Emerald Murphy is no stranger to challenging the norm, after all, it is something she has done most of her career. For this reason, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the former French teacher, turned groundbreaking high school athletic director, is now taking on a new challenge, leading Community Schools.
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Beginning this choice enrollment period, students of individuals who live outside of BVSD, but who work within the district's boundaries now qualify for our newest enrollment priority.
To qualify for our Bright Futures priority, the parent or guardian needs to be working within BVSD's boundaries at the time of application and on the first day of the school year.
On Tuesday, November 19, the Boulder Valley School District Board of Education voted 6-1 to update the district’s cell phone policy. Starting in January, high school students will no longer be able to utilize their phones during school hours on campus, including during passing periods and lunch.
Constructed in 1953 as Baseline Junior High, the school later transitioned to Baseline Middle School and then New Vista High School. After serving the students of BVSD for 71 years, the building will be demolished in 2025 as a new building for New Vista High School is constructed. Former students, teachers, staff, and families are invited to an open house to share memories and say farewell to the building.
In August, we introduced BVSD’s new attendance policy, which aims to encourage students to attend school and engage fully in their learning. This Fall, as BVSD schools implemented the new policy, they increased tracking and reporting around absences. Perhaps the most noticeable change was a new set of letters sent out to families when students are absent for a few days.
Fall sports in BVSD are currently underway, and winter sports will begin soon. We want to take this opportunity to inform our families about BVSD’s Concussion Protocols. It’s important for parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussions, especially after their child has experienced a fall, accident, or sports injury.
The Career and College Connections team is hosting ASCENT information sessions for students, families and staff. ASCENT is a program that provides tuition for the first year of college for students who have earned 9 college credits prior to graduating from high school.
Through the back fence of Flatirons Elementary in Boulder, students can glimpse the headstones in Boulder’s oldest graveyard, Columbia Cemetery.
Concerns about students’ mental health and concerns from BVSD educators have prompted the Boulder Valley School District’s Board of Education to look at strengthening the district’s cell phone policy. A survey was sent to high school students, staff and families this month to provide them with an opportunity to comment on the possible benefits and challenges a stricter policy might cause, as well as ideas on how to mitigate any concerns. The Board will review a new draft policy at their upcoming meeting.
Earlier this month, the Heatherwood Educational Advisory Team proudly shared its proposal to launch a new Environmental STEAM program at the school, beginning in the 2025-26 school year, to the BVSD Board of Education. The new program will teach Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) principles with a focus on environmental literacy, which is inspired by nature.