All children in Colorado can now register for up to 15 hours per week of free, high-quality preschool in their year before kindergarten through Colorado’s Universal Pre-K (UPK) Program. Families are encouraged to contact BCD’s Chief Enrollment and Strategy Officer, Susan Boyle, directly with questions at sboyle@bouldercountryday.org or 303-516-4148.

Families looking to continue care with a known provider can pre-register a child who is currently enrolled, who has a sibling currently enrolled, or who has a parent or guardian currently employed with a Universal Preschool Provider. Families can register at upk.colorado.gov, select their current provider as their first choice, or work with their provider for a direct link, from February 29 through March 28, 2024.

Families looking for a new preschool provider can visit upk.colorado.gov to browse 2,000+ high-quality, licensed providers, see if they qualify for additional hours, and register to be matched with one of their top 10 providers of choice. Registration opens February 29 with family and provider “matching rounds” expected in April and July.

Families who have yet to register to Colorado Universal Preschool by the end of July will be able to work directly with a Universal Preschool Provider to enroll, through the end of the school year, as space allows.

https://cdec.colorado.gov/universal-preschool-colorado

BCD is proud to have sent THE MOST students to the recent Regional Science Fair. Below is our group of middle school participants. Several were named winners and two will proceed to the state competition.

 

3rd place - Biomedical Sciences category

2nd place - Behavior and Social Sciences category, advancing to state

BVSD Creativity and Innovation award

3rd place - Behavioral and Social Sciences

2nd place - Plant Sciences, advancing to state

 

BCD seeks to graduate adaptable, empathetic, and engaged global citizens who are inspired to use their knowledge for good and Science Fair is an amazing opportunity for students to practice doing just that. We are incredibly proud of this amazing cohort of scientists and their outlook for improving the world through science.

 

"I wanted to know what fruit waters can do to grow plants. Most farmers use pesticides because they give a faster, better product, but I am trying to find an alternative to pesticides so the world can have a healthy efficient product."

                                        - Kyle, 6th grade

Global Awareness Week is among the most inspiring weeks of the year at BCD. It embodies what it means to be part of the BCD community, part of something bigger. Our Celebration of Cultures potluck creates inclusion and belonging as families share dishes and details of their backgrounds and heritage as we learn from one another. Middle school students explore many paths in Model UN as they research and represent countries in proposing and debating resolutions and wrestle with global issues such as the crises in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, and Guyana. Finally, our youngest Bulldogs showcase their bravery and spirit as they meet the challenge by learning about countries and “competing” in Olympic games while being cheered on by our entire school community. The lessons our students learn from these events are impactful towards their becoming adaptable, empathetic, and engaged global citizens as they help them to better understand the ever-changing world around them. In the words of Louise Derman-Sparks (2010), a prolific writer and supporter of anti-bias education, “These lessons can contribute to their reacting to differences with trust and tolerance... and set the tone for how children will deal with differences among people throughout life.”

A group of BCD parents has created a forum for parents interested in the slow-tech movement (https://www.slowyourhome.com/blog/74) to gather and discuss creating healthy habits around technology usage for children. The group is open to BCD parents of children of all ages and will meet monthly. Seen here, the group is hearing from Head of School, Mr. Suitor, regarding BCD's phone & technology policy.

The group is also has copies of the book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness available for loan.

BCD is proud to provide additional resources to families such as our Parent Education Series which will host nationally-recognized expert in the field of the effects of technology usage on children, Erin Walsh of the Spark and Stitch Institute, on January 22, 2025.

One of the most critical issues of our time has been trying to understand the effects of technology use on children. Still questions persist. “Is technology connecting kids or isolating them?” and, “How much is too much?” On January 22nd, BCD will host nationally recognized expert, Erin Walsh of the Spark and Stitch Institute. She will share what the brain science research tells us and review key protective factors for digital wellbeing and keeping children safe from online harms (while still developing their digital strengths in an increasingly digital world). Ms. Walsh’s signature down-to-earth approach and sense of humor eases engagement with this complicated topic and leaves audiences feeling capable and motivated. This event is free and open to the public. We encourage all adults to attend this event and bring a friend.

Register now at https://www.bouldercountryday.org/

We are very happy to announce the selection of Robin Lamberta Frank as Boulder Country Day’s next Head of School, effective July 1, 2025.  Robin’s appointment comes after a thoughtful and comprehensive search process conducted by the Board of Trustees Search Committee, with valuable input and participation from constituents across the BCD community, including senior leadership, academic heads, faculty, staff, trustees, parents, and of course, our students.

 

Robin’s deep and extensive experience in pedagogy, curricular design, and experiential learning will further elevate the rigor of BCD’s academic program as we fulfill our mission to provide an exceptional educational experience that broadens our students’ understanding of the ever-changing world and prepares them to be adaptable, empathetic, and engaged global citizens.

 

Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is deeply ingrained in her professional practice, focusing on creating accessible environments for all students, including those with neurodivergent needs. Throughout her career, Robin has successfully created systems that transform schools into vibrant, innovative spaces where every voice matters, and a sense of belonging is paramount. She believes that thriving school communities invite diverse perspectives, nurture authentic relationships, and continually encourage joyful interconnectedness.

 

Born and raised in Parker, Colorado, Robin has always held a deep appreciation for science and the educational power of nature. Her teaching journey began in nature as an Instructor and Program Director for the Catalina Marine Institute in California, as well as a Naturalist for Denali National Park.

 

A lifelong learner, Robin holds an M.A. in Educational Administration from California State University Northridge and a B.A. in Marine Science and Business Administration from the University of Miami. Robin currently serves as the Principal of the Elementary School at the esteemed Campbell Hall Episcopal School, located in Studio City, CA. During her tenure at Campbell Hall, she has also served as the Middle School Dean and Diversity Coordinator and has taught Middle School Science and Humanities. Prior to her time at Campbell Hall, Robin was the Associate Head of School and Upper School Director at St. Paul’s Academy in Bellingham, WA.

 

Robin will succeed John Suitor III, who has led our BCD community with great care and stewardship for nearly 12 years. John, the Senior Leadership Team, and the Board of Trustees are committed to ensuring a successful and seamless transition as Robin begins her tenure with BCD next summer. We look forward to creating opportunities to meet and engage with Robin in the coming months.

 

Please join us in welcoming Robin and her family to our community!

 

Kind Regards,

 

Stephen Collins (Board Chair) & Keri Shee (Board Vice-Chair)

Head of School Search Committee Co-Chairs

Boulder Country Day School celebrated the opening of their new Commons Building with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 21st. This new state-of-the-art building adds both a dining hall and a Center for Innovative Learning to their 5.5 acres campus abutting the Twin Lakes Open Space in Gunbarrel. The gathering took place in the amphitheater space outside the Commons and included both current and alumni families.

Planning for the new facility began in 2018, and while they experienced some delay due to Covid-19, school officials say the new facility is going to have a significant impact in supporting their mission.

“A core facet of a BCD education is empowering young learners to believe in and practice making positive global change,” says Head of School, John Suitor. “This facility is a strategic investment in designing physical spaces that can serve as a catalyst for new ways of thinking. All of our students from preschool through to 8th grade will benefit from what this facility will offer.”

The new dining hall will provide both daily food service as well as the space for meeting and gathering as a community. Sage Dining Services, a nationally recognized leader in sustainable and nutritious scratch-made food service, has been contracted and BCD students will participate through maintaining onsite gardens. Lunch fees are covered by tuition and financial services allowing for an inclusive experience for all students.

Susan Boyle, BCD’s Chief Enrollment and Strategy Officers shares, “We’ve brought our Arts and Design classrooms together in this building with the goal of teaching students the skill of connecting various disciplines and applying critical thinking in solving the challenges of our times and that which lie ahead. These are skills students will need to succeed both in classrooms and the work environments of the future.” Arts Teacher Londa Bevins adds, “I am so grateful for our new center that gives students access to incredible spaces for creative expression.” 

The goal of the Alumni Relations department at BCD is to create an inspired community of alumni and friends of BCD whose lives are enriched through their shared experience and to whom BCD can extend value beyond their time at BCD.

 

We are consistently delighted by the interest our alumni show in remaining active members of our community. From attending Alumni Night to sharing their milestones with us to joining our networking groups, our alumni take joy in participating and take advantage of the benefits of being a BCD Alumni.

 

The Alumni Newsletter celebrates our alumni and their achievements. We hope you enjoy it.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE JANUARY 2024 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 

It was a beautiful ceremony for the Class of 2023—filled with heartfelt "thank yous," "goodbyes," and "until next times." We wish our graduates the best of luck in their next adventure. They are an amazing group of people who we know will go on to do great things and bring their own unique excellence to whatever it is they choose to tackle. AND, they were the last graduating class to get their picture taken in front of the classic castle play structure. Congratulations and don't forget to come back and see us, Bulldogs! You will be missed.