It’s hard to believe that our first month of the new school year has already come and gone. These first few weeks of classes were filled with a huge number of events and activities on our campuses. While students were getting acquainted with their new teachers and class schedules, our district also hit several exciting milestones that I wanted to share with you.

This past week, we hosted two special events for our community. After months of planning and renovation, the redesigned and refreshed Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball campus officially opened for students on our first day of school. A special grand opening celebration was held at the campus on September 14, offering families a chance to check out the new spaces and participate in some special opening festivities. Two days earlier, we also hosted an event to celebrate the new expansion project that was completed this summer at High Plains School. The addition features classrooms, a new gymnasium and more space for programs within the school. Both of these projects are significant enhancements to the service and support that we can offer our students. Our project managers and contractors all did a wonderful job bringing them to fruition.

A few weeks ago, our transportation team received some wonderful news: The district has been selected by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as a grant recipient through the Colorado Electric School Bus Grant Program. The award amount, which will be determined soon, will assist the district in converting a small number of buses in its fleet into battery or fuel-cell electric-powered vehicles. Much more information regarding this grant award will be available soon.

Every day, our staff members do an amazing job educating and supporting each of our students. Our team routinely goes above and beyond expectations, and we are always looking for unique ways to say “thanks” for everything that they do. Each month, one of my favorite activities is the opportunity to present our “Top of Thompson” award winners as part of our regular Board of Education meetings. The awards allow our staff members to nominate their peers for outstanding service to our students and families. I am pleased to announce that starting this month, we will be adding an additional category to the set - the “Community Champion Award.” Nominated by school and district employees, this monthly recognition will be extended to a community member, community organization or business entity that helps facilitate the work of our students and staff within our schools and district. We are so fortunate here in Thompson to have the steadfast support of so many businesses and entities across our community. It is my hope that this new award will serve as a fun way to recognize and spotlight these partnerships across the district.

As we head into the heart of the fall season, I would like to remind our community that we have so many activities and events that might be of interest to you. From football and volleyball games to fall music concerts and plays, the talents of our incredible students are on full display, and we invite you to be a spectator or an audience member. We are also always on the lookout for those who would like to serve as a substitute teacher, a bus driver, a nutrition services worker or even a volunteer within our schools. Please check out our website at TSD.org to see how you can get involved or even apply for a part-time or volunteer position within our district.

As always, we are grateful for the support of our TSD community, and we thank you for your ongoing engagement and interest in the success of our students. Have a great September!

September marks National Suicide Prevention Month –a time to acknowledge the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It is also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope. (SAMHSA)

Protective Factors can help prevent suicide. Protective factors can include:

• Family support

• Positive friends

• Mentors

• Healthy activities

• Medical access

• Mental and physical health and wellness

• Conflict resolution skills

• Sense of belonging and success at school

Your school counselor is here to partner with you to increase protective factors for your student; reach out any time to see how they can help!

Everyone in our community can help prevent suicide by following these 5 steps:

1) Ask: Don't be afraid to ask the question 'Are you thinking of committing suicide?' and then LISTEN

2) Be there: Being present for the person and then following up

3) Help keep them safe: Finding out what their circumstances are and then helping them feel supported and safe

4) Help them connect: Developing a safety plan and connecting them with resources (988 is a valuable resource for those in crisis)

5) Follow-up: Checking back with them to see how they are

Call or text 988 for the national suicide prevention hotline. Since the July 2022 launch, 988 has received more than 5.5 million calls, texts, and chats. This past July, text and chat were made available in Spanish. The hotline now offers ASL support too.

Resources:

I Matter Colorado (free counseling for Colorado youth!)

Promote National Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention Month | SAMHSA

Suicide Prevention Month | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

SAMHSA Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County

Find a Therapist in Larimer County

In partnership, we CAN make a difference and save lives!

The Innovative Technology Services high school students have been gaining valuable work experience through our College to Career Ready intern and apprentice program. This program has been so successful that the ITS Client Services team and student interns and apprentices shared their success with other leaders in Colorado. People were curious about our program, how students feel about it and how ITS staff collaborate with interns and apprentices, so they presented at the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) and Innovative Education Colorado (InnEdCO) conferences.

This program has created two new full-time ITS employees. Jessy Erkman is a graduate of Loveland High School, and Cole Hanks is a Berthoud High School graduate. Cole is enrolled at CSU Global to pursue his bachelors in Cybersecurity, and Jessy would like to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics at the Colorado School of Mines. Both Cole and Jessy are now full-time ITS technicians, proving our career pathways are alive and well in TSD.

“After getting a taste of what the IT field looked like, I was interested in learning more and pursued an apprenticeship in ITS. The apprenticeship wasn't just about getting hands-on experience; it sparked a real passion for technology and problem solving,” Jessy says.

According to Cole, the program has many benefits. “One of the nice things about being an apprentice before becoming a full-time tech was that I did not need as much training as a new hire would need, since most of the required skills were learned during my apprenticeship.”

This creative path allows the ITS division to grow their own leaders and employees while giving students hands-on, real world experiences.

Jessy sums up perfectly what the program has meant to our students and TSD. “The mentorship and friends I formed during my apprenticeship are still shaping how I grow professionally. They remind me that teamwork and sharing knowledge are important in the ever-changing world of IT. My apprenticeship was the foundation of my career, and I'm dedicated to using these skills to give top-notch IT support to the students and staff at Thompson School District.”

Kelly Sain, TSD Chief Technology Officer, says: "I'm incredibly proud of our student interns and apprentices. Intern programs at Berthoud, Loveland, Mountain View and Ferguson high schools give students course credit and valuable skills. They are a shining example of what can be achieved when IT, students, teachers, and school administrators work together to prepare students for college and their future careers."

If you want to learn more, or hear from additional apprentices, check out our apprentice website and watch the videos from other apprentices in ITS.

The Loveland Latin Community Alliance is hosting a community event to celebrate TSD students: Celebrating Jovenes Latinos. This event will be held on Saturday, September 30 at Fairgrounds Park (700 S. Railroad Ave., Loveland) from 11 AM-2 PM. Please view the attached flier for more details and feel free to share! All are welcome!

The Colorado Rockies TSD Fall Appreciation Series supports Thompson Education Foundation:

• Friday, Sept. 29 – Sunday, Oct. 1, with fan appreciation fireworks on Sept. 29
• Tickets start at $18 on Friday; $12 on Saturday & Sunday
• $2 per ticket goes back to Thompson Education Foundation

Purchase tickets online at: https://www.thompsontef.org/denver-sports-games

800 S. Taft Avenue

Loveland, CO 80537

970-613-5000

info@tsd.org