Convening for Roaring Fork Valley Educators and School Administrators

In September 2006, Aspen Community Foundation hosted a convening of educators and school administrators from local public and private schools to share ideas and discuss issues of educational importance. Diana Sirko, Superintendent of the Aspen School District and Board member of Aspen Community Foundation, spearheaded the event. Representatives from Alpine Christian Academy, Aspen Country Day School, Colorado Rocky Mountain School, COMPASS/Aspen and Carbondale Community Schools, RE-1 School District (from Basalt to Glenwood Springs), RE-2 School District (from New Castle to Rifle), RE-16 School District (Parachute), Ross Montessori, and the Waldorf School joined the meeting. As members of the Executive Service Corps, Al Dietsch, Bob Purvis and Bill Wallace facilitated the small and large group discussions, with topics that included: collaborations among school districts, English Language Learners (ELL), and special education. Feedback from attendees focused on their appreciation for this rare opportunity to meet and network with one another. One significant outcome resulted in participants’ collectively identifying the lack of necessary resources for special needs students in the greater Roaring Fork Valley.