Photo Courtesy of Shawn Prochazka: PPOS sixth-graders meet with the Pagosa Weather Team as a part of their ‘Winter Weather Heroes’ project.
Education at Pagosa Peak Open School (PPOS) often extends beyond the four walls of the classroom; and this winter, the sixth-grade class is taking that mission to our community.
On a recent morning, students visited the food share space at the Community United Methodist Church to get a firsthand look at how neighbors support neighbors. The visit is part of the students’ current project “Winter Weather Heroes.”
“By understanding winter weather, students have become community heroes who use data, empathy, and problem-solving to take action and support their community during the toughest season,” PBL Advisor Rue Graham said, “Even though our winter has been extremely mild, we learned about the implications of that, too! Applied real-world science is what it’s all about.”
The food share trip focused on the concept of mutual aid — a model of community support where resources, time, and responsibility are shared among equals. Lessons emphasized the distinction between traditional charity and caring with a community, encouraging students to see themselves as active participants in local well-being.
“The operation is a lot more than giving out food,” sixth-grader Emmett said. “Instead of just giving them bags of food, they want to remove barriers for people by giving them choices around what people want and need. It makes it so it’s not like a normal charity where you have to take what you are given.”
This initial trip was just the beginning of the students’ involvement. As part of their PBL curriculum, the sixth-graders are scheduled to return to the food share space two more times this season. During these future visits, they will work directly alongside community members, transitioning from observers to active contributors.
By engaging with local “Winter Heroes” and participating in mutual aid, PPOS students are learning that civic duty is a year-round commitment to their Pagosa Springs neighbors.
In addition to working with the food pantry, students will be handing out blankets as a part of Blankets of Hope.
“I like this project because we actually get to help all people including adults. We get to give to homeless people who don’t have what we have,” sixth-grader Riley said.
“Blankets of Hope is really cool because you get to write letters and give blankets, which makes people’s day better. And our snowiest month is February, which is coming up. I like that I can help people,” sixth-grader Cambria said.
This project will be celebrated during the school’s Winter Expo at 5pm on Thursday, February 5, which is open to the public. Sixth-graders will share their learning and manage a winter clothing swap; along with the kindergartner and third-graders who will be celebrating as well: a Blankets of Hope project that studied preparation for different types of weather, and a makers-market. All three projects will be showcased, along with a showing of the kids’ version of the Backcountry Skiing Film Fest and snacks from local caterer Ana Smith with SoCO Mountain Foods.
PPOS is an innovative, tuition-free K-8 charter school. Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year has begun. Visit pagosapeakopenschool.org for more information.
Emily Murphy is School Director at Pagosa Peak Open School, the first District-authorized charter school in Archuleta County. Prior to her appointment as School Director, Emily filled various roles at PPOS including Project-Based Learning advisor, instructional coach, and assistant director.