LVHS senior Zoey Davis presented the keynote speech at the annual Welcome Back Breakfast. Zoey, who currently is the Lucerne Valley Chapter FFA president, spoke about the impact Lucerne Valley schools and educators have had on her life.
The annual Welcome Back Breakfast held on Thursday, August 1 at the Sgt. Brian Walker Memorial Gymnasium at Lucerne Valley High School once again brought together staff members to touch base, recognize years of service and hear from the school district’s leader, Superintendent Peter Livingston.
LVHS Senior Zoey Davis, the current FFA Chapter president who has attended Lucerne Valley schools since kindergarten, was the featured speaker at the breakfast event, which was catered by Cafe 247. Zoey shared how her teachers and coaches have inspired her to continually improve and reach for her dreams.
New employees were introduced by department heads, and staff members were recognized who had met 5, 10, and 30 years of service. Mr. Livingston also recognized Dolores Barela who has been with the district for 44 years.
Superintendent Peter Livingston encouraged the school community to reach for the stars for their students.
Superintendent Livingston: ‘Elevate’ Students
Looking back on eight years of dramatic enrollment growth, Lucerne Valley Unified School District Superintendent Peter Livingston thanked the district staff for making a difference in students’ lives. But he didn’t want to just dwell on past successes; instead Mr. Livingston implored the staff members, which includes a number of new employees, to reach new levels of excellence.
“Each new year provides a renewed opportunity for Lucerne Valley Unified School District to provide the best possible education for every one of our students,” Mr. Livingston said at the annual Welcome Back Breakfast on Thursday, Aug. 1. “This year our theme is to elevate our district and focus on raising the quality of everything we do.”
Specifically, he said, “In 2024-25 the LVUSD will be focused on raising the quality of everything we do to provide the best education for our students, to increase student attendance and ultimately to increase student achievement.”
Mr. Livingston outlined four key priorities: Success, Engagement, Excellence and Innovation.
The pursuit of success includes setting high expectations in academics, increasing the district’s graduation rate, preparing students for success in college, careers and life beyond, and providing supports to help students grow academically and staff grow professionally.
Increasing engagement will come by empowering students, families, and community partners through regular events, improving student outcomes by connecting learning to real life experiences, and building trust through regular feedback with educational partners.
Excellence, Mr. Livingston said, comes through effective use of resources and systems, providing high quality instruction, setting and maintaining high academic standards for all students, with a focus on closing achievement gaps, and regularly assessing student progress and using data-driven strategies to support and challenge students at all levels.
Finally, the superintendent urged the staff members to innovate. He said the district will do that by encouraging new ideas, embracing creativity, reimagining teaching and learning that prepares students for the future, and embracing technology to improve student achievement.
“Our most important goal is to make sure that every student will graduate prepared to lead a rewarding and responsible life as a contributing member of our community and greater society as a citizen of the United States of America,” Mr. Livingston said. “We also want to make sure our students are ready to pursue the things that interest them the most after graduation in college, careers, or service to our country.”
Lucerne Valley Unified School District’s enrollment has grown from under 700 students eight years ago to more than 1,150 today. Livingston was hired by the district nine years ago.
Lucerne Valley USD attendance has gone up dramatically over the last eight years.
Kevin Smillen of Victorville Motors once again shared information about the It's A Gas To Go To Class program.
Kevin Smilen of Victorville Motors gave a presentation on the It’s A Gas to Go to Class program, which has given more than 20 vehicles to area students with near perfect school attendance for the school year. (This year qualifying students must have perfect attendance throughout the 2024-25 school year).
School board members President Chelsea LaGrange, Vice-President Jason Hansen, Tom Courtney and Jim Harvey were on hand to present certificates to employee who were recognized for their years of service.
Lucerne Valley schools will start their 2024-25 school year on Tuesday, April 6.
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