BV Schools Monthly

Artwork by BV Graduate, Mae Blazer

BV Schools Families,

As we begin a new school year, I keep thinking about our community’s invitation to “Surround Yourself with What Matters.” I believe Buena Vista Schools has an important role in helping our community do just that.

Schools help preserve the relationships, traditions, experiences, and opportunities that matter to families. And we have the privilege and responsibility to build what will matter next for students. That is our work: preserving what matters now and building what matters next.

What does it mean to preserve what matters? Preservation is not about resisting change or holding onto something simply because it is familiar. It certainly does not mean status quo. Preservation is about discernment—recognizing what has value and knowing what is worth keeping.

In education, that includes many things that have stood the test of time: reading deeply, writing well, understanding mathematics, thinking critically, solving problems, learning with and from other people, building relationships, taking responsibility, and contributing to something larger than ourselves.

There is something else we believe is worth preserving: What it means to be young. Our children and teenagers are growing up in a world that can move very quickly. There is pressure to hurry them along—to make childhood and adolescence more productive, more accelerated, and more adult.

We don't believe growing up should be rushed. Young people need time to wonder, play, explore, struggle, make mistakes, develop friendships, be challenged, contribute, and discover who they are becoming. They need time with other people. They need meaningful experiences. They need adults who know them, care about them, and give them room to grow. This does not mean lowering expectations. Quite the opposite. Young people need challenge and responsibility. They need to learn to persevere, solve problems, make good decisions, and treat others with dignity. They need the opportunity to fully experience the years they are living now—not simply prepare for the years ahead.

This belief will shape how we think about learning, schedules, technology, activities, relationships, and the experiences we provide for students from preschool through high school.

Preservation of what matters, matters. But it is not enough. Building what matters next also matters.

This year, we will get to work building what matters next. That means beginning the renovation of our track and field using voter approved bond proceeds along with over $250,000 in grant dollars recently awarded to the district; strengthening how we coordinate support for individual student needs; building more rigorous and specialized pathways for high school students; cultivating the 7 C's so students become more capable and learn to live well together; and strengthening communication with families about student progress, district priorities, and our stewardship of community resources.

Some things we should preserve. Some we should improve. And some we may need to let go of. Our responsibility is to know the difference.

As we begin this school year, we will continually ask:

What matters?

Does this preserve what matters now?

Does this build what matters next?

Thank you for trusting Buena Vista Schools with your children and for partnering with us in their growth. Together, we will preserve what has made our schools strong and thoughtfully build what our students need next—with one enduring purpose: to ensure every student reaches the peak of success.

Lisa Yates

Superintendent

BV Schools

BV Schools will continue a series of short, topic specific sessions related to RESILIENCY that are designed to bring staff and families together to partner in growing resiliency in our students. This next topic is on reducing pressure to rush through the PK-12 years and building the skills that matter to be resilient. Join us for this short 60 minute session that can have lasting impact.

Can't attend? Join a virtual follow up session.

• Teacher Selected to Statewide Fellowship: Robin Fritsch, BVHS English Language Arts Teacher, was selected through a highly competitive process to be part of statewide Policy Fellowship through Teach Plus. Teach Plus provides training in policy analysis, research, advocacy and communications. Read more about this honor to Mrs. Fritsch here: https://coloradobiz.com/teach-plus-names-colorado-educators-policy-fellowship/

• Teacher Selected to Study at Summer Harvard Institute: Sarah Flowers, Social Studies Teacher at BVHS, was selected to study methods of teaching at Harvard this summer. Congratulations on this opportunity. We have such high achieving teachers!

The Board of Education approved calendars for the next two school years. You can find these on the district website and linkable below for printing. In the 2026-27 school year, BV Schools staff will be creating models for the 2028-29 school year that will consider a four day week option. Families will have the opportunity to share thoughts before a decision is made.

Contact Rick Bieterman (rickb@bvschools.org or Shaundra Moss and shaundram@bvschools.org for more information on the Dignitary Program and to get started!

Website: https://bvschools.org
Location: 113 North Court Street, Buena Vista, CO, USA
Phone: 719-395-7000