I'd like to introduce you to another set of superheroes. This cast of characters is some of our Advanced Placement (AP) staff at Skyview High School.  They and their AP colleagues across the district are achieving superhuman results with their students.  I recently took a meeting with the College Board's western region representative, who wanted to share data that “blew away” the staff at the College Board. I think you'll be amazed, too.  Before I share those results, let me provide some context. You may know that several of the district's key performance indicators focus on students enrolled in AP/International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, taking AP/IB exams, and passing those exams. Our efforts with AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) are about equipping a broader group of students, many of them first generation college bound, with the knowledge, skills, and habits so they can be successful in some of the most rigorous courses offered in this country.  Equally important, AVID builds confidence in students that they have the “right stuff” to be successful in college.  Intentionally nurturing that belief in our young people has delivered early gains.According to recently released 2009-10 College Board data:•    The number of VPS students taking AP exams increased 19 percent, three times the rate of improvement at the state level and double the rate at the national level.•    The number of AP exams taken by VPS students increased 23 percent, four times the rate of improvement at the state level and double the rate at the national level.•    The number of VPS students receiving a pass score (3-5) increased nearly 17 percent, nearly three times the rate of improvement at the state level and double the rate at the national level.I am especially proud of the gains shown by our Hispanic students. Consider these facts:•    The number of VPS Hispanic students taking AP exams increased nearly 38 percent, 2.5 times the rates of improvement at the state and national levels.•    The number of AP exams taken by VPS Hispanic students increased 34 percent, three times the rate of improvement at the state level and 2.5 times the rate at the national level.•    The AP exam pass rate of VPS Hispanic students is nearly 50 percent, compared to a state average of 30 percent and a national average of 35 percent. These results floored the folks at the College Board. This type of success doesn't occur by happenstance; it is deliberate. Your focus, dedication, and commitment to excellence create the conditions for our students to excel. We need to be assertive in telling these positive stories to our community, and even in sharing them with others in our state and nation.  Given the fiscal and public policy challenges we face, now more than ever, we have to work doubly hard to highlight the bright spots in our public schools. Our kids are counting on us to be their advocates and champions. They are the testimonies that make a difference.  In this season of thanksgiving, I'd like to say how much I appreciate the work you do each and every day. I encourage you to take stock, during the holiday break, of all of your blessings: family, friends, colleagues, and our students.  Take care,