Raptor families and friends,

 

Thank you for your continued support of the Raptor Community.  Over the course of the last couple of months Silver Creek has been very busy accomplishing great things.  And, while we experience challenges from time to time, the resilience of our kids, the professionalism of our staff, and the support of the greater Silver Creek and Longmont community always allows us to keep moving forward in a positive direction.

In November our Raptor Activity Booster Club hosted the Dancing with the Silver Creek Stars, fourth edition.  This was a marvelous event which raised over $10,000 to support our athletics and activities.  A big thank you to our dancers and Longmont Dance Theatre Company for the providing the professional support and instruction.  Defending their crown and winning again with their interpretation of Napoleon Dynamite were softball coaches Jason Lathrop (English/SCLA) and Mike Kisor.  These funds will go to improvements on our campus.  Already this year the RABC has helped to replace the impact mats in the large gymnasium.  

I’d like to thank all of our kids for their participation in the PSAT/SAT practice testing.  Results of this assessment have been sent home with information regarding interpretation, study tools, and resources for further preparation.  As a reminder, when kids are college bound the admittance process is, generally, based upon grade point average, standardized test scores, and intangibles such as service, extracurriculars, and contributions to community.  For more information on college please have your child delve into Naviance over the break to take an interest inventory, research colleges, examine scholarships, and take that next step towards post-secondary opportunities.  

As our school has experienced some instances of false reporting, please help be our partner in having a conversation with your child around safety and appropriately reporting issues that may be elevated to proper personnel such as Longmont Police, counselors, and/or our administrative team.  We have a School Resource Officer on staff and Officer Stallings is a great help to many students, providing a welcoming and safe environment to share concerns and receive support.  Our administration will also work hand-in-hand with families and the Longmont Police Department on issues that may arise to provide for a safe school.  We have made terrific gains in safety over several years by creating an inclusive environment, making building improvements, participating in emergency drills, and most importantly having supportive and trained adults in our building that kids can come to in times of crisis.  We will continue to improve in this area and provide the utmost consideration in our emergency response processes.   

Hats off to our Performing Arts Department as they performed three shows of the Madrigal to sold-out audiences.  The Miracle Worker was equally inspiring and our student thespians were magnificent in bringing the story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller to life.  Catch our band concert on 12/13/17 at 7:00 PM.  The recent holiday pops concert by our Orchestra was impressive.  Speaking of impressive, the following students have been selected to all-state choirs and jazz band:

Women’s Choir

• Sonya Shoup

• Kassidy Hauck

• Sophie Gehorsam

Mixed Choir

• Faith Anne Barton

• Taylor Sandal

Men’s Choir

• Michael Giles

Jazz Band

• Michael Potter (Piano)

 

Be sure to catch the upcoming combined concert highlighting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 12, 2018 at 6:30 PM, and stay tuned for more announcements of all-state selections.

Registration will be coming in February.  In 2018-2019 three new courses will be available to students.  Advanced Placement Research will be offered as the second step in the AP Capstone Classes.  Instructional Student Assistant will provide students with the opportunity to co-teach within a class and receive instruction in pedagogy, lesson planning, and the demands of teaching.  Lastly, Cyber Security will be offered and students will engage in the processes of establishing cyber security and mitigating cyber intrusions.  Both ISA and Cyber Security have been developed in collaboration with two students from our Leadership Academy, Parker Nicholas and Connor Hansen, a first for Silver Creek and SVVSD.  Both courses fit the economic need for these career paths, as the teaching and cyber security field will be in high demand in the coming years.

Congratulations to all of our SCLA Seniors who have recently shared their capstone projects at our Open House and SCLA Expo.  From capturing the untold history of Longmont’s Sugar Mill, to Benefit Tournaments/Scrambles for local charities, to assisting with our school construction, to Internships at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, to creating a sustainable Longmont, to providing athletic opportunities for exceptional students; our kids are making a positive difference today in the lives of others.

 

Finals: (Grab and Go Lunches available each day)

12/13 – 5, 6, 7 Release 12:16 PM  (Freshmen Hot Chocolate Party Commons)

12/14 – 1, 2, 3 Release 12:16 PM

12/15 – 4, 8 Release 10:38 AM (Star Wars Day at Silver Creek)

 

Here’s to a holiday season filled with joy and a very happy 2018 to you and your family. Good luck on finals, study hard, and enjoy your Winter break.  

 

Sincerely,

Erick Finnestead