Poudre School District update | Thursday, March 25, 2021
Welcome back, countdown to graduation begins
We hope you were able to get some much-needed respite over Spring Break. Now that all students are in Phase 4 in-person learning, we need help from every member of the PSD community to Keep Schools Open for the rest of the 2020-21 school year. Wear a mask, wash your hands and follow PSD’s health and safety and COVID-19 protocols. Practicing the 3Ws is critical to keep experiential learning like woodworking in a school’s workshop. Demonstrations are critical – students and teachers limit areas of contact and maximize social distancing. We can make more and Keep Building Open.
COVID-19 Updates: Protocol policy updates for quarantine
Updated policy: PSD allowing asymptomatic students, staff option of voluntary shortened quarantine
PSD believes access to education is critical to student success. As allowed by county and state public health guidance, asymptomatic staff and student close contacts can voluntarily complete a shortened, 7-day quarantine if they meet strict criteria and are approved by PSD COVID-19 Response Teams to do so. The protocol is effective March 22 and is a change from PSD’s previous protocols.
Spring 2021 Voluntary Shortened Quarantine Protocols flier >>
PSD volunteers, community partners return to schools: Volunteers have been working in schools in a limited capacity. As of March 22, schools are also allowed to work with community partners, following similar district protocols that include required personal protective equipment, a symptom screening in order to enter buildings and more. This is a change in district protocols. PSD 2020-21 Health and Safety >>
Meals: The district will provide free meals to PSD students (PreK-12) through the end of the 2020-21 school year. PSD Meals During 2020-21>>
 
Family Resources available for hardships during COVID-19: If you know of students, families or colleagues in need during this difficult time, be sure to check out the Family Resources web page >>
The blurred line between School and Home: Grads at a Glance 2021
When school becomes home and home becomes school, 2021 graduates have had to adapt and overcome, knowing education and excellence comes not always from where you learn, but how open you are to learning. PSD will be celebrating students in the coming weeks, counting down to graduation by sharing their unique stories in our Grads at a Glance series. Bookmark this site and check back in April.
PSD planning 2021 in-person graduations with health protocols
Working with the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, PSD intends to host in-person graduation ceremonies to celebrate our Class of 2021. We will post more information on the PSD website as plans are finalized. Read more >>
Have a senior graduating in May? Don’t forget your lunch money!
Please remember to check your senior’s lunch account balance, which can be transferred to a sibling, refunded or donated. All requests should be emailed to nutrition@psdschools.org and include your graduate’s name, sibling’s name(s) for transfers or address for refunds. Please call 970-490-3163 with questions.
Celebrating employees during Classified Appreciation Week
PSD is honoring the 1,445 classified employees who support our students and families during the week of March 22-26. To our bus drivers, accountants, carpenters, office managers and so many others, we have tremendous appreciation for what you do.
We've featured some of our incredible classified staff. Please take a moment to get to know (above, left to right) Jamie Raper, Gina Harris, Brittney Brown and Ezetrick Wilson Jr. While they serve the PSD community in different ways, they share one thing in common — strong connections with students. Read more >>
The Association of Classified Employee awards ceremony is at 5 p.m., Thursday, March 25.
What COVID-19 vaccines mean to PSD staff
For O’Dea Elementary Paraprofessional Melissa Campbell, the increasing availability of the COVID-19 vaccine represents hope for the future. For Sonja Hollingsworth, an English teacher at Webber Middle School (left), she considers herself “very fortunate and grateful.” Campbell and Hollingsworth are one of thousands of PSD staff and teachers who have received doses of the vaccine since Gov. Jared Polis changed the state’s distribution plan, making PreK-12 staff eligible in early February. Read more >>
You are invited: Search firm hosting virtual community superintendent forum April 2
Search firm Hazard Young Attea & Associates, or HYA, will host a virtual forum in April during which PSD community members can meet the superintendent finalists selected by the Board of Education. There will be time for attendees to ask questions. Information about the finalists will be posted when it is available, prior to the forums. The community forum is 5-8:30 p.m. April 2. Spanish interpretation will be available.
Connect with us ...
Meet our amazing teachers on #TeacherTuesday 
Every Tuesday, we showcase one of PSD’s many dedicated educators on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Meet Kiley, a kindergarten teacher at Olander Elementary >>

#PSDConnected: Did you graduate from PSD? As an alumnus, we invite you to join our PSD Alumni group on LinkedIn to stay connected after you graduate. Join here>>   
Coming soon – Spring P-EBT payments
School Nutrition is collaborating with the Colorado Department of Human Services to ensure that Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) benefits are automatically issued to eligible students based on current student eligibility status and household data from sponsors. There are two steps:
1.    Apply for the Free and Reduced Meal Benefit program at www.myschoolapps.com/Application
2.    Update your mailing address, phone number and email with your student’s school
PSD summer school and programming 2021 open
Registration for Poudre School District Summer School is now open to soon-to-be-ninth graders and all high school students currently enrolled in a PSD school. Summer school classes are free this year. Read more >>
PSD is offering summer programming for students.
State assessments for 2020-21
Assessments are an important part of monitoring and improving student learning. Not only do they measure student progress toward the Colorado Academic Standards, but they also help teachers identify each student's instructional needs, progress and monitor the effectiveness of instructional strategies.
Pending any changes from the U.S. Department of Education, PSD is currently planning to administer spring state assessments. Information on grade level and testing content areas, as well as guidance for excusing students from state assessments, is on PSD's district and state assessments webpage. Please contact your school for details on test schedules and plans.
District Accountability Committee wants you!
Interested in getting involved in PSD? The District Accountability Committee consists of thoughtful parent and school representatives who provide guidance and recommendations regarding district spending priorities, the District Improvement Plan, and the district's charter schools to the PSD Board of Education.
Option for 100% virtual learning for 2021-22
For the 2021-22 school year, Poudre Global Academy Virtual will replace Poudre School District Virtual (PSDV), the district’s current 100% online option that sunsets at the end of this school year. PGA Virtual is one of two tracks – the existing hybrid and 100% online -- offered through Poudre Global Academy. Read more >> Families may apply now, during the School of Choice second-consideration application period. For more PGAV information, visit PGAV's website >>
Second School Choice consideration period is open
If you missed the first period of consideration to apply for School Choice, the second application period is open. Families have a wide array of wonderful PSD schools to choose from. 
Kindergarten registration is available online 
Register for kindergarten online at olr.psdschools.org. Even if you opt to send your child to a school outside your neighborhood through School Choice, you must still register your child at your neighborhood school. Read more about Kindergarten options >>
Family Resources available for hardships during COVID-19
PSD staff and community partners compiled updated support resources for staff and families. If you know someone who needs help, check out the Family Resources web page >>
Frequently Asked Questions: Answers to common questions about PSD. Read more >>
PSD’s superintendent search: Follow the process on the PSD Superintendent Search web page >>
Translate
To translate the linked district web pages included in this newsletter, please click the linked text, then click on “Translate” in the top green bar, then click “Select Language” and choose your language. Once selected, the entire PSD website will be translated.
Traducción
Para traducir las páginas web del Distrito que están vinculadas a este boletín, hagan clic en el texto que contenga el enlace (por ejemplo, “hacer clic aquí”). Enseguida hagan clic en "Traducción", situado en la barra verde superior, después hagan clic en "Select Language” (Seleccionar idioma"), y hagan clic en el idioma que seleccionen (“Spanish” para español). Una vez lo hayan seleccionado, todo el sitio web del PSD se traducirá.