Frequently Asked Questions
(From Fellow Parents in no particular order)
Please note that this Q&A is applicable to a regular school year where children are attending classes on location. We are including this information for new parents who may have questions about school operations during a typical school year.
What time is school?
  • Classes are from 9:00 AM - 3:43 PM
  • The first bell will ring at 9:00, with school starting promptly at 9:05. Outdoor supervision begins at 8:50, which includes staffing at crosswalk and support in the drop off zones. ​
  • School dismisses at 3:43, with after school supervision present until 3:55, at which point all remaining students must have family supervision.  After school and before school care will continue to be offered by AlphaBEST (registration is required).
How do I stay updated on school wide activities?
  • Parents/guardians are able to provide multiple emails and phone numbers as well as opt into receiving text messages from the district. Contact the school’s office to ensure your information is current in the District’s “Synergy” program to receive emails and text messages from the school and the district.  If the office does not have your email, you will not receive Shepardson emails or PSD emails.
Where does my child play for recess?
  • Each class level is assigned a playground. The kindergarten and first grade playground is located on the west side of the school. The second and third grade playground is located in the southeast corner of the school. The fourth and fifth grade playground is located along Springwood, east of the school.
What happens if it's raining or super cold out?
  • Teachers will let students in at 8:50 AM in the morning or keep them in for recess if it's pouring, snowing hard or below 10 degrees. Please send all clothes labeled with your child’s name. Umbrellas are not permitted during recess.
Do I need to send snow clothes?
  • In order for your child to play in the snow they need coats, snow pants, boots, and gloves.  No snow boots equals no recess in the snow.
If I need to pick up my child early what do I do?
  • Please notify your child’s teacher ahead of time by a note, email or phone call.  Please go to the front office at the time you need your child and they will arrange for your child to come to the office to be released.
My child is sick, what do I do?
  • Please call the attendance line at 970-488-4526, each day your child is sick.
What if my child has to take medication at school? What is PTO?
  • PTO stands for Parent-Teacher Organization and is open to any parent or teacher at Shepardson.  There is no cost to join.  We have a monthly general meeting open to everyone and a variety of committees and fundraisers that provide a wide range of support back to the school.  A person can attend only the general meetings if they want or may also choose to join a committee or help with various activities throughout the year.  Please see http://shepardsonpto.weebly.com for more information.
Room parent vs. classroom volunteer:
  • The Room parent helps organize class parties and teacher gifts. Classroom volunteers work with students and help teachers in their classroom instruction.
How can I volunteer at the school? What kind of volunteers are there?
We have several different types of volunteers at Shepardson:
  • Classroom volunteers work with students and help teachers in their classroom instruction (each class is different in what this looks like and the times that are available).
  • Each class has a “Room Parent(s)” that helps organize class parties and teacher gifts.  A sign-up for this is done at the Back to School Open House before school starts.
  • Library and Computer volunteers work with the teachers to help the students/classes during their scheduled library and computer times.
  • Special Event volunteers are used throughout the school year to help with PTO functions, special school functions, field trips, and anything else that might arise during the year.
What is the Read-a-Thon?
  • It's the PTO's biggest fundraiser of the year with the final day being held on Halloween or close to it. More information is sent out the beginning of October by the committee explaining how it will work specifically since it can change from year to year. Each child is encouraged to find a storybook costume to wear for the day.
What kind of costume does my child need for Halloween?
  • We celebrate the day as a reading day so you are encouraged to find costumes that are characters from a book. Costumes MAY NOT contain guns or weapons.  Students carry their respective books showing their character during the parade through school on the day of Read-a-Thon.
What are some of the other fundraisers or activities at school? Is my child's lunch refrigerated?
  • No, home lunches are kept in a designated location in their classroom. Please use appropriate cooling or warming items as needed. There is no microwave for the kids to use at lunch either. Please make sure ALL containers, reusable drink containers, and lunch boxes are labeled with your child’s name.
Can I come eat lunch with my child?  Can I buy lunch?
  • Yes, you may eat with your child, please use the speaker to the right of the front door to talk to the office.  Once identification is verified they will buzz you in the front doors.  Then use the computer by the front office to sign in and then go meet your child.  If you would like to buy lunch, please send a note in the morning of what your lunch selection is or call the school’s front office so they can let the Food Service Team know.  For the 2024-2025 school year, an adult meal is $3.85.
What is the Flex Room?
  • It is the large multi-purpose room on the west side of the school.  It is used for lunch for all classes, it is where BASE camp meets, and it is used for a variety of activities throughout the school year. 
What's a STEM buddy?
  • Younger grades are paired up with older grades to collaborate on STEM projects, work on reading, math, research and social skills, and sometimes just to play together. Specific activities vary by class.
What is the kiss-n-go lane?
  • All pick up and drop off should occur in the kiss-n-go lanes (please do not drop off or pick up in the bus lane, directly in front of the school building).  In most cases, students are expected to exit and enter your vehicle without help, and we appreciate you remaining in your car during pick up and drop off.  The primary kiss-n-go lane is located in the parking lot on the west side of the school and is supervised by teachers.  They will direct kids to your car during pick-up, so please be patient as it can get busy.  The intermediate kiss-n-go is located on Springwood Drive by the 4-5 playground.  Teachers do not “man” this drop-off area, and students are expected to be able to find your car without adult help.  In both kiss-n-go lanes, students are expected to exit on their own from the right side (curbside) of the car.  The school considers this critical for the safety of your child.
Where should I park?  Can I leave my car running while waiting for school to start?
  • If there are no parking spots in the parking lot, please park on the neighborhood streets.  Be aware that parking is not permitted in the bus zone, kiss-n-go lanes or crosswalks. Please do not park by stop signs or block driveways.  Please turn your car off while you wait.
My child needs to ride the bus, what do I do?
  • Please visit this website for more information: https://www.psdschools.org/department/transportation
  • At school, for kindergarteners that ride it frequently they are paired with older students to help them get to the bus to go home.  If your student wants to ride home with a friend, please contact the school’s front office ahead of time.
I need to bring my child to school, what do I do?
  • There are two options:
    1. Park along one of the subdivision streets and walk with your child to the playground or building.
    2. Use a kiss-n-go lane.
  • If it is after the bell has rang, please accompany your child inside to the front office.
Where are the lost and founds?
  • There are lost and founds in each pod, the flex room (lunch room), gym and by the front office. Please check all as sometimes students lose things in different parts of the school.  Items are not returned to a specific pod.
Does my child need a snack?
  • Please send at least two snacks with your child; they may eat them at the beginning of the morning and afternoon recess times.  Each class varies on if there are allergy restrictions, teachers will notify families if they need to pack nut free snacks.
Should my child bring a change of clothes to school?
  • It is not required but if you know your child might need extra for any particular reason please feel free to send them in their backpack.
What happens if my child forgets to return their library books?
  • Each child has their own account at the library where the books are checked out from, depending on the grade level depends on how many books may be checked out at a time.  To be able to check out new book(s) each week the child must return the previous week book(s). To request a copy of what books are currently checked out for your child please contact Mrs. Schutt in the Library or have your child log into their library account at https://lib.psdschools.org/library where you can view checked out items.
What kind of safety drills will my child be doing?
  • The school as a whole works on fire drill safety and procedure, as well as lock down drills in case of an emergency.  Classroom teachers work and talk about these drills with their classes, please contact your teacher if you have further questions.
If you have any further questions please contact [email protected].
​If we do not know the answer we will forward it to someone in the school to help you. 

Shepardson PTO - FAQ's 8/1/2024
Shepardson STEM Elementary School PTO
1501 Springwood Drive Fort Collins CO 80525
​[email protected]
​Shepardson STEM Elementary School Website
Shepardson PTO