Sharing Gratitude
A letter from Rabbi Kolby & the STAND Advisory Council
Dear Steamboat Springs School District Community,
I am writing to share gratitude, reflection, and an important reminder about the work we continue to do together, to disrupt discrimination in all its forms within our schools and throughout Routt County.
Last month, STAND partnered with Steamboat Springs Middle School to host “Just A Symbol?”, a community convening dedicated to helping students, parents, and local leaders better understand how hate symbols operate and how we can respond with clarity, unity, and education. This gathering was inspired by the five swastikas graffitied, drawn, and even burned into public spaces across our community in 2023. Two years later, many of you joined us to learn about the incredible progress our district has made to address and prevent discriminatory behavior…and the ongoing efforts still needed.
The evening featured powerful and courageous contributions from student voices, Steamboat Springs School District leadership, and regional partners including Michael Dougherty, District Attorney of the 20th Judicial District; Jeremy Shaver from the ADL Mountain States Region; and others dedicated to community safety and inclusion. We discussed the ways hate symbols harm individuals, fracture communities, and can be countered through deliberate education, relationship-building, and consistent action.
During this same event, an anti-Israel message was found written in a bathroom at the middle school. While this was promptly addressed by school administrators and partners at STAND, it serves as an important reminder: our work to disrupt discrimination is not “one and done.” Acts like this, no matter the target, show us that bias, discrimination, and hate continue to surface, and that we must remain vigilant in nurturing a culture of respect, empathy, and accountability for all students and community members.
I encourage all parents and caregivers to use this moment to talk with your children about discrimination, stereotypes, and how we treat those who may be different from us. You can find valuable resources through both the school district’s United in Education: Addressing Discrimination Together webpage and STAND at www.standsteamboat.org. And please know that we, your partners in education, community building, and community wellbeing, are here for you. Do not hesitate to reach out for support, guidance, or conversation.
In the coming months, STAND will be offering additional programs and trainings to help strengthen our collective commitment to safety and inclusion. Please check our website for updates as these opportunities roll out.
Thank you, Steamboat Springs School District families and educators, for everything you do to make our community a place where every student feels seen, valued, and safe. It is an honor to STAND alongside you in this work.
STAND Advisory Council:
Rabbi Kolby Morris-Dahary
Traci Hiatt
Brian Krill
Chief Mark Beckett
Jennifer Bock
Principal Joe Laliberte
Mark Fitzgerald
Jerry Hernandez
Ron Krall
Araceli Gomez
Samantha Coyne
Officer Lisa Eifling
Principal Jay Hamric
Sheriff Doug Scherar
Pastor Tim Selby
Jenny Shea
Alissa Merage
Mia Goodson-Cutler
Fiona Mandle
Kate Nowak