Connect Canyons

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect 31 percent of adolescents while depression affects 13% of our children. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, providing a time to recognize the importance of mental health, the stigma that surrounds it, and highlighting the resources available to those who need support right here in Canyons District. On this episode of Connect Canyons, we hear from school psychologist for Midvale Middle School, Heather Bainbridge. We also hear from Shad Roundy, licensed clinical social worker at Alta High School. They provide guidance on understanding mental health and the resources provided throughout the District.

Every retirement marks the end of an era, but also a time to reflect on the profound impact one's career can have. As we bid farewell to our Canyons School District retirees, we're especially privileged to share the story of Connie Crosby, a true cornerstone of our education family. Her role in establishing the McKinney-Vento program in Canyons School District has been nothing short of lifesaving, offering a beacon of hope to homeless students and ensuring their educational journey continues against all odds. Join us in celebrating Connie's remarkable contribution—a journey that began with her own challenges and evolved into a lifelong mission to empower the youth she so passionately serves. This episode isn't just a farewell; it's a tribute to every member of our school system who's made a difference, a testament to how each role, no matter how seemingly small, contributes to the greater good of our children's future.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and when you add beautiful illustrations to a book, you open up a new world of adventure and learning for young children. For many, picture books are the first introduction to the world of literature. This week we have a special guest, award winning author and Canyons parent Emily Inouye Huey. We also hear from Mariah Wall – Canyon’s Elementary Library Coordinator and Karen Kiu – A Canyons parent with a passion for reading. They discuss Huey’s books ‘Beneath the Wide Silk Sky’ and her picture book ‘Wat Kept Playing – The Inspiring Story of Wataru Misaka and His Rise to the NBA.’ They also discuss the importance of accurately portraying various cultures in books for young students.

Canyons Teachers are known for going above and beyond. They are dedicated to their students in the classroom and after school, spending extra time to ensure they succeed and supporting them in their extra-curricular activities. Teachers are the profession to teach all other professions. This week, Alta High mathematics teacher Kevin Clyde was named as the 2024 Canyons District Teacher of the Year. In this episode of Connect Canyons, hear from two former District Teachers of the Year – Emma Moss and Max Edington who share their insights having held the year-long title – and their advice to Mr. Clyde as well as other educators.

Ever wondered what school would be like if history lessons were as engaging as your favorite podcast? Well, pack your earbuds because we're heading to Union Middle School where Mr. Schlesinger and his students, Zander Frisbey and Hailee Warner, are turning the classroom on its head. On a special mobile visit, we uncover the inspiring story behind Union Weekly — a podcast that's not just for grades, but for sparking curiosity and connecting the school community.Join us as we share how Mr. Schlesinger’s dynamic teaching methods are preparing students for real-world problem-solving, and how our podcasters are mastering the art of communication, one episode at a time.

Virtually every U.S. household has a streaming device, and Americans spend more than three hours a day streaming digital media, or 21 hours a week. Add to that the $6.5 billion spent in 2022 on movie tickets and it's easy to understand why the film industry is such a big draw for those looking to make a career out of movie making. In Canyons School District, we work to provide students with opportunities to gain practical experiences in the fields they're interested in, which is the impetus behind the District’s 14-year-old film festival. On the latest episode of the Connect Canyons podcast, we learn about how the film festival got its start and where it is now more than a decade later.

It’s down to the wire for this year’s March Madness NCAA basketball tournaments and the women’s teams are getting as much attention, if not more, than the men’s this year. We sit down with two of Canyon’s head girls basketball coaches to talk about why they think there has been an uptick in interest in women’s sports. We also hear how they work with the young women on their team to not only flourish on the court, but to reach for their dreams in every aspect of life. From physical toughness to the capacity to develop strategies, these girls are learning life lessons as they shoot for three and represent their schools.

Whether you’re a parent looking for a fun, intellectually challenging way for your kids to spend their summer, or you’re a high school student desiring to retake a course or get a jump your studies for next year, Canyons School District offers a rich variety of summer learning opportunities for students of all ages. In this episode of Connect Canyons, we talk with Amy Boettger, the administrator who oversees Canyons Virtual Academy and CSD’s Community Education programs. Parents: this episode is for you!

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said – “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” When it comes to our growing world of technology, women continue to work to bridge the gap in the tech field. According to a recent study in Forbes, women hold 26-point-seven percent of tech-related jobs across the country. That number was at 22-point-four percent back in 2019, and when you consider we faced a three-year pandemic in-between that’s a decent amount of growth but we want to see more. In this episode of Connect Canyons, we sit down with four of the women working within the District’s tech departments, we hear their experiences getting involved in technology, and their advice for Canyons students looking to follow in their footsteps. We also hear from two Canyons students who have their sights set on a future in the world of technology.

Our everyday vocabulary is peppered with mottos and witticism about food. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, as cool as a cucumber, like two peas in a pod, the list goes on. Aside from the biological need for food, we incorporate it into our lives in a number of ways. Structuring our days around meals, watching series about cooking or baking. There are entire sections and libraries dedicated to recipes and nutrition. March is National Nutrition Month and research shows a strong connection between healthy behaviors and academic achievement. On a new episode of Connect Canyons, we hear from Emily Jenkins, registered dietitian with Canyons Nutritional Services to take a look into the hard work that goes into providing healthy but fun nutrition in our schools.

Today, we honor a man whose impact on education and community service was as profound as it was heartfelt. Mont Millerberg, the cherished vice president of Canyon's Board of Education , left us with a legacy that echoes in the corridors of Hillcrest High and the streets of Midvale. Amanda Oaks, Dr. Rick Robbins, Denise Haycock and Jeff Haney share stirring tales of Mont's dedication to equality in education and his fair, loving spirit. The stories span from his pivotal role in the District's founding to his tireless advocacy for every child's future—Mont's life is a mosaic of commitment and caring that will continue to inspire. As we pay tribute to Mont's memory, you'll also hear intimate reflections on the servant leadership he and his wife, Kris, embodied. They raised their family on pillars of hard work, community care, and faith, setting an example that many strive to follow. Mont's approach to serving on the board was marked by innovation, kindness, and a remarkable connection with those around him. From flipping hot dogs at school functions to knowing each attendee by name, his genuine warmth and the indelible bonds he fostered are the essence of his enduring legacy. Join us in celebrating Mont Millerberg—a true advocate for education and a beacon of service in our community.

In Canyon District, we teach and model digital safety and citizenship every day in our classrooms. Our goal is to empower students to use technology responsibly. More than that, we want them to use it to create, investigate, collaborate, and analyze - and we view parents as valuable partners in this endeavor. In a recent episode of Connect Canyons, we hear from teacher specialists Katie Gebhardt and Jonathan Stewart who work to support teachers and parents alike in this endeavor.

Ever wondered about the hidden gems that ignite a lifelong love affair with reading? Anyone who is fond of books knows that feeling of walking into a room with floor-to-ceiling books and taking in a deep breath. There have been a number of studies looking into that smell of old books – Is it vanilla? Grass? Maybe a hint of leather? Whichever smell comes to you first – Bibliophiles can all agree – It’s a wonderful feeling to step into a library and wonder at the possibilities hidden in thousands of pages. Within Canyons School District, from August of 2023 to January, Canyons students checked out more than 370,000 printed library books. Adding to that, roughly 8,000 students checked out over 75,000 ebooks and audiobooks. In a recent episode of Connect Canyons, we celebrate of National Library Lover’s Month, and hear from some of Canyon’s biggest book lovers about what draws our students to our libraries.

Few other events bring the country together like the Super Bowl. Last year's battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles drew the largest numbers of viewers in history. 115 million people tuned in to watch. Whether you're a football fan, in it for the snacks, for the ads, or the halftime show - the Super Bowl is a uniquely American tradition which, for some, borders on a national holiday. On this special bonus episode of Connect Canyons, we chat with two of Canyon's newest head football coaches as well as Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins. Coaches Albertson and Burdette discuss the values and camaraderie students gain from team sports and groups.

“All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players.” It's a quote you may have heard before, particularly those who are fond of theater. But the beginning of this monologue from William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" has become a popular turn of phrase, understood by many outside of the world of performing arts. It just goes to show good theater can live on for centuries and take on new meanings. It's a tradition the Hillcrest Theatre Department hopes to continue as they set to lift the curtain on an American debut nine-years in the making. Nearly a decade ago, Hillcrest theater teacher Joshua Long took a trip to London. While he was there, he spent the day at the Royal National Theater where he first set eyes on “The James Plays,” written by Rona Munro.

Here at Canyon School District, we strive to provide our students with opportunities for hands on learning to ensure every Canyon student graduates college and career ready. CSDTV is joining in these efforts with a new student program. Currently in its inaugural year, CSDTV has 112 student broadcasters learning about all things broadcasting. From live streaming and commentating Canyon sporting events to news broadcasts, student run podcasts, and talk shows, CSDTV allows students to choose their own journey as they learn critical thinking, team collaboration, career exploration, and much more.

It’s no wonder the Hillcrest High School Drill Team are 28-time regional champions and seven-time state champions, with their eyes on an eighth. Two members of the coaching staff have dance, and Drill in particular, in their blood. As we learn in the latest episode of Connect Canyons, Chelsea Divine and her brother Carter Williams stared dancing almost as soon as they started walking and followed in their mother’s footsteps, “Our own mom was a member of the Hillcrest Drill team,” says Drill coach and Healthy Lifestyles Teacher, Chelsea Divine, “so the legacy runs deep in our blood.” Carter Williams, Hillcrest Drill Coach and member of the Weber State Dance Team, says it was his sister, Chelsea, who helped him see dance could take him beyond high school. “Chelsea kind of paved the way for all of us siblings to know dance is actually a possibility,” says Carter, “because after high school Chelsea proceeded to be a part of the professional dance company, Odyssey. I feel like it just really showed my other sister and I that it’s possible to dance after high school.” Carter says the hours he danced all paid off as he joined the competitors on Season 17, making it to the top six of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. Not to mention, he is a two-time National Latin Champion and four-time World Latin Finalist in ballroom dance. Chelsea and Carter won’t toot their own horns about their accomplishments, but they are more than happy to brag about the accomplishments of the young women competing on Hillcrest Drill.

Fred Rogers once said, “I'm convinced that when we help our children find healthy ways of dealing with their feelings, ways that don't hurt them or anyone else, we're helping to make our world a safer, better place.” In today's world, we're faced with all sorts of challenges and stressful situations, from the simple everyday tasks of getting to school on time and making sure projects are finished to the heavier unexpected obstacles. Sometimes all we need to do is to take a moment to recenter ourselves, and as we learn in the latest episode of Connect Canyons, schools are providing room for just that. Wellness rooms have become important tools in our schools.

“Children love coming to our preschool programs,” says Terri Mitchell, Early Childhood Program Administrator in the latest episode of Connect Canyons. In this episode, we learn how Canyons early childhood educators are trained to guide children through meaningful interactions, turning everyday play into opportunities for learning and development. With applications open for tuition preschool, Ms. Mitchell covers how and when to apply for preschool – hint, apply now – as well as how work in the classroom covers everything from early literacy and numeracy, to science and life skills, proving that what may look like simple play is in fact a strategically designed learning experience.

It’s the time of year where the idea of setting new goals for a new year becomes a main topic of conversation. Are you setting goals? How do you keep your goals not just through January but all year long? Eastmont Middle School Principal Stacy Kurtzhals and her son Tyler have been working toward the same goal since Tyler was a little boy – Becoming an American Ninja Warrior. When Tyler was 8-year-old, he saw his first episode of American Ninja Warrior, “It looked like a giant playground at the time,” says Tyler. “So as a kid, I was really interested and from there I just found stuff in my backyard to play on.” Soon, Tyler’s father was building him obstacles to work with, and the family was traveling to competitions. “I was selected for American Ninja Warrior Junior about five years ago,” says Tyler. “After that I was introduced to this whole world of different competitions, different people, and it just turned into this community that I love.”