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.”

In Canyons, students aren’t the only ones who know the apprehension of auditioning for a role or the thrill of a standing ovation. 

 Teachers like Hillcrest High’s RaNae Dalgleish bring to the classroom first-hand experience as professional artists — in her case, as a member of one of the most prestigious choirs in the world. Having a professional life outside of teaching can be taxing but is also personally fulfilling, as Dalgleish attests in the latest episode of Connect Canyons. 

 Whether she’s directing Hillcrest’s award-winning choir or traveling overseas with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, sharing the love and light of music is a great privilege and her life’s joy.

Tennessee may be the volunteer state, but here in Utah, we have a strong history of coming together to help one another. For many years, Utahns have led the nation in volunteering, and this year is no different, according to research by Volunteering and Civic Life in America. Here in the Canyon School District, we also have a strong corps of volunteers, and we're constantly grateful for those members of our community who give the gift of time to our schools.

On the latest episode of Connect Canyons, we hear from two Canyons volunteers who have been working with students and schools for many years and all across the district. They share the positive impact they have seen inside classrooms and how volunteering has helped their families and themselves grow.