An idea to showcase St. Vrain Valley School District’s many programs began in Berlin and has morphed into a parade that will march down Main Street on Sept. 7.
The first Public Education parade idea was born after Carrie Adams, program director at Silver Creek Leadership Academy, attended the Global Leadership Summit in Berlin a few years ago. She was there with a group of students and ran into Superintendent Don Haddad. The two took the opportunity to brainstorm on some ways to highlight student leadership and the many programs within the district.
Adams took the idea and introduced it to the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council during several leadership workshops.
“We also discussed some of the current feelings in our country regarding public education and what it is and what it isn't. The idea of a "big event" and a "celebration" morphed into the parade. The success of the Boulder County Fair Parade and the idea of the schools coming to the public made a parade a great way to celebrate. Who doesn't love a parade,” Adams said.
Two students from every SVVSD high school were nominated by their principals to participate in the 18-student planning committee.
“This allowed a great student voice and a voice from every feeder system to showcase their unique opportunities,” Adams said. “The students have worked tirelessly with support from staff to create and finalize the parade logo, manage logistics, and brainstorm ideas for giveaways. They’ve been instrumental in every step of the process, from creating save-the-date forms to coordinating parade entries.”
Each feeder system was allowed three entries in the parade to showcase programs that resonate with the feeder system. For example, Mead will celebrate its “Mead Reads” project, programs that focus on future professionals and helping students select a career path. Niwot’s feeder system is focusing on how its IB program works in the elementary, middle and high school levels and Silver Creek’s system will highlight its dedication to developing future leaders at all levels.
The parade will have over 55 entries highlighting the many programs SVVSD offers including special programs from the Innovation Center and the Career Elevation and Technology Center. Other entries include a Mariachi band, a peak into some P-TECH programs and three marching bands made up of combining students from area high schools.
The Grand Marshall from the parade is Acadia Gurney, the 2024 Teacher of the Year. Gurney is a seventh-grade math teacher at Sunset Middle School.
“Ms. Gurney always tries to make the math that she is teaching relevant to real-life situations. She loves to answer questions about why and when we would use this kind of math in real-life situations, when other teachers would shy away from that,” a nominating student shared with the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation.
Tim Garcia, principal at Red Hawk Elementary School will be the announcer for the event. He will be located at the announcer’s table outside of the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce office at 528 Main St.
The parade route will follow the same path as the Boulder County Parade beginning at Roosevelt Park and heading south on Main Street. The parade will turn east on Kimbark Street and north again on Coffman Street. It will end again at Roosevelt Park. It will begin at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7.
“Allowing the community to see all the amazing programs and opportunities available to all St. Vrain Valley Schools students in one place is a great thing," Adams noted. "This parade lets the community see the span and scope of the work the school district does. It shows a powerful partnership between the schools and the community members,” Adams said.
