Graduation Message from Superintendent Chris King
The board heard this message from Dr. King during their May 27 meeting.
The past several days have been filled with one of the most exciting times in any family’s life – the high school graduation of their child. For students, it represents the satisfaction of achieving a major life goal combined with a sense of future adventure.
Here are two highlights that illustrate the value of BVSD’s focus on equity and community:
BVSD’s equity focus includes a commitment to provide all students with the skills and knowledge to access college. Boulder Preparatory High School’s graduates crossed the stage in record numbers this year. For Boulder Prep, graduation means that each student has applied for and been admitted to college. All graduates are required to write an essay about how they will “pay forward” the privilege of receiving a rigorous education. One of the graduates said that he intends to support future college hopefuls with college costs through the school’s college scholarship program.
BVSD’s focus on caring communities was uniquely demonstrated at the Broomfield High School graduation this year. The stage was graced with a “distinguished platform guest” at Saturday’s ceremony. Emerald Elementary Principal Larry Leatherman joined the platform to personally congratulate the graduates who had attended kindergarten at his school 13 years ago. A graduating senior referenced the value of that early kindergarten start by reading a passage from “All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten.”
Last week’s 2,112 BVSD graduates each have a unique story to tell and a unique journey ahead. I know everyone here and watching tonight on television joins me in wishing all of them the very best as they go forward. |
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 The Teacher Advisory Council brings to light teachers’ concerns regarding non-negotiated agreement issues. Through monthly meetings with Dr. Chris King and other BVSD administrators, we have discussed many questions and begun the process of positive change in a variety of issues including:
• Early assessment expectations for elementary schools
• Food service quality
• Many Infinite Campus issues
• Grade-fill option for online report cards
• Professional development choices and quality
• Providing teachers with a more significant role in providing feedback for building principal evaluations
• Various funding inequity issues
• Open enrollment priorities for children of BVSD teachers
Please let us know if you have any concerns to bring to the table, or if you are interested in becoming a member of TAC.
Your 2007-2008 TAC Team
Sharon Baird, Bill Campbell, Robert Croft, Peter Dalby, Kristin Donley, Lynn Molitor-Gordon, Barbara Leaf, Terri Mulford, Wendy Rochman, Lisa Turner, Melissa Tingley |
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 Update from Susan Cousins, Bond Communications Specialist
Projects move forward on accelerated schedule
This month, the bond team joined the staffs at Fairview High, Broomfield High, Information Technology, Louisville Middle, BCSIS and High Peaks to host groundbreaking ceremonies and celebrate the kick-off of construction for their projects. Boulder Valley bond staff began implementation of the 2006 Bond Program 18 months ago when voters generously approved ballot measure 3A providing Boulder Valley School District with $298.6 million for facilities improvements.
To accomplish the bond in six years, we have undertaken a very ambitious schedule. We are currently implementing 30 different bid packages which cover school building projects, athletics and playground projects, site improvements and information technology. At this time, 15 of those are under construction.
Many of our projects were bid in March and April this year and we are benefitting from a favorable bid market. Strong competition produced hard bids which met or were below budgets. The guaranteed maximum prices we’ve received on our CM/GC projects have also come in within budget. Many of the phase I projects will be completed in time for the 2009-10 school year.
Bond provides opportunity to foster collaboration and develop partnerships
One of the unanticipated benefits that has emerged from the 2006 Bond has been the opportunity to develop partnerships with other local organizations. In the IT WAN project, we have developed partnerships with the City of Boulder, the City of Louisville, the local Federal laboratories, Centennial BOCES and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
These partnerships provide various benefits such as the joint use of network components including fiber optic cable and conduit as well as monetary savings. The resources we’ll share with Boulder and Louisville have reduced the length of network we’ll need to construct by nearly 20 percent. Our partnership with CDOT resulted in a net savings of $486,000.
In February, the City and County of Broomfield approved the use of municipal services expansion fees of just over $700,000 to add an eighth lane to the track and create additional parking at the school. The expansion of the track to eight lanes will allow Broomfield High School to now host state track competitions, which it has been unable to do in the past. This improvement will also benefit the many Broomfield youth who use the track each summer through Broomfield Recreation Department programs. The addition of 105 parking spaces at the school will benefit students and other users of the school facilities.
The City of Boulder has agreed to use up to $1.8 million in educational excise tax funds to reimburse the district for expenses incurred in the pursuit of LEED certification for the new Casey building. Without this funding, LEED certification would not be possible.
Developing partnerships like these is a great way to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the 2006 Bond and to leverage resources to do even more for our students. We look forward to this trend continuing through the entire bond program.
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BVSD students awarded scholarships for college through Impact on Education
Each year, a number of Boulder Valley high school seniors apply for and are awarded post-secondary educational scholarships that are administered by Impact on Education and funded by individuals and organizations. The scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 per year to $2,500 per semester for four years. Our 2008 scholarship recipients are:
Independent Order of Oddfellows
Samuel Galler - Boulder High School
Eftychia Pagratis - Boulder High School
Elena Zamora - Boulder High School
Will Forrest - Nederland High School
Kasey Erdman - Nederland High School
Erika Yamasaki - Boulder High School
Mary Bessol Scholarship
Ginger Short - Boulder High School
Sally Smyth Scholarship
Natalie Eakin - Boulder High School
Dennie and Donna Wise Scholarship
Maria de Lourdes Flores - Boulder High School
Hector Guzman - Boulder High School
Claudia Janeth Gordillo Villa - Boulder High School
Mari Crystal Campos - Boulder High School
Dr. George Garcia Scholarship
Maria de Lourdes Flores - Boulder High School
Boulder High School Links Scholarship
Danielle Pite - Boulder High School
Rick Sinner Scholarship
Cleo Masia - Boulder High School
Congratulations to all!!!
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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What’s Your Sun-Safety IQ?
Summer break is upon us; just in time! As you head off for the summer, please make skin safety a priority. The vast majority of skin cancers could be prevented by routinely protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Yet most Americans aren’t doing enough to protect themselves. Are you sun-safe every day? Take the American Cancer Society’s nine-question quiz and find out:
1. I can’t get skin cancer, because my routine (work, drive to work, indoor hobbies, and vacations) doesn’t include any outdoor activities. _____ True _____ False
2. My spouse should use sunscreen at sporting events, even though s/he only goes (and gets a burn!) once or twice a year. _____ True _____ False
3. If I’m wearing sunscreen, I can stay in the sun as long as I want. _____ True _____ False
4. A sunscreen labeled SPF 30 blocks twice as much UV radiation as one labeled SPF 15. _____ True _____ False
5. It’s safe to let my children stay in the pool all day if they slip on a T-shirt after a couple hours and reapply sunscreen to their faces, arms, and legs. _____ True _____ False
6. How often do you need to reapply water-resistant sunscreen? _____ Every 2 hours or sooner; _____After sweating or swimming; _____ After towel drying; _____ All of those listed
7. Getting a “base tan” at an indoor tanning salon is as good way to prevent sunburn when I go to the beach later this summer. _____ True _____ False
8. What are the two most common (and painful!) sunscreen mistakes? _____ Choosing an SPF below 15 and missing spots; _____ Using too little and waiting too long to reapply
9. Now put it all together. You applied sunscreen at 12:00 noon for an afternoon of reading beside the pool. At 2:00 p.m., which one of the following actions would best protect your skin? _____Slip on a long sundress; _____ Move to the shade; _____ Reapply sunscreen
Answers at the end of this newsletter |
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Under New Management
- Sue Anderson, Director, Food Services, effective May 28, 2008.
- Nicholas Barnes, Assistant Principal, Broomfield High School, effective July1, 2008
Other Board Approvals
The board adopted a Resolution recognizing Boulder Valley Classified Employees Association-CEA-NEA as the organization representing the Unit C employee group commencing on July 1, 2008.
An amendment to the membership guidelines for the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee was approved.
Principles of Economics by Greg Mankiw was approved for use in AP Macroeconomics. The AP Macroeconomics course was approved in November 2007.
As part of the current initiative intended to streamline BVSD policies, the following policies were repealed: KA, KAB, KB, KBA, KBB, KBC, KBCA, KBF, KC, KD, KE, KFA, KGC, KHA, KM, KMA, KN, LB, LEA.
The revised Comprehensive School Counseling Curriculum was received and given consent.
The following names were approved for the five new conference rooms located in the professional development center:
Aspen (represents Colorado), Black Diamond (represents a mine in Lafayette), Crescent (represents a mine in Broomfield), Davidson Mesa (represents a trail in Louisville/Superior), and Eldora (represents our mountain communities).The name of the Library Conference Room was also changed to Flagstaff (which represents Boulder) in keeping with this new landmark theme.
Four contracts and one bid award were approved:
- Custom Environmental was approved to perform the asbestos abatement for the Professional Development Center.
- LINX will complete the audio visual project for the Professional Development Center.
- RB+B Architects was awarded the architectural and engineering contract for improvements required at Platt Middle School for the 2006 Bond Program.
- The board approved authorization to award contract for construction services for the High Peaks Elementary /BCSIS schools’ 2006 Bond Program project to the lowest responsive prequalified bidder in an amount not to exceed $5,325,657.00.
- Digital Ink, Denver, will perform the manufacture and installation of signage on 43 schools located throughout the district. This project is part of a marketing plan to support destratification efforts throughout the district by building the BVSD brand and strengthening each individual school’s identity. Installing signage on each school that clearly identifies it as part of the “Boulder Valley School District” was one of the recommendations made by the ad hoc marketing task force in June 2007.
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Hats Off! Superintendent's Honor Roll
During the May 27 board meeting, five students were honored who overcame odds to achieve success:
Lan Pham of Centaurus High School was awarded a Dell Scholarship. According to the Dell website, the Dell Scholars Program enables more underserved students with financial need to achieve their greatest potential through higher education. This program is offered to those high school students participating in approved college readiness programs. An AVID Program student and 2008 graduate of Centaurus High School, Lan has the joy of having accepted a difficult challenge and come through with flying colors.
The other four students honored in the board meeting were winners of the 2008 Metro Mayors’ and Commissioners’ Youth Awards on April 13. The purpose of this award is to recognize young people from throughout the Denver metropolitan area between the ages of 13 and 19 years old that overcome personal adversity and create positive change in their lives by showing outstanding achievement in the areas of direct service in the community, service to their family, and service to self.
Jonathan Baumhover of Chinook West and Arapahoe Ridge High School was diagnosed with a staph infection of the bone in fourth grade. It took seven years but Jonathan beat his disease. However, during his freshman year, his father died and two years later, his mother became seriously ill. Jonathan took over significant financial responsibility for his family while a high school student. Yet, he still managed to complete school and fulfill several community volunteer commitments.
Katie Kaplan of Broomfield High School was diagnosed with acute leukemia at the age of 15. She currently undergoes spinal taps and weekly chemotherapy treatments. She keeps up with her studies through a combination of an in-home tutor and her own motivation when unable to attend class. After receiving a horse from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Katie donated it to Broomfield High’s equestrian therapy program.
Melissa Marquez of Fairview High School transferred to Fairview High School in 2005. As an ESL student, she signed up to be one of the first speakers on the high school’s diversity panel. She has given more than 50 presentations. Discovering that she was pregnant in 2006, Melissa persevered in her studies at Fairview. Now the mother of a young daughter, Melissa plans to use her cosmetology certificate to work part time and obtain a college degree that will allow her to work with Latino youth.
Karina Cervantes of Broomfield High School moved with her parents to the United States when she was in middle school. Although she and her parents spoke virtually no English when they arrived, Karina quickly learned her new language and is involved in the English language learners’ program at her school. Though she has often worked two jobs to help her family, Karina maintained a strong grade point average and even graduated a semester early. |
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Answers to Sun Safety Quiz:
1. The correct answer is false. Dermatologists say brief sun exposures all year round can add up to major damage for people with fair skin. And the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays do pass through car windows, so driving during peak sun hours, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., to lunch or on weekends, bathes your hands and arms in damaging UV rays.
2. The correct answer is true. When added up, everyday exposures are linked to squamous cell cancer. Although not as dangerous as melanoma, squamous cell cancer is far more common and the number of cases has been going up every year. Many people think it’s OK to get a sunburn now and then, but studies show that even occasional exposure to strong sunlight seems to increase the risk of the most serious type of skin cancer, melanoma.
3. The correct answer is false. It’s not smart to broil in the sun for several hours, even if you are wearing sunscreen. These products don’t provide total protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays. The American Cancer Society recommends that people seek shade and limit time in the sun at midday. Also, cover up with a shirt, wear a wide-brimmed hat, use a sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher, and reapply it about every 2 hours. And don’t forget sunglasses for eye protection.
4. The correct answer is false. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) describes how long a product will protect your skin, if you apply the sunscreen correctly. Fair-skinned people begin to burn in about 15 minutes on a sunny day, so wearing an SPF 15 sunscreen (if applied and reapplied properly) would prevent sunburn for about 225 minutes (15 SPF x 15 minutes until sun burn= 225), or 3 hours and 45 minutes. The SPF 30 sunscreen should last for 450 minutes (30 x 15 = 450), or 7 hours and 30 minutes. In practical use, you’ll need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Be sure to choose a broad spectrum product that blocks UVB and UVA light and use a lot.
5. The correct answer is false. UV rays easily go through a white cotton T-shirt, especially if it’s wet. Your children will get only about as much protection as an SPF 4 sunscreen—certainly not enough for all day and well below the minimum of SPF 15 recommended by the ACS. Better clothing choices include dark colors, fabrics with tight weaves, and specially treated garments and bathing suits. Sun-protective clothing is often found at sporting goods stores. Another good choice is moving into the shade. For babies younger than 6 months, shade, sun-protective clothing, and hats are best. As a last resort, pediatricians now say that very small amounts of sunscreen can be used on small areas, such as the face and back of the hands
6. The correct answer is all of those listed. For best results, most sunscreens need to be reapplied about every 2 hours or sooner, but be sure to check the label. Sunscreens labeled “water resistant” are made to protect you when swimming or sweating, but may only last for 40 minutes. Also, remember that sunscreen usually rubs off when you towel dry.
7. The correct answer is false. Our experts say a “base tan” gives you very little protection against sunburn. And that goes for indoor tans, too, which provide a sun protective factor of about 4, much less than most sunscreens. A base tan may, if fact, increase the chance you’ll get a burn, because you’re likely to stay out longer without properly protecting your skin. Also, tanning itself injures the skin. What you don’t see is UV damage to deeper layers, where it builds-up from every tan and burn you’ve ever had. There really is no such thing as a “safe tan.”
8. The correct answer is using too little and waiting too long to reapply. About 1 ounce of sunscreen (a ‘palmful’) should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck and face of the average adult. For best results, most sunscreens must be reapplied at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating. Products labeled “waterproof” may provide protection for at least 80 minutes even when you are swimming or sweating. Products that are “water resistant” may provide protection for only 40 minutes. To be safe, use a lot of sunscreen and use it often. 9. The correct answer is move to the shade. While all 3 actions help, getting out of the mid-day sun is the best choice in this situation. Seeking shade is a key element in preventing skin cancer, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The sundress blocks very little UV radiation because it’s made of cotton. It compares to a sunscreen rated SPF 4. Covering up is the right idea, but dark colors, tight weaves, and clothing labeled at least UPF 30 work better.Sunscreen should not be used to extend your time in intense sunlight. It’s an important part of a larger strategy that the American Cancer Society recommends to protect your skin, but it does not provide total protection. To get the most from sunscreen, choose products of SPF 15 or higher that block both UVA and UVB rays, reapply at least every 2 hours, and use at least 1 ounce (a palmful) for an adult. |
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