Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. We love Eldora! These words could be heard from Nederland Elementary students during their NED SHRED days. All kindergarten through fifth grade students get two days of lessons and skiing at Eldora Mountain Resort every year. Eldora’s ski instructors work with small groups of kids at similar ability levels. 

Nederland Elementary School (NES) has been doing this for years. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is the force behind the event. Jess McElvain PTA treasurer says, “The program is truly made possible by our partnership with Eldora. Without Eldora’s support, the NED SHRED program would not be possible or as accessible to as many of our students. The NES PTA is truly grateful for Eldora’s generosity and support.”

Families were asked to pay $50 this year for the two days at Eldora. Students choose from alpine skiing, snowboarding or Nordic skiing. Families can request financial assistance, which is funded by various fundraising efforts throughout the school year.  

This year 211 kids participated which is 92% of the student body at NES. Ten of these students participated through the Ignite program. 

Ignite Adaptive Sports is a volunteer driven organization that has been helping children and adults with disabilities at Eldora since 1975. The smiles and joy on the faces of the students who were assisted by Ignite volunteers were beautiful. Students of all abilities from NES can participate because of these amazing volunteers. 

This event takes enormous amounts of organization and planning on the part of the PTA. Also, a large part of the fundraising efforts go to NED SHRED. 

We all want or should want to support the children in our community. Supporting the schools means you are supporting the kids. In turn you are then supporting the community as a whole. There are future dentists, snowplow drivers, doctors, welders, business owners, teachers, scientists and construction workers in Nederland schools today. They will serve our communities and others if we show them that they are valued. Do this by volunteering your time, making a financial donation or even just speaking positively about Nederland schools. 

The Nederland Elementary PTA will be having their annual Silent Auction on May 8, 2020. Stay tuned for details and come out to support the community by supporting the kids.

(Originally published in the February 13, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)