Ponderosa Weekly

Welcome Back to a Wonderful New School Year!

Dear Panda Families,

As we prepare to open our doors next week, I want to officially welcome you back to a brand-new school year! We are so excited to see our returning pandas and welcome new families to our school community.

As we get back into our daily routines, please remember that safety is our top priority. To ensure a smooth, secure, and efficient arrival every morning, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Walking Students to Playgrounds: If you plan to walk your child to the back playground or kindergarten playground for drop-off, please park your car in a designated space first.

• Drop-Off Line Efficiency: The drop-off line is strictly for quick drop-offs. To keep the line moving safely, please pull your vehicle up as far as possible before stopping, and ensure students exit only from the passenger side of the car.

• Stay Focused: For the safety of our children, staff, and visitors, please remain off cell phones at all times while on school grounds.

• Parking Lot Safety: If you park in the lot, parents must escort their students across the parking lot to the school entrances via the crosswalk in front of the school.

• Riders & Walkers: Riders and walkers are reminded to walk their bikes and scooters safely along the front of the school.

• Bell Schedule & Tardies: School begins promptly at 8:00 AM. If you arrive at 8:05 AM or later, you are required to park and come into the main office to sign your child in.

• Pets on Campus: For the health and safety of all students, animals are not permitted on school property unless they are service animals.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation, patience, and partnership in keeping all our students safe. Let's make this an incredible school year!

Warmly,

Jamie Lockwood

AUGUST 18 - POP IN FOR POPSICLES

AUGUST 19 - 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL - ❗KINDERGARTEN ONLY❗

AUGUST 19 - BOO-HOO/WA-HOO BREAKFAST

AUGUST 20 - 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL - 1ST - 5TH GRADE

AUGUST 27 - BACK 2 SCHOOL NIGHT

SEPTEMBER 7 - LABOR DAY - NO SCHOOL

👇 Link to District 2026-2027 School Year Calendar 👇

Please note - this calendar has not received final approval

*If you need assistance with purchasing school supplies, please reach out to Nicole in the front office (970)679-9500.

Pop In for Popsicles:

Tuesday August 18th 4:00-5:00

We will post class lists in the windows on the back playground. PTA will provide popsicle for students to enjoy outside. Once they are done, you can come in, go see their new classroom and meet their teacher. This is a great time to drop off supplies so students are carrying all of their belongings on the first day. Please note, this is a time just to say hi and introduce yourself. If you need to have a deeper conversation, set up a time for a more personal meeting.

Boo-Hoo/Wa-Hoo Breakfast:

Wednesday August 19th 9:15 - 10:15

Kindergarten parents, please join us to celebrate this big milestone! Once you student is dropped off in their kindergarten classroom we will have drinks and pastries in the cafe.

Back 2 School Night:

Thursday August 27th 5:00 - 6:00

This evening will be ran in 2 identical sessions. This is a time when teachers really get to introduce themselves and give you an idea what the school year ahead looks like. More detailed information will come home soon.

The document below is full of information on what you have access to in your "Parent Portal". If you don't already regularly utilize this, you may want to start. This tool becomes even more important in your partnership with schools as your student move into secondary schools.

Cold options: Chocolate Banana or Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Benefit Bar

Cereal Options: Blueberry Chex, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Monday: NO SCHOOL

Tuesday: NO SCHOOL

Wednesday: Ham and Swiss Breakfast Croissant

Thursday: Mini Waffles

Friday: Sunrise Stick

Lunch:

Cold Sandwich: Cold Cut Combo

Salad: Taco Salad

Monday: NO SCHOOL

Tuesday: NO SCHOOL

Wednesday: Pizza

Thursday: Orange Chicken Lo Mein

Friday: Grilled Cheese

**Free and reduced lunch applications are now open for the 2026/2027 school year. Although breakfast and lunch are free for all students. We highly encourage all qualifying families to still fill out an application.**

Next PTA meeting:

Wednesday - August 26th @ 6:00 PM

To Contact PTA:

Email us at info.pespta@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/PonderosaPTA/

See more PTA information at https://www.thompsonschools.org/domain/256

Attendance Line: (970) 679-9590

Additional information can be found at the Thompson Schools

Email: nicole.jackson@tsd.org
Website: https://pes.tsd.org/
Location: 4550 Florence Dr., Loveland, CO 80538
Phone: (970) 679-9500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ponderosapandas

July 31, 2026

August 7, 2026