Your Poudre School District community newsletter | Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 | Translate / Traducción / ترجمة

Behind the scenes:

The work it takes to make PSD great

Watch "Doin' the Work," a new PSD video series available on YouTube >>

Checking oil, banging on tires, testing lights, stop signs and alert bells.

In this first episode of Doin' the Work, Superintendent Brian Kingsley learns more about Primavera Gonzales and her work as a PSD bus operator as she walks him through her pre-trip inspection.

As the first person kids see before school, and the last after their day is done, Gonzales forms one-on-on relationships to encourage and support her student riders.

“They give us a lot of insight on what they go through,” she said. “Whether that’s struggling with grades they got, a game coming soon, or how they did.”

Watch Gonzales and Kingsley look under the hood to make sure things are in good order for the trip ahead.

Lights, camera, action – it’s time to get to work.

Watch the episode >>

PSD hosting hiring event Feb. 21 to fill over 100 vacancies

Poudre School District will host an in-person hiring event from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Feb. 21, at Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way in Fort Collins. Now hiring: Bus Operators/ Paraprofessionals, Custodians and Child Nutrition Team Members. All training provided and paid for. Learn more and register >>

Decades in the making: Colleagues reflect on Kruse P.E. teacher's impact

Kruse Elementary School teacher Scott Wood still has a parent letter excusing one long-ago student from his P.E. class because it’s one he can’t forget.

Now-Timnath Elementary School Principal Jill Barela was in fifth grade when a can of orange juice concentrate fell out of the freezer onto her toe. She couldn’t participate in her P.E. class at Kruse because of her injury.

“He told me he held onto that note because it was one of the best excuse notes of all time,” Barela said, sharing memories about her teacher-turned-colleague.

'It's been a nice ride': PSD Bus driver shares joys of serving student riders

Karen Simpson, a longtime Poudre School District bus driver, was going to be alone one Thanksgiving holiday a few years ago when the family of one of her students invited her to join them for their festivities.

Honored to be invited, Simpson drove up the mountain and had dinner with them. “People are so kind and nice,” Simpson said. “When you stop at a bus stop or wait for another kid who is running late, the families talk with you and keep you company.”

Being a bus driver is rewarding and makes you feel good, Simpson shared.