2010 Back-to-School Basics Back-to-school basics help families prepare!
Welcome back to Poudre School District for another exciting school year!
1. School start dates:
Many elementary schools have a different schedule for the first day of school. Please check with the school your child will attend to confirm the official start date for your child’s grade/class. School start and end times will be posted on the PSD website and available at your child’s school.
· Elementary school classes begin Aug. 17 this includes Lab School Kindergarten-6th-grade students.
· Middle and high school classes begin Aug. 16, unless listed below:
Fort Collins High School, Fossil Ridge High School, Poudre High School and all middle schools grades 6 and 9 will begin school on Aug. 16 and all other grades for these schools will begin on Aug. 17. Buses will run on normal schedule for all days.
Please note: Polaris Expeditionary Learning School 6-12th graders start school on Aug 16.
2. New students register at each school
If your student is new to PSD or if you have moved from one school attendance area to another, please contact your neighborhood school and register as soon as possible. Scheduled elementary student walk-in registration dates are August 9 and 10; please check the school Web site for secondary walk-in registration dates.
If you are unsure which schools serve your neighborhood, please call (970) 490-3232 or go to www.psdschools.org and look under Schools -> School Locator > Insert your address and it will list the schools that serve your neighborhood.
When registering your child, please bring your child’s birth certificate (original or certified copy), emergency contact information; immunization records or a signed State of Colorado Exemption Certificate is required for personal, religious, or medical exemptions to school immunization requirements; and a copy of your student’s academic history or current report card. We encourage you to make an appointment with a school counselor when registering your child at a secondary school.
If your child is transferring from another school within PSD or from another school district, PSD school personnel will request your child’s school records from the previous school after your student is enrolled.
3. Register Now! Tuition-based preschool program accepting students
Register now for the Poudre School District tuition-based preschool program that will be held at Cache LaPoudre Elementary, Rice Elementary, and Kruse Elementary Schools, and the Fullana Learning Center for the 2010-2011 school year.
Half-day sessions are available in the morning and afternoon at participating schools.
Preschool registration information and applications for the 2010-11 school year are available online.
The new preschool program will offer:
- Teachers licensed by Colorado Dept. of Education
- High quality, standards-based preschool environment
- 16 students per session; adult to child ratio 1-8
- Tuition cost $3150/year or $315 monthly for 10 months
- To register, go to www.psdschools.org.; click on “School Registration;” then click on the upper left-hand link, “Preschool Registration” or call 490-3204 for more information
4. Bus schedule available Aug. 6; please review bus routing changes, new process
Bus schedules will be available on the PSD website on August 6 and available at schools on August 9.
New in 2010:
In an effort to create more efficient bussing systems within Poudre School District and to save money, PSD is implementing routing changes that will change how students determine which bus they ride.
Route numbers identify busses:
· This year, students will determine their morning and afternoon bus based on the route number.
· In most cases, the route number for your child’s morning bus will be different than the route number for your child’s afternoon bus.
· The route number will be posted in the window closest to the entrance door of each bus.
Cards/labels help students determine correct bus:
· To help students learn their route numbers, students will be given a card/label when they get off of their morning bus at the beginning of the school year.
· The card/label will have their morning bus route number and the afternoon bus route number and should aid students in finding the correct bus in the afternoon.
· The card can be carried by the student until they remember their route numbers.
Please encourage your child to ride the bus the first day of school so they can learn the new system. School staff members, bus drivers, and additional transportation staff will help guide students to the correct busses the first couple days of school, until students are familiar with the new process.
These changes, along with the arterial bussing changes are expected to help the transportation department save approximately $325-350,000 during the 2010-11 school year. Although routes are changing, student safety continues to be the top priority.
PSD Space Available and Alternative Transportation Applications available August 2
The application process for 2010-2011 space available transportation and alternative transportation, for Poudre School District, remains unchanged for next year. Applications will be available on the PSD website and at the transportation office beginning August 2.
Requests are processed on first-come, first-served basis and are based on the space available on existing bus routes. Parents are encouraged to apply as soon as applications are available.
Application process overview:
- Parents must reapply for space available and/or alternative transportation every year.
- Applications will not be accepted until August 2.
- Only current year, 2010-2011, applications will be accepted.
- The application review process begins October 1, and families will be notified as soon as a determination is made.
- A separate form must be filled out for each student.
- Parents are responsible for providing student transportation until they are notified by the PSD transportation department that there is a seat available for them on a bus.
Parents should be aware that route changes, due to budget cuts, will further limit transportation’s ability to provide space available and alternative transportation options for PSD families. Transportation cannot assign students over the PSD Transportation capacity limits. Limits are based on age group of the students and size of the bus.
Applications will be available on the PSD Web site August 2 at www.psdschools.org under Bus Information. For more information please contact the transportation routing department at 490-3155.
Bus schedules will be available on the PSD website on August 6 and available at schools on August 9. If you have questions about routing changes, please contact the PSD transportation department at 970-490-3155 or visit the transportation webpage at www.psdschools.org.
5. School supply lists available at schools
Elementary school supply lists are available at each school, are listed in school newsletters, and may be available from local merchants.
Secondary students should bring a notebook, paper, pencil, and pen the first day of school. Classroom teachers will announce specific supplies required.
6. Food service provides many nutritional meal choices
Nutritious lunches and many meal choices are provided daily at all schools. Some schools provide breakfast. Meals are priced at:
Elementary – $2.00; Reduced – $0.40
Secondary – $2.25; Reduced – $0.40
Breakfast at participating schools is priced at:
Elementary – $1.00; Reduced – $0.30
Secondary – $1.00; Reduced – $0.30
Prices vary at secondary schools for a la carte items.
Lunch menus are posted on the PSD web site at www.psdschools.org, in school newsletters, and printed weekly in the Fort Collins Coloradoan.
7. Lunch program available to qualifying families
Applications for the federal free and reduced-price school lunch program were mailed home to all heads of households in late July/early August. Students participating in the program during the previous school year may be automatically enrolled in the program for the first 30 days of school. Parents must submit a new family application each school year and are required to complete only one application per household. The application may be returned to a school or to the Food Service Office. Identity of students participating is kept strictly confidential.
Eligible families should complete and return the form even if they do not plan to participate in the lunch program. Students who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price school lunch program are also exempt from other fees and charges. A letter of eligibility for free and reduced-price meals will be sent to the parents/guardians of qualifying students. An information release form will be included with the eligibility letter. Complete the information release form and return it to your school office. Information: (970) 490-3557.
8. Student Rights and Code of Conduct distributed electronically
PSD will be distributing the Student Rights and Code of Conduct electronically starting with the 2010-11 school year. Families will have access to the Student Rights and Code of Conduct via the PSD website, through the Connect parent e-newsletter, and a limited number will be available in print at each school and at the district office for families that are not able to access it electronically. PSD is implementing this change to save paper, printing costs, and staff time. Watch for more details on the Student Rights and Code of Conduct during August registration.
9. Keep immunization records up to date
Students registering for the first time in PSD must present proof of immunizations or a signed State of Colorado Exemption Certificate is required for personal, religious, or medical exemptions to school immunization requirements.
Call your healthcare provider, the Larimer County Health Department at (970) 498-6700, or visit www.co.larimer.co.us/health/chs for information. A walk-in children’s immunization clinic is offered at the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive. Call for specific times.
10. Update schools with student health information
Please inform your school’s health care staff if your child has special health concerns, medications, or dietary needs, so a school health care plan can be developed for your child. A complete physical exam by a family physician is required for students entering the preschool program and recommended for students entering kindergarten and 4th grade.
11. Update phone numbers and parent contact information
Parents are encouraged to keep phone numbers, addresses, and emergency contact information updated throughout the school year. Watch for a student information form to come home with your child the first week of school. Provide your email for emergency notifications and communication via email, sign up at www.psdschools.org.
12. Sports physicals required for athletes grades 7–12
Students playing sports at PSD middle and high schools are required to have sports physicals before the first practice. Authorization for Athletic Participation forms are available at all secondary schools, online at www.psdschools.org, or at the PSD Johannsen Support Services Center, 2407 LaPorte Avenue. Information: (970) 490-3106
13. Practice for fall sports begins mid August
PSD offers 27 competitive sports for boys and girls throughout the school year. Practice for fall high school sports begins August 16. Contact individual high schools for practice times. Practice for 7th- and 8th-grade football begins August 11. Practice for 7th- and 8th-grade girls softball begins August 16.
Sports participation fees are $75/sport for athletes in grades 7–8 and $100/sport for athletes in grades 9–12, with a family maximum of $300 per year. Fees are higher for home-schooled, private school, and charter school students participating on PSD athletic teams. Information: (970) 490-3106
14. Register online to volunteer
PSD’s online volunteer registration is available on the PSD website at www.psdschools.org. The system is easy to use for parents who want to volunteer at their child’s school and for community members who want to be involved in education. Help shape the future – volunteer! If you have previously registered and forgot your log on information, please call the volunteer office for assistance. Information: (970) 490-3208
15. Before- and after-school care available
All elementary schools offer before- and after-school care and/or enrichment programs. Call your student’s school starting August 9 for details. If your student is not in a before-school program, please drop off students only after morning playground supervision begins.
16. Follow PSD on Facebook and Twitter!
Sign up to follow PSD on Facebook and Twitter. Links are now located at the top of the new PSD home page at www.psdschools.org. Check it out!
17. Parent Portal on PSD Web site
The interactive "Parent Portal" on the PSD Web site will be available at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year. The Parent Portal allows parents and guardians to view a quick and highly individualized snapshot of their student’s specific information, including: schedule, grades, upcoming assignments, account balances and school information.
The Parent Portal’s interactive features are part of PSD’s continuing work to improve communications with parents and guardians. Current Parent Portal users can continue to use their account. Parents and guardians that don’t currently have a Parent Portal account should watch for an email or letter for each PSD enrolled student. The letter will contain a unique activation code for their student and detailed instructions for accessing the Parent Portal.
18. Pinnacle Internet Viewer (PIV) helps families, schools communicate
Pinnacle Internet Viewer (PIV), a secure web page containing information from PSD’s electronic Gradebook, allows secondary students (grades 6–12) and parents to view grades and missing assignments in real time. Teachers have the critical role of inputting and maintaining their Gradebooks to keep each student’s grades current.
How to access PIV
1. Use information from a letter you will receive this fall from your student’s secondary school. (Contact the school if you didn’t receive the information or have misplaced it.)
2. Open your internet browser to access the PIV viewer at
www.psdschools.org/schools/piv.aspx
3. Enter confidential student information from the letter: student ID, secure PIN code, and select a school name.
4. Request reports such as Report Card, Class Grades, or Missing Grades.
5. If you have questions, ask your student, student’s teacher(s), or school.
Online help/tutorial: www.psdschools.org -> Students -> Pinnacle Grade Viewer
Note: PIV is not available during the summer. You may access it again after the school notifies you of its availability.
| 
