Canyons School District

He shoots; he scores! Canyons Innovation Center Director Reid Newey is being celebrated this week as he is inducted into the Utah State University Hall of Fame.
Newey played basketball for the Aggies from 1983-89 before returning to coach from 1989-91. A first-team All-Big West Conference selection, he still ranks among the Aggies leaders on the court. Newey is the 13th leading scorer in program history with 1,536 career points.
According to the USU Athletics Department, he ranks 16th in school history with 298 career assists, eighth in career steals (128), fourth in career 3-point field goals made (237), 10th in career 3-point percentage (.414) and 19th in career games played (116), just to name a few of his records.
Newey studied education, biology, and health education during his time at Utah State, using his skills on and off the court to educate students across the Beehive for more than 35 years. A seasoned administrator, he is now leading the programming and design of the Canyons Innovation Center, set to open its doors to students this fall. Congratulations, Mr. Newey!

Many music fans would be excited to simply see the flashy stage performancves of stars such as Alanis Morissette, Usher, Doja Cat, or Kesha. One Canyons District graduate can not only say she's seen all of them — but has performed with them. KSL 5 TV spoke with Imani Lee Peterson, a former Corner Canyon Charger and Draper Park Viking, who is living the dream she's had since she was eight: She's a professional dancer. "I really love what I am doing right now," Peterson told the news station. "If I could tour forever and ever, I honestly would. It's so much fun." You could say Peterson's star is shining bright. Learn more ⬇

What do you get when you combine a solid base line, a rhythmic guitar, a cowbell, and some dedicated students? You get a rock band that’s capturing hearts and improving attendance at Diamond Ridge High School, one song at a time. "We’re an alternative school. We have alternative students who listen to alternative music, and it works best here,” music teacher Brandon Lupus told KSL 5 TV. “The students who don’t have an opportunity to express themselves otherwise, they get to express themselves in the music that they love, with the people that they love, doing what they love.” KSL’s Deanie Wimmer takes a look at how Lupus, an Alta High graduate who returned to CSD after earning his teaching degree from the The University of Utah, is helping students express themselves while finding a path to graduation.

A rock band class changes lives for students at Diamond Ridge High School - KSLTV.com The high school band at Diamond Ridge High School might not be what comes to mind when you think of a traditional high school band.

Don't miss this week’s meeting of the Canyons Board of Education on Tuesday, June 2. The Study Session starts at 5:15 p.m. and the Business Meeting starts at 7 p.m.
FULL AGENDA: https://canyonsdistrict.community.highbond.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=478
LIVESTREAM: https://www.youtube.com/live/Hwrh9V636E4?si=XJjs-CvuhNOh1AT6

School's out for summer! As students are making their summer plans, we’re celebrating with the final Red Shoes Living Award of the school year. At Midvalley Elementary, Wendy Heath is considered a key member of the team. "The talent she has for really seeing students for who they are and noticing the potential they have is invaluable,” her colleagues say. Heath is a link between home and school and is adored by community members, parents, teachers, and students. "To go from a student being highly aggressive and unresponsive to multiple staff members, to having a calm and regulated student leave her office with a new favorite safe adult at school is great to see. Ms. Wendy is highly deserving of recognition for the difference that she makes every single day!" For leading with kindness, Canyons District employees are celebrated each week with “Red Shoes Living” awards. The award is in homage to a book by Utah author Lonnie Mayne, who promotes kindness and respect. Each Red Shoes honoree is provided a certificate and red Converse keychain, courtesy of CSD’s Student Wellness Services Department. Congratulations to this week’s winners!

As the final week of school comes to a close at Bella Vista Elementary, there have been smiles, laughter, and a few tears. Wrapping up this — Bella Vista’s 61st and final — school year, students spent the week celebrating beloved traditions and milestone moments. The home of the Tigers has long had a science and technology focus, so the annual egg drop was truly something for the record books as students packaged raw eggs in self-built containers with the goal of reducing their speed or absorbing the kinetic energy as the eggs were launched by staff from the school’s roof. The final week was also marked by kickball games on the field, a celebration for “graduating” kindergartners, and an emotional clap out honoring fifth graders as they exited the building one last time before advancing to middle school. These moments are a reminder of just how much Bella Vista has meant to generations of students, families, teachers, and neighbors. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the incredible faculty, staff, Principal Barbra Winder, and dedicated parents who have worked so hard to help students navigate this transition while ensuring this final year was filled with joy and excitement for the years to come.

All across Canyons, educators are working hard to turn students into readers and leaders. In 2022, the Utah State Board of Education set a goal to boost the reading levels of students across the state. A year later, they began to recognize teachers for their dedication to literacy through the Science of Reading Awards. Only about 80 awards have been presented to Utah teachers, including more than a dozen in Canyons District. On Wednesday, representatives from the state board and CSD’s Instructional Supports Department surprised three teachers with their awards. When Tamara Coombs received her award in front of her kindergarten class at Bella Vista Elementary, she immediately looked to her students and said, “You know why we can get an award like this? Because you’re such good learners.” If that weren’t enough, two of Canyons’ ELA specialists were surprised with their own District Leader awards. Bernice Allen and Leigh Ann Fisher became the sixth and seventh district leaders in the entire state to receive the award. "Well, I feel like the reason I got the award is because I have Leigh Ann,” Allen said. “She’s amazing, I can’t believe I get to work with her every day and learn from her literacy knowledge.” Fisher returned the compliment, calling Allen a great leader. “I think we do what we do because we work so well together on what we know is best for the students and how we can support our teachers to ensure they have what they need.” Julie Clark, the state's P-12 English Language Arts Coordinator, said it’s important to recognize the people who go above and beyond to help students learn. “We just want to let teachers know that what they are doing is being noticed, is making an impact, and changing outcomes for kids," Clark said.

Congratulations to our winners!

Bernice Allen — CSD Instructional Supports, ELA Specialist
Leigh Ann Fisher — CSD Instructional Supports, ELA Specialist
Tiffany Smith — Granite Elementary, second-grade teacher
Tamara Coombs — Bella Vista Elementary, kindergarten teacher
Peyton Dahlmeier — Altara Elementary, kindergarten teacher

At commencement, Diamond Ridge Drumline tapped out a rousing cadence, marching this year’s into their next chapter. The theme of this year’s graduation resonated throughout the ceremony: “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” Student speaker Leilai Ramirez reflected on her decision to attend school with her fellow Raptors and how it set her on confident path. “A big reason I made it is because of Diamond Ridge,” Ramirez said. “This school didn’t give up on me, even when I felt like giving up on myself. From the moment I walked into Diamond Ridge, I realized it was more than just a school. It was a place where people truly cared. This school made me feel seen, heard, and capable of more than I thought I was.” The sentiment continued with graduate Joathan Simpson’s remarks about believing in yourself the how the support from his teachers made all the difference in his education.
“At the end of the day, your environment doesn’t determine the person you are, and it definitely doesn’t determine where you can go in life,” said Simpson. “It’s the experiences you have, the choices you make, and the way you choose to learn from them. That’s what determines your character and that’s what determines where you’re headed in life.” This year’s commencement included Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill, Board members Karen Pedersen and Katie Dahle, as well as CSD’s next superintendent, Dr. McKay Robinson, CSD’s Chief Financial Officer Leon Wilcox, and Diamond Ridge Principal Amy Boettger.
The 60 graduates already have their sights on the horizon after earning 36 merit chords and three seals of biliteracy. Three graduates will go on to serve in the Air Force, the National Guard, and the Marines, with more attending colleges and universities across the state. Congratulations to this year’s graduates!

“Every step forward matters.” That’s the motto for this year’s Life Skills Academy commencement and the LSA Frogs are taking big leaps across the graduation stage today. Today, 10 graduates donned their caps and gowns in front of family, friends, and classmates. At the beginning of her address, Principal Stacey Nofsinger admitted that, when she became principal of LSA this year, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. At that point, emotions began to overwhelm her — but one of the graduating students had it all under control. Calli Nice immediately walked up to Principal Nofsinger and hugged her, telling her, “Keep being strong, babe.” “See, this is what I mean. You can’t make this stuff up. I have watched you find your voices,” Nofsinger continued. “I have seen you stand tall and say, ‘This is who I am, and this is what I need.’ That self-advocacy is perhaps the greatest skill you will take with you today. It is the tool that will ensure you continue to be the architects of your own lives.” The was presented in front of Canyons Board of Education Vice President Amanda Oaks and Board Members Karen Pedersen and Katie Dahle. CSD’s next superintendent, Dr. McKay Robinson, and Special Education Director Terri Mitchell attended, as well. Dahle drew the comparison of their educational journey to that of a mountain climber facing a climb. Sometimes it’s difficult and some people need more time. “Just like mountain climbers, these students kept going,” Dahle said, “and today they have reached an incredible summit. Graduates, today is the proof of your courage and strength." All 10 Life Skills Academy graduates have spent the last four years honing their job skills to better prepare them for the job market. One of today’s graduates will be attending Elizabeth Academy, and another will be helping customers to find the perfect blanket at Mindy Couture. Mitchell summed up this year’s graduation theme in her congratulatory remarks. “Sometimes the world celebrates only the finish line. Today, we celebrate the journey it took to get there. Because every step matters." Congratulations to this year’s graduates!