Latest news with #ValleySchoolDistrict
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
St. Vrain Valley schools send seniors off with well wishes at graduation ceremonies
Seniors across the St. Vrain Valley School District tossed their caps to the sky and looked toward the future at commencement ceremonies this weekend. On Saturday, the district celebrated its graduates with ceremonies at Longmont, Silver Creek, Skyline, Niwot, Lyons, Mead, Erie and Frederick high schools. The district graduated about 2,300 seniors this year, including 519 who finished with a 4.0 GPA or higher. Around 200 seniors were on track to earn a Seal of Biliteracy, which demonstrates proficiency in English and another language, by graduation this year. At Skyline High in Longmont, the school's athletic field area hosted the ceremony for the class, which included roughly 250 graduates. Family members and loved ones cheered them on from the sidelines while Skyline Principal Anthony Barela addressed the students. Skyline graduates walk over to the field on graduation day Saturday. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer) 'You are capable, prepared and needed in this world,' Barela told the graduates. 'Pursue your goals boldly. Live with purpose, and never stop learning.' Barela congratulated the Skyline class of 2025 for securing over $2.1 million in scholarships. 'You leave behind a legacy of excellence, and I am beyond proud of each and every one of you,' he said. Skyline students were recognized for their involvement in school activities such as the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, and the Pathways in Technology Early College High School program. Assistant Principal Greg Stephens also asked a few graduates to stand and be recognized for enlisting or intending to enlist in the U.S. military. 'Thank you for your commitment and your service,' Stephens told them. In Lyons, a few dozen graduates experienced an intimate ceremony with Lyons Middle Senior High School staff. Each graduate was praised by a faculty member for the unique skills and qualities they brought to the school. The Lyons Lions class of 2025 celebrated graduation at John Johnson Field on Saturday. (Courtesy of Caroline Chutkow / St. Vrain Valley Schools) With the Lyons foothills behind them, the graduates listened as their peers advised them on how to make the most of their futures. 'I firmly believe that every person holds within them millions of passions, and they simply haven't yet discovered them,' student speaker Scarlett Voss said. 'By trying new things and traveling to unfamiliar places, we open our eyes to an entirely new world.' Graduating student Matthew Carter talked about the literal and metaphorical mountains, or challenges, he conquered during his time at Lyons High. 'Life always gives me mountains,' Carter said. 'Whatever you do, just put on your boots and start hiking.' Wyatt Saunders, Lyons High valediction, told his classmates they were able to overcome the hardships of high school — from wildfire to calculus tests — together. 'Because of these challenges, this moment is a testament to our commitment to success,' Saunders said Saturday. 'The challenges we have faced have shaped us, but it is our future that will define us.' CLASS OF 2025 VALEDICTORIANS AND SALUTATORIANS ErieJenna Noble and Avery Spinner, valedictorians; Cloe Pereira, salutatorian FrederickRyan Brown, valedictorian; Sage Mares, salutatorian LaunchED Virtual AcademyDanica Moen, valedictorian; Wynson Easley, salutatorian LongmontJacoby Barber, valedictorian; Anya Wieder, salutatorian LyonsWyatt Saunders, valedictorian; Hadley Larson, salutatorian MeadReese Ormsby, valedictorian; Elena Freed, salutatorian NiwotBenjamin Gabrielson, valedictorian; Mohi Bauer, salutatorian Silver CreekBrooklyn Baum, valedictorian; Lorielle Vincent, salutatorian SkylineNatalie Shaeffer, valedictorian; Eleanor Legg, salutatorian St. Vrain VirtualAidan Dodge, valedictorian; Luca Fowler, salutatorian New MeridianPatricia Melanson, valedictorian; Jonathan Fisenko and Wylie Leigh, salutatorians
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public invited to open house at new Moline-Coal Valley School District admin offices
The community is invited to an open house and tour of the new administrative offices for the Moline-Coal Valley School District from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the Moline Education Center, 1900 52nd Ave., Moline. In August 2024, the District's administrative staff moved from Allendale, a large three-floor home built in 1906, and united on a single floor with increased office and meeting room space that promotes staff interaction and collaboration. Functioning as an administrative support center, the new Moline Education Center provides a central location for professional development, parent meetings, and a new space for Board of Education meetings. The central Moline location allows for easy access for parents and the community. With room to grow, the new center will improve the flow of operations and the service the district provides to its customers and community for years to come. About the move from AllendaleAllendale has been slated for discontinued use for over fourteen years, as outlined in both the 2010 and 2021 versions of the District Long-Range Facility Plan. According to the plans, the building was to be vacated and sold once a suitable alternative location was identified. Allendale was donated to the district by the Allen family in 1930. For the past 94 years, the district has honored that gift well. However, while beautiful as it may be, the 118-year-old building is not ADA-accessible and remains incredibly costly to maintain. The district has plansto sell the Allendale building in the coming months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
25-02-2025
- CBS News
Families pulling children out of Seneca Valley School District amid claims of racial harassment
Parents in the Seneca Valley School District are speaking out, saying that the district is not doing enough to address racial bullying and that's leading to some taking drastic measures, including moving out of the district. Some of those families said they didn't have a choice but to make what is a tough decision. On a weekday afternoon, instead of being at school, the Latham children were at home with their parents. "Just this past Tuesday, we notified the school that these kids won't go back," said Amanda Razzano-Latham. Razzano-Latham and Kevion Latham said their three children have been subjected to racial slurs and discrimination at the Seneca Valley School District for years. "Now it's come to the fact that they will not do anything so I have to take my kids out of school," said Kevion. They sent an email to the district last week pointing to racial harassment, emotional trauma, and the district's alleged, repeated failure to protect their three children. Their son Adrien is a third-grader at Ehrman Crest Elementary and said that kids were calling him "the N-word, monkeys" and other offensive names. The Lathams said Valentine's Day was the last straw when their fifth-grader Aveana, who was enrolled at Ehrman Crest Middle School, had an encounter with her classmates. "When they call us and ask for the N-word pass, I'm like, there's no reason to just say that in the middle of class," Aveana said. According to a July 2024 letter from the school district's attorney, "The district has investigated all allegations of racial comments directed at Amare and Adrien and where appropriate, has implemented its student disciplinary policies." One of the six incidents mentioned involved racially-charged text messages sent to Amare's phone from his basketball teammates last year. It's an outside team not related to the school, but several players are in the district. "I'm scrolling and looking at the text messages and it went from negro to you can only cook fried chicken, go get back in the field and pick cotton to you're a monkey," said Kevion. The letter said the district has a restorative practice session with the students and their parents. In another incident at school, Amare said he was called a monkey by the same students in the group chat. The administration interviewed and instructed them on the history of the word monkey and its negative impact in addition to disciplinary action. It turns out, the Lathams aren't the only ones. Other parents tell KDKA their children of color have also experienced racial bullying and harassment, saying their children dreaded going to school. At the end of last school year, Amy Millward removed her 17-year-old from Seneca Valley High School and said she plans to do the same with her 13-year-old who is in the 7th grade. "When you're at one of the biggest school districts in Western Pennsylvania and I can count on one hand how many teachers or faculty, it's not diverse at all up there, and they are doing nothing to make these children feel safe," said Millward. We reached out to the district and in an email response from the district, a spokesperson said they take every report of racism, bullying, and discrimination seriously and it's not tolerated in schools. They also said any claims that it condoned or failed to address reports of racial bullying are inaccurate. "I am not pegging the school district that they're all racist," said Carmen Garcia. Garcia said she believes that every case is different. She has two children in the district, one in the middle school and the other at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School. She said they've also had negative experiences but she doesn't plan on transferring out. "My kids are like, 'Whatever, they're ignorant, they're dumb,'" she said. "I think there should be more programs [to address it]." The school district declined a request for interview with the superintendent and directed us back to their statement. "We have and will continue to investigate every complaint we receive involving racism, bullying, and discrimination," their statement read. "When violations of our policies are confirmed, appropriate action will continue to be taken." "Many of the white friends and family we have are shocked to hear this is what's happening and it's all quiet," said Amanda Razzano-Latham. "I've asked Seneca Valley, I've pleaded with then, we are friends, we are good community." The Lathams have said they're taking legal action against the district and in the meantime, their children are enrolled in cyberschool.
