NMSHS Panther Post

Nederland Middle-Senior HS Community,

This past week I had the opportunity to watch our girls and boys High school basketball teams play. All three games that were played reminded me of the value of having school sports, especially here in Nederland. While all three teams lost their games, we played extremely hard, we hustled, we made some really good shots, passes, steals and rebounds. Every single player contributed to their teams and we never quit.

Additionally, there were players on the court who have not played a lot of basketball, but stepped up and went out for the team. Each player was taking a risk and trying to improve and contribute to the team. Smaller schools may not have all of the bells and whistles that larger schools have, but what they do have are opportunities for students to get involved and to participate in life changing experiences. At Nederland we have 1 sport, 2 sport, 3 sport and 4 and 5 sport-a-years athletes. It is rare but typical for us to have multiple sport athletes competing at the state level each season. I am very proud of our effort and performance, no matter what the final score on the scoreboard..

Have a great long weekend (no school on Monday - MLK Day Holiday),

Gavan

he/him/his

Have a great weekend,

Gavan

he/him/his

We had several exciting outcomes with skiing last week. For High School Nordic, Ben Weber, Abby Hess, and Amika Begin all qualified for States. For High School Alpine, Cedar Shupe & Grayson Shurr also qualified for States. For Middle School Alpine, Nora Shurr placed 8th, Felix Miller placed 5th, Caiden Stackpole placed 10th, and Evan Troy placed 13th. Congratulations on these impressive results, Panthers!

When we come back on Tuesday 1/21, Middle School Girls’ Basketball has their first home game starting at 5 pm vs. Centennial. Go Panthers!

Enjoy the long weekend!

Boulder Tec Open House next Thursday, January 23

Learn more about Boulder TEC's programs, meet the teachers, and tour the campus at the Open House Thursday, Jan. 23, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at 6600 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder. Boulder TEC is BVSD's Career and College Center that provides 11th and 12th grade students with the opportunity to earn college credits and career enhancing certifications, and provides students with valuable career skills. Students in grades 10 and 11 may apply for a spot next year. The application opens January 23, and Ms. Jill encourages anyone interested to apply EARLY, spots will fill up quickly. Look for an email from BVSD Boulder Tec, with the application link, which is expected to go out to all BVSD families next week, or visit the Boulder Tec website. tec.bvsd.org

You’ve probably heard about the new BVSD district wide cell phone policy: “Phones put away, for the day.” You can read more about the cell phone policy and the benefits to students on the policy site here: Distraction free BVSD.

College Scholarships! See the local scholarship list for the latest scholarships advertised to us for our students, including: Nederland Lyons Club, Boulder Community Hospital Foundation, and Elevations Credit Union of Boulder.

Is your student participating in the college credit option in Mr. Geels’ Precalculus or Calculus AB course? Are finances a constraint in choosing the credit option? If so BVSD is encouraging families to apply for assistance with that fee. See the tuition assistance application here.

Boulder JCC is providing an exhibition The Bias Inside Us, which is an exhibit visiting the Boulder JCC from the Smithsonian Institute from February 22, 2025 - March 23, 2025. The exhibit explores the science of internal bias and its effect on our daily lives. There is no fee to visit this exhibit. The Boulder JCC is located at 6007 Oreg Avenue Boulder, (303) 998-1900

Bias Inside Us.pdf

Need a Boulder-based summer camp or child care for a week or more? Check out BVSD’s Summer Camp option on their site. Options are available for full day or half day, aimed at ages 5 -16.

New Teens Inc Nederland program opening for 7th-9th graders. See this flyer for QR code and information. This program is designed to foster confidence, belonging, and leadership among 7th-9th graders. Through carefully structured activities spanning 22 days over a six month period, participants engage in outdoor recreation and skill-building that challenges them to take healthy risks, learn from peers, and develop problem-solving skills. Youth will receive gift cards for participation.

• Orientation weekend (overnight in cabins) - March 8th-9th OR March 15th-16th

• Service day with City of Denver Parks and Recreation (day trip) - April 12th OR April 13th

• Rock climbing day (day trip) - May 17th OR May 18th

• Wilderness First Aid course (day trip - no overnights) - June 4th-6th (both cohorts together)

• 5 day front country camping trip, possible activities include rafting, climbing, hiking (maybe mtn biking) - activities will depend on youth interest and input (overnight in tents) - June 9th-13th OR June 23rd-27th

• 8 day front country and backcountry camping trip, possible activities include backpacking, paddle boarding - activities will depend on youth interest and input (overnight in tents) - July 7th-14th OR July 21st-28th

• Closing weekend and celebration at Lincoln Hills - youth will create a collaborative capstone presentation about experience/learning and share with families at celebration (overnight in cabins) - August 2nd-3rd OR August 9th-10th

Please submit an application only if you are confident you want to participate in the program and can attend 80% of the in-person events.

Seniors: To be evaluated for college financial aid, students and families need to apply for the FAFSA now. Nederland seniors will apply for the 2025-26 FAFSA, because they enter college in FALL of 2025. The actual FAFSA is not open yet. - View the official Dept of Education FAFSA video here.(10minutes). BVSD hosts drop in FAFSA help, see BVSD FAFSA help page, or connect with Ms. Jill for assistance.

Feeling stress? Need information? See the 2024-2025 BVSD Mental Health Referral Provider List for a list of local psychologists and clinics serving in a variety of specializations, including educational consult services, family consultations, eating issues, substance use and others.