Please join the DFM Community Engagement Program Monthly Meeting (DFM-CEP-MM) Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 12-1pm for a special presentation and discussion on “What is a Community School and how does it lead to school transformation?”

Note: This meeting will not be recorded. We hope you can make it!

Montview Elementary School is less than one mile from the CU Anschutz Campus, where more than 70% students speak a language other than English at home and more than 90% qualify for free or reduced lunch. Despite these factors and the current local and national context, Montview’s students are making incredible academic gains.

Join this panel conversation to learn how the Community Schools model is accelerating student and school-wide performance and growth - and how CU Anschutz faculty, staff, students, and community organizations are contributing to this vital work and about more opportunities to partner and invest in Aurora’s youth.

Our guest presenters/speakers (see bios below):

• Susan Gershwin, Montview Community School Coordinator
• Veronica Marquez, Montview Active Parent (MAP) President
• Hannah Lecount, Montview Assistant Principal
• Elizabeth “B” Lewis, Aurora Public Schools Family Advocacy and Community Engagement Manager

The DFM-CEP-MM features presenters from community organizations, partners, and colleagues in DFM and across the Campus who work in areas of community engagement, health equity, and the social, structural and political determinates of health. Everyone is welcome.

Make note of our NEW ZOOM LINK

Meeting ID: 917 7876 2741         Passcode: 8698842         

One tap mobile:  +17193594580,,91778762741# US  or 719 359 4580 US

Zoom Link: https://ucdenver.zoom.us/s/91778762741?pwd=hVr1SxjWcQiszkzjYNTEAGaOzkora7.1

More About Our Presenters:

Susan Gershwin is Montview Elementary’s Community School Coordinator, where she collaborates with the school’s families, teachers, students, community partners, and others to build a sustainable, thriving, hyperlocal community hub. She is passionate about systems change that comes from relationships and community-building. Before joining the Montview team, Susan coordinated Paris Elementary School’s community schools strategy and programming before its closure in May 2023 and has also worked in refugee resettlement, adult education, and international leadership development.

Veronica Marquez is a dedicated Montview Active Parent (MAP) leader at Montview Elementary School. She is a member of RISE Colorado. As a leader of Montview Active Parents, Veronica works with local organizations and coordinates essential community events, including clothing and fresh food distributions events on the Montview Elementary School blacktop. What motivates Veronica is being able to help children and families to improve our community.

Hannah Lecount is Montview Elementary’s Assistant Principal, where she is a leader of instruction, alongside Principal Joe Taylor.  They oversee many school systems that contribute to the overall success of the school’s mission.  She has worked in public education for the past 20 years, first in Massachusetts and then Colorado, as a teacher, instructional coach and now administrator.  She’s passionate about developing teachers, developing the love of learning in students, and opening as many opportunities as possible for our community.

Elizabeth “B” Lewis: B is the Manager of Family Advocacy and Community Engagement (FACE) for Aurora Public Schools. She has experience working in nonprofits, K-12 education and higher education. She has been a leader in designing and leading Family Advocacy and Community Engagement (FACE) systems and strategies for 10+ years. B is an advocate and leader within the Community Schools strategy; she firmly believes in Asset-Based Community Development and that the best expertise can be found in our backyards.

Do you have a question for our presenters?  Please email us at DFM.CommunityEngagement@CUanschutz.edu

CEP Team Contact info and Helpful Links:

• Did you miss our meeting last month with Food Justice Northwest Aurora?  You can watch it, check out the slides and the post meeting resources right HERE.
• View our past catalog of meetings and DFM in the Community Activities on our Community Engagement Program webpages.
• Email us to join DFM’s Community Engagement Program listserv DFM.CommunityEngagement@CUanschutz.edu  Put “Join” in the subject line.
• Future presentations/presenter ideas?  Connect with this link to our Suggestion Box. 
• Looking for volunteering opportunities? Email us: DFM.CommunityEngagement@CUanschutz.edu

Community Engagement Program Team, Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado, Website: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/family-medicine/community