Welcome to �Laurel Elementary School of Arts & Technology ���

2026-2027

Kindergarten Parent Information

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James Garcia, Principal

Amanda Pawelski, Assistant Principal

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Laurel History

• Laurel Elementary School of Arts & Technology is the oldest elementary school in the town of Fort Collins and has been educating Fort Collins’ youth since 1906. The original building is on Laurel Street and is now Centennial High School.
• Our current building was constructed in 1993. It is a beautiful architectural design called the Delany Model. There are 6 other schools in PSD of this design.

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Mr. Garcia, Principal

• I’m in my 9th year as Laurel’s Assistant Principal. I started working in schools when I was 19 years old, beginning in CT and NY before moving to Colorado. I joined Poudre School District in 2013 as a teacher.
• My family lives just down the road from Laurel with our 3 daughters: Tennessee (11th Gr.), Nikola (8th Gr.), and Zasu (5th Gr.). They are following the neighborhood feeder system of Laurel Elementary School, Lesher Middle School, and Fort Collins High School. We love our schools and neighborhood!

• This is my 3nd year as principal of Laurel
• I am a Colorado Native and a first generation College graduate with a Master’s Degree! I am in my 22nd year of being an educator!
• My wife Elizabeth and I of over 21 years, live in Fort Collins with our two children: daughter Ava (First year College Student @ GCU)) and son Oliver (7th Gr.)
• We love public education and love Laurel!

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Mrs. Pawelski,

Assistant Principal

Laurel’s Diverse Population

• We highly value and embrace our beautiful diversity!
• Cultural
• Economic
• Ethnic
• Learning Strengths and Needs
• Linguistic

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Introductions

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Kindergarten Teachers

• Michelle Arnold, Teacher
• 20 years experience; 20 years at Laurel

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• Miriam Cromley, Teacher
• 21 years experience; 21 years at Laurel

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• Stephanie Sensale, Teacher
• 4 years experience; 1 year at Laurel

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Parent Engagement (Get Involved!)

• Parent Engagement activities throughout the school year
• Back to School Night
• Laps for Laurel fundraiser
• Fall Festival
• Family Nights
• Parent-Teacher conferences
• Volunteers welcome anytime!
• All volunteers are required to register as a PSD Volunteer using this link:

PSD Volunteer Registration

• Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
• School Accountability Committee (SAC)
• Wellness Team
• Parent Memos and Parent Newsletter
• Weekly and monthly communication from Administration and classrooms

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Enrichment Opportunities�Before and After School Enrichment

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• PSD After 3! after school program
• Laurel Strings program during the school day
• Information will be sent home the first few weeks into the school year
• Lottery based program
• Waitlist

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• Register for before and/or after school care https://www.alphabest.org/poudreco/
• 6:30am-7:15am & 2:23pm-6:00pm

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AlphaBEST

Enrichment Opportunities

Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS)

• Core Values ROAR: Respect, Own your behavior, Attitude, Responsibility
• Teach expectations; ROAR Pledge
• Recognize and praise children
• Paws
• Classroom rewards
• Friday ROAR Model drawings
• Positive Office Referrals
• Treasure Box
• Restorative Justice/Restorative Practices
• Learn how to respectfully resolve conflicts
• SEL- Sources of Strength
• ROAR Assemblies

Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

2025-26 Kindergarten

• Full day 7:42am-2:23pm
• Half day option is available on a case-by-case basis
• School Choice
• Registering for Kindergarten at your Neighborhood school is required.
• 2026-27 –We will be accepting School of Choice applications
• Transition Days/Staggered Start for Laurel Kindergarten students:
• First day of school – Students with last names beginning A – L attend.
• Second day of school – Students with last names beginning M – Z attend.
• Third day of school –All Kindergarten students attend

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Current Kindergarten Experience�(Times may change for 2026-27)

Daily Schedule

• 7:15 – 7:42 Students arrive at school
• 7:42 – Bell rings
• 7:42 – 8:00 Morning Meeting
• 8:00 – 8:30 Whole Group Literacy and Writing
• 8:30 – 9:00 Small Group Literacy Clubs
• 9:00 – 9:30 Snack and Recess
• 9:30 –10:30 Whole Group Literacy and Writing
• 10:30 – 11:15 Specials (Art, Arts & Tech Enrichment, Media Lab, Music, PE)
• 11:20 – 11:50 WIN (What I Need) time
• 11:50 – 12:10- Whole group math
• 12:10 – 12:55 Recess and Lunch
• 1:00 – 1:30- Whole group math
• 1:30 – 2:15 Centers, Science, and Calendar
• 2:15 – 2:23 Pack Up and Dismissal

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Specials �K-5 Experience �45 minutes/day; weekly rotation

• Arts and Tech Enrichment– a unique hands-on experience
• Media & Technology, Mr. Pecilunas and Mrs. Keller
• Music, Ms. Kelly
• Physical Education, Mrs. Rittner
• Visual Arts, Mrs. Saunders

Technology Integration

• Two 3D Printers – Bubble wands and free choice in 5^th
• Name plates with Braille in 4^th

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Technology� Integration

• Programming Robots – Bee Bots and Dash Robots
• Virtual Reality – CoSpaces/VR Googles –students design a virtual world and then use VR Goggles to become a part of the world
• Computer and Clay Animation
• Coding with Scratch

Kindergarten Curriculum

• Colorado Academic Standards
• Mathematics
• Reading, Writing, Communicating
• Science
• Social Studies

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• Phonics Instruction

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• Imagine Learning
• A content-based approach to literacy instruction

that utilizes real-world compelling texts that engage

and excite students

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• enVision 2.0
• Based on the idea that we encounter and use mathematics in our everyday lives so students must master procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and universal application.
• Provides whole group, small group, partner and independent learning activities
• Hands-on, interactive lessons
• Calendar time daily

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Registration for Kindergarten

• Online registration for Kindergarten is open!
• Immunization records, birth certificate and proof of residence may be uploaded when registering online https://www.psdschools.org/schools/school-registration
• In person registration will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd at Laurel

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Thank you for learning

about Laurel!

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Like us on Facebook

• Laurel Elementary School of Arts & Technology

Follow us on Twitter

• @LaurelArtsTech

Follow us on Instagram

• @LaurelElementary

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA