Werner Weekly

• Jan. 13- PTA Meeting, 6-7 pm, Media Center
• Jan. 16- 4th and 5th graders YES Concert Field Trip
• Jan. 16- Spirit Day-Broncos Day
• Jan. 19- No School-Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Report Cards- Our first semester report cards are completed and will come home in Friday folders. You can also access them on ParentVue after 4:00 PM today. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher.

• 2026-27 Budget Prioritization Survey- Each year, we ask our staff and community to give us feedback on their priorities for staffing for the upcoming school year. Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback on this important matter. The survey will be open until Feb. 6. Survey link: https://forms.gle/184Rmay18nhKuyRq9.

• Jan. 16 Spirit Day- In honor of our Denver Broncos making the playoffs, we are encouraging students and staff to wear their Broncos gear (or colors). Since our 4th and 5th graders will be attending the YES Concert, they may bring something to change in to after returning.
• PTA Meeting, January 13- Come hear one of our 4th grade teacher, Mark Sonnen, as he shares about The Anxious Generation. The meeting will be from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Media Center.

​Welcome to the School Counseling monthly resource on RESILIENCY, parents and guardians! Each month a new resource for Resiliency will be created for families to help build resilience and self-confidence. Please look at Werner’s site under Learning Pages Counselor for more information.

We want to share information about Habits and Building a Resilient Mind.

“A habit is a regularly repeated behavior, often performed automatically and without conscious thought. It's a tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.”

Seven Habits for A Resilient Mind

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2021/04/06/seven-habits-for-a-resilient-mind/

Make a new healthy habit:

• Decide on a goal that you would like to achieve for your health.

• Make it easy and start small.

• Choose a specific time of day and where to start each day so that it is easy to remember.

• Make it something you connect with and are motivated to do.

Again, I am a big believer in Love and Logic. The following article is from their subscribed email. Developing the habit and letting kids be their own problem solvers is a huge gift. Chores are also a great habit to instill in our children. There are many resources about appropriate chores for all ages.

How to Overcome Entitlement and Build Responsibility: Teaching Kids Accountability and Self-Control

There seems to be an epidemic of entitlement in kids. When kids are held captive by the beast of entitlement, they must be encouraged to take positive risks that provide opportunities to develop different beliefs. The only way to see the benefits of personal responsibility is by doing something positive and experiencing the intrinsic joy it provides.

Entitled children must also experience difficulties so they learn that they can overcome challenges through perseverance. Love and Logic helps parents replace the sense of entitlement in their kids by guiding them to develop healthy expectations. Here are some examples of how you can help your kids shift from a sense of entitlement to healthy expectations.

Expect Kids to Solve Their Problems

Whenever kids encounter difficulties, ask lots of questions like, “What do you think you’re going to do?” and “What’s your plan?” You can also add, “I’m interested to see how you solve this.” As kids experience challenges, convey the expectation that they will work through them. This will prevent them from expecting someone else to solve all their problems.

Expect Kids to Contribute

Chores are the #1 antidote to entitlement. Kids who contribute appreciate what they have and are far less likely to take the contributions of others for granted. Get them contributing to the household and family, and watch entitlement disappear.

Expect Kids to Earn the Things They Get

This doesn’t mean we don’t give kids gifts or commit unsolicited acts of love. But for things they often ask for, we can ask how they plan to pay for them or earn them. From purchases, to playing sports, to driving, avoid making things free. Instead, expect kids to work to earn all or part and see if they don’t appreciate those things the most.

When kids expect others to solve their problems, entitlement grows. One of the most effective ways to shift that mindset is by giving kids the tools to think for themselves. (This is a great habit to form while children are young and to build resiliency.)

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Throughout the year, we ask our community for photos that could be used for our yearbook and/or social media. This relates to school events only (e.g. classroom parties, field trips, school events, spirit days and enrichment opportunities). You can upload pictures to our 2025-26 Werner Photo Album throughout the year. Please be mindful to not include photos of students that may not have permission.

We often get questions about what are some of our favorite things for staff. You can find out more at this Staff Favorites link. This is also located under the "About Us" tab on the Werner website.

• Jan 13th: PTA Meeting @ 6pm: Mr Sonnen will be our guest presenter discussing the book, “The Anxious Generation”
• Jan 27th: Werner Fundraiser Night @ Rollerland! 5-8pm

Check it Out: https://wernerpta.givebacks.com/

January 8, 2026

Dear Poudre School District community:

Explore the new Choose PSD website and learn more about the excellent schools and programs across our district.

The second of two school choice application periods for the 2026-27 school year opens at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at this link. The second round differs from the first round in the following ways:

1. Second-round applications are based on submission time and priority ranking - not a lottery system.
   • Second-round applicants are placed on the waitlist after any first-round applicants within the applicable priority ranking.
   • Seats are offered when space becomes available.
2. The second round is for families who:
   • Missed the first round.
   • Declined or didn’t respond to a seat offer and wish to reapply to that school.
   • Want to apply to more schools.

Helpful Information:

1. If your student is waitlisted from the 2026-27 first round application period, you don’t need to reapply in the second round. They remain on the waitlist until a seat is offered or the waitlist is purged, which occurs annually. Please continue to check your email and the Family Dashboard frequently to see if a seat becomes available.
2. If your student is waitlisted for the current 2025-26 school year, you must reapply for consideration in the 2026-27 school year. Applications for 2025-26 do not carry over to 2026-27.
3. The second round will run through early May 2027. However, applications should be submitted as soon as possible, as the number of available spaces will decrease over time as seat offers are accepted.
4. Students who currently attend a school through school choice do not need to re-apply to continue at that school in 2026-27.
5. For questions regarding space availability at a specific school, please contact that school directly.

For more information about school choice or to access resources, please visit the School Choice Process page on psdschools.org.

Kindergarten Registration Reminder

Online registration for the 2026-27 school year began Nov. 3, 2025.

Families must register kindergartners at their designated neighborhood school, even if applying for School Choice. Registration helps schools plan for staffing and available school choice seats. Please refer to District Policy JEB for age requirements for kindergarten in PSD.

• Registering at your designated neighborhood school does not impact a pending school choice application or potential seat offers.
• It is encouraged to register as soon as possible, however, online registration will still be available for families throughout the school year.
• Learn more about kindergarten registration here.

Sincerely,

Poudre School District

Dear PSD Community,

At the Dec. 9, 2025 Board of Education meeting, the board approved the school calendar for the 2026-27 academic year. We want to ensure families and staff are aware of the changes, particularly the later start to the school year, so you can plan ahead.

2026-27 School Calendar Important Dates

The calendar reflects feedback from employees, families, and past community surveys, as well as state requirements and PSD’s employee agreement. Key updates include:

• A later first day of school for all students: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026
  • The 2026-27 school calendar pushes the start of school later by one week. Beginning later helps reduce potential heat-related impacts at a time when temperatures in early August can be highest. Staff will begin the year with several non-student days clustered in mid-August for planning, professional learning, and building preparation.
  • A transition day is scheduled for 6th and 9th graders on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

• Fall break and winter break
  • The calendar preserves a five-day fall break in November and a two-week winter break in December—both consistently identified as community priorities.

• Non-student contact days spaced strategically
  • Workdays, professional learning days, and exchange days are grouped to ease childcare challenges, support staff professional learning, and balance instructional time across semesters. Elementary-specific days are included for conferences and end-of-year preparation, while secondary schools maintain consistent semester transitions.

• Semester timing designed to meet state requirements
  • The first semester will run Aug. 19 through Dec. 18 to ensure the semester ends before winter break.

A full overview of the non-student contact days, including building/work (B/W) days, workdays, conference days, and professional learning days, is available in the attached materials.

What comes next

The calendar will be published on the PSD website in January. School- and department-specific calendars will follow in the spring.

Thank you for your partnership as we plan ahead for the 2026-27 school year.

Poudre School District

December 4, 2025

Dear Poudre School District community:

A reminder PSD is now accepting both school registration and first-round school choice applications for the 2026-27 school year.

Explore the new Choose PSD website and learn more about the excellent schools and programs across our district.

School Choice Timeline for 2026-27 school year

• First-round applications opened Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
• Deadline for first round: Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
• Seat offers sent: Week of Jan. 4, 2026.
• Families must respond within five (5) weekdays or the seat offer will be automatically declined. Day one (1) starts on the weekday the notification is sent. Holidays and school closures still count as weekdays. Weekends do not.

Helpful Information:

• First-round applications are processed via lottery, not first-come-first-served. A priority ranking system is used in this process.
• Families may apply to multiple schools but must submit separate applications for each school for each student and cannot rank them in order of preference.
• Applying does not guarantee enrollment and acceptance depends on space availability and eligibility.
• Students who currently attend a school through School Choice do not need to reapply to continue at that school in 2026-27.
• Waitlisted students from 2025-26 must reapply for consideration in the 2026-27 school year. Applications for 2025-26 do not carry over to 2026-27.
• Updating existing school choice account: If prompted, you may need to update your student’s information before starting a new application.

A second round opens mid-January 2026 and uses a different process (based on submission time and priority ranking) – not a lottery system.

• The second round is for families who missed the first round, declined, or didn’t respond to a seat offer and wish to reapply to that school, or want to apply to more schools.
• Second-round applicants are placed on the waitlist after any first-round applicants within their applicable priority ranking. Seats are offered when space becomes available.
• If your student is waitlisted from the first round, you don’t need to reapply in the second round. They remain on the waitlist until a seat is offered or the waitlist is purged, which occurs annually.
• Visit the School Choice page for more details.

Registration for New/Returning Students in PSD

Online registration for new or returning students opened Mon. Nov. 3, 2025. Learn more at the PSD registration page.

Kindergarten Registration

Online registration for the 2026-27 school year began Nov. 3, 2025.

Families must register kindergartners at their designated neighborhood school, even if applying for School Choice. Registration helps schools plan for staffing and available school choice seats. Please refer to District Policy JEB for age requirements for kindergarten in PSD.

• Registering at your designated neighborhood school does not impact a pending school choice application or potential seat offers. We transfer all the information over to the school you choose.
• It is encouraged to register as soon as possible, however, online registration will still be available for families throughout the school year.
• Learn more about kindergarten registration here.

Learn About PSD Schools

Many schools host informational sessions, tours, and open houses. Please contact your neighborhood school(s) and/or schools of interest for details about their events. Visit www.psdschools.org/schools or view our PSD at a Glance guide to schools in English, Spanish, or Arabic.

Sincerely,

Poudre School District

Stay Covered This Winter

· Keep your contact information current with Health First Colorado by setting up an account on PEAK or visit your local Human Services office to update.

· Need help managing your Medicaid case? Reach out to PSD’s Outreach and Enrollment Specialist by filling out a referral form. Learn more about the program services here.

· Know your nearest urgent care and their holiday hours.

· Open Enrollment on the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace is happening now through January 15, 2026. Contact Larimer Health Connect to learn your health insurance options.

Mantengase cubierto este invierno

· Actualice su información de contacto con Health First Colorado (programa de Medicaid) por medio de su cuenta en PEAK o visite su oficina cercana de servicios humanos.

· ¿Necesita ayuda con manejar su caso de Medicaid? Comuníquese con la especialista de inscripción y divulgación en PEAK a través del formulario de referido. Aprenda más sobre el programa aquí.

· Familiarizarse con la sala de urgencias más cercana y conozca los horarios en los días festivos.

· La inscripción abierta en el mercado estatal oficial de Colorado está abierta desde ahora hasta el 15 de enero 2026. Comuníquese con Larimer Health Connect para aprender cuales serían sus opciones de cobertura.

Calling all members of the Poudre School District community: Your superintendent and Board of Education want to hear from you!

Superintendent Brian Kingsley and directors of the Board will hold numerous Community Engagement Sessions at schools across the district throughout the 2025-2026 school year. The goal of these meetings is to allow Superintendent Kingsley and Board directors to personally meet with the district community and answer any questions or concerns.

Superintendent Kingsley and the Board will be holding separate sessions from September through April 2026 at schools across the district.

One of many ways information is shared is through the PSD Insider community newsletter, which features timely information about the latest happenings in the district. This is emailed to families and interested community members that sign up. To sign up, or review past newsletters, go to the PSD Communications website.

Email: hcamp@psdschools.org
Website: https://wer.psdschools.org/
Location: 5400 Mail Creek Lane, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Office Hours: 8:00-4:30

Phone: (970) 488-5550

Attendance: (970) 488-5551
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wernerwildcats/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/werner_elementary/