Poudre School District update | Thursday, March 11, 2021
Keep safe and have a restful Spring Break  
Given all that is happening in the world, we hope that you, your students and your families can relax and rejuvenate during Spring Break (March 15-19). All grade levels will be in Phase 4 in-person education after break, starting March 22. Please keep in mind, this is not a return to “normal,” as staff and students will still be required to wear face masks and follow PSD health and safety protocols. To Keep Schools Open, please stay home if you are feeling ill, and follow district protocols for when you may return to school. 

Meals during Spring Break: There will be no meals served during Spring Break. Services at schools and PSD’s mobile sites will resume Monday, March 22. The Food Bank for Larimer County is a great resource for families in need and offers many services, including its fresh food pantries. More information >>
 
March 12 and April 19 workdays reminder: PSD added two new workdays, including tomorrow, Friday, March 12 and Monday, April 19, to the 2020-21 calendar. Both dates are elementary workdays, meaning students in grades PK-5 will not have school. Middle and high school students will participate in asynchronous learning online.
 
PSD IT Department support: The Family and Student Support line will be closed over Spring Break so the Support Center can focus on tech projects in support of students and staff.
Check out the latest episode of PSD Now
Meet Maggie Poe, a PSD Virtual freshman who won the Denver photo of the month award. We are excited to have all students in Phase 4; do your part to Keep Schools Open this Spring Break. See how PSD celebrated Read Across America Day.
Have a story idea? Tag us @PoudreSchools or email us at news@psdschools.org.
COVID-19 Updates: FAQs for shifting to Phase 4
Frequently Asked Questions: Check out updated FAQs following the Feb. 25 announcement
about middle and high school students shifting to Phase 4. More information >>
Know someone who would be a great bus driver? Want to support students during this challenging time and beyond? PSD is hiring bus operators and other positions! Check out the PSD Careers web page >>
Transportation: PSD will still bus a limited number of students when all students are in Phase 4. This is due to current bus driver shortages and health guidelines, among other challenges, PSD is not adding routes and will not be able to return to full busing (approximately 13,000 students in a typical school year) this year.
Busing is guaranteed for students for whom transportation is legally required (i.e. those with Individualized Transportation Plans (ITP) and some foster students), as well as students who lack stable housing with McKinney-Vento status. If circumstances in your family's life have changed and you feel your student meets these criteria, please contact your school to see if busing may be provided. The Transportation Department has continued to evaluate requests and add riders during the second semester. There is no busing for school of choice students. Transportation webpage >>
PSD volunteers, community partners return to schools: Volunteers have been working in schools in a limited capacity and will continue doing so after Spring Break. Starting March 22, schools will also be allowed to work with community partners, following similar district protocols that include required personal protective equipment, and a symptom screening in order to enter buildings and more. Volunteer protocols >>

Athletics: High school and middle school sports are underway. More information >>
Meals: The district will provide free meals to PSD students (PreK-12) through the end of the 2020-21 school year. There will be no meals served during Spring Break. PSD Meals During 2020-21 web page >>

Family Resources are 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 >>
Read Across America Day! 1,793 books equals 1,793 smiling faces
To celebrate Read Across America Day this year, Poudre School District purchased books for each of the district’s 1,793 kindergarteners. Learn more and view slideshow >>
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 >>
Enroll in PSD summer school; registration now open for first session
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 >>
Pandemic-perspective photo earns PSD Virtual student top award in Denver art show
PSD Virtual freshman Maggie Poe was recently selected as Best in Show in the Denver Month of Photography's 2020-2021 Teen Exhibit Gen Z. Read more >>
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 Cory Jaynes, she teaches first grade at Putnam 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>>   
PSD names new Early Childhood Education director
Rebecca Benedict has been named the new director of Early Childhood Education. Benedict is no stranger to PSD. She attended Harris and Laurel elementary schools, Lesher Middle School and Fort Collins High School as a student and is proud to serve the PSD system in a new way. Read more>>
New principal of Kinard Middle School hired
Lindsey Matkin has been selected as the principal for Kinard Core Knowledge School. Matkin will take over at the end of the school year when current Kinard Principal Jesse Morrill transitions to his new role as principal of PSD’s under-construction middle-high school at the Prospect Road site, expected to open in fall 2022. Read more >>
School nutrition news
Have a senior graduating? Don’t forget your lunch money
As the end of the school year approaches quickly, please remember to check your senior’s lunch account balance. PSD will not be charging for meals the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. For seniors with money in their lunch accounts, parents/guardians have a few options:
  • Request to transfer balance to a sibling,
  • Request a balance refund, or
  • Request to donate balance to the PSD Child Nutrition Department
All requests should be emailed to nutrition@psdschools.org. Please include your graduate’s name, their sibling’s name(s) for transfers and address information for refunds. Please email or call 970-490-3163 with questions.
Coming soon – Spring P-EBT benefits 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 important steps to take towards automatically qualifying for the P-EBT payment:
1.    Apply for the Free and Reduced Meal Benefit program at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
2.    Ensure that your mailing address, phone number and email addresses are up to date with your student’s school.
For more information about the P-EBT program, go to https://cdhs.colorado.gov/p-ebt.
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. More information may be found here.
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 available on PSD's district and state assessments webpage. Please contact your school for details on test schedules and plans.
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. More information >> 
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 >>
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 >>
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.