News

On a Tuesday in Kelly Walter’s Business classes at Broomfield High School, students collaborate in scavenger hunts relating to cognitive bias, open surprise miniature products to create marketing campaigns, pay simulated bills and balance mock bank accounts. You would never guess that these classes are only one week into a new semester.

Students and staff at BVSD's Career and Technical Education Center, Apex (formerly Boulder TEC) returned from Winter Break to some more completed updates to their learning spaces, thanks to renovations provided by the Building for Student Success program. 

The Biomedical Sciences, Sports Medicine, Emergency Medical Technician, Criminal Justice and Teacher Academy programs are starting the second semester in larger, updated, professional-feeling new labs and classrooms. The renovated spaces feature settings for hands-on experiences and are designed to emulate the professional work environments that students will encounter when they move into careers.

For Deann Bucher, joining the Boulder Valley School District Board of Education is not a departure from her life’s work—it is a continuation of it. After more than 30 years as an educator, Bucher brings deep institutional knowledge, a classroom-centered perspective, and a strong commitment to equity to her new role as one of BVSD’s newest board members.

As one of BVSD’s newest Board of Education members, Ana Temu Otting brings a lifetime of advocacy, organizing, and lived experience to the role—along with a clear belief that schools are not just places of learning, but powerful engines of opportunity and community transformation.

Thank you for your patience and understanding this week as our community experienced unusually high winds that impacted our schools. I know this disruption—especially so close to Winter Break—was not how anyone hoped to begin the holiday season.

While this is the first time BVSD has been forced to close schools due to a high wind event of this nature, we recognize that similar challenges may arise again. We are committed to continuous improvement and will use the lessons learned this week to strengthen our plans moving forward.

It has been an unusual start to Winter Break. We hope this message finds you safe and well, as we, together, endure these high wind events and the resulting school closures.

Already the holiday season can be very stressful for adults and children alike, which is why we always reach out at the beginning of Winter Break to provide everyone with helpful resources to navigate the social-emotional challenges posed this time of the year. 

BVSD’s overall enrollment continued to decline this year, but at a greater rate than expected, BVSD Senior Planner Glen Segrue told the Board in an update earlier this month. The student count dropped 525 students, or 1.9% from last year—1% more than projected. Over the past five years, the downward trend is less steep at 1.3%. This is BVSD’s second biggest drop in enrollment since the pandemic. The district’s enrollment has declined by nearly 3,600 students since 2015.

As winter break approaches, many families look forward to time together, holiday celebrations, and a well-earned rest before the new year. This season also brings more social gatherings for teens—school events, celebrations with friends, and increased independence as schedules shift. While these experiences can be positive, they also come with risks that are important for parents and caregivers to keep in mind. Our district’s Health Services Team is sharing information and resources to help families support safe, healthy choices during this time.