Most Poudre School District schools will dismiss students two hours early Monday, August 24, as persistent high temperatures continue across Northern Colorado.
All schools will begin at their normal times, and breakfast and lunch will be served as usual. Students who normally ride the bus home will be dropped off at their regular stops two hours earlier than normal.
PSD says temperatures have exceeded 90 degrees each day since Thursday, with National Weather Service forecasts calling for the heat to continue Monday. The district’s heat protocol considers the cumulative effects of prolonged heat, including National Weather Service forecasts and HeatRisk Index data for Larimer County.
Schools Releasing Two Hours Early
- All elementary schools except Mountain schools
- All middle schools except Kinard, Timnath and Wellington
- All Early Childhood programs
- Centennial High School
- Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
- Poudre Community Academy
Afternoon field trips, afternoon Early Childhood sessions and after-school activities at affected schools are canceled. Morning Early Childhood sessions will operate normally, while full-day sessions will dismiss two hours early.
Schools Continuing Normal Operations
- Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Poudre and Rocky Mountain high schools
- Timnath and Wellington middle-high schools
- Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School
- Poudre Global Academy
- PSD Career Tech Center
- PSD Transitions programs
- All Mountain schools
High school after-school activities and athletics at these schools will continue, although coaches may modify or relocate outdoor activities based on heat and air-quality guidance.
Middle school after-school activities and athletics are canceled districtwide, including at Kinard, Timnath and Wellington middle-high schools.
Concurrent enrollment classes will continue as scheduled. Charter schools will make their own decisions regarding early release.
Child Care Availability
AlphaBEST child care will be available only at Bacon, Beattie, O’Dea and Bamford elementary schools. Space is limited, and families are responsible for transportation to these locations.
Contact AlphaBEST for registration and additional information.
Why the Continued Early Releases?
Most PSD schools either do not have air conditioning or have cooling only in limited spaces. Because elementary and middle school bus routes are interconnected, PSD says releasing some schools early can require schedule changes at other schools as well.
Funding from the 2024 Debt-Free Mill Levy is helping the district add air conditioning to schools. Two systems have already been installed and two more are underway, but more than 30 schools still need air conditioning.
PSD will continue monitoring National Weather Service forecasts throughout the week. If additional early releases or closures are necessary, the district will notify families as soon as possible.
Questions may be directed to
[email protected]
or 970-490-3055.