Principal's Message

Dear Boulder High School Community,

We continue to mourn the tragic loss of life in our city last Monday afternoon. We are devastated by this unthinkable tragedy but comforted in knowing that we are part of an amazing community that will pull together to support each other through this difficult time. We also know that our students may experience emotional distress due to this horrific act of violence. Our focus is to ensure our students feel safe and supported within our building by offering them a sense of normalcy while allowing them to process the situation in a safe environment. That being said, the Boulder Valley School District Trauma Team has been activated and will be working to support schools and families. If you know of a student who needs support during this difficult time, please use this Google Form to let us know. At the end of this letter, I have also shared additional resources that are available to our BVSD community members who may need the support. The safety and welfare of our students and staff remain our top priority, and we are very determined to continue to support them socially, emotionally, and academically.

Additional Safety Measures 
As we return to the building this week, we want to ensure our students, staff, and community feel safe. Boulder High School has always made school safety and security a top priority, and we will continue to provide a safe and welcoming environment. In response to last week’s tragic event, we want to share the following information:

• Students or parents may ask for help at any time, even if they were not directly involved in the shooting. We understand that traumatic events like this can impact students and families in different ways.
• Following the recent tragedy, which hit so close to home, it is only natural that parents across the country are questioning the safety measures of the nation’s schools. It is important to know that Boulder Valley School District has a layered system of security in place to protect our children. 
• While BVSD cannot discuss specific security measures, actions, or tactics, the district has worked closely with our partners in law enforcement to implement best practices, to detect potential threats, and then to prepare our buildings and staff to react when a threat is realized.
• The BVSD Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) outlines how the district will implement life- and property-saving actions when a major disaster or emergency occurs at one or more of our schools, sites, or buildings. The EOP describes the policies, concept of operations, response and recovery actions, and responsibilities of BVSD departments that guide operations following a major disaster or emergency.
• A crucially important part of this plan is the Standard Response Protocol. While it is impossible to predict and prepare for any given emergency’s exact circumstances, through previous tragedies, we have learned that short, easy-to-remember commands and associated actions allow for clear communication and quick response during a crisis.
• BVSD believes in continuous improvement and is always learning from mass shooting incidents that have occurred across the nation. While that will certainly be the case following this situation, most people may not notice any changes following this latest challenge. We have a strong security plan in place and continue to rely upon it.

Phase 4 In-Person Learning (4 Days per Week)
As we begin Phase 4 In-Person Learning starting Tuesday, March 30, I want to remind you of some important information that will make our transition safe and smooth. With more people in the building, it is imperative that all guidelines and protocols are followed. Please read through the information and reach out to any administrator if you have questions or need clarification.

Health and Safety
Our focus continues to center around the safety and welfare of our students, staff, and community. We have taken many measures to keep everyone safe while still maintaining a strong focus on learning and academic achievement. All safety procedures must be followed by anyone entering the building or on campus. We also ask that everyone practice preventive behaviors outside of school. Doing so will support a safe return to school and help us keep our building open to in-person learning. For additional information, link to the Back Together BVSD Reintroduction page. 

COVID Screener  
A student CANNOT enter the building until their parent or guardian has completed the Daily Health Screener in Infinite Campus. The Daily Health Screener MUST be completed the day of entry to the building; the screener cannot be completed a day prior. Additionally, only the parent/guardian can complete the Screener; students are not permitted to complete the screener on their own. Boulder High School cannot assist parents with completing the screener on site. Please refer to the letter from our school nurse, Eileen Chacon, for further information about health guidelines and a link to the screener: BHS School Nurse Letter to the Community. 
 
You can also link to the Student Daily Health Screener from the quick links menu on the Boulder High website. 

 

Required Personal Protective Equipment
Students MUST wear a face covering/protective mask over their mouth and nose while in the building and on school grounds at all times unless they are eating in a designated area or outside socially distanced. Students who do not comply with this district and county mandate cannot remain in their classes for the day, and we will immediately notify their parents/guardians to come and pick up their child. Refer to this document for appropriate and acceptable face coverings/masks.
  
Attendance 
We expect all students who have opted in to in-person learning during Phase 4 to attend all their scheduled classes in person. Students who repeatedly non-attend by skipping class while physically hanging out around the school put others at risk for quarantine and make it difficult to contact trace if needed. Students who violate this guideline will be placed on remote learning for the remainder of the year. Please be proactive and have a conversation with your student about the need to attend all their classes and keep themselves and everyone else safe by following the COVID health guidelines. Of course, if your student is planning on missing school, please call the attendance line to excuse them.

Campus Procedures
Building Entry and Exit
Students will enter the building according to their last name. Review the building entry points below and find your ALPHA-ASSIGNED entry.

• Main entry (north side): Last name beginning A–E
• 17th Street lot (east side): Last name beginning F–L
• Cafeteria (south side): Last name beginning M–S
• Science wing (west side): Last name beginning T–Z   

      
Late Arrivals

• Students who arrive late to school must use the main entrance and check in at the front office.  
• Office staff will confirm the health screener is complete and then send the student to class.

 
Early Exits
If a student needs to be picked up before the end of the school day:

• Families must call the main office and indicate the time they will be picking up their student.
• Students must be signed out by the office staff.

 
Visitors
Please note that nonessential visitors to campus will not be admitted unless first approved by the building principal.
Access to the building is restricted to students, faculty, and district personnel. Additionally, all people in the building must wear a cloth face cover/mask and comply with all BVSD and Boulder County Health Department guidelines, or they will be asked to leave the building immediately. 
 
Meal Service: Free In-Person Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast
All students can pick up a “grab and go” breakfast in the cafeteria from 8:10 to 8:40 am. Muffins, granola bars, bags of granola, cereal, fruit, and milk will be rotated for student consumption. Students must eat their breakfast in the cafeteria. They cannot take food into classrooms or wander the halls while eating. They can take food outside if time permits.
 
Lunch
Lunch will be served from 11:15 to 11:55 am in the cafeteria, with two hot lunch choices each day. We will use two lines to serve the lunches, and students must practice social distancing while they wait to get their food. There will be signage on the floor to direct students. Here is the link to the lunch menu. When the weather is nice, we encourage students to go outside, on campus, to eat their lunches. Students can also eat in the cafeteria, library, auxiliary gym balconies, and auditorium. Students must practice social distancing while eating their lunches. Students need to place their trash in the recycle and trash cans. Students who bring their lunch are encouraged to eat outside or in the library, auxiliary gym balconies, or auditorium to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria.
 
For more information, please visit our Boulder High School Phase 4 Protocols and Procedures Website. I appreciate your support and partnership as we continue working to provide a safe and secure environment for all students, and I look forward to a successful final term of the school year.

Sincerely,

James A. Hill, Ed.D
Principal 

James A Hill Ed.D
Principal
james.hill@bvsd.org

Additional Resources for the BVSD Community

Crisis Hotlines (For Adults or Students)
Please utilize and share these resources with family and friends who might need some assistance during this difficult time:

Colorado Crisis Services
Confidential crisis support, information, and referrals are available 24/7. Call: 1-844-493-TALK (8255).

Disaster Distress Helpline
Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health emergencies.

Mental Health Partners
Clinicians are operating remotely at this time and offering mental health services to community members. Call (303) 443-8500 to schedule an appointment or visit the Walk-In clinic: 3180 Airport Road, Boulder.
Flyer with more information from Mental Health Partners

National Helpline
Treatment referrals and information are available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals at 1-800-273-8255.