NMSHS Panther Post

September 19, 2025

Dear Nederland Community,

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of attending several high school boys' soccer and girls' volleyball games. It has been a real joy—and a trip down memory lane—cheering on our Panther teams just as I did as a student. I’m incredibly proud of the work ethic and positive attitude our student-athletes bring to the field and court. They play with passion and show outstanding sportsmanship. If you haven’t had the chance to attend a game yet, I strongly encourage you to join us and show your Panther pride!

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Recap: What We’ve Covered So Far

In recent editions of the Panther Post, I’ve shared key takeaways from Back to School Night. Here’s a quick summary:

Overall School Performance: Nederland Middle-Senior High School (MSHS) is on the right track, but we continue to underperform BVSD benchmarks—especially among students eligible for free and reduced lunch. This remains a critical area of focus.
Instructional Focus: We are committed to strengthening Universal Instruction and implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to meet the needs of all learners.

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This Week’s Focus: Two Additional Priorities

1. Expanding High School Opportunities

While our small mountain school offers a tight-knit community and unique experiences, the size does present challenges—particularly when it comes to the number of available courses. This challenge presents us with a tremendous opportunity.

Through Career and Technical Education (CTE) and with the support of BVSD’s Grad+ initiative, we’re building strong college and career pathways for our students. The Grad+ framework is built around four quadrants:

Seal of Biliteracy
Work-Based Learning
College Credit
Industry Certifications

At MSHS, our current focus is on three of these:

Work-Based Learning
We are actively developing internship opportunities with local outdoor businesses and aim to launch a limited spring semester internship program. These real-world experiences will give students hands-on skills in relevant, local industries.

College Credit
Students are already earning credits through Front Range Community College and the CU Succeed program, which allows high school students to take university-level courses taught by approved faculty.

We are also exploring additional partnerships with colleges and universities across Colorado. In addition, we will begin aligning MSHS courses with College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. A passing score on these exams can earn students:

Up to 16 credits at Front Range
13 credits at Metro State
12 credits at CU Boulder

Initially, we’ll focus on aligning our mathematics courses with CLEP offerings to help students earn college credit while still in high school.

Industry Certifications
We currently offer certifications in:

Bike Mechanics
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Snow Safety

We’re planning to add Leave No Trace in the near future and are exploring additional outdoor-focused certifications, such as outdoor guiding and rock climbing.

These expanded pathways are made possible by our school’s unique location and strong local partnerships. They empower our students to graduate with real-world skills, industry credentials, and college credits—preparing them for both college and careers in the outdoor recreation economy.

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2. Developing a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) System

We know that middle school students thrive when supported with:

Clear behavioral expectations
Direct instruction on those expectations
Regular positive reinforcement
Consistent, restorative consequences for behavior that falls short

We are currently building our PBIS system and plan to launch it at the beginning of the second semester. More details will be shared as we get closer to implementation. This framework will help create a supportive, structured environment where all students are set up to succeed.

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That’s all for this week! As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Best,
Caleb

See all events on the NMSHS school calendar here.

This Week:

Sept. 22 - Basketball open gym, 4pm
Sept. 24 - Basketball open gym, 4pm
Sept. 25 - MS Girls VB @ home, 4:15pm
Sept. 27 - "Ned Hoops" 3x3 tournament fundraiser, 9am

Coming Up:

Sept. 28-30 - Backpacking Trip
Sept. 29 - HS Girls VB JV, 4:30pm; V 5:30pm
Sept. 30 - Library at Lunch
Oct. 2-4 - Backpacking Trip
Oct. 2 - PTA Meeting, 6pm
Oct. 3 - HS Girls VB JV, 4:30pm; V 5:30pm
Oct. 6-11 - Homecoming Week!
Oct. 6 - Lifetouch Picture Retake Day
Oct. 6 - HS Boys Soccer, 4pm
Oct. 7 - Band and Orchestra Concert, 7pm
Oct. 8 - Choir Concert, 7pm
Oct. 10 - HS Girls VB V, 5:30pm
Oct. 11 - Homecoming Parade, Soccer, 1:30pm
Oct. 11 - Homecoming Dance, 7pm

Thank you to everyone who supported our student-athletes at last week’s home games. We have some great celebrations this week.

Last Saturday, Ben Weber and Amika Begin won the NedNed 5K for both the boys and girls’ respectively. Nederland Cross Country did a great job representing. Congratulations! HS Cross Country races again tomorrow @ Lyons High School starting at 8 am.

This week, HS Soccer beat STEM Highlands Ranch to improve to 4-1 on the season. They are currently ranked 20th in the state for 2A. Way to go Panthers!

Both MS Volleyball and MS Flag Football will be wrapping up their seasons this coming week.

Thur 9/25 MS Volleyball vs. Southern Hills @ Nederland at 4:15 pm
Thur 9/25 MS Flag Football @ Broomfield Heights at 4:15 pm

Finally, MS Cross Country practice starts this Tuesday 9/23 from 4 pm to 5:15 pm. Remember to register online, upload your current sports physical (students must use the newest CHSAA Sports Physical), and pay fees through RevTrak. Contact Lulu Arauz, our new Athletics Assistant, for any issues concerning registration or payment. You must be registered no later than Monday 9/22.

Have a great weekend!

Seniors

Remember to check your Counseling Google Classroom regularly for important information.
If you have not yet scheduled a meeting with me to review your graduation requirements, please do so by the end of September. The link to schedule a meeting is also in your Google Classroom.

Middle School Parents

I have been working on checking in with every Middle School Study Hall and having minute meetings with each individual student. I am about half way through the groups, and have loved getting to know your amazing students.
If you haven’t received an invite to your student’s Counseling Google Classroom and would like to join it, please let me know by email!

National Honor Society

Please check your email! If you are an eligible NHS Senior student you will have received emails from me.
We will be meeting the first Tuesday of every month
Eligible Juniors - keep an eye on your email - you will be receiving information shortly about applications.

Testing

PSAT/NMSQT - an email went out to ALL SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR PARENTS LAST WEEK. If you intend on taking the PSAT/NMSQT on 10/22/25, you need to sign up and pay for the exam by TONIGHT 11:59pm
AP Exams - an email was sent to ALL AP STUDENTS and PARENTS. Exams need to be paid for by 10/26/25 in order to be ordered. You can do this through RevTrak.

Being a Trusted Adult in Hard Times

With everything that has happened this week and continuously in our country, students may come home with many emotions surrounding what they see on the news, social media, and hear from other sources. I am attaching a flyer about being a Trusted Adult in Hard Times - it has some great steps and tips about how to regulate our own emotions so that we can be here for our kids.

Dear Parents & Guardians,

This is a friendly reminder to check your Student’s FEE Balance in Infinite Campus.

Staying on top of academic fees each year can help avoid any big surprises down the road, especially by graduation time.

We encourage families to pay online through Infinite Campus, but you're also welcome to stop by the front office with a check or cash.

Please email Lulu Arauz at lulu.arauzcastex@bvsd.org.

If you're exploring other options, like Free & Reduce (which also covers academic fees and Chromebooks), reach out to Lola Campos at dolores.campos-herzf@bvsd.org or 720-561-5942.

We also have school-specific scholarships and financial aid available. Principal Melamed is happy to help, just send him a quick note at caleb.melamed@bvsd.org.

Fall Play performances are November 7th and 8th at 7pm.

The plays being performed this year are:

Lindsay Price's Hoodie - Directed by Fall Play Director and NMHS Alumni, Jamie Lammers

Evelyne Stanton's Cyanide - Directed by NMHS Senior, Evelyne Stanton

Peter Tarsi's Tracks - Directed by NMHS Junior, Hazel Kelley

Lastly, the Intro to Theatre class will be performing Stephen Gregg's This is a Test, Directed by me (Ms. Brand)!

Regular Rehearsals - 3:50pm to 5:30pm - In the Auditorium

CYANIDE - Evelyne Stanton - practice Wednesdays thru 10/24

TRACKS - Hazel Kelley - practice Tuesdays thru 10/24

HOODIE - Jamie Lammers - practice Fridays thru 10/24

ALL CAST Dress Rehearsals - 3:50pm to 6pm - In the Auditorium

Monday, October 27th - Thursday, October 30th

Monday, November 3rd - Thursday, November 6th

Jamie Lammers is our official Fall Play Director this year, but I am still very much around and helping out! Please email jamie.lammers@bvsd.org and CC me at alia.brand@bvsd.org for any questions or wonderings.

Looking forward to working with your students this year whether that be as Cast members or Tech Crew members!

Best,

Alia Brand

Director of Choirs - MS and HS

Thespian Sponsor

Film Literature and Intro to Theatre

Nederland Middle/Senior High School

Reminder: Senior photos must be submitted by November 15th, 2025 to be included in the yearbook. Please plan ahead to ensure your photo is featured.

Submit the following to aimee.tomlinson@bvsd.org by November 15th:

Please review the guidelines for pictures, quotes and letters

Senior Portrait
Baby/Toddler Photo
Senior Quote
Parent Letter

Cap and Gown orders:

You will order your cap and gown through Jostens using the link provided below.
You are only required to order a cap and gown, all other items are optional.
If you need financial assistance, please email Nicole Zotti, scholarships are available!
Deadline to order caps and gowns is November 15th
Caps and gowns will be delivered to the school and distributed the day before graduation on May 15th. If you order other items in addition to your cap and gown, those will be delivered directly to you.

Jostens Base Package Cap and Gown Order Link

Jostens Graduation Packages Order Link

Keep an eye out for an email from us talking about ways you can get involved with homecoming, harvest feast, and our new fall fundraiser: Run with the Panthers 8k at 8,000 ft. We also have our fall fundraising push - our parents can do a direct give to the PTA to support our school, programs, and activities throughout the year.

2025-2026 PTA Board

Jessica Fitzer - President (7th and 11th grade parent)

Diana Underhill - Vice President (7th grade parent)

Brynel Dodge - Secretary (7th and 8th grade parent)

Kameron Troy - Treasurer (7th and 9th grader parent)

Upcoming PTA Events:

Oct 2 - PTA Meeting - 6pm-7pm in the school library

8th Graders dove deep in to the United States Constitution with CU Law students this week! Students argued in a hypothetical supreme court case called Taylor v. Brookwood High School.

Sixth graders did an amazing job on their three line art, inspired by the Lebanese artist Ethel Adnan.

Art 1 students have been working hard this week to build their alibrijes for Day of the Dead!

Students worked hard this week to present their Native American Cultural Regions maps and tribal photo albums! Delicious native foods ranging from fried bread to buffalo meat to fresh berries were brought in for the project presentations!

Even in retirement, Ms. Evans just couldn't stay away from theater. She is the Assistant Director at the Longmont Theatre Company for the show "You Can't Take It With You". Click here if you would like to get tickets https://longmonttheatre.org/

This Fall, BVSD will once again offer a one-stop shop for students and families to learn more about everything its schools and district have to offer. Whether new to the area or just curious about BVSD, all are invited to the CU Events Center on Wednesday, October 22 from 5-8 p.m. during the BVSD is the Place to Be Showcase.

Representatives from all 56 schools will be in attendance, as well as Enrollment, Transportation, Sustainability, Community Schools, Gifted and Talented and Special Education departments to share about their services and answer questions. Along with free, delicious food from BVSD's School Food Project! Learn more on the BVSD Showcase webpage.

There will be free parking available near the Event Center and free shuttle service from locations around the district: north and east Boulder, Lafayette/Louisville, and Broomfield.