Dear D51 Families & Colleagues,

We hope you had a great week and are looking forward to a well-deserved break! While students are on break, teachers, staff, and admin are still hard at work through this Friday, preparing for the final stretch of the school year, and we appreciate their dedication to our students. 

I was able to stop by a few events this week, even though it was a short week. We had our third meeting with our Strategic Plan Steering Committee on Tuesday night. This group of over 70 family members, community members, and staff have been meeting to help us develop our next Strategic Plan, which will guide our district through 2030. It was really important to us that this plan be co-created with our different stakeholder groups, and I am very appreciative to everyone who has given up their time to be a part of the process. Also, shoutout to the Colorado Education Initiative for facilitating this process, and shoutout to our Board Members who have been in attendance as well.

I was also able to attend the Grand Junction High School Chamber Ensemble Concert last night! Students and their directors performed pieces by instrument group, and then performed as an entire unit. I had the tough job, along with Dr. Christensen from the D51 Foundation and Callie Berkson from Communications, of judging the performances and picking a winner. Shoutout to all of the student performers for their hard work, Mr. Lavadie for putting together a great performance, and all of the families who came out to support the arts in D51!

I was also able to make it out to Fruitvale Elementary today for some pre-spring break fun. The students participated in a Read-A-Thon and raised over $3,500 for their school! As a reward, some of the top readers got to pie the staff in front of the entire school! Shoutout to Principal Galyon and her team for taking some pies to the face like champs, and for promoting reading in a fun way. And shoutout to the FES PTA for organizing the event and supporting our schools.

During my weekly Senior Leadership Team meetings, we take some time to share Good Things that are happening in our lives and Gratitudes. It is important to share what we are grateful for in our jobs and in our personal lives. I want to end this week by saying how grateful I am to be able to serve our wonderful community, and how amazingly beautiful this place we call home is. The Westslope really is the Bestslope. I hope that, as you and your families enjoy Spring Break, that you’ll get outside often and enjoy the outdoor spaces that we have available to us. Let’s not set aside our “More Social, Less Media” mindset while on break. Remember to take time away from the tech and get outside and play a little…or a lot! We’ll see y’all on March 24, ready to finish the final two months of the school year strong! 

CMU Visits Dos Rios
Recently, Colorado Mesa University students visited Dos Rios Elementary to talk about college, career paths, and their experiences. It was a great opportunity for students to ask questions and think about future possibilities! Read more here.

Scenic One Book, One School Movie Night
Scenic Elementary brought a book to life with a special “One Book, One School” movie night! Families gathered to enjoy a screening of “How to Eat Fried Worms,” connecting literacy with a fun, shared experience. Read more here.

Community Hospital Health Care Day
This week, our high school students got a hands-on look at careers in healthcare during Community Hospital’s Health Care Day! From emergency response to diagnostics, they explored the many roles that keep a hospital running. Read more here.

Chipeta Rodeo
Chipeta Elementary received an exciting visit from the CMU Rowdy Wranglers during their 3rd quarter rally earlier today. Read more here.

All-Conference Boys & Girls Basketball & Coach of the Year
Congratulations to our All-Conference basketball players and coaches on their well-earned recognitions! Their hard work and dedication made for an incredible season. Read more here.

Taylor & PHS Art Collaboration
Students from Taylor Elementary and Palisade High School teamed up for a creative art project, where Taylor students drew a personalized monster creation, and PHS students brought them to life as 3D clay sculptures. Read more here.

R5 3rd Quarter Projects
R5 students held their third-quarter project exhibitions today, providing learners with the opportunity to showcase the projects they’ve completed throughout the quarter. Read more here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• District 51 Spring Break—No School
  March 17-21
• 7th & 8th Grade Honor Choir Festival
  March 27, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Moss Performing Arts Center
• CMU TRIO Upward Bound: Your College Crash Course
  March 28, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Colorado Mesa University/Escalante Hall
  Join us for three hours of information, resources, and support! Going to college doesn't have to be scary! Let us help you prepare for the next chapter, wherever it takes you. This Event is for all college-bound students and families, not just those interested in CMU!
• Cesar Chavez Celebration
  March 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Las Colonias Amphitheater
  Join our community for a special Cesar Chavez Day event with vendors, performers, and food trucks. D51’s Access, Opportunity, and Family Partnerships Department will have a booth at the event, so be sure to stop by and say hi!
• District 51 Foundation Brunch & Learn
  April 1, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Harry Butler Board Room in R5 High School
  Are you a member of your school's PTO/PTA/Accountability Team? Or are you interested in getting involved and connecting with other parents? If so, we'd like to invite you to the 2nd Brunch and Learn on Tuesday, April 1, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Harry Butler Board Room for an opportunity to make connections with other schools. Learn more or sign up here. 
• R5 High School Gear Bazaar
  April 4, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and April 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at R5 High School
  Spring is here! It's the perfect time to refresh your outdoor gear—whether you're looking to buy, sell, or trade. Mark your calendars for this event, featuring community vendors, food trucks, and plenty of great finds for the warmer season ahead! More information here.
   

Dr. Brian Hill
Superintendent of Schools
Mesa County Valley School District 51
brian.hill@d51schools.org
970.254.5193