The inaugural Bravo! Junior award was awarded to Anderson Frazier, a 3rd grade student at Riverview Elementary. Anderson was nominated by Megan Krischke whose children also attend Riverview. She nominated Anderson for his kind and encouraging action.

Durango 9-R shined the spotlight on Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary and Shared School at the Board of Education meeting on September 19th. Principal Karen Gray, who oversees both schools, welcomed seven staff members and four students from the schools to be recognized in front of the board.

An action in this year’s Teaching and Learning Plan is to convene a Personalized Competency Based Learning (PCBL) Team. As the district continues to evolved its instructional practices to support personalized learning based on individual competency, it is critical to have parents and our community involved in this process.  To that end, we are seeking representatives of each school and stakeholder group.

AVID students from Durango High School got the college experience attending a lecture given by Professor of Physics & Engineering Dr. Ryan Haaland on September 13th.

Needham Elementary has made a request to receive Title I funding this year due to identified high needs in the school. If approved, this waiver would allow Needham to receive Title I funding, despite not meeting the requirements for it last year.

Durango School District 9-R is well-known for its innovative, healthy and delicious school meal program. First, the district introduced the Farm-to-School program, working with local farmers and ranchers to put the best, local fresh produce and meats on the tables for students. Nutrition Services then received a grant to bring new salad bars to our all the schools, bringing fresh local fruits and vegetables to an unlimited salad bar option in all schools. Then, the district launched its distribution center, a first of its kind in the region, making Farm-to-School options more easily available to surrounding, rural school districts. Last year, in partnership with the Durango High School DECA/Marketing class, the Nutrition Services Department launched an innovative, hybrid model for grab-n-go breakfasts and lunches at its Demon Deli.

A quick reminder to all families that 9-R schools are closed tomorrow, Monday, September 11, 2017 for staff professional development opportunities.

The Durango 9-R Board of Education has three open seats for the election in November.

Intermountain West and Pacific Northwest wildfires are affecting local air quality. If smoke is thick or becomes noticeably thicker in your area you should remain indoors or if possible seek out locations where air is filtered. Unusually sensitive people throughout the region should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

A few years ago, 9-R introduced the BRAVO! Award program for staff, which was a fun and easy way to recognize all the great work our staff does daily for our students, families and schools. To build upon the success of that program, Durango School District 9-R is also celebrating our amazing students with the BRAVO! Junior Award program.