The Issues That Matter

Striving to Make Our Childrens' Education a Priority in the Roaring Fork Valley

Priorities

Students at the Heart of Every Choice

Excellence in Academics

The Reality

We live in a beautiful community, one that is home to some of the most educated people per capita in the nation. Yet, despite this strength, our public schools are falling behind. Our test scores are lower than they should be, too many students are performing below grade level, and in the 2024–2025 school year alone, we saw a 21% teacher turnover rate. To top it off we have a declining student population. We can and must do better, for our children, for our teachers, and for the future of our community.

Solutions

We must work together with parents, teachers, and the community in order to create some of the best schools in Colorado. The resources are here, but what we need now is the collective willingness to participate and take action. We should look to successful schools as models, adopt effective curriculum, and bring those best practices into our classrooms. Most importantly, our classrooms must be rich learning environments where students are grounded in the fundamentals; reading, writing, math, and the critical thinking skills that set the foundation for lifelong success.

Student Wellness

Building Strong minds and bodies

Building a school with strong bodies and strong minds means focusing on the whole student. Academic excellence cannot be separated from wellness. Students learn best when they are healthy, supported, and encouraged. This means providing access to nutritious meals, promoting physical activity, supporting mental wellness, and creating an environment where every student feels safe and valued. When we prioritize student wellness alongside academics, we set our children up not only to succeed in school, but to thrive in life.

High Goals

Improving student overall wellness begins with creating a school environment that values healthy bodies as much as strong minds. By focusing on nutrition, exercise, and safe schools, we can ensure our children thrive both in and out of the classroom. This could mean building school gardens where students can learn firsthand about growing food, teaching the importance of good nutrition and regular exercise, preparing fresh meals that fuel learning, and equipping parents with the tools to support healthy habits at home. Together, we can raise a generation that is not only academically prepared but physically strong and well.

One Community

Strong Communites Raise Strong children

Strong schools are built on strong communities. One community working together means bringing parents, teachers, administrators, and local organizations into every conversation about our children’s education. By fostering collaboration, open communication, and shared responsibility, we can create schools that reflect the values and needs of our community. When families, educators, and leaders unite, we ensure that every student is supported, every teacher is empowered, and our schools can thrive as centers of learning and growth.

Long-term Goals

We need to foster open communication, encouraged by creating regular opportunities for parents, teachers, and community members to give feedback and share ideas. While the Roaring Fork School District fosters many partnerships with local organizations and volunteer programs, we need to improve on the effectiveness of these relationships and how they can benefit every child in our district. Offering workshops and resources to help parents support learning and wellness at home. Involve parents in school committees, events, and decision making processes.