Superintendent Weekly Update

This week, I was able to attend the Peace Bench dedication at Orchard Avenue Elementary. Shoutout to the GJ Rotary for donating the bench, and shoutout to Principal Dr. Maxwell-Richards and OAE students for sharing why peace matters to them! I was also able to attend the Counselor Appreciation Breakfast at CMU to celebrate and honor our amazing school counselors during School Counselor Appreciation Week. Our counselors do so much to support our students, and they deserve tons of appreciation. Shoutout to Kayla Witzel for your leadership with our counselors.

I was also able to participate in one of my favorite events this week. Grand Junction High School hosted their annual Naturalization Ceremony where we witnessed 39 new American citizens be sworn in by Judge Gallagher. It was a great opportunity for our students to witness this process and hear directly from folks who went through the naturalization process. Shoutout to Principal Sorensen and Ms. McCune and Mr. Whiteford for all of y’all’s work to organize this event.

I was also able to swing by Orchard Mesa Middle School to learn about different topics that our D51 Challenge Program students researched and presented on as part of the National History Day competition. Thanks to Principal Dr. Medved and Ms. Sleigh for creating this opportunity for our students to showcase their skills.

I was also able to visit Wingate Elementary School today after school for a memorial service honoring D51 student Becker Minnick. It was a powerful event filled with songs, shared memories, and the dedication of playground equipment in his honor. Thank you to Principal Schraeder and everyone who helped organize this memorial for one of our own D51 students. Becker will be missed, but memories of his impact live on.

Lastly, I was able to visit Central High School to meet again with my CHS Superintendent Student Advisory Group. I look forward to these opportunities to hear directly from our students, and the students were great at giving me feedback on an important topic. We discussed the current More Social, Less Media work in the district and talked about the pros and cons if we were to possibly move to a K-12 bell-to-bell cellphone ban like we currently have in place at K-8. These discussions are important when we are looking to possibly make changes that would directly impact students. Shoutout to Principal Hayward and the students for being so amazing!

As we continue planning for next year, much of our work right now centers on our budget, the lack of adequate funding for public education in Colorado, and the difficult decisions that come with it. This week in particular has been a tough one, as some of those decisions resulted in position reductions that impact members of our D51 team. These are not abstract decisions on a spreadsheet. They affect real people, real families, and real livelihoods. That weight is not lost on me or our leadership team. Please look for an additional email this evening with more details on budget decisions moving forward.

D51 is strong because of its people, and there is so much to celebrate and be proud of across our schools. I hope y’all will take a moment to read about the great things happening for students across D51, and thank y’all for being a part of the D51 Family.

Dr. Brian Hill

Superintendent of Schools

Mesa County Valley School District 51

brian.hill@d51schools.org

970.254.5193

Kindness Is Contagious Week is almost here, and it has been energizing to see our schools embrace the spirit of kindness, connection, and belonging. From spirit days to student-led activities, schools are planning events that create positive moments and remind us that small actions can make a big impact.

This year, KIC Week is a districtwide effort, bringing together PreK through 12th-grade students and staff around a shared focus on kindness and belonging. You will see KIC spirit days, stickers, and sweatshirts across our schools as visible reminders that kindness matters.

Don’t forget that next Thursday, February 12, is KIC Sweatshirt Day (or wear green day)! If you ordered a KIC sweatshirt from the Communications Department, it will be available for pickup at the administration building starting Monday. If you ordered from our Community Store, our staff is working to deliver them to your child’s school next week, and you will receive an email with additional information.

Peace Benches are part of Rotary’s commitment to service and peacebuilding in local communities. At Orchard Avenue Elementary, this bench will serve as a gentle reminder for students to pause, communicate, and support one another when challenges arise. Shoutout to our Engaged and Supportive Community Partners at the Grand Junction Rotary for helping create spaces where every student feels valued and connected!

On Monday, Orchard Avenue Elementary celebrated the installation of a Rotary Peace Bench, a meaningful addition that supports kindness, inclusion, and belonging on campus. Generously donated by local Rotary members, the bench was unveiled during a short ceremony attended by students, staff, and Rotarians. During the event, students and staff shared how the Peace Bench will help encourage positive relationships and contribute to Orchard Avenue’s welcoming school culture.

Peace Benches are part of Rotary’s commitment to service and peacebuilding in local communities. At Orchard Avenue Elementary, this bench will serve as a gentle reminder for students to pause, communicate, and support one another when challenges arise. Shoutout to our Engaged and Supportive Community Partners at the Grand Junction Rotary for helping create spaces where every student feels valued and connected!

This week, we celebrated National School Counseling Week and the incredible impact our counselors have on students, families, and staff across D51. They are often the steady presence helping students navigate academics, relationships, mental health, and planning for the future. Their work touches nearly every part of a student’s school experience and plays a meaningful role in creating supportive and welcoming environments across D51.

On Wednesday, our counselors came together for a recognition breakfast focused on connection and appreciation. I had the chance to speak alongside CMU President Marshall and share how I see their impact not only as superintendent, but as a parent, including in the experience of my own D51 middle schooler. It was a great reminder of how meaningful and valued their work is.

Huge shoutout to Kayla Witzel, our Counseling Coordinator, for the care and leadership she brings in supporting counselors, schools, students, and families across the district. Her work helps strengthen the systems that support student success every day.

Signing Day represents more than athletics. It reflects years of dedication, discipline, and balance between the classroom and competition. These students have shown perseverance and commitment in their sport while staying focused on their education.

Congratulations to each of our signees and their families. We are proud of y’all’s hard work and excited to see where your futures lead! #WeAreD51

Palisade High School

• Emily Hardin, Swimming, Macalester College (Minnesota)

• Nathan Umberger, Football, Colorado Mesa University

• Branson Springer, Football, Western Colorado University

Central High School

• Isaiah Lemon, Football, Concordia University

• Jaime Padilla, Football, College TBD

• Emma Grabau, Softball, Utah State University Eastern

• Lillyan Bodell, Softball, Otero College

• Chloe Redway, Lacrosse, Warner University

• Lauren Englehart, Softball, Otero Junior College

• Wilson Siegmund, Soccer, University of Evansville

• Gavin Cardova, Baseball, Eastern Arizona College

• Addison Hopper, Track, Nebraska Wesleyan University

• Max Unrein, Football, University of Northern Colorado

• Leila Hoisington, Softball, Otero Junior College

• Colin Black, Golf, Ottawa University Arizona

• Carson Himes, Baseball, Northeast Community College

Grand Junction High School

• Drew Marsh, Football, Western Colorado University

• Ashley Gonzalez, Softball, Colby Community College

I had the privilege of speaking at the ceremony, and it is always a proud moment to be invited as superintendent to help welcome new citizens. Seeing individuals and families reach this milestone is a powerful reminder of the opportunities and responsibilities that come with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the United States. After the ceremony, students had the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from our new citizens, turning the experience into a real-world lesson in civics, perspective, and gratitude.

Thank you to GJHS history teacher Justin Whiteford for sustaining this tradition, to the GJHS Westwinds for their beautiful performance of the national anthem, and to U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher for presiding.

Hosting this event reflects D51’s commitment to real-world learning and to honoring the stories and shared values that strengthen our community. It was a memorable day for all involved!

Last night, our Early Childhood Education program hosted a Family Literacy Night that brought students and families together for an evening of learning and fun. Families visited each classroom to participate in hands-on literacy activities and collect punches along the way. Once their punch cards were complete, students could turn them in and take home a bundle of new books to enjoy!

This year marks our first in our dedicated ECE building, and it has been wonderful to see the sense of togetherness and camaraderie growing among students, families, and staff. Events like Family Literacy Night highlight the strong partnerships we are building with families and our shared commitment to supporting our youngest learners from the very start. A special thank you to Teresa Swanson, our Early Childhood Coordinator, for the care and effort she has poured into this first year to help families feel engaged, connected, and part of the D51 community.

Yesterday, 27 Orchard Mesa Middle School students showcased the results of months of hard work through their National History Day projects. After diving deep into historical research and developing argumentative theses, students presented their learning in one of five formats: paper, performance, website, documentary, or exhibit. Several students have qualified to advance to the regional competition at Caprock Academy on February 21. The top three finishers in each category at regionals will earn the chance to compete at the state competition in Denver on April 25. I’m so proud of the dedication and academic effort these students have demonstrated and wish them the best of luck in the next round!

On Tuesday, the District 51 Board of Education held a Work Session in the Harry Butler Board Room. Read below for highlights from the meeting. To view a recording of the meeting, click here.

RECOGNITIONS

• Black History Month Recognition
  The Board of Education recognized Black History Month, honoring the contributions, achievements, and history of Black Americans.
• National School Counseling Week Recognition
  The Board recognized National School Counseling Week and the meaningful role school counselors play in supporting students’ academic success, well-being, and future planning. Counselors were acknowledged for the steady support they provide to students, families, and staff across the district.

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Effective District Operations

Chief Operations Officer Clint Garcia, Chief Financial Officer Melanie Trujillo, Public Information Office Callie Berkson, D51 Foundation Executive Director Angela Christensen, and Director of Career & College Readiness Cheryl Taylor provided an update on Focus Area 3 of the Strategic Plan, Effective District Operations. The presentation highlighted efforts being done to strengthen systems and processes that support schools, staff, and students, with a focus on effective district operations, resource allocation, and strong community partnerships. These efforts help ensure the district operates efficiently and sustainably while keeping student needs at the center of every decision.

BOND UPDATE

Chief Operations Officer Clint Garcia and Micah Adams with Dynamic Project Management presented an update on bond-funded improvements at Central High School, including progress on planned projects that support safety, learning environments, and long-term facility needs.

BUSINESS ITEMS

The Board took action on the following item:

• Approval of Sale of Career Center Property on Presley Road – Approved

FUTURE MEETINGS

• February 17 – Board Business Meeting, 5 p.m., Harry Butler Board Room
• March 3 – Board Work Session, 5 p.m., Harry Butler Board Room

ADJOURNMENT

With all agenda items addressed, the meeting was adjourned.

• Annual White Iced Celebration
  February 7, 7:30 p.m. at Colorado Mesa University – Meyer Ballroom
  This annual event celebrates public education across Mesa County and honors White Iced Award recipients and Outstanding Academic Growth schools. Guests are encouraged to wear cream, white, silver, and gold and proceeds from the event directly support our D51 students, staff, and schools!