Bamford Elementary opens pantry for those in need

On Jan. 13, a crowd of students, families, staff and volunteers gathered in the Bamford Elementary School gym for the grand opening of the Gary Bamford Pack Pantry, a student-led community resource center dedicated to helping those in need by offering free clothes, shoes, toiletries and food.

Each grade level played an important part in this schoolwide project. Students researched which items to include in the pantry, contacted local businesses, and designed the pantry layout, website and posters, among other tasks, to make the project a reality. The grand opening was a culmination of all the students’ and volunteers’ hard work.

“Helping others is just something awesome, but helping others in need, that’s another level,” said Brooks Howard, a student at Bamford. “We all work super-duper hard to make the Pack Pantry come to life, and everyone was so patient and empathetic with the process. In all I really don’t think the Pack Pantry would be here today helping people around our community if we didn’t work together.” For more information, to donate or to volunteer, email bamfordpackpantry@ gmail.com.

PSD awarded $1.56M grant to bolster mental health supports Poudre School District is proud to be among three school districts selected by the Colorado Department of Education to participate in a four-year, grantfunded initiative called

Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education).

As a Project AWARE district, PSD will receive a total of $1.56 million to amplify mental health work that is already underway, as well as grow mental health programs and services. The initiative aligns with the district’s priority of mental health and increasing a sense of belonging for all students, which is a key goal of PSD’s forthcoming Strategic Plan.

“Our students have said, in no uncertain terms, that PSD and the community must be responsive to their mental health needs,” said Superintendent Brian Kingsley. “Children and young adults are struggling and wisely want to equip themselves with knowledge and skills that support living physically and emotionally healthy lives. That is nothing short of honorable. And it requires collective action to address a complex and pervasive problem.”

PSD will submit a work plan outlining next steps by the end of May and update the plan annually thereafter. Over the four years, PSD will work closely with the CDE, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, community-based providers of mental and behavioral health care services, school personnel, community organizations, families and school-aged children. Data and collaboration will play an important role in the plan and work moving forward.