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(43) stories found containing 'flagstaff academy'


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  • Arts Student of the Week: Ian Springsteen

    Gene Hayworth|Nov 8, 2023

    When Niwot High School music students traveled to Europe for two weeks last summer, visiting Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, one of the highlights of the trip for violinist Ian Springsteen was the visit to the Sibelius Academy and the Jean Sibelius house in Finland. Sibelius, who is widely known for his symphonies and tone poems, especially "Finlandia," now ranks among Springsteen's favorite composers. It was an inspirational trip. Springsteen remembers that their group performed in...

  • Niwot High School's Teacher of the Year - Teresa Ewing

    Scott Barto|Jun 28, 2023

    What does it take to be a "Teacher of the Year?" According to the St. Vrain Valley School District Education Foundation, this honor requires someone who is innovative, goal-oriented, a motivator, an expert in their subject, and connects subject material to the real world. Recognition for this title must be made through nominations from students, staff, parents, community members, and other affiliates of the school. Only teachers who are licensed educators in the State of Colorado and employed...

  • Frank Ryder visits NYS basketball practice

    Special to the Courier|Mar 8, 2023

    On Feb. 21, Niwot Youth Sports basketball welcomed special guest Frank Ryder to practice at Flagstaff Academy. Ryder, a Boulder native and former Colorado Buffaloes center, stopped by NYS Coach Jason Christopoulos's practice to share his collegiate and professional basketball insight and experiences with local boys and girls. Ryder spent two years playing for the University of Colorado under coach Tad Boyle before transferring his senior year to the University of Denver. Following his...

  • NYS rec basketball evaluations bring out local youth talent

    Jessica Walker|Dec 7, 2022

    Niwot Youth Sports boys and girls recreational basketball started the season a bit early this year by bringing out players for pre-season evaluations at Flagstaff Academy this past week. Evaluations ran from Thursday, Dec. 1 to Sunday, Dec. 4. New NYS basketball commissioner Micah Hayes and his volunteer coaches were able to use these days to get a first look at their players and help them make competitive and well-matched teams for each division. The Niwot Youth Sports basketball program is...

  • Flagstaff Academy awarded Colorado 'Schools to Watch'

    Alisa Stephens, Special to the Courier|Mar 30, 2022

    Flagstaff Academy's middle school is once again being recognized as a Colorado Trailblazer Schools to Watch by The Colorado Association of Middle Level Education (CAMLE). Flagstaff is the only charter school in the state to hold the Schools to Watch designation, having also received the designation in 2019. Flagstaff, along with 100+ schools across the nation, will be recognized at the National Schools to Watch Conference in June in Washington, DC. The school is a public charter school in...

  • Flagstaff students shine at Regional Science Fair

    Alisa Stephens, Special to the Courier|Mar 16, 2022

    Flagstaff Academy sixth-grader Mandy Roth received the top junior division award, "Best in Show," and also the Office of Naval Research Award at the Boulder County Regional Science Fair on Feb. 26. Roth's submission, "Does Jumping Higher Result in a Dog Landing with More Force?", explores the forces that active dogs are subject to on a daily basis. "I could not be more proud of Mandy," Flagstaff Academy sixth-grade science teacher Boone Starr said. "There were 300 Flagstaff Academy middle...

  • Flagstaff Academy teachers named finalists for Educator of the Year

    Special to the Courier|Feb 23, 2022

    The Colorado League of Charter Schools has named two Flagstaff Academy Charter School teachers as finalists for the 2022 Charter School "Educator of the Year" award. Flagstaff Academy elementary school science resource teacher Stacy Wolff, and sixth-grade language arts teacher Leha Moskoff are two of eight finalists. Wolff is in her 11th year at Flagstaff Academy Charter School as the kindergarten through fifth grade science resource teacher. Wolff teaches an inquiry-based, hands-on science lab...

  • Flagstaff Academy librarian earns 'Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries' designation

    Special to the Courier|Feb 16, 2022

    Flagstaff Academy Charter School Librarian Denise von Minden is the only charter school librarian in the state of Colorado to earn a Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries (HESTL) designation. HESTL is a program of the Colorado State Library within the Colorado Department of Education and funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This designation is granted to recognize outstanding school library programs and librarians. Flagstaff Academy librarian earns 'Highly...

  • Walking in a Flagstaff wonderland

    Jocelyn Rowley|Dec 15, 2021

    The holiday spirit was in overdrive at the inaugural Festival of Lights, a dazzling open-air celebration held at Flagstaff Academy (2040 Miller Drive, Longmont) on Dec. 9. The event featured 20 original light displays created by staff, students, and families using their cars and a variety of decorating styles, ranging from simple and understated, to seasonal mayhem. For Flagstaff Executive Principal Katie Gustafson, the cheerful event was a positive way for the school's community to reconnect af...

  • Think local when considering your year-end giving

    Jocelyn Rowley|Dec 1, 2021

    In 2020, charitable giving rose to an all-time high in the U.S., even as many Americans struggled with uncertainty and disruptions. While that is good news for the nation's non-profit organizations, the unfortunate reality is that much of the bounty went to high profile causes and groups, leaving small and locally-focused charities scrambling to make up for lost fundraising opportunities. As 2021 comes to a close, many of those groups could still use some help to balance the scales. "There are a...

  • Student-Athlete of the Week: Raaghav Agarwal

    Jocelyn Rowley|Oct 20, 2021

    With his varsity tennis season now behind him, Niwot senior Raaghav Agarwal is turning his attention to another type of head-to-head match. This year, he is taking on a key technical role for the Up-A-Creek Robotics' Team 1619, one of the top high school robotics teams in Colorado. Though competition season is still a few months away, Agarwal is excited about the youthful squad, and looking forward to getting back into the arena. "This year, we're going back to in-person challenges, which is...

  • 'In a year where the world made it so hard to connect with each other, we managed to do just that...'

    Jocelyn Rowley|Jun 2, 2021

    Eighth grade graduation is already a celebratory occasion, but for the 93 members of Flagstaff Academy's class of 2021, the May 26 ceremony was also one last chance to celebrate together, after being kept apart for so much of the past year. For co-valedictorian Olivia DeRose, it was also a chance to reflect on some of the unexpected lessons she learned in and out of the classroom. "This year has taught us many things," the future Niwot Cougar said in a speech to her classmates. "Some of these...

  • Flagstaff Academy launches a Dragon digital art gallery

    Special to the Courier|May 19, 2021

    Flagstaff Academy's Elementary and Middle School Visual Arts program is an important component of the K-8th grade public charter school's Core Knowledge Curriculum and one that also provides much joy and inspiration. Now the larger community can enjoy the beautiful artwork Flagstaff Academy students, known as Dragons, have created during this unprecedented school year. In a year when school was online, in-person, and hybrid, one might think art-making might not be a priority and would slow down,...

  • Flagstaff Academy selects new executive principal

    Special to the Courier|Apr 28, 2021

    The Flagstaff Academy Board of Directors announced that following an extensive hiring process which included a review of feedback from stakeholders, Mrs. Katie Gustafson has officially been hired as executive principal of Flagstaff Academy. According to the school, Mrs. Gustafson has been a dedicated employee of Flagstaff Academy for the past 10 years. During that time, she has held the roles of Middle School social studies teacher, Assistant Principal, positive behavior iIntervention and...

  • Earth Day 2021: Restore Our Earth

    Gael Lester, K-2 Principal, Flagstaff Academy|Apr 21, 2021

    Thursday, April 22, is Earth Day, which is celebrated around the world as an opportunity to focus on taking care of our planet, and all of her inhabitants. The theme for this year's Earth Day is how together we have the power to "restore our Earth." At Flagstaff Academy, there are many activities happening that nurture the idea that together everyone in our school community can make a difference in restoring our Earth. The school's kindergarten "Dragons" will be learning about the "3 Rs."...

  • It's not too late! End 2020 on a charitable note

    Courier Staff|Dec 30, 2020

    The COVID-19 pandemic turned life upside down for most of us over the past 12 months, but it was especially hard on the local non-profit community, which saw its donations dry up as traditional fundraising events and activities were postponed or canceled. Fortunately, there's still time to help balance the scales as we count down the final hours of 2020. Among the many provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) passed back in March, was a change to an IRS rule...

  • Colorado Gives Day is around the corner

    Hannah Stewart|Dec 2, 2020

    In 1975, the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation was created as a way to support a nonprofit hospital in West Denver. Since then, it has been renamed the "Community First Foundation" (CFF) and has sought to create change beyond just the Denver Metro. Then, CFF became involved with ColoradoGives.org, an online tool that is a way to connect with and support nearly 3,000 nonprofits around the state. In 2010, CFF and ColoradoGives.org kicked off Colorado Gives Day, which has garnered $355 million in...

  • A Culture of Caring: Flagstaff Academy launches canned food drive

    Special to the Courier|Nov 18, 2020

    In time for Thanksgiving and in the spirit of helping others, Flagstaff Academy, Longmont's pre- K through eighth grade public charter school, is launching a nonperishable food drive to benefit the OUR Center of Longmont. The community service project is a collaborative effort between the school's National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and the PBIS team (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) and part of Flagstaff Academy's Dragon PRIDE Core Virtue and Character Education program. Dragon PR...

  • Flagstaff Academy Smart Start prepares the school for quarter two

    Special to the Courier|Sep 23, 2020

    The old adage advises that when life presents us with lemons, we should make lemonade! This positive attitude has certainly been the case at Flagstaff Academy, which has had a successful start to the 2020-21 school year, and is moving into a hybrid model for the second quarter. Celebrating its 16th year, Flagstaff Academy has provided an all student remote learning environment for the first quarter of school, with onsite Remote Learning Support from Dragon Flight, the school's before and...

  • Preschool should be almost as usual in the fall

    Emily Long|Jul 29, 2020

    The littlest children in the Left Hand Valley will get to have a relatively normal school experience this fall. Childcare was deemed as an essential service in March and some preschool facilities, especially those providing care to children of essential workers, never closed in the coronavirus pandemic. Others have started reopening under smaller classroom restrictions during the "safer-at-home" period. For schools that provide both K-12 education and also preschool, it has taken some time to...

  • Drive-thru graduation celebrates Flagstaff Academy Class of 2020

    Jocelyn Rowley|May 27, 2020

    When SVVSD canceled in-person learning and activities for the remainder of the 19-20 school year, administrators at Flagstaff Academy leapt into action. If the school couldn't hold a traditional graduation ceremony, they still wanted to give the 107 eighth-graders a way to commemorate the occasion with their classmates, even if it had to be from a distance. A few phone calls and emails later, plans for a "very unique" experience to celebrate the Class of 2020 were underway. "We have created a...

  • Flagstaff Academy principal wins leadership award

    Patricia Logan|Apr 15, 2020

    They call her Mama G., but students and teachers at Flagstaff Academy can now refer to their middle school principal as Colorado Charter School Leader of the Year. "I was very excited and totally humbled when I found out about all the nominations and the kind things people had to say," said Katie Gustafson, 39, who has been an administrator at the school for five years and a teacher for five years before that. The award from the Colorado League of Charter Schools recognized Gustafson for...

  • Flagstaff Academy recognizes National School Counseling Week

    Aubrie Tarantino and Laura Karnes, Special to the Courier|Feb 5, 2020

    Flagstaff Academy's mission is to develop students who are equipped to be well-rounded, ethical leaders in the world community with a foundation based in mathematics and science. How does this look in the world of school counseling? Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), National School Counseling Week (Feb. 3-7) highlights the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve academic and...

  • Student of the Week: Davita Bird

    Jocelyn Rowley|Dec 25, 2019

    Davita Bird has always been interested in how things work, so at the suggestion of her mother, an engineer at Seagate, she started exploring the world of computer programming as a curious seventh grader at Flagstaff Academy. Now in her senior year at Niwot High, that curiosity has blossomed into a passion that has her expanding the frontiers of technology. "Computers were always the maximum 'how is this doing anything?' for me," she said. "Without the programming, it's just a hunk of metal. We...

  • Flagstaff students collect Soles4Souls

    Jocelyn Rowley|Nov 27, 2019

    The students of Flagstaff Academy showed that a little Respect can go a long way, after collecting more than 1,000 pairs of new and gently used shoes for Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based charitable organization that distributes shoes and clothing to those in need around the world. Spearheaded by the charter school's National Junior Honor Society, the shoe drive took place during October, when the school was focusing on Respect as a part of their ongoing Dragon PRIDE core virtues initiative....

  • Flagstaff Academy recognized by SVVSD Board of Education

    Sep 25, 2019

    By Violet Oliver, 8th grade Flagstaff student Special to the Courier Flagstaff Academy received some well-deserved recognition on Sept. 11 at the St. Vrain Valley School District board meeting for its recent Colorado Trailblazer award. The Longmont-based charter school received the Schools to Watch Colorado Trailblazer award in late spring of 2019. Schools can apply for this award through the Middle Grades Forum website, and if the application is approved, teams of administrators personally...

  • Flagstaff Academy's pride front and center this year

    Vicky Dorvee|Aug 21, 2019

    Flagstaff Academy (K-12) of Longmont is beginning its new school year with the launch of a unique initiative - a PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavior Incentive System. The school-wide program was created to dovetail with five essential qualities the school will be bringing to the forefront. Dubbed Dragon PRIDE, an acronym for perseverance, respect, integrity, dependability and empathy, these core values will be stitched into every aspect of the school from classroom curriculum to extra...

  • Flagstaff Academy selected as national School to Watch

    Vicky Dorvee, [email protected]|May 15, 2019

    In theory it took a year and a half for Flagstaff Academy to be awarded the national designation of a School to Watch (STW), but in fact the award’s rigorous objectives have been in the works far longer than that. One of only 18 Colorado schools currently holding the title, Flagstaff Academy is also the first and only charter school to have earned the award. The STW program began in 1999 and is administered through the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, and within Colorado is c...

  • Niwot teacher honored by CU-Boulder

    Jocelyn Rowley, [email protected]|May 10, 2019

    Each year, the University at Colorado-Boulder honors secondary educators across the state who go “above and beyond to support students as they pursue their higher education dreams.” This year, one of those honorees is Niwot High computer science teacher Teresa Ewing, who was described by Principal Eric Rauschkolb as a “kid magnet.” “Niwot High is a stronger school as a whole because of Teresa Ewing. She has a passion for computer science education; she really loves kids, and she combines...

  • Families’ love of games creates a great escape

    Dani Hemmat, [email protected]|Apr 12, 2019
    1

    You’re locked in a room, and using only your wits and the wits of your companions, you’ve got to solve riddles, puzzles and clues in 60 minutes to escape. Welcome to the latest craze in fun—the escape room. A physical adventure game that can be set in one room or a series of rooms, escape rooms involve a series of theme-related puzzles and clues that participants must solve in an allotted amount of time in order to win. The locations are typically fictional settings such as dungeons, prison cells or insane asylums. For anyone that likes puzzl...

  • Flagstaff Academy Sends "Burgundy Dragons" VEX IQ Robotics Team to World

    Special to the Courier|Mar 13, 2019

    The Colorado State tournament for VEX IQ robotics took place on Saturday, March 2. Flagstaff Academy had five teams qualify to compete at a state level: three middle school teams and two elementary school teams. After a very dramatic final competition, one Flagstaff Academy middle school team - The Burgundy Dragons - qualified for the VEX IQ World Championships which will take place in Louisville, Kentucky in April. Overall, the teams received the following awards: Burgundy Dragons - Teamwork...

  • Left Hand Laurel – Melinda Coburn

    Vicky Dorvee|Feb 27, 2019

    Flagstaff Academy parent Melinda Coburn became a Dragon Volunteer when her oldest child entered preschool four years ago. Each week Coburn helps kindergarten students with their math and first-graders with reading. Those interactions lead to students learning and feeling cared for. But those are just a couple of examples of how Coburn’s energy, dedication, and kindness are bringing a ripple effect of positivity to the world. Coburn and her husband Sean met in junior high school while growing up...

  • Flagstaff Academy students launch a Green Team Club

    Vicky Dorvee, [email protected]|Feb 14, 2019

    Last school year, a pair of fourth-grade students at Flagstaff Academy in Longmont approached elementary science lab teacher Stacy Wolff to discuss the school’s recycling program. Brainstorming on the subject led to creating surveys to see if other students were interested in helping out (which they were) and with that, the students officially started a Green Team school club. “They were very, very passionate about getting something started,” Wolff said. Twenty-eight students are onboard and r...

  • Flagstaff Academy welcomes 17 new NJHS inductees

    Special to the Courier|Feb 9, 2019

    In an inspiring ceremony on Jan. 31, Flagstaff Academy welcomed 17 new members to the prestigious National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), an international middle school organization that promotes and recognizes scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Flagstaff Academy’s NJHS Chapter is an academic organization that focuses on service projects and helping others. If students are selected for NJHS, they are required to attend all meetings, participate in community service, m...

  • Flagstaff Academy - Where Science and Imagination Takes Flight

    Special to the Courier|Nov 4, 2018

    Now in its 14th year, Flagstaff Academy, home of the Dragons, provides excellence every day for the 900+ community of preschool through 8th grade students. Since the school’s founding in 2005, Flagstaff Academy has built an exceptional educational environment which values developing the whole child through an award-winning Pre-K to 8th Grade Core Knowledge academic program. The curriculum is rich with experiential arts, hands-on science exploration, character education, and innovative t...

  • Good, healthy fun

    Dani Hemmat, [email protected] |Nov 3, 2018

    This Halloween, the ghouls and goblins of Flagstaff Academy will be some of the healthiest trick-or-treaters around town, and also some of the most generous. Flagstaff students are encouraged to take part in an initiative created by the school’s Dragon Wellness Committee. The committee, part of the PTO, created this year’s Candy Climb in an effort to encourage healthy habits and activities. Spurred on by parents Tami Beaton and Jodie Popma, the initiative is a contest to get each student to don...

  • Flagstaff Academy Preschool achieves highest Colorado Shines rating

    Dani Hemmat, [email protected]|Oct 12, 2018

    September 2018 was a big month for Flagstaff Academy Preschool. The program reached its 10th anniversary, and it also achieved a level five quality rating from Colorado Shines. Colorado Shines, a Colorado Department of Human Services and Department of Education free resource, enables families to find licensed programs in their communities that are committed to offering quality services. Using a comprehensive approach to evaluate early learning programs, the organization looks at health and...

  • Rock & Rails Volunteer of the Week: Griffin Harris

    Jocelyn Rowley, [email protected]|Aug 9, 2018

    Thanks to his regular gig as a Rock & Rails gargoyle, Griffin Harris was able to check two major items off his summer to-do list: earn 10 community service hours, and have some fun. “I’m trying to get a rank, so I started doing this to get Boy Scout hours,” Harris said. He is hoping to earn his first and second-class ranks in Niwot Troop 161. “But, I’ve already surpassed 10 hours, so I’m just doing it because I love volunteering here. It’s so fun.” Harris especially enjoys hearing from ap...

  • Photographer Fielder spends day at Flagstaff Academy

    Vicky Dorvee, [email protected]|May 3, 2018

    Forty years of immersing himself in Rocky Mountain majesty and magnificence, countless miles of hiking and skiing to rugged, remote, and idyllic locations, and hours of patiently waiting for the perfect lighting, hues, and wildlife to be present has ensured that John Fielder’s epic images are now synonymous with the wondrous state of Colorado. Fielder spent the good part of last Tuesday at Longmont’s Flagstaff Academy. His initial meeting was with art teacher Natalie Reed’s photography 2 class...

  • Flagstaff Academy teams headed to championship

    Lisa Trank-Greene, Special to the Courier|Apr 7, 2018

    Two of Flagstaff Academy’s fifth-grade teams will be competing in the VEX IQ World Championships, which will take place Sunday, April 29 through Wednesday, May 2, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. One team, the Saphiras, earned the coveted STEM Research Project Award. This award is only given to one team with the best research and application project. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Research Project Award is presented to the team that shares the most effective STEM R...

  • Local firm donates 3D printer to NHS

    Vicky Dorvee, [email protected]|Mar 16, 2018

    Students and staff are ecstatic that local real estate firm, Estate Professionals, recently donated a 3D printer to Niwot High School (NHS). Computer science teacher Teresa Ewing, who was also integral in bringing this wish list equipment to the school, said this donation has been a great way to help build up the school’s technical program. “Programming the 3D printer is a carrot,” Ewing said. “When students complete an assigned project, like their latest one of designing a playground, they ar...

  • Flagstaff Academy says goodbye to two beloved teachers

    Special to the Courier|May 26, 2016

    The end of the school year comes with many transitions and in the case of Flagstaff Academy, Longmont’s public charter school, the students, staff, parents and alumni will be saying goodbye to two beloved and longstanding teachers, Timothy Baldwin and Lisa Wilkins, who are retiring from teaching. Wilkins, one of the original middle school teachers since Flagstaff Academy added grades six through eight in 2007, has been contributing her extensive background in English and American history into t...

  • Flagstaff Academy robotics team unstoppable

    Special to the Courier|Mar 30, 2016

    Flagstaff Academy’s “Up-A-Creek” robotics team, comprised of a number of middle school students and led by middle school technology teacher Teresa Ewing, won the Chairman’s Award - the highest award given at the FIRST robotics national level. This award honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate, and that best embodies the purpose and goals of the FIRST robotics program. The team will also be competing at the national finals in St. Louis, Missouri, from April 2...