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Community, Electeds Meet About Future of Colfax Elementary and Smaller Schools By David Sabados
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n 2016, Colfax Elementary’s enrollment was 319 students. This year, it’s 248, a decrease of over 22%. Concerns about the drop prompted the West Colfax Association of Neighbors (WeCan) to organize a discussion not just about Colfax, but the future of other smaller schools as well. Parents, community members, teachers, Denver School Board member Brad Laurvick, and Councilwomen Amanda P. Sandoval and Jamie
While city government doesn’t have a direct role in DPS, Councilwomen Torres and Sandoval addressed one of the related challenges schools like Colfax face: student displacement due to a lack of affordably-priced housing in the area. As rent prices increase and home ownership in the area stays out of reach of many, families are forced to move to more affordable areas, uprooting students and furthering the decline in enrollment.
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The Denver North Star is offering graduation announcements in our June issue; it’s a great way to recognize your graduate in their community!
PHOTO BY DAVID SABADOS
Despite a drop in enrollment, community members have rallied to support Colfax Elementary school, which will have a new interim principal next year. Torres discussed the school, how the lack of affordable housing impacts students, and a way forward. The biggest concern from the community was whether the drop in enrollment and the departure of the school’s principal could mean the school is on the chopping block, but Director Laurvick and DPS staff wanted the community to know there’s no plans to close the school. “Being small is not a bad thing,” said Laurvick, adding that he wants to see investment and support for neighborhood schools like Colfax. “You shouldn't have to go to another school somewhere else to get what your child deserves and needs.” Part of the problem, according to Laurvick, had been the district’s philosophy of rapid school openings when there wasn’t a student population to support it (Denver’s school age population has decreased and with it DPS’ enrollment). For Laurvick, the decrease in elementary aged students is certainly a factor, but “it’s also one of the challenges of a district that opened too many schools after a decade of thinking ‘oh let’s just open a new charter school. Let’s just open a new charter school.’ I think that’s negatively impacted the quality of education our kids get.”
Torres and Sandoval discussed rental assistance, zoning to allow more accessory dwelling units, and other housing policies to help families stay in the area. Colfax Elementary has one of the highest rates of students experiencing homelessness in the district. The WeCan forum was the first of what neighborhood, school, and elected leaders all said they hope is a series of community meetings about the future of local schools. Parents’ concern about changing school leadership may have been alleviated when the district announced the new interim principal. Michelle Koyama will be joining the school as acting principal, leaving her current role as the NW Regional Assistant Instructional Superintendent. Parents with older students may also recognize her as the former Executive Principal of Lake and Skinner Middle Schools, and previous to that role, was the principal of Skinner for 7 years. Note: Readers have asked for more coverage of different schools across North Denver. Was this article of interest or are there other topics you’d like to see covered? Email us at News@DenverNorthStar.com or call (720) 248-7327 and let us know to help shape future coverage.
ThankYou To the teachers and staff at the schools that had a hand in making this kid the fantastic human he is; we thank you. For teaching and guiding, for challenging and protecting. For asking great questions and encouraging thoughtful answers. We thank you: › Winter Park Ski School › Denver Center for Performing Arts › Brown International Elementary › Sticky Fingers Cooking School › Skinner Middle School › Urban Acrobatics › Denver Online High School › Emily Griffith Opportunity School › LA Shaolin Studios › Denver North High School With big huge barrels of gratitude, ~ John Howard Taylor and his whole family
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A printed graduation announcement is the perfect addition to a scrapbook, photo album, or wall hanging with a diploma and photos. The online edition of the paper can also be emailed to friends and family. We’re happy to offer an eighth page announcement for a discounted price of only $250 and provide your family with up to 10 additional copies of the paper.
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For more information, or to reserve a spot, email us at ads@DenverNorthStar.com or call (720) 248-7327. Please reserve your ad by Friday, June 4 for the June 15th edition
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May 15, 2021-June 14, 2021 | Page 11