellOctober 2010 enrollment: 761

Alpine Elementary2005 Alpine St.Longmont, CO 80501720-652-8140http://aes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Deanna FrothinghamOctober 2010 enrollment: 523

Schools in the St. VrainValley School DistrictAdministration Offices395 S. Pratt ParkwayLongmont, CO 80501303-776-62200www.svvsd.org

Indian Peaks Elementary1335 S. Judson St., Longmont, CO80501, 303-772-7240http://ipes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Judy OrbanoskyOctober 2010 enrollment: 493

Hygiene Elementary11968 N. 75th St.Longmont, CO 80503720-652-8021http://hes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Mike O’DonnellOctober 2010 enrollment: 426

Frederick Elementary555 Eighth St., Frederick, CO80530, 303-833-2456http://fes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Karen MusickOctober 2010 enrollment: 551

Fall River Elementary1400 Deerwood DriveLongmont, CO 80501720-652-7920http://fres.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Jennifer GuthalsOctober 2010 enrollment: 494

Erie Elementary4137 E. County Line RoadErie, CO 80516303-828-3395http://ees.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Amanda SauerOctober 2010 enrollment: 643

Prairie Ridge Elementary6632 St. Vrain Ranch Blvd., Fire-stone, CO 80504, 720-494-3641http://pres.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Kirsten McNeillOctober 2010 enrollment: 408

Northridge Elementary1200 19th Ave., Longmont, CO80501, 303-772-3040http://northridgees.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Lorynda SampsonOctober 2010 enrollment: 390

Niwot Elementary8778 Morton RoadNiwot, CO 80503303-652-2828http://niwotes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Mike KepplerOctober 2010 enrollment: 477

Mountain View Elementary1415 14th Ave.Longmont, CO 80501720-652-8261http://mves.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Nancy PitzOctober 2010 enrollment: 382

Mead Elementary520 Welker Ave.Mead, CO 80542970-535-4488http://mes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Connie BrodtOctober 2010 enrollment: 507

Longs Peak Middle1500 14th Ave.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-5611http://lpms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Mathew BuchlerOctober 2010 enrollment: 450

Heritage Middle233 E. Mountain View Ave.Longmont, CO 80501303-772-7900http://hms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Karrie BorskiOctober 2010 enrollment: 427

Erie Middle650 Main St.Erie, CO 80516303-828-3391http://ems.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Todd BissellOctober 2010 enrollment: 524

Coal Ridge Middle6201 Booth DriveFirestone, CO 80504303-833-4176http://crms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Brian YoungOctober 2010 enrollment: 823

Altona Middle4600 Clover Basin DriveLongmont, CO 80503720-494-3980http://ams.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades sixth through eightPrincipal: Joe MehslingOctober 2010 enrollment: 643Continued on 14

12 Longmont Times-Call Publication August 7, 2011 August 7, 2011 Longmont Times-Call Publication 13

Eagle Crest Elementary4444 Clover Basin DriveLongmont, CO 80503303-485-6073http://eces.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Ryan BallOctober 2010 enrollment: 528

Columbine Elementary111 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont,CO 80501, 303-776-2840http://columbinees.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Eddie ClokeOctober 2010 enrollment: 361

Central Elementary1020 Fourth Ave., Longmont, CO80501, 303-776-3236http://centrales.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Jim HecocksOctober 2010 enrollment: 445

Centennial Elementary10290 Neighbors ParkwayFirestone, CO 80504720-652-8240http://centenniales.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Keith LiddleOctober 2010 enrollment: 546

Burlington Elementary1051 S. Pratt ParkwayLongmont, CO 80501303-776-8861http://bes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Janis HughesOctober 2010 enrollment: 472

Blue Mountain Elementary1260 Mountain DriveLongmont, CO 80503720-652-8220http://bmes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Kristie VenrickOctober 2010 enrollment: 487

Lyons Elementary338 High St.Lyons, CO 80540303-823-6915http://lyonses.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Christa KepplerOctober 2010 enrollment: 286

Longmont EstatesElementary1601 Northwestern Road, Long-mont, CO 80503, 720-652-8101http://lees.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Amanda HallOctober 2010 enrollment: 505

Loma Linda Elementary333 E. Mountain View Ave., Long-mont, CO 80501, 303-772-4280http://lles.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten though fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Dina Perfetti-DeanyOctober 2010 enrollment: 444

Legacy Elementary7701 Eagle Blvd.Frederick, CO 80504720-652-8160http://legacyes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Sean CoreyOctober 2010 enrollment: 557

Indian Peaks Elementary1335 S. Judson St., Longmont, CO80501, 303-772-7240http://ipes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Judy OrbanoskyOctober 2010 enrollment: 493

Hygiene Elementary11968 N. 75th St.Longmont, CO 80503720-652-8021http://hes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Mike O’DonnellOctober 2010 enrollment: 426

Spangler Elementary1440 Collyer St., Longmont, CO80501, 720-494-3761http://spangleres.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Michelle JohnstoneOctober 2010 enrollment: 396

Sanborn Elementary2235 Vivian St.Longmont, CO 80501303-772-3838http://sanbornes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: John WahlerOctober 2010 enrollment: 451

Rocky Mountain Elem.800 E. Fifth Ave., Longmont, CO80501, 303-772-6750http://rmes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Stephen HoelOctober 2010 enrollment: 435

Red Hawk Elementary1500 Telleen Ave.Erie, CO 80516303-828-1039http://rhes.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Cyrus Weinberger

Prairie Ridge Elementary6632 St. Vrain Ranch Blvd., Fire-stone, CO 80504, 720-494-3641http://pres.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Kirsten McNeillOctober 2010 enrollment: 408

Northridge Elementary1200 19th Ave., Longmont, CO80501, 303-772-3040http://northridgees.stvrain.k12.co.usPre-kindergarten through fifth grade,bilingualPrincipal: Lorynda SampsonOctober 2010 enrollment: 390

Westview Middle1651 Airport RoadLongmont, CO 80503303-772-3134http://wms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Mark SpencerOctober 2010 enrollment: 598

Trail Ridge Middle1000 Button Rock DriveLongmont, CO 80501720-494-3820http://trms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Tim RootOctober 2010 enrollment: 632

Sunset Middle1300 S. Sunset St.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-3963http://sms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Dawn MacyOctober 2010 enrollment: 603

Mead Middle620 Welker Ave.Mead, CO 80542970-535-4446http://mms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Josh BarnettOctober 2010 enrollment: 381

Longs Peak Middle1500 14th Ave.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-5611http://lpms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Mathew BuchlerOctober 2010 enrollment: 450

Heritage Middle233 E. Mountain View Ave.Longmont, CO 80501303-772-7900http://hms.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through eightPrincipal: Karrie BorskiOctober 2010 enrollment: 427


Longmont High1040 Sunset St.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-6014http://lhs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades nine through 12Principal: Rick OlsenOctober 2010 enrollment: 1,222

Frederick High600 Fifth St.Frederick, CO 80530303-833-3533http://fhs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades nine through 12Principal: Pete VargasOctober 2010 enrollment: 806

Erie High3180 WCR 5Erie, CO 80516303-828-4213http://ehs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades nine through 12Principal: Steve PayneOctober 2010 enrollment: 760

Lyons Middle/Senior100 S. Second Ave.Lyons, CO 80540303-823-6631http://lmshs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades six through 12Principal: Greg WingerOctober 2010 enrollment: 441

Skyline High600 E. Mountain View Ave.Longmont, CO 80501720-494-3741http://shs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades nine through 12Principal: Patty QuinonesOctober 2010 enrollment: 1,230

Silver Creek High4901 Nelson RoadLongmont, CO 80503720-494-3721http://schs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades nine through 12Principal: Erick FinnesteadOctober 2010 enrollment: 1,057

Niwot High8989 E. Niwot RoadNiwot, CO 80503303-652-2550http://nhs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades nine through 12Principal: Dennis DalyOctober 2010 enrollment: 1,284

Mead High School12750 WCR 7Longmont, CO 80504720-494-3940http://mhs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades nine through 12Principal: Jim SundbergOctober 2010 enrollment: 488

Olde Columbine HighSchool / CareerDevelopment Center1200 S. Sunset St., Longmont, CO80501, 720-494-3961, 303-772-3333 (CDC)http://ochs.stvrain.k12.co.usGrades nine through 12Principal: Deniece CookOctober 2010 enrollment: 116

Aspen Ridge PrepatorySchool705 Austin Ave., Erie, CO 80516720-242-6225www.aspenridgeprepschool.orgKindergarten through fifth gradePrincipal: Andria HinmanProjected Enrollment: 230

Adult Education820 Main St.Longmont, CO 80501303-678-5662http://ae.stvrain.k12.co.usPrincipal: Deniece CookOctober 2010 enrollment: 166

St Vrain Online GlobalAcademyhttp://www.stvrain.k12.co.us/schools/svoga/Principal: Joanne Dawe

Twin Peaks CharterAcademy340 S. Sunset St., Longmont, CO80501, 303-772-7286www.twinpeakscharter.orgKindergarten through grade 10Principal: BJ BuchmannOctober 2010 enrollment: 707

St. Vrain CommunityMontessori School1055 Delaware Ave., Longmont,CO 80501Phone: 303-682-4339Pre-kindergarten through grade fourHead of School: Katie TorresOctober 2010 enrollment: 138

Imagine Charter School atFirestone5753 Twilights Ave., Firestone, CO80504, 303-772-3711www.imaginefirestone.comPre-kindergarten through grade eightPrincipal: Nancy BoxOctober 2010 enrollment: 617

Flagstaff Charter Academy1841 Lefthand CircleLongmont, CO 80501303-651-7900www.flagstaffacademy.orgKindergarten through grade eightPrincipal: Andrew MooreOctober 2010 enrollment: 815

department staff to give selfless-ly of their time and expertise tosupplement classroom learningand activities, fundraise for spe-cial projects, sponsor activities,participate as committee mem-bers and more.Although parents make up the

largest group of volunteers, se-nior citizens, business profes-sionals, civic group representa-tives and students also volunteeron an ongoing basis.

School district leadership 2011-12 School Year• Superintendent of Schools:

Don Haddad, 303-682-7205• Chief Operations Officer:

Rick Ring, 303-682-7405• Assistant Superintendent for

Student Achievement: ConnieSyferd, 303-682-7328• Area 1 Assistant Superinten-

dent: Amy Weed, 303-682-7508• Area 1 Assistant Superin-

tent: Mark Mills, 303-702-7558Assistant Superintendent of

Human Resources: David Burni-son, 303-682-7237• Chief Financial Officer: Ter-

ry Schueler, 303-682-7201• Executive Director of Orga-

nizational Development & Com-munications: John Poynton,303-682-7404• Chief Information Officer:

Joe McBreen, 303-702-7704

Board of EducationDistrict A: Rick Hammans,

Vice President, 303-823-9019District B: Debbie Lammers,

secretary, 303-652-8939District C: Bob Smith, Assis-

tant Secretary, 303-776-2412District D: Dori Van Lone,

Treasurer, 303-665-9634District E: John Creighton,

President, 303-682-0907District F: Rod Schmidt,

Member, 303-774-7913District G: Mike Schiers,

Member, 720-353-2828

Carbon Valley Academy4040 Coriolis WayFrederick, CO 80504303-774-9555www.carbonvalleyacademy.orgPre-kindergarten through grade 8Principal: Lisa GjellumOctober 2010 enrollment: 456

Continued from 12


IndependentSchoolsAlexander Dawson School10455 Dawson DriveLafayette, CO 80026303-665-6679www.dawsonschool.orgKindergarten through grade 12Headmaster: Brian JohnsonEnrollment: 460Type: Collegiate based private schoolBixby School4760 Table Mesa DriveBoulder, CO 80305303-494-7508www.bixbyschool.orgPre-kindergarten through grade fivePrincipal: Pat BakerEnrollment: 160Type: PrivateBloom! Montessori School701 James St.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-8173bloommontessori.comAges 2 through 6Director: Abigail MillerEnrollment: 12Type: MontessoriBoulder Country Day School4820 Nautilus Court N.Boulder, CO 80301303-527-4931www.bouldercountryday.orgAge 3 through grade eightHead of School: Michael ShieldsEnrollment: 315Type: IndependentBroomfield Academy7203 West 120th St.Broomfield, CO 80020303-469-6449www.broomfieldacademy.comPre-kindergarten though grade eightHead of School: Patricia GarnerEnrollment: 120Type: PrivateCatalyst Education of Colorado1376 Miners DriveLafayette, CO 80026303-604-6512http://catalysths.orgGrades nine through 12Head of School: Ed PorrittEnrollment: 40Type: Private nonprofitChildren’s House of Weld County:Montessori Preschool &Kindergarten3801 Godding Hollow PkwyFrederick, CO 80516303-651-3215www.childrenshousemontessorischool.orgPreschool through kindergartenDirector: Susan HalkinEnrollment: 30Type: MontessoriCornerstone Preschool1000 W. 15th Ave.

Longmont, CO 80501303-776-3081www.bethlehem-lutheran.net/cornerstoneAges 3 to 5Director: Andrea BeckerEnrollment: 48Type: ChristianDesiderata SchoolAdministration: 15785 N. 83rd St.,Longmont, CO 80501School site: 1445 Nelson RoadLongmont, CO 80503303-678-9335www.desiderata.orgKindergarten through grade 12Head of School: Larame SpenceEnrollment: 50Type: PrivateEastern Sun Academy6717 S. Boulder RoadBoulder, CO 80303303-443-3302www.easternsunacademy.orgKindergarten through grade fiveHead of School: Dr. Spencer EdmundsEnrollment: 85Type: Contemplative educationFaith Baptist School833 15th Ave.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-5677http://fbslongmont.orgKindergarten through grade 12Administrator: Dan PerrymanEnrollment: 160Type: Private ChristianFriends’ School5465 Pennsylvania Ave.Boulder, CO 80303303-499-1999www.friendsschoolboulder.orgPre-school through grade fiveHead of School: Steve de BeerEnrollment: 172Type: Independent private schoolGateway Montessori School1500 Ninth Ave.Longmont, CO 80501303-772-3864http://gatewaymontessorischool.netPre-school through kindergartenDirector: Linda GottschalkEnrollment: 50Type: American Montessori Society certifiedGoddard School1095 Olympia Ave.Longmont, CO 80501303-772-3501www.goddardschool.comInfant through kindergarten, after schoolDirector: Rebecca AdlerEnrollment:Type: Early childhood developmentHillside School6717 S. Boulder RoadBoulder, CO 80303303-494-1468www.hillsidelearning.orgGrades one through nineDirector: Kathy ShermanEnrollment: 32Type: Program for students with learning

differencesJarrow Montessori School3900 Orange CourtBoulder, CO 80304303-443-0511www.jarrow.org18 months through grade sixHead of School: Barb TruanType: MontessoriLongmont Christian School550 Coffman St.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-3254www.longmontchristian.orgPre-kindergarten through grade 12Principal: Donnie BennettEnrollment: 278Type: Private ChristianMessiah Lutheran School1335 Francis St.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-3466www.mlcslongmont.orgPreschool through grade fivePreschool Director: Joli RobbinsPrincipal: Beth LandonEnrollment: 71Type: Private ChristianMount Zion Lutheran School1680 Balsam Ave.Boulder, CO 80304303-443-8477www.mtzionboulder.orgToddlers through kindergartenEC Director: Cheryl WuEnrollment: 50Type: Private LutheranMountain Shadows Montessori4154 63rd St.Boulder, CO 80301303-530-5353www.mountainshadows.orgToddler through grade sixDirector: Jan FerwerdaEnrollment: 66Type: MontessoriMountain Peak Private School1833 Sunset Place, Ste. E & FLongmont, CO 80501720-494-1622www.mountainpeakschool.comPre-school through grade sixDirector: Bobby TabertEnrollment: 76Type: PrivateOur Savior’s Evangelical LutheranSchool1219 W. 17th Ave.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-1688www.OurSaviorsOn17th.orgAge 3 through grade eightPrincipal: Justin VilskiEnrollment: 14Type: Parochial schoolThe Patchwork School in Louisville1428 Main St.Louisville, CO 80027720-271-6729www.thepatchworkschool.comPreschool through grade threeDirectors: Michele Beach and Elizabeth Baker

Enrollment: 60Type: Independent alternativePrimrose School of Longmont1335 Dry Creek DriveLongmont, CO 80503303-774-1919www.primroseschools.comInfants through preschool and kindergarten,before and after school programDirector: Carrie DickersonEnrollment: 180Type: Private PreschoolRocky Mountain Christian Academy9447 Niwot RoadNiwot, CO 80503303-652-9162www.rmcaonline.orgEarly education through grade nineHeadmaster: Brett KingEnrollment: 350Type: Christian ClassicalRunning River School1370 Forest Park CircleLafayette, CO 80026303-499-2059www.runningriver.orgKindergarten through grade eightDirector: Nancy MonsonEnrollment: 25Type: PrivateSacred Heart of Jesus CatholicSchool1317 Mapleton Ave.Boulder, CO 80304303-447-2362www.shjboulder.orgPreschool through grade eightPrincipal: Mary BartschEnrollment: 390, includes early learning centerType: Private CatholicSt. John the Baptist Catholic School350 Emery St.Longmont, CO 80501303-776-8760www.johnthebaptist.orgPreschool through grade eightPrincipal: Julie RossiEnrollment: 388Type: CatholicSt. Stephens Christian School1303 S. Bross LaneLongmont, CO 80501303-776-1072 ext. 5www.ststephenslongmont.comPreschool and pre-kindergartenDirector: Kathy FultonEnrollment: Ratio of 1 to 7Type: Private ChristianSeptember High School1902 Walnut St.Boulder, CO 80302303-443-9933www.septemberschool.orgGrades nine through 12Head of School: Celeste Di IorioEnrollment: 40Type: Non-Profit Alternative/PrivateShepherd Valley Waldorf School6500 W. Dry Creek ParkwayNiwot, CO 80503303-652-0130www.shepherdvalley.org


Pre-kindergarten through grade eightPrincipal: Linda AbelkisEnrollment: 104Type: PrivateShining Mountain Waldorf School999 Violet Ave.Boulder, CO 80304303-444-7697http://smwaldorf.orgPreschool through grade 12School Director: Sue LevineEnrollment: 300Type: Waldorf schoolTara Performing Arts High School4180 19th St.Boulder, Co 80304303-440-4510www.tarahighschool.orgGrades nine through 12Administrator: Gregory Fisher

Enrollment: 46Type: Private/Waldorf schoolVista Ridge Academy3100 Ridge View Dr.Erie, CO 80516303-828-4944www.vrak12.orgKindergarten through grade 12Principal: Carol SchneiderEnrollment: 130Type: Private ChristianWatershed School205 Canyon Blvd.Boulder, CO 80302303-440-7520www.watershedschool.orgGrades six through 12Head of School: Jason BervEnrollment: 62Type: Private non-profit

www.svvsd.org • 303-776-6200

Offering more...

High rigorprogrammingfor the 21stcentury

GREATGREATSCHOOLSSCHOOLSACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.MORE OPTIONS.

St. Vrain ValleySchool District

Innovative Focus School Programming - 31 programs, suchas STEM, IB, Leadership and Visual & Performing Arts

Advanced rigor courses leading to college credit - choosefrom Pre-AP, AP and post secondary enrollment classes

Dynamic partnerships - students engaging with thebusiness community, including RidgeviewTel, IBM, WesternDigital and more

Increased instruction time - extended year summer learningprograms, such as Success for All and Camp Innovation

Technology - students and highly qualified teachersequipped with smart tools, such as laptops, documentcameras and high speed wireless for 21st century learning

Tips to turn your childinto a better readerStatePoint

Reading is the most important skillthat children need to master to be suc-cessful in school and life. However, kidsincreasingly are struggling with thismost basic of academicabilities.The United States

currently has one of thelowest literacy rates inthe developed world.According to the Na-tional Report Card, thecountry is experiencinga literacy crisis, with 68percent of fourthgraders and 69 percentof eighth graders testingbelow grade level inreading.When children have

difficulty reading, theyquickly can fall behindtheir peers. Luckily, there are ways toimprove almost any child’s reading pro-ficiency.“Telling children to try harder is not

the key to developing better readers.Rather, students need to be taught thebuilding blocks of words: phonogramsand spelling rules,” says Denise Eide, ateacher and author of the new book,“Uncovering the Logic of English.”There are many things parents can do

to help:• Explain writing is code. Many stu-

dents guess wildly while reading be-cause they have never realized words aremade of individual sounds blended to-gether. Show them how letters and

groups of letters represent sounds. Thenpractice blending the sounds.• Teach all the sounds. Many letters

say more than one sound. For example,the letter “S” sounds different in the

word “sad” than the word“is.” Many students mis-read simple words, be-cause they don’t know allthe sounds.• Make it fun. Learning

the basics doesn’t need tobe boring. Engage youngchildren through play.• Cover pictures. Many

young students strugglewith the left to right eyemovement of reading. Al-low students to look atthe pictures then coverthem. Covering picturesmakes it easier to focuson text.

• Teach all nine Silent E rules. Manystudents know only one reason for asilent final “E” – the vowel says its namebecause of the “E.” This explains wordslike “game” and “ripe,” but leaves manykids struggling to read “have” and“give.” Learning the nine reasons, in-cluding that English words do not endin “V,” prevents students from needingto memorize thousands of exceptions.• Find answers. Too often we answer

questions about reading with “that is anexception.” This frustrates many brightstudents and discourages them fromreading. Rather than dismissing wordsas exceptions, look for answers and ex-planations.


By Alyssia PayanLongmont Times-Call

The back to school season sound track is ever changing with the constant “click –click – clicking” of laptop, calculator and cell phone keys. Chalk no longer scratches ablack board, pencil sharpeners no longer hum and binders hardly snap closed in class-rooms.

Gadgets have infiltrated into the hearts and backpacks of students. As technologycontinues to reinvent itself gigabyte by gigabyte, keeping up with the hottest items is aback to school must.

This year, whether you type, text, download or “save as” follow the digital sounds asyou head back to school.

Go GoGadgetGet the scoop on back to school gadgets

Beats by Dr. Dre headphones

Rock out when traveling toschool this year with these high-performance headphones. Listento your music with crispersound and bigger bass. Whetheryou choose the “Solo” on-earstyle or the iBeats in-ear, you aresure to be stepping in style.($99.99 to $179.99, Staples)

HP TouchPad

Tablets are definitely must-have gad-gets, perfect for high school or college stu-dents. This light-weight device is for thetech-savy student who loves to keep upwith school and student life from any-where. ($599.99, Staples)

Glam Rocks Calculator

Make your math skills shinethis year with a Glam Rocks cal-culator. This dazzling gadget willhelp you number-crunch yourway to the top of the class. Lookfor this and other matchingGlam Rocks items at your localStaples store. ($4.99, Staples)

EMTEC Animal USB Flash Drive

Liven up your homework documents with these members of the animalkingdom. Choose from Panda, Mouse, Turtle, Clownfish, Cow and Pig. Thesecompanions will help you stay organized and make a roaring fashion statement.They’re waiting for you at your local Staples store. ($12.99, Staples)

Samsung Princeton 11.6 inchesThis ultra-thin and high-perfor-

mance laptop is perfect for note tak-ing, paper writing and homeworkassignments. Travels easily fromhome to school. Includes a full ver-sion of Microsoft Office Home andStudent. ($699.99, Staples)

Amazon Kindle 6" with Free 3G +Wi-Fi

Hold the world in your hands when you wire-lessly download textbooks, magazines, newspa-pers, blogs and personal documents with thise-reader. The high-resolution electronic paperdisplay lets you read with ease, no matter whereyou are. You won’t lug around heavy textbooksanymore. (Starting at $114.99, Radio Shack)

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus GraphicsCalculatorGet graphic with a TI-84 Plus

graphing calculator. Math can behard, but make it easy with the righttool. Whether you are cross multiply-ing or solving for “X,” use this to findthe answer to all your problems.($119.99, Radio Shack)

Centon 4GB Colorado RockiesUSB Datastick Keychain

Rep your favorite sports teamwith this flashy flash drive. Saveyour documents and assignmentslike a pro, and don’t lose a thing.($24.99, Radio Shack)

Skullcandy INK'dEarbud Head-phonesMoving to the

beat just got alittle sweeterwith these hotheadphones.Choose your fa-vorite color andstart dancing to“Till the WorldEnds.” ($19.99,Radio Shack)


Timing the TalkTips on when todiscuss collegeBy Dominique Del GrossoLongmont Times-call

What do you want to be when you growup? Asking a child this question is fun be-cause they always come up with creative,uninhibited responses – an astronaut, balle-rina, rock star, artist or doctor are typical an-swers. However, this is often where the con-versation stops.The next step to realizing their dream are

conversations about what it will take aca-demically, personally and financially toachieve the dream job. Having these conver-sations can make the reality of achieving thedream that much more attainable.Earning a college degree often allows for

more professional opportunities to arise,and it can be a surefire way to advance pro-fessionally and financially. Although there isnot a specified “right” time to start talkingto kids about college, it may be best to startthese conversations early in life.

Timing the TalkKarolyn Borski, principal at Heritage

Middle School in Longmont, advises parentsat her school to be creative in their conver-sations and the ways in which the topic isaddressed.“Start the conversations early on and link

them to your kids’ interests,” she says. “Forexample, my daughter takes care of the petsin our home, so we say that she’s going to bethe veterinarian.”Having consistent conversations about

college is important to help children feelpositive about this higher educational step.A parent’s attitude about college can also in-fluence a child’s academic perspective be-cause they often mirror what parents be-lieve.Hannah Brown, a recruitment specialist at

Front Range Community College in Long-mont, says starting these conversations earlyin a child’s life can greatly influence whatacademic decisions are made for their fu-ture. “I believe that parents should maketalking about college a part of life for allchildren. If there is a consistent messagethroughout one’s childhood about going tocollege, I believe the child is more likely toincorporate this as part of their futureplans,” she says.Down the road in middle and high

school, the college topic is especially suc-cessful when the conversations are echoedat school and in the home.“Making the decision to go to college and

learning about the application process canbe confusing and scary. If students feel likecollege isn’t important or if they don’t havethe support of their families, they are moreunlikely to go,” Brown says. “So talkingabout the importance of college is necessaryto make the process worth it and for the stu-dents to know that they have someone theycan turn to for support while they are goingthrough it.”In today’s job market, having a college ed-

ucation can open professional doors. In thevery least, sometimes a college degree canhelp them “get a foot in the door” for thatfirst interview.

“Very few careers require only a highschool diploma at this point,” Brown says.“During the recent economic downturn,people with a college education were lesslikely to be unemployed than those withouta college education. So having a college edu-cation may also help with job security.”

Talking the WalkStarting the conversations with young

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because most ask more complex questions as theygrow older. Being prepared and knowing how andwhat to address in the conversations is key.A good time to easily bring up the conversation is

when kids are making future plans, when they showan interest in a specific academic topic or talk about aparticular job avenue.“The topic can also be addressed when talking

about what a student learned in school or perhaps thefamily knows someone who is going to college,”Brown says.For another great conversation, parents who have

attended college can share what academic experi-ences they had both in and out of the classroom in re-gard to school clubs, the Greek system or what to ex-pect in dorm life or off-campus living. Sharing theseexperiences can make college more attainable and re-latable.“Talk about all the things they (parents) enjoyed

about college and what they studied. Tell the children

what they were involved in and what they learned,”Brown says. “If they are currently involved in alumniassociations or go back to visit their old college cam-puses, take the kids along.”

For parents who have not attended college, theconversations can revolve around why they wanttheir kids to go to college and why college is impor-tant. Parents and children can also do college re-search together to get a better idea of what a schooloffers.

“Let the students know that they feel that attend-ing college is important even if they did not get theopportunity to go themselves,” Brown says.

College Age

No matter the age, it’s never too early or too late tokick-start the college conversation. Fortunately, hav-ing these conversations can have a positive influenceon kids, making it time and energy well spent.

“Very few careers require only a high schooldiploma at this point. During the recent economicdownturn, people with a college educationwere less likely to be unemployed than thosewithout a college education.

– Hannah Brown, a recruitment specialist,Front Range Community College in Longmont

Tips to save on school suppliesThe back-to-school lists mean one thing – it’s time for parents tostart shopping. But shopping doesn’t have to mean you spend everycent you have in your pocket.Here are some tips to make sure you check everything off yourchild’s school supply list, and keep some money where it belongs –in your pocket.

Look Over Your SuppliesLet’s face it: Your child didn’t use all his crayons, pencils, erasersand rulers last year. Admittedly, they might not be in the greatestshape, but by taking careful inventory of what he already has andcan reuse, you can put a check mark next to one or two items onthe supply list.

Back-to-School SalesRetailers recognize that parents are looking for sales when it comesto back-to-school shopping. And by combining coupons, discountsand sale prices, you can get some pretty good deals. Check the fliers

for your favorite Macy’s or Sears’ sales, goonline and compare everything.

Tax-free HolidaysClothes are usually the big expense onyour back-to-school shopping list.Many states offer tax-free holidays in

recognition of this. If your state doesn’toffer a tax holiday, make sure you get themost out of available rebates and sales.Soon you’ll be waving goodbye as yourchildren once again head off to school.

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Understanding special needs in schoolBy Aliese WillardLongmont Times-call

Times have changed, and for studentswith disabilities that’s a good thing.Scientific research has made it easier to

identify learning disabilities, and as a resultmore students are receiving specializedlearning to help them succeed. According toAnne Beninghof, an internationally recog-nized special needs consultant in Broom-field, nowadays the academic environmentis more considerate toward students withspecial needs than it has been in the past.But there is still a handful of biting, cruel

words used flippantly in society to describepeople with disabilities. And even morehurtful is the misunderstanding and subtleexclusion from a student’s classmates.“It becomes more difficult as (children)

get older to accept a person who’s unique; itcan be uncomfortable sometimes,” Ben-inghof says. “They can feel that they’ll havea stigma by associating with them.”Jackie Whittington, the director of special

education for the St. Vrain Valley SchoolDistrict, says students’ uncertainties withtheir classmates with special needs stemsfrom a fear of the unknown. They don’t un-derstand what is different about studentswith special needs and are afraid to ask.

“Kids are uncomfortable, so (the disability)becomes this secret that perpetuates.They’re curious about it,” Whittingtonsays.

Parents and teachers can combat the cu-riosity and be rid of the uneasiness with asimple solution: Talk about it. Beninghofsays one of the biggest mistakes is to not ad-dress a situation if students are curious.

“The more open we are about things,there’s less secretiveness,” she says. “If wehide and cover up (a disability to others), itbecomes something more than it is.”

Promoting Impartiality

Beninghof and Whittington offer severalstrategies to encourage open-mindednessand inclusivity in children. The home is thebest place to foster tolerance, and both edu-cators say to start making children aware ofdiversity early. “Children who grow up inhomes where diversity is cherished aregreater able to embrace diversity in the

world around them,” Beninghof says.

• Encourage your children to meet withother kids who seem different and to findcommonalities. “Kids need something theycan connect with another person on,” Ben-inghof says. “We need to help kids see be-yond external differences.”

• Use “people first” language whenspeaking about students with disabilities.

What are Special Needs?Special education is a broad term for ad-ditional assistance in learning. Students mayhave learning disabilities like dyslexia,speech or language impairments, develop-mental delays or may be in the Gifted andTalented program for additional learning.Other students may be curious about phys-ical differences from their classmates withspecial needs, or unsure about the addition-al assistance they require.

Information obtained from Anne Beninghof andJackie Whittington.

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For example, talk about the “student with blindness,” not “theblind student.” Beninghof says putting the disability second putsemphasis on our common humanity, and not on the disability,which is only one characteristic of the person. Explain to childrenwhy it’s better to phrase it that way.

• Do some research. Whittington recommends talking to em-ployees at the district’s special education services, and Beninghofsuggests reading current books on diversity and disabilities.

Actions to Avoid

There is, however, a balance between kindness and too much at-tention. Though students with disabilities may have certain needsin learning, they need to be treated with the same respect. Teachchildren to show consideration for students with disabilities byavoiding these behaviors:

• Don’t assume students with disabilities need help. “Offer tohelp when the need arises, but don’t automatically assume theycan’t do something. Don’t treat them as if they’re any different. Helpif they need it, but don’t force it on anyone,” Beninghof says. Girlsespecially have a nurturing desire, but can sometimes take it too farwith children with disabilities. “It puts the relationship in more of ahierarchical status,” Beninghof says. “We want more of a peer topeer (interaction), rather than mothering.”

• Don’t talk to students with disabilities in a tone used foryounger children, or with language that fits a younger age categorythan they are. Beninghof says to interact with them in a tone thatfits their chronological age. That way, they can rise to expectations,and children will model that interaction as well.

According to Whittington, children need to know that “whetheryou have a disability or not, we all have strengths and weaknessesand need to recognize that in other people in school.”

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Making a smooth school transitionBy Summer StairLongmont Times-Call

There’s no doubt that changing schools isa big deal. Whether you are entering middleor high school things are going to change.But lucky enough, there are programs putinto place that can help parents and stu-dents prepare for the school year and makethe transition to a new school smooth.

Middle SchoolMatt Buchler, Principal at Longs Peak

Middle School in Longmont, says one of thebiggest challenges students face when enter-ing a middle school setting is all of a suddenthey have to get used to having several dif-ferent teachers, changing classes and havinglockers. “Emotionally, socially and struc-turally they’re learning how the school is setup,” he says.To help combat these issues, Longs Peak

Middle School, along with other middleschools in the St. Vrain Valley School Dis-trict, has a program called Where EverybodyBelongs that helps sixth graders with the ad-justment. WEB is set up so that older stu-dents, called WEB leaders, are assigned anincoming student whom they mentor. Be-fore school starts, WEB leaders contact theiryounger peer welcoming them to the schoolyear and letting them know they are there to

help them. WEB leaders will also host activ-ities throughout the year that help encour-age students.

“I think that WEB helps a lot, because itis doing two different things,” Buchler says.“It is helping the sixth graders make thetransition and giving the eighth graders aleadership opportunity.”

While the school your child is attendingprobably has some sort of program, such asWEB put in to place parents still need to re-main involved in the school. Buchler sayssometimes parents don’t realize the networkthe school has to offer. This network in-cludes counselors, interventionist programs,teachers, student teachers, administration

and school resource officers. “These peoplecan help parents stay involved and helpthem deal with problems when they arise,”Buchler says.Outside of school, parents should keep

the communication lines open wheneverpossible too. “The other thing I tell parentsis to stay involved and don’t assume just be-cause your kids are getting older they don’tneed you anymore,” he says. “Be there tosupport their independence and let themgrow in healthy and appropriate way – it’sabout finding a good balance between thetwo.”

High SchoolBy the time a student is transitioning into

high school they should be used to thestructure of changing classes, having multi-ple teachers and lockers. So what is thehardest transition for a freshman? Accord-ing to Erick Finnestead, principal at SilverCreek High School in Longmont, incomingstudents might have a hard time adjustingto the increased workload and to theplethora of opportunities now available tothem.

“From after school programs to the multi-tude of electives offered and determiningwhat type of academic opportunities theywant to pursue can be overwhelming,”Finnestead says.

Finnestead says it is important for stu-dents to get involved, because researchshows that students who are involved in ex-tracurricular activities often excel in theiracademics. “I would encourage all studentsto take advantage of the many opportunitiesand to keep that focus on their academics.”

It is also important for parents with kidsof this age to stay involved. “At this time inlife they need parents more now than ever,because they are taking that next big step inlife,” Finnestead says. “They are finding outwhat their goals and aspirations are for afterschool and it is important to be there sup-porting them in that pursuit.”

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