Graduation Rate. Platte Valley High School’s graduation rate for the class of 2025 was officially over 95% once again. This continues to be one of the highest in northern Colorado and compares to the state’s 84%. This is a total team effort beginning in preschool and culminating with the work that takes place in high school. Once again Platte Valley demonstrated our commitment to kids and Pursuing Excellence for All: For Every Student, Every Day!
Attendance is an incredibly important aspect in the success of our schools. Simply put, if we do not have students attend on a routine and regular basis they miss out on academic growth. It is why school attendance is one of the most important data items I look at. First semester attendance was very strong across Platte Valley with the Elementary at 95%, Middle School at 94%, and High School at 91%. We routinely have one of the highest attendance rates in the state because of our emphasis on the importance of being at school and our community’s support for public education.
Honor Roll. 49 high school students, or 15%, earned straight A’s during the 1st Another 80 high school students, or approximately 24%, earned A’s and B’s during the 1st Semester, a total of 129 students, or 39%, earned all A’s and B’s throughout the 1st Semester. 29 middle school students, or approximately 11%, earned straight A’s during the 2nd quarter Another 68 middle school students, or just over 25%, earned all A’s and B’s during the 2nd quarter, a total of 82 students, or 36%, earned all A’s and B’s throughout the 2nd quarter.
Completion of Central Office – Promise Made, Promise Delivered. Platte Valley staff were able to move into the new central office during the winter break. In 2024 we made a promise to Platte Valley School District that if we passed a bond to address the construction of a new middle school and identified capital projects we would then, and only then, use existing finances in hand to build a new central office. The new central office was needed to address the following: (1) accessibility for all patrons to meet with district staff, (2) reorganize technology staff into the new central office, and (3) reroute our district's fiber infrastructure to be housed out of the central office. We were transparent from the beginning on the size, purpose, and design of the new central office. We have fulfilled that promise, nothing more and nothing less. It is part of our continued commitment to our community, to follow through on what we say we will do. We have worked to be practical, prudent, and deliver a facility our community will be proud of and be able to use. Now, after construction is complete, the District is eager to share the project was completed right on budget and two weeks ahead of schedule.
Hazen Weber Commits to York University. Platte Valley senior Hazen Weber will be continuing his baseball career next year with his commitment to York University in York, Nebraska.
Logan Vannest 100 Wins. Platte Valley junior wrestler picked up his 100th win this winter as he continues to work towards his goal to a wrestling state championship.
Winter Weather Reminders. Winter has officially finally hit! The last week of January finally brought a little snow and colder temperatures. A reminder to our families and community our goal is always to have school. We take a number of considerations into account when making these decisions which include: road conditions, buses and their ability to start and run during inclement weather, wind chill, timing of weather, and many more. When storms are forecasted we make the best decision possible at that time on whether to call school the night before or wait to make a decision early in the morning. Myself, our CFO/COO Justin Decker, and head mechanic Kenny Stutts get up between 3:30 and 4:00 am to drive and check roads if/when necessary. We will do what we can to have school, however if weather warrants it we will either do a delayed start or cancel. When we have delayed start or cancellation we will send out direct communications through Edlio, our website, and our Facebook page. We will also communicate with CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox News in Denver. Please help us ensure your child is prepared and dressed appropriately when we do have school during cold winter days.
Cook Center and Family Resources. We want to remind families of the partnership with Cook Center and ParentGuidance.org., a non-profit organization that works to provide resources to families to help guide their children through all of the issues they will be confronted with as the grow up. These issues include dealing with social media, anxiety, body image, grief and loss, divorce, and much more. It is not uncommon for anxiety to increase during the holidays, both for adults and children. The resources are specific to parents and guardians and is being funded for two years through a grant with the Weld Trust. Please see the information below on how to access the resources available to our families.
- Parent Coaching. Parent Coaching offers families confidential, one-on-one support from a trained coach. Parents can receive guidance tailored to their unique needs and challenges, including anxiety, school-related concerns, behavioral issues, family transitions, and more. To sign up go here: How to Sign Up for Parent Coaching or google “Cook Center, How to Sign up For Parent Coaching”
PV4PV Education Foundation. We are pleased to share with our community the creation of a new 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Positive Voices for Platte Valley (PV4PV) Education Foundation. The foundation officially obtained its federal tax-exempt status on August 18th, 2025. The organization’s mission is to support the students, staff, and community involved with Platte Valley School District. Initially, PV4PV is focused on providing scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors from Platte Valley High School. This May, PV4PV will offer two $1,000 scholarships to graduating Platte Valley seniors.
The organization is a separate operating entity from Platte Valley School District, with a focus on alignment in the vision and mission for supporting the District. PV4PV has an oversight board consisting of five people: President, Dan Buderus; Vice President, Janet Niederkorn; Treasurer, Glenn McClain; Secretary, Christina Decker; and Platte Valley School District Board Representative, Robin Meireis. The Platte Valley Superintendent serves as an ex-offico member and does not have voting rights with the Board. Anyone interested in supporting this new organization may contact Jeremy Burmeister to help be steered in the appropriate direction. Contributions are tax deductible.
In closing, I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the Platte Valley community. We are a destination district because of the focus on education we have in addition to having great students and families. We look forward to continuing our strong start to the second semester.
Yours in Education,
Jeremy Burmeister, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
“To get better you have to struggle. The way your body and mind learn, adapt, and grow is to be slightly embarrassed. That frustration is the signal that our brain/body needs to adjust. If you want to learn and adapt, embrace the struggle”
Steve Magness – Author: Do Hard Things; Win the Inside Game
