Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Holds Third Annual Back to School Kickoff Event

On October 3, 2012, more than 1,200 Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) employees ”kicked off” the 2012-2013 school year with a lively and energizing event that brought employees from all levels and sites together for the third year to reunite and affirm the
direction and focus for the school year.

The Back-To-School Kickoff, which took place at the Robert Livermore Community Center, began with a “meet and greet” and a performance by the Arroyo Seco Elementary School Bell Choir.  Opening welcome and remarks by Superintendent of Schools Kelly Bowers were focused on the District’s four theme words, INFORM, INCLUDE, INNOVATE and INSPIRE and centered on the idea that “together we succeed”.

In addition to the Bell Choir, students from across the District were showcased during the event including student artwork displayed throughout the room and a performance of Tuimbe (Let There Be Music) by the K-12 Choir Ensemble directed by teachers Kathy Boster and Joanne Fosselman.  Diverse and articulate groups of Pre-K thru Adult Education students were featured in “Acclaiming the Arts! Visual and Performing Arts through the Years,” an amazing display of what LVJUSD students have accomplished in Visual and Performing Arts during their years in the District.   Students featured included: Taylor Graham, Croce Elementary School, Kinder Readiness; Memphis Cook, Altamont Creek Elementary School, Transitional Kinder; Anna Van Essen, Michell K-8 School, Transitional Kinder; Ava Leseur, Smith Elementary School, Kindergarten; Amber Belk, Jackson Avenue Elementary School, First Grade; Rodrigo Salazar Marylin Avenue Elementary School, Second Grade; Valeria Bonfil, Michell K-8 School, Third Grade; Kami Teruya, Rancho Elementary School, Fourth Grade; Raven Jones, Arroyo Seco Elementary School, Fourth Grade; Josiah Knight, Sunset Elementary School, Fifth Grade; Morgan Frazer, Christensen Middle School, Sixth Grade; Juan Fernandez, Junction K-8 School, Seventh Grade; Jack Turner, Junction K-8 School, Seventh Grade; Christian Webb, East Avenue Middle School, Seventh Grade; Leah Bowser, Mendenhall Middle School, Eighth Grade; Kylie Miller, Livermore High School, Ninth Grade; Faith Bailey, Granada High School, Tenth Grade; Elijah Leon, Del Valle High School, Eleventh Grade; Summer Smith, Vineyard Alternative School, Twelfth Grade; Michael James Miille, Livermore High School, Twelfth Grade; Zoe Tranter, Livermore High School, Twelfth Grade; Kylie Clark, Granada High School, Twelfth Grade; and Rona Sheeran, Adult Education.

The Granada and Livermore High School Cheerleaders, along with the Granada Drum Line, held a cheer rally that celebrated a combined total of 12,508 years of service completed by District employees, including one with more than 40 years of service in the LVJUSD!

Also acknowledged during the event were winners of the Livermore Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Video Contest where students and community members were tasked with creating a video that communicates why Livermore Schools Rock. Winners for the K-8 category were Shannon Kai, Kiara Steinhorst and Maddie Williams from Christensen Middle School, teacher advisor, Regina Brinker; winner for the high school category was Kaitlyn Baucke from Livermore High School and the community winner was Kate Medina, teacher at Christensen Middle School. 

Board of Education President Dr. William Dunlop, Clerk Anne White, Trustees Belia Martinez, Chuck Rogge and Kate Runyon recited a Top Ten Things We Are Most Proud of in LVJUSD. Highlighted in this list are the involvement of families and community in the schools, the positive LVJUSD reputation, the commitment to all our students from all stakeholders, the breadth of programs in spite of budget woes, rising State test scores and the amazing staff and students working hard to INFORM, INCLUDE, INNOVATE and INSPIRE!

The Bay Area News Group recently named the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District in a list of the best places to work in the bay area. On hand to recognize the District as a 2012 Top Workplace was Mac Tully, President and Publisher, San Jose Mercury News. 

Mrs. Bowers expressed sincere gratitude to sponsors and donors whose generous contributions made the event possible.  She also recognized the teachers, classified support and service staff, and administrators who served on the planning team and helped coordinate the gathering to ensure it was a unifying experience.

Superintendent Bowers roused the audience by challenging the group saying “INSPIRE students and co-workers, INNOVATE in the workplace, INCLUDE everyone and their ideas, INFORM all stakeholders, and INITIATE action to accomplish our mission: ‘Each student will graduate with the skills needed to contribute and thrive in a changing world!’ ”

The event was extremely well received and it appears the LVJUSD employees have continued something special that will be repeated on an annual basis. 

Additional Contacts:

School Board President Bill Dunlop, sdunlop102@comcast.net (925) 455-1907

Assistant
Superintendent Cindy Alba, calba@lvjusd.k12.ca.us
(925) 606-3224