LETTERS

Along with their fake apology, PrideFest gave commissioners a list of “Guidelines.” ey say a Pride member, “will be present and watching live performances ... monitoring for any mishaps … inappropriate displays and will have authority to stop any situation that may arise.” Of course, by then the “situation” will already have occurred. If you want to speak about the drag event, commissioners are holding a town hall on 7/26 at 6:00, 100 ird St., Castle Rock.

Joy Overbeck Parker

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In response to Tammi Flemming’s letter to the editor (re: the e DAC is an autonomous and diverse body composed of parent and community representation from all feeders, in addition to primary and secondary school district sta . e DAC is respectfully independent from our board of education (BOE) liaisons, Director Myers and Director Meek.

6/29 “Changes to school district parent policy approved in 4-2 vote” story), I would like to respond as an individual and just one District Accountability Committee (DAC) member who has served on the committee for the past two years, as well as a parent who has been an active participant in our schools and district since 2009.

The fact is that the DAC did not have ample time to provide feedback on the KB Parent and Community Engagement Policy. We were notified of the BOE’s lastminute request with a few weeks’ notice, and we only had room for one 25-minute agenda item during our 6/15 virtual meeting, due to other pre-set agenda items. A 25-minute discussion is not sufficient for a committee of our size to review and come to a consensus on such an important policy document’s proposed changes. Therefore, the DAC unanimously agreed to request additional time from the BOE, and both Director Myers and Director Ray (Director Meek was unable to attend) supported our request during the DAC’s 6/15 meeting.

Interestingly, the BOE’s KB policy version changed the day after the DAC met and we weren’t all aware of this, nor was it communicated clearly. During the 6/20 school board meeting, there was not a coordinated attack on any board member. In fact, the DAC felt con dent that more time would be granted to us. I was watching the 6/20 school board meeting online and felt blindsided that the DAC was not allowed additional time to review the KB policy before it was voted upon and passed by the BOE majority, as well as frustrated that the DAC was not represented accurately during the board meeting.

Per Colorado Statute 22-32-142, “... the board of education shall work with the parent members of the district accountability committee in creating, adopting, and implementing the [parent engagement] policy.” Unfortunately, that did not occur. However, the DAC will continue to work on this item, as well as the others that it is tasked with. e community is always welcome to attend DAC’s monthly meetings.

Kelly Pointer Highlands Ranch

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In 2021, e Aspen E ect moved to Sky View Farms in Castle Rock and is run by Wendy Ingraham, who started Robin’s Nest Foundation.

Along with a board of directors made up of eight members - one of which is a quali ed therapist - the nonpro t has six fully developed programs in addition to the Ranch Hand Leadership Academy.

Other programs include Healing Horse Connections, Riding with Resilience Lessons and Animal Lovers Volunteer Club, a one on one mentoring program.

One of the most popular programs is the Mini Horse Leadership School where kids learn the power of empathy, leadership skills, how to manage expectations, develop a con dent mindset and lead from the side.

From shy to assertive, the mini horses have di erent personalities which the kids learn how to work with.

“ ey’ve got to kind of meet them where they’re at and we use that in the skill of developing empathy and leading with empathy,” said Leuven.

During the school year, a group of high school students come together and provide feedback on the pro- grams at the organization and get involved with helping the younger kids. e organization has been intentional about involving di erent races, sects and backgrounds. e Aspen E ect helps mentor youth in Douglas County but is open to helping others. According to Leuven, they have mentored kids from Lone Tree teen court and the juvenile assessment center in Aurora.

In light of the new parent policy change made by the Douglas County School Board, Leuven said the organization will continue to be an inclusive place for youth.

Last month, the Douglas County School District made changes to the parent policy that could a ect students wishing to use speci c pronouns like her/she, him/he or they/them. Counselors are now required to notify parents when students ask to be identi ed by a di erent gender.

Among the four core values of e Aspen E ect, is to accept others, oppose demeaning behaviors and promote respectful behavior.

“We seek common humanity that draws us together, ‘we’ is our most important pronoun and we believe in human resilience,” said Leuven.

To join a program, a parent or guardian can submit an application based on the program the child wants to be in. From there, Leuven, or the program director, will speak with the parent or guardian.

With more than 30 adult mentors, each kid is paired with a mentor that best ts their needs. e mentors go through a background check and a certi cation process.

“Leadership for us is knowing how to navigate my life, knowing how to advocate for myself, knowing how to connect with other people in real ways,” said Leuven. Learn more about the Aspen E ect by visiting the website at https://theaspene ect.org.

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