Dear Slavens K-8 School Community,
I am deeply honored and excited to introduce myself as the new principal of Slavens K-8 School. My name is Darcie Forde, and I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you.
My Educational Journey
My career in education spans 23 years, beginning as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher in Denver Public Schools. Over the past decade, I have been fortunate to serve the Slavens K-8 School community in various roles, including Senior Team Lead and Multilingual Learner Teacher (2014), Dean of Instruction (2017), and most recently as Assistant Principal (2021). These experiences, combined with my two master’s degrees in Education and Educational Leadership, have prepared me well for this new chapter.
School Highlights
Slavens K-8 School has a rich history and a tradition of excellence that I am proud to continue. After being closed for nearly 14 years, Slavens re-opened in 1996 due to the efforts of a strong parent community. Since then, we have established a culture that supports the development of the whole child, working collaboratively with students, teachers, and parents.
Our commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed. Slavens was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in both 2012 and 2019, a testament to our outstanding academic programs and supportive school environment.
At Slavens, we believe in a well-rounded education. We offer daily Physical Education classes and ensure our students have exposure to the arts, music, and STEM subjects. Our success is truly a team effort, and I firmly believe we accomplish great things at Slavens because of our dedicated teachers, involved parents, and engaged students.
My Vision for Slavens
As your principal, my primary goal is to build upon these strengths and continue fostering a learning environment that is rigorous and enriching, safe and welcoming, and joyful and inspiring. I believe that with these elements in place, we can continue to surpass expectations, ensuring our children receive not only a top-notch education but also develop into compassionate, ethical, and well-adjusted global citizens.
A Little About Me
On a personal note, I am proud of my mixed heritage, being “hapa” – a blend of Hawaiian/Japanese and Spanish/Irish roots. Outside of school, you might find me playing or coaching volleyball, dancing the hula, or spending time with my ohana (family) in Colorado and Hawaii.
My Commitment to You
As a servant leader, I am here to listen to the needs of our students, families, and staff. I am dedicated to collaboratively achieving the goals we set together and hope to do so for many years to come.
I look forward to meeting each of you and working together to continue the legacy of excellence at Slavens K-8 School.
Warmly,
Darcie Forde
Principal, Slavens K-8 School