Community -
Celebrating Learning & Persevering Together
Estes Park Mountain Festival
As the founder and director of the Estes Park Mountain Festival, I am very proud of this partnership with Estes Park School District and the Town of Estes Park. An end of the school year showcase of student learning happening for two days each May, while celebrating Arbor Day, Earth Day, and Mountain Heritage. Partnering with community organizations across Colorado, the EP Mountain festival has proven to be a marquee event in which students and community members collaborate to celebrate being life-long learners, showcasing student and adult “TED Talks” alike to teach, grow, and learn together.
Covid & Cloud School
When March 2020 rolled around, none of us were exactly sure what was in store for us in our new normal living with Covid. However, one thing was clear - students needed to continue learning, and staying connected with each other during this unpredictable time was more important than ever. Our school quickly pivoted to an on-line learning model that we called "Cloud School". Using iPads and digital learning platforms like SeeSaw, our teachers were able to transition to a remote learning format within days, allowing students to stay connected, and continue with their learning.
Fires
In the Fall of 2020, just as our district was preparing for a return to in-person learning, a record setting wildfire forced the evacuation of Estes Park. The East Troublesome Fire resulted in students, families, staff, and our entire community to evacuate. Not knowing if our homes would still be standing when we returned, as a school and community leader my role was clearly to work relentlessly to ensure that our students and our families were supported in whatever way possible to endure this tragic event. Our staff worked tirelessly, day and night, to reach out to families in support, making sure that each and every one of them was taken care of, physically, socially, and emotionally. While there certainly were sad stories resulting from this fire, this event allowed for our entire community to come together as one, and I am proud to say that Estes Park Schools were a central part of these efforts to persevere in the face of terrible tragedy.
Floods
In the Fall of 2013, our mountain community was put to the test. After three straight days of rain, the "100 year flood" ravaged the Estes Park infrastructure, putting all of our community members at risk. With our schools being the anchor of our community, we came together like never before to take care of our neighbors and friends. During this extremely difficult time, our schools remained open, hosting what we called "Flood School", a modified version of our school day to provide a safe, warm, nourishing place for children and families to come together during the weeks of recovery. Our schools served as Red Cross shelters at night, and "Flood School" during the day, feeding and clothing our community members through this harrowing time.
International Space Station & the ARISS Project
ARISS - Amateur Radios on the International Space Station, is a national project that allows for qualified schools across the country to participate in a once in a life time opportunity to speak directly with the International Space Station as it flies over their community. At a time when we were all striving to stay connected amidst a global pandemic, our 5th graders partnered with our local Amateur Radio Club, and participated in an event that we will never forget. Students got to directly ask questions to astronauts in real-time! A very proud moment for Estes Park Elementary School, and our community as a whole.
