Your Poudre School District newsletter

Thursday, March 21, 2024

A female student and a male student in a baseball cap study and discuss an animal skull in a biology classroom at Rocky Mountain High School.

New graduation requirements would add a World History requirement and give students more opportunities to take electives/additional coursework.

Student choice, state guidelines drivers behind draft graduation requirements

A Poudre School District Action Team is proposing new graduation requirements that retain the rigor and reputation of a PSD diploma, accommodate new statewide requirements for World History and offer a more personalized education experience. If adopted, revised graduation requirements would take effect with the Class of 2026. Follow this link to read about proposed graduation requirement revisions, and follow this link to Tuesday's presentation from the Action Team.>>

Two elementary school girls blow into white straws to launch paper airplanes.

Linton fifth-graders participate in an Engineering Week activity.

Graduation with Options

The journey toward high school graduation (and preparing for what comes next) starts long before ninth grade. Achieving one of the district's strategic priorities - graduation with options - begins with career exploration opportunities as early as elementary school. Learn more in this article on the PSD website.>>

A man in a navy blue suit exits a school bus

Above, Superintendent Kingsley exits a school bus on the first day of school 2023.

Chat with your proud superintendent March 27

PSD Superintendent Brian Kingsley is hosting a series of community chats, where anyone has the opportunity to come talk with him. The next Superintendent Community Chat is March 27 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Museum of Discovery. More details are included in this flier.>>

New dates for some listening sessions

As announced in a Facilities Planning Steering Committee update earlier this month, the dates for some of the committee's listening sessions have been changed. The new schedule has sessions:

March 25 - 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at PSD Support Services Complex
March 25 - 6-8 p.m. at Rocky Mountain High School
March 27 - 6-7 p.m. online
March 28 - 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School
April 4 (Spanish) - 6-8 p.m. at the Future Ready Center in Foothills

The Board of Education will host its own listening sessions April 16 and June 4. Visit the Listening Sessions and Community Engagement web page for details.>>

Image of paperwork spread out on a table with maps and data

Click on the image above of research documents to watch the steering committee's March 19 presentation.

Steering Committee presents first look at boundary shift, school consolidation proposals

PSD's Facilities Planning Steering Committee presented its first draft of recommendations about potential school consolidations and boundary changes to the Board of Education on Tuesday. The committee presented potential scenarios for the board to consider. These scenarios are not final.

The committee will continue its work by visiting with parents, guardians, students, staff, and community members at a series of upcoming listening sessions and reviewing results of a questionnaire posted on the PSD website. The committee will provide its next update to the board in April and provide its final recommendations in May. The board is expected to vote in June.

State testing starts in April

Student assessment is a meaningful part of student learning and instructional planning. Assessments allow educators to monitor student progress and the effectiveness of instructional strategies. At certain times throughout the year, students are given required assessments that fulfill legislative requirements or district guidelines. The spring state testing window for grades 3-11 is April 1-26. Visit the PSD website to learn more and find specific test dates for each assessment.

Photo illustration of an open book turning into a laptop

CMAS, PSAT, and SAT exams are scheduled annually in April.

Sign up for summer learning opportunities

Learning is a year-round pursuit in Poudre School District. Families can register for programs and camps focused on art, music, science, and other interests. Visit the PSD Summer Learning Opportunities web page for more information about options available this summer.>>

Photo of 18 people, including adults and students, posing for a picture, some holding certificates, in the Board of Education meeting room.

PSD Board of Education members and Superintendent Brian Kingsley recognized our Colorado Music Educator Association (CMEA) performing ensembles at the March 5 board meeting.

Board of Education honors musicians

Each month, the Poudre School District Board of Education is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of its students, staff, and community members. Follow this link to view the March board recognition for CMEA performing ensembles and follow the links below to watch March resolutions.