Poudre School District update | Thursday, August 13, 2020
Welcome back, PSD family!
Welcome to the first edition of the Poudre School District’s Great Happens Here family and community newsletter for the 2020-21 school year!

It’s hard to believe summer is ending and another school year is upon us. Clear, timely communication is more important than ever, and we’ll be working hard to keep you informed through a variety of platforms, including this newsletter, the PSD website and district social media platforms, and more. You can expect to receive GHH in your inbox once a week for three more weeks, when we will re-evaluate whether to maintain weekly updates or shift to every two weeks. We understand you are receiving a lot of information right now – from the district, your school and others – and don’t want to inundate everyone. 
Here’s what to expect
with remote education 
Remote education will take place in PSD through at least Oct. 16. Schools will follow district-level expectations for remote education so families, students and staff alike have a shared understanding of how they will work together this year. Learn more on the Remote Learning: What to Expect web page >>
PSD 2020-21 school year calendar  

The first day of school is Aug. 24 for PSD students PreK-12. Get the calendar here >>
Laptop distribution, start-of-year technology support
If once you receive your PSD-issued laptop you have issues, contact
covidtechhelp@psdschools.org or the new support line at 970-490-3339.  
Laptop distribution
and start-of-school

PSD Virtual
PSD Virtual students’ home schools will communicate when on Friday, Aug. 21 PSDV students need to pick up their laptops from their home school. 

Elementary schools
Aug. 24 and 25 are designated as technology and materials distribution and meet-the-teacher days for elementary students (K-5). Each elementary school will send specific plans to their parents no later than Wednesday, Aug. 19. Students will begin their remote learning on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Middle and High schools
Middle and high schools will communicate directly with families about laptop distribution. 
Families asked to respond to a survey about laptop needs, internet access

PSD is continuing to survey families to determine which students need a laptop device and reliable internet service to access remote learning this fall. They are asked to log into ParentVUE and complete the steps by midnight, Thursday, Aug. 13. IT is also collaborating with the Language, Culture and Equity Department to reach families who have not responded in PVUE. Read more >> 
Need technology support this year?
PSD has you covered  

Information Technology staff will support students and families who need help during remote education at covidtechhelp@psdschools.org or through the new family and student support line at 970-490-3339.  
 Before the school year, IT will also launch a new technical support website that will offer device troubleshooting and application technical support information, how-to guides, a calendar with important upcoming dates related to PSD technology and more. Thank you for your patience during this time as IT staff work hard to support staff, students and families. 
Using the ParentVUE, StudentVUE portals 

The Synergy ParentVUE portal gives parents and guardians web and mobile access to permission to share and other forms, assessments, report cards and class schedules when available. Earlier this summer, parents should have received instructions on accessing ParentVUE accounts for both new and existing users. Learn how to access and/or activate your account on the "Accessing and Activating a ParentVUE Account" web page. If you have questions, refer to the ParentVUE Frequently Asked Questions or contact your school.
Where PSD students can get
meals during remote education 

PSD will provide sack breakfasts and lunches for any enrolled PSD students Monday-Friday starting Aug. 24 at 18 schools and more than 60 mobile-serving locations across the district. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch will receive either meal at no cost; paying students will be charged the normal breakfast and lunch cost to their meal account. Read more >>
Free and reduced-price meals and fee waivers  

 If your child is eligible for free or reduced-price meals in PSD, you may also be able to take advantage of another fantastic benefit: waivers from some school fees and charges
You must also fill out the Permission to Share form each year. 
PSD mental health supports for students and families 
Mental health specialists for students can be accessed through school counselors or administration teams. PSD Special Service Professionals (SSP) - mental health specialists, counselors, social workers and psychologists - are focused on re-establishing a sense of safety, belonging, and connection for students this year. Find resources >>
Early Childhood Education accepting preschool applications 
PSD’s preschool program still has open spaces for the 2020-21 school year. More families may qualify now than ever before. To learn more and begin your application online, visit the Early Childhood Education web page or call 970-490-3204. 
PSD Virtual no longer accepting student enrollment  
After the Saturday, Aug. 8 deadline, PSDV enrollments will NOT be accepted. The transfer process will be handled as outlined in district policy JFBA - CHOICE / OPEN ENROLLMENT. More info >>
Review the PSD Student Rights and Code of Conduct  
Each year, parents/guardians and secondary students must acknowledge that they have reviewed the Student Rights and Code of Conduct, a compilation of rules, policies and regulations regarding student behavior. Parents/guardians will be asked to acknowledge they have reviewed the Student Rights and Code of Conduct when they log into the ParentVUE parent portal, and students in grades 6-12 will be asked to do the same when logging into StudentVUE for the first time this school year. 
Check out photos and videos of PSD’s 2020 graduation ceremonies 

We were thrilled to honor the Class of 2020 with ceremonies at French Field and at the Fossil Ridge High School gym July 23-25. Congratulations again to all 1,800 graduates. Please enjoy these videos and photos from the celebrations, along with well-wishes from our community. Read more and watch >> 

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.