The counselors at Broomfield High School are always available to give social & emotional support to all students helping them to persevere through challenging times. Students and/or parents/guardians can make an appointment with their counselor by sending them an email @ broomfield.counsel@bvsd.org or calling the counseling desk at 720-561-5753. Students can also drop in to speak with the counselor-on-duty before or after school, during an off period, or during lunch, preferably not during class so as to not miss instructional time. Go to Meet Our Counselors page for counselor contact information and office hours.
BVSD believes in providing students with a strong foundation of safe, inclusive learning environments, support strong assessment practices, and create clear processes for instruction and layered interventions that meet students where they are and move them forward. The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a layered system approach to provide assistance to students and families in BVSD to help them feel supported, connected, and successful. For more information, please see the websites below.
Through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports, we provide more targeted and intensive help for students who need it -- both academically and social/emotionally.
Universal
We strive to support all students with universal programming.
Targeted
When a student is struggling, our teachers, school counselors and psychologists give more targeted help.
Intensive
If targeted support does not work or a student is in crisis our educators employ more intensive interventions.
Most adolescents experience positive mental health, but one in five has had a serious mental health disorder at some point in their life. Problems with mental health often start early in life. In fact, half of all mental health problems begin by age 14. The good news is that promoting positive mental health can prevent some problems from starting. For young people who already have mental health disorders, early intervention and treatment can help lessen the impact on their lives.
Mental health disorders can interfere with regular activities and daily functioning, such as relationships, schoolwork, sleeping, and eating. If you feel your child is experiencing a mental health concern talk to your school counselor or nurse, or find additional resources at Mental Health Partners.
If you or your child is experiencing a mental health crisis call: 1-844-493-TALK
Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
For immediate support during a mental health crisis:
Call 1-844-493-8255
or Text "TALK" to 38255
Safe2Tell Colorado:
1-877-542-7299
safe2tellco.org
Anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, your friends, your family, or your community.
Any written text or image, or verbal expression, or physical or electronic act or gesture, or a pattern thereof, that is intended to coerce, intimidate, or cause any physical, mental, or emotional harm to any student.
Bullying involving the use of communication technologies such as computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices to support deliberate and hostile behavior intended to do harm to others. Examples of cyberbullying can be in the form of text messages, instant messaging, emails, threatening or embarrassing photos or videos, and any use of any social media platform.
Look for changes in the child. However, be aware that not all children who are bullied exhibit warning signs.
Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are:
If you know someone in serious distress or danger, don’t ignore the problem. Get help right away.
Kids may be bullying others if they:
Bullying prevention efforts are most effective when implemented school-wide and designed to send a message that bullying will not be tolerated in schools. Well-designed bullying prevention efforts can reduce, eliminate and prevent bully/victim problems, as well as significantly improve the overall school climate. Effective bullying prevention also requires a commitment on the part of all adults to reduce or eliminate bullying and accessible reporting procedures for victims and witnesses.
Effective prevention programs may be implemented at the school level or the classroom level. The use of prevention programs may vary according to maturity level of students, grade level, learning environment goal(s) for the school, etc.
Monitoring data related to bullying is crucial to the bullying prevention efforts. Data shall be collected and may be evaluated through surveys, questionnaires, analyzing discipline statistics, and data collected for school social emotional learning goal(s).
All kids involved in bullying--whether they are bullied, bully others, or witness bullying--may experience negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance abuse and suicide. Parents, school staff and community all play a role in supporting our students when providing for their physical, social and emotional needs. A variety of resources are available regarding bullying prevention:
All administrators, teachers, classified staff, parents/guardians and students should take all reasonable steps to prevent and address bullying.
If there is immediate threat to your child or others call call 911 immediately.
To report bullying, complete this form. The school administrator will promptly conduct an investigation and provide the parent/guardian a report after the investigation is complete. If you have any questions, please contact your school’s principal.
Grief is personal. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. How people grieve can be influenced by developmental level, cultural traditions, religious beliefs, mental health, disabilities, family, personal characteristics, and previous experiences.
Grief is not solely related to the death of a loved one. The symptoms, characteristics, and process of grieving can be similar after other types of loss (e.g., divorce, transition, moving).
Grief is often characterized by sadness, emotional pain, and introspection in adults. However, children’s grief reactions differ according to age and developmental level:
Preschool
Regressive behaviors, decreased verbalization, increased anxiety
Elementary
Decreased academic performance, attention/concentration, and attendance; irritability, aggression, and disruptive behaviors; somatic complaints; sleep/eating disturbances; social withdrawal; guilt, depression, and anxiety; repeated re-telling of the event
Middle and High School
Decreased academic performance, attention/concentration, and attendance; avoidance, withdrawal, high risk behaviors or substance abuse, difficulty with peer relations, nightmares, flashbacks, emotional numbing or depression
Grieving does not have a timeline. Schools should be aware of anniversaries, birthdays, developmental milestones, and other factors that could affect students months or years after the loss.
Grieving involves meeting specific milestones. Individuals are likely to experience (and often re-experience) some or all of the following adjustments/responses:
Grieving is an absolutely normal response to loss – but more assistance may be required when someone shows the following behaviors:
Source: National Association of School Psychologists
If there is immediate threat to your child or others call call 911 immediately.
To report bullying, complete this form. The school administrator will promptly conduct an investigation and provide the parent/guardian a report after the investigation is complete. If you have any questions, please contact your school’s principal.
Substance abuse and problematic patterns of substance use among youth can lead to problems at school, cause or aggravate physical and mental health-related issues, promote poor peer relationships, cause motor-vehicle accidents, and place stress on the family. They can also develop into lifelong issues such as substance dependence, chronic health problems, and social and financial consequences.
Substance abuse is the harmful pattern of using substances—such as tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs—leading to impairment or distress with one or more of the following behaviors:
One of the most highly abused substances among youth in the U.S. is alcohol. Youth engage in binge drinking more than adults do. This can lead to risky and potentially harmful behaviors, and many times substance abuse (60-75 percent of youth with substance abuse problems) co-occurs with mental health disorders.
Substance use, abuse, and dependence can negatively impact every aspect of an individual’s life.
The good news is youth substance use is preventable.
Protective factors may lessen the likelihood of youth using substances.
BVSD's prevention programming is focused on increasing Protective Factors and reducing Risk Factors.
If there is immediate threat to your child or others call call 911 immediately.
To report bullying, complete this form. The school administrator will promptly conduct an investigation and provide the parent/guardian a report after the investigation is complete. If you have any questions, please contact your school’s principal.
The BVSD community is dedicated to health and wellness of the whole child, following the whole child model. Vaping has been on the rise and is being addressed through a multi-faceted approach between BVSD, community partners and families.
Have you seen your kid’s USB flash drive lately? It could actually be an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) containing nicotine. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students, and USB-shaped e-cigarettes are increasing in popularity.
E-cigarettes, or “vapes,” can explode and cause serious injury. Although rare, these explosions are dangerous.
It is illegal for youth under 18 to buy or possess them in Colorado; it is also illegal for adults to sell or give them to anyone under 18.
The 2008 Tobacco Free Schools Law prohibits the use of tobacco products on school grounds by students, staff, and visitors. Tobacco products are defined as, “any product that contains nicotine or tobacco or is derived from tobacco and is intended to be ingested, inhaled, or applied to the skin of an individual.”
In Boulder County, e-cigarette components, including batteries and e-liquids can be disposed of at the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility.
To learn more about e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, and other tobacco-related products and issues, please contact Boulder County Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (TEPP) staff at 303-413-7524.
Most suicides occur due to some form of mental condition, such as depression or a substance abuse disorder. These conditions are treatable and suicide is preventable.
Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They can't cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they're important to be aware of.
Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the Lifeline.
Rise Against Suicide (free mental health therapy for uninsured or underinsured youth struggling with suicidal thoughts)
If there is immediate threat to your child or others call call 911 immediately.
School violence describes violent acts that disrupt learning and have a negative effect on students, schools, and the broader community.
Examples of violent behavior include:
Places school violence occurs:
Dating violence is controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. As explained by The National Center for the Victims of Crime, it can happen in straight or gay relationships. It can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or a combination.
Anyone can be a victim of dating violence. Both boys and girls are victims, but boys and girls abuse their partners in different ways.
Girls are more likely to yell, threaten to hurt themselves, pinch, slap, scratch, or kick.
Boys injure girls more and are more likely to punch their partner and force them to participate in unwanted sexual activity. Some teen victims experience physical violence only occasionally; others, more often.
Controlling behavior may include:
Verbal and emotional abuse may include:
Physical abuse may include:
Sexual abuse may include:
If You Are a Victim of Dating Violence, You Might…
Being a victim of dating violence is not your fault. Nothing you say, wear, or do gives anyone the right to hurt you.
If you think you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately.
Don't keep your concerns to yourself.
Talk to someone you trust like a parent, teacher, school principal, counselor, or nurse.
If you choose to tell, you should know that some adults are mandated reporters. This means they are legally required to report neglect or abuse to someone else, such as the police or child protective services. You can ask people if they are mandated reporters and then decide what you want to do. Some examples of mandated reporters are teachers, counselors, doctors, social workers, and in some cases, coaches or activity leaders. If you want help deciding whom to talk to, call a crisis line in your area. You might also want to talk to a trusted family member, a friend’s parent, an adult neighbor or friend, an older sibling or cousin, or other experienced person who you trust.
Help Yourself
Think about ways you can be safer. This means thinking about what to do, where to go for help, and who to call ahead of time.
Where can you go for help?
Who can you call?
Who will help you?
How will you escape a violent situation?
Here are other precautions you can take:
Let friends or family know when you are afraid or need help.
When you go out, say where you are going and when you'll be back.
In an emergency, call 911 or your local police department.
Memorize important phone numbers, such as the people to contact or places to go in an emergency.
Keep spare change, calling cards, or a cell phone handy for immediate access to communication.
Go out in a group or with other couples.
Have money available for transportation if you need to take a taxi, bus, or subway to escape.
Help Someone Else
If you know someone who might be in an abusive relationship, you can help.
Tell the person that you are worried.
Be a good listener.
Offer your friendship and support.
Ask how you can help.
Encourage your friend to seek help.
Educate yourself about dating violence and healthy relationships.
Avoid any confrontations with the abuser. This could be dangerous for you and your friend.
Being a victim of dating violence is not your fault. Nothing you say, wear, or do gives anyone the right to hurt you.
If you think you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately.
Don't keep your concerns to yourself.
Talk to someone you trust like a parent, teacher, school principal, counselor, or nurse.
If you choose to tell, you should know that some adults are mandated reporters. This means they are legally required to report neglect or abuse to someone else, such as the police or child protective services. You can ask people if they are mandated reporters and then decide what you want to do. Some examples of mandated reporters are teachers, counselors, doctors, social workers, and in some cases, coaches or activity leaders. If you want help deciding whom to talk to, call a crisis line in your area. You might also want to talk to a trusted family member, a friend’s parent, an adult neighbor or friend, an older sibling or cousin, or other experienced person who you trust.
Help Yourself
Think about ways you can be safer. This means thinking about what to do, where to go for help, and who to call ahead of time.
Where can you go for help?
Who can you call?
Who will help you?
How will you escape a violent situation?
Here are other precautions you can take:
Let friends or family know when you are afraid or need help.
When you go out, say where you are going and when you'll be back.
In an emergency, call 911 or your local police department.
Memorize important phone numbers, such as the people to contact or places to go in an emergency.
Keep spare change, calling cards, or a cell phone handy for immediate access to communication.
Go out in a group or with other couples.
Have money available for transportation if you need to take a taxi, bus, or subway to escape.
Help Someone Else
If you know someone who might be in an abusive relationship, you can help.
Tell the person that you are worried.
Be a good listener.
Offer your friendship and support.
Ask how you can help.
Encourage your friend to seek help.
Educate yourself about dating violence and healthy relationships.
Avoid any confrontations with the abuser. This could be dangerous for you and your friend.
Youth violence is a public health problem that affects thousands of young people each day, and in turn, their families, schools, and communities.
Youth violence is connected to other forms of violence, including child abuse and neglect, teen dating violence, adult intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and suicide.
The good news is youth violence is preventable.
Protective factors may lessen the likelihood of youth violence victimization or perpetration.
BVSD's prevention programming is focused on increasing Protective Factors and reducing Risk Factors.
If there is immediate threat to your child or others call call 911 immediately.
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), Sexual violence affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year.
It is defined as any unwanted, forced, or coerced sexual contact without the consent or against the will of another person. It can range from inappropriate touching to penetration. It includes the crimes of sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse.
The Boulder Valley School District is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students.
Victims of sexual harassment are encouraged to report the incident to an adult they trust, whether it is a school counselor, administrator or law enforcement. Reports can be made orally or in writing. Written reports can be made using the Board's Complaint form, AC-E2(English)/ AC-E2 (Spanish) or by email to TitleIX@bvsd.org.
There is no place for this type of behavior in the halls of our schools or anywhere in BVSD. As a district we are taking action to better educate our students about sexual assault, consent and prevention.
Sexual Harassment Policy
It is essential that students and staff members have the confidence that the Boulder Valley School District will do everything in its power to protect victims and to take action against misconduct.
Over the past year, BVSD has been working to strengthen our sexual harassment policies (GBAA-English/ GBAA-Spanish and JBB) and investigation procedures (AC, AC-R, AC-E2 English). (AC, AC-R, AC-E2 Spanish)
Title IX
Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity.
Regardless of whether sexual harassment (that includes sexual violence) occurs at school, Title IX obligates school districts to address any impact of that conduct on students that interferes with their ability to access their education. This means that schools must provide students with their Title IX rights and the contact information for adults at school who can respond to allegations of misconduct and put in place interim remedies to support impacted students. If students experience harassment or retaliation resulting from the exercise of their Title IX rights, then schools are legally obligated to take action to stop it from recurring.
In terms of Title IX investigations, the School District is obligated to investigate and take action to stop misconduct that is impacting students at school, but there is not a strict timeline for such investigations. When the same allegations are being investigated by law enforcement, then the School District wants to minimize potential trauma for students by using information from law enforcement's investigation as much as possible. Most often, we do this by, among other things, using information in police reports, juvenile petitions, and information shared by the DA’s office as the substantive information for the School District’s Title IX investigation while also providing due process to the involved parties as required by the U.S. Department of Education rules and regulations governing school districts. While law enforcement investigations and any related legal proceedings are being conducted, the School District’s focus is on providing interim remedies to support students.