Summer plans
Volunteer together
Doggy day essentials
Grandparents connecting with grandchildren
Bridging the age gap—The connection between kids and grandparents is special. Find ways of building that relationship through activities, shared interests and adventures.
The wind was howling, so our son, Andy, and his wife, Alli, decided to spend the night at our house. They have two giant cottonwoods hanging over their roof, which are awesome in the summer but not so great when the wind is cranking in the winter.
They live only a couple of miles away so it’s easy for them to grab supplies for the whole family—Alli, Andy, plus 4-and-a-half-year-old Fin and four-month-old Ro, and little shaggy Butter. The chickens stayed home in their coop, though.
We were in for a multiday slumber party.
Kristin already had a big pot of chicken chipotle stew on the stove and the house smelled inviting.
The wind blew for four days in mid-March with smoke from fires here and there on the first day or two. You might remember it. We cuddled in. It felt like we were all on vacation together. We hung out, played games, cooked and ate together, took turns holding the baby.
We mused about multigenerational households that we imagined exist somewhere at some time and how that could really work with shared responsibilities taking care of kids and us, let’s say, more-mature adults while everyone pitched in with household responsibilities.
Sure, there would be a little more chaos than we normally have in our house with just the two of us and finding those quiet spaces and quiet times would take a little more intention.
To be clear, we didn’t start making plans about how we could sell our houses and move in together, but we were having such a good experience that we could envision how it might have worked.
We may have the best of both worlds in a modern context. We live two miles apart and we get to see each other regularly. And the other grandparents live two miles from them too and they get to see them a lot.
We know how lucky we are and we know that in today’s mobile, insulated world not everyone has this opportunity. Please read Katie Harris’ story about connecting with grandchildren. She takes a close look at building bridges, long-distance communication and navigating relationships.
It does really take a village to raise a child. Parents are so busy these days between work and family obligations. We have a golden opportunity to be involved as best we can and build those bridges stick-by-stick so that it’s never a big, conscious project. It just seems to happen.
Feeling lucky,
Scott
APRIL 2026 • Volume 30, Issue 11
PUBLISHER
Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210
scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com
EDITOR
Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210
kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Emily Zaynard
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ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR
Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832
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DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Susan Harting susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com
COVER PHOTO istock photo
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson, Katie Harris
ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING
PO Box 740
Fort Collins, CO 80522 Voice 221-9210 • Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com
Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2026 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER:
FROM CHOOSING SAFE, ENGAGING camps to making sure children have essential water safety skills, preparing for the season takes a bit of strategy. It’s also helpful to know where to turn if a child gets sick or injured during busy summer days. With the right information and local resources, families can set their kids up for a summer that is active, safe, and full of positive experiences.
As summer approaches, now is the perfect time to make sure your child knows how to swim. Swimming isn’t just a fun activity; it’s an essential safety skill for kids around pools, lakes, and rivers. Enrolling children in lessons early helps them build confidence in the water and learn basic self-rescue skills that can prevent accidents. Swim lessons help families “learn and play” safely in the water. With warm weather and more time around water ahead, enrolling your child in lessons now can help them enter summer safer, stronger, and ready to enjoy the season. Fortunately, Northern Colorado offers several affordable options:
Planning for summer camp is a complex scheduling task, especially for parents and caregivers of kids who are too young to be at home alone, but too old for a year-round preschool enrollment. Choosing a summer camp for your child starts with finding an activity that matches their interests, personality, and developmental stage. Some kids thrive in sports-focused programs, while others prefer art, nature, or hands-on learning. Parents should also look for camps that prioritize safety, employ well-trained staff, and age-appropriate programming. Local resources can help families explore options. For example, the YMCA of Northern Colorado offers a wide range of day camps designed to help kids learn new skills, explore nature, and build friendships through structured activities. City of Fort Collins Recreation Department publishes the Recreator, a seasonal guide listing youth programs and summer day camps across the community. Colorado State University also hosts youth sport camps in Fort Collins that promote healthy, active lifestyles through organized activities. By researching reputable local programs and considering what excites your child most, you can choose a camp experience that is both safe and rewarding.
The City of Greeley published a comprehensive list of options for swim lessons— including bilingual classes—greeleyco.gov
The Town of Windsor Parks, Recreation, and Culture department offers American Red Cross–based lessons for any age. Learn more www. recreationliveshere.com/181/Aquatics-Programs
YMCA of Northern Colorado also runs www. ymcanoco.org/aquatics for children as young as six months that focus on water safety and confidence.
The City of Fort Collins offers multiple affordable options for all ages at the Mulberry Pool, www.fortcollins.gov/Venues/Mulberry-Pool.
When a child gets sick or injured, it can be hard to know whether to head to urgent care or the emergency room. In general, urgent care is appropriate for illnesses or injuries that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening, such as ear infections, mild asthma symptoms, minor burns, sprains, or cuts that may need stitches. Facilities like pediatric urgent care centers—such as those operated by Banner Health in Northern Colorado—treat common illnesses and minor injuries when a child’s regular doctor isn’t available. Banner Health Urgent Care operating in multiple locations in Northern Colorado says, “If your child’s primary care provider isn’t available and the issue isn’t life-threatening, urgent care centers are a smart choice.”
The emergency room (ER) should be used for serious or potentially life-threatening problems. Medical experts advise going to the ER if a child has trouble breathing, severe head injuries, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or confusion.
When you’re unsure, many pediatric specialists recommend calling your child’s doctor first for guidance. If your child appears very ill or in distress, however, it’s safest to seek emergency care right away.
WHEN CHOOSING A VOLUNTEER PROJECT to tackle with your child, look for projects that speak to your hearts and appeal to your interests. In Northern Colorado, you can help an older adult with yard work, pitch in with farm chores to support local youth, do your part to restore area wildlands or choose one of our many other local nonprofits to lend a hand to.
For over 25 years Loveland Youth Gardeners has helped connect Northern Colorado’s youth with nature. The nonprofit’s youth-led urban farm hosts parent and child nature learning experiences, exploratory day camps for elementary-agers, horticultural therapy programs for at-risk and special-needs teens and special events.
This spring, pitch in as a family to help an older adult in your community plant a vegetable garden, spruce up flower beds or patch a fence. Kids of all ages are welcome to attend with an adult guardian, and families will be assigned a home or homes in a nearby community to help at based on size and ages.
A Little Help also connects volunteers with older adults in need of companionship. From checking in with a phone call to stopping by for a board game, the Companionship Champions program is designed to combat loneliness while building community connections.
Older kids accompanied by a guardian can volunteer with set up and clean up, participant check in and running group activities. Families with younger kids can help on the farm, feeding chickens, cleaning coops, planting and maintaining the gardens, and helping keep the farm in working order.
Volunteers for farm chores are welcome to sign up ahead of time or just show up—no time commitment is required and tools are provided. Those interested in helping run events can sign up at lovelandyouthgardeners.org.
Have an older kid who’s good with tech? The Tech Wizardry program is designed to connect older adults with volunteers who can help with smartphone questions, assist with making video calls and teach them how to connect safely through their devices.
Sign up to volunteer at alittlehelp.org.
Families with kids of all ages and abilities can sign up to help restore local wildland sites through Wildlands Restoration Volunteers. Each year the nonprofit tackles over 150 conservation projects across the state. With base camps in Fort Collins and Longmont, it frequently hosts volunteer events in Northern Colorado’s natural areas, lasting from a few hours to a few days.
Upcoming events include tree painting to deter beavers on April 4th in Longmont, an Earth Day tree planting on April 17th in Laporte, and digging up invasive Myrtle Spurges in Boulder throughout April and May.
A full calendar of events can be found at wrv. org. Note that advance registration is required and many events fill up quickly. Check back often for additional events to be listed.
Keeping family dogs happy and healthy often comes down to the little things—fun treats, engaging enrichment, and simple grooming routines. Fortunately, local pet shops in Northern Colorado offer products that make caring for your dog easier and more enjoyable. From frozen snacks that support digestion to interactive feeders that slow down mealtime and gentle solutions for ear care, these items help dog stay comfortable, stimulated, and well cared for while giving owners peace of mind.
Liquid Lick Bowl & Slow Feeder
Cost: $20
Buy from: Wags Pet Market & Grooming, 132 N College Avenue, Fort Collins
This 2-pack dog lick bowl slow feeder set is designed to turn mealtime into an engaging, calming activity for pets. Each bowl features a textured licking surface and a floating ball treat dispenser that encourages dogs or cats to lick and interact with their food rather than eating too quickly. This slow-feeding design helps promote healthier digestion and can reduce risks like bloating or overeating. The non-slip base keeps the bowl stable during use, preventing spills or tipping. Made from durable, pet-safe materials, the bowls are suitable for everyday feeding or enrichment activities. By stimulating natural licking behavior, the toy also helps relieve boredom, reduce anxiety, and provides mental stimulation for puppies, kittens, and adult pets.
Frozen Dog Treats by The Bear & The Rat
Cost: $6 for a package of four
Buy from: J&T Feeds, 3616 W 10th street, Greeley
Humans should not be the only species to enjoy frozen treats when the weather starts getting hot. These are the ultimate treats for your dog; when your pup sees you go into the freezer, they will jump and squeal with anticipation. Made with simple ingredients like yogurt, banana puree, and peanut butter, they provide a tasty snack while also supporting digestive health. Each single-serve cup includes prebiotics and plant-based digestive enzymes that help dogs break down food more efficiently and support healthy gut bacteria. The treats are low in calories and free from wheat, soy, gluten, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, making them suitable for many dogs, including those with sensitive stomachs.
Skout’s Honor Probiotic Ear Cleaner
Cost: $10
Buy from: Poudre Pet & Feed Supply, locations in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor
Keeping pets’ ears clean to avoid yeast infections is too often an unknown maintenance task.
Skout’s Honor Ear Cleaner with Aloe is a gentle, probiotic-based solution designed to help keep dogs’ ears clean and healthy. The formula contains soothing aloe vera and live topical probiotics that help stabilize the ear’s natural microbiome while cleaning away dirt, wax, and buildup that can cause irritation or odor. It is alcohol-free, fragrancefree, and non-medicated, making it suitable for routine ear care and pets with sensitive ears. For pet owners, regular ear care is important because trapped moisture and debris can lead to itching, odor, and infections. Using a gentle cleaner like this helps maintain ear health, reduce irritation, and support a pet’s natural defenses, helping keep dogs comfortable and preventing more serious ear problems.
READY TO INVEST IN a kids’ tablet but feeling overwhelmed by the options? We’ve broken down some of the most popular devices on the market—looking at content, parental controls and durability—to help simplify your decision.
Geared toward kids ages 3 to 7 (Fire HD kids) or 6 to 12 (Fire HD Kids Pro), Amazon’s line of kids’ tablets offers 10-plus-hour battery life, 8- to 10.1-inch HD screens and designs built to withstand everyday wear and tear. Each device is backed by a two-year worry-free warranty.
Amazon’s built-in parental controls include the option to set screen time limits, pause devices remotely, filter content and set educational goals. Tablets come with a subscription to Amazon Kids+, giving kids access to thousands of ad-free, age-tailored apps, games, shows and books. Pro devices also allow limited web access, with filters managed by parents.
Amazon Fire Kids tablets start at $99 on Amazon.com for newer models, while Pro devices start at $139.
Designed for ages 3 to 8, the LeapPad features a 7-inch shatter-proof screen, a kid-friendly stylus and a durable design. The device includes access to LeapFrog’s Just-for-Me learning technology, which tailors educational content to the child’s ability level and increases in difficulty as they level up.
In addition to pre-loaded content, families can purchase educational apps and games through the LeapFrog App Center, and each device includes a three-month trial of the LeapFrog Academy online learning program. Physical game cartridges can also be purchased. While newer LeapPad models offer internet access, the built-in LeapSearch browser is designed specifically for educational content and includes strong parental control features.
LeapFrog’s newest tablet models, LeapPad Academy and LeapPad Ultimate, start at $99 on leapfrog.com.
While not specifically designed for kids, Apple’s iPad offers access to the same content as other Apple devices, with available parental controls, making it an appealing choice for parents who want a device their child can grow into or share with other family members.
Standard models tend to be more affordable than Pro versions while still offering strong durability, with new models starting at $349 on apple. com. Because iPads allow full internet access, using Apple’s Family Sharing tools and Screen Time settings is recommended to control what kids can see and download. Like other Apple devices, iPads provide access to both free and paid apps through the App Store.
Samsung released its first kidspecific tablet with the Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition in 2024. The device features a durable protective case, an 11-inch screen, a crayon-themed stylus and preloaded Samsung Kids content designed for younger users.
Parental controls allow parents to monitor and filter browsing, create individual profiles for multiple children and set time limits for specific apps. Samsung’s tablet also offers internet access and app purchases which can be controlled in parent settings, as well as Quick Share file sharing with other compatible devices. The A9+ Kids Edition starts at $209 on bestbuy.com.
For nearly 50 years, Mountain Kids has helped children across Northern Colorado grow through movement, confidence, and connection. At the heart of that story is founder Ron Baretta, whose lifelong passion for athletics and youth development laid the foundation for everything Mountain Kids represents today.
Ron’s journey began as a collegiate gymnast at Colorado State University, where the discipline, energy, and teamwork of the sport shaped his belief that kids learn best when they are active and supported.
After completing his degrees, Ron and his wife Mary turned that belief into action, opening Mountain Gymnastics Training Center in 1976. Their goal was simple and powerful: create a safe, positive place where children could build skills, character, and confidence through movement.
“I’m thankful every day for the families who have allowed Mountain Kids to be part of their children’s lives. Watching young people in Fort Collins discover what they can achieve through movement is why we’ve remained committed to exceptional programming for nearly 50 years.” Ron Baretta, Founder of Mountain Kids
What started as a single program has grown into a vibrant community for families offering gymnastics, dance, preschool, camps, and more. Every class, every coach, and every smiling high-five reflects Ron’s original vision of helping kids discover their potential while having fun.
419 E. Stuart St., Fort Collins, CO 80525 | 970-482-3118
KATIE HARRIS
GENERATION ALPHA—children born in the past 15 years—are often characterized as “digital natives”. They’ve grown up with technology at their fingertips, and smart phones, social media and AI are woven into their everyday lives.
For grandparents, many of whom grew up spending long days outdoors or helping around the house with tasks that technology has since made obsolete, bridging that gap can feel daunting. But by being intentional about how time together is spent, grandparents and grandkids can build lasting bonds—passing down family traditions while creating new ones of their own.
When face-to-face interactions are possible, it’s best to avoid falling into the trap of settling for text exchanges or defaulting to video calls.
“Screens are a source of distraction,” says Jake Lohwater, licensed psychotherapist and owner of Lohwater Counseling Services in Fort Collins. “If grandparents are geographically close, it’s better to be
together whenever possible.”
Spending time together in person not only eliminates potential distractions, but it also levels the playing field between digitally different generations, preventing frustration or misunderstandings around technology.
Finding activities you both genuinely enjoy can be a great way to bond, and parents can be a helpful resource when brainstorming ideas. Maybe you both enjoy cooking or baking, or spending a quiet morning fishing on the lake. Drawing side by side can help bridge the generational divide, as can planting a garden.
If grandparents are physically able, going for a hike can create meaningful memories, as can spending the day at a museum or local library. Lohwater recommends checking community event calendars to find offerings you’ll both enjoy—many of which take place during school breaks.
Sometimes quality time requires one of you to step outside your comfort zone and try an activity the other
enjoys. Even if there’s hesitation at first, Lohwater says grandkids often appreciate the chance to learn a new hobby from their grandparent—especially when it passes down generational knowledge or tradition. That could mean sitting down together to write letters or embarking on a bigger, ongoing project like sewing a quilt.
The key, Lohwater says, is choosing activities that give you the space for conversation and connection. For that reason, he suggests avoiding busy play places or trampoline parks, where kids typically run off to play while grandparents sit on the sidelines. Lunch at a favorite diner, on the other hand, can be a fun and nostalgic way to connect and share stories.
Living far apart can present an added challenge, especially when frequent visits aren’t possible.
In these situations, Lohwater says the role of technology shifts. “Video calls can be a really great tool as long as everyone is tech-savvy enough to make them work,” he says.
Some of his favorite examples of long-distance connection include grandparents reading books with their grandchildren over the phone—whether it’s a picture book in one sitting or a chapter book read over the course of several calls. Others engage in shared activities via video chat.
“I’ve seen grandparents send a care package to their grandchild—a coloring book or baking set, for example— and get the same thing for themselves. Then they do the activity together over the phone,” he says. “Having something to focus on helps everyone relax and opens the door for conversations about other interests or upcoming plans to unfold naturally.”
Sometimes, tension between a grandparent and their adult child, or child-in-law, can create stress around visits. Lohwater explains that these conflicts often stem from differing philosophies or expectations about raising kids.
“Sometimes parents wish grandparents were more involved or supportive, and sometimes they feel like grandparents are overly involved or crossing boundaries,” he says. “The thing I most often hear from parents is that they feel grandparents aren’t respecting their wishes—either they’re spoiling the child or not following the rules they’ve set.”
Lohwater’s advice to grandparents is to listen first—both to the parent and, if age appropriate, to the child. Ultimately, he says, parents have the final say when it comes to their child.
That said, grandparents also deserve to be heard. “It’s rarely the parents’ goal to squash the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild,” he says. “The goal is to make things cohesive and collaborative for everyone involved. It’s okay for grandparents to ask for what they want, but they also need to be prepared not to get it.”
If grandparents feel disappointed or unheard, Lohwater
suggests turning to trusted friends for perspective and support.
“Ask friends about the dynamic in their family and what’s worked for them,” he says. “It can help normalize the experience and prevent feelings of isolation.” A family or individual therapist can also provide guidance when conversations stall or become unproductive.
“Remember that kids thrive on consistency when it comes to rules and expectations,” Lohwater says. “Frequent disagreement between what parents say and what grandparents says doesn’t benefit anyone.”
When circumstances lead to grandparents serving as the primary guardian or caretaker, additional obstacles can arise.
“There can be a feeling of loss over where the parent is, societal and cultural gaps that make it hard to relate, complications due to advanced age or health concerns and often a lack of resources,” says Lohwater. “It can be incredibly hard to connect with others when you don’t see anyone else your age raising kids, and it’s hard for kids as well when their friends can’t relate.”
In these situations, where both grandparent and grandchild may need extra support and there’s no parent in the middle to help, Lohwater emphasizes the importance of seeking out resources and guidance.
County departments of human services often offer financial or medical assistance. Offices on aging provide caregiver support. CSU’s GRANDcares program connects grandparent-headed families with a wide range of resources and guidance.
Support groups, especially those specifically for grandparents raising grandchildren, can offer connection and understanding. If you can’t find one locally, many exist online.
“It really does take a village to raise children, especially when you’re doing it as an older adult,” Lohwater says. “Finding other people navigating the same thing who can help share the load—both the joy and the struggles—is invaluable.”
Psychological assessment and testing
Care coordination
Local referrals
Summer is more than a break from school — it’s a chance for kids to grow, gain confidence, and stay active while making lifelong memories.
Mountain Kids offers summer camps and swim lessons to give children the opportunity to move, explore, and build new skills in a supportive, highenergy environment families trust.
Summer Day Camps: Ages: 5–12
Each day is built around active fun, creativity, and friendship. Campers are encouraged to challenge themselves, try new things, and head home proud of what they learned.
Highlights often include:
● Gymnastics & ninja-style obstacle courses
● Daily swim lessons with qualified instructors
● Team games, field trips and cooperative challenges
● Outdoor play & themed activities
● Creative projects and hands-on fun
● Confidence and social skill building
Swim Lessons: Ages: 6 months & up
From first splashes and water safety to advanced swimming development, swimmers progress safely while celebrating every milestone.
Skills focus on:
● Water safety and comfort
● Floating, kicking, and breath control
● Stroke technique & endurance
● Building confidence in and around the water
● Age-appropriate advancement at every level
For generations of Fort Collins families, Mountain Kids has been where active summers happen—and spots fill quickly. Visit mountain-kids.com for registration information!
419 E. Stuart St., Fort Collins, CO 80525 | 970-482-3118
Poudre School District students, educators, and families have a lot to celebrate. Data presented to the Board of Education in February 2026 as part of the District Ends (DE) 1.0 Monitoring Report shows meaningful progress across nearly every measure of student success—from early childhood readiness through graduation and beyond.
PSD students continue to outperform their state and national peers in both reading and math. The typical PSD student outperforms 60 percent of students nationally.
On CMAS, PSAT, and SAT assessments, PSD’s reading achievement effect size reached 0.37 in 2024–25—well above the district’s target of 0.25 and steadily climbing from 0.31 just three years ago. In math, achievement has remained consistently strong at 0.30, also exceeding the target.
Perhaps one of the most encouraging trends in the report is the continued rise in K–5 reading performance. The spring achievement effect size for noncharter elementary students climbed to 0.28 in 2024–25, up from just 0.12 in 2021–22, and now exceeds the district’s target of 0.25. Every grade level from kindergarten through fifth grade showed gains, with kindergarten reaching an impressive 0.47 effect size. These results reflect the strong impact of PSD’s literacy initiatives and the dedication of elementary educators across the district.
Each year, PSD surveys students about how connected they feel to their school and whether they feel safe, supported
by adults, listened to, and engaged in activities that match their interests. These responses are combined into a single “composite score,” an overall percentage that reflects the average level of agreement across all of these areas. A higher composite score means more students feel positively connected to their school experience.
PSD’s composite score has shown a steady five-year climb, reaching 85.6 percent in 2025, up from 83.5 percent in 2020. Students who report higher levels of connection to their schools also demonstrate higher attendance, stronger academic achievement, and lower discipline rates. The “Interests and Passions” subscale has been a key driver, rising from 73 to 78 percent over the past five years, reflecting PSD’s investment in engaging students through activities, programs, and learning opportunities that matter to them.
Critically, student connections are strongly associated with graduation expectations. Among students who say they will graduate, 99 percent report that someone played a role in helping them explore their future. For students who are uncertain about graduating, that number drops to 86.3 percent, highlighting the importance of every student having a caring adult in their corner.
PSD continues to lead Colorado in
preparing students for life after high school. Nearly half of all 9th–12th grade students (48.6 percent) are now enrolled in concurrent enrollment courses—earning tuition-free college credit—up from 34.8 percent just two years ago. Career and Technical Education (CTE) participation has reached 51.1 percent, with CTE courses available at every traditional high school. PSD’s dual enrollment rate of 69.4 percent nearly doubles the state average of 42 percent, and its concurrent enrollment rate of 66 percent far exceeds the state’s 36.2 percent. Through work-based learning, nationally recognized credentials, and associate degree pathways, PSD students are graduating with real options for their own futures.
Students with IEPs and English Language Learners are outpacing the growth of their academic peers in both reading and math, and many individual schools are achieving “catch-up growth” targets for students who need additional support. Elementary literacy data is especially promising: students on READ Plans have shown dramatic improvement, with effect sizes climbing from 0.20 to 0.44 over the past three years, far exceeding the overall PSD gains.
Thompson School District further increased its four-year graduation rate this past academic year, with an official rate of 90.9 percent. A total of 1,175 students graduated from the district in the 2024-25 school year. The four-year graduation rate increased 0.9 percent from the previous 2023-2024 school year. Over the past eight years, the district’s graduation rate has increased from 80 percent to 90.9 percent.
In addition, Thompson School District’s dropout rate decreased to 1 percent for the 2024-25 academic year from a total of 1.3 percent for the 2023-24 school year.
The statistics were released on January 13 as part of the State of Colorado’s announcement of statewide student graduation and dropout data. Overall, the state’s fouryear graduation rate increased by 1.4 percentage points to 85.6 percent— the highest in more than a decade. The dropout rate also improved, declining by 0.3 percentage points to 1.6 percent, which is the state’s lowest rate in more than 10 years.
“This growth in our graduation rate and the continued decline in our dropout rate reflect the collective
commitment and hard work of our students, families and staff,” says Dr. Bret Heller, Thompson School District Superintendent. “We are proud of this momentum and remain focused on helping each student throughout their journey as they acquire the knowledge and skills that they will need to succeed.”
For more information, please contact Michael Hausmann, Thompson School District Chief Communications Officer, at 970613-5011 or via e-mail at michael. hausmann@tsd.org.
Thompson School District’s website, tsd.org, is designed to be a helpful, easy-to-navigate resource for families, students, and community members. Parents can find important district news, school updates, and announcements all in one place, helping them stay informed about what is happening across our schools.
The website provides quick access to essential family resources, including enrollment information for new and returning students, school calendars, transportation details, and meal services. Families can also
explore academic programs ranging from early childhood education to high school career and technical opportunities, Advanced Placement courses, and college and career readiness programs.
Parents can easily locate information about individual schools, including contact details, staff directories, and school-specific news. The website also highlights student support services such as special education, mental health resources, and multilingual support for families.
In addition, tsd.org features information about athletics, extracurricular activities, and community partnerships that help students stay engaged both inside and outside the classroom. Families can also learn about district initiatives, safety information, and opportunities to get involved through volunteering and advisory groups.
Whether you are new to Thompson School District or a longtime member of the community, tsd.org serves as a central hub to help families stay connected, informed, and supported throughout their child’s educational journey.
“The culture in my building has always been great. I think there is an overarching feeling of support. And the support comes from all of the people in the building. There is not one person who would not find a way to help another. I have grown as a teacher because of the support I have received throughout the years which has made me a better teacher and person. The people I work with have created an environment that fosters support and growth and still held high expectations for the work we do. I really love my school and the people I work with.”
When you think about your experience in our district, what makes you feel proud to work here?
“I am continually amazed and proud of our students. As a middle school teacher, I get the benefit of seeing them grow and thrive throughout their high school years. It is always a great feeling to see them become productive and successful young people. And, it is especially nice to hear that they appreciated what they learned during their middle school years.”
What keeps you feeling connected to and supported by our school community?
“I think this goes back to the feeling of support. These are not just coworkers, they are friends. There is a sense of family between all of us. We support each other’s successes, help each other when life gets tough and we share our lives with each other. Additionally, throughout the years, I have made friends in other
Name: Stacie Roberts
School: Prairie Heights Middle School
Position: Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Years of Service in District: 29
buildings, and it is always wonderful to connect with them and share with them as well. I think this community is incredibly strong, supportive, and fun. I love my building!”
What’s a fun fact about your job?
“Well, two facts. One, middle schoolers are fun to be around. Two, our staff is super competitive and fun!”
What is one experience with a student or staff member that left a lasting, positive impact on you?
“There are so many experiences that have made an impression on me. One example, watching our student council members step up and become leaders among their peers. It is awe inspiring. They step out of their comfort zones and work with their peers, community members, and parents during various events. To witness them helping others, working together, and leading their peers gives me hope for their future and ours as they grow up to become leaders in the community.”
“Jeff was a rock star agent! He not only worked exceptionally hard on selling our house, but he also became a dear friend in the process. He was honest and open and offered great advice. He went above and beyond helping us. A “must have” person when selling, or buying a home in the Ft. Collins area.” - Tim H
“Both myself and my wife are in our eighties. We have bought and sold 7 homes. Never in all of those sales have we had a real-estate agent as helpful and pleasant as Jeff has been. He went above and beyond what was necessary and helped us resolve problems involving our age and abilities to get things done. For this and his professionalism we are truly grateful.” - Judy & Terry H
“Jeff is the BEST!! He is proactive in a not-so-great market. Jeff was very innovative with his marketing strategies. He is very smart. He helped me get my home on the market by literally moving furniture, boxes, etc. He gives great detailed feedback. He offers to help all the way through the process. He is also one of the kindest human beings. I would recommend Jeff to anyone for the greatest experience of selling your house because he cares!! If there are fivestar ratings, Jeff is an 8. He is the BEST!!” - Kathleen G
• Comprehensive Expertise: I provide solutions tailored to your unique stage of life.
• Specialized Senior Support: As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), I understand the unique needs of seniors and their families.
• Investment Strategies: I can guide you through using a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate, helping to diversify your retirement portfolio beyond the stock market.
• Business Insight: With an MBA in Marketing and decades of experience, I bring a strong foundation in strategy, negotiation, and market knowledge.
I can help you buy, sell, or invest with confidence and peace of mind.
JEFF BITTERMAN Broker Associate/Partner
FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS
APRIL
Plant a Pinwheel
Raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month by planting a blue pinwheel, the national symbol for Child Abuse Prevention and wearing blue every Friday, and more. plantapinwheel.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Easter Farmers Market
Seasonal treats, handmade delights, flowers, live music and hands-on kids’ activities. Foothills Mall, FC. facebook.com/ events/1554382328985129
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Northern Colorado Children’s Festival Hands-on activities, arts/crafts, free books/stuffed animals and learning adventures for kids aged 0–8. Island Grove Regional Event Center, GR. facebook.com/ events/1391071369157756
Spring Artisan Market
Handmade goods from 50+ artisans and crafters. Senior Center, FC. fortcollins.gov/Events/2026Events/2026-Q2/Spring-2026Artisan-Market
Loveland Pancake Breakfast & Plant Sale
Fundraiser for Chilson Senior Advisory Committee offers a hearty breakfast and wide selection of plants. Chilson Senior Center, LV. lovgov.org/prevents
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Earth Day Fort Collins
Free, family-friendly event brings together education, hands-on activities, youth engagement, and local solutions. Odell Brewing, FC. EarthDayFortCollins.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Estes Park Bigfoot Days Festival Outdoor festival celebrating all things Squatchy with themed activities for families. Bond Park, EP. eventsinestes.com/bigfoot-days
ENTERTAINMENT
THROUGH APRIL 4
Look Again: Portraits of Daring Women Artist Julie Lapping Rivera’s series of portraits highlights women who were often unsung in their time. Loveland Museum, LV. thelovelandmuseum. org/look-again
Hello, Dolly
A turn-of-the-century matchmaker, brings romance, humor, and lively dance to the stage. Candlelight Dinner Theatre, Johnstown. coloradocandlelight.com
THROUGH MAY 23
Letters from the Heart: Global Threads of Love
This exhibit traces how people express devotion across cultures and generations. Global Village Museum, FC. globalvillagemuseum.org
APRIL 2 THROUGH 5
Spring-Fling Farm Tours
Morning Fresh Dairy, Bellvue. morningfreshdairy.com/tours-andevents/holiday-tours/spring-flingtours.html
Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures
Mickey Mouse and friends embark on a wild ride with unexpected hijinks and magic. Blue Arena, LV. treventscomplex.com/events
APRIL 5 AND MAY 3
1st Sundays Fireside
Family friendly events with nature activities, crafts and time around the campfire. Each month features a unique theme. CSU Environmental Learning Center, FC. warnercnr. colostate.edu/events
TUESDAY, APRIL 7
Dinosaur World Live
Discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Monfort Concert Hall, GR. ucstars.showare.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
Skygazing
Family-friendly activity followed by skygazing with telescopes from Northern Colorado Astronomical Society. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, FC. engage.fcgov.com/Calendar
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Doodle Pop
A mischievous duo invites you to the doodling world on a sea adventure with a tiny little turtle. Lincoln Center Performance Hall, FC. lctix.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
International Ballet Starts: Swan Lake
A story of love, magic, and triumph, brought to life through the powerful choreography. Monfort Concert Hall, GR. ucstars.showare.com
Gold Rush: A Silent Film Journey
Charlie Chaplin’s Gold Rush with live orchestral accompaniment by the Fort Collins Symphony. Lincoln Center Performance Hall, FC. lctix.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Childrens Authors Book Signing
Local authors, Safa Suleiman, Natasha Wing and Julie Rowan-Zoch will sign copies of their books. Old Firehouse Books, FC. oldfirehousebooks.com
APRIL 24 THROUGH 26
NoCo Theatrix Presents Seussical Jr
A fantastical, extravaganza featuring beloved Dr. Seuss characters. Hensel Phelps Theatre, GR. ucstars. showare.com
Loveland Choral Society: An American Songbook 2026
Celebrate with a sampling of music and artists that inspired our land of opportunity and were made famous from Colorado. Rialto Theater, LV. rialtotheatercenter.org
Baby Animal Days
See baby animals, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, visit the mini Farmers’ Market, enjoy crafts and more. Centennial Village Museum, GR.
ACTIVE-ITIES
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
Horsetooth Half Marathon
The 53rd annual event ends at New Belgium Brewing, FC. horsetooth-half.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Loveland Classic/Earth Day 5K, 10K, Broken 15K, Kids 1-mile Walk/run to raise funds for Thompson Education Foundation. earthdayrace.com
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Flying Pig Charity 5K & Piglet Race Run, jog or walk to support those with disabilities through Foothills Gateway. Spring Canyon Park, FC. runsignup.com/Race/CO/ FortCollins/2022FlyingPig5K
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
THROUGH APRIL 5
Fort Collins Marketplace Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt
Self-guided scavenger hunt to win prizes. Fort Collins Marketplace, FC. ftcollinsmarketplace.com/ events
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
Flashlight Egg Hunt
Search for eggs with provided flashlight/bucket for a chance to score awesome prizes. Two age groups/times. Every participant leaves with candy bag. Thompson Rivers Parks & Recreation District, Milliken. allevents.in/milliken/flashlight-egghunt/200029762108710
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Easter Egg Hunt with The Optimist Club of Windsor No fee to participate. Groups arranged by age. Tickets available to win special prizes. Main Park, WS. allevents.in/windsor/easter-egg-hunt-with-theoptimist-club-of-windsor-co/200029496649015
Annual Children’s Easter Event, Loveland
Egg decorating, games, face painting, egg hunt, hotdogs and goodie bags. Loveland Moose Lodge, LV. facebook.com/events/1458776902704979
FOCO Easter Egg Hunt:
Family-friendly community event with hunts for ages 0–5 and 6–12. Christ Fellowship Church, FC. facebook.com/events/789339686973447
Hoppy Easter at Grimm
Welcome spring with egg hunts, games for the kids, and a festive day built for the whole family. Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, LV. facebook.com/ events/1639635210377286
Community Easter Carnival
Massive egg hunts, iant bounce house, face painting, and much more. UMC Johnstown Colorado. facebook.com/events/1247097050851258
Easter EGGStravaganza in Evans
City of Evans Recreation presents this egg dash for 2–12 year olds. Riverside Park, Evans. facebook. com/events/1425299652364350
Easter EGGstravaganza in Fort Collins
Grab your baskets and bring kiddos for an exciting egg hunt, crafts, face paint, bounce house, photo booth, food and fun. LifePointe Church, FC. allevents.in/fort-collins/free-easter-eggstravaganzatickets/80008410246714
Easter Eggstravaganza in Greeley
Free community event: bring your baskets for egg hunt, face art, inflatables, games, Easter Bunny pictures and more. Journey Chrstian Church, GR. facebook.com/events/1998414664407252
KATIE HARRIS
IT’S BEEN A PRIVILEGE sharing our family travels with RMParent readers over the past few years. Knowing I’d be sharing our itineraries with you motivated me to stretch my imagination—seeking out hidden gems and discovering new ways to explore Colorado and beyond.
While I’m a firm believer there’s always another adventure to be had— even after covering more than 40 Colorado-based road trips—it’s time to put the Family Travel column on hold for a while. This month we’re switching gears to a new tech column. Be on the lookout for practical tips on choosing devices, finding age-appropriate apps and keeping kids safe online.
But before we say “see you later” to Family Travel, I’d like to leave you with one final column: my go-to road trip survival guide. I hope it proves useful as you sift through back issues of RMParent, revisiting past itineraries, or begin planning your own original road adventure.
Thanks for exploring with me. I look forward to sharing more adventures with you down the road.
Long trips in the car require more than a tablet and headphones (though those can certainly come in handy). To keep the kids from slipping into zombie mode, my husband and I aim to limit screen time to less than onethird of our total drive time. Here’s how we keep the kids entertained during those screen-free hours:
• Alphabet Game: Race to spot the letters of the alphabet, in order, on roadside signs.
• License Plate Game: Keep a running list and try to find plates
from every state.
• Auto or Interstate Highway Bingo
• ABC Categories Game: Pick a category—food, animals or cities, for example—and take turns naming something for every letter of the alphabet.
• Where’s Waldo books
• The Big Book of Search and Find series
• Search and Find Write-and-Wipe Activity Mats
Before the trip, gather a variety of small, dollar-bin treasures such as miniature dolls, action figures, animal figurines, tiny crayon and notepad sets, stretchy or gooey toys and fidget items.
Wrap each item in foil.
On the road, distribute the foilwrapped toys when you sense boredom setting in. The toys provide entertainment, plus kids can have just as much fun smoothing, crinkling and creating with the foil.
Pro tip: Use the foil surprises strategically. Kids only earn them by going a pre-determined stretch of time without complaining.
• Pre-download favorite songs for a family singalong.
• Listen to educational podcasts like Wow in the World or Sound Detectives.
• Download a family-friendly audiobook.
The best car snacks are low-calorie, long-lasting and easy to handle. Cheese sticks, snack crackers, protein bars, dried fruit, carrot sticks, raisins and apple slices, pre-portioned into individual containers, are great choices to keep kids satisfied and happy on the road, without a lot of hassle or mess.
It’s easy to rush through the drive, but the journey is part of the adventure. Plan stops ahead of time that offer something memorable to see or do, from a landmark to a playground. Brainstorm a new way to be active at each stop, whether it’s 50 jumping jacks or a minute of running in place, and stretch your legs as a family.
Any time with your growing kids is sacred—even when it’s spent crammed in a car. Use the time to catch up on life, have conversations you haven’t had time for, tell a few jokes, share funny stories and simply enjoy being together.
SATURDAY, APRIL 18 ODELL
