NMSHS Panther Post

Dear Nederland Community,

It was a pleasure to see so many of you at Back to School Night on Monday. I hope you enjoyed the opportunity to meet your child(ren)’s teachers and learn more about our school community.

I truly appreciated the chance to share school data with you and outline our priorities for the year ahead. In the coming weeks, I’ll be writing more in the Panther Post to make these priorities even clearer and to keep you informed about our work.

At Back to School Night, I also shared what drives my professional mission—something I’d like to expand on here. My commitment to education is shaped by my experience teaching and leading in Denver Public Schools, where I saw firsthand the significant opportunity gaps between students experiencing poverty and those who are not. Students living in poverty consistently underperform their peers in both academic growth and achievement. This gap has a lasting impact, often contributing to cycles of generational poverty.

However, we also know that strong educational outcomes are the most powerful tool to disrupt that cycle. Research shows that among young people experiencing poverty, those with strong academic outcomes are nearly three times as likely to earn a living wage and report high levels of well-being by age 30 compared to peers with weak academic outcomes. A solid academic foundation is essential for equitable access to both economic and social mobility.

At Nederland Middle-Senior High School, our achievement and growth data lags BVSD on key assessments such as the CMAS, PSAT, and SAT. To change this, we must build the structures and supports needed to improve outcomes for all learners. Our goal is to “shrink the bottom and grow the top”—in other words, to ensure high growth and high achievement for every student. That is, a rising tide raises all boats.

That brings me to what I call our audacious goal for Nederland Middle-Senior High:
To be the highest-performing—in both achievement and growth—and most innovative school along the Front Range.

In the coming weeks, I’ll share more about the key challenges we see in our data, and the specific strategies we’re putting in place to address them.

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

Have a wonderful weekend!

Best,
Caleb

See all events on the NMSHS school calendar here.

• August 26 - HS Boys Soccer @ Home, 4:15pm
• August 28 - Lifetouch School Picture Day
• August 28 - Fall Play Auditions, 4pm
• August 28 - HS Student Travel meeting, 5:30pm
• September 1 - No School, Labor Day
• September 2 - No School, Teacher PD
• September 3-5 - 6th Grade to High Trails
• September 4 - PTA meeting, 6pm
• Sept. 8 - Fall Play rehearsals begin, 4pm
• Sept. 9 - Colo. 14ers Hike Mt. Bierstadt
• Sept. 12 - Colo. 14ers Hike Quandary Peak

Auditions for fall plays are coming up! If you're interested in auditioning, head to the auditorium on Thursday, August 28, at 4 p.m. to read scenes. No preparation necessary!

Rehearsals start on September 8th after school, Fall Play performances are November 7th and 8th.

Lifetouch school picture day is Thursday, August 28th in the Auditorium. Pick up an order form in the office or order online.

Nederland Students are going to Japan in Summer 2027, and you’re invited!

Discover Japan’s unique blend of tradition and innovation through immersive experiences in Tokyo’s neon streets, Kyoto’s tranquil temples, and scenic towns near Mount Fuji. Students gain cultural insight by exploring local art, music, trends, and cuisine.

We also would like to give parents as much time as possible to spread out the cost and fundraise. The trip price we’ll discuss at the meeting includes a limited-time $200 early enrollment discount. PLUS...as long as 6 new travelers sign up by the enrollment deadline, EF will raffle off two $500 scholarships. Everyone who enrolls by the deadline will be entered to win.

Japan 2027 Meeting: Thursday, August 28th @ 5:30pm

Please visit this link for the meeting details and to register: https://bit.ly/4olki6m

(Please register even if you can’t make it so we can follow up!)

We’ll cover all the details, including the itinerary, activities, academic and scholarship opportunities, and the cost of our trip. The meeting will also mark the official opening of enrollment!

We'll also talk about future travel opportunities. If you have a student who is interested in a travel opportunity for 2028 or 2029, come to the meeting to generate ideas for future travel.

Please register for the meeting, even if you can’t attend. This helps us plan the space and follow up with interested families.

Athletic lockers may not be accessed during the school day, unless it is for PE class. If you need an academic locker assigned, please fill out this Locker Request form. note: this form needs to be filled out from a student's BVSD email account. Lockers will be assigned within 2 days of receiving the form.

Check your Infinite Campus for your locker number and combination.

All students enrolled in PE or participating in a sport are assigned athletic lockers.

Boulder Valley School District and Nederland Middle-Senior High School reminds you that cell phones, smart watches, and wireless earbuds are away for the day. From 8:30 am to 3:45 pm each day, these devices are not allowed to be out. Devices seen by a staff member will be confiscated by that staff member. See Mr. DePaula or Mr. Epke with any questions.

We love volunteers! If you think you might be volunteering with the school this year, please start the approval process now. Instructions.

Please fill out this form to get started.

A CBI fingerprint check is required through a third party vendor (these background checks are now valid for 5 years), paid by the volunteer or partner AND volunteer must sign a BVSD volunteer agreement (Spanish) each year and email the volunteer agreement to berenice.ramirez@bvsd.org

Please see the Volunteers/Visitors Flowchart and the Volunteer/Visitor FAQ for additional details.

This in-school communication to students is announced each morning. If you are interested in reading the Daily Announcements, you can find them on our website home page at neh.bvsd.org. It is a live document and is updated each day to prepare for the next morning's announcements.

It was so much fun to see so many new and returning families at Back To School Night - thank you to those who have joined us as members of the PTA! As the PTA Board, we care deeply about supporting the school, it's teachers, and staff members so that all students can reap the benefits of a small school environment. It's why we are all here, right?!

In case you missed Back To School Night, we have great news (well we think we do). We have decided to extend our discounted membership drive until this Sunday night. That's right, you still have time to join the PTA! I know you were very worried, but it's going to be ok! Until Sunday night, you can join us for just $16 and be entered into our grand prize drawing of up to $225 paid for your sports registration or school fees ! How great is that? To become a member, please sign up here. Just think, $16 for the chance to have a sports registration fee or school fee paid for (up to $225), what a homerun! Our grand prize drawing winner will be announced on Monday, it could be you (if you, you know, join the PTA).

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:

Sept 4th - First PTA Meeting of the year - 6pm-7pm in the school library

We hope you come kick the year off with us! I promise we are a fun bunch!

We will be doing a field trip at the beginning of September! There's no school on Tues Sept 2nd and the Teen Center wants to take advantage of that time! Join us at Boondocks! Sign up is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/4jSDtvu4Y1dWfNa57

After school climbing is back for the month of September! Climbing will be on Mondays and Thursdays. See the application and flyer for specific dates and details. Full scholarships are available and gear is provided.

Follow this link to apply for the rock climbing program: Apply HERE!

Parents and community members—learn all about how BVSD works and how you can make a bigger impact in your child’s education.

When: Seven Friday lunch sessions, Oct. 10 – Apr. 24, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Where: BVSD Education Center, 6500 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder

Perks: Free lunch + networking with other parents, community members and BVSD leaders

Apply by September 18, 2025 to be part of this year’s cohort!

Additional information is available here.

Questions: bianca.gallegos@bvsd.org 720-561-6062

Standing Up, Speaking Out is a free, three-part advocacy training program for parents and caregivers of K–8 students who identify as Jewish. Developed by ADL in partnership with the Boulder JCC and Jewish Family Services, this pilot initiative equips families with the tools, knowledge, and community support needed to address antisemitism in schools and advocate for more inclusive learning environments.

Grounded in research from ADL’s Center for Antisemitism Research (CAR), the course covers identity affirmation, how to respond to bias incidents, engagement with school policies, and effective communication strategies with educators and school officials. Participants will gain practical skills such as writing advocacy letters, speaking at board meetings, and promoting Jewish inclusion in curriculum and culture—all while connecting with a network of families in the community.

This is a three part program and participants are requested to participate in all three sessions.

Wednesday, August 27 and September 9 | 6:30 - 8 pm | FREE

Although school meals are currently free, we strongly encourage eligible families to complete the Free and Reduced Price School Meal application. Submitting the application may qualify your family for additional benefits, such as reduced school fees, and helps ensure your school receives important funding.

If your family received a Free and Reduced-Price notification letter for the 2025–26 school year through DirectCert, please be sure to complete the sharing form linked within the letter. This step is required to share your eligibility status with your school and receive applicable benefits.

If you have not received a notification letter and your household income is within the guidelines to qualify (found on right side of FRL webpage), fill out the Free & Reduced Price School Meal application found in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal of Infinite Campus under More > Meal Benefits. More program info can be found on our site. If you have questions, please contact Lola Campos-Herzfeld at dolores.campos-herzf@bvsd.org.

Bell Times: 8:30 am-3:45 pm; 9:30 am-3:45 pm Wednesdays

Front Office: 720-561-4900

Attendance line: 720-561-4902

Transportation: 720-561-6241

Email: nmshs.contact@bvsd.org
Website: neh.bvsd.org
Location: 597 County Rd. 130, Nederland, CO 80466
Phone: 720-561-4900