Poudre School District has over 14,000 volunteers, consisting of parents, grandparents, seniors and community members. Managing that many volunteers in 48 schools is quite a feat! Helping the PSD’s Volunteers & Partnerships office manage the multitude of volunteers at each school site is a Volunteer Building Coordinator (VBC). These dedicated volunteers donate many hours to ensure the volunteer program at their school is a success. Some have done it for many years, starting in elementary schools, and continuing in this volunteer position even after their children move on to junior high and even high school!

In the Fall of 2009, Jane Hoffman became VBC for Bauder Elementary because “there was a need.” She realized she could help the school out with their volunteer needs, but coordinate much of it from home. Hoffman wants to be involved and supportive of her neighborhood school. With Moore students moving into Bauder next fall, she feels it is a great opportunity for both schools and is excited to be part of the transition. “It is an important time to build a very strong volunteer base,” says Hoffman.

Hoffman says, “I think this is an important role because a strong volunteer base enables a school to do a lot more. I know the teachers really appreciate their volunteers.” This year, the experience that touched her the most was very recent. Coach West, Bauder’s PE teacher, orchestrated a Bike Field Trip for all 4th- and 5th-grade students. He worked in conjunction with the City Bike Coordinator, the Bike Co-op, and Bike Fort Collins. “It was a huge undertaking and was really neat to see the community come together to provide a fun, active, and educational experience for the students,” says Hoffman. Fourth- and 5th-grade students rode their bicycles from Bauder to Spring Creek Gardens for a tour and picnic lunch. Bike Fort Collins brought bikes and helmets from the bike library to loan to students who did not have bicycles. These students were taught bicycle safety first-hand. Hoffman feels “this event would not have happened without the volunteers. It proved the important role volunteers play – it was exciting to be involved in such a wonderful event.”

In her spare time, Hoffman enjoys riding bikes and gardening. She says, “A perfect day for me is riding my cruiser to Old Town!” She has two daughters, one going into second grade next year and the other beginning sixth grade.

Preschool programs offer:

- Teachers licensed by Colorado Dept. of Education.

- High-quality, standards-based preschool environment.

- 16 students per session. Adult to child ratio 1-8.

- Tuition cost $3,150/year or $315 each month for 10 months.

To apply go to www.psdschools.org.; click on “School Registration;” then click on the upper left-hand link, “Preschool Registration.”

For information, call Early Childhood Education at 490-3160.

Program teaches safety skills
Students entering kindergarten this fall and their parents 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. The program is open to all kindergarteners, Head Start students, and first graders, and children may attend any session (see schedule below).

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 Connie Lyle or Mike Lynn at 490-3141 or 490-3578.

2010 I Walk/Ride Safely program schedule

Bacon Elementary, 5844 S. Timberline Rd., 2:30pm, Monday, Aug. 9

Bauder Elementary, 2345 W. Prospect Rd., 9:30am, Friday, Aug. 13

Beattie Elementary, 3000 Meadowlark Ave., 11:30am, Friday, Aug. 13

Bennett Elementary, 1125 Bennett School Rd., 8:30am, Friday, Aug. 13

Bethke Elementary, 5100 School House Dr., Timnath, 4pm, Tuesday, Aug. 10

Cache La Poudre, 3511 W. CR 54G LaPorte, 8:30am, Tuesday, Aug. 10

Dunn Elementary, 501 S. Washington Ave., 10:30am, Thursday, Aug. 12

Eyestone Elementary, 4000 Wilson Ave., Wellington, 11:30am, Tuesday, Aug. 10

Irish Elementary, 515 Irish Dr., 8:30am, Thursday, Aug. 12

Johnson Elementary, 4104 Seneca St., 2:30pm, Friday, Aug. 13

Kruse Elementary, 4400 McMurray Ave., 10:30am, Monday, Aug. 9

Laurel Elementary, 1000 E. Locust Ct., 11:30am, Thursday, Aug. 12

Linton Elementary, 4100 Caribou Dr., 11:30am, Monday, Aug. 9

Lopez Elementary, 637 Wabash St., 1:30pm, Friday, Aug. 13

McGraw Elementary, 4800 Hinsdale Dr., 8:30am, Monday, Aug. 9

O’Dea Elementary, 312 Princeton Rd., 2:30pm, Thursday, Aug. 12

Olander Elementary, 3401 Auntie Stone St., 10:30am, Friday, Aug. 13

Putnam Elementary, 1400 Maple St., 9:30am, Thursday, Aug. 12

Rice Elementary, 7000 3rd St. Wellington, 1:30pm, Tuesday, Aug. 10

Riffenburgh Elementary, 1320 Stuart St. 1:30am, Thursday, Aug. 12

Shepardson Elementary, 1501 Springwood Dr., 3:30pm, Thursday, Aug. 12

Tavelli Elementary, 1118 Miramont Dr., 10am, Tuesday, Aug. 10

Timnath Elementary, 3909 Main St. Timnath, 3pm, Tuesday, Aug. 1

Werner Elementary, 5400 Mail Creek Ln., 9:30am, Monday, Aug. 9

Zach Elementary, 3715 Kechter Rd., 1:30pm, Monday, Aug. 9