7 must-read books: Recommendations from a librarian

When students open a book, Shoshannah Turgel, the teacher-librarian at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, wants them to find more than just a good story.

“A great book can be a mirror that reflects your own identity, a window into someone else’s life, or a door that opens to a new experience,” she said, referencing a concept popularized by author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. 

“These books are current and compelling,” she said. “When students see themselves, they get excited to read.”

In honor of National Library Week (April 6-12),  Shoshannah recommended seven books for young adult and adult readers.

“A great book can be a mirror that reflects your own identity, a window into someone else’s life, or a door that opens to a new experience.”

Recommended reads for National Library Week

1. The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

True Crime Narrative Nonfiction | Young Adult to Adult

In The 57 Bus, two teenagers are involved in a crime on the 57 Bus in Oakland, CA. Incredibly researched and written, this true crime book is professional journalism at its best. The author is an award-winning journalist, and masterfully represents all sides in complex situations revolving around sensitive topics.

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2. The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

Realistic Fiction | Middle Grade to Adult

Maudie is a neurodivergent teenager whose parents are divorced. Her dad loses his home in a CA wildfire, and Maudie spends her summer with him, learning many things, including how to surf and advocate for herself. This book is an amazing coming-of-age narrative. Sally J. Pla is a neurodivergent author, so this is an “own-voice” text.

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3. Go As a River by Shelley Read

Historical Fiction | Adult

Set in 1950s Colorado, Go As a River follows seventeen-year-old Victoria Nash on a journey through love, loss, and self-discovery. Inspired by true events surrounding the destruction of the town of Iola, this powerful novel celebrates female resilience and the rugged beauty of our state. Readers will visit Colorado’s rich history, including the damming of the Gunnison River, the role of women in rural communities, and the discrimination faced by Native Americans. This book is a peach!

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4. Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World by Lauren Fleshman

Memoir | Young Adult to Adult

Elite runner, coach, and entrepreneur Fleshman shares her personal story and a critical analysis of the world of running, arguing that male-designed best practices often fail women. Fleshman explores the mental health challenges, eating disorders, and injuries that plague many young female runners as their bodies naturally change and they contend with gender-based social pressure. Teens will connect with Fleshman’s evidence-based insights and personal experiences navigating puberty as a young athlete. Adults will appreciate Fleshman’s actionable approach to combating these problems and helping girls succeed. 

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5. Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine

Historical Fiction | Young Adult to Adult

Junie is an enslaved woman on the Bellereine Plantation in Alabama. Her life changes course when she encounters her sister’s ghost in the woods near her home. Junie is a complex character with a distinct voice and strong values, opinions, and dreams. This story offers a unique narrative and makes a significant contribution to the existing body of literature on the Antebellum South.

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6. Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

Mystery-Thriller | Young Adult

J.B., Ramón, and Trey have two things in common: They’re students at Urban Promise Prep, a prestigious public charter school in Washington D.C., and they’re suspects in the murder of beloved school founder and principal, Mr. Moore. This book is a fast-paced, multiple first-person point-of-view mystery-thriller about racism, corruption, and learning to do the right thing. 

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7. Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta

Realistic Fiction | Young Adult

Life is complicated for high school seniors Belén and Leti. Belén is struggling to graduate high school and make her mom proud. Her father abandons their family, leaving Belén and her mother heartbroken. Leti is an AP scholar, Berkeley-bound, and pregnant. Together, they hold each other up in this coming-of-age story about hardship, resilience, and learning to be your best self. 

Bringing stories to life for students

“When students see an author who shares their culture or story, it is incredibly powerful… And when it is not their own experience, it still expands their worldview.”

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

The magic of words: How a journaling project creates lasting bonds

For a child, there’s something powerful about realizing that someone — outside of their family or teachers — cares about them. Someone who doesn’t have to but does anyway.

That’s what the WISE Journaling Project provides: an unexpected connection built through the simple act of writing.

The program pairs third graders at Whittier Elementary with adult volunteers who exchange letters in a journal throughout the school year. The result? Students develop stronger writing skills and experience the profound impact of forming a relationship through words.

“The children realize that someone, a person they’ve never met before, that just sort of comes out of the ether, cares about them,” said Bobby Brown, a longtime volunteer with the program. “And that relationship isn’t based on grades or expectations; it’s built entirely on goodwill.” 

Over the course of the year, students share about themselves and what they’re learning in school and ask their journaling partner questions. “Typically, the child is very open about their lives,” said Brown. “They like to ask us about our pets and families. It’s a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate love and caring and positively affect the life of a child.”

More than just writing

The WISE Journaling Project was originally started decades ago by Whittier teacher Craig Yager. It was revived in 2014 by third-grade teacher Lisa O’Brien and her colleagues with a grant from the City of Boulder and support from the Rotary Club. Since then, it has continued annually, with various funding sources, including recent support from Impact on Education’s Academic Opportunity Fund Grants, which provided journals for the next three years.

“One of the reasons we started the program was that research has shown that when people write for an authentic audience, their writing quality and quantity improve,” O’Brien said. “Writing is one of the most challenging skills for young students. It requires not only technical ability but also the confidence to share thoughts and ideas.”

That confidence grows with every letter exchanged. Students begin thinking creatively about how to ask meaningful questions,  tell a story, and describe their world to someone new.

A lasting connection

“The program creates a personal relationship between two people who do not know each other and have no context,” Brown said. “The students have to be creative and think about how to use writing to get to know someone.”

Though it improves writing skills, the value of the program goes beyond academics. These letters forge connections that might not otherwise exist. Over time, students and their WISE partners build trust, anticipation, and a sense of belonging. Then, they meet in person for the first time in May at a celebratory tea party. “The excitement on their faces when they finally meet their partners is incredible,” O’Brien said. “It’s a connection they never forget.”

For many students, these journals become treasured keepsakes. Meanwhile, journal partners receive copies of all their letters, a tangible reminder of the relationships they’ve built.

“Many partners continue writing to their students even after the program ends,” O’Brien shared. “It’s a testament to how meaningful this exchange is for both sides.”

Thanks to the support of Impact on Education, this program will continue fostering literacy, connection, and confidence for years to come.

“This grant ensures that our students will continue to benefit from this program for the next three years,” O’Brien said. “The impact goes beyond the classroom. These relationships and the confidence students gain as writers will stay with them long after third grade.”

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

5 ways to protect kids’ mental health and combat racism in the age of social media

For most of us, social media is central to our lives. It’s how we stay connected to friends and family, consume and distribute information, and bond over a shared sense of humor. 

But what happens when memes become a vehicle for hate speech? How do you hold perpetrators accountable and support victims of racially motivated bullying? What are the social and emotional implications for kids who see and share this kind of content? 

These are the themes New York Times bestselling author Dashka Slater explores in “Accountable.” The book spotlights how racism and cyberbullying harm everyone — adults, kids, victims, and offenders alike — with an unflinching look at the true story of how one racist social media account affected a group of teenagers in Albany, California.

Bring a national conversation to a local stage

Students, parents, educators, and community members recently gathered for an in-depth conversation with Slater at Fairview High School. FHS students led an insightful discussion with Slater and a panel of local educators, equity experts, and students. Boulder Valley School District librarians Regina Hoskins, Kim Butler, and Rebecca Kaplan brought this important book and author talk to students with financial support from our mental health grants and the Fairview Parent Organization. 

What you can do to support kids in our community 

Based on what we learned at the event, here are some ways adults can help protect the young people in our lives from the harmful effects of racism and social media.

1. Practice digital mindfulness

Break up hours of doom scrolling or compulsive double-tapping to “heart” whatever posts pop up in your feed to pause and ask yourself, “why am I engaging, or not engaging, with certain content?” If you’re a parent or caregiver, consider creating a family social media plan. Commit to limits and frequent check-ins that the entire family participates in to talk about appropriate online behavior. If you’re an educator, consider incorporating reflection time for your students to write or talk about what they see online and how it makes them feel.

2. Speak up and call a thing, a thing

Social media algorithms prioritize controversial content. One hateful post can garner thousands of views and engagement quickly. While reporting harmful content may not be possible on every platform, or lack the rigorous review parents and youth advocates have called for, naming a behavior and language for what it is, is still important. If we don’t speak up, violent language becomes normalized. History shows us that when there is violent language and disinformation, violent actions follow. Set an example for young people in your life by labeling harmful language as such and calling people in to explain the impact of their words. 

3. Get curious about difference

If we are inquisitive about our differences, instead of fearful, we open the door to deeper connections and richer social and emotional lives. Talk to people who are different from you, explore new places and situations, and read and learn about cultures and communities that are different from the ones you belong to. Encouraging a curious spirit in the kids in your life will help them build community and make friends wherever they go. Studies show that when college students are exposed to diversity, they improve their ability to think critically. With a changing media landscape and the rise of mis and disinformation, critical thinking is a vital skill we all need to navigate the world.  

4. When you mess up, acknowledge, own, repair, and don’t repeat

Demonstrate what accountability looks like as the adult in a room when you speak or act in a way that hurts someone else. First, acknowledge the harm that you caused. Second, own your part as the party responsible for inflicting harm. Third, figure out how to repair the damage. Start by asking the person you hurt what they need and acting based on that information instead of assuming. And last but not least, don’t make the same mistake twice. Changed behavior speaks louder than words. 

5. Prioritize responsibility and repair, don’t play the shame game

Slater encouraged adults who see or hear about racist or cyberbullying incidents, to prioritize the care and emotions of the children who were harmed and speak up right away. Slater explained that while our desire for retribution is understandable, especially when you’re the injured party, an “incarceration mentality” where punishment is the main focus is unlikely to result in long-term change. Public shaming can prompt mental health challenges and put kids at risk of self-harm. To change, children need to believe they aren’t inherently bad because they engage in bad behavior. Encouraging accountability and repair, as opposed to shame, can help kids to accept responsibility for hurtful actions and understand consequences, while also imagining that a kinder version of themselves is possible. 

Help us continue to have these important conversations and rich learning opportunities for both adults and children in our community by making a gift today. This event was made possible thanks to generous gifts from donors like you. 

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Impact on Education grants $98,500 to fund innovative educational projects, activities and materials

In 2024, educators and students across the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) gained vital support through $98,500 in grant funding from the Impact on Education Academic Opportunity Fund.

These grants are designed to bridge educational gaps and foster innovative programs that enrich learning and promote equity. By addressing needs that standard school budgets often cannot meet, they demonstrate a district-wide commitment to preparing students for academic and future career success. In total, 105 grants were awarded to 37 schools, funding projects and initiatives, including:

• Noise-canceling headphones to reduce stress
• Math center materials
• Multicultural graphic novel memoirs
• Literacy support
• Field trip fees
• Academic support for newcomer students
• College Opportunity lab
• Enrichment materials for special education
• Gardening supplies
• Kitchen and cooking equipment
• Neuro-affirming tools for sensory regulation
• 3D printers

“Providing grants like these ensures our students have access to the tools and opportunities they need for a comprehensive education,” said Allison Billings, executive director of Impact on Education. “Our Academic Opportunity Fund is a valuable resource for teachers and schools with limited budgets who are determined to provide the best learning opportunities for their students.”

Boulder TEC construction tool belts

The Construction Trades program at Boulder TEC received $2,000 to purchase industry-standard tool belts, a vital yet often unattainable requirement for many students. Currently, no high-quality tool belts are available for use, creating inequities among students who cannot afford professional gear. This grant will supply 20 tool belts, benefiting 35-40 students and allowing them to train using equipment that meets workplace standards.

“Receiving the grant creates a completely different atmosphere in the classroom,” said Darrin Rasmussen, Construction Trades instructor at Boulder TEC. “It transformed from a traditional “shop” class to a professional training program. Students are proud to be in the environment and excited every day to be a part of a program that not only helps their futures but also contributes to our community.”

The program allows students to specify what trades skills are the most interesting to them and then explore them further. Students graduate from the program earning up to four industry certifications and the possibility of a career right out of high school.

STEM afterschool program at Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer

Escuela Bilingue Pioneer was granted $1,400 to support an afterschool STEM program aimed at third- to fifth-grade students. As a Title 1 school, Pioneer has identified a gap in STEM education, with many students lacking exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This program will bridge that gap by providing hands-on STEM experiences led by the University of Colorado’s Science Discovery Team over five weeks in the spring.

“Our school is a bilingual institution with many students who do not have access to STEM-related activities outside of school,” said Joanna Dresen, a parent at Escuela Bilingue Pioneer who is helping to coordinate the program. “Funding this program will significantly enhance equity by providing high-quality STEM education and addressing participation gaps for Latinx students and English Language Learners (ELLs).”

By offering the program in both English and Spanish, the initiative ensures inclusivity, allowing ELL students to participate fully. This exposure is crucial for igniting a passion for STEM and opening pathways to future careers.

A commitment to equity and excellence

Both programs highlight Impact on Education’s dedication to creating equitable and excellent learning environments. By funding initiatives that address financial and resource barriers, these grants help all students—especially those from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds—achieve academic and personal growth.

“These initiatives are a testament to our mission of supporting educators and fostering opportunities that inspire and prepare students for their futures,” said Billings.

Despite increasing funding from the previous year by 23%, Impact on Education received over $275,000 in requests and was unable to fund 75 proposals. Please consider donating to the Academic Opportunity Fund to ensure more programming can be supported in the 2025-26 school year.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Turning the page: Grant helps rebuild school library after unprecedented challenges

The library at Monarch High School suffered a pair of misfortunes: the Marshall Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic, which left it in poor condition. Thanks to a $3,000 Academic Opportunity Fund grant and a lot of love and attention from Teacher Librarian Katherine Croasdale, the library and the students who rely on it are thriving.

“Kids were ignoring the books, many of which had not been cracked open in years. I wanted to create a space that made them excited about reading, especially the reluctant readers.”

Katherine Croasdale, Teacher Librarian at Monarch High School

During the pandemic, the Monarch High School library sat unused. Books sat dusty and uncatalogued and, perhaps more importantly, went out of date. Things got worse when the Marshall Fire struck—the Monarch community was disproportionally affected, and many books that students checked out were lost in the fire. In total, 800 books were missing.

As schools resumed in-person learning, Croasdale set to work fixing the library, where she found books haphazardly shelved and out of date. While Croasdale worked to weed out old and unused materials, she developed a vision of creating a library that was a valuable resource for teachers and an inspiring space for students. 

Photo: Before (left) and after (right) of the graphic novels section of the library.

“The books were just crammed onto shelves, which doesn’t work for the eyes,” said Croasdale. “Kids were ignoring the books, many of which had not been cracked open in years. I wanted to create a space that made them excited about reading, especially the reluctant readers.”

Croasdale’s vision required funding, so in 2022 she applied for and received an Academic Opportunity Fund grant from Impact on Education. The grant program provides educators and schools with the resources to bridge opportunity gaps and create a level playing field for all students. Impact on Education prioritizes grant requests that expand access to resources, opportunities, and support for students from marginalized and underserved communities.

A comeback story

With the funds, Croasdale first set out to replace the missing books, focusing on award-winning books and books that represented the diversity of the students at Monarch High School. “We contacted many student groups, such as the Asian-American Club, the Indian American Club, the Black Student Union, and HERstory, to find out what materials represent their culture in a positive light,” shared Croasdale.

“We ordered their recommended materials and displayed them in the front of the library to show these students they are welcome in our space.”  Some of the books Monarch added included, Frizzy by Claribel Ortega, A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow, We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Wild Fox of Yemen by Threa Almontaser.

Croasdale is building a cultural and social hub at Monarch High School, where students can escape into a book and experience peace found only at a library.

Photo: Books recommended by student groups at Monarch High School.

Croasdale also redesigned the library shelving to be more exciting and inviting by creating dynamic shelving displays. Each shelf has a fabric background and ribbons to add color, call-outs on popular books, negative space, front-facing books, and groupings by author, similar to what you might see in a bookstore.

The improvements are working—students are browsing more in the library, and the book check-out rate has increased by 200%. Croasdale has also noticed a shift in reading patterns, with students showing more interest in a broader range of books and genres.

Perhaps the best update of all, students can now request books, and thanks to the grant, Croasdale can usually purchase them immediately, something she says helps encourage reading. “Students will come to me and say, ‘I really would like this book,’ and I can tell them, ‘You’ll have it in a few days,'” Croasdale said. “They’re usually so surprised and happy and often come in for more books. I see a difference in reading patterns when kids can read whatever they want.”

When so many schools and parents struggle with getting students’ attention and limiting smartphone use, Croasdale is building a cultural and social hub at Monarch High School, where students can escape into a book and experience peace found only at a library. “Receiving this grant was like having Christmas every day,” she said. “I get to make kids so happy and put books into their hands. I am so grateful.”

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

School-based wellness: An innovative approach to improving teenage mental health

Being a teenager is hard. 

It’s always been this way, but recent increases in anxiety and depression have many experts warning of a mental health crisis for America’s teenagers. Seven out of ten teenagers are concerned about the issue, and no gender, race or income level is immune, according to the Pew Research Center.

Tess Amer, a mental health advocate at Fairview High School, knows the pressures Boulder’s teenagers face firsthand. As a licensed counselor and certified teacher, she oversees the school’s Wellness Center, a cozy and calming space that welcomes teenagers seeking mental health support.

What is the purpose of Wellness Centers?

Fairview’s Wellness Center is one of six Boulder Valley School District centers where teens can destress, self regulate, talk to a counselor or get a referral for additional support. In Amer’s room, the light is kept soft and low and is decorated with plants and comfortable chairs. Students can unwind using one of the many wellness tools scattered throughout the room, including kinetic sand, weighted blankets and fidget toys. “The room itself is a wellness tool,” said Amer.

“It offers a reprieve from the demands of the school day where students have to be focused and diligent, and it’s also a physical retreat from the harsher lights and louder sounds in the rest of the school building. Students are served and supported simply by being in the room.”

When they come to her Wellness Center, Amer greets every student and does a quick check-in. Not every student wants to chat, but if someone needs some additional support, she’s there to help. Generally, she finds that when students need help, it’s usually to talk to and process with a safe adult. “The beauty of the room is that many students access it simply as a place to relax and destress. Over time, they develop a relationship with me without noticing, and if a time comes when they experience higher stress and anxiety, or there is an emergent situation, we’ve already developed trust.” 

“The room itself is a wellness tool. Students are served and supported simply by being in the room.”

Unlike traditional school counselors who carry a caseload of hundreds of students with responsibilities ranging from writing college recommendation letters to managing 504 plans, Amer and the other five Wellness Center mental health advocates focus solely on providing mental health wellness counseling and support. “Teenagers are experiencing immense stress and anxiety around school and feeling pressure to do well academically,” she said. “They feel overwhelmed managing school sports and activities or need support managing family dynamics and friend struggles.”

The impact of school-based wellness

The Wellness Centers are meeting the need—at Fairview, 40-50 students access the Wellness Center daily. Across the district, these Impact on Education funded centers served 1,301 students, who made 7,711 visits during the fall semester of the 2023-2024 school year.

Amer believes the skills and techniques her students learn in the Wellness Center will serve them into adulthood. “If we can teach them how to take a break, care for themselves, regulate their emotions and develop coping skills, then in the future we’ll have a community of functioning, well adults.” Boulder Valley students receive vital wellness services completely free of charge, thanks to a partnership with Impact on Education.

The organization not only funds the Wellness Centers but also covers the salaries of ten dedicated mental health advocates, including Amer. “Impact on Education saw a problem and developed a tangible solution to address mental health where students are—in the schools,” said Amer. “They are an innovative and collaborative partner for the school district, and I am so grateful for their support of our students.”

“Impact on Education saw a problem and developed a tangible solution to address mental health where students are—in the schools.”

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

This after-school reading club helps emerging bilingual students

Thank you to the Arly Kruse Educational Foundation for funding this impactful grant!

Over the past few years Jessica Grant Van Lankvelt, a literacy interventionist at Alicia Sanchez Elementary School, noticed many students who are emerging bilingual did not have opportunities to practice reading in English. Sometimes parents are literate in different languages or they work evening hours which makes them unavailable to support their student’s literacy during the week.

This can make it hard for these students to progress in their English literacy skills as quickly as their monolingual English peers.

Jessica Grant Van Lankvelt
Literacy Interventionist at Alicia Sanchez Elementary School

Jessica wanted to level the playing field and provide these students opportunities to grow as readers. She received an Academic Opportunity Fund grant from Impact on Education to start an after-school reading club to support these students. The grant funding allows the school to pay staff to run the program.

How does the reading club work?

17 emerging bilingual students in 1st through 3rd grades participate in the Reading Club program after school. Each week students practice reading and listening with program volunteers. Over 20 volunteers – both students from Peak to Peak Charter School and adults from the community – support the program.

Reading Club provides students with opportunities to practice reading in English. They also get to practice newly learned literacy skills with volunteers who can give immediate, corrective feedback. Volunteers also read books of the students’ choice to them, helping their oral language and vocabulary, which are necessary for reading comprehension. Both the acts of practicing reading and listening to proficient readers read aloud are important for growing strong readers.

I just love the energy of the students and watching how they gain competency over time. And I enjoy building relationships with them through reading, which is something I personally love to do.

Nancy L., Reading Club Volunteer

Empowering young students

At the end of the school year Jessica will be able to see the progress these students have made on their school assessments. But in just a few weeks they’ve already seen some students build stronger accuracy and fluency. “Students feel empowered and like they are part of a team,” she says. “And their parents have been very supportive and encouraged by the extra help given to their students.”

I have noticed that my child has made a lot of progress and she has more retention in her reading.

Parent of Reading Club participant at Alicia Sanchez Elementary

This weekly program allows struggling readers to experience the joy of books and learn about the world around them. Students also see how their practice with volunteers is helping to build their reading skills, building confidence in their reading.

Engaging students in learning 

Our Academic Opportunity Fund provides educators and schools with the resources they need to bridge the opportunity gap. 

We offered two rounds of funding during the 2023-24 school year and awarded $154,680 across 141 grants.

From tutoring and equipment to field trip fees and newcomer student support, these grants expand access to resources and opportunities for BVSD students. Supporters like you allow us to provide these impactful grants to educators across the district, making a difference in students’ lives. 

You can help by making a gift to support our work or becoming an Impact on Education volunteer and helping review grant applications like Jessica’s next year!

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Please Note: Our second (and final) educator grant funding cycle for the school year closes on January 26, 2024. Click here to learn more.

A history of grants and growth

Since its inception, Impact on Education has stood as a pillar of support for educators in the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD). Our commitment to enriching academic experiences has a history that spans nearly four decades.

Starting in 1986, with an initiative to empower educators through mini-grants, we’ve continued to evolve our grant program to meet the ever-changing needs of schools and students. This evolution is a testament to our dedication to creating opportunity for students and leveling the educational playing field.

The history of Impact on Education educator grants

1986
The Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools (now Impact on Education) began awarding mini-grants to BVSD educators, later known as Classroom Innovation Grants.

2004
Impact on Education launched a new Opportunity Fund to reduce economic barriers to academic opportunities and enrichment for students. Funds paid for expenses such as art supplies, instrument rentals, sports physicals, class fees, and more.

2019
Through a partnership with Pathways to Jazz, Impact on Education provided $10,000 in grants to music educators at schools across BVSD. Impact on Education continued awarding Classroom Innovation Grants to educators.

2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Impact on Education merged the Opportunity Fund and Classroom Innovation Grants programs to create a Student Academic Support Fund. Funds covered class fees, technology needs, supplemental equipment, transportation expenses, instrument rentals and repair, and other student academic needs.

“It’s remarkable to see the ingenuity and passion BVSD educators bring to their grant applications, all in the pursuit of enriching their students’ educational journeys. I volunteer to review grants because I believe they’re a vote of confidence for our teachers and can uplift the entire school community.”

Laura Arentsen, Impact on Education volunteer

2021 to Present – Academic Opportunity Fund

Launched in 2021, our Academic Opportunity Fund allows educators and schools across the district to request funds for the resources they need. Over the past three years we’ve awarded $615,113 across 368 grants, with more than 80% of our 56 schools applying for at least one grant.

Each grant has a story behind it – from providing essential resources for hands-on science projects to ensuring equitable access to tutoring supports, technology licenses, books, and more.

Today, we prioritize requests that expand access to resources, opportunities, and support for students from marginalized and underserved communities. And we involve trained community volunteers in our grant review process.

On the horizon

Our grant program will continue to evolve, just as the needs of our educators and students do. With the upcoming January 26, 2024 deadline in our current funding cycle, we’re excited to see what new projects and innovative resources our educators will share with us. 

We’re proud of how this program continues to empower educators to meet the evolving needs of BVSD students.

Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of BVSD students, one grant at a time.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

IOE grants provide $80,0000 to empower BVSD educators

In our first Academic Opportunity Fund funding round of the 2023-24 school year we’ve awarded nearly $80,000 to 74 educators in 33 schools, with an average award of over $800. The program received 105 applications from 37 schools across the Boulder Valley School District which were reviewed by trained community volunteers.

Grants for classroom educators and schools are small yet powerful tools that can help fund creative and innovative ideas for educational projects, activities, and materials. Our Academic Opportunity Fund is a valuable resource for teachers and schools with limited budgets who are determined to provide the best learning opportunities for their students.

After-school tutoring and outreach programs

We received a variety of requests for supplemental instruction across the district. A Boulder middle school with a strong connection to their Spanish-speaking families will receive funding to build new bilingual resources in support of their special education programming.

Additional grants we are funding include:

• An expansion of Adelante! programming – targeting first-generation LatinX students – to additional high schools across the district.
• A homework club run for elementary students performing below grade level.
• An after school tutoring program that helps low-income students receive academic support and participate in soccer.

Reading support

Many BVSD educators sought support for improving students’ reading engagement and ability. One notable request was to expand an online/virtual reading intervention program for 4th and 5th grade students who are reading below grade level. This program – Really Great Reading – works to increase reading proficiency for students before they head to middle school. This year, our funds will help the program expand to BVSD’s bilingual schools, supporting over 200 students at 16 elementary schools.

Additional grants we’re funding include: 

• Purchasing headphones to enable differentiated elementary school learning
• Purchasing BVSD-approved specialized curricula for struggling readers
• Providing school libraries with new multicultural book series for high school students  

The impact of educator grants

From multiplication games to cello strings to unified PE equipment, our Academic Opportunity Fund continues to fill specific needs beyond the traditional classroom budget. We are impressed by the dedication and innovation of our BVSD educators and wish we could fund more of the terrific ideas proposed. 

So far this year, our grants will impact an estimated 20,000 students and help increase access to resources and opportunities across the district.

The next round of Academic Opportunity Fund grants will open in December 2023.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

How BVSD Wellness Centers support student resilience

A safe space to spend your off-period, a refuge during an anxiety attack, a place to connect with your friends – these are just a few of the reasons students are visiting Wellness Centers across Boulder Valley School District.

BVSD created its first Wellness Center at Monarch High School in response to the Marshall Fire. When we saw the impact the Wellness Center had on their school community we committed to opening five more and sustaining the one at Monarch. Impact on Education funding is now supporting six high school Wellness Centers at Boulder High, Centaurus High, Fairview High, Monarch High, Nederland Middle-Senior and New Vista High.

One month into the school year, over 1,000 students have made over 2,320 visits to BVSD Wellness Centers to relax, refocus and seek support.

In 2021, 42 percent of high school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless regularly for at least a two-week period that they stopped doing their normal daily activities.

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What is a Wellness Center?

The Wellness Centers are welcoming and calming spaces with soft lighting and relaxing music. They are filled with flexible, comfortable seating and sensory activities like fidget toys, puzzles and kinetic sand. Each Wellness Center also offers free tea for students, courtesy of The Tea Spot. 

But the most important part of each Wellness Center is the mental health professional, a Mental Health Advocate, there to support each student who walks through the door.

One Mental Health Advocate described their Wellness Center as “a cozy cafe,” while students shared that they like “the vibe” and having a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of their school.

“Students have shared that it feels special to them. They are torn between telling everyone how awesome it feels to relax in the room and wanting to keep it a secret.”

– Mental Health Advocate, BVSD Wellness Center

The goal of the Wellness Centers is to provide students with accessible, safe spaces on school campuses that offer mental health support and promote social-emotional wellness. Students are able to visit the Wellness Center anytime during the school day to rest and recharge, connect with their peers, or talk with a trusted mental health professional.

How Wellness Centers are impacting school communities

The Mental Health Advocates leading BVSD Wellness Centers say they’ve been surprised and excited by students’ willingness to share and open up when they are in a crisis. One was also surprised by the reactions of their school staff, sharing that “so many teachers have reached out to tell me they appreciate having a safe place to send students instead of them going home or disappearing to the bathroom.”

We asked the Mental Health Advocates why students have been visiting and it was commonly to:

• De-stress
• Talk about anxiety they’re experiencing
• Get a cup of a tea
• Work through group conflicts
• Calm down after panic attacks
• Feel seen

And often, while a student may start visiting for one reason, they continue going for another. One student who started visiting because it was a safe place to spend her off period, was eventually comfortable opening up about a difficult personal experience she was going through.

Students need support to manage their emotional health. The Mental Health Advocates can help teach them how, while the Wellness Centers give them the space to do so.

“We’re funding these Wellness Centers across Boulder Valley School District because we believe they’re powerful tools for supporting our youth and helping them thrive.”

– Allison Billings, Executive Director of Impact on Education

Reducing the stigma of mental health

So far this school year thousands of students have already visited BVSD Wellness Centers and schools will continue to build awareness of these new spaces in their school communities. The next step for Impact on Education is to supplement the Wellness Centers with meaningful opportunities for parents to engage and gain tools and resources to support their students at home.

BVSD is also creating “a continuum of services” for all students and has a robust offering of mental health resources available to BVSD students and their families.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

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