Basalt Elementary School is celebrating 30 years of its Dual Language Program, a model that has helped shape generations of bilingual learners through equal instruction in English and Spanish.

The program follows a research-based 50/50 immersion approach, ensuring that students build fluency in both languages while strengthening cognitive skills and cultural awareness.

Research supports the long-term benefits of dual language education, showing that bilingual students often excel academically, scoring higher on standardized tests while developing enhanced problem-solving skills, memory, and executive function. These advantages extend into professional life, offering expanded career opportunities and higher earning potential.

“Our program isn’t just about learning two languages — it’s about opening doors to a world of opportunities,” Basalt Elementary Principal Grant Waaler said in a news release. “We’re preparing students not just for the next grade, but for success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.”

The program’s impact is reflected in student performance. Basalt Elementary scholars consistently outperform state and local averages in both English and Spanish assessments, with fourth graders leading all Valley schools in CMAS English Language Arts. The structured curriculum ensures a seamless transition between languages, reinforcing content across subjects.

“We carefully structure our program to maintain continuity across subjects,” Whitney Bell, the school’s ELD coach, said in the release. “As students transition between language classrooms, content builds progressively, ensuring deep understanding in both languages.”

Parents have taken note of the program’s benefits. Simon Dogbe, whose children are in second and fourth grade at Basalt Elementary, sees the dual language curriculum as a major academic advantage.

“They’re not only excelling academically but developing confidence, cultural awareness, and empathy—becoming curious, open-minded global citizens,” he said in the release.

For families interested in enrolling their kindergartners, the school is offering a tour at noon Thursday, March 20. Parents can also schedule a visit by calling 970-384-5800.

Basalt Elementary School students will be treated to a variety of different art-based learning experiences on Wednesdays in March and April at the second annual Art Days, according to a press release.

Students will have the opportunity to visit with different Roaring Fork Valley nonprofits every Wednesday to get a hands-on art experience with the organization. Anderson Ranch Arts Center, The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, and The Aspen Art Museum are just a few of the nine local organizations coming to BES to provide students with an educational experience outside of the classroom.

“Art Days at Basalt Elementary School brings creativity to life, inspiring students and building confidence through hands-on artistic experiences,” Michaela Idahammar-Ketpura, executive director of Basalt Education Foundation, said in the press release. “Thanks to our incredible partners, we ensure every child has access to the transformative power of the arts — essential for critical thinking, communication, and lifelong learning.”

According to Andrew Travers, the penner manger of Educational Programs at the Resnick Center, one of the partners supporting the event, the program has created a network of arts leaders who are committed to providing students with a source of inspiration and curiosity.

“This collaborative model allows nonprofits to work together toward a common goal and to connect Basalt’s young people to a wide range of creative practices and local resources,” Travers said in the press release.

On behalf of the Basalt community, I would like to thank the Aspen Skiing Co. for their generous support of our recent Fourth Grade Ski Day. Students conquered the slopes and discovered new skills during an incredible outdoor education adventure at Buttermilk. From first-time skiers and boarders to confident rippers, our Longhorns embraced the mountain with enthusiasm and teamwork.

This special day brought together over 90 students for an unforgettable experience. Thanks to SkiCo's support, 45 children received rental equipment, ski passes and lessons — several of whom would not otherwise have had the opportunity to ski or snowboard.

The impact of this unique opportunity in the Roaring Fork Valley extends far beyond a single day on the mountain. We are deeply grateful to all SkiCo employees whose generous contributions of time and resources ensure that every child at Basalt Elementary School has the opportunity to experience world-class skiing.

Grant Waaler

Principal

Basalt Elementary

It’s been weeks since I chaperoned the Basalt Elementary fourth grade ski day at Buttermilk, but I’m still grinning ear-to-ear. It was thrilling to see many never-ever skiers get outfitted with rentals and a lesson courtesy of SkiCo and set off for a day certain to be a core memory in their lives. I was assigned a group of five fearless females and did my best to keep up with them as they shredded Buttermilk, from West to Tiehack. Their positivity, humor, and encouragement of one another was infectious as they carved downhill in streaks of magenta, violet, and teal. Another highlight came at the end of the ski day, as all of the students gathered at the base in the afternoon sun enjoying snacks prepared by Desiree Pimentel, Basalt Education Foundation’s Outdoor/Experiential Education Coordinator. With rosy cheeks and excited voices they shared their experience, a day spent learning a new skill, on our gorgeous mountains, with supportive adults. What a valuable education, indeed.

Many, many thanks to Basalt Elementary School, Aspen SkiCo, and BEF for an unforgettable day.

Casey Livingston

We would like to thank our Basalt community for coming out to be a part of the annual Basalt Elementary Holiday Assembly this past Thursday morning. Our students enjoy working hard and get so excited to share their songs. It is an honor and a privilege to share music with the students and community at BES and we are so grateful for your support.

Maureen Hinkle

Basalt Elementary music teacher

On behalf of Basalt Elementary School, we would like to thank our community for the great turnout at two of our traditional events, our Thanksgiving Lunch and our Turkey Trot 5K run/walk.

The Thanksgiving Lunch was a great time to welcome our families into our cafeteria and enjoy some delicious food together. This meal was a fun way for families to be a part of their kids’ school lives. The cold did not stop our community from coming to support our schools at the Basalt Education Foundation Turkey Trot. There were silly costumes, lively music, and lots of people getting a healthy start to their Thanksgiving Day!

Thank you, Longhorn Country!

With ice glossing the pavement, valley residents braved frigid temperatures on Thursday to fundraise in the eighth annual Basalt Turkey Trot.

The Basalt Education Foundation, which provides funding for Basalt public schools, hosted the event with two goals in mind: bring the Basalt community together and support education.

“We live in an outdoor area, and so anything we can do to bring people together within the community is important,” Foundation Board Member and School Liaison Committee Chair** Brook Portman said. “And the public schools are a starting foundation for a good community.”

The morning included a 5-kilometer race, a 1-mile fun run, and a raffle. The races started and finished at the Basalt Elementary School.

All money** spent at the event, including trot registration fees and raffle ticket purchases, went to the foundation.

“We fill funding gaps that aren’t in the regular budget,” Portman said of the foundation’s mission relating to public schools.

The foundation gave nearly $338,000 in the 2023-24 school year to support the schools, funding student scholarships, teacher professional development, materials, additional programs, administrative resources, college scholarships, school clubs, peer tutoring, outdoor education, and more, according to her.

With over 300 people attending this year’s event, she estimated on Thursday morning they will raise around $6,000.

Basalt Elementary School Principal Grant Waaler said the foundation aids teachers with dual-language professional development, which gives them additional resources and training to improve the elementary school’s Spanish-English learning environment.

“We’re very fortunate to have such a supportive community behind us,” Waaler said. “We’re a dual-language school, which comes with extra complexities and is really fun, but it’s nice to have the support of our community as we take on that endeavor.”

Beyond supporting education, the event brought families, friends, and visitors together with a common goal — finish the race, and do so in style.

Basalt Middle School student Cole Honey said he was excited for the race.

“It’s fun because I’m running against all my friends,” Honey said.

Simon Dogbe, whose children attend Basalt Elementary School, said his mother traveled from London to visit him and experience her first ever Thanksgiving. She came with him to the race.

“Every year, we try to do it,” Dogbe said. “I think I’m going to walk with my mom, and then the rest of the girls are going to run the 5k.”

The Hadley family traveled all the way from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to spend Thanksgiving in the valley and run the race.

“This is our second year doing this,” Elise Hadley said.

“We beat Mr. Waaler (the principal) last year, so we’re pretty excited,” added Dave Hadley.

Waaler gives stickers to anyone who beats him in the race. He said this year he might hang back to support elementary students as they run.

Basalt resident Jeff Clark, and his dog Ace, won the race.

Clark said he did not expect to win, especially because he was running with his dog.

“We took a wrong turn, had to circle back, my phone fell out of my pocket, and then she came off her leash,” Clark said. “I was like, ‘The only way she’ll follow me is if I run fast enough and she’ll just chase me.'”

Clark said he’ll be back next year.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “Especially if I have to defend my title — the turkey title.”

Tennis shoes flashed across leaf-covered grass outside Basalt Elementary on Thursday afternoon, followed by laughter, cheers, and conversation.

Elementary school girls took to the field after class to participate in the twice-weekly practices of Girls on the Run, a program working to empower girls through exercise. This is the 13th year Basalt Elementary has worked with the international nonprofit to uplift their students.

Kappi Meldrum, Basalt Elementary Girls on the Run head coach, said the international nonprofit helps girls develop positive self-identity and self-confidence, which is critical at that stage of their youth.

“For young girls, this is a crucial time in order to encourage positive self-talk, positive self-image,” she said. “They’ll identify things they like about themselves, things they like about their friends. They also learn the importance of community service.”

She said in practice they have the girls focus on social and emotional learning, building their individual strengths, and connecting with each other in a team setting. They also focus on how they can help the community and make the world a better place.

Girls on the Run Coach Melissa McCann said they want to give girls opportunities they didn’t have themselves when they were growing up.

“When you see women or people that look like you doing things that you dream of doing, it just makes it seem more attainable,” McCann said.

Meldrum said the program helps girls learn how to stand up for themselves.

“In situations in which maybe they feel like they don’t have a voice, Girls on the Run gives them the tools in order to self-advocate,” she said.

They also do a community service project to get girls thinking about the greater needs of the town. This year they cleaned trash on the playground and helped maintain the school garden.

The girls take part in a “runraiser” to help families afford the cost of the program, where they go door-to-door of friends and family to raise funds. With the money, the program can drop the cost of participation from $90 to $35 and provide girls in need with running shoes.

This fall the girls are training for a culminating 5k in Steamboat Springs on Nov. 9.

“I think it’s also important, too, for them to set a challenging goal,” Meldrum said. “And work towards meeting that goal and then accomplish the goal.”

Basalt Elementary fourth grader Petra Ruiz said she likes running and everything about Girls on the Run.

“I like how it makes me feel,” Ruiz said.

Third grader Ximena Geslle said she likes running with her friend, Amanda, in the program. She also said the 5k will be a great opportunity to show what she can do.

Fifth grader Stella Mausner said she likes the coaches and the other girls in the program.

“They’re very supportive and enthusiastic,” Mausner said.

Fourth grader Leila Dogbe said she likes “learning about how to keep positive.”

Girls on the Run participant Kyla Schoenbrunn said her bracelets help her remember “you’ve got this,” when she’s running or challenging herself in the program.

Participant Nina Amato said her favorite part of the program is running laps and being with her friends.

She also likes “Exercise and good laughs … and to make the world even better.”

Meldrum said it’s important for girls to develop healthy relationships and healthy habits, like exercising and eating well, at elementary school age, but specifically when they’re between third and fifth grade.

“Developing that positive self image is paramount,” Meldrum said, adding, “Women’s sports is really important to just give girls a sense of who they are, and they’re strong and powerful, and they can do anything they set their minds to.”