Jenna Sampson

Boulder, Denver

Science and Environmental Journalist at Freelance

Freedom of the Hills. Journalism @ CU Boulder's @TheWaterDesk

Featured in: Favicon

medium.com Favicon

boulderweekly.com Favicon

waterdesk.org Favicon

boulderreportinglab.org Favicon

washingtonpost.com Favicon

msn.com

yahoo.com

seattletimes.com

Articles

BVSD backs Colorado’s refusal to comply with anti-DEI mandate as funding threatened

6 days ago | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

As the Trump administration executes its broad plan to reverse diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices across U.S. institutions, K–12 education has emerged as the next battleground. This shift comes after institutions like CU Boulder cut or renamed DEI departments out of fear of losing federal funds. Now, public schools — including those in Colorado — face similar threats.
Driver found guilty in death of Boulder cyclist Magnus White, 17

2 weeks ago | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

Did Yeva Smilianska get behind the wheel knowingly impaired, causing her to recklessly endanger lives on the road and kill 17-year-old up-and-coming cycling champion Magnus White? That was the central question a jury deliberated after a five-day trial at the Boulder County Justice Center last week. After about seven hours, the verdict came back: guilty. For the White family, however, the trial brought little solace.
Summit Middle School threat in Boulder sparks parent concern over safety, transparency

1 month ago | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

The message appeared on Snapchat last Wednesday: A student allegedly warned classmates not to come to school the following Monday, March 17. The vague but ominous threat spread quickly among Summit Middle School students, setting off a wave of anxiety among parents who, in the absence of clear information from officials, were left to piece together details on their own.
Parents say BVSD isn’t doing enough about bullying. Now they’re taking action.

1 month ago | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

Their claims have been denied. Their appeals have led to more frustration. And the process for holding staff accountable is often unclear. A growing group of BVSD parents says they’ve struggled to get meaningful responses after reporting what they believe to be bullying and discrimination against their children.
BVSD enrollment drop slows, but funding and closures remain a concern

1 month ago | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

Declining enrollment remains a long-term challenge for the Boulder Valley School District, but this year’s numbers were better than expected — by nearly 1%, or just under 250 students. A larger-than-projected kindergarten cohort helped cushion the decline and has improved enrollment forecasts. Since enrollment directly impacts state funding, the new projections have given district leaders cautious optimism.
DACA uncertainty, ICE raids shake CU Boulder’s undocumented students

2 months ago | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

As fear and uncertainty spread through the immigrant community, more than 300 undocumented students at the University of Colorado Boulder are feeling more vulnerable than ever. A longstanding federal policy restricting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in sensitive spaces — schools, churches and hospitals — was rescinded by an executive order from President Trump.
Grove Elementary seeks approval as BVSD's first new charter in decades

Jan 17, 2025 | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

A proposed new charter school emphasizing inclusivity for neurodiverse and special education students is under review by the Boulder Valley Board of Education. Grove Elementary would be an offshoot of Bal Swan, a private preschool in Broomfield, with its educational philosophy extending to the new publicly funded charter school. The Boulder Valley School District has five charter schools, four approved between 1996 and 1999, and the most recent in 2002.
New Vista High School opens in Boulder: Inside the new $52 million campus

Jan 8, 2025 | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

New Vista students walked into their brand-new school for the first time on Jan. 7, greeted with a red carpet welcome at the corner of Baseline and Broadway. The building, which has big views of the Flatirons to the west and CU Boulder to the east, is the first purpose-built home for New Vista since its founding. New Vista is a small, alternative high school that has been relocated multiple times since it launched in 1993 by founding principal Rona Wilensk, who ran it for nearly 17 years.
BVSD acts to protect immigrant students amid fears over Trump policies

Dec 9, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

Schools are not immune to the effects of heated political rhetoric, and the Boulder Valley School District is preparing to act. During a recent board meeting, members discussed plans to reassure undocumented students and other vulnerable groups facing potential threats from shifting national policies. After an election cycle dominated by immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, some BVSD students and families have expressed growing fears about an impending shakeup as the Trump administration takes power.
BVSD board approves cell phone ban

Nov 22, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Jenna Sampson |Stacy Feldman

The Boulder Valley School District board approved a universal cell phone ban with a 6–1 vote on Nov. 19, restricting the use of phones, headphones and watches on campuses from bell to bell. Board member Alex Medler described the policy, which is expected to go into effect in January, as “the end of the distraction era.”Initially, implementation will be left to individual schools.