The Link
The Link is the Integrated Services monthly newsletter for families that began in October, 2024. It is a way for us to share information, upcoming events and activities, and resources. Barb Moreng, Parent Liaison, is the editor. If you have feedback, please email Barb at bamoreng@psdschools.org. If you want to catch up on previous issues, you can find them on the Integrated Services page of the PSD website linked below:
This will be the final issue of the 2024-25 school year. The Link will be back in August, 2025!
Director's Corner
Dr. Jodie Rommel, Director of Integrated Services
Dear Families,
As we wrap up the school year, I want to convey my sincere gratitude to all of you for an incredible school year of growth and resilience. Thank you for entrusting us with your children/teenagers/young adults. Thank you for authentically partnering with us.
There is a lot to celebrate and I know we have many areas to improve upon. We will continue to work hard to ensure students and families have the best possible experience in PSD. Let's keep the lines of communication open. Don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Congratulations to all of our seniors!!
Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Kindly,
Jodie
Unified Elementary Track & Field Event
Thank you to Erin Coy, Integrated Services Coach, who organized the First Annual Unified Elementary Track and Field Event and her team of volunteers, donors, parents, teachers, and peer buddies, who pulled off an amazing event on May 1st! The smiles on the athletes' faces says it all! Enjoy the photos, courtesy of DJ James, Athletic Marketing Specialist.
Secondary Special Olympics
Special thanks to Kim Gardner, teacher at Fossil Ridge High School and Ericka Griess, teacher at Mountain View High School, for organizing the Secondary Special Olympics event that took place on 5/2/25. This is a coordinated effort between Special Olympics Colorado, Poudre School District and Thompson School District that has been an annual event since 2011! Thank you to the volunteers, donors, parents, teachers, peer buddies and spectators who helped make this a memorable day for the athletes! Enjoy the photos, courtesy of DJ James, Athletic Marketing Specialist.
SEAC Update
The Special Education Advisory Committee is made up of parents, community partners, and PSD school staff. The purpose of SEAC is to represent students with disabilities and advise the Special Education Leadership Team on their behalf.
If you would like to apply to become a member of SEAC, the application will be available in August on the SEAC page of the PSD website (linked on button below). The committee values diverse representation of disability categories, grade levels, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives.
For the 2025-26 school year, we will be looking to fill the following roles:
- Early Childhood - 2 parents
- Elementary - 2 parents, 1 PSD staff member
- Middle School - 1 parent
- High School - 1 parent
- Transition - 1 parent, 1 PSD staff member
- Student - 1 student or former student with an IEP or disability
- PSD Paraprofessional - 1 para
- Administrator - 1 principal, vice principal, dean, athletic director
Congratulations to our 2025 Mary hull award winners!
- Katie Dionesotes, MultiCat Teacher, Boltz Middle School
- Brian Harrison, Concurrent Enrollment Specialist, Poudre High School (not pictured)
- Carol Miller, Homebound Teacher
- Jamie Straw, Speech/Language Pathologist, Early Childhood
- Tricia Van Horssen, School Social Worker, Rocky Mountain High School
- And Sara Zahakis, Office Manager for Integrated Services, won the Association of Classified Employees (ACE) Employee of the Year Award
Congratulations to Brooke Pinaud
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Brook Pinaud, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, was named a finalist for the Dianne Goberis Legacy Award for her commitment to students with hearing differences and the families she serves. We are very proud of Brooke for being a leader, a champion, and a source of hope!
Rocky Mountain High School Give Next Program
Give Next is a year-long program that challenges participating students to explore complex social issues, think critically about their role in creating change, and take action by investing in local nonprofits.
At RMHS, the Give Next program is done in the center-based Affective Needs program. $5,000 was donated by local donors through the Bohemian Foundation and $4,200 was donated through student fundraisers. In total, RMHS donated $9,200 to local non-profits that work to prevent suicide among adolescents.
Thanks to the students, staff, donors and contributors who make this program possible!
Summer engagement
Last year, School Psychologist, Caitlyn Hartjes and Integrated Services Teacher, Katie Dionesotes, put together some summer engagement opportunities that are worth sharing again as summer quickly approaches.
Summer Activities
One of our Occupational Therapists, Lacey Shupe, has put together some great free and low cost summer activities that are accessible to students with disabilities, but open to all ability levels! The events at Lory State Park are free (flyers below), but the park pass is not. However, you can check out a park pass from the library for free! Thanks, Lacey!
Upcoming Events
Summer Unified Basketball
The Arc of Northeast Colorado is hosting Summer Unified Basketball at NOCO Sports Center in Windsor on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 10-July 10 from 6:30-7:30pm. This FREE summer league is open to middle school, high school, and adult athletes with and without disabilities. They ask that you register by May 24th at the latest so they can order jerseys. See flyer, video, and registration button below.
No Limits Sports Camp
The Arc of Northeast Colorado is also partnering with the University of Northern Colorado Bears Football Program to host the No Limits Sports Camp to be held on June 19th from 9:00am-11:15am at UNC Nottingham Field. This is for participants ranging from Kindergarten to 21 years old. This FREE camp is designed specifically for individuals with disabilities, offering meaningful opportunities to build athletic skills, boost confidence, and experience the joy of sports in a supportive and inclusive environment.
6/9/25-6/13/25: Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp
Free Webinars
PSD community partner, Mosaic, hosts a free webinar on the third Tuesday of each month from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Here are the upcoming topics for the summer months:
