Dear D51 Families and Colleagues,

It has been an eventful week here in District 51! The excitement in our schools is palpable, and it's clear that everyone is working together to make this year another success. From engaging classroom activities to lively extracurriculars, our students are showing a dedication to excellence that is evident across the district. Let’s keep it going! 

This week, I was excited to resume one of my favorite school year activities—meeting with my Superintendent Student Advisory Groups. As I enter my third year as the proud Superintendent of D51, I also enter the 3rd year of this tradition. These groups provide me with the invaluable opportunity to hear directly from our students, who are without a doubt, our most important stakeholders. I met with my FMHS group on Monday, and I met with my GJHS group today. It was great hearing about the pride our students have in their schools and how they value the opportunities that are provided to them during their high school years. I look forward to meeting with the other four groups over the coming weeks and hearing about the great things happening in our schools and what we can adjust to make the student experience even better.

When I asked the students about what is going well, one of the topics they shared with me was the new smartphone policy. Students shared that storing their phones away wasn’t as big of an issue as they thought it would be, and they shared that it is even having a positive impact on them outside of school as they are less tempted to use their phones even when they are allowed to. The students shared this feedback without me even asking, which I thought was great, and it was great to hear the positive impact they are already experiencing after only one month of implementation. As a reminder, this new policy is in full implementation this year and beyond. We are not in a “pilot phase” to test it out. It is now a policy, and it is the expectation in every school. Thank you to our families for supporting our teachers and staff by reinforcing this district expectation with your students so they can enjoy a more robust experience in school and not have to deal with the consequences of violating the policy. More Social, Less Media is the goal, and it’s been great to see and hear the positive response to the changes in our schools.

This week, I was also able to participate in the Patriot Day ceremony at Mount Garfield Middle School. Many of our schools hosted events this week to honor those who sacrificed for our country when we were attacked on 9/11. You can read more about that below, but I wanted to give a special shoutout to Principal Bagwell and the students and staff at MGMS for putting on a great event and for honoring first responders and military at the event. I love it when our community is united around a cause, and it’s a good thing for our kids to be a part of that comradery. 

I was also able to make it out to the Marching Band Extravaganza and the Workforce Development Day this week. Both events highlighted priorities that we hold dear in our district. Supporting the gifts and talents of our students through extracurricular activities, and preparing our students for college, career, and life. The opportunities D51 provides our students are endless, and this week highlighted the importance of those opportunities, once again. Shoutout to our hard working staff who support these efforts for our students, and shoutout to the families who support these opportunities alongside of us, working together to create a stronger D51 and a stronger Mesa County. 

Lastly, I want to thank Dr. Christensen and the D51 Foundation for putting on a great JOY event for our staff this week. The Foundation funds and supports so many initiatives that directly support our students, and they also prioritize events that support the wellbeing of our hard working staff. It was a great opportunity to bring staff together after hours and treat them to food and drink in a relaxing setting that they so deserve. Shoutout to the D51 Foundation for all that y’all do, and thanks to the staff who were able to make it out. We look forward to more JOY events this year.

Hispanic Heritage Month
This Sunday marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15. It's an opportunity to recognize the rich cultural contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latino communities across the United States and here in our own community. District 51 is proud to honor the cultural backgrounds of all our students and works to create an environment where students of all ethnicities can learn together and from one another. You can read our Board of Education resolution here.

Patriot Day Recognition
As the superintendent, I am incredibly proud of our district's commitment to honoring the significance of Patriot Day, which holds meaning for all of us as we can all remember where we were when our country was attacked on 9/11. Across schools in our district, students and staff engaged in heartfelt activities to remember the sacrifices made on this day 23 years ago. Read more here.

Redlands Middle School Honors 9/11 Through Service
In a meaningful tribute to the victims of 9/11, students at Redlands Middle School participated in a community service project this week by organizing a National Day of Service First Responders Care Package Drive. This initiative gave students and staff an opportunity to show their appreciation and support for the courageous individuals who serve and protect our local community every day. Read more here.

Grand Valley Bands Extravaganza
On Wednesday night, District 51 hosted the 28th annual Grand Valley Marching Band Extravaganza. This cherished tradition brings together our four high school marching bands and colorguard to celebrate the dedication, passion, and artistic talent of our student musicians and performers. Each D51 high school band and colorguard showcased its unique style, performing a diverse range of songs as they prepare for upcoming competitions later this month. Read more here.

Workforce Development Day
On Thursday, our District 51 Career & College Readiness Department, along with over 100 community partners, hosted our first district-wide Workforce Development Day for Juniors, and it was a resounding success. Read more here.

Orchard Avenue Bubble Run
The 4th Annual Orchard Avenue Bubble Run happened today and was a joyful and lively event organized by the PTA to raise funds for the school’s art program, garden, school improvements, supplies, field trips, and events. Read more here. 

Be Present. Be Powerful!
September is National Attendance Awareness Month. So, each week, I will continue sharing important attendance facts and tips to help families support their children and ensure they are in school each and every day.

Regular attendance is essential for student success. Research shows that students who attend school consistently are more likely to excel academically and develop the habits needed for success in college and beyond. In fact, studies indicate that by middle and high school, chronic absenteeism—missing 10% or more of school days—can be a significant indicator of potential dropouts. Read more here.

District 51 Foundation JOY Celebration
Last night, D51 staff members came together for an evening of connection and camaraderie at the first JOY Celebration of the year hosted by the D51 Foundation. Held at The Ale House, the event provided an opportunity for staff from across the district to mingle and enjoy appetizers and mocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. As part of the D51 Foundation's ongoing commitment to promoting student and staff wellness, this event highlighted the importance of building meaningful relationships among staff.

The JOY Celebration is the first of three events planned for the year. Upcoming events include a scenic Sweet River Walk and a community service initiative called Sharing JOY with our Community at the Food Bank of the Rockies.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Grand Junction Band March-A-Thon
  September 14, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Grand Junction High School
• M.E.S.A Competition
  September 16, 3-5 p.m. at Fruita Community Center Pool
• Loma Elementary Fall Carnival
  September 20, 4-7 p.m.
• FMHS Homecoming Events
  • FMHS Homecoming Football Game
    September 20, 7 p.m. at Stocker Stadium
• Colorado West Marching Band Festival
  September 21, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Stocker Stadium
  Thirteen bands from across Colorado will kick off their season with performances in front of a seven-member judging panel. This event is open to the public, and spectators are encouraged. Prelim tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors over 60, and veterans. Children under five enter for free. Tickets for Finals are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors over 60, and veterans, with free entry for children under five. For access to both prelims and finals, a combined ticket is available for $28 for adults and $18 for students, seniors over 60, and veterans. Please note that the stadium will be cleared between the two events.

For more events happening across the district, visit:

• Athletics Schedule
• District Upcoming Events

If you have good news to share with us, we'd love to highlight your program, event, story, and more. Please share it with our communications department by emailing communicate@d51schools.org.

 

Dr. Brian Hill
District 51 Superintendent