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Big Thompson Elementary showcases therapy dogs, outdoor education and innovation classroom
Summary
Big Thompson Elementary principal Sarah Walg presented a school video and described daily CREW classroom practices, a therapy dog program, an expanded outdoor education center and an innovation curriculum integrating robotics and conservation; board members were invited to visit.
Big Thompson Elementary principal Sarah Walg brought a video and a presentation to the Thompson School District board highlighting the elementary school’s therapy dog program, outdoor education center and innovation class.
"Welcome to Big Thompson Elementary School, where we think big, act big, and do big," Walg said, describing daily CREW routines, research-based animal-assisted interventions and project-based outdoor experiences. She noted that the outdoor education center engages CSU students on wildlife monitoring and that the school received a $56,000 grant to update the center this summer.
Walg described hands-on instructional features—from a low-ropes course built with Thompson Valley High School students to an outdoor 'flume' for studying erosion—that bring third-grade science standards to life. She invited board members to tour the campus and accept a student-led tour by the student council.
Board members asked about operational challenges: Denise Chapman asked about infrastructure and aging building issues; Walg cited typical maintenance and scheduling items but emphasized teachers’ creative use of the outdoor resources. Alexandra and other members praised student-led tours and the therapy dog program’s calming effect for students.
The presentation underscored cross-district partnerships: Rocky Mountain National Park interns helped develop campus signage and CSU students participate in outdoor science projects. Walg said the school’s outdoor education center is a district asset she hoped could be leveraged by other schools.
The board thanked Walg and encouraged site visits. No formal action was required; staff noted the grant and district-wide use plans would be tracked through the superintendent’s office.
