Werner Weekly
March 22, 2024
Coming Up
- March 22- Science Fair Open House, 5:00-6:30 pm, Gym
- March 22- Class Placement Input closes (see info below)
- March 27- Battle of the Books Competition (see details in flier below)
Upcoming PSD Long Range Planning Listening Sessions (see info in News from PSD):
Sessions will not be livestreamed.
Please note changes were made to the schedule.- 7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Timnath Middle-High School, 4700 East Prospect Road, Timnath
- 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way, Fort Collins
- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, at ITC Aspen 1 and 2 at the PSD Support Services Complex , 2407 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins
- 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 25, at Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Road, Fort Collins
- 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, Online
- 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Lincoln Middle School, 1600 W. Lancer Drive, Fort Collins
- 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at PSD Future Ready Center, Suite 510 in the Foothills Mall, 215 E Foothills Parkway (for those who speak Spanish)
- TBD session for those who speak Arabic
Board of Education Listening Sessions
- 5:30- 10 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, in the auditorium at Poudre High School, 201 S. Impala Drive in Fort Collins
- 5:30- 10 p.m., Tuesday, June 4, in the auditorium at Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way in Fort Collins
Microphones will be available at each session so attendees may share thoughts with the board. Board listening sessions will be recorded and posted on the PSD website; they will not be livestreamed.
NEWS FROM WERNER
Long Range Planning Updates
The PSD board were presented with initial scenarios for consideration around consolidation of schools on Tuesday. Werner's only impact, at this time, would be would boundary adjustments to accommodate a possible re-purpose of Linton (see Scenario C below). All scenarios that were presented to the board are considered draft proposals with the hope that input from the Listening Sessions would help with refining or creating new ones. Staff and parents are encouraged to attend one of those sessions to hear more about the proposals and share their input. The committee will make final recommendations later in the spring and the board will vote in June. For more information on the proposed changes, go to the district website and Facilities Planning Steering Committee page. For more information on the Long-Range Planning (includes all the data and reports that the committee uses), go to this site.
Listening Sessions and Community Engagement
- 7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Timnath Middle-High School, 4700 East Prospect Road, Timnath
- 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way, Fort Collins
- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, at ITC Aspen 1 and 2 at the PSD Support Services Complex , 2407 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins
- 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 25, at Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Road, Fort Collins
- 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, Online
- 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Lincoln Middle School, 1600 W. Lancer Drive, Fort Collins
- 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at PSD Future Ready Center, Suite 510 in the Foothills Mall, 215 E Foothills Parkway (for those who speak Spanish)
- TBD session for those who speak Arabic
Board of Education Listening Session
- 5:30- 10 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, in the auditorium at Poudre High School, 201 S. Impala Drive in Fort Collins
- 5:30- 10 p.m., Tuesday, June 4, in the auditorium at Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way in Fort Collins
Submit feedback through questionnaire
If you can't make it to a listening session, please watch the recording below of the committee’s March 19 presentation and submit feedback through this online questionnaire.
Werner Science Fair-March 22
The Science Fair is coming on March 22! This wonderful enrichment opportunity is open to all students. Please see the information links below (or QR links in flier) regarding details about how to register, etc.
For more information, please contact Mr. Putman (jputman@psdschools.org).
Important Update on the Science Fair
Dear families,
We are so excited for our Science and Engineering Fair on Friday! Here are a few reminders for participants:
- If you are planning on entering a project and have not done so already, please complete the registration form. This helps us determine if we need to order additional tables.
- Projects should be brought to the gym afterschool on Thursday (3:30-4:30) or before school on Friday (8:00-8:40).
- Please let Mr. Putman know if you need access to an electrical outlet or if you have any other special requests.
- The open house for families is on Friday from 5:00-6:30. The purpose of the open house is to give families an opportunity to view the projects. Homeroom teachers will be taking their classes through the gym during the school day on Friday so that participants can present their projects to classmates. It is not necessary for students to stand beside their projects during the open house.
- If possible, please take projects home after the open house.
- Projects left at school will be placed near the trophy case and need to be taken home the following Monday.
- Every student who completes a project will be entered in a raffle drawing for a chemistry kit, which will be given away at the open house. The raffle- drawing will be at 6:15pm.
- Award winning projects will be announced on Monday, March 25.
- Three award-winning projects will be invited to participate in the PSD Science Showcase at the Foothills Mall on April 4th. Mr. Putman will contact these families to provide details.
Thank you so much and please let me know if you have any questions!
Respectfully,
Jeff Putman
Class Placement Parent Input- DUE March 22
March 1, 2024
Dear Parents,
One of the most critical and time-consuming tasks for teachers, and for me, during this time of year is class placement for next year. The procedure we follow to ensure the best classroom environment possible for each child has several steps and takes several meetings. This task is even more challenging when we receive a large number of parent requests in the spring. Before we developed a policy on class placement requests, we would receive up to 140 requests for specific class placements each spring. When teachers began to make class lists, we found it impossible to have these requests and still maintain the balance in each classroom that is necessary for kids to have the optimum environment in which to learn.
Fortunately, Werner’s class placement policy, developed some years ago by our Werner Council, has worked well for us. Please take the time to read the policy. My hope is that it will answer your questions or concerns. If it doesn’t, please let me know (hcamp@psdschools.org).
Please do not feel that you need to give us written input. In other words, do not feel obligated to write a letter unless you have a specific reason to do so. You can be sure if a teacher has questions about class placement for your child, they will ask you for information. We believe that input is any information about your child that will help us know their situation better. Input is not a request for a specific teacher. Input asking for a specific teacher will not be included in the Class Placement Process. All input will be shared with current and next year’s teacher.
If you do choose to give us input, the window this year is March 1-22. We are offering the opportunity for input to happen online through the Werner Class Placement Input Form. Please complete a new form for each child. This is secure and confidential, but input will be shared with your child’s current teacher as they consider class placement. Emails and other notes will not be accepted. Input will close at 5:00 pm on March 22.
Sincerely,
Hayden Camp
Principal
Yearbook Information
IT’S YEARBOOK TIME!!!
Parents! Order your 2023-2024 Werner Elementary Yearbook TODAY!!
DEADLINE is 4/19/24
*Any books purchased after deadline will be charged shipping and sent directly to your home*
Easy to Order:
Visit www.treering.com to register your family. If you haven’t purchased a yearbook before, you will need this passcode: 1014056506643352.
Once registered, you will also have the option to create 2 custom pages for your student!
--Custom Pages must be completed by 4/26/24 --
Yearbook cost: Soft Cover - $21.35 Hard Cover - $27.83
Any questions?!? Email wernerelementaryyearbook@gmail.com or Contact Jennifer at 307.509.9246
SAVE THE DATE-State Testing
Our Mathematics (3rd-5th), English Language Arts (3rd-5th), and Science (5th) Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests will be held during the month for April. Please try to avoid scheduling events that would cause your child to be out of school during testing sessions. If you want more information regarding CMAS testing including exempting students, please visit PSD Assessment website.
Werner Elementary will have a full-day preschool next year!
Dear Werner Families,
We have exciting news to share with you. We would like to announce that Werner Elementary will have a full-day preschool program for next year! Poudre School District Early Childhood will have one classroom with 16 students starting Fall 2024!
Do you know any 3 or 4 year olds who would benefit from a preschool at Werner Elementary with their elementary siblings? Please guide them to our website and encourage them to apply. We have tuition-based, low-cost and no-cost options available for families who qualify.
Looking forward to partnering with Werner families.
Becca Benedict
Director of PSD Early Childhood
Registration for 2024-25 OPEN
Registration opens online for 2024-25 on November 27 for new students. Please go to the PSD School Registration and our Werner Registration site for more information. For Kindergarten registration, you can find more information on our Werner Kindergarten Information site. If you are interested in learning more about our school, call (970-488-5550) our main office to set up a personal tour with our staff.
2023-2024 Werner Photo Album
Staff Favorites
School Meal Prices 2023-24
Milk- 8 oz. $1.00
Breakfast 2nd Entree $1.50
Adult Breakfast $2.00
Lunch 2nd Entree $3.25
Adult Lunch $4.65
NEWS FROM WERNER PTA
Welcome Back from the PTA
Werner Weekly 3.22.2024
Save the Date
March 22nd- Inclusion Day
March 27th- Battle of the Books:
K-2nd Grade 5pm-5:25pm
3rd Grade 5:30pm-5:55pm
4th Grade 6pm-6:25pm
5th Grade 6:30pm-6:55pm)
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The PTA has a lot of fun things planned throughout the school year and we can't wait to share it all with you!
- Sign up for the PTA to receive a free Werner yard sign & notifications of upcoming events. You may pay the $10 membership dues via PayPal or Venmo @WernerPTA or drop off cash/check to the main office in a marked envelope.
- *****New this year***** Wildcat stickers are available for sale! Stickers are $3 each and available for purchase at our PTA meetings, New Family Orientation, or at select school events.
For any questions please email the PTA at ptawernerelementary@gmail.com
FREE MONEY FOR YOUR SCHOOL! Did you know there are ways to donate money to the school by doing things you already do?
- If you shop at King Soopers with a loyalty card they will donate to Werner when you sign up here.
- If you like to eat out, the PTA hosts Werner Dines Out once a month and the restaurants we partner with will donate back to the school.
Your Werner PTA
Follow us on Facebook to stay engaged with school events, Werner families, and see what the PTA is up to!
Your 2023/2024 PTA Board
PTA President | Nicole Kidd
PTA Vice President | Gladys Kanode
PTA Treasurer | Patti Haswell
PTA Secretary | Juliana Schump
PTA VP of Community Programs | Marissa McNulty
Connect with us at PTAWernerElementary@gmail.com
There Is No Wrong Way to PTA. How Do You PTA?
Thank you for supporting the Werner Elementary PTA!
We Need Your Help!
NEWS FROM PSD
Committee presents possible boundary changes, school consolidation options
March 19, 2024
Dear Poudre School District community:
A volunteer committee on Tuesday presented some possible options for boundary modifications, school consolidations, and educational program changes that would take effect starting in the 2025-26 school year. Members of the PSD Facilities Planning Steering Committee gave the first of its three presentations to the Board of Education, seeking initial input from board directors.
What possible options are being considered?
The committee’s first draft of possible options is posted on the PSD Long-Range Planning web section here: www.psdschools.org/community/facilities-planning-steering-committee
The possible options are NOT yet finalized, meaning the list of possibly impacted schools may continue to change.
Our PSD community, collectively, is sitting in discomfort, not knowing what is going to happen with this process. All feelings are normal and valid, and people have an opportunity to share their thoughts.
How the community can weigh in, virtually and in-person
Possible options will be presented at listening sessions that begin March 20. A schedule is posted at www.psdschools.org/community/long-range-planning-engagement.
Listening sessions are open to staff, families, students, and community members and follow the same format; this includes an overview presentation, followed by small-table conversations and a questionnaire. In-person listening sessions are not livestreamed, but there will be an online listening session on March 27.
Those unable to attend a listening session will have an opportunity to watch a recording of the committee’s March 19 presentation and submit feedback through an online questionnaire. Links to the recording and questionnaire will be posted March 20 on this Long-Range Planning web page: www.psdschools.org/community/long-range-planning-engagement
What happens next?
Committee members will garner input at listening sessions, through a communitywide questionnaire, and by engaging with students. The committee will continue refining possible options throughout this process; its first draft presented March 19 will likely change over time.
The committee is scheduled to meet for a regularly scheduled meeting on March 26, and then make presentations to the school board again on April 23 and May 28.
School board directors are hosting two listening sessions from 5:30-10 p.m. April 16 and June 4. Board members are scheduled to vote on the committee’s final 2-3 recommendations at the June 11 board meeting.
Why are we doing this now and is it necessary?
Yes – we can’t wait any longer to do something. PSD has been experiencing declining student enrollment for multiple years and is projected to lose about 10% of enrollment in the next several years.
That translates to a roughly $40 million problem over the next five years – or a loss of about $8 million per year. In a district where roughly 85% of the budget goes to pay for people, that is significant.
A good portion of that $8 million currently goes to support schools that are underenrolled. We must right-size our school district now to remain healthy and sustainable for years to come.
This isn’t the only way PSD is addressing this financial reality. Schools and departments are looking for possible efficiency as part of the annual budgeting process.
The PSD community is going through a significant period of change, and we recognize that everyone will feel differently. As we go through the next few months together, our goal is to maintain supportive and welcoming school environments so our students can continue their learning.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Sincerely,
Poudre School District
PSD Now Newsletter
One of many ways information is shared is through the PSD Now community newsletter, which features timely information about the latest happenings in the district. This is emailed to families and interested community members about every other Thursday.
Applications for the 2023-24 School Year are Open
We are now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Free and Reduced Meals program. Please fill out ALL required information in the application. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. Only one application per household is required. Applications may also be picked up at the Child Nutrition Department, 1502 S. Timberline Road.
PSD Free and Reduced Meals Policies | PSD Free and Reduced Meals Policies (Spanish)
NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY
Werner Elementary School
Email: hcamp@psdschools.org
Website: https://wer.psdschools.org/
Location: 5400 Mail Creek Lane, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Phone: (970) 488-5550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wernerwildcats/
Twitter: @WernerWildcats