Elementary School #26, a Core Knowledge school - Planning and Development

School Website

Elementary #26 School maintains a separate school web site [http://e26.stvrain.k12.co.us]. The school's web site makes it easier to communicate news and information to parents. Please visit the web site for more detailed information and events concerning Elementary #26 School.

In addition to the separate school web site, an overview of Elementary #26 School is provided [below]. A similar summary is provided for each school within the District to make it easier to find the same information for each of the District's schools.

Overview

In the fall of 2011, the St. Vrain Valley School District plans to open a Core Knowledge elementary school in the community of Erie. This school, referred to as Elementary #26, will be located within the Canyon Creek Subdivision, on the corner of Meller and Telleen, and is currently in the design process. Construction, human resources, boundary planning, and curriculum development are all underway, to prepare the school for the fall semester of 2011. To receive more information or to provide input concerning the development of Elementary #26, click the appropriate “Provide Input” link(s).

Design and Construction

Building Specs- Designed to LEED standards
Elementary #26 sits on 10 acres of land and will be able to accommodate approximately 600 students. The District is currently reviewing energy efficiencies in partnership with Xcel Energy and the governor’s office. Elements, such as natural lighting, will be incorporated into the educational environment to reduce the new site’s energy use and enhance learning.

Construction Timeline*
Design: Fall 2009 to Spring 2010
Break Ground: Spring 2010
Open to Students: Fall 2011
*Subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen incidents

Design Advisory Group:
Project Manager: John Little
Architects: RB+B Architects, Inc.
Director of Construction: Brian Lamer
District Staff: Includes principals, teachers, maintenance, administration and other stakeholders

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Boundary Planning Committee

The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee (LRFPC) is charged with the task of developing boundary options for new schools for consideration and approval by the Board of Education.

Goals
The general goals of the LRFPC in developing boundary scenarios are written in Board Policy. Many of the goals require a balancing act to achieve and in some cases end up creating conflict. For example balancing enrollments and capacity may create situations with lengthy bus rides for some or crossing significant barriers or complicating provision of necessary programming. Regulation JCAA-R has more information on the guidelines for developing boundaries.

The LRFPC will utilize public input to develop scenarios for Board consideration that, in particular, help reduce capacity impacts at Black Rock Elementary and Erie Elementary while providing an adequate population for Elementary #26.

Timeline
Below are events that have led to the adoption of Elementary #26’s boundaries.

    New boundaries and stakeholder input
  • Community Information Meeting: Held on April 8, 2010, in the Commons of Erie High School, information from area residents was collected to help identify issues and considerations for developing boundaries. No boundary scenarios were created for this meeting.
  • Scenarios Displayed/Feedback Collection: On October 6th, 2010, Erie’s new boundary scenarios, created by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee, were placed on display in all Erie schools and on the District website.
  • Scenarios submitted to BOE: On October 20, 2010, Scenario A, Scenario B, and Scenario C, were submitted to the board for the first time.
  • Community Boundary Discussion: On October 25, 2010, at Erie Middle School, residents were given the opportunity to speak with the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee and other key District personnel about the proposed scenarios, boundary concerns, and transportation issues.
  • Boundaries Decided Upon: On November 10th, at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting, the Board of Education unanimously chose Scenario B as the new boundary for Erie’s newest elementary, Elementary #26. Subdivisions that fall within Elementary #26’s boundary include Canyon Creek, Creekside, Sunwest, Erie Commons, Grandview, and Brownsville.

This decision was primarily based on input collected from Erie residents. Between October 6th and November 10th, residents were given the opportunity to leave feedback on the District’s website, a comment phone line, and multiple locations within Erie schools.

With this decision coming before the District’s open enrollment period, December 1st through January 15th, families can now better prepare themselves for the 2011-2012 school year.

Human Resources

Principal Hiring Criteria

  • Ability to create a safe, purposeful school climate focused on student learning
  • Ability to build strong relationships
  • Demonstrates knowledge and ability to take action to support instructional competence
  • Willingness to act in a learner’s role
  • Ability to be a visionary thinker
  • Unwavering personal integrity

 

Hiring Timeline

  • Principal Hired: On April 14th, 2010, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Mr. Cyrus Weinberger as Principal of Elementary #26, effective July 1, 2010.
    Mr. Weinberger (pictured above) has a BA in Philosophy from Whitman College, has attended Columbia Teachers College for Math and Childhood Development Courses, a Masters in Elementary Education from University of Northern Colorado, and a Masters in School Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
  • Leadership Team Positions Posted: On October 19, the Leadership Team position were posted internally within the District. The postings closed on November 1st.
  • Initial Leadership Team Interviews: On November 9, interviews for the Leadership Team were initiated. The interview process will continue through mid-January, when positions will be decided upon.
  • Leadership Team Announced: On January 20, members of the Leadership Team for Elementary #26 were announced and posted to Elementary #26’s website.
  • Parent Leadership Positions Posted: On January 26, parent positions on the Leadership Team were posted to Elementary #26’s website. Ideally the team would add 3 to 5 parents to the Leadership Team.

Curriculum

Elementary #26 will be implementing a Core Knowledge Curriculum strand, along with a traditional St. Vrain Valley School District Curriculum strand.

Core Knowledge
The Core Knowledge Sequence is an outline of specific content by grade level to be taught in language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science, and the fine arts. The sequence represents a core of shared knowledge that children should learn. The theory behind Core Knowledge is that specific content provides a solid foundation on which to build skills instruction.

Core Knowledge, was started by Professor E.D. Hirsch, Jr., author of Cultural Literacy and The Schools We Need. The content of the Core Knowledge Curriculum is outlined in two books – The Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence and The Core Knowledge Sequence, K-8.

For additional information on the Core Knowledge Sequence visit:

Content Standards
The St. Vrain Valley School District Curriculum aligns with adopted content standards, grade level benchmarks, and concepts and skills in all content areas for every grade level. Specific curricular materials are utilized and aligned with the content standards.

Content Standards are the expectations of what students need to know and be able to do. They also stand as values and content organizers of future skills and essential knowledge for the next generation to be more successful. Standards are not the same as curriculum and learning materials such as textbooks. They are the content understandings and abilities that lead a student to success beyond school.

Curriculum designs and communicates the scope and sequence of concepts and skills students should master within a course or grade level.

With work being done to revise and update the Colorado State Standards by the Colorado Department of Education, St. Vrain Valley School District is currently in the process of revising and aligning the District’s Standards and Curriculum to the Colorado State Standards.

St. Vrain Valley School District Standards
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Educational Programming

In addition to the educational programming detailed above, Elementary #26 will also be offering the following programming opportunities:

District Preschool Program
Families will have the option of a preschool experience designed to enhance kindergarten readiness. The District Preschool Program is family-focused and facilitates child learning in all developmental areas. Creative Curriculum®, a research-based preschool curriculum, will be implemented to create an environment that supports learning through play and discovery in a variety of interest centers. Creative Curriculum® also incorporates appropriate small and large group activities to enhance child development. Progress is observed and documented in all developmental areas.

Full Day Kindergarten Program
Families will have the option of extending their Kindergartener’s half-day experience to include a tuition-based, full day Kindergarten experience. In Spring 2011, prior to Elementary #26 opening in Fall 2011, information will be available describing the program, tuition information, scholarship information and how to apply. Please watch for a Winter 2010 information meeting.

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St. Vrain Valley School District  •  395 S Pratt Pkwy  •  Longmont, CO 80501        (303) 776 - 6200