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Get involved: Opportunities are endless

Fred Wall
Roaring Fork School District

A year ago, some 100 parents, students, community members and staff of the Roaring Fork School District worked together to design a strategic planning vision and mission statement. The RFSD mission reads: “Together with family and community, all students learn to meet the challenges of life.”

For this to happen, it is critically important that parents and community members share in that vision. Our school district is only as strong as our communication links.

I would like to outline some ways the community can become informed and involved in our district and schools.



School level communication: At the individual schools, a monthly newsletter to parents includes information specific to programs, instructions and schedules of activities. Parents and community members can become involved directly in two-way dialogue and building planning through accountability committees and parent-based groups such as PIE (Parents in Education) or PTO (Parent Teacher Organizations).

Building accountability committees focus on educational issues, set learning goals and review building budget planning.



Other specific committees allow parents and community members to get involved in student activities, such as high school athletic and activity booster clubs. Each school encourages parents to volunteer in learning activities or as a clerical helper for a teacher.

District-level communication: External communication at the district level is written and verbal, such as frequent communication to newspapers and radio stations in the valley. This year, to augment external communication and to fulfill strategic planning goals, the district has reinstated the contracted position of public information officer.

Community members are invited to address the Board of Education during each public meeting. The District Accountability Committee, made up of parents, nonparents and staff members, acts in an advisory role for the Board of Education.

Task forces are formed around specific district activities, ranging from strategic planning to the current facility planning process.

Internal communication between the district office and personnel in each school takes place through informal and formal methods, such as the “Staff Update” distributed via e-mail each Monday morning.

The monthly Superintendent’s Advisory Committee meets with representatives of each school building to discuss issues and staff concerns to assist in creating the best working conditions possible.

Communication with staff members has been enhanced greatly since the installation of telephones in each classroom. Also, each staff member has almost immediate access to the district office through e-mail.

How to get involved: I urge any parents or community members to learn more about our schools. One new way to stay informed is to sign up to receive the weekly e-mailed “Community Update” that focuses on school district issues and calendar items.

Another new avenue of communication is one simple e-mail address for community members to use at info@rfsd.k12.co.us for questions or information.

I invite community members to consider getting involved in the Facility Planning process or on our District Accountability Committee. Each community will have ongoing opportunities to help formulate future facility plans. Call me at 384-6000 for information.


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