A message from Superintendent Chris King - BVEA Negotiations Update
Chris King reported that BVEA and district negotiators have met informally over the past two weeks and the two negotiating teams will meet formally September 17 and 18.

These negotiating sessions will be mediated by a representative of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Center of the U.S. Department of Labor. An update, as to the progress of the negotiations, will be given to the board at the next regular meeting on September 22.

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Mark your calendars! BVSD Health Fair - Sept. 14
The 3rd annual BVSD Health Fair for staff and families will be September 14 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Boulder Valley YMCA , 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette, CO 80026 (corner of 95th and Arapahoe).

BVSD Flu Shot Clinic - Wed., Oct. 14, 2009
On Wednesday, October 14, BVSD will offer a Flu Shot Clinic located at the Education center in the Professional Development Center – Mesa Davidson Room from 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Flu shots are $25.00 and Pneumonia shots are $40.00. Call Susana Aguirre (x 5022) or email her to reserve a spot.
Recipients must be 18 years of age or older and in good health. Please remember to wear clothing so that the upper arm can be easily exposed. Feel free to bring family members. Just be sure to reserve a spot. Shots provided by Denver Visiting Nurse Association (you may contact the VNA with questions at 303-698-2121).

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Impact on Education: Opportunity Fund Program
The Opportunity Fund enables students from economically disadvantaged homes to overcome economic barriers that inhibit access to academic and extracurricular activities that require participation fees. Earlier this month, Impact on Education provided $130,000 to BVSD principals, allowing thousands of students to access technology, rent musical instruments, pay for class fees, participate in extracurricular activities, school field trips and much more.

Principals can triage funding within their student community based on their firsthand knowledge of those students experiencing financial need. One principal reported that Opportunity Funds provided a student the means to purchase much needed eyeglasses that the student’s family could not otherwise afford.

Another principal poignantly sums up the program with, “The Opportunity Fund creates equity between all students by leveling the playing field for them. All students have the opportunity to have the same experiences without worrying about how this will affect their families’ basic needs at home.”

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 motivating and rewarding teacher excellence, increasing student interest and learning in science & technology, and creating opportunities for at-risk students. For more information, visit our website.

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Lifelong Learning offers free showing of the film "Who Does She Think She Is?"
Lifelong Learning is offering a free showing of the award winning film "Who Does She Think She Is?" on Sunday, September 20 at Manhattan Middle School. This film is about five women artists’ creativity, determination and passion which is inspirational for all.

Go to the film's website to see a preview. You must register to attend. Register online at Lifelong Learning or call 720-561-3768. Spread the word!

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BVSD Parents and Staff: Do you want to be involved?
Join the new BVSD Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)!
The Special Education Advisory Council is a forum that brings together parents, staff, students and the community. The purpose of SEAC is to ensure meaningful and sustainable communication, while disseminating information, sponsoring presentations and discussing the impact of state legislation related to students with disabilities. Our goal is to support the educational experience of our students with disabilities and to advocate for continuous improvement within Boulder Valley School District.

To join SEAC, parents need to contact their schools’ School Improvement Team (SIT) or PTA/PTO/Ed Council and volunteer to be the representative. Every BVSD school has a seat for a parent representative. Parents can share seats and guests are always welcome.

SEAC representatives are required to:
 • Report back to your schools’ SIT (how is determined by school)
 • Serve on SEAC for the school year

We want school staff- principals, teachers, paras, support staff and specialists- to participate, too, just let us know you want to join us. Everyone is welcome. SEAC meetings are held at the Education Center and alternate between evenings and days. Childcare is not available. First meeting is Tuesday, September 29 from 6 - 8:00 p.m. The first two meetings are dedicated to hearing from all parent reps and special education staff so we can see where we are and then prioritize needs. Starting in November, we’ll create committees to work on specific projects.

Please contact Anna Stewart at 720-561-5918 or email her for more information.

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This is going to be an exciting year for implementing new sustainable practices throughout BVSD. Last spring we completed a sustainability management system for BVSD, and we are looking forward to implementing many of the recommendations. Stay tuned to our website for new programs and developments throughout the year.

Kudos!
Thank you to Susan Reiderer and the Community School Program staff for their tireless efforts to green their daily office practices. For example, Susan and her team are:

• Using reusable dishware in their kitchen
• Reducing paper usage by emailing attendance sheets and not printing agendas for meetings
• Choosing paper that can be recycled for their publications

Thanks to all of you for leading by example.  

If your office would like tips for being greener, please email Ghita Carroll. Also, stay tuned for our green office certificate program.

Find us at the Health Fair Monday September 14
Look for the greenBVSD booth near the food tables at the Health Fair on Monday. Come learn more about exciting new programs for the upcoming year and how you can get involved. Also, participate in our raffle for a greenbvsd mug and other great prizes by bringing your own mug or taking alternative transportation to the event.

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Board Approvals

• A donation of $15,000 from Evol Burritos to Nutrition Services was approved by the board. The $15,000 will be used to pay for the BVSD Nutrition Services calendar printing and distribution to families.
• The board approved the contract between Colorado Youth for a Change and BVSD. CYC will perform services related to drop-out retrieval as well as provide a full-time Educational Outreach Specialist to provide data analysis, outreach, dropout recovery and follow up services to district students who have dropped out of high school within the previous couple of years and assist them in returning to school. They will also provide outreach and dropout recovery services to 100 youth per year, assisting at least 11 of these to return to school to count for October PPOR in 2009.

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Hats off!
Congratulations to this week's Superintendent's Honor Roll recipient:
Ryan Elementary 5th Grade Teacher Carolyn Mundt was honored during the September 8 board meeting. Ryan Elementary parent Nikki Shald nominated Carolyn. Nikki wrote, “Carolyn teaches my twin boys who have autism in the regular education classroom and does a tremendous job of accepting and appreciating all that Thomas and Zach have to offer to the school environment.”

Nikki went on to state that Carolyn is a leader in the building and is always there to help guide other teachers who have questions or concerns about teaching children with autism. She concluded by writing, “Carolyn has been a major factor in my children's success at Ryan Elementary and I feel that this honor would be a wonderful gesture to show my appreciation.”

Thank you, Carolyn! The extra mile that you go for Ryan students with autism is reflective of the daily dedication and commitment of BVSD teachers every day for students.

Call for nominations!
Nominations for Superintendent’s Honor Roll are accepted throughout the year. Send an email to Briggs Gamblin or Maela Moore telling us who you are nominating and why you think she or he deserves to be honored by the superintendent.

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