Community Leadership Academy launched by district

The Boulder Valley School District is launching a new Community Leadership Academy this spring.

Along with providing in-depth information about the school district, Boulder Valley’s program will include sessions on resiliency presented by the Parent Engagement Network, which provides parent education in the district’s communities.

Boulder Valley Superintendent Rob Anderson said the new program is an opportunity for parents and community members to deepen their understanding of the school district, as well as learn about opportunities to get more involved — from joining a school or district committee to running for the school board.

“Our board, our district is always looking at ways we can engage with our community,” he said. “This was a great opportunity to come together with the Parent Engagement Network and create sessions where we really dig into the ways the district operates. Having cohorts of parents who understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it as partners is going to be super beneficial for us.”

For the spring, the plan is to provide four sessions between March and May. The sessions will cover an overview of the district, deeper dives into BVSD’S academics and operations and building resilient families and communities.

Sessions are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 10, April 7, April 28 and May 19. Spanish interpretation will be available.

The district is accepting applications for the program through Feb. 24. For more information, go to bvsd.org/community-leadership-academy.

The district’s program is modeled on chamber of commerce and school district leadership programs from around the country.

The St. Vrain Valley School District also offers a similar once-amonth engagement program, Leadership St. Vrain. St. Vrain’s program started in 2009 and covers topics that include district finances, digital learning and technology, and school culture, engagement and safety.

Parent Engagement Network Executive Director Stacy Cornay, who previously helped

produce Leadership Longmont for the Longmont Chamber of Commerce, said she’s thrilled to work on the program with Boulder Valley.

“It’s a goal of both organizations to do this kind of work,” she said.

“You learn about the Boulder Valley School District, but you also learn leadership skills and things that will help you as a parent and in the community.”

Supporting parents is an area that needs more attention, she added.

“There is so much fear right now, so much stress,” she said.

“All people are under incredible pressure. If the parents aren’t doing well and they don’t know how to work with their children, then nobody’s doing well.”

Both Cornay and Anderson also are encouraging community members without kids to sign up for the program.

“if you care about public education and you want to learn more about what’s happening, this a great way to engage,” Anderson said.