School Board Approves Major School Lunch Study
BVSD approves feasibility study as major step in ultimately delivering more nutritious, closer-to-the-source meals for students.
News Release sent to local media on Wednesday, May 14:
BOULDER – The Boulder Valley Board of Education, at its May 13 meeting, unanimously approved a contract for a district wide feasibility study of its food service operation. The study’s purpose is to explore the possibility of bringing more nutritious, closer-to-the-source meals to BVSD students. The driving force behind this study is the district’s and community’s desire to improve the health and wellness of BVSD’s school food programs.
The contract is with Lunch Lessons LLC, founded by Ann Cooper, who is the Director of Food Services for the Berkeley Unified School District. Ms. Cooper is a nationally-known chef, author of “Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children,” and a self-titled “renegade lunch lady.” The study will assess the district’s current systems and practices, as well as offer alternative formats for potentially shifting BVSD’s existing system to a scratch-cooking environment.
BVSD Chief Financial Officer Leslie Stafford credited partnering community organizations and businesses such Our Love of Children and their “Garden to Table” project, the local Whole Foods leadership, Fresh Ideas Group, Culinary School of the Rockies, The Farmers’ Market, and others as “real motivators” in convincing the BVSD administration of the need to commit greater resources on an accelerated timeline to address school nutrition. Ms. Stafford also acknowledged the unanimous support of the school board, especially Dr. Helayne Jones, board president and healthy foods advocate, as well as Dr. Chris King, BVSD superintendent.
Lunch Lessons LLC will be working at the district level during June and July. They will submit a progress report from their findings on August 1, 2008, then return to visit select school sites in September (those sites will be determined as we approach those dates). The final draft report will then be due at the district on October 3, with final presentation to the district and Board of Education on October 14.
“This is an exciting and challenging initiative for our community and our students,” said Ms. Stafford, who also serves as co-chair of the School Food Committee. The committee is a joint community/BVSD working group focused on providing improved school lunches that are nutritious and appealing to students within the district’s budget. |
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 Boulder Valley broke ground this week on 70-mile wide area network that will interconnect most of the district’s schools.
The new network will provide increased digital capacity and access speed to schools. The connection speed between schools and the district servers will grow from 1.5 megabytes per second to 10 gigabytes per second which will allow for faster access to applications such as Infinite Campus as well as documents stored on central servers. According to Bond IT Project Manager Chad Zemer, this is the highest capacity system built by any school district in the nation.
In addition to faster connections, the network will also be more reliable. The network is designed in two circles—east and west—that connect all the district buildings. Data signals can reach the school from either direction on the ring. If there is a failure at some point in the path, data will be rerouted in the other direction. In addition, servers, routers and other parts of the system are all duplicated so if one component fails, the other takes over. The system has been designed to an industry standard that strives to achieve less than 5 minutes down time per year.
Because of the increased capacity and speed, we’ll be able to convert phone service district-wide to voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Both voice and data will be provided to and from the schools over the new network. The double ring design also allows all schools to access phone and internet service through only two connection points. Currently there are many different phone and internet connections throughout the district and each connection has its own service fee. Reducing the number of connections to just two eliminates many of those fees, saving the district thousands of dollars each year.
According to Zemer, this system is using the latest technology currently available on the market and has been designed to support the district’s technology needs for many years to come. With the increased speed and capacity, video on demand, video conferencing and distance learning will become realities in our classrooms in the near future.
Another interesting aspect of the project is the partnerships the district has developed with local organizations to support the implementation of the network. Last spring, BVSD convened the top IT professionals in the area to help the district identify the best approach to fulfilling our networking needs. The Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) helped the district develop a request for proposal to solicit the professional services we needed. From that group emerged the idea of “asset sharing” among local entities. Over the past year, Boulder Valley has worked to develop agreements that allow the district and local entities to share network resources.
For example, we are finalizing agreements with the City of Boulder to use 8.4 miles of conduit it owns and with the City of Louisville to use 6.3 miles of its conduit. Conduit are the tunnels through which the fiber optic network cables are run. Using tunnels that are already in the ground saves the district the cost of having to install the conduit. In exchange, BVSD is allowing these cities to use some of the fiber capacity on our system. This shared conduit amounts to nearly 20 percent of our entire network. We are working on similar asset sharing agreements with the local Federal laboratories, Colorado State University and the Centennial Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
In another partnership, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has agreed to waive a $.5 million access fee to install conduit along a 3.55-mile stretch of Highway 36. In exchange, Boulder Valley has agreed to install two empty conduits in addition to its own for CDOT to use. The total savings for the district in this arrangement is $486,000. Also, because CDOT has waived the fee, the district is able to use the most direct route along Highway 36 rather than a longer, more circuitous and therefore more costly route.
The construction of the network is scheduled to be completed by October, 2009. Keep up with all the 2006 Bond Program projects at www.bvsd.org/bondproject/Pages/default.aspx. |
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 RAZZLE DAZZLE ON THE RES Raises Funds for Disadvantaged Students
Impact on Education will once again hold its annual fundraiser, Razzle Dazzle Beach Ball, on the shores of the Boulder Reservoir under Colorado’s largest tent. In its 21st year, this event attracts over 500 guests and has grown to become the single largest source of funding for Impact on Education’s programs. This year’s “Beach Bali,” to be held from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. on May 31, offers a Balinese theme, extending to the food, décor and music.
The Razzle Dazzle fundraiser annually nets Impact on Education between $150,000 and $200,000 toward the district’s high needs schools. Proceeds benefit all of Impact on Education’s programs but specifically target our Opportunity Fund, which allows all BVSD students to access academic, extracurricular and enrichment opportunities that require participation fees, regardless of their family’s economic circumstances or the school they attend.
Purchasing tickets to Razzle Dazzle Beach Ball is a wonderful way to enjoy the area’s best FUNraiser while supporting a great cause. Tickets are $150 per person and may be purchased online at www.ImpactOnEducation.org until May 22. Thanks to corporate sponsors that underwrite the event, $75 of this amount is a tax deductible contribution.
Please note that the RSVP date written on the invitations that were mailed out is incorrect. The actual deadline for buying tickets is Thursday, May 22.
Impact on Education is dedicated to increasing student learning and support for public education in the Boulder Valley School District. The organization’s three focus areas are supporting and motivating excellent teachers, increasing student interest and achievement in science, technology and math and creating opportunities for “at-risk” students. For more information, visit www.ImpactOnEducation.org. |
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REMINDER
Open Enrollment for Health and Dental Insurance for 2008-09 is May 1, 2008 – June 2, 2008.
This is your opportunity to enroll, change plans, drop coverage, add or drop dependents, etc. Changes are effective July 1, 2008.
Please check the website or plan to attend one of the orientation sessions to learn more about the insurance plans and rates for 2008-09. Representatives from Great-West/Cigna, Kaiser, and Delta will be there to answer your questions.
*There will also be two PERACare Presentations on May 19 for employees who are retiring this year.
Call Susana Aguirre at 303-447-5022 if you have any questions.
Orientation Sessions:
9:30 a.m. - Mon., May 19 - Board Room, Ed Center, 6500 Arapahoe, Boulder
*PERACare Session - 10:30 a.m.
4:30 pm - Mon., May 19 - Board Room, Ed Center, 6500 Arapahoe, Boulder
*PERACare Session - 3:45 p.m.
4:30 p.m. - Wed., May 21 - Broomfield Heights Cafetorium, 1555 Daphne St., Broomfield
4:30 p.m. - Tues., May 27 - Centaurus Student Center, 10300 South Boulder Rd., Lafayette
4:30 p.m. - Mon., June 2 - Platt Middle Library, 6096 Baseline, Boulder |
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BVSD's Lifelong Learning Program offers summer classes for kids AND adults
Conversational Spanish for Educators and Others- Boulder
Instructor: Beckwith / Location: Boulder - Community Montessori / Cost $195, Materials Fee $10 Tuesday, Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - noon; 6 sessions starting June 10 and ending June 26.
Having someone at your same level with whom to practice speaking a new language in a comfortable setting will boost your confidence and improve your conversational skills. In this class, conversation will be prompted by sharing everyday personal experiences, addressing current world issues, and by considering ideas expressed in song lyrics, poetry, and short stories from the rich culture of the Spanish-speaking world. You will also be able to role play specific situations to meet your specific conversational needs. Spontaneous mini language lesson that grow out of our interactions will enhance your understanding of how the language works.
*To participate effectively and gain the maximum benefit from a conversational language class you should have an adequate working vocabulary and familiarity with grammar to string together simple sentences pertaining to everyday activities. An adequate working vocabulary could be considered as being able to immediately call to mind fifty or so of the most common verbs, one hundred or so of the most common objects or concepts, and a dozen or so of the most common prepositions, adjectives, and adverbs. See website for additional details about the skill level needed for this class.
Conversational Spanish for Educators and Others- Lafayette
Instructor: Loughry / Location: Lafayette - Pioneer Bilingual Elementary / Cost $195, Materials Fee $0 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30 a.m. - noon; 6 sessions starting June 2 and ending June 13
The focus of this class is oral communication in Spanish for students with some speaking experience and those hoping to develop confidence in speaking for the first time after taking a foundational Spanish class. Students will be encouraged to work at their own skill levels in a supportive learning environment. Group discussions and fun activities will utilize a variety of vocabulary pertinent to teaching content, and instruction will support teachers in working with students and their parents. Also welcome is anyone outside of the field of education who is interested in conversing about a variety of topics to develop fluency.
*This class is NOT appropriate for someone who has never had Spanish before.
See the full catalog of classes and register online at www.bvsd.org/LLL. Call 303-499-1125, x222 for more information. |
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Under New Management
- Angel Stobaugh, Director of Curriculum - Literacy, Learning Services, effective July 1, 2008.
- Norma Lou Eitemiller, Assistant Director of Interventions - Elementary, Student Success, effective July 1, 2008.
- David Krassowski, Assistant Director of Interventions - Secondary, Student Success, effective July 1, 2008.
- Cyrus Weinberger, Principal Ryan Elementary, effective July 1, 2008.
- Khara West, Asst. Principal, Monarch K-8 (.50 FTE), effective July 1, 2008.
Other Board Approvals
- School requests for new fees and adjustments to existing fees for the 2008-09 school year were approved. Fees are defined as charges that are mandatory in order for a service or product to be provided. The fees are maximum amounts that will be allowable by the Board of Education. At their discretion, schools may charge fees which are lower than the approved maximum.
- The Douglass PTO donated $15,641 to Douglass Elementary School which will be used to purchase supplies and equipment for the classrooms.
- A contract was awarded to Alta Milla Electric Corporation for replacing the fire alarm system at Bear Creek Elementary.
- The board accepted the superintendent’s recommendation to nonrenew the contracts of specified licensed probationary employees, including limited term temporary teachers, by adopting Resolution 08-09. Annually the school district is required by state statute to renew or nonrenew the employment contracts of licensed personnel who are in their first three years of employment. The appropriate administrative procedures have been followed to meet this requirement.
- An out-of-cycle textbook adoption for IB Economics was approved. The Board approved the course IB Economics in 2006-07; the course will be offered in 2008-09 and will need a textbook. The teacher team is recommending: Economics Sixteenth Edition, McConnell and Brue, McGraw-Hill, 2005. All social studies learning materials are scheduled for adoption in 2009-2010.
- New learning materials for World Languages in grades 6-12 were adopted.
Two grants were approved:
- Equity and Multicultural Education - Title VII/Indian Education - US Department of Education - 08
- Sanchez Elementary School – Dragon Discovery Afterschool Program – America’s Promise Alliance - 08
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Hats Off! Superintendent's Honor Roll
In the May 13 board meeting, Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) Executive Director John Hefty honored Dr. Holly Hultgren, principal of Lafayette Elementary School, as the National Distinguished Principal (NDP) of the Year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Superintendent Chris King also presented her with her second Superintendent's Honor Roll certificate.
Among the reasons Hefty noted as why Hultgren was named National Distinguished Principal of the Year:
- Hultgren is a dedicated leader who has demonstrated her ability to work successfully with all types of students and to motivate staff members. In her 20 years as a principal, she has created high-performing schools in a variety of settings.
- Under Hultgren’s leadership, Lafayette Elementary has improved from an average to high academic performance rating on the School Accountability Report over the last three years. During the same time, enrollment increased by 140 students and school climate surveys revealed high marks for parent and staff satisfaction.
- Beyond her school leadership accomplishments, Hultgren has regularly developed and supported new principals. She teaches graduate courses in administration and serves as a mentor and coach for assistant principals in the school setting.
Hefty also noted that, in support of her nomination, Boulder Valley Superintendent Christopher King called Hultgren “unique among our principal ranks.” King said, “I have learned from Holly to never question the relationship between a strong leader and a successful school. In a few short years, Holly has turned around her current school, raising enrollment and academic achievement simultaneously.”
“I’m very proud not only for the distinguished honor this brings to Lafayette Elementary but also for the honor it brings to Boulder Valley School District,” said Dr. Hultgren. “We don’t do this alone. I appreciate you and everyone who supports me every day.”
Hultgren was selected by her peers in the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals (CAESP), a department of CASE and affiliate of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The National Distinguished Principal program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, NAESP, and VALIC.
The award recognizes successful elementary or middle level principals who have provided outstanding leadership. Selection criteria include evidence of respect from the school community; active community involvement; strong educational leadership; and evidence of maintaining an orderly, purposeful learning environment. |
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