School is almost here. Classes begin August 12 for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th-grade students and August 13 for all other grades.

Here are a few pointers to help get the year started off right:

1. Safety

All visitors must sign in at the front office before entering a school, and everyone is checked through our RAPTOR safety system. Regular volunteers go through a more in-depth background check before their volunteer time begins.

Weld RE-4 staff, along with Windsor High School and Severance High School students, are required to wear an ID card above the waist — on a lanyard or a badge holder clipped to the shirt.

2. School Meals

We will continue participating in the Healthy School Meals for All Program, so every enrolled student gets one free breakfast and one free lunch each day during the 2026 – 2027 school year, at no cost.

À la carte options will still be available for additional purchase through LINQ Connect, and meal menus are posted online.

We also encourage families to complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application — it can help qualify your family for reduced or waived class fees.

3. Transportation

Bus service is provided to resident students who live:

• More than one mile from their assigned elementary school
• More than one and a half miles from their assigned middle school
• More than two miles from their assigned high school

Bus riders should have already received details from the Transportation Department. You can also find route information in Infinite Campus under the Transportation tab.

4. Attendance

Attendance makes a real difference in learning, and we need your help keeping kids on track. Please help your child get to school on time, ready to learn.

If you need to excuse an absence, log in to Infinite Campus' Campus Parent portal and select More > Absence Requests. You can also reach the school's front office or attendance line — check your school's website for that number.

5. Communication

ParentSquare is our messaging platform for every school and activity in the district. It's where you'll message staff, sign forms and permission slips, sign up for events, and stay in the loop all year with important news.

Download the app from the App Store or Google Play, or sign in through your browser.

Text messages parents receive from Weld RE-4 schools through ParentSquare — our messaging platform — will now come from regular 10-digit phone numbers. This will make it easier to see who is messaging. For example, a message from a teacher will come from a different phone number than a message from the school office.

What’s Changing?

Previously, most texts came from a 5-digit number. Parents will now start receiving texts from different, regular 10-digit phone numbers for:

• Direct messages
• Classroom and group posts
• School posts

Messages from the district, digests, and alerts will still come from the 5-digit number.

What Should You Do?

When parents receive a message from one of these new 10-digit numbers, we recommend they save it to their contacts. Here are some suggestions:

• Save a teacher’s number as: Ms. Davis - 4th Grade
• Save classroom / group posts as: Lincoln Elementary Classes
• Save a school post’s number as: Lincoln Elementary Updates

We understand that receiving messages from unknown numbers can raise security concerns. Please be assured that these ParentSquare messages will never ask you to provide sensitive personal information, such as passwords or financial data, via text.

Read more about this change and some helpful tips: Changes to ParentSquare Text Messages.

New to ParentSquare?

Download the app (App Store | Google Play) or sign in via your browser to get started. View the Getting Started Guide or ParentSquare Tips for Parents & Guardians for support. Parents who need to adjust their communication preferences can follow this step-by-step help article.

Ridgeline families and staff are being advised of a malfunction with the railroad crossing arm at N. 15th Street, near Ridgeline Middle School.

According to the Town of Windsor, the crossing arm is currently stuck in the raised position and will not lower or flash as trains approach. Repair crews are expected to arrive within the next couple of weeks.

The Town of Windsor shared the following:

While it's in the raised position, [ the crossing arm ] remains up and will not lower or flash as a train approaches. Currently, it’s anticipated to take a couple of weeks to get the proper crews out here for repairs.

In the meantime, if you see or hear a train approaching 🚨STOP AND WAIT! 🚨Trying to speed over the crossing with an approaching train is not only dangerous, but it can also be deadly. Cars can stop easily, trains can’t.

Flaggers may be in the area to assist with traffic flow over the crossing while a train is crossing. For traffic alert updates, text WINDSORROADS to 888777.

The district asks all families and staff to use extra caution at the N. 15th Street crossing, and at railroad crossings generally, until repairs are complete.

We're less than a month away from kicking off a brand new school year, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome students back. Here's everything you need to know to start getting ready.

First Day of School

We have something special planned for students making a big leap this year. Students entering kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade will kick off the year on Wednesday, Aug. 12, with a special experience just for them. Students in 1st through 5th, 7th through 8th, and 10th through 12th grades will join the fun on Thursday, Aug. 13. Our youngest learners in preschool will start their adventure on Thursday, Aug. 20.

For specific start times, check out your school's website. You can also view our  online calendar and printable calendar to keep all the important dates handy.

School Supplies

Did your family order a supply kit through Impacks? Great news — pickup details are on the way and will land in your inbox closer to the start of school.

Prefer to shop for supplies yourself? You can view the school supply list to purchase on your own, as well (visit your school’s website >> About >> School Supplies).

Classroom Assignments

Mark your calendar — classroom assignments will be ready to view on Thursday, Aug. 6. We can't wait for students to meet their new teachers and classmates.

Meals will be provided at no cost to all of our students through the Healthy School Meals for All program.

All Weld RE-4 families are still encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application. The application process provides important data that allows us to receive full access to federal funds that support our schools’ nutrition programs.

Here are some of the benefits that qualifying families may receive:

• Reduced or waived class fees
• Reduced Windsor Parks, Recreation, & Culture registration fees
• Discounted internet services via Lifeline

Children may qualify if they:

• Receive SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF
• Are a foster child under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or the court
• Attend a Head Start program
• Meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant
• Have a qualifying household income (for a family of four, at or below (for a family of four, at or below $42,900 for free meals and $61,050 for reduced meals)

Families only need to fill out one application per household. Even if an application was completed in previous years, families will need to complete the application every school year.  

Paper applications are available at all schools and the District Office (1020 Main Street, Windsor, Colo.). For more information, please contact Nutrition Services Director Ali Wendlandt at 970-686-8018, or view these frequently asked questions.

Weld RE-4 students in grades 3 - 8 and 11 may have completed one of the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessments or a Colorado Alternate Assessment (CoAlt) in Science and Social Studies this April. This year, families can view their results as soon as they are available without waiting for the distribution of paper reports in August.

Reports for these assessments are now available online through the Pearson Family Portal as of Friday, May 29. 

What You’ll Find in the Report

The preliminary report includes the student’s score, performance level, and a performance level description. Detailed results, with information such as score breakdowns that indicate strengths and areas for growth, peer comparisons, and tips for home support, will be available on June 15.

Access the Report

To access the results, you will need to enter the following information for your student:

• State Student Identifier (SASID)
• First Name (Legal)
• Last Name (Legal)
• Birth Date

The State Student Identifier (SASID) can be found by logging on to Infinite Campus’ “Campus Parent” and clicking on your child’s Student Profile from the home screen. If there is only one child associated with your account, the Student Profile will be the first page you see when you log in.

Once in the Pearson Family Portal, click the “CMAS Spring 2026” box under the “Assessments” heading.

Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Learning at Home

Helpful resources, like a video guide and a detailed explanation document, will also be available in the Family Portal to assist you in understanding the results.

Students Taking English Language Arts and Math CoALT Assessments

For those students on the alternative testing format in English Language Arts and Math, scores will be released on Monday, June 1. An additional separate email with login information will be sent to those families.

Scores Are One Piece of the Puzzle

These assessment scores provide valuable insights about your child’s academic journey based on Colorado’s grade-level expectations. We encourage you to view them alongside classroom grades and teacher feedback for a more complete picture of your child’s progress.

If you have any questions about accessing or understanding your child’s score reports, please contact Vanessa Gonzales, District Assessment Specialist, at 970-686-8000 x8841.

While our school district does not currently operate a summer food service program, organizations across the state are distributing meals at no cost this summer. Healthy meals are available to all kids and teens 18 and under. Text "Food" or "Comida" to 304-304, or visit KidsFoodFinder.org to find a distribution location near you.

Note: The Kids Food Finder map will likely update June 1. Meal programs will begin distribution in June.

Colorado will also offer Summer EBT. Families with eligible school-age children will receive $120 in benefits per child. Many families will automatically receive Summer EBT if their children qualify based on income or if they participate in SNAP, Colorado Works (TANF), or Medicaid. Learn more about Summer EBT on the Department of Human Services website.

Due to inclement weather and potential hazardous travel conditions, the Weld RE-4 School District will be closed Wednesday, May 6, and there will be no remote learning.

The following items will be canceled:

• All activities
• AlphaBEST programming
• Field trips
• Facility rentals

AP Exam Students

All AP exams are postponed. The AP English Literature exam will be rescheduled for May 18 at 12 p.m. The AP Physics exam is rescheduled for May 22 at 8 a.m. More information to follow.

Concurrent Enrollment Students

High school students participating in Concurrent Enrollment courses held on the college / university campus need to check those respective websites to see if classes are being held, postponed, or canceled. Canceling school for Weld RE-4 does not automatically excuse students from their Concurrent Enrollment courses if the college / university is open. Please coordinate with your college / university instructor.

For more information, email engage@weldre4.org.