Awards Breakfast
On Tuesday, March 24th, Platte Valley School District proudly hosted its annual Awards Breakfast, bringing together staff, administrators, and honored guests for a morning dedicated to celebrating excellence, leadership, and service across our schools.
The breakfast served as a meaningful opportunity to recognize individuals whose daily commitment makes a lasting difference for our students, schools, and community. Award recipients were honored for their dedication, professionalism, and positive impact, reminding us of the strength and character that define Platte Valley.
Today is a reminder that the work we do matters deeply. Our students rise to the level of the expectations, support, and opportunities we provide, and the individuals we honor this morning exemplify what it means to lead with pride, respect, teamwork, self‑discipline, and heart. Each of you plays a vital role in preparing our students for an ever‑changing and competitive world, and we are better because of your commitment.”
Throughout the breakfast, award presentations highlighted the many ways staff members contribute to student success and a positive school culture. The event concluded with heartfelt applause and appreciation for all who make Platte Valley a place where students can grow, learn, and lead.
We extend our congratulations to all award recipients and our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the Awards Breakfast a memorable and meaningful celebration.
SPED Students Gain Real‑World Experience Through Community Partnership
Recently, our Special Education students had the opportunity to step into the community and support Kersey Pizza, where they practiced essential real‑world skills in an authentic work environment. During this experience, students focused on customer service, including taking orders, communicating with customers, and handling payments.
This hands‑on learning opportunity allowed students to apply classroom skills in a meaningful way while building confidence, responsibility, and independence. Interacting with customers and working as part of a team helped reinforce the importance of professionalism, attention to detail, and positive communication—skills that are vital for success beyond middle school.
This experience also serves as an exciting foundation as we look ahead to the possible development of a student‑run coffee cart at Platte Valley Middle School. The knowledge and skills gained through this community partnership will directly support future opportunities for students to continue learning job readiness, financial responsibility, and teamwork in a school‑based setting.
We are grateful to Kersey Pizza for welcoming our students and providing a supportive environment that allowed them to learn, grow, and succeed.
The building continues to grow both inside and out, and the transformation has been truly exciting to watch. The progress made over the break has been nothing short of impressive. Interior construction is now well underway, with work beginning in the future classrooms and office spaces. With the building fully enclosed, crews are making great strides on electrical systems, HVAC, drywall, and other interior features as this project moves confidently into its next phase. We look forward with great anticipation to the completion of the building and our move for the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Platte Valley FBLA Shines at State Leadership Conference
On March 4th, the Platte Valley FBLA chapter attended the State Leadership Conference in Denver and did an outstanding job representing Platte Valley Middle School. Their hard work and dedication paid off, with six students placing in the top four of their respective events and earning the opportunity to represent Colorado at the National FBLA Conference in San Antonio, Texas, this June.
Student Results:
- Brantley Young – 2nd Place, Career Research
- Kade Ellicott – 3rd Place, Agribusiness
- Channing Adams & Josiah Shaw – 1st Place, Exploring Coding and Programming
- Tripp Kelley – 1st Place, Exploring Animation; 3rd Place, Exploring Business Concepts
- Brentlee Braunsworth – 2nd Place, Exploring Parliamentary Procedure (Parli-Pro)
Congratulations to all of our FBLA students on their impressive achievements, and best of luck as they prepare to compete at the national level!
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MS Boys/Girls Track at Liberty Common
4/2/2026, 4 PM – 6 PM
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Boys/Girls Track at Eaton
4/9/2026, 4 PM – 6 PM
Eaton Middle School
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Regular Board of Education Meeting
4/13/2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
131 9th St
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Girls/Boys Track at Highland
4/16/2026, 4 PM – 6 PM
Highland Middle School
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MS Parent/Teacher Conferences
4/16/2026, 4 PM – 6 PM
Platte Valley Middle School
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District Accountability Meeting
4/20/2026, 6 PM – 8 PM
Platte Valley Middle School; Presentation Room
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Girls/Boys Track at Estes Park
4/23/2026, 4 PM – 6 PM
Estes Park Middle School
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Girls/Boys Track at Roosevelt - League Meet
4/28/2026, 3 PM – 5 PM
Roosevelt High School
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Entrepreneurship Fair
4/29/2026, 8:30 AM – 3 PM
Wiggins High School
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Wrestling:
Male athlete: Fabian Lopez
Female athlete: Leah Masden
They both show great sportsmanship on and off the mat. They give 100 percent in the practice room and willing to help their teammates out with anything needed.
Girls Basketball:
8th Grade - A-Team athlete of the month is Emi Trujillo. Her enthusiasm is infectious. She brings a great attitude and positive energy to practice and games every day.
8th Grade - B-Team athlete of the month is Angie Lopez. Angie never misses practice. She handles moving back and forth from the A and B team with a positive attitude. She always is focused and looking to improve.
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Platte Valley Middle School April 2026 Newsletter
Parents, Families and Staff,
I hope you all had the chance to enjoy a relaxing week with family and friends. If you were able to get away for a bit, it would be even better. The weather gave us a great opportunity to recharge and spend some time outside, and I hope everyone was able to come back refreshed.
As we begin the 4th quarter, I want you to know how excited I am about what lies ahead for our staff, our students, and our community. This is the stretch run. This is where the work we’ve put in all year really starts to show. Over the past months, we’ve worked hard to establish what the "Bronco Way" means in our building. It’s more than words on a wall. It’s how we treat each other, how we show up for students, and the standard we hold ourselves to every single day.
Our message to students has been clear: The standard is the standard, and we Chase 100. Not perfection, but the commitment to give our best effort every day and continue to grow. The reality is that many of our students are closer to success than they realize. Sometimes they just need one more push, one more conversation, one more moment where an adult believes in them and challenges them to go a little further. That’s where we come in. This quarter is about helping students finish strong. It’s about keeping expectations high, protecting instructional time, building relationships, and reminding students that they are capable of more than they think.
Every interaction matters. Every class period matters. Every day matters. Let's go the extra mile and make a difference! When you look over your shoulder to see who is there, you should see all of us, all in every day!!
We have the opportunity over the next several weeks to help our students cross the finish line with confidence, pride, and a sense of accomplishment. When they succeed, our school succeeds. When our school succeeds, our community feels it. Thank you for the work you do every single day. I know the impact you make is real, and I’m grateful to be on this journey with all of you.
Let’s make this 4th quarter one to remember.
Because here at Platte Valley…
I Am Because We Are, PLATTE VALLEY
Yours in Education,
Mike Green, Platte Valley Middle School Principal
As part of our continued work to support students in their transition to middle school, Platte Valley Middle School has been intentionally refining expectations and norms to help students successfully move from Colts to Broncos.
This transition represents more than a name change—it marks an important step in student growth, responsibility, and leadership.
Through staff collaboration and reflection, we have developed updated student norms that clearly define what it means to be a Bronco. These norms are designed to support academic success, positive relationships, and personal responsibility as students navigate the increased independence and expectations of middle school.
At the heart of this work, we have identified seven core values we believe are essential for student success—both inside and outside the classroom. These values will guide our daily practices, decision‑making, and interactions, helping students develop the skills and character needed to succeed academically and contribute positively to their school community.
By intentionally aligning our expectations, language, and support systems, we are creating a consistent and supportive environment where students understand what it means to represent Platte Valley Middle School with pride and purpose. This shared vision empowers our students to grow as learners and leaders as they fully step into their role as Broncos.
Our Motto:
“I Am Because We Are — Platte Valley.”
At Platte Valley Middle School, we believe every student and staff member contributes to the success of our school community. The following norms and non-negotiables define The Bronco Way and represent the standard we hold ourselves to every day.
The Standard is the Standard — Chase 100.
Respect - We treat everyone with dignity and kindness.
- Listening when others speak
- Using respectful language
- Following directions the first time
- Respecting school property and learning spaces
Be an Active Learner - Learning requires participation and effort.
- Engaging in class discussions and activities
- Asking questions when you need help
- Completing assignments to the best of your ability
- Giving your best effort every day
Accountability - We take responsibility for our choices and actions.
- Owning mistakes and learning from them
- Completing work on time
- Accepting feedback and working to improve
- Making choices that support learning
Be Prepared- Prepared students are ready to learn and succeed.
- Bringing necessary materials to class
- Being on time and ready to begin
- Staying organized
- Completing required work on time
Integrity- We do the right thing even when no one is watching.
- Being honest in your work and actions
- Treating others fairly
- Demonstrating strong character
- Following school expectations
Everyone Is Loved, Appreciated and Valued - Every person in our school community matters.
- Including others
- Supporting classmates
- Celebrating differences
- Creating a welcoming environment for everyone
Stay in Class to Learn (Value Time)- Instructional time is valuable and must be protected.
- Being present and engaged during class
- Minimizing unnecessary hallway time
- Respecting learning time for yourself and others
- Using time productively
These expectations are essential to maintaining a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment.
At Platte Valley Middle School:
- Respectful behavior is expected at all times.
- Students are expected to actively participate in learning.
- Students are responsible for their choices and actions.
- Students must come to class prepared and on time.
- Academic honesty and integrity are required.
- Every person will be treated with dignity and respect.
- Instructional time will be protected by remaining in class unless given permission
Our Commitment:
At Platte Valley Middle School, we commit to living The Bronco Way every day by:
- Respecting others
- Taking ownership of our actions
- Valuing Learning for Everyone
- Supporting one another
- Striving to improve daily
Because: “I Am Because We Are — Platte Valley.”
The Standard is the Standard. Go the extra mile every day for success.
CHASE 100.
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Being Here: Student Attendance, Did You Know, State Budget and School Finance. While for students the end of the year may seem a long way off, there are now only 34 days of school remaining in the 2025-2026 school year. I share this with our families, community, and staff not because we are “counting down” the remaining days, but as a reminder we only have a limited amount of time in this school year to continue to work with students to help them grow. Platte Valley’s student attendance continues to be a bright spot for the District, an indicator of the commitment our students and families have to continued growth, improvement, and education. During the 3rd quarter our elementary currently had a 94.1% attendance rate, middle School 94.3%, and high school 90.6%. We recognize we cannot completely control student attendance. Students get sick, have appointments, and have a myriad or reasons they may miss. However, it is important to remember students cannot learn, grow, and achieve if they do not show up. This may be simple, but it is true. We appreciate our families’ efforts to help ensure our students continue to show to learn and grow. We want to see them here, we want to educate our students!
Did You Know – Student Fees and Admissions. One of the questions we get from time-to-time is related to charging a fee to participate in athletics or why we charge admission for the various events we hold. It is a fair and legitimate question. Student activities which includes athletics, the arts, music, and many other events are an important part of a student’s educational experience. We know and recognize that the more students are involved in the wide array of activities we offer the more likely that academic success is to follow. Additionally, there are a tremendous amount of skills obtained from these activities, the Success Skills we believe strongly in incorporating in the classroom as well, that are beneficial for students. However, these programmatic offerings are also incredibly expensive to operate. Our goal is not to make money off of these programs, however we need to be able to balance the need to offset some operations while working to ensure we can maintain accessibility for all who are interested. Below are financial associated with the operations of middle and high school athletics only for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and current year through February. You will notice the District operates at a significant loss in offering these programs.
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 To Date Through February
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Category
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Revenue
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Athletic Fees
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$20,123
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Athletic Gate
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$30,823
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Total Revenue
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$50,946
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Expenses
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Salaries (Does not include AD administration or office staff)
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$184,823
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Benefits (PERA, Medicare)
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$43,672
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Purchase Services
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$42,604
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Supplies
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$17,932
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Non-capital Equipment
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$1,720
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Transportation Salaries
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$37,613
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Total Expenses
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$328,364
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Net Loss
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$277,418
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Category
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Revenue
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Athletic Fees
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$27,741
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Athletic Gate
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$30,937
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Total Revenue
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$58,679
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Expenses
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Salaries (Does not include AD administration or office staff)
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$246,537
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Benefits (PERA, Medicare)
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$59,280
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Purchase Services
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$99,608
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Supplies
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$26,059
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Transportation Salaries
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$56,402
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Total Expenses
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$487,886
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Net Loss
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$429,207
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Category
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Revenue
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Athletic Fees
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$25,279
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Athletic Gate
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$37,083
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Total Revenue
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$62,362
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Expenses
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Salaries (Does not include AD administration or office staff)
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$225,036
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Benefits (PERA, Medicare)
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$53,782
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Purchase Services
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$94,415
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Supplies
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$24,342
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Transportation Salaries
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$59,559
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Total Expenses
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$466,609
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Net Loss for 2023-2024
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$404,247
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State Budget and School Finance. The state’s March Economic Forecast was released on March 19th. The economic condition has worsened as expected. Non-partisan legislative council staff (LCS) showed a decrease of $642 million in the general fund compared to December. Due to already being in a situation below the TABOR limit, this is a direct dollar for dollar hit to the state’s budget. Based on the LCS projections, the budget deficit is now projected to be $1.47 billion. The projection puts the state with a 6.5% reserve level at the end of the 2026-2027 fiscal year, less than half the 15 percent statutory requirement. Additionally, state education fund revenues are projected to decrease 5.3% in fiscal year 2025-2026, leading to a likely pause in the phase-in of the new finance formula. Finally, LCS staff noted an elevated risk of recession due to growing conflict in the Middle East.
The governor’s office budget had a more stable outlook than LCS staff, in addition to a lower deficit. This is based on the plan for the sale of Pinnacol Assurance totaling $400 million, one-time revenue that does not seem to have legislative support at this time. Finally, I have also learned that the JBC opted to accept the governor’s office budget in-lieu of LCS. This is more optimistic, however has a number of structural issues connected with it such as the aforementioned Pinnacol sale and is more suspect to a mid-year rescission.
JBC Stress Test Memo. On February 20th the non-partisan Joint Budget Committee (JBC) staff provided an analysis to the JBC to provide a longer-term analysis for the state’s general fund. The stress test used three different baseline economic condition scenarios through 2029-2030: (a). revenues and expenditures without a recession, (b). a moderate recession resulting in a 6.6% reduction in general fund revenues, and (c). a severe recession resulting in a 13.2% reduction in general fund revenues
The stress test assumed general fund obligations align with current law for the “big 6” which includes:
- Medicaid/Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and its population plus inflation, plus 2% inflationary growth,
- K-12 education and the implementation of the new finance formula (1448), assuming a two year pause in the implementation, and inflation plus population growth,
- Higher Education and Human Services growth of inflation plus population growth plus 1% inflationary growth.
- Corrections and Judicial which also is based on inflation plus population growth similar to K-12.
Using the assumptions stated above, the non-partisan JBC staff projects the state’s general fund to be depleted by 2029-2030 in the case of no recession and depleted by 2026-2027 in the case of a moderate recession. Finally, I will note that HCPF is facing cuts recommended by JBC for the 26-27 fiscal year to maintain the specified inflation plus 2% inflationary growth, plus population growth. Those cuts include a reduction in bed availability to serve health conditions through Medicaid and a reduction in paid hours to home caregivers to care for individuals with disabilities from 80 to 56 hours per week.
School Finance. A number of K-12 cuts are being discussed to potentially include:
- A change to count SOT collections from MLO and Bond Overrides as part of local share – This would allow the state to include approximately $200 million in additional local contribution, equally decreasing state contribution. For Platte Valley this would equate to approximately $250,000 in reduction. I liken this to the state using a portion of our MLO to count towards our school finance total program.
- A delay in the implementation of the new school finance formula – This would save the state approximately $75 million and was an agreed upon option with K-12 if the state was placed in a position where it had budgetary issues.
- A change from the current 3 year averaging (26-27) to 2 year averaging – This would save approximately $49 million.
- Cutting grants administered by CDE, with an undisclosed amount in potential savings.
Yours in Education,
Jeremy Burmeister, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
“The average ones will do it some of the time. The good ones will do it most of the time. The great ones will do it ALL the time.” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actor, professional wrestler, and former Division 1 football player.
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