Raptor Families,

            With first semester all but in the books at this point, I would like to take the opportunity to share with you several of the events currently occurring at Silver Creek High School.  While our first semester brought some new challenges, we have also experienced unprecedented successes amongst our students and faculty.

            Hear ye, Hear ye…  Get your tickets early next year as the annual Madrigal Festival sold out all performances in a matter of hours, and we assure you that no ticketing bots were used to secure tickets.  Our performing arts department produced a splendid show highlighting the contributions of our students in choir, orchestra and band.  This success has translated into having 7 students selected to the All-State Choir and 4 students selected to the All-State Band.  Stay tuned this Spring as the Silver Creek Theatre Company performs Beauty and the Beast. 

            Silver Creek was recently approved to offer the AP Capstone Program.  This two-year program affords students the opportunity to participate in AP Seminar and AP Research Classes.  If students successfully complete and perform in these two classes and fulfill the requirements of successfully passing four AP exams, they will be awarded an Advanced Placement Diploma.  The two courses focus on cultivating students’ ability to examine multiple viewpoints, perform educational research, write an extended research paper and defend their viewpoint amongst a panel.  For more information please visit:  https://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/ap-capstone

This is an introductory AP class and is accessible to students wishing to participate in other AP classes.  We plan to offer Seminar to 10^th and 11^th grade students in 2017-2018. 

            Silver Creek Bond construction planning in underway.  We have been examining areas of the school that may be impacted by construction.  Our initial design undertook the redevelopment of the C Wing from 9 to 16 classrooms.  Due to growing population within our feeder system we are also examining other potential areas where classrooms may be added.  The most important facet is that we design classroom spaces that are conducive to learning, meet the needs of curricular programming and accommodate for the population growth we are experiencing.  We will be working throughout the spring on construction plans and will share with you the final designs, once available.  Should you have an interest in this area, please reach out to me as we will be having public input during the process.

            First semester grades will be posted to Infinite Campus, at the latest, on January 7, 2017.  We take this extra time to allow for a meaningful final and to allow teachers to provide appropriate feedback upon the final.

            Hats off to our SCLA students for their presentation at the Capstone Expo night.  Boys’ and Girls’ basketball are off to hot starts, both being ranked  in the top 10.  Congrats to the 200 juniors who gave up a late-start to participate in our SAT practice exam.  Well done to our We the People team taking 4^th in the state of Colorado at the annual competition.  Congrats to Ms. Tobias for being selected into the IREX International Educator’s Consortium. 

            Keep up the great work Raptor Nation!  Your hard work, perseverance and determination have established a world-class school!  Have a wonderful winter break and let’s make 2017 the best year yet at Silver Creek.

Sincerely,

Erick Finnestead