Pictured: Colorado ISD, Colorado City Texas Attendees; Pictured From Left to Right: Dr. Larry Polk, Jr., Superintendent, Alison Alvarez, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator, Felsha’ Biggers, Family & Community Engagement Specialist, Denise Farmer, Assistant Superintendent
Empowering Families. Elevating Futures.
Colorado ISD’s Journey at the 2025 AASA Family Engagement Summit
We recently had the privilege to join district leaders from across the country to talk about something that often gets overshadowed by test scores and data: the power of human connection. We weren’t just talking about events or checklists—we were talking about listening, trust, and belonging. The summit challenged us to reimagine what it means to walk alongside families, not just as educators, but as partners.
One of the most powerful parts of the experience was visiting Arbor Station Elementary and other
schools in the area. We saw how a welcoming smile in the front office, a note home in a parent’s
native language, or a teacher taking time to listen could completely change the way families feel
about school. In bigger districts, these might seem like small gestures—but in a rural place like ours, they are everything.
We left the summit with a Family Engagement Certification and a deeper commitment to our
mission, grounded in our FACE motto:
Empowering Families. Elevating Futures.
This motto is more than a slogan. It’s a reflection of how we show up for the people we serve. It
reminds us that:
A parent feeling heard can change a child’s day.
A home visit can spark a breakthrough.
A translator at a meeting can mean the difference between isolation and inclusion.
A school that listens can become a place where families feel they belong.
Our next steps are already underway. We’re creating more opportunities for families to share their
voices, providing staff with training on culturally responsive practices, and building bridges that will
last far beyond a school year.
Because when families are empowered, students are too. And when we elevate futures, we lift our
whole community.
At Colorado ISD, we believe every gesture matters. In a small district, a single act of empathy can
ripple through a classroom, a household, and a neighborhood. That’s the power of family
engagement. That’s the heart of rural education. And that’s why we’re proud to say:
We are Empowering Families. Elevating Futures.
