Community Partnerships

The Thorne Nature Experience provides environmental education programs such as in-school, after-school, and field trip experiences for elementary schools throughout BVSD. The In-School Program generates enthusiasm for the natural world while expanding students’ knowledge in the areas of    science and literacy through a three-class series of lessons that involve interactive explorations, inquiry-based experiments, scientific instruments and specimens, and writing a photo book. The After School Program builds empathy for and a connection to nature through a 12-week program that includes nature mentorship, unstructured time outdoors, participant-led inquiry, and exploration in and around the school yard and nearby natural areas. The Field Trip Program enhances classroom science learning and fosters a sense of place through a day-long experience in a local natural area.

Contact Information: 

BVSD Contact: Jovita Schiffer, jovita.schiffer@bvsd.org

City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) appreciates and wishes to continue our long standing collaboration with the BVSD community. In partnership we advance access to the natural world for academic learning and youth and family nature experiences, building healthy minds and bodies and healthy communities for all. As a partner, OSMP provides environmental education programs and resources correlated to BVSD academic standards to support student learning at, near and beyond school (e.g. Sombrero Marsh and public lands nearby schools and neighborhoods ).

Contact Information: 

BVSD Contact: Dr. Sam Messier, samantha.messier@bvsd.org

Nature Kids Lafayette is a $5 million collective impact project through which more than 20 nonprofits, Boulder Valley School District, and the City of Lafayette Open Space collaborate to deliver pre-k to high school, back yard to backcountry, and family integrated environmental education and outdoor recreation programming to Lafayette youth and families, with a focus on reaching historically underrepresented community members who experience barriers to accessing outdoor opportunities and spaces in their community. Maximum programming breadth is achieved at the elementary grade levels, where NKJN reaches all students at Alicia Sanchez Elementary School, Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer, and Ryan Elementary schools. All elementary youth receive multiple prescriptive experiences at every grade level (classroom presentations and school-day field trips). Youth at the elementary level interested in participating beyond the prescriptive programs can opt in to after school and summer experiences. At Angevine Middle School and Centaurus High School, more in-depth programming and multi-week opportunities including career pathways (paid internship and leadership opportunities) are provided to youth who chose to opt in to NKJN programs both during the school year and during the summer. Nature Kids works with a District-level liaison to manage the overall partnership, and with individual school administrators and teachers to implement programs.

Contact Information: 

BVSD Contact: Dr. Sam Messier, samantha.messier@bvsd.org

Eco-Cycle works directly and under contract with the BVSD Sustainability Coordinator for recycling and composting collection services, collection labeling and signage, and staff trainings. In addition, Eco-Cycle provides on-call environmental education to approximately 35,000 BVSD students and staff in approximately 1,400 presentations and field trips annually. Topics available district-wide to PK through 12th grade teachers include recycling, composting, Zero Waste, litter prevention, household toxins safety and alternatives, energy conservation, water conservation, air quality, indoor air quality, North American forestry and rainforest ecology. Delivery formats include in-person classroom lessons and live-virtual classroom lessons for all topics, and several field trip opportunities. Digital follow-up activities are provided to teachers for all lessons.

Contact Information: 

BVSD Contact: Ghita Carroll, ghita.carroll@bvsd.org

CARE would provide training and development to Spanish speaking parents on the PARITY and ALAS curricula to assist them to improve their advocacy for their children's education. CARE would also consider providing a Training-of-Training (TOT) program to prospective parent candidates for future prospective PARITY trainings. If requested, CARE would also providing technical assistance to appropriate departments of BVSD.

Contact Info: 

BVSD Contact: Ari Gerzon-Kessler, Coordinator Family Partnerships, ari.gerzon-kessler@bvsd.org

We empower school communities with gardens, curriculum and support to engage all students in experiential outdoor education. We envision a future in which gardens are an integral part of every school, fostering connection to nature, health and wellness, academic engagement and environmental stewardship. We provide everything a school needs to grow, maintain and use a garden for whole-school instruction including standards-based lesson plans correlated to K-5 YAAG. In partnership, we coordinate the school community to maintain the gardens, recruit garden leadership and provide training and support to teachers and parents.

Contact Information: 

BVSD Contact: Ghita Carroll: ghita.carroll@bvsd.org

As we have done for 20 years - PEN provides parent education and resources to support them in raising families - heavily based in social emotional wellness, resilience, and belonging. This includes virtual and in person presentations, workshops, stress & anxiety conference, as well as podcasts and recorded presentations. In the past we've worked with individual schools as well as providing community events. Our programs are available to BVSD Employees and they receive CEs for attendance

Contact Information: 

BVSD Contact: Dr. Sam Messier: samantha.messier@bvsd.org