This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
On Wednesday night the St. Vrain Valley School Board approved the addition of Aspect Foundation to the list of organizations that sponsor exchange students in the St. Vrain district.
During the 2018-2019 school year or for the first year they sponsor a student, Aspect Foundation will remain on probation. Following a successful review, the organization will be taken off of probation and added to the approved list.
A successful review for an organization placing exchange students into the St. Vrain district shall meet the following criteria according to Board Policy JFABB-R:
4. Evaluation of sponsoring groups
a. Before being allowed to place foreign exchange students in district schools, organizations must be placed on the district’s approved or probationary list.
b. The organization initially will be placed on the probationary list upon receipt of a written request from the organization and the written recommendation of at least one district high school principal.
c. Following one year on the probationary list, the organization will be moved to the approved list following a positive evaluation and approval by principals at a high school council meeting.
d. Evaluation issues to be discussed will include:
(1) Adequacy of background information on the foreign exchange student
(2) Appropriateness of placing the foreign exchange student in an American high school
(3) Support given the foreign exchange student during his or her stay
(4) Appropriateness of the family placement
(5) Thoroughness of the organization’s preparations and investigations
e. Any approved organization that has not done a good job facilitating a positive experience for the foreign exchange student will be placed back on the probationary list upon the request of one high school principal.
f. Any approved organization placed on probationary status due to concerns regarding its performance may appeal that status to the area assistant superintendent.
Currently St. Vrain Valley schools hosts 35 exchange students throughout the district. The country of origin for these students was requested by the Longmont Observer on March 14. Also, requested was information for parents to find more information on the foreign exchange student program. As of the publication deadline of this article the St. Vrain District had not replied with that information.
According to their website, "Aspect Foundation was founded in 1985 as a small non-profit organization offering affordable study-abroad opportunities to students from around the world. We continue our mission today by providing a variety of outstanding educational and cultural exchange programs both in the United States and countries abroad. Students and host families alike have the opportunity to make lasting connections and meaningfully experience new cultures, traditions, and points of view."
The following is the list of organizations approved to place exchange students into St. Vrain Valley schools:
