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Superintendent highlights student supports, new principals and career pathway; district celebrates multiple health awards
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Heller reported on recent community events and announced several administrative hires and a new EMT pathway open house at Thompson Career Campus; he also noted multiple elementary schools earned health recognitions and recognized Board President Barbara Cruz for a regional award.
Superintendent Dr. Heller told the Thompson School District R-2J Board of Education on Sept. 17 about recent community events, district programs and several administrative appointments.
He said the Thompson Education Foundation hosted a free homecoming dress giveaway on Saturday, Sept. 13, and distributed 63 dresses to high school students. He announced that the Thompson Career Campus will host an open house at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, to celebrate a new EMT (emergency medical technician) pathway and invited the community to tour the facility.
On school health recognitions, Dr. Heller noted that Namaqua Elementary earned the 2025 All‑Star award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for meeting nine categories. He added that Big Thompson, Centennial and Truscott elementary schools were also recognized as America’s Healthiest Schools in various categories, with Big Thompson cited for supporting school health services, Centennial for social‑emotional health and staff well‑being, and Truscott for school health services.
Dr. Heller also congratulated Board President Barbara Cruz, who received the McGuffey Award at the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) Region 4 meeting in Greeley on Aug. 21. The superintendent said the award recognizes outstanding service to a district board and praised Cruz’s advocacy for students.
The board introduced several new administrators and principals. Dr. Heller introduced:
- Brandy Greaves, executive director of secondary schools (previously principal at Turner Middle School in Berthoud). - Justin Blick, principal at Ivy Stockwell Elementary (previously principal at BF Kitchen Elementary School in Loveland). - Becky Russin, principal at Berthoud Elementary (most recently principal at Windmill Springs School in San Jose). - Vivian Pankow, interim principal at Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball (previously assistant principal at Peakview). - Shannon Brennan, principal at Centennial Elementary (previously director of teaching, learning and assessment for North Wasco County School District in Oregon).
Each appointee addressed the board briefly.
Ending: Dr. Heller closed by noting visits to community partners, praising local volunteer organizations that provide after‑school supports and a meal‑packing operation that serves students.
