RMParent

School supply drive helps ensure all students are ready to learn

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New school supplies add to the excitement of a new school year, but according to statistics, more than 8,400 Poudre School District students who qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch program will likely struggle to purchase school supplies this year.

To combat this struggle, several community groups are joining forces to ensure all PSD students have the necessary school supplies. “Supply Our Students” week will be held Aug. 6-10 to encourage donations of school supplies and to raise awareness about the need.

Supply Our Students week 
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Colorado State University will distribute backpacks and school supplies on Aug. 8 and 9 to elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in the Poudre School District through their “School is Cool” program. 


The OtterCares Foundation will host their annual “Pack2School” backpack and school supply giving event on Aug. 10 at the Northside Aztlan Center located at 112 Willow St.


The PSD Partnership Center will accept school supply donations for their Teacher’s Closet at 1630 S. Stover St. The Partnership Center accepts donations year-round.

“Supply Our Students” is a collaborative effort between PSD and Volunteers of America, Colorado State University, the OtterCares Foundation, Concerned Larimer and Realities for Children.

Specific efforts include:

Colorado State University: School is Cool

Over the past 20 years, “School is Cool” has helped more than 26,000 PSD students. Last year, the program provided 2,650 backpacks to kindergarten through 12th-grade students. CSU employees organize “School is Cool” with generous support from the Bohemian Foundation and CSU Bookstore.

OtterCares Foundation: Pack2School

As the charitable arm of OtterBox®, the OtterCares Foundation hosts “Pack2School,” a one-day event that allows students to “shop” for their supplies, free of charge. Supplies are purchased by OtterCares and OtterBox and OtterCares employees as well as community volunteers staff the event. In 2011, the event supported kindergarten through 8th-grade PSD students. This year, the program will also include supplies for high school students.

PSD Teacher's Closet

The PSD Partnership and Volunteer Center accepts school and office supply donations throughout the year at The Teacher’s Closet, where teachers come once a week and shop for supplies for their students and classrooms.  To coordinate a donation, please contact 970-490-3208.

Realities for Children

This charitable organization is dedicated to serving abused and neglected children in Larimer County. Through an annual drive, Realities for Children collects backpacks and supplies to distribute to children served by their affiliate agencies.

Concerned Larimer

Through various faith groups and churches, Concerned Larimer procures donations of school supplies for the Volunteers of America collection barrels in August. Concerned Larimer then generates additional supplies from the faith community for second semester and has helped to fill specific requests such as hand sanitizer and tissues. Donations go directly to the PSD Teacher’s Closet.

For more information, contact Jody Margheim, PSD Partnership & Volunteer coordinator, 490-3207 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"I Walk & Ride Safely" program teaches safety skills
Parents and their students entering kindergarten this fall are encouraged to attend the free annual I Walk & Ride Safely program sponsored by Poudre School District, the Fort Collins Police Department, and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department. Older students are also welcome to attend.

Children will learn how to walk to school or ride a school bus safely. Instructions are given under actual traffic conditions, including crosswalks, signs, traffic signals, automobile traffic, and crossing guards. PSD school bus operators participate at all schools and the Fort Collins Police Department and/or Larimer County Sheriff’s Department will participate at some schools. For more information, please call the training department at 490-3141 or 490-3578.

 

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